I know there have been loads of threads on this topic, but dealer situations change and I'm sure this varies widely state by state, so please bear with me!

I am gearing up to buy my first bike, hopefully in the next month. I really have my heart set on a black ice denim street bob--that was the bike that yelled my name after I sat on a bunch. That was 2 months ago, and it hasn't stopped calling my name. I just got my license, and my MSF instructors are going to give me some private sessions to help me make the jump up to the big bike safely and happily.

I am in Virginia, and I am getting the distinct impression that none of the dealers want to budge from MSRP + all freight, set-up, taxes, etc etc. so the $12,999 bike ends up being darn close to $16k OTD. I can really only afford up to around $14k without being too impractical. The salespeople I have talked to have all been very nice, but I can't help but wonder if my being a fairly young single woman means I have a huge target on my back. I've also never even bought a car before, so this whole thing is new to me.

Is it unrealistic to hope for MSRP OTD? I am not so desperate for the black ice denim that I would pass up another color for a good price. I can probably buy pretty much anywhere in the state or in Maryland--I won't be up for a long ride home (yet), but my dad can pick it up for me.

Any helpful suggestions/advice?

 

msrp OTD would be unrealistic IMO. More like the dealer waving set up or discounting accessories is more the norm. But I'm sure you'll here plenty of stories about killer deals. shop around, might think about used. Or a left over 09 might be discounted.

 

It's not unreasonable to for MSRP OTD and I don't think you'll have any problem getting that or certainly close to that. If you pay full list then add 6% state tax it's less than $14K. What I would suggest is to visit at least two or three dealerships and let them know you're not just shopping, but are going to buy a Street Bob. And just tell them "the first dealer that hits $12, 900 will get my money. If you can't, I understand and I may eventually be back, but for now I'll have to keep shopping." Just make it clear that the $12,900 needs to include the bike and any other dealer charges, freight, DOC, prep, etc. They can only add VA tax. Good luck!

 

buy a used bike. i saw a 07 or 08 bob in hampton roads yesterday with under 3k miles for 8k yesterday (bike is gone now). im guessing your in nova, try bikerbill.com they have the best prices on the internet.

 

The best time to buy a vehicle, bike or car, is at the very end of the month. Generally the sales department is on either a base salary plus commission, or straight commission. Every month the individual salesperson, and the sales department as a whole, have monthly target quotas to achieve. At the end of the month they are usually close to that "goal" and they are a little more motivated to deal.

Some sales departments look at a bike, or vehicle, as just a "unit", and they care little about the heritage/history of the brand; they just pretend to be really into it. They get paid a little extra bonus if they hit a certain number of "units" counted as delivered for that month as well; this is in addition to the regular commissions paid.

So, if it's end of the month and either the salesperson or the sales department is close to the target quota, and/or hitting the target number of delivered "units" for the month, then normally they would be very inclined to let one go out the door for a minimal profit just to hit those target/goal numbers.

In this economic climate, and at this time of the year, I find it absurd to pay MSRP plus extras. When I bought my 09 Electra Glide Classic at Wausau Harley, I received a $1000.00 discount off of MSRP, another $1000.00 gift card for parts and accessories, waiver of all prep/set up fees, and 10-20% off anything, including labor, for a year. The 10-20% discount also applied to my $1000.00 gift card. I know some guys can get better deals, but I like my dealer and I am satisfied.

If you have to finance, that's negotiable as well. Typically the business manager will add 1-2 percentage points onto whatever rate he is getting from the bank. (Whatever, that's what my daughter-in-laws are always saying to me, like it's my nickname or something.) Anyways, sorry, shop around for financing and haggle as well; if you have to finance that is.

Sorry for writing a novel here; there is much more to be said.

My dear, assert yourself! It is you who have the upper hand; it is they who are intimidated by a strong confident customer who can take their business elsewhere. They have a fear, and it's the fear of losing a sale/commission/unit count/making a living.

You should hook up with Georgia Girl and go into some unsuspecting dealership and just terrorize them.

 

I agree, forget getting new..You are paying for the experience as well and the bike. Find an 08-09 save some money and get riding!!!

 

Try Rocky Mount Harley in Rocky Mount NC.

They were offering MSRP out the door on all their new bikes. (No prep, freight, dealer fees, they pay NC or VA sales tax)

You didn't say where in VA you are. They are located right off 95.

 

It took my son and I 5 dealers to get the price we wanted...so diffentily look around.

 

MSRP OTD is not out of the question and if your not hung up on having 6 speed and bigger motor, can't go wrong on a good used bike. Especially low mile bikes up north where we can only ride part of the year.
My favorite saying is take your time, your more likely to find exactly what you want and may even change your mind about what model you want.

 

I agree with people saying buy used first. You will save a lot, and since it is your first bike its no big deal if you dump it in the parking lot leaving the dealership. If its brand new, you would be a sick puppy the first time you dropped it.