The new rules for buying a motorcycle in the current landscape

In The Before Times, Spurgeon and Lemmy put together excellent how-to guides to purchasing both new and used motorcycles. However, with supply chain disruptions and logistical challenges leading to low dealer inventory, scratching that itch for a new or used motorcycle has undergone a shift. No shade to those guys, but as a Lead Moto Consultant who sells dozens of bikes a month for an enormous dealership, I'm the expert on the current landscape.

So you've scoured the factory website, you've done your research, memorized the specs and you're ready to pull the trigger on that sexy new motorcycle. You excitedly call up your local shop and ask them what color Yamaha Ténéré 700s they have on the floor and when you can take one of those babies home.

After the salesman stops laughing hysterically and realizes you're sincere, he'll likely inform you that the supply chain for nearly every motorcycle brand has been interrupted and inventory is scarce. Now, this is not your fault. You'd never know it from the factory websites. They make the bounty look exciting and plentiful, but the burden of breaking the bad news is put squarely on the shoulders of dealerships. Acting right now as a spokesman for all motorcycle salesmen, I regret to inform you that if you want a new motorcycle that isn't currently in stock on my floor right now, you may be in for a wait. (And by "may be," I mean "are.") Knowing this is now reality for most people walking in through my doors, please allow me to present a few ideas to consider in the interest of avoiding the frustrations of delayed gratification.

Be ready to move fast

If you've found the bike of your dreams in your local motorcycle shop, chances are good that there are a hundred other riders searching for that same bike. The manufacturers have low allocation numbers for each dealership. The opportunity to place orders for units is a memory about as clear as lunch from two weeks ago. Now is not the time to start trying to play "beat the price" with a bunch of dealers. Each factory has different criteria that determine how they supply any individual outlet with stock, so a shop in Tennessee may have three on their floor. That does not mean the shop close to you will have any, however.

So here’s what you gotta do: Be a mercenary. If one exists, get your deposit down and lock up the bike!

Be ready to take a trip

And that shop in Tennessee? So glad you asked about it. If you're unwilling to wait for your preferred shop to acquire this dream machine, check out what is available nationally. There are many tools to search for inventory these days. Grab your mouse and start clicking.

"It's not about the destination, but the journey," right? Throw that notion right in the trash. It's all about the destination. Go get what you want before it's gone.

But before you leave, remember something. When venturing outside of your usual shops, you have to be diligent with your research. There are venues eager to provide you with an excellent buying experience. There are also dealerships just looking to capitalize on your excitement and puff up the asking prices and fees. Vet those shops before you exchange money. Is your deposit refundable? What is the out-the-door, all-in, soup-to-nuts price? Can you get it in writing? The last thing you want to do is get all amped up and take a long road trip only to find out that the deal is not what you expected.

Expect to deal with the F word

Fees. Fees! Fees!! We're all scared of that dreaded fast-talking salesman with bulging neck veins, spitting all over you, who despite your best efforts holds the supernatural ability to coax from your bank account its complete contents.

Now I know I just told you to nail down the price, and that’s true. But the price may include some fees. Fees are a part of life now. For the most part, dealerships are free to charge whatever they see fit for a motorcycle, even if that's well above the MSRP. Remember, the "S" in MSRP stands for "suggested." Welcome to a free-market economy.

Now, look. No one wants to feel that they are being hoodwinked when shelling out thousands on a new toy. The F word is put in play to mitigate the dealer's costs attributed to the sale of that motorcycle you're purchasing. The dealership has to pay a technician to assemble the unit, a marketing person to put the unit online, kick in some bucks to cover state inspection costs, pay my favorite folks, the sales staff… you get the idea. And inflation is driving up costs. Just as the price of eggs goes up when it costs more to feed the chickens and deliver the eggs to market, the dealership has to buy expensive gas to put in the bikes and tires for the shop truck ain't getting cheaper. Fees help offset these costs so your favorite shop can thrive and still be there for you when you need them.

This is, however, assuming the fees are within reason. Fees should be neither a surprise nor a stick-up. It is your right to question the charges presented to you. If they seem stratospheric? Ask if they can be reduced or eliminated. You can't fault a business for trying, but you shouldn't be raked over the coals just to get your bike.

To wit: In the northwestern part of the country, a dealer exists who has for sale a new Honda Trail 125 for $5,200 (MSRP $3,999). This is before the F word is even applied. Everyone understands the nature of supply and demand, but greed is not an endearing quality. Stay frosty. Know when to walk away. Know when to run.

Before I move on from fees, I want to mention a specific fee that I'm often asked about. "Why am I being charged a freight fee? Isn't the motorcycle already here?" Yes. It is. We already paid for its ride, but you need to pay us back. Freight charges are real costs and can be found on most manufacturers' websites. Post-COVID, dealers are getting crushed by shipping surcharges that go above and beyond the freight fee due to the wildly fluctuating costs of containers.

You have the option to stay home and take it easy — for a price

Not into the idea of traveling for your new cycle? Not a problem. There are many shipping companies that are willing to transport your new motorcycle. Kick back on the couch and wait for the knock on your door. The savvier retailers will offer delivery within a certain radius for a reasonable charge, or for the best F word of all time… free!

Be warned. The bad news is that higher gas and labor prices have jacked up the cost of shipping a motorcycle, too. I was recently quoted a through-the-roof price to ship a V-Strom from Pennsylvania to Maryland. Then I noticed that the company would charge the same amount to ship it to San Francisco. Shop around and read the fine print.

New might not be for you

If the quest for a new bike has left you downtrodden and hopeless, you may want to consider a nice pre-owned motorcycle. The used market is not without its own points of frustration. The lack of shiny, new metal on the showroom floors means increased pressure on the stock of used bikes and prices have taken off like a bored billionaire being blasted to the very bounds of space. Dealers have to pay more for trade-ins and auction prices are going up. Labor and parts costs mean refurbishing used bikes is more expensive. All this drives up the price, but a used motorcycle may still be your best deal.

Look for honey-hole dealers with lots of units on hand, like the place I work. These are the dealers that go to great lengths to have used bikes for customers to drool over instead of just relying on the tight supply of new bikes. Spoiler alert! There are fewer than you'd expect. The prices won't be fantastic, but the stock will be. And chances are if they have an amazing selection of clean used rides, they take the time to service and possibly warranty these bikes.

Should you choose to take the private sale route: caveat emptor. There are genuinely good folks out there, but if you've cruised the marketplace recently, you've seen that the prices that people are asking for unserviced, rough-condition motorcycles is downright piracy. (But at least there are no fees, I guess.) Examine bikes carefully and if you're not savvy as to what to look for, Common Tread has tips on what to look for, a checklist for buying a used motorcycle, and advice on negotiating a price. Just keep in mind that those tips are from The Before Times and the rules have changed.

With a little adjustment and perseverance, though, you can still get the bike you want and I'm sure I'll see you on the road!