Just my opinion, but I would say wait till you get home to shop. You can find a dealer who will sell at no higher than MSRP if you shop enough. Your present deal seems OK, but nothing great.

You can also shop Craigslist and Cycle Trader for a new or used bike even easier. If you keep watching, there are deals to be had.

In August, I checked Craigslist every morning for about a month at 8:00 in the morning. One morning I found an '09 Iron 883 with 140 miles on it as well as some accessories for $6500. No sales tax since it's a private sale. I called and they guy said he just posted the listing 10 minutes before. I now own the bike. I also have the new bike warranty.

My point is there are deals out there if you don't have to have it
RIGHT NOW. You'll be glad you did later.

 

When I was deployed we had several guys buy bikes through AAFES. My suggestion would be this, go home on your mid-tour leave and go to HD, sit on a few and see what you like. Then be ready to deal when you go back. If I recall, payments you make while you are overseas are interest free. Put the money down and start making payments as soon as you can. I also had a few guys who got the quote from the guy overseas, but never pulled the trigger. A few did take the quote to their local dealer after we returned and their dealers actually honored the quotes. The big thing is, like someone else said, shop around......on a side note, when we bought the wife's Iron, we had forward controls and the 1200 kit installed by the dealer, the bike was still under 11,000 and the motor work is on the bike's warranty, just food for thought. At 200 lbs, you will probably want the 1200

 

a couple months ago i was in the market for an iron883 and they were a hot commodity -- so hot that in all of georgia, only two dealerships had them. both sold for over $8600. one dealer was willing to work with me if they got another one in, i had talked them down to $8500 and a $200 gift card. that was before the 2010s came out though.

if you cant ride it now, dont buy it now, especially if you dont mind buying a lightly used one from craigslist or cycletrader or something. let someone else eat the depreciation.

also, i know you said it isnt a priority, but if you are seriously considering doing the 1200 conversion, just buy the nightster and save yourself the hassle. they are exactly the same bike, just different paint, and if youre gonna spend $1500 on an engine upgrade, just spend it on a nightster instead. (not pushing the nightster, but you can find a 2008 one on craigslist for less than $9000, easy.)

 

I agree with the above post, if you want a used bike. If you want new and prefer the look of the Iron, we paid less for our Iron with the 1200 and forward controls then we would have for the Nightster with forwards

 

I posted above about buying the Iron off Craigslist. Well, when I did it, I had never ridden ANY of the 883s and I was worried about the lack of power. The dealer told me I should probably go with the 1200.

I'm used to a Road King and a Valkyrie and I weigh 250#. I've got no problem with the 883's power, plenty for me even with having the other bikes.

Don't let anyone tell you you need more without trying one out. Hey ride an 883 for a while and if you feel the need later, then do it. You'll still come out ahead.

 

alright so i was thinking maybe i'll just go with a new one..i thought about getting a used one but my buddy had a bad experience with a used one and i dont know if i wanna deal with that. Also, insurance (liability) would cost me 200 for the year and thats not too bad.

I'm thinking of taking out a 6,000 loan, I got approved at 7.4% for 48 months. I hope this is good, although I intend to pay it off within 2 years. Any advice? tips?

I was hesitant at first since I been hearing that these bikes start to shake like crazy at 80mph but then I'm hearing that thats not true. I realize I wont be going as fast on this thing as I would on a sports bike but, its a cruiser for a reason.

Just one question, the minute I get back to the states, I plan on driving from Arizona from California, this bike shouldn't give me problems right?I mean I know its not a fat boy or whatever touring bikes are out there but, I mean, it will be slightly enjoyable right? haha.

 

ahhhhh ok now I'm thinking of possibly picking up a nightster instead..nooOo!! *sigh* time to head to the dealer tomorrow and see what he'll price me..