Factory incentives?

Charliem90 said:

I'd be surprised. Usually these type of "kickback" schemes are illegal if the originator I.e. the dealer) also has a financial interest in the real property. But that type of thing tends to vary from state to state.



An enviable position to be in. But to not consider carrying a short term debt (3 months) to gain an extra $1k savings on top of a deal you've made with a dealer would seem to be shortsighted.

As far as any dealer incentives regarding "leftover" 2012s, you may be putting too much into this. With spring coming people are beginning to think about (and act on) what they are going to be riding in the upcoming season. And it's always been my experience over the last couple of centuries (yup, I'm that old) that deals are easier to be made in the fall (end of riding season) than in early spring (beginning of riding season).
I bought my 1199 last weekend pretty much on this dynamic - had a 748 that had been in storage for a few years and traded it 'cause I wanted to get back on a Ducati this spring (748 was going to need some work).

Waving cash right now may not get you the attention you expect because, if your dealer is like most others, he's going to be getting very busy over the next few weeks.

Just something to consider.

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They are not kickbacks. The dealers are effectively agents for the lenders. I can pretty much assure you that it works that way everywhere (although there are always a few weird states - like the extended warranty laws in Florida).

Trauma said:

Bottom line, the deals at this point are done - there will be no better/more (at least not here). Fall was the best time. The warmer it gets, the faster they'll go. We can talk all we want, but "them's the facts ma'm"

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I believe you. Worst case for me is that either I don't buy one, or I pay more for a '13. Like I said, if I decide to buy one the price is what it is. But I've learned patience as I get closer to retirement (well, in some respects I have). Right now no decision until they sell the Goldwing. I have asked if he wants to trade but he has more invested in used bikes than he wants, and I understand that.

jjsC6 said:

They are not kickbacks. The dealers are effectively agents for the lenders. I can pretty much assure you that it works that way everywhere (although there are always a few weird states - like the extended warranty laws in Florida).

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Whether you call it kickbacks or not the dealer makes money from finance

I just canvassed every North American dealer. They said if you don't buy your 1199 in the next 10 days, it will be illegal to do so. I can't imagine MORE of a friggin' reason to buy the most awesome bike on the planet!! Just buy it, please just buy it!!! (we are collectively hurt that we have not yet swayed your mind to do so - all of us here have - what more reason do you need. Just don't buy a white one.

Trauma said:

I just canvassed every North American dealer. They said if you don't buy your 1199 in the next 10 days, it will be illegal to do so. I can't imagine MORE of a friggin' reason to buy the most awesome bike on the planet!! Just buy it, please just buy it!!! (we are collectively hurt that we have not yet swayed your mind to do so - all of us here have - what more reason do you need. Just don't buy a white one.

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Do I sense that you are secretly hoping I will become a permanent fixture around here? Actually, I guess it makes sense. If I buy one I'll become the most ardent supporter and deny that it has any problems

I had actually wanted a white one, but I think I have myself convinced now that Red really is the way to go.

jjsC6 said:

Do I sense that you are secretly hoping I will become a permanent fixture around here? Actually, I guess it makes sense. If I buy one I'll become the most ardent supporter and deny that it has any problems

I had actually wanted a white one, but I think I have myself convinced now that Red really is the way to go.

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Awesome - we are all waiting!!!

Are you looking at anything else? Since you already have a BMW I'm surprised you aren't also looking at the HP4.

Capt CF said:

Are you looking at anything else? Since you already have a BMW I'm surprised you aren't also looking at the HP4.

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Very good question. I think you have seen probably all of my posts. My decision has a lot to do with wanting to buy from the Honda/Ducati dealer. I can't stress enough how much I want to support my old friend. If the bike was my only bike the Ducati would not be the choice. I do a huge amount of riding and most of the riding on the bike will be for shorter rides early Sunday morning (for me that means about 140 miles).

If it were not for my dealer the BMW might be my first choice, but honestly I'm not sure if it would or not in that I have not ridden one. Every time I'm at the BMW dealer, which has been a lot, I sit on one and think about it. The other bike that would get serious consideration is the Kawasaki ZX10r. It has the performance and features of the Ducati and BMW but with the reliability of a typical Japanese bike. BTW, I have read every comparison test written the past few years and I realize we could nitpick every one of them, so understand I'm generalizing when I say it has the performance and features....meaning they are all in the same ballpark.

The other bike that is interesting is the Aprilia, but they have a poor dealer network and I just don't feel any passion for the bike, but would certainly look hard at it if I had a dealer connection.

The other obvious question given that my dealer is a Honda dealer also is what about a Honda? The CBR1000rr is a fine motorcycle and I actually like a lot of things about it. But as a "bucket list" bike (or mistress if you will) it is lacking in raw horsepower and features. I don't want to buy a bike that is already behind the times - and right now it is. I can see me buying one and six months from now they announce 10 more hp, traction and wheelie control and a quick-shifter and me losing my ass on resale value if I were to buy a current model.

Makes sense to me. I thought about an F4RR, but the dealer network around me is nonexistent. I can understand the buddy connection too, so I think the decision tree is relatively simple. Must buy from buddy, therefore it has to be a Honda or a Ducati. You aren't too fond of the CBR1000rr so that leaves a Ducati.

Capt CF said:

Makes sense to me. I thought about an F4RR, but the dealer network around me is nonexistent. I can understand the buddy connection too, so I think the decision tree is relatively simple. Must buy from buddy, therefore it has to be a Honda or a Ducati. You aren't too fond of the CBR1000rr so that leaves a Ducati.

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Yes, that is accurate logic. But that is not what is driving this decision, obviously. I thought it would take a forum, then a village, now I am not sure what.

Trauma said:

Yes, that is accurate logic. But that is not what is driving this decision, obviously. I thought it would take a forum, then a village, now I am not sure what.

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A factory incentive?

Trauma said:

Yes, that is accurate logic. But that is not what is driving this decision, obviously. I thought it would take a forum, then a village, now I am not sure what.

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First the GW has to sell. Then it is just a decision as to whether I want three bikes or not. The decision was a lot easier when I was younger. Six years from retirement tends to make one think much deeper when it comes to financial decisions.

jjsC6 said:

First the GW has to sell. Then it is just a decision as to whether I want three bikes or not. The decision was a lot easier when I was younger. Six years from retirement tends to make one think much deeper when it comes to financial decisions.

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True, how many can you ride at once? I think you have to have at least 2. That way you don't end up getting into a big project on one that runs much longer than you expected (every project, right?) and you miss out on riding days. I know when I added a second one to the stable my tolerance for the size of jobs I was willing to tackle myself went way up since I don't mind having one in pieces for a while as long as I have the other one to ride.