Part I - Know Before You Go
You've taken the MSF course, skipped the last two summer vacations and convinced the wife nothing's going to better fulfill your life than a set of new wheels. You're ready to plunk down hard-earned cash, but not exactly sure what to expect from the process-or even where to begin. We've compiled a few tips here that will hopefully take some of the guesswork out of the ordeal.
A. Target-Fixate
This, of course, presumes you've already narrowed down the type of motorcycle you plan to ride. While a new bike is often an emotional purchase, sometimes it pays to get practical, too. Once you look at needs rather than wants, you'll narrow things down even more.
Prime considerations:
1. The kind of riding you'll do (i.e. commuting vs. touring). For instance: How long is your commute? Is good gas mileage important? Will you be carrying a passenger?
2. Features: Engine size, options and styling. Unfortunately, too many people skip the previous step and jump to this one. Of course, looks are important, but consider ergonomics as well. The right height, reach and weight count for huge piece of mind as well as comfort.
3. Cost: Let's face it-a good chunk of shoppers buy solely on price. We're not fans of this approach, but if you're determined to crunch numbers, consider true operating costs as well as sticker price. Things like monthly payments, maintenance, insurance and fuel can add up. There's a reason 750-900cc bikes are among the most popular cruiser models year after year: they're invariably the cheapest to own; they don't use much gas, they don't cost a lot to insure and their relatively simple design keeps repair bills low.
B. Dig Up the Dirt
As you'd expect with any big-ticket item, you'll have to log some hours doing homework. That means digging up all you can about the bikes on your short list and figuring out where to shop for them.
In the Internet age, you can cover more ground more effectively online. The tried-and-true hunting grounds are still viable:
Cycle Trader, the Recycler and eBay Motors, (the first two have print versions as well as Web sites) are great sources for gathering ideas of what's available. Craigslist is also an option, but because it's fairly unregulated, it's hit or miss. You can find parts and accessories at these places, too:
* http://www.motors.ebay.com
* http://www.cycletrader.com
* http://www.recycler.com
For hard information on models, a Web site that's proven fairly reliable is Bikez.com. It has a comprehensive list of bikes from 1970 to the current model year, with a listing of specs for each. You can compare specs between models, too.
* http://www.bikez.com
The Motorcycle Cruiser Web site is a treasure trove of information. Our full tests, first rides and class comparisons can help you make that crucial choice, and the 2008 Buyer's Guide in this issue can give you a feel for the latest trends in the cruiser world.
* http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com
Whatever model you're looking at, check its reliability-read maintenance histories of model lines or engines as well as any idiosyncrasies that might be common knowledge among current owners. If the reviews say the bike is notorious for rattles or leaks, then maybe you should move on.
The Delphi forums (under Motor Transport) are a great resource, as is Epinions (under Motorcycles), though the latter isn't as comprehensive.
* http://www.delphiforums.com
* http://www.epinions.com
If you're checking strictly for price, NADA Guides is the place to go.Kelley Blue Book also has a Motorcycle Values tab that's a good alternative, although it's not as intuitive or comprehensive.
* http://www.nadaguides.com
* http://www.kbb.com
C. Seal the Deal
At this point, maybe a few bikes still fit your criteria. Narrow it down further by visiting a couple of dealerships. Get multiple bids from different dealers. By now, you should have a good idea of the average selling price for the models-useful for some leverage. The more flexible you can be about specifics-such as paint or installed options-the wider the range of the bikes you can choose from. Ultimately, the ability to consider several versions of the same model can give you additional bargaining power.
Buying during the winter is often a smart move because sales are slow and dealers are trying to get rid of last year's stock.
Test rides are crucial, and if you can score one, by all means do so-even if you're not sure the bike you'll be test-riding is the one you'll end up with. It's a good idea to do all your tests in one morning or afternoon. Riding bikes back to back will help you uncover even minor differences, which makes for a more educated purchase decision.
So, now you're ready to whip out the wallet and pay cash, right? Or not-most of us just don't have that much cash laying around. In some cases, you can take advantage of incentives like rebates or low-interest financing. But don't just take the financing at the dealership; check for better rates from your local bank or credit union.
Got that? OK, now you can sign the papers, thumb the starter and hit the road.