Is this a fair deal? (2011 V-Strom 650 ABS)

[MadMax96]

A co-worker of mine is wants to get a bike that does a little of everything.  The V-Strom 650 seems to fit the bill.  He has the $$ so is fine with buying new even though I advised that really nice (pre-farkeled) deals are out there.

The local dealer has a 2011 650 ABS (new) on the floor and my coworker said they would include the OEM hard saddlebags for $8300 OTD.  I realize the new V-Stroms are coming out so it makes sense to price this accordingly.

I kinda don't think this is too bad of a deal considering the bike is $8099 MSRP and the luggage has to be at least another $600 (?).

Personally I don't like the look of the V-Strom side cases and they don't seem terrible large compared to others - and I know there are better options out there.

Thinking maybe he should ask what they want OTD w/o the luggage?  Maybe have them throw in a center stand and a top trunk instead.

Any feedback would be appreciated.......  

[Sport-Touring]

[garry]

If you figure that dealer invoice is about 18% off MSRP (based on dealer pricing reports from cyclebuy.com) you get $8099*0.82=$6641. Add $100 doc fee plus title, plate, sales tax ($100 + 6% tax?) and you're in the neighborhood of $7250 OTD without the luggage. Note that I didn't include any setup/prep/freight fees figuring the dealer will eat those on a leftover with a new model looming. Now that's a pretty lowball price and the dealer deserves to make a few bucks. Profit is not a four letter word. All in all it doesn't seem too bad and the dealer is probably making about $400-500 on the deal. Suzuki may be offering incentives to the dealer, so spending $20 at CycleBuy.com for  a current pricing report might make sense.

[hovmaven]

I priced them lat month, and seemed to be right around $7500 before tax, and Suzuki has a $200 bag deal through October 31st, so w/bags I'd say $7700 plus tax OTD.  

[MadMax96]

Thanks for the info.  I didn't think it was the best deal ever or anything, but I thought i looked fair the buyer and the dealer.  This is a dealer that is only a couple miles from his home and I figured he'd probably end up using them for service and what not.  No sense in screwing the dealer that you intend to use going forward.

As for the dealer invoice vs MSRP - I had no idea there was that much difference.  I was under the impression that the dealer only had like $500 of profit to be made.

I think my co-worker seemed ok with the price, but going into a deal without any real information is just foolish IMHO.

I'll tell him about cyclebuy.com.    

hovmaven:  My co-worker did mention the bags were only $200, but I didn't realize that was a Suzuki promotion - thought it was the dealer doing that to get the bike moved.  Knowing that he can go anywhere for the $200 bag deal helps.  Thanks!

[garry]

On a whim, I went to the CycleBuy web site to see what pricing reports cost since using them in 2005. I couldn't find any links to the reports, so maybe they've changed their business model. Seems to be a regular online parts/acc vendor with no sign of the dealer pricing reports. Maybe I just missed it.

I know the margin on the Kawi sport bikes was in the 16-18% range (not a lot), but it also listed good stuff like holdback and what setup/freight charges are, as well as any factory to dealer incentives that are active.

EDIT: Seems that CycleBuy.com spun off the dealer pricing stuff to CycleCost.com (owned by CycleBuy). But the model years listed on CycleCost are a couple years old, so I'm not sure if they're in the "dealer invoice" business any more or not. Probably worth a call/email to CycleBuy if you're really interested.

[hovmaven]

You are about right with the 20% or so range.  Dealers on ebay were selling for $6799 with about $500 prep costs added, so $7300.

See this site for any recent factory promotions:
http://www.suzukicycles.com/now

[falconati]

Sounds close enough.  They're within a couple hundred bucks, maybe see if they'll do the break-in service for free?  That might be cheaper for them than having them lower the price more

[MadMax96]

Sounds close enough.  They're within a couple hundred bucks, maybe see if they'll do the break-in service for free?  That might be cheaper for them than having them lower the price more

Or I was thinking maybe they could cut him a break on some gear since he'll need all that stuff too.  He's in no rush to buy - but I think the leftovers will be even tougher to find come Spring.  This dealer apparently has 3 of them... the dealer out by me which is much larger didn't even have one on the floor.  

[hovmaven]

Prices should drop even further once the 2012's hit the floor. . ..  

[Oxblood]

Tell tyour buddy to propose knocking at least 600 or more off that rpice for the bike without the OEM luggage. The OEM luggage is the skids (check the reviews from former OEM luggage owners at stromtrooper.com). I had the OEM top case. Ack, it was crap! Take the money he saved and apply it to whatever luggage he likes, be it Givi, Shad, Kappa, or pricey stuff like Jesse's.

[MadMax96]

Well he ended up doing the deal a few days ago.   It was funny, he mentioned it like it was nothing.."oh yeah, got the bike... it's in my garage."  Me- "huh, wha?"  He came to me originally and said - "ya know, I think I want a bike... and I know you know all about them, so whatever you pick I'll go with."  He said he wants to road trip out to Utah and wanted something that could handle the occasional fire road... I figured the V-Strom 650 is the best bike for the job at the right price.  I had no idea he was going to pull the trigger... but I guess he's the shit or get off the pot kinda guy..  

He was fine with the deal and I guess that's all that matters.  He was able to buy it with cash too.. nice.  He had them order up a centerstand as well.  He went with the OEM luggage but is probably only going to have it on for trips.  For everyday use I told him to go with a trunk - and I'll probably tell him to get a Givi or something.  He's not a super mechanical guy (programmer/db admin) so I told him I'd come by to install the accessories when he gets them.

He used to ride dirt bikes in his younger years (he's probably in his mid 40s now) so he had it delivered since he's only a couple of miles away.  He was going to try and get into one of the last MSF courses this past weekend.  

So I'm happy for him - and jealous since I've been wanting a new bike for some time now.  It's fun spending other people's money.