Harley Prices in the Bay Area

Hey there,

I recently visited the San Jose Harley dealer and noticed they had a ton of
new bikes, on the floor and available for sale.

I haven't been to the dealer in a while, years actually.. last time I was
there all the bikes were used. The few new bikes were already sold and
there was a six month wait.

The prices back then, at least at the San Jose dealer, were MSRP + 2%.

Now it seems they are all MSRP. At least that's what the tags all showed.
Is this the case? Are Harleys still going for MSRP or is there any room for
negotiations?

I didn't feel like talking to one of the sales guy to ask. I thought I'd
check in here and see if anyone had purchased a big-twin in the last year
and how it works now.

Thanks!

 

Yes, HD dealers are tending to sell for MSRP (or below) these days. But a
word of caution, a couple of years ago I was looking, and noticed something
interesting at SJHD - their MSRP listed on their bikes was higher (by $1000
or more) than the MSRP listed on the HD web site. I guess at SJHD, MSRP
stands for "My Suggested Retail Price"!! I would suggest that you check the
MSRP prices on the HD web site first...

Don in Phoenix, AZ
2002 Buell S3T - 19K miles

 

Look on the used market. Virtually new Harley's are going cheap here in
Layoff Valley. When the job goes, the toys are next.

nb

 

I've looked at the used market and haven't seen any killer deals. I don't
want anything more than a couple years old. It seems that someone adds a
little chrome to their stock Harley and adds $3000 to the price because it's
a little shinier.

Just becuase you paid $3000 for the chrome doesn't mean you should get $3000
for it when you sell the bike used.

If I'm going to buy used I want a deal like when you buy a used car. You
really save a ton of money buying a used car.

Seems like the used Asian bikes are a good discount but the Harley Owners
are holding out for every penny.

Just my opinion.

 

Yeah, judging from the responses I've received here and other places on the
Internet the San Jose dealer's not very well liked. No one gives specifics
though. I will say the sales people aren't very friendly but frankly I hate
it when the sales people follow me around anyhow.

The MSRP's shows in San Jose were the same as listed on the Harley web page
so there's no games going on there.. at least not now. I only checked on
the one price I could specifically remembers.

Anyone care to give first-hand experiences dealing with the San Jose Harley
dealer?

Santa Cruz is too far for me since I plan to take it to the dealer for
services and all that jazz. There's another dealer in Redwood City. Anyone
have any feedback on that location?

My main question though was about the prices on NEW Harleys. Are they still
going for MSRP or is there room for negotiations?

 

Hi Charlie,

I'm surprised that you didn't get flamed for asking a "Harley" question;
many of the people in this newsgroup automatically and repeatedly slam
H-D riders, even if they should reasonably know that all Harley riders
are not the same. Maybe you're just lucky.

San Jose Harley-Davidson is one of many dealers that have (for one
reason or another) decided to display the "certified MSRP dealer" sign.
I think Santa Cruz H-D is the same, but it's been a while since I've
been over there. I don't know about Peninsula H-D in Redwood City.

It used to be that the prices were high (and the waits were long)
because of supply-and-demand issues. I've heard that prices are now
more reasonable (and the waits aren't as long) because of similar
supply-and-demand issues.

However, many dealers add lots of chrome crap to the bikes and insist
that you pay for it. I don't know if that happens as much around here,
but the prices are always too high when I go looking. After all, the
dealers are there to make money, not to give you or me an excellent
deal.

If you're looking for used, you might consider craig's list and the
local papers' want ads. Usually everything is overpriced, but you might
be lucky and find a bike that doesn't have someone else's choice of
chrome doo-dads all over it.

I know the salesdoods at San Jose H-D well enough to talk to them, as
I'm in the shop every week or so, but then, I've never bought from them.
It probably would not hurt to go in and talk to them.


Dave S.

1996 FLHR-I Road King

BS#146, DOF#181, NEWT#4, KOTOR#1, SENS, CVNS G&W, DOF # 6021, ARSE

 

The trick to buying used is having the money available quickly. Sure, there
are lots of people selling used HD's at high prices trying to get their
money back. That's only natural. But, eventually there's always someone
who gets backed into a corner and needs to make a quick sale at a
lose-their-ass-to-save-their-house price. You just have to be there with
the cool green when that opportunity presents itself.

You've got to get your ass out there and really research the market. Not
just the internet. Look at custom Harley shop bulletin boards,
penny-savers, the newspaper. Hell, I've even seen a killer deal posted in a
laundromat! Start hanging around other HD riders. Look at HD's parked on
the street for FOR SALE signs. Like they say about jobs, no one is going to
knock on your front door with a good deal.

Last of all, you have to have some patience. You've got to be willing to
wait for that hot deal to come along. Maybe six months. Maybe a year. But
they do happen. If you're impatient and want a Harley right now, the HD
gods are not with you. Sellers are savvy and know summer riding season is
right around the corner. This is a really lousy time for buyers.

nb

 

Have you checked here?

http://stealer-dealer.com/

 

First, where did you buy you Harley from if not from San Jose Harley?

I'm ok with the MSRP to be honest. I might try to negotiate but I don't
hold out much hope.

The new bikes I saw didn't have a ton of stuff added on. I know about the
$2000 chrome plate mirrors trick. They add the "security" system for $200
but that was the only thing I noticed they've added to each bike. They
probably come from the factory like that though.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm just doing some research. I don't even know
if I'll end up buying a Harley this summer. My cousin has one and is moving
to the Bay Area and it would be nice to ride with him. He's not coming
until next year though so I've got time to shop around.

 

I bought from a friend who lives in Ohio. I was "looking" and "keeping
my eyes open" while reading a particular Harley-related newsgroup, when
Tom posted this bike: the right color, the right age, the right feature
(fuel injection). I flew to Ohio (in snowy January), looked at the bike
and gave him a check. He took it to his local dealer, they put it on a
truck and I picked it up at San Jose H-D several days later, after they
had refueled it and screwed the battery cables back on.

This puts you in an excellent position, as far as I'm concerned. You
can pick and choose. No pressure. And you just might be lucky and
stumble across the perfect motorcycle.

Meanwhile, when you see other riders at the dealership, at Alice's or
anywhere in between, ask them why they like their bike. Ask then what
they would do again and what they would have done differently. Very few
riders are hesitant to talk about their bikes.

Good luck to you.


Dave S.

1996 FLHR-I Road King

BS#146, DOF#181, NEWT#4, KOTOR#1, SENS, CVNS G&W, DOF # 6021, ARSE