I wish my Sea Ray was a Harley

[kkalsch]

I have owned several motorcycles through the years but never a Harley. So it was demo day here in Raleigh and decided to go test drive one and if I liked it I would see if I could get a good deal and maybe buy one.
Well …there’s no deal - you pay list price or they will not sell you the bike and same goes for the used bikes which are only a few thousand less than new –they may come off a couple hundred but that’s it. I was in shock coming from the boating world where everything is negotiable. They let me walk right out the door :wow: and they claim there the #1 dealer in the Carolina’s. Does Harley have that much command on the market? In this economy? :huh:

 

[Prosideus]

Yes they do. If you are looking for a deal, then the Harley dealer for used is not the way to go. Sometime the new bikes will have specials, and there are a few dealers that do not carry the chip on their shoulders, but in terms of negotiating a great deal it will be a limited monetary discount.

The private seller market for used is a better place to search for the deal. Just like boat owners, many tend to feel their bikes are dealer used prices or better. But cash in hand talks. Look around and you can find something. I looked for about a year.




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[Lucky's]

I've had 4 Harley's, 2 new and 2 used. 3 from the dealer and one private seller. They hold their value amazingly well so trying to get a great deal at a dealer is probably not gonna happen, regardless of the dealership. It's one of those decisions where if you know it's what you want, you just have to bite the bullet and go for it. The best thing I did was spend a lot of time with my dealer developing a relationship. Bikes 2 and 3 seemed like a lot better deal to me than the first and I was able to get some extras thrown in due to the relationship we developed, so you "feel" like you're getting a better deal at least!! Good luck on your search!!


Shaun
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[Havana Shamrock]

I always wanted a "Harley" but didnt seem to have the cash. I was riding a motorcycle full time at the age of 16 illegally mind you everyday to school,work etc it was my only transportation so years later in life I wanted to get back to riding after seeing the prices it bummed me out. Then I discovered the Yamaha Vstar1100 classic bought it new in 2002 and have loved it ever since, I jetted the carbs , put straight pipes on it and now a fairing, it was a fraction of the cost of a fat boy. i know,I know its not a "Harley" but 1. I didnt buy a bike to sell it so re sale didnt even come into play, and 2. Most of my harley buddies only bought it to say I have a harley, and never ride them. Now I can afford one and my Yammy is still running strong and looks brand new. All I can say is at least im out there riding! Good luck in your search. View attachment 27557

 

[Larry]

I have bought 2 new Harley's (at the same time! Both for me...) even this way I had to pay there price and almost no price break.... But I was able to negotiate the pipes and carb jetting a little.

 

[just me]

Running around Utah , go get one , your not getting any younger .

 

[Summer Fun II]

They sell Mini Harley's . :lol:

$1,099.95 with free shipping.

 

[kkalsch]

Thanks for all the reply's -I thought maybe because it was demo day.I guess I have been spoiled the last couple cars and the last boat I bought I named the price. I am going to change my mind set ..pull my chest in and go back there and bend over........

 

[Havana Shamrock]

Remember its an employee owned company isnt it?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Hell, Harley dosent even carry parts for 10 year old cycles.I`d suggest looking at some used ones first.

 

[Bucit]

In 2005 I went into our loaca dealer and tried to wheel and deal on a new Dyna Wide Glide. They put a numbered paint set on it and some chrome. They wouldn't budge one bit. I walked out and weeks later returned and bought it (for the asking price). I think my wife and I got a free t-shirt out of the deal. As for holding their value? I sold it in 2010, 4300 miles on it and looked brand new. I added so much chrome and such it wasn't even funny. I personally think I lost my azz on it when I sold it but I had a 1 year old and it was time. I sure do miss it though!

 

[jason78]

Thanks for all the reply's -I thought maybe because it was demo day.I guess I have been spoiled the last couple cars and the last boat I bought I named the price. I am going to change my mind set ..pull my chest in and go back there and bend over........

It has been several years ago but a friend of mine was told the same thing by a Harley dealer here in the Carolinas, no negoation, they were #1 in the carolinas, etc. May have been the same one. He ended up buying the same model bike from a dealer in northern VA, saved a couple thousand dollars and got some chrome thrown in as well. I can try to find the name of the dealer in VA if you want. This was back in the good economy days as well so it would stand to reason they had less standing to deal since demand was so high at the time.

 

[kkalsch]

It has been several years ago but a friend of mine was told the same thing by a Harley dealer here in the Carolinas, no negoation, they were #1 in the carolinas, etc. May have been the same one. He ended up buying the same model bike from a dealer in northern VA, saved a couple thousand dollars and got some chrome thrown in as well. I can try to find the name of the dealer in VA if you want. This was back in the good economy days as well so it would stand to reason they had less standing to deal since demand was so high at the time.

Jason -I was talking to a sales rep yesterday and asking about other dealers in other states -He claimed that was a problem in the past but now all dealers must sell them at list price -He also said that some smaller dealers that discounted bikes got limited (good color/popular model bikes) making them harder to sell and inadvertently forced them out of business. They due however have some room in there set-up/doc fee. I have owned Honda and Yamaha bikes and have been happy -but as I am 50 now wanted to try a Harley - you definitely have to change your mind set to go buy one if your a wheeler dealer like me

 

[kkalsch]

Bucit-
They claim you get nothing back on added accessory's -but I would miss that bike too..........

 

[Larry]

I think my wife and I got a free t-shirt out of the deal

I forgot! I did get 2 T-shirts! They only wanted to give me one, but I argued with them that I was buying 2 bikes...

 

[Sprint7TW]

i have a freind who bought a Harley a few years back and rode it for 1 year with very low miles.
He sold it and went back to the original dealer to buy another new one and they refused to sell him because he did not give them a chance to trade on the old one. (I forget which model maybe fatboy but, they were hard to come by at the time.)
Their method will only last a few years and all of a sudden they will wonder where all their customer's have gone.

 

[Bucit]

Bucit-
They claim you get nothing back on added accessory's -but I would miss that bike too..........

THe whole front end was chrome including forks, oversized bars with internal wiring and braided cables etc. All chrome pieces except for two chrome covers on the bike.

 

[moparlvr4406]

sorry but I wouldn't trade my 1300 Yamaha Venture for 3 Harleys
I like to ride mine ...not shine or fix it

 

[Lucky's]

Here are 3 of mine.

Heirtage Softail


Softail Deuce


Streetglide


The chrome is absolutely addicting. I have put 2-5k into every bike just in chrome alone. I lowered the Deuce 3' in the rear and raked the front end 5 over. You only live once...pay what their asking if you like the bike and ENJOY IT!!!

 

[moparlvr4406]

that Duece is sweet !!
I would spend more time shining than riding

I thought of getting an FLHT a few years ago till my buddy asked
if you really had to have 50k in clothes to ride a 20k bike :lol: