Leaky,

I'm in southwestern NH and deal with Monadnock Harley in Swanzey NH. They are an MSRP dealer. I stop in at Nashua Harley on occasion. They mark prices up, but a friend bought a lowrider from them and was able to deal. Aldo's in Bernardston has a nice selection on hand. They also have prices marked up, but I presume they are also ready to deal.

I've ridden for thirty years. When I started looking at Harley's last fall I was choosing between the Dyna Glides and Sportsters. I went with the 1200 Custom because it looked like it would fulfill my riding needs and $3,000 less than a Superglide. I am very happy with the Sportster. The extra weight of the bigtwins does not appeal to me. As far as choosing between the 883 Custom and 1200 Custom. If you like some chrome on the bike the 1200 comes with more than the 883. That is part of the price difference. I hope this helps.

 

Hey Leaky,
I live in Mass and yes plan on paying MSRP, alot of shops will try to get over that but don't pay over MSRP. As far as shops, i've been to Seacoast, Manchester, Kelly's and Boston Harley. The best of them is Boston, getting MSRP won't be a problem and great service there. I was going to buy my new bike there but I live a few miles from Seacoast, and was able to get MSRP, a good price on my trade and $1000 in accessories like being close by for the service check-ups, so went with them but they mark their bikes up in the spring so you'll have to play a little more hardball with them but stick to your price. I have'nt been to Manchester Harley in a few years, they also have a dealership in Nashua. Stay away from Kelly's at all cost. if you go there, plan on being looked down upon, overpaying, not being able to touch or sit on the bikes. I have never heard a good thing about them and do not know how they stay in business. Just know what you want and what your going to pay and stick to it and be willing to walk out and try somewhere else. You'll get what you want just be patient. Hope this helps and good luck,
Mike

 

Leaky, I am new to this site and have read the previous posts a bit. Seems like you've got some good advise here already. For what it worth, I too agree that you 1st have to decide just what kind of riding you will do. It's kinda putting the cart before the horse because unless you've ridden few different models, you won't really know what your in for. A sporty is a great entry level type bike for around town and short trips. It's lighter and easier to maneuver corners and such, not to mention the cost. A bigger softail on the other hand would be great for hwy driving and bigger miles. It's heavier and hugs the road better. More power for passing and doesn't get blown around in the wind from passing transports as much. Cost is relative though, if you go for something used as apposed to new.
If you do choose the sporty because of cost, I would think the more power the better. Even around town and doing short trips, you still want to be able to use the power to your advantage. If you go with the lower power, it won't be long before you will want more. Trading up only cost more money.

And remember, no matter what you choose, you can custom fit it to your comfort (ie: change seat, handlebars, windshield etc)

 

Wow - I didn't see all you guys posting, the notifications stopped showing up in my mailbox so I figured everyone got tired of this thread!

You guys are the *****! Thank you, this is much appreciated.

Bill - will check that out tomorrow, gotta get this sent off and catch some z's.

Ok, here's where I'm at. I'm just gonna respond to the whole group because I am too far behind as far as posts..

As far as settling for a sportster. I DO like the way the sporster feels and looks, although I haven't test driven a newer one to really know. The 1200C is a very nice bike.. I would prefer a v-rod but it's a matter of priorities. If I had the extra 6K I'd spend it on something else.

I have enough free income to afford that v-rod, but it's a matter of what makes the most sense. I own a bunch of other toys as well, including two boats (one with a 180 gallon fuel tank that doesn't get you too far) and a small fortune in fishing gear. This bike is not priority, fishing is, so it still needs to fit my budget and also probably will never leave a 50 mile radius from home - doesn't seem like I need more bike?

When it's nice out the chances of me taking a vacation (non-fishing related) is slim... I'm anti-social (enduring bike week isn't my cup of tea) and am allways busy... I want the toy for the around town stuff that I do after work and on the weekends when I'm not fishing. I also did sit on some dyna's and wasn't too impressed - I like the thinner bike, I just feel much more comfortable on it..

I want to address this quote because it is definitely wrong in some respects, mabye they are shady but do a good job hiding it though till after the sale. Even at seacoast and boston I saw them hovering over people who sat on the bikes... at kelly's I sat there for 10 minutes using a 1200C like a couch while BS'ing.. I was asked to sit on a bunch of bikes there (at kelly's), the salesman "mike" has been really straight, they charge exactly MSRP with no extra costs on every bike I looked at... mabye they have changed?

".....Kelly's at all cost. if you go there, plan on being looked down upon, overpaying, not being able to touch or sit on the bikes. I have never heard a good thing about them and do not know how they stay in business. "

I've pretty much decided it should be a 1200C, I just really like that bike, plus the way it's chromed up and with the added displacement I think it will be a bike that I can be happy with for a long period of time. The 883C is nice but it's kinda stripped down - It seems you just couldn't build a 1200C from one without investing a good 1K+ extra than the initial cost of the 1200C.. so if I went 883C I think it'd only make sense if I was gonna keep it stock.. once I put a kit in it might as well have bought the 1200. So, that's the route I'm gonna go.

It just comes down to when/where to pull the trigger.. still need to figure out pipes (I want loud or not at all, any suggestions on what is good and won't quite cause my ears to ring after every ride?), a little sissy bar, and some type of saddle bags. There are just so many options I'm perplexed by the catolog.. can someone help me out?

To all you locals, please read this on the shops I've been too and my current situation.. I want a black 1200C.

I've been to kelly's, they are charging msrp, but no black 1200C.. seacoast, over msrp but willing to talk "we'd really like to get rid of these things".. manchester, well over msrp (at 10400) but willing to talk.. boston, no black 1200c.. littleton msrp and 3 in black..

I'm just sitting here like "am I splitting hairs on this?".. If this is the bike I definitely want, should I just pick the closest place that will sell me one at msrp and pull the trigger? How much can I expect to possibly save from one to another? Should I try and get extra's added?

Why are some shops that charge more out of the 1200C's and others that charge less have multiples?.. jus

 

Okay, Jon, since you've settled on the 1200C (which is a great bike) the thing you need to do now is decide if you want to take the time to invest in buying one. Any dealership can get you a black 1200C. They can do a shop trade if you want them to. If you're concerned about the dealership itself then you need to go to each one, talk to the people, shop around and see how you're treated. Ask them what they do for someone who buys from them i.e. cards, special dinners (ours has a free steak dinner one night a month for those who purchased a HD that month), etc. When you buy a Harley, you're really starting a relationship because you'll want to have people who know what they're talking about when you go to buy things or get your bike serviced. As for the price, pay MSRP + whatever add-ons you want. Realize that some that aren't charging MSRP might be adding things on before they get to the showroom floor. Mine had about $2k of chrome added (which they tried to charge me $3k for). If that's the case then tell them that you'll only pay dealer cost for it. How your experience is going to be is completely up to you if you want to take the time. If you just want the black 1200C and have the money and don't want to take the time, then just go buy it when you're ready.

 

Something to keep in mind when dealing with any particular dealership is ...the bike is the cheap part of this life style. With addons, gear, accessories, repairs & maintenance etc. they look to make a bundle off of you. It might be worth paying a little more (emphasis on "little more")at a dealership where they appreciate your business. Establishing a relationship with your dealership is important, because you will be doing a lot of business there.

 

2004 Sportster 883

 

I do agree with AceArt about a ricer I did this last year and bought my Ultra a few weeks ago from Kelleys in Billerica. To be fair about them Brett was my salesman , I got to sit on any bike in the place and bought the Ultra below MSRP. Went back last week with my daughter she loves Harley's again Brett met us and had her sitting on almost every sporster I have no doubt she could of walk away paying $6500 for a 883L. I have a friend who bought from Nashua had his ignation lock service and when he pick up the bike the lock would not unlock I could tell you other problems about the service department. Personaly if I was going to spend just $10K I'd look a the new Yamaha 1300 water cooled and F.I.

 

ACE has a point. Harley bike hold the value pretty good.

I bought a 2004 Sportster XL1200C for $8995. It had 10437 miles on it. I was in the same mode you are in now. I chose the 1200C over the 883C and I do not regret it. My used one has approx $2000 in options that were in the price I paid. I even got lucky and had warranty left.

I am quoting my salesperson "I want to sell you a bike that makes you and your wallet comfortable."

I suggest you get the 1200 and not lower it. I like the forward controls and suggest you incorporate that into your budget.