So your saying offer my bike and $5K and see what they'll come back with?

 

It is your money that is being spent to the benefit of the salesman/dealership. Why are you worried about not offering enough money? Why not start at free and then work up from there?

 

Don't offer them anything. Make no mention of what your intent is other than to trade in your bike .

Step one, let the dealer establish what your bike is worth to them. If it's enough then go to step two, if it's not enough negotiate until you reach a price that you are willing to trade your bike in for.

step two, negotiate the price of the new bike, now that you have established a price for the trade haggle on the price of the new bike, tell them what you want to pay. Don't let them pull the old "well we're giving you XXX for your old bike" crap. Once the price is set on the trade it's not longer a factor in negotiating for the new bike. Beat and beat and beat until the difference of the trade to the new is where you want to be.

step three, make the deal happen, drive off with new bike, enjoy!

Just keep the trade price/deal seperate from the bike purchase deal. Salesmen use the two blended together to confuse and get over on you. The bike is cash consider it as such, and not as a material item.

 

One dealer I went to printed out the trade in value of my bike stock, forgot to add the extra $400 for the fuel injection (listed on the page) and then came up with a quote $1000 under that. Nevermind have have new tires/ rims, pipes and others.

 

Is 10% off the msrp a good negotiation for me

 

Depends what you are getting for your trade. 10% off MSRP is not great on a non-current year bike. You will lose more than that in depreciation when you sign the paperwork.

 

So what's a good starting point to negotiate? I've never negotiated for a car or bike.

20% off seemed impossible when I did the math, am I wrong

$16,799 (from Harley msrp)
-20%
=$13,440

Thought $3k off the msrop would be out of reach. Yes/No/Maybe?

 

You need to look at this purchase without factoring in a trade...

For a flat out purchase of the '10, I would think you could get it in the range of $12,850 to $15,100.

Big spread... At the low end I would expect to pay dealer fees plus taxes. At the high end, I would expect the dealer to cover fees and try to get the tax included at that amount (7% for my state = $1057) for an out the door price of $15,100 ($14,043 price pre tax). I would also want the dealer to provide some store/labor/parts credit or discount at the high end.

As far as your trade, without knowing details of your bike it is hard set a value. Regardless, the dealer will either make money off you based on the trade in credit amount or the price you settle on for the new bike. They can't keep the lights on by breaking even or losing money.

If you are going to finance the new bike, the dealer will also make a bit of money that way as well.

With any negotiation you need to be ready to either: A - walk if it is not going the way you want. Chances are the seller will follow up shortly to get you back to the table and will be more willing to work in your ballpark. B - complete the deal quickly if your terms are met up front (not as common but it does happen).

This will be a good learning experience for you.

Good luck.

 

Bloomington ...... man that was excellent advice, we'd make a mean team.

Because the deal is complicated by a trade you need to look at the individual pieces to understand if your getting a good deal. You need to know what your walking point it but as Bloomington pointed out don't doddle, if you get what you want jump on it right away and close the deal.