Having never bought a new HD, I wanted to ask you guys and gals what the HD dealer added to the sale price of the motorcycle. Such as sales tax, title or temporary tags, and any other item they added. I'm not looking for motor or other upgrade prices, just what they add to all new sales. Also please list the amount charged for those items. Please lets stick to brand new purchases from the HD dealer, say in the past three years.

Thanks

 

I buy new on a regular basis. I don't care how much or what the fees are. I offer them an out the door price. Either they meet my price or they don't. I always deal directly with the GMs.

It's no different than buying a new car or truck. They all want to play games with add on fees.

Each area of the U.S. will have different bs fees. Good luck....

 

Harley doesn’t include their freight charges in MSRP. And contrary to what I’ve heard in the past, I just read on the Harley corporate page for the new super glide that set up fees aren’t included either.

 

Beware if the set-up list and prep fees include syn-3 with the letters KY after it.

 

As Red mentioned the OTD price is key. Depending on the dealer they will add on as much as the buyer will allow. Below are a few examples of what to expect.

+/- MSRP - depending the on the bike you are buying, you should expect to pay MSRP or less. The MSRP is listed on the HD website and each model varies by color and chrome or black trim.

State DMV fees - every state is different, but these are taxes and tag fees collected for the DMV.

DOC fee - most dealers charge this and in some states, like here in NC, if they have a DOC fee everyone pays it. Again, negotiate this into the OTD price but it will still be listed on the sale documents.

Shipping - the cost HD charges to ship the bike to the dealership. Most bike are $895.

Set up fee - fee the dealership charges to take the bike from shipped to ride ready. It clearly states on the HD site that HD reimburses dealers for this cost. A local dealer here charges $2k set up for CVOs and $1k set up for other bikes, Again negotiate this out, when offering the OTD price.

Extended warranty - just like a car dealer, they will add this if you let them. The cost is negotiable, and you can always buy it later if you want.

Paint protection - just like above.

Interest rate - In some states, the interest rate on motorcycles is not regulated the same as it is for automobile. If you are financing through HD know your credit score and check HD financial services for rate specials. HD will send the dealer your “buy” rate and amount they will finance and loan terms. The dealer will then add points, increase the rate, to pad their profit on the deal. I know a dealership that normally adds 5 points to any deal, unless the buyer has tier 1 credit. I recommend using a credit union or other lending options if you are not paying cash. If this is not an option, ask the dealer to see your buy rate and all terms that HD offered you.

Motor clothes and accessories - HD will finance these types of things into the deal.

I’m sure there are other things dealers will add. Just ensure you do your homework, stick to your OTD price when negotiating. Other than CVOs and SGL/RGL there is plenty of inventory. Most bikes can be purchased OTD for MSRP or less. Good luck in your shopping.

 

Last bike I bought new was in 07 and I negotiated with OTD price. Had a cool down period came back and there was a better deal to be had.

 

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Here are the fees I was quoted recently for a 2026 Street Glide 3:

Freight $1195
Prep $1195
Doc Fee $225

Since it would’ve been an out of state purchase the lender would require them to collect estimated taxes for my state so additional charges would’ve been what’s listed below. (In OK registration and taxes are normally paid by the buyer at the tag office after the sale)

Buyer’s Plate $5
Lien Entry $10
Registration $99
State Fee $5
Title Transfer $11
Taxes $1540

Some states require the dealer to collect taxes but others, like OK, don’t. Some dealers here will offer to pay tag, title, and tax but they’re just adding it to the deal so you end up financing your taxes over the next 4-6 years of the loan.

As others have said, if I’d gone through with this deal I would’ve ignored the dealer’s added fees like doc fee and prep fee and any other add ons (like theft protection and lifetime battery replacement) and negotiated an out the door price.

If they want to itemize the fees on the sales agreement I don’t care, as long as the bottom line is what we agreed to, but I will not pay for gimmicky dealer add-ons that don’t want.

 

As previously stated in earlier posts, pay no attention to whatever fees one dealer has versus another dealer. The only figure that matters is the bottom line. Once you've decided which bike you want, including color, trim (black or chrome), etc. search the inventory of every dealer's website within 100 miles (or whatever is comfortable for you) and compile a list of every dealer that has "your" bike. Go to every dealer on your list and tell them you're price shopping and ask them politely for their best "all in, bottom line" price and confirm there are no other charges in the figure provided. When you're done, pick the one you're most comfortable with or that makes the most sense.
Good luck and let us know how you made out!

 

Salesmen are 'Mathamagicians" ... They're trained to be ... Your bottom line is the starting negotiable price to them ... OTD price can /will be determined by including all the non-negotiable fees ... What further confuses the issue are the bonuses ... A free oil change, a free this. a free that etcetera