Negotiating with Motorcycle dealers?

DEAK

Member
I have been shopping around a few bike dealers looking for my first bike. I am looking for a Yamaha v-star 650, any thoughts on how much negotiation room there is in the listed price of a used bike from a dealer? I hate the idea of paying full sticker price then finding out how much of a dumb *** I was after the fact. Thanks for any help.
 
Just do your homework and price out a few. That way you don't negotiate like a dumbass for the sake of negotiating.
Some dealers make more profit than others, some bikes have more room than others. It all depends on how much the dealer paid for it. There's no set limit for negotiating or a certain percentage that is set in stone.
It all depends.

Being in sales, there's nothing I hate more than a customer that says "I'm not paying your sticker price".
Yes, if the sticker price is average/above average compared to similar vehicles in the market, then sure, you have every right to negotiate.
However, if my price is the cheapest by at least 500-1000$, then why should I reduce my asking price even further?
 
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I guess the problem is most are listed pretty close in price, so does that mean the are just following the other dealers. Also if you compare private sales they are about $1000 to $1500 lower than the dealer price. Unfortunately I feel more comfortable with a dealer until I learn more about buying a bike.
 
Having come from the West, my starting point is still http://www.blackfootonline.com -- they do volume and can have very competitive prices.

May not be possible to get a "match" here in the GTA -- but a worthy target to shoot for.

Perhaps take their "adjusted" quote (incl. shipping) as a starting point to dealer known for highest price -- see how far you can get, and then take that to the hungrier dealer(s). (?)
 
We all want a deal and we still want these dealers to stay in business, so we can continue to visit them in the future.
If there is not much room to play with on the sticker price of the bike, try negotiating with the PDI & freight chargers, possibly 1st service or a deal on gear & accessories. There's always room here.
 
We all want a deal and we still want these dealers to stay in business, so we can continue to visit them in the future.
If there is not much room to play with on the sticker price of the bike, try negotiating with the PDI & freight chargers, possibly 1st service or a deal on gear & accessories. There's always room here.

Thanks, sounds like a good option as well. Also do you think they will accept sticker price all in? That would be about a 15% savings.
 
It's always worth a try. Have you built up a relationship with the sales guy as yet?
 
It's always worth a try. Have you built up a relationship with the sales guy as yet?

Yes, at Cycle world and Ben's in Peterborough. Have not found many reviews on either dealer so hoping to find one that seems to be willing to keep me as a long term customer. I am a loyal consumer when treated like they want me back.
 
i think in general, bikes are not as flexible when it comes to pricing, unless your bike is 12K and up.

i know your not buying a ninja250 or something, but just as an example you cant expect them to knock off $1500 bucks on a brand new bike which only costs $5000.

as wonderings said it's easier to get them to throw in free oil change/seat cowls/ or even free gear
 
Youre talking about buying a used bike from a dealer vs a private sale.

Neither should give you comfort in the bike - they both have unknowns.

Private means they tehmselves owned the bike. They had some sort of pride in it hopefully. The dealership bought the bike as cheap as possible, did as little as possible to fix it up and are trying to make the most money off of it to pay overhead.

Kijiiji several bikes, get the avg price, be reasonable about the price you want at the dealer and see where it goes. Don't expect thousands off.

The private seller likely has to get rid of it for a reason - you can buy from them easier i think.

You're uncomfortable with buying a bike cuz you don't seem to know much about them, which isn't a bad thing. You need to find someone to go with you to check out the bikes to find the things you don't know about.

Good luck dude.
 
i think in general, bikes are not as flexible when it comes to pricing, unless your bike is 12K and up.

i know your not buying a ninja250 or something, but just as an example you cant expect them to knock off $1500 bucks on a brand new bike which only costs $5000.

as wonderings said it's easier to get them to throw in free oil change/seat cowls/ or even free gear

How much do you think a $5000 brand new ninja costs to the dealer?
 
ALWAYS negotiate a price tag!! Worse case scenario - you will make yourself remembered as a serious dude who gives a dick about his wallet. :D
 
It's almost impossible to know what the dealers pay for bikes as the incentives are changing, there are volume discounts and end of model year sales. But I don't think it's as much as you said.
 
When I bought my used F4i from a Honda dealer, I deliberately low-balled with my first offer, nothing too crazy though. Made my next offer seem not so bad LOL! I also knew they wanted to move the bike and that they'd had it for awhile already (saw it at the bike show that Winter), which I was nice enough to remind him of. ;) He came way down on the deal and met me halfway with it. I came out happy in the end.
 
any price is negotiable! depends on your "Negotiation Skills" and how flexible the seller is on their price.
 
Someone mentioned freight and PDI.
Used bikes (and even other vehicles for that matter) should never have those fees.
 
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