Buying my First Harley - Tips

I'm getting ready to buy my first Harley. Hopefully an 08 or 09 Softtail Night Train.

Anyone have any buying tips? How much can I excpect them to move on MSRP? What are some "perks" I should expect from the purchase?

Enlighten me, please.

Local Dealers were ready to deal a couple months ago....Little harder now, but, they are ready to move some bikes.....Just keep haggling....They want to sell a much as you want to buy.....Phone different dealers.....Good time to get the extras while buying the bike.....Good luck...keep us posted

Five local dealers with in 70 miles and usually I have to order my parts and extras from a northern dealer.....20% off and no tax which means 28% off...could not find used Harley stuff on e-bay as cheap.....After changing the First Lady`s trike from a Classic to an Ultra and the other extras while fixing the trike this winter I had bought over $4,000 worth....with the 28% off it save me over $1000 at least...I know I needed it more than them!!...I don`t know how they discount their bikes up north, but, one local last year would only do MSRP and cut 10% off all extras.....:gah: It is your money strech it as for as it will go!!!! Someone is always ready to deal you way.....

I have found that the sales people have a standard line they give anyone that asks about the price of a bike .When you are ready to buy the sales person will start to deal. I would expect to get 5-10% off list price and a $250.00-$500. gift card on the deal. I have also got 10% off any a chrome add ons .

I'm traveling an hour from Baltimore to Wilmington, Delaware. I think that speaks volumes to my seriousness about buying a bike. Hoping they'll make me a deal I can't walk away from.

prepare before you go - check the HD site for there latest MSRP's and let the dealer know you have other offers. If they what your money they'll deal; if they don't want to come down on price - go on down the road or at least let think you will. Some of the sales people that work for dealers could sell snow to a eskimo.

no trade. Straight up purchase.

I have done similarly, made an straight up deal, haggled for a while I finally told them what I would out the door we were with in 65 dollars of me driving home a new pick up but they said they would go broke given out deals like that I gave him one opportunity to accept the deal and if he came back with anything other than an ok I was walking out, .........I walked out but all the way to the door _I_ was being begged to re consider, the next day at about 9 A.M. the phone rang with a new atractive offer and all i had to do was come down and sign I explained to them that the deal was only good yesterday and that I was offering the opportunity to sell to another dealer.

Make sure you go to the N.A.D.A. site and Blue Book site to get current price on the bike you are interested in. The idea of playing one dealer on another does work too. Did you ever talk with Mike's HD in Delaware along I-95??? He also seems kinda resonable too (at least 3 yrs ago he was). Best of luck...

I'm actually headed to Mikes Famous in New Castle this weekend!

I found the perfect Night Train this past weekend at a dealership outside of Baltimore. 08 Night Train with 1800 miles, V&H Big Radius, K&N high flow intake, race tuner, and in my favorite black denim paint. They didn't want to deal so I walked.

I got a good vibe from the salesman from Mikes Famous when I spoke to him over the phone.

I'll find the right bike soon enough.

new bike

This brings back memories when i bought mine.Back then if you wanted a Harley you put your deposit down in say 5/71 and you bike arrived 5/72.I called the entire east coast and found 2 in Pa.Asked how much,dealer said $2375.00 and a temp Pa tag. color was not an option,just finding one was.
now that the thrill has worn off with import bikes you get to pick and choose what you want although prices have gone up a bit.Back then you had only 2 to choose from. The Sportster (900.1000) or the Duo-Glide FLH. You "the owner" did the custom work not a dealer.
HAVE A SAFE RIDING YEAR

Check out:

AUTHORIZED H-D $tealers & Dealer$

Talk to anyone that has purchased recently about their experience/treatment at the dealership.

Warranty work

When doing your offers mention you are looking to become a 1 dealer customer and give him all warranty work and first chance on accessories and up-grades. Try to negotiate a % discount on parts,clothing and other stuff you buy there, most dealers wait for you to spend a few thousand before offering a discount on acc. and such. I get 10% on parts and 15% on any in store purchases, have also dropped $50k plus in last 5-6 yrs at same dealer.
Shopping around is always good but so is being known by name somewhere, it doesn't take long to get to know the people somewhere and you will know if you want to deal with them.
If you can arrange 20% downpayment in cashier's cheque(check) made out to cash it will help you deal a little harder when you put it on his desk! You tell him it's made out to cash so it goes to the dealer with best over!!

Just don't loose that cheque:gah: