I am planning on buying my first Harley very soon. I am looking at an '07 1200 Custom. My main question is with respect to pricing. Since it's an 07, they are discounting it $750. I guess what I really want to know is how negotiable Harley dealers tend to be - if at all. I don't want to go in there and try to make some offer only to be looked at like a cheapskate. I mean, I assume, like any vehicle dealership, there is some degree of negotiability, but I wanted to check and see what other people have experienced when buying new Harleys.

Thanks,
Matt

 

Negotiation with Stealers is all over the map. Right now there is a glut of new Harleys, hence three of the factories are shutting down for a week so the MOCO can regulate supply with demand. It's just like the diamond business, too many diamonds and DeBeers turns off their sales. Too few diamonds and they keep it that way. Believe me, neither diamonds nor Harleys are rare -they just govern thesupply to be a "tad" under demand.

 

There should be some price movement on an '07. How much movement will depend on the supply and demand factors that Thumper alluded to. If the dealer has plenty of 1200C models in stock.... this works in your favor. Try making an offer on the bike and see what happens. Tell them you are willing to buy today at "this price." If they are a reputable dealer, they will most likely come back with a counter offer that is very near the bottom line. I cantell you that the profit margin on Sportster models isn't nearly as great as on big twins.... So I wouldn't expect to receive a huge discount on this particular bike.

 

The ticket on it before tax and tags and everything is $10730

Any suggestions on offers? I really have no idea how low it can go or how low is even a reasonable offer.

Thanks...

 

I'd shoot for 3% off the base cost of the bike (list minus the $750 they're giving you less another 3%) PLUS they throw in the 1,000 mile service for free (usually runs around $250).