Buying a motorcycle???

ORrinker · 06-12-2006, 03:00 PM

I am going to buy a motorcycle in the next week or so but I am a little confused by the freight and prep add on. So far they have ranged from $200 to $600. Are these usually negotiable? I do not want to pay more than MSRP for it. Does anyone here have experience or advice on this?

Thanks,
Randy

Herring Problem · 06-12-2006, 03:05 PM

All of these shops hit you for shipping and setup. But you can sometime get the price lower if its make or break a deal.
I worked at a shop and can suggest you shop around at different dealers, may find a bike for a really better price.

ORrinker · 06-12-2006, 03:09 PM

Thanks for answering. Doesn't the msrp have some profit built into it? I used to sell cars years ago and if we sold one at msrp we were very happy.

Randy

Tagster · 06-12-2006, 03:52 PM

Really depends on the "wantability" of the bike you are attempting to buy.

Last summer I bought a 2005 15th anniversary edition Fatboy...it had many engine and appearance upgrades and HD only made so many of them to keep the desire there. I wanted one. I ended up paying just a smidgeon over MSRP (down $3000 from the asking) and had to pay the dealer shipping and prep. ($600) I had the choice of not buying the bike, or paying the prep...there was only one of these bikes left for sale in the Metro area and HD wasn't making any more.

Three weeks ago, I bought my wife a 2006 Sportster. I paid MSRP only. They tried to charge the setup/prep, but I was able to get them to sell it without. She bought a base model, black, 883...there are many of them out there. They knew I had the ability to go somewhere else.

Hope this helps.

1pump · 06-12-2006, 04:59 PM

There's probably quite a few 2005 models left, depending on which make/model. Sometimes the only difference is color.

FISHON67 · 06-12-2006, 05:14 PM

As was already stated, it really depends on the dealer and the availability on the bike you're considering.

Depending on what you are looking at it can't hurt to do some calling around or even looking on the internet. In some cases out of state dealers will ship bikes right to your door. Check cycle trader or even ebay. There are also motorcycle brokers in B.C. Canada that have some decent deals from time to time.

Good luck and let us know what you end up with!

sunshinefisherman · 06-12-2006, 08:13 PM

That prep fee does not seem out of line. However, it is part of their total profit and is negotiable. Keep in mind that we are coming into the peak of the bike buying season and your negotiating power may be reduced.
I bought a new 2005 Harley Road King Custom in december 2004. I went on-line and purchased a price report that showed everything. (sorry, I don't remember the website.) I knew what the dealer's cost was, what the average set-up was, freight, etc. I found the bike I wanted at Latus Motors in Gladstone and asked for a quote. The salesguy came back with a price that was more than $2,000 over MSRP. "Why so much more?" I asked to which he replied "Because we can get it." I figured that since I was buying in the off season that they would be willing to dicker a little. Nope, not Latus.

Well, I was born at night, but not last night. I decided to take my business elsewhere and despite the salesman's assertion that "Other dealers aren't going to have anything available." I did find the same bike at two other area dealers. One was Columbia Motorcycle in Vancouver who I really liked but their bike had spokes and I wanted mags. Walker Cycle in Salem had the exact bike in the exact color with the factory alarm, EFI and mags. I bought the bike for MSRP and for what Latus had asked, I was able to accesorize the bike and myself.

The moral to the story, buy a pricing report, don't let your emotions rule and don't be afraid to walk out.

What kind of bike thinking about?

Here is a link to get you started. web page See you on the road and don't forget to wave!

Here's mine:

1pump · 06-13-2006, 09:04 AM

It baffles me the bike, snowmobile, ATV and PWC dealers still continue to do this. If you were special ordering, I could understand it. I ran into this when I bought a new PWC, and I flat out refused to pay it. I told the guy he should have added the freight to the price, and since we settled the price already, tough poop. After a half-hour of arguing and haggling, they finally backed off and said "just take the damn thing, we'll have to eat it" in a pouty way, as if my conscience was gonna suddenly make me feel bad for him.

Everything costs money to ship. If you go to the store and buy a bunch of asparagus, do they charge you an extra 12 cents for freight and set-up? No. Unless they grew it out back, it got there in a truck, and diesel ain't free. I know cars carry a freight/prep charge on their sticker price, but it's usually ignored unless it's a red-hot high-demand model.
So what gives?

ORrinker · 06-13-2006, 09:30 AM

Thanks everybody!! I will probably have to pay some of that I guess but I will not pay what they are asking. Maybe $200 over invoice plus I pay license title? I am purchasing a Ninja 250R. I know it is small but it gets 70mpg!!! I have also heard they are fun to ride around. I would love to buy a cruiser but funds will not let me. I will not finance. Thanks again for your input.

Randy

Tagster · 06-13-2006, 09:36 AM

My grandfather, who has sold cars his entire life, told me once that a person gets as good as a deal as they felt they got.

In other words, if you are happy with the price, run with it and don't worry about if you got hosed by the dealer.

Rubber side down!

Rock Stick or Fish · 06-13-2006, 09:49 AM

I've always wanted the ninja 500 for basic transportation, more money than the 250 of course, but just a better all around bike.

I really really want a KLR650, though.

Chris

Clamman · 06-13-2006, 12:24 PM

The Ninja 250's are fun to ride. Not as powerful as the bigger ones but still very nimble and easy on the petro. You may soon get the urge for bigger-biker-itis. It happens to most of us. My first bike was a Honda 250 Rebel which evolved into a VFR 800 VTEC

Have fun!

Clam

ORrinker · 06-13-2006, 01:04 PM

I think I have already have bigger-biker-itis;-) I have now moved on to a Suzuki GS500f that my local dealer has.
I had a 2004 Kawasaki KLR650 that I sold right before the gas really jumped in price. I am kicking myself for that decision.

Randy