When to buy a motorcycle? | GTAMotorcycle.com

When to buy a motorcycle?

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torontoZX6R

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Hey guys, so I've been out of the game for a few (long) seasons now and I'm finally ready to get back on two wheels and buy another bike!

My question is, what is the "hottest" time of year to buy a bike? I've been browsing Kijiji/autotrader for a while now and the market seems pretty barren. Not a lot of options. Should I just buy something I like soon, or should I wait until spring time?

Thnx!
 
Most selection will appear in march-may but prices will be the highest. Same plays for september-november and the prices are generally cheaper because people don't want to store their bikes.

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When you find the one you want for the price you want.
 
Like all seasonal toys, buyers market at the end, sellers market at the beginning. You won't get top dollar for a snowmobile in July, nor a boat in January. ;)
 
You will be haunted by the one that got away today as you survey the lifeless heap bought under duress later.
 
I would look around Toronto now for a ZX6R.

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I've bought my last two bikes in the fall. Hands down you get the best price. I took a brand new 2007 Kawasaki Versys off the dealers floor in the fall of 2008 and he was very motivated to sell. I got the bike out the door for $1000 less than the MSRP. Recently I picked up a 2008 Triumph Scrambler in November. The seller was very motivated to get rid of the bike before storing it for the winter and I was lucky. The only bad thing about buying in fall is the LONG WAIT to get out to ride. I managed to get 400km on the Scram with the mild fall we had, but now I'm jonesing to ride big time.
I think that with this year's insane insurance increases in Ontario, even this spring there will be very motivated sellers for some kinds of bikes.
 
meme said:
Quoted for truth, plus when you can afford to pay for it outright. It's a toy, please don't finance.
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its not always bad to finance, you just have to be smart about it. Last year Suzuki was doing no payments for year with a deposit ($500-1500 depending on bike) and when I got my Ninja I had 0% interest first year then bumped up to 4.9% after that plus 4 year extended care and roadside assistance included. I put down a grand and used the rest of the money towards gear. My payments were about $130 a month and since it was an open ended loan I put aside the 4 grand over the year and paid it off. In the end I was interest free with an extended warranty and roadside assistance I actually cashed in on, it was a win/win situation for me, you just have know what you're getting in to.
 
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I would say if you're buying new, strike now. There's still another 6 weeks+ of winter and nobody's buying anything. Salesmen at the dealerships are basically sitting there doing nothing praying for an early spring. If you've got cash, go in and make a hard offer on a hold over 2015 or 2014 and I bet you get a great deal. Wait until the end of March and the deals will start to dry up. If you're buying second hand, there isn't much listed on Kijiji etc right now. Most folks at this point have stored it and are fine with waiting until spring when they'll get top dollar. All those who were motivated to sell did so before the snow flew. Either time of year has its pluses and minuses. If you've been out of the game this long, why not wait until the fall and get a great deal. Or, if you're gagging to ride then don't wait.

If you're like me and tend to be drawn to the odd ball and less popular bikes then it's always easier to get a deal than if you're after a popular bike.
 
LoneRonin said:
its not always bad to finance, you just have to be smart about it. Last year Suzuki was doing no payments for year with a deposit ($500-1500 depending on bike) and when I got my Ninja I had 0% interest first year then bumped up to 4.9% after that plus 4 year extended care and roadside assistance included. I put down a grand and used the rest of the money towards gear. My payments were about $130 a month and since it was an open ended load I put aside the 4 grand over the year and paid it off. In the end I was interest free with an extended warranty and roadside assistance I actually cashed in on, it was a win/win situation for me, you just have know what you're getting in to.
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+1 nothing wrong with financing if you know what you're doing and committed to the hobby. One thing you never get back is time, don't lose a summer or two of riding just because you have to pay a premium of interest.
 
The best time is now.
Especially if you're looking for a good condition 2004 Suzuki 600 ; )
 
Buy what you want when you want it. Of course the best deals are had in the fall but don't let that stop you from getting the bike you want if you are comfortable with the price. Especially if it means missing riding time. We don't get that much even tho this year was abnormally good.
 
Moflow said:
I've bought my last two bikes in the fall. Hands down you get the best price.
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Have to agree...bought my VTX in October, could easily list it for $2-3K more than what I paid come spring and it'd fly out of my hands. Bought my wifes bike a week before Christmas, would easily have paid $1K more for it come spring.
 
In all seriousness the best time for price is before Xmas. I bought my V2K last December in mint shape and it came with accessories that were worth half again what I paid for the bike, and they were all high end. And it was original owner with all stock items thrown in, including spares.
It's harder to find a good bike listed in winter, but people are more likely to unload for quick cash when you do. With insurance going up now it should be a bit easier to get a deal as it's becoming a buyers market.
 
Its a good time to buy a bike, there are a lot of 'sold' signs in dealerships, last yrs inventory needs to go, and keeping some cash flow in the store is important. There is some motivation. For private sellors if they can get some cash towards what they want next, it could be in your favor.

For those considering finance, just remember its a business transaction not an emotional experience. Make up your own mind but the dealers offering 7.9% aren't doing you any favors
 
Bikes are cheaper in the fall but then you'll also get less for your trade in in the fall and more in the spring, so doesn't it all even out? Unless you're buying your first bike, or unless you're gonna keep both bikes over the winter and sell the old one in the spring.
 
danp said:
Bikes are cheaper in the fall but then you'll also get less for your trade in in the fall and more in the spring, so doesn't it all even out?
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In the end, yep. I sold my Jetskis in October (the season was long over) to fund the purchase of our bikes, I know I got probably $1500 less for the set than I could have got in the spring, but the tradeoff was saving significantly on the bike in the end as well, also buying the bike in the fall.

And hell, it worked out great given the weather (today excluded) - I've put a few thousand K on it already. ;)
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