Anyone going to buy new during this Coronavirus time?

[Blue is Best]

I've had several call backs on my emails. One large dealership network of fourteen stores has told me the advertising is wrong and they don't have the bikes advertised or don't have the right years advertised.    One fellow that called me back told me a price two thousand dollars over his competition. I politely reminded him of that and he said he couldn't even think why his competition would sell that low.      

So, I am not getting people that are serious about moving product in this incredibly bad economic situation. Since these few guys aren't really too serious I didn't even try to get to the negotiation price part.

[Sport-Touring]

[jay547]

Since these few guys aren't really too serious I didn't even try to get to the negotiation price part.

I ran into that in 2016 when I was looking. I had decided to get a new Versys. I went in person to both local Kawasaki dealers and asked for a quote. One quoted me retail (of course, I already knew the retail price). The other said he would work up some numbers and let me know. He never called back. I ended up buying the FJ-09 used.

[Blue is Best]

I ran into that in 2016 when I was looking. I had decided to get a new Versys. I went in person to both local Kawasaki dealers and asked for a quote. One quoted me retail (of course, I already knew the retail price). The other said he would work up some numbers and let me know. He never called back. I ended up buying the FJ-09 used.

Most "sales people" don't understand that salesmanship starts when the customer says no. Most want to be order takers.

Right now with a terrible economic situation(experts say months more to come) and bills to pay that business owners would want to get all product out of the shop.

[kyzrex]

One thing to understand and remember....

Those dealers don’t really own those bikes.....the banks do.  The banks lent them the money and the only thing the dealer is on hook for is the payments on those loans.  They have to decide if they are willing to sell now in order to get away from making payments on that loan OR hang onto it, make the minimum payments the loans require, and try to sell it later for enough money to make a good profit.  

With the new bill that allows these small businesses to borrow money basically for free...and in some cases even receive free money from the government.....they really aren’t in a cash crunch where they have to sell the bikes just to raise cash.  In fact, many banks are allowing small businesses to either skip loan payments entirely, or are willing to refinance their notes with deferred payments of up to 3-6 months.  Basically giving the dealers an extended grace period where there is no real pressure to sell bikes.

[rajflyboy]

One thing to understand and remember....

Those dealers don’t really own those bikes.....the banks do.  The banks lent them the money and the only thing the dealer is on hook for is the payments on those loans.  They have to decide if they are willing to sell now in order to get away from making payments on that loan OR hang onto it, make the minimum payments the loans require, and try to sell it later for enough money to make a good profit.  

With the new bill that allows these small businesses to borrow money basically for free...and in some cases even receive free money from the government.....they really aren’t in a cash crunch where they have to sell the bikes just to raise cash.  In fact, many banks are allowing small businesses to either skip loan payments entirely, or are willing to refinance their notes with deferred payments of up to 3-6 months.  Basically giving the dealers an extended grace period where there is no real pressure to sell bikes.

This is what I’m seeing in Charlotte

[kyzrex]

My son in law is a bank manager for Wesbanco.  He says that he has never been so busy as he is now.  They are literally getting more small business loan applications than they can handle, because of this new bill.  They were already doing a lot of loan modifications and equity lines of credit before that system added to their burden, too.  Commercial banking is a real different animal than regular retail banking, and banks that deal in it have a lot of leeway when it comes to working with small businesses, more so than they do for a lot of consumer loans.

[KeithU]

Those dealers don’t really own those bikes.....the banks do.

This may be true for used bikes, but in the case of new bikes dealer inventory is usually still property of the manufacturer/importer. Dealers normally pay a floor fee for their inventory. I'm guessing the importers are giving dealers breaks on these fees right now, because there isn't anywhere else to put them.

The manufacturers (motorcycles and auto) are really going to be in trouble if they're still sitting on mountains of unsold inventory next Fall. I wouldn't be surprised if we see another "Cash for Klunkers" type of stimulus in the next 6-12 months.

[Biking Sailor]

When is the Tenere 700 due to be available here in the US?

Only issues are A) I need to sell a couple of the herd and B) when, or if, the Wife's business can get back operational.

I so do want to be able to support our economy!  

[KeithU]

When is the Tenere 700 due to be available here in the US?

Only issues are A) I need to sell a couple of the herd and B) when, or if, the Wife's business can get back operational.

I so do want to be able to support our economy!  

The Yamaha website still says "Early summer 2020." Hopefully that's still true, but with the current situation it seems like there's a high risk of delay.

[Blue is Best]

This may be true for used bikes, but in the case of new bikes dealer inventory is usually still property of the manufacturer/importer. Dealers normally pay a floor fee for their inventory. I'm guessing the importers are giving dealers breaks on these fees right now, because there isn't anywhere else to put them.

The manufacturers (motorcycles and auto) are really going to be in trouble if they're still sitting on mountains of unsold inventory next Fall. I wouldn't be surprised if we see another "Cash for Klunkers" type of stimulus in the next 6-12 months.

I know that selling motorcycles and cars are not as simple as the public believes. I've purchased new and the dealer had the title on the premises and purchased new when the dealer said they would mail me the title.

[KeithU]

I know that selling motorcycles and cars are not as simple as the public believes. I've purchased new and the dealer had the title on the premises and purchased new when the dealer said they would mail me the title.

If the dealer has the title then I assume they own the motorcycle. Usually though - as I understand it - once they sell a vehicle they send the money to the importer/manufacturer and request a COI (Certificate or Origin) which is provided to the state government to issue a title.

Buying a vehicle can be a surprisingly risky transaction, especially right now where dealerships are certainly struggling to make sales. Even if you plan to pay cash, I recommend you arrange for a loan through your bank or credit union and use that for the purchase. You can then immediately pay off the loan with the bank if you like. That way if something happens to the dealer and your money doesn't get forwarded on to the DMV and/or manufacturer, then the bank is the creditor and not you. This may seem paranoid but I've seen it happen multiple times in *good* economies.

Also, if you can get a loan that is at or below the rate of inflation (under 2-3%) it actually makes more sense to finance the vehicle rather than pay cash. That way the lender pays the cost of inflation, not you. And you can use your cash for some other investment that might actually beat inflation.

[Blue is Best]

I have bought new with cash(actually a Cashier's check) when the dealer had the title on hand. My preference, as you pointed out, is to take out a loan. I'd rather have the cash in the bank and pay the least amount of interest. Financial planers all say pay cash to save interest but I say making payments is my forced way to pay monthly rather having to build back up the cash I spent.

By the way, my fico score is WAY over 800!

[Epyon]

My hours have been cut at my job so I've been going into the local BMW dealer to help out.  I'm buddies with the GM there.  He went from 10 employees to 3, him and 2 techs.  He is so busy being; sales, service, parts, finance, office person, delivery, pick up.......  He is still selling bikes and doing service.  We are in Minnesota, last week he had a guy come in from California and he has other from other states coming in this week.  On top of all of this people are calling to get their bikes out of storage.  Last week I "worked" aka volunteered for two days.  I took 50 calls a day.  This week I was there on Thursday and took 30 calls.  They finally got someone to answer the phone calls that we couldn't get to.  He is trying to get the authorization to have someone work like 10 hours a week to do pick up and delivery of bikes for him.  He gets in at 9-6 then after work he fires up the truck and trailer to get bikes.

It kinda sounds great but the work load is so much and the customers sometimes not very understanding.  I believe this will be the end of week 2 doing this for him.

[Bounce]

It kinda sounds great but the work load is so much and the customers sometimes not very understanding.  I believe this will be the end of week 2 doing this for him.

BMW owners are often douches.

[nomagnashn]

I'm waiting for the new 2020 N1Ks to drop below $10k, then I'm going go pull the trigger.  There's a dealership in AR that has one for 10,400 so it's getting close!

[Blue is Best]

I'm waiting for the new 2020 N1Ks to drop below $10k, then I'm going go pull the trigger.  There's a dealership in AR that has one for 10,400 so it's getting close!

There are a couple of brand new 2019s in Texas for UNDER $9,000! That is their advertised price so you may be able to knock some off that.

[nomagnashn]

There are a couple of brand new 2019s in Texas for UNDER $9,000! That is their advertised price so you may be able to knock some off that.

Yeah, I've been seeing those but I really want the 2020 model.  The factory cruise control is a big draw for me.

[Blue is Best]

Yeah, I've been seeing those but I really want the 2020 model.  The factory cruise control is a big draw for me.

Good point.

I have a $20 "go cruise" on my Bandit.

[Blue is Best]

Yeah, I've been seeing those but I really want the 2020 model.  The factory cruise control is a big draw for me.

Three years ago when I was looking for a day bike, I checked with my insurance agent on the three bikes on my radar screen. The Yamaha FZ1(new leftover), Ninja 1000 and Bandit 1250(new left over). He told me I didn't want the Ninja or FZ1. When he told me the insurance rates I agreed with him.

[blackdeek2006]

Finally managed to pick up my new ride!