I'm looking to get a first bike. I'm pretty good at dealing with car dealers, beating them down in price. Just wondering how much I can expect on a bike that is $4-6k list at the dealers.

Thanks,
Slim

Much depends on exactly which bike. leftover '07, highly desirable with few available or lots on the sales floors??
Joe

Good point. Yes, I should have thought of that. Beginner sort of bike so I would imagine some flexiblilty. Not the latest and greatest.

Appreciate the input. Thinking XT225. Short legs and all,...

Here's a novel thought. Why not let the dealer make a little money, like offer to pay 250.00 over his invoice. Build a relationship with the dealer. Make him glad to see you walk in his door! He'll treat you better on warranty issues and you'll get much better service when the sales end of the dealership is back there batting for you.

Another thing I like to do when buying toys, is negotiate into the deal a parts discount. Usually 10 to 20 % off of retail. Most dealers are real happy to do that. If there is a 30% markup then 10% of something is better than your customer pushing a button on the web and the dealer getting 0% of nothing.

Most dealers are small businesses, they employ the guys that come into your place of business and give you there dollars for whatever you do. I like to see them profitable!

bikes are a commodity, supply and demand.... figure out the bike you want, go to different dealers and get the best price/deal... simple as that...

Buy used.

There are lots of great condition "wife" bikes out there that end up not getting ridden much. We just brought home a TTR125E last night that was virtually unused for probably $800 less than a good deal at the dealer would have been.

I always buy my hardcore bikes new. There are a lot fewer of them that hit the used market in mint condition because the buyers are already riders.

243Win said:

There is about a 10% margin for profit. Doesnt mean that cant go lower. Many times, they get incentives back to clear out older models for new ones, or fo rmodels not selling as fast. But I'd bet you are after a fast seller. Now if there is no incentives, you can usually skirt the freight/set up if you use cash. But i have found this doenst work on Hondas, but does for everyone else.

Thanks for the replies. 10% is pretty slim profit margins, sorta like all the gunshops I frequent. $300-400 either way doesn't make a lot of difference.

Doesn't matter much now, picked up a Yamaha XT225 today. Dealer came down about $700 from his initial out the door price. Probably could have gotten more, but I was comfortable with the deal. First bike, age 43, plan on using it to explore Jeep trails before I commit the Jeep and side trips of course. No it's not a hot-rod bike, but it's a start.

I love how quiet it is,...

Good job bro. Be sure to get some decent riding gear. You will fall. Let me invite you to the Super Dirt poker run, June 24th. It's at Capitol Forest which is one of the easier places to ride (as long as it's not too wet). http://cascadefamily...erDirt/SD07.jpg

If you come, look me up. I'm a few years your senior and love to ride and shoot.

.243 Winchester said:

"I love how quiet it is,..."

Man, I wish more people had that attitude! :thumbsup:

Thank you, .243win, & congrats on the new ride! :applause:

243Win said:

Congrats on the new bike!

I'll be 43 in 2 months & started riding 4 years ago. I love it.

Do you live near Vancouver Washinthon or are you farther North?

Here's a video of a new jeep:

Up north, on the kitsap penninsula. I've seen that video a time or two. She survived just fine and ended up driving away. I plan on that trail next year myself in the Jeep after the Rubicon. Yes, quiet is good -- Jeep runs stock exhaust (want power? Re-gear) and I plan no changes for the bike either.

I already have to wear earplugs on the highway with the swampers on the Jeep, I have zero desire to make anything of mine louder.

Thanks all, seeya on the trail either in my Jeep or on the little bike.
Slim

MACE said:

Would love too, but I'm already going to be at a shoot associated with a gun forum I'm a long time contributor to. And it is in Oregon so a lot of full auto folks will be showing up with toys we can't have in Washington. Can't miss that. That and for the moment, I've got a lot to re-learn about riding a bike from when I did it as a teenager on bikes my friends owned.

:cheers: