Negotiating at dealership

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G_Seattle · Tue May 27, 2008 10:24 am

I am a total newbie when it comes to bike, and even though I read on the forum that used bikes are better for novices, I was wondering if you can negotiate the price of a new bike at a dealership. I guess just like you would if you were buying a car. If you can negotiate, what realistic discount should I expect?
Thanks!

streetmaster · Tue May 27, 2008 10:50 am

I can tell you about the time i went to see if i could get one for no money down. All i got was (

) and you will negotiate what ever price is on the bike, which for a bike that caost 6G's they wanted $2800 down at the Kawasaki Dealer.

G_Seattle · Tue May 27, 2008 11:01 am

sounds like it's going to be tough!

#4 Unread post by **MZ33** » Tue May 27, 2008 3:53 pm

And yet, the economy ain't what it used to be, despite Uncle George and his stimulus package. I have seen several new '07 and '08 bikes that have reduced prices on them. They haven't been the smaller bikes, however.

Standard rules apply: don't fall in love with the bike in front of the salesperson, don't "gotta have" it, and don't buy it the first time you visit it, unless you've sat on several previously, talked with, and negotiated with other dealers and know how good a deal you're getting.

Work the out-the-door price. If they won't budge on the doc fees, get them to take it out of the price of the bike, or throw in extras to cover it. They are keenly aware that there are a host of other expenses for a new rider, and need to stay in your good will. What about the break-in period? When is the first scheduled maintenance, and how much does it cost? How much is the first oil change? What is the basic maintenance schedule for such-and-such a bike? Then, move to the "and you service all of that here?" mode, and they now see you as a future income. And that is your trump card. If you can get them to see that in you, then it is to their advantage to get you hooked up with a ride that you can feel good about going out the door.

But before you toodle out there into Dealer Land, do your homework. Know what this bike runs new in the past few model years, what it is going for on Ebay and craigslist, and what the local availability is. Also, know some of the answers, such as what those maintenance schedules will be, beforehand--that way you have an idea of when a dealer is BSing you, or whether or not they might be okay. "Might" is the operative word. In a sense, they are your friendly enemy. Don't forget it, but don't wear it on your sleeve, either.

My favorite way to start negotiating is, "soooo, what's the best you can do on this bike . . . " and let the games begin.

Dragonhawk · Tue May 27, 2008 6:29 pm

I've always been confused by the concept of "negotiating" a price.

Buying cars or motorcycles or whatever works like this:

You research the costs and pick a price. You dictate to the dealer what you are going to pay. If they do not agree, you walk out and go to a different dealer. Period. There is no bargain. There is no compromise. There is no negotiating. You are the boss. You control the money. You decide the price.

Every car and bike in my life has been bought that way. I've never paid a dime over what I intended to pay.

I really don't understand this notion of haggling over costs.

G_Seattle · #6 Unread post by **G_Seattle** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:43 pm

Thanks MZ33!
Dragonhawk, I totally agree with you and this is the way I have been buying cars too. I just wanted to know if it applied to bikes as well, having no idea of dealer margins, how the invoice price is calculated, etc...
The info provided by MZ33 is great as it points out where the price should give.

HYPERR · #7 Unread post by **HYPERR** » Wed May 28, 2008 1:47 am

I have bought a lot of new motorcycles and with some exceptions, they always came down on the price.

I usually offer them what I think is a fair price. If they take it, great! If they counter with something in that vicinity, that's fine too!

I don't want to take it up the arse anymore than the next guy but I don't waste too much time and energy looking for the best price either.

I'd rather be riding my new bike than wasting my time shopping for the best deal. Life is too short!

Brackstone · Wed May 28, 2008 2:25 am

HYPERR wrote: I'd rather be riding my new bike than wasting my time shopping for the best deal. Life is too short!

Same thing for me.

baltimorebayside · Wed May 28, 2008 3:27 am

I not only bought my bike new (2008) with no money down, but also had them install my lightbar, cruise control and rear floor boards and I have never even met the salesman in person. It wasn't until a week before I took posision I drove down and introduced myself and gave him a hundred dollar bill as good faith money......

Plus he delivered it to my house for free and that's when I gave him the check for the full amount.....he knocked off quite a bit for me.....

He made me an offer and I countered.....and came out happy.

dan

HYPERR · #10 Unread post by **HYPERR** » Wed May 28, 2008 3:30 am

baltimorebayside wrote:I not only bought my bike new (2008) with no money down, but also had them install my lightbar, cruise control and rear floor boards and I have never even met the salesman in person. It wasn't until a week before I took posision I drove down and introduced myself and gave him a hundred dollar bill as good faith money......

Plus he delivered it to my house for free and that's when I gave him the check for the full amount.....he knocked off quite a bit for me.....

He made me an offer and I countered.....and came out happy.

dan

Wow that's great service!