Experience Buying New?
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, AL
Experience Buying New?
There is a XL1200C that I'm interested in at the dealer, but I've never made a motorcycle purchase like that before. There are no prices listed on the bikes.
Everyone needs to make a buck to live, but I'd rather not get fleeced.
So... is it like buying a new car?Is there negotioation on price? How can I know that I'm getting a fair deal?
thanks in advance,
Rusty
Everyone needs to make a buck to live, but I'd rather not get fleeced.
So... is it like buying a new car?Is there negotioation on price? How can I know that I'm getting a fair deal?
thanks in advance,
Rusty
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Experience Buying New?
When I bought my bike, my wife and I went online to find out the msrp on the bike. We went to HarleyDavidson.com for the msrp.
Points to remember:
Color of the bike affects price. There is a plain jane color for the msrp that they offer online. Remember that if the bike has a different color, expect to pay an additional 300 to 500 more up from msrp.
Knowthy bike you are buying and the accessories that it comes with STOCK. The more you know about this bike the better you can detect if they are trying to raise the price for silly stuff the bike comes with stock. They might try to raise the price because the rims are a bit different, when in actuality, they are lesser of rims than on the stock.
Know your credit score. They tried to make use pay 10% interest on the bikes financing for 5 years. I know my credit score is almost 800, so when they came out with that 10%, I told them that my credit score is worth more than 10%. We got down to around 7% with my credit score. Most dealers don't think you know about your credit.
Nickel and dime. They are looking to nickel and dime you, you should do the same. Try to close the deal with some free stuff, like maintenance and or some gear. Deliver free to your house. Parts manual. Maintenance book....etc.
Look the bike over thoroughly. Make sure of the bike's mileage it has on it, even if it is brand new. (others test driving it).
Take the time to look over the final contract deal. Don't let them attempt to blow the numbers by you and then you sign, later finding out that you get buyers remorse.
And last but not least, this is YOUR money. They will always make it sound like your getting a real good deal and/or that they are loosing out. They almost turn it around like they are loosing out. If the deal feels right, do it. If it feels even a bit wrong, don't do it. Your feelings will tell you everything.
Hope this helps.
Points to remember:
Color of the bike affects price. There is a plain jane color for the msrp that they offer online. Remember that if the bike has a different color, expect to pay an additional 300 to 500 more up from msrp.
Knowthy bike you are buying and the accessories that it comes with STOCK. The more you know about this bike the better you can detect if they are trying to raise the price for silly stuff the bike comes with stock. They might try to raise the price because the rims are a bit different, when in actuality, they are lesser of rims than on the stock.
Know your credit score. They tried to make use pay 10% interest on the bikes financing for 5 years. I know my credit score is almost 800, so when they came out with that 10%, I told them that my credit score is worth more than 10%. We got down to around 7% with my credit score. Most dealers don't think you know about your credit.
Nickel and dime. They are looking to nickel and dime you, you should do the same. Try to close the deal with some free stuff, like maintenance and or some gear. Deliver free to your house. Parts manual. Maintenance book....etc.
Look the bike over thoroughly. Make sure of the bike's mileage it has on it, even if it is brand new. (others test driving it).
Take the time to look over the final contract deal. Don't let them attempt to blow the numbers by you and then you sign, later finding out that you get buyers remorse.
And last but not least, this is YOUR money. They will always make it sound like your getting a real good deal and/or that they are loosing out. They almost turn it around like they are loosing out. If the deal feels right, do it. If it feels even a bit wrong, don't do it. Your feelings will tell you everything.
Hope this helps.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 104
From: Tampa Bay, Florida
RE: Experience Buying New?
Hi Rusty,
If its an 07 or 08 model, the MSRP is listed on the HD website. Then you can look at what extras are on the bike. Security, paint, pipes, bullcrap, etc...etc...If its brand new there is a dealer prep fee, freight charge yada yada. Use the msrp as a guide and go from there.
Oh Yea, and call every dealer within your driving distance. Ask them the "OUT THE DOOR PRICE" and force them to give you a total with all the dealer fees and extras. I ended up finding a 2K difference doing that. You may also want to wait until the last week of the month. Any dealer who is not meeting their sales quota for that particular month will waive some fees.
If its an 07 or 08 model, the MSRP is listed on the HD website. Then you can look at what extras are on the bike. Security, paint, pipes, bullcrap, etc...etc...If its brand new there is a dealer prep fee, freight charge yada yada. Use the msrp as a guide and go from there.
Oh Yea, and call every dealer within your driving distance. Ask them the "OUT THE DOOR PRICE" and force them to give you a total with all the dealer fees and extras. I ended up finding a 2K difference doing that. You may also want to wait until the last week of the month. Any dealer who is not meeting their sales quota for that particular month will waive some fees.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 3
From: Fugitive from justice
RE: Experience Buying New?
1200C?.......Two months ago I paid 9098 out the door for a new '07 1200C......NO ADDED ON shipping or deliver or other crap included.
I had to go out of state but it saved me several thousand and was worth driving 150 miles to do it.....
Then, last month I drove 425 miles to pick up my new '07 Road King Classic for 17.5 out the door.
So that's less than 27K for two new Harleys........Shop around and insist on their out-the-door price, then compare and be willing to drive some distance to save big time.
I had to go out of state but it saved me several thousand and was worth driving 150 miles to do it.....
Then, last month I drove 425 miles to pick up my new '07 Road King Classic for 17.5 out the door.
So that's less than 27K for two new Harleys........Shop around and insist on their out-the-door price, then compare and be willing to drive some distance to save big time.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 23
From: SW PA
RE: Experience Buying New?
In January/Febuary when the snow is flyin' is a good time. I had been wanting a Sportster for some time but around here a 883C cost you $8900 so I opted for the used route but I couldn't find any real deals locally so I bought a89' off eBay and drove 800 miles to get it for $3200,when I got there I saw 06's onclearance & got it for $7400 out the door last Febuary. You probably can get a left over 07' for a deal now or after the Holidays.
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 30,914
Likes: 16
From: Springfield, Ohio
RE: Experience Buying New?
Yanno the more read about prices elsewhere, I'm starting to think we have cheap Harley's around here.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,687
Likes: 6
From: Kalaui Kona HI
RE: Experience Buying New?
I found alot of dealers don't want to give you a price out the door. You must know what you want color, model the most important. If you go in the door and they don't have the model or color leave. It istoo easy to get something you didn't want. You must know the pricing of everything add ons MSRP as all said. Then try and get what you can thrown in to the price.New grips because stock suck, back rest what have you. In these times the ball is in your court. The smart ones will not loose the sale over a few hundred bucks.
I am a buyer for a large company and do this for a living. These guys are easy if you do not let your guard down. It is to easy to get drawn into the Harley Mystic when you are buying.
I am a buyer for a large company and do this for a living. These guys are easy if you do not let your guard down. It is to easy to get drawn into the Harley Mystic when you are buying.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Tx
RE: Experience Buying New?
I bought my first bike, 1200N, brand new, no accessories or anything at all. We neg on the price. Its basically just like buying a car in my opinion. I'd say dont get an older bike with parts already changed. That's half the fun of owning a harley, doing the mods yourself 