Bike pricing and H-D Dealers
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 51
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From: Maryland
Bike pricing and H-D Dealers
My son bought a bike ('08 Nightster) in August and has convinced me to buy a bike so we could do weekend rides etc. I've been looking around at a bunch of dealers in the area for an '08 RKC and pretty much all say MSRP w/taxes, prep, delivery, tags. So the question is: If the dealers don't deal why pick one dealer over another?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,497
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From: Portland, OR
RE: Bike pricing and H-D Dealers
Service...Who is going to take the best care of you? Check and see if one of the dealers you're talking to will throw in a $1000- gift card. If you're willing to wait until after the Holidays, you may have better luck price wise.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 51
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From: Maryland
RE: Bike pricing and H-D Dealers
As far as warranty work or service... can't you take the bike to any authorized dealer? Until you have work done you're not really going to know if the service dept. is any good or not.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 229
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From: Prescott, AZ
RE: Bike pricing and H-D Dealers
Look around, dealers are not all equal. I have mentioned the local stealership near me charges an extra 10%. I just found out they do that with bikes also.
Harleys are not flying out the door with this economy so I think if you shop around you will find a deal somewhere.
Good hunting. =) lowryder
Harleys are not flying out the door with this economy so I think if you shop around you will find a deal somewhere.
Good hunting. =) lowryder
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: Woodstock, GA
RE: Bike pricing and H-D Dealers
Are you definitely looking to buy a NEW bike. In addition to the earlier comment that, "Harleys aren't flying out the door in this economy" I would add that there are numerous good deals available on used bikes, maybe even '08's. People buy these things new and apparently have instant buyers remorse, baby's on the way, etc., etc. Check Ebay, HDTrader.com, cycletrader.com. Good luck and welcome - I wish my Dad were still around to ride with me.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Windsor, CO
RE: Bike pricing and H-D Dealers
Find out the local HOG (Harley Owner Group) chapters in your area and visit them a couple times. It's amazing how much information you can get about the dealers in your region by visiting these events/meetings. I've yet to run into a group that wasn't willing to talk about the dealers, even when the dealers "sponsor" the local HOG.
Be careful, though, these events -- much like this board -- have lots of people with lots of opinions, so sometimes you have take what your hear with a grain of salt.
For what it's worth, I did notice (this weekend) that both the Vegas HD and my local HD store (owned by same company) are at MSRP on '08s but still offering $1k to $2k below MSRP on the '07s they have left. Local store has nine '07s left, and once these are gone the prices will go back up on '08 models.
And finally, pick the bike you want, figure the best price you can get (even if you have to drive 500 miles) and then take that price back to the dealer. I took prices from San Francisco (800 miles away) back from a trip to Palo Alto and the local delear "beat" them (though only by $10 ...
). When it gets right now to it an offer to buy is a lot better than an inquiry on price. They don't tend to lower price until they've got to match or beat something tangible.
Be careful, though, these events -- much like this board -- have lots of people with lots of opinions, so sometimes you have take what your hear with a grain of salt.
For what it's worth, I did notice (this weekend) that both the Vegas HD and my local HD store (owned by same company) are at MSRP on '08s but still offering $1k to $2k below MSRP on the '07s they have left. Local store has nine '07s left, and once these are gone the prices will go back up on '08 models.
And finally, pick the bike you want, figure the best price you can get (even if you have to drive 500 miles) and then take that price back to the dealer. I took prices from San Francisco (800 miles away) back from a trip to Palo Alto and the local delear "beat" them (though only by $10 ...
). When it gets right now to it an offer to buy is a lot better than an inquiry on price. They don't tend to lower price until they've got to match or beat something tangible. HD Forum Stories
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
RE: Bike pricing and H-D Dealers
I knew I was gonnapay MSRP ona new'08, so I chose my dealer by who treated me the best when I walled through the doors; the one that "acted" like theywanted my business - and they got it.
good advice about shopping around for a used HD. again, I knew I wanted a new one and was willing to pay a little more for it.
welcome to the world of HD.... just go on out there and get one!!!
good advice about shopping around for a used HD. again, I knew I wanted a new one and was willing to pay a little more for it.
welcome to the world of HD.... just go on out there and get one!!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,874
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From: Earth
RE: Bike pricing and H-D Dealers
ORIGINAL: MayoMan
My son bought a bike ('08 Nightster) in August and has convinced me to buy a bike so we could do weekend rides etc. I've been looking around at a bunch of dealers in the area for an '08 RKC and pretty much all say MSRP w/taxes, prep, delivery, tags. So the question is: If the dealers don't deal why pick one dealer over another?
My son bought a bike ('08 Nightster) in August and has convinced me to buy a bike so we could do weekend rides etc. I've been looking around at a bunch of dealers in the area for an '08 RKC and pretty much all say MSRP w/taxes, prep, delivery, tags. So the question is: If the dealers don't deal why pick one dealer over another?