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Supply and demand dictates the price, not a price sheet. As long as there are people who will pay MSRP, they will sell at that price. If I were an HD dealer, I would do the same. As for the California dealers, I would like to sit in on that annual dinner where they all agree to collude and fix prices for another year... as would the Attorney General.
They also get dealer kick back from the MOCO based off how many units they sell per 1/4 or annually.This allows the dealers to go below msrp to sell a bike and move volume instead of setting on the rides hoping to get msrp+. But most dealers make their money on parts,clothes,ascessories,service, or everyrhing else.
Here in Oklahoma there is a Harley dealer out in the woods in Bartlesville ,Ok. they dont do much service but move bikes like crazy.I saved 3500 to 4000 grand going to them instead of buying here in the city when the 09 where the bikes were going for 22,700 and 23,500 at the local dealers. I asked how they made money and they said buy moving bikes they would get a kick back at the end of the year and they sold alot of Harleys.When I picked mine up it was in line with 13 others to moved that Saturday.It took awhile cause all the people were busy but worth the wait.
My Local Dealer, Antelope Valley HD will deal. Talk to Greg in Sales and Gary Salesmanager. As long as you are ready to be serious buyer he'll quote a solid price fair price often under MSRP and they can sweeten the deal, with 1000 mile service free, 20% off parts and 10% off labor for a year and a discounted ESP if you want it.
Hey Leo long time and thanks. Granted it's no assurance that you'll get a better deal but at least one can go into a dealer armed with some information.
Like new cars, I wonder if there are H-D factory incentives that make the cost to the dealer less than the factory invoice.
Guaranteed, if the dealer sells a lot, he will get a higher percentage off from the factory invoice.
And I seriously doubt, that list is very accurate. Actual dealer cost is VERY guarded secret.
A real close friend of mine owned a Toyota dealer, he wouldn't even give me the real details, and I know stuff about this guy his wife don't know.
The MOCO's got these guys by the nads if they divulge the info, even after they are no longer a dealer...
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