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·Really not so much about the off season but when is the best time (cheapest) to buy a bike, is it a set for months or does it really change that much compared to summer months?
thx
thx
off season
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Most people will tell you that bikes are cheapest at the end of the riding season or in the winter months. Frankly I haven't noticed a difference.King AK said:
In the winter months selection is down. Dealers have sold all the stock they will likely sell for the season and the rest of the stock will be sold as "previous year's inventory" at the beginning of the next season. Those people with bikes have them stored for the winter - and it is a pain to get a bike ready to sell in the winter.
In the spring/early summer the selection is best. The dealers get their new inventories and the bikes come out from the garages...
The end of the riding season, to me, is the time when you *might* find a deal. But, again, I haven't really found much difference (don't forget, if you buy at the end of the season then you will have - effectively - all the costs and depreciation associated with having a bike and not using it for months).
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Seems you get a grand or 2 off in January-Feb months because sales are so down the guys are trying to make some $$. Thats when i like to buy my bikes, but i ride all year so meh.
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You can always get a grand or two off a bike - whatever the season - if the sticker price is MSR.
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2,496 Posts
Buying a motorcycle is like groceries.
(I gotta eat, so I choose to eat what's in season)
My experiene tells me it's a matter of careful consumerism.
If there is only one bike on this earth that you absolutely need to own, then you are at the mercy of that manufacturer, and those dealers.
If you have your choice narrowed down to a selection of say, 3 bikes (I see this a lot here, the posts that start with "which is better.....") then you have the advantage of scouring those dealerships, as some manufacturers may be offering consideration to their dealers (read: discounts) to move certain inventory, at certain times of the year. Get to know the dealers, they want you as a customer, and I'm fairly certain a long time customer is much more advantageous to their book of business than a "grinder," looking to buy the bike at the lowest possible price, then do all subsequent shopping on the internet.
Case in point, my Honda, with the "difficult to sell colour." Thus, the colour alone resulted in a signifant reduction in the price I had to pay. In January.
I was an eager shopper, but not so eager that I couldn't wait for the right deal/dealer and circumstances.
I'm a contented Carter customer now.....
(I gotta eat, so I choose to eat what's in season)
My experiene tells me it's a matter of careful consumerism.
If there is only one bike on this earth that you absolutely need to own, then you are at the mercy of that manufacturer, and those dealers.
If you have your choice narrowed down to a selection of say, 3 bikes (I see this a lot here, the posts that start with "which is better.....") then you have the advantage of scouring those dealerships, as some manufacturers may be offering consideration to their dealers (read: discounts) to move certain inventory, at certain times of the year. Get to know the dealers, they want you as a customer, and I'm fairly certain a long time customer is much more advantageous to their book of business than a "grinder," looking to buy the bike at the lowest possible price, then do all subsequent shopping on the internet.
Case in point, my Honda, with the "difficult to sell colour." Thus, the colour alone resulted in a signifant reduction in the price I had to pay. In January.
I was an eager shopper, but not so eager that I couldn't wait for the right deal/dealer and circumstances.
I'm a contented Carter customer now.....
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11,210 Posts
Actually NOW is a good time to buy. Most dealers are keen to reduce inventory before the rain starts. I now that BK has some killer pricing on the bikes still in stock.
This is not to say that the depths of winter is not a good time as well. But if you hit on a deal now there's still a good month or more of riding left.
This is not to say that the depths of winter is not a good time as well. But if you hit on a deal now there's still a good month or more of riding left.
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315 Posts
You know Bruce, I am not really too sure about this. I walked into BK and had a look at the bikes and the stickers were still above what I paid for my bike. They wouldn't have as much "wiggle room" off the sticker price since the sticker is already discounted of MSR. Once you start the negotiation process (make an offer and receive a counter offer) I would expect that you would pay a similar price to what you could get any time of year.TeeTee said:
The only thing that might interfere would be a manufacturer's rebate to the dealer for moving the bike (Micheal pointed this out). My experience in motorcycles, though, is that these rebates and dealer incentives in the motorcycle industry are far fewer than in the automotive industry in general. The motorcycle manufacturers seem to have a "gentleman's agreement" to keep the numbers of new bikes in Canada relatively small and, as a result, the prices up.
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No stats to back this up but I've always believed that there a few good windows of opportunity for better deals on bikes.
September: riders returning to school decide they need the cash more than the bike; dealers are aware they're about to see the beginning of a long cold cash-less stretch.
October: previously hesitant riders who were holding onto their bike 'one more season' finally let go and put them up for sale, usually more determined to sell 'now' instead of letting the agony drag on to christmas.
November: the used-bike sellers now 'need' to be rid of their bikes; dealership sales are down and they're committing to holiday-season inventory... so offers are looked at more readily than mid-June.
December: Everyone with a bike for sale is gnawing at the possibility they could be stuck with their bike (or inventory til spring).
January: Motorcycle Show Season starts. Anyone overly anxious to take advantage of [non-existent, IMO] 'show specials' will need to dump their used bike quickly. Dealers of new bikes who take orders at the shows for new bikes experience 'pre-sales' fall-out where sales aren't actually closed. A few extra bikes are in the show-room with little hope of being sold til March-April.
February: your last window for the best deals because everyone in the bike-buying market is about to make a leap to their next bike (early, for better prices) or their first new bike (early, for dealers' early season incentives).
March 1st through to September 30th: occasionally good deals at either end of the riding season though generally the best deals will be on used bikes being sold for reasons other than a simple need for cash. Dealers will 'hold price' (ie: no screaming deals) knowing their inventory will eventually be sold through any one of the previously noted off-season gimmicks.
If there's a new bike in high demand that you MUST have, at least wait to buy it before or after [Nov or Jan] christmas. If you're just 'shopping', push your spending weight in the weeks following the (January) Motorcycle Show but not before. If it's a used bike you want, best selection & prices are NOW for the 'seller-motivated' factor. If you wait until late February or March, the same seller (if they're patient and not needing the cash) will wrongly believe they'll do okay if they just wait til the season starts again. Truth is: yes, they'll finally sell their bike but by then ...the same bike will now be up against 100+ other used bikes, depressing the price.
Again, not scientific... but I've been watching bike-buying/selling curves for about 30 years.
Good Luck!
September: riders returning to school decide they need the cash more than the bike; dealers are aware they're about to see the beginning of a long cold cash-less stretch.
October: previously hesitant riders who were holding onto their bike 'one more season' finally let go and put them up for sale, usually more determined to sell 'now' instead of letting the agony drag on to christmas.
November: the used-bike sellers now 'need' to be rid of their bikes; dealership sales are down and they're committing to holiday-season inventory... so offers are looked at more readily than mid-June.
December: Everyone with a bike for sale is gnawing at the possibility they could be stuck with their bike (or inventory til spring).
January: Motorcycle Show Season starts. Anyone overly anxious to take advantage of [non-existent, IMO] 'show specials' will need to dump their used bike quickly. Dealers of new bikes who take orders at the shows for new bikes experience 'pre-sales' fall-out where sales aren't actually closed. A few extra bikes are in the show-room with little hope of being sold til March-April.
February: your last window for the best deals because everyone in the bike-buying market is about to make a leap to their next bike (early, for better prices) or their first new bike (early, for dealers' early season incentives).
March 1st through to September 30th: occasionally good deals at either end of the riding season though generally the best deals will be on used bikes being sold for reasons other than a simple need for cash. Dealers will 'hold price' (ie: no screaming deals) knowing their inventory will eventually be sold through any one of the previously noted off-season gimmicks.
If there's a new bike in high demand that you MUST have, at least wait to buy it before or after [Nov or Jan] christmas. If you're just 'shopping', push your spending weight in the weeks following the (January) Motorcycle Show but not before. If it's a used bike you want, best selection & prices are NOW for the 'seller-motivated' factor. If you wait until late February or March, the same seller (if they're patient and not needing the cash) will wrongly believe they'll do okay if they just wait til the season starts again. Truth is: yes, they'll finally sell their bike but by then ...the same bike will now be up against 100+ other used bikes, depressing the price.
Again, not scientific... but I've been watching bike-buying/selling curves for about 30 years.
Good Luck!
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