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So, I'm looking at buying a 2005 V-Star 1100 Custom. I've never bought a new bike before; haven't even bought a new car !!

I'm wondering;

1. What's the procedure?? They don't let me take it for a spin, do they?? Do they even let me start it up to hear it?

2. When's the best time to buy? Some say wait till October. Some say wait till September. Some say it really makes no difference; go now.

3. I haven't gone to any dealers to talk seriously just yet, but the ones offering online quotes are quoting me the MSRP with tax. Is it ever possible to get a dealer to go below this?

Thanks for the help!

Sure it is, just don't act too eager or the salesman will be onto you.

Some things that can be worked into a 'Deal' could be M/C clothing, accessories, Helmet, gloves....etc.

But the more he goes down in price for the bike, the less M/C goodies you may get.


CLICK!

I've gotten my best deals on vehicles at christmas time. Typically on new bikes they won't fire them up, but usually do on used. If your paying cash the deal goes alot quicker then if you finance.

If you finance, do it through your bank, that way when you go to the dealer you can be pre-approved. I've done it where I deposit the bank loan into my account, then it looks to the dealer like I am paying cash... they always go lower with cash.

Mmmm, hmmm - financing with the dealership is sure diaster. If you're going to finance use your own bank, or even better, a credit union. You will not be able to test ride - too much liability for the dealership. And they usually cannot start up a new bike because the battery is usually not yet connected.

Do lots of research on the bikes in which you're interested. Ask other owners of same model how they like the bike. Try to find a used version so that you can at least hear it run (and some dealerships will let you test ride a used bike as well).

I saved $500 by buying a new '04 model in the spring of '05. There were no other goodies to be had. Most dealerships no longer haggle on new vehicles, but you might have better luck with a model that's one or two years old.

Cheers,
Loonette

Canuckerjay, just a few suggestions...

• Financing: Unless it's factory financing at an incredible rate, do as Loonette says and stick with your own financial institution. I've discovered that in Canada, (I'm guessing from your name, that's where you're from.) Yamaha financing is usually by Household Finance at close to 15% or better. Whereas in the US, it is factory financing, and at good rates. If you're using your own bank, try to get it pre approved, or even on a line of credit. That way, walking into a dealer and saying, "Here's the money, lets talk turkey!" you'll have a bit more bargaining power.
• Test riding... well, if you're serious about buying a bike, a dealer will definitely let you test ride one. It may not be of the same year, it could be a service loaner, but if you're writing a deal with a salesman, a good condition of sale is, "Subject to test drive." This gives you an out if the bike just isn't what you'd thought it would be.
• There are deals to be had pretty much all year round, but as mentioned by Scott, looking in the off season is sometimes a bit better. A hungry saleman might be a lot more willing to horse-trade for goodies and price in the off season.
• Purchase price vs MSRP... A dealer will always quote the MSRP unless they have a clearance on an overstocked model. It's not in their interest to start dealing online before you show up and start the deal in person. For them, a "BIRD" in the showroom is an easy mark...lol.

There are a couple of things I would include in the completed deal...

• Passing lights, some people call these driving lights.
• Make sure the seat is comfortable and consider an upgrade if it's reasonable.
• Windshield, unless you're getting the "Silverado" edition, a windshield is obviously extra. I'd go fo an after market quick release windshield, that way if you're looking for the tradional look for around town, you just have to pop that baby off, but if you're going on a road trip, there's nothing like a good windshield to ease the fatigue.
• The local dealership I usually deal with, has an etching program. I don't know if this is dealer wide or industry wide, but it is a great idea. Blues2cruise or a dealer, would be able to tell you more details on this service. Basically, if your bike goes missing, the Etching is like another insurance policy, it gives you a set amount in cash, then deposits another amount with your original dealer for a down-payment on a replacement bike. The total amount will more than likely cover any depreciation your insurance company will apply to your claim. When I get a new bike, this will be a given.
• Gloves, helmet, Jacket... anything you can get the sales person to throw in for no or near to no additional cost is going to depend on your own ability to make him know the deal is going to depend on it. No bluffing though... lol. Most salesmen can read a customer like a book, if you say the deal depends on it, be willing to walk out the door and head to another dealer.

canuckerjay wrote:

So, I'm looking at buying a 2005 V-Star 1100 Custom. I've never bought a new bike before; haven't even bought a new car !!

I'm wondering;

1. What's the procedure?? They don't let me take it for a spin, do they?? Do they even let me start it up to hear it?

2. When's the best time to buy? Some say wait till October. Some say wait till September. Some say it really makes no difference; go now.

3. I haven't gone to any dealers to talk seriously just yet, but the ones offering online quotes are quoting me the MSRP with tax. Is it ever possible to get a dealer to go below this?

Thanks for the help!

Check to see if you can find one of the cycle traders in your area... I found one on Saturday and found some awsome deals... I bought my bike in Feb. and wish now that I had of thought to look in the cycle trader before I did.

if they really wanna sell you a bike they'll let you test ride it. I test rode my Vic before I bought it, and it was brand new. There are quite a few places that let you test ride now.

THanks for all your help, guys!

A buddy of mine is going to try and get one at the same time; hopefully they'll cut us a deal for that as well.

Looks as though both me and a friend of mine from work are going to try and buy together come this September. We figure if we are taking two off of thier hands, we can demand a better deal.