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What kind of haggle room is there in a new motorcycle? Does everyone pay retail or much less. Or is a free helment all you can hope for, if that? I'm going to hit the dealers this week and don't want to get taken to the cleaners if I find something I like.

The most I've heard of is about $3000 off the full retail. Keep in mind this is at a honda dealership. You must consider that they do drop the price on some of these bikes in the fall. If you have a price in mind stick to it and see what happens. Tell them it's your limit and this is what you want. The worst that can happen is they turn your offer down. And if they do, walk away and check back a couple days later. If they still won't budge, go some where else and they might. I've been in sales and the salesmen do get hungry and do not like to lose a potential sale. Having cash in hand or pre-arranged financing also helps. That reduces the edge they have on you.

Let us know how it goes.

I guess I should have added that I'm looking at 250cc Crusers that retal for about $3,100 to $3,600. So I'm guessing 3000 off might be a bit much, but would be nice. About what is average, 10% off plus a helment? I have no clue and can't find any good buying guides on Google.

my bike retails for 6750 + around 500 dest. and prep. + whatever options you want to get. I offered 6000 + 200 dest. and prep. + 25% off any options and accessories including gear, the first dealer laughed and said "No F#$%ing way!", the second accepted! I told him "I was just at Dealer X and made them an offer but they accepted only a part of it, and that's why I am here! So if you accept this offer as is, we have a deal and I sign." I heard him talk to the big boss in the office and heard the boss tell him "I don't want him (me ) to go back to Dealer X, so ok we'll give him the deal." This was for a brand new bike that had just been released to the dealers two weeks before... So yes, you can haggle just like u do for cars. Make em an offer YOU think is fair and they can still make some money and they should accept. I got 12.5% off on the bike, 60% off on the dest/prep, and 25% on backrest, saddle bags, engine guard, windshield, helmet, jacket, pants, safety vest, etc... they do add up...
Oh, and I did have my finances pre-arranged. The most important thing is to stick to your price if you think it is fair, and be ready to walk out and go somewhere else.
Good luck

This is great news, I will try this tactic when I go to buy my new bike! I will post what happens either way.

I was offered over a $1000. discount on my new bike because of the colour. The popular colours were full price and sold well, but my 2-tone blue was overstocked....so...(and I loved the colour), so I bought it.
I then purchased a windshield and a lock and had the bike etched for security. Even though they deeply discounted the bike, they will make it up in the end with accessories and service.

Just like everyone else said there is quite a bit of haggle room on most bikes. The most popular ones that are selling like hotcakes most likely you won't get much. For example the MSRP on my 05 600 Shadow is at 5699, at the dealership they tried to add destination fees ($250), assembly($75 i think can't remember for sure), blah blah blah bunch of crap. After going to several dealers and having prearranged financing I was able to walk out the door with high quality Joe Rocket leather jacket, gloves, 25% off on Saddlebags and of course the bike at $6000. I also was able to get the color of my choice. I was not able to get them to throw in the free 600 mile tune-up or installation of the saddlebags.

Now having taken them off and put them back on to try and get a solo-seat going I feel like an idiot for paying them $70 to install the saddlebags. It's unbelievably easy!

The key is willing to get up and walk away if you don't think you're getting a fair deal, and to put some time in going to different dealerships. The experiance in negoiating helps quite a bit I think.

For some reason I'm known as something of a good bargainer in my circle. But there's no magic formula in my experience. You're already doing what you can. The only magic is doing research and knowing what others have paid - and most of all, be willing to walk away. If you walk in with the idea that you're getting a bike today no matter what, they'll smell it on you!

you can look on cylclebuy.com and get the dealer invoice cost plus their incentives.

remember if they don't sell bikes they don't pay the bills they have i.e. employees, rent, taxes etc.

I would rather sell a bike cheap in good times i.e summer than cheap in fall.

do the math before you go in so you know what your bottom line is.

When they make a counter offer get up and walk around the store go get a coffee, take a deep breath, but don't get sucked in by the excitement of riding off with a new bike if price is high on your list.

good luck and have fun

Db