How to Buy a New Motorcycle

Different Types of Motorcycles

First, decide what kind of new motorcycle you want to buy. This decision will depend on how you plan to use the motorcycle. There are over a dozen different variations of motorcycles, but here are the three most common.

Cruisers/Choppers

The best known example of a cruiser motorcycle is a Harley Davidson. These bikes are designed for the heavy traveler due to their comfortable seating position which mimics the way a cowboy would ride a horse. They’re the most comfortable bikes to take on long trips, but the upright seating position does sacrifice some degree of control – which is where Choppers come in. Choppers are customized cruiser motorcycles. While the customizations are often strictly for show, some riders to tailor their bikes to fit their individual needs.

Sport Bikes

Sport bikes are speed oriented and usually much smaller and lighter than cruisers. The sport bike is more or less a consumer version of the type of motorcycle used in racing, albeit less powerful. The seating situation on a sport bike resembles that of the English saddle style of racing horses, with the feet towards the back, the hands low and the spine arched forward. When seated, the rider almost looks as if he’s crouching. This position allows for much greater control, especially around turns.

Off-Road Bikes

Often called dirt bikes or motocross bikes, off-road bikes are small and lightweight, with little to no bodywork outside of the main frame. They are not intended for street use and therefore lack the required equipment, such as turn signals or proper lights. They are designed to handle tough terrain and are very popular for recreational use. They can also be geared towards different competitive sports, such as motocross.

Before Buying a Motorcycle, Do Your Homework

Once you decide on the type of motorcycle you want to buy, hit the internet. Read every possible piece of information that you can find on the type of bike you’re looking into. Go to the manufacturer’s website and read up on it, read various reviews, and if you have any questions, find an online forum for motorcycle enthusiasts. Make sure you know everything there is to know before you head to the dealership, otherwise they'll be the ones grinning when you hand over the cash.

Trade-In

If you plan on using an old motorcycle to gain trade-in value, make sure you know the value before you approach a motorcycle dealer. A dealer may undervalue your used motorcycle. You can go to the Kelly Blue Book website to check and see how much your motorcycle is worth for selling and trading it in. Chances are you’ll make more money selling it yourself. This is a good idea not only because of the financial rewards, but also because it’s one less thing you have you to worry about negotiating over.

Sealing the Deal

You should also find the suggested retail price of the models that interest you. This is important because you also want to find the dealer invoice price of those models. The dealer invoice price is what an individual new motorcycle costs a dealer when he buys it from the manufacturer. The dealer will want to make a profit over this price of 10% to 15%. Unless the bike you’re looking at is in high demand, the dealer’s price to you should be within striking range of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. If it is in high demand, chances are that the dealer will try to charge you an arm and a leg, and you will have little to no hope of talking him down.

Motorcycle dealers often have some characteristics similar to those of car dealers. For instance, they may try to make an unreasonable profit on the invoice price that they paid. There’s no reason you should hesitate to bring the dealer’s asking price for a new motorcycle as close as possible to the invoice price. It’s unlikely that you will succeed in bringing the asking price all the way down, but you should negotiate. Remember that on top of what you pay for the new motorcycle, there will be a series of fees, such as destination fees, setup fees, documentation fees, and others. Ask about these fees before you agree to anything and use them in your negotiation.

Do not hesitate to look at last year’s models. As with car dealerships, motorcycle dealers want to move old inventory out to make room for the latest models. You can often find a sound deal on a year-old model and negotiate the price down further. Offer to pay cash, but request another five to 10 percent off the price of the new motorcycle for doing so.

Remember, the salesman wants to sell you the bike just as much as you want to buy it, possibly even more. You have just as much room to haggle as he does. Once you’ve done a considerable amount of talking, really lay it on him. Usually you can come out on top, because at this point they’ve invested far too much effort into the sale to lose it at the last minute.

Buying New Motorcycles Online

Learn about and buy new motorcycles at these online resources:

• Kelly Blue Book is the best place to go to see how much your current bike is worth.
• CycleTrader.com has new and used motorcycles for sale, as well as parts and accessories. It also offers a dealer directory.
• CycleBuy.com will connect you with dealer invoice reports. Also find accessories for off-road motorcycles.

Read performance reviews of the latest motorcycle models at Motorcycle.com, Also find dealer ads and user forums.