If you buy from a dealer, you will overpay. Guaranteed. By a lot.
I must say, I vehemently disagree with these comments but rather than attack your personally, I’ll just seek to address the comments themselves. I may have given the wrong impression. I don’t think new motorcycles are pieces of sh1t and I don’t think they cost a lot either.
Dealers are businesses like any other in a market. You want a product, you must pay, there is no free lunch. Your statement that you “guarantee that you will overpay by a lot” is unfounded. Are you a dealer? Do you know the margin? I know you aren’t because no dealer or sales lead would ever make those types of remarks, no matter if he deals boats in Florida or Harley in San Francisco. I can tell you with certainty, absolute certainty, that American Powersports (retailers and independent dealers alike) are giving away the farm. Out the Door prices have never been so negotiable. People are practically stealing the inventory. This is due to a very weak demand and weak salesmen. Honestly, the margin is razor thin and they are desperate. Your comment about overpaying at a motorcycle dealer is horses~~~, sorry. Everyone should actually be paying more.
Dealers have Costs of Goods Sold (COGS). They have a brick and mortar location leased monthly which aint cheap, especially from November to March when you can’t breakeven because no one is buying. Dealers pay extravagant taxes and do mountains of paperwork, often having to re-do paperwork to appease the capricious nature of buyers changing their mind. They must work 60 hours weeks but can only charge for half those hours because no one wants to pay Admin for a new bike. They are scrutinized by the public and the State alike, ruthlessly at times.
Everyone assumes that dealers are rich people, they’re not. They’re nearly all living paycheck to paycheck, operating at a loss, trapped in a business they can’t get out of. They have rows of depreciating inventory they cant flip before the year is out. Especially since 2009, Powersports has been in a lethal fight for its survival. Dealers were dropping like flies for the last 10 years. Now, even manufacturers are going t~~~ up. The whole industry is consolidating. Fewer models are being released and fewer numbers of them produced. Fewer dealers. All the result of fewer sales and fewer riders. But I can tell you this, prices have never been more reasonable considering the next level tech and also the only men left dealing bikes are experienced, good dealers who know everything and genuinely care about their customers. They deserve twice their pay but love the work so they stay on. This isn’t a real estate market. You want to see crooks, go buy a house in the suburbs, pay a lousy real estate agent 5% of $380,000 for updating a listing and giving a few tours.
MC dealers are not crooks bro. And new bikes are priced in today’s world. Shipping costs alot! Taxes cost alot. Paying men to assembly, prep and do the titlework is not free. Dealer costs are high. The dealer is not running a lucrative venture, I promise you. You should buy from a dealer and you should pay what he asks. Then, when you pick up the bike, provided it’s been wiped down and looks great, tip the guy $10. If if runs like a top to the break-in oil change, pay what they ask to do the oil-change and tip them again. Seriously. Without dealers, the whole world of two-wheeling will go down in flames. They are hurting. We need to support them. They keep riding alive.
Plenty of good used bikes on CycleTrader.com.
I’m sure that is true. But there are also a lot of rat bikes on cycletrader too. Some of us don’t want a bike that someone else already drove the fun miles out of. You don’t know what you’re getting with a used bike whether it’s from a dealer or off Craigslist… Jacked up wiring, retarded attempts at mods, non-stock parts all over, infrequent or non-existent maintenance and worse.
You want to pay half price, I get it… but what you paid for is a pile of parts. An engine slammed with carbon…. I could go on. Screw all that. I’m an experienced rider (though I admit, I’ve only ever rode motor-scooters but I’ve driven them over 40,000 miles in 10 years now and have done all the service, I know them inside out and drive them like I stole them). I know how to handle a bike. I’m not driving someone’s hand-me-downs. I want fresh rubber, an engine that I’m going to break-in myself and do the oil changes on, fresh brake pads, and stock parts fresh from the factory… not some over the hill GXR-like bike that some kid thrashed out the engine. Ive seen people get screwed in used-deals. No thanks, Im paying for new s~~~.
bid dealers against each other, go back and forth.
I’m telling you, NEVER, NEVER do that. Lurkers, listen to me. You want to make enemies in a small world, do what that guy said. Your name will be on a list guaranteed. Dealers f~~~ing hate people that do that s~~~. We’re not talking about people who sell furniture either, these men are riders, rough men. Do not play effing game with them. You will likely lose the upper hand and pay more or you will unnecessarily burn a bridge. There is a difference between talking figures/negotiating and flat out haggling like a jew. Some people, no matter how much they’re willing to pay, aren’t worth selling to because they have a s~~~ty attitude and are entitled. The post sale environment becomes such a hassles that the dealer wishes he hadn’t even of sold the bike, especially at a discount. Seasoned dealers will no put up with your s~~~. They will let you walk. S~~~ty and inexperienced dealers will give you a discount and then not be able to support your needs as a rider, then you’ll be looking for the other experienced dealer but you already effed up that relationship huh… see? It’s not worth it. Buy from the people you like the best and pay what they ask. Price should have very little to do with a deal. If you want to negotiate, see below…
safety gear (helmet, gloves, boots, jacket)
Instead of taking pot shots at trying to bring the price down, see what they are willing to throw in with a deal. Gloves and a helmet?! You better believe it, that is a good deal, that stuff aint cheap. Dealers will toss in stuff like that way easier than budging on the price. Plus, you WILL p~~~ them off by trying to haggle the price. DONT DO IT. The price they’re asking is fair you cheapskate!
Financing is a scam. Never use financing, that is just plain common sense, well not so common I guess. Layaway and saving up is your best friend. If you must finance, put at least half down.
My plan is to save up the total amount in cash, over $17,000. I’m going to drive out with a brand new Ducati, helmet, gloves and jacket. It may take me an extra year to save but I refuse to sign a financing agreement, I want the actual title in my hand within a few weeks. And I will not pay interest…. That is just me though.
Gravel Pit 3 months, 1 week ago.
