Hi all,  I am a newbie in the world of motorcycles and HD although I have riden a scooter for the last 5 years.  I am looking at buying the Iron 883.  Visited a dealer and was offered $13,400 ride away (website price as well).  He was pretty arrogant actually.  The sales guy wont even discount $1!  I wasn't going to upgrade any parts so any discount there didn't matter to me.  He did offer me a 15% off the helmet which was $15 off!!! 

I know the Iron is very poular but dealers fail to factor in future upgrades of more expensive models, service etc.

My question is:  Is this standard fare on HD bikes?  Surely $500-$1000 discount on a $13K bike is not unreasonable to ask?  

I appreciate your views

Cheers!  

Thanks mate for your reply.  Looks like thats the approach I will adopt.  For the sacrifice of a small discount and being nice to your customers, these dealers have lost a lot more in future businesses.  Honestly, had the dealer given me a $500 discount i would have bought the bike, work on upgrades in the next 6 months and if I like the HD ride i'll upgrade to a V-Rod (because I really like that bike as well).  Surely thats worth more than $500?

Like I said in my first post I am new to the HD world and dont really understand how it all works.... doesnt make sence to me. 

Maybe I should look at parallel importing Harleys into Australia and provide a better service. 

Thanks again Infidel.

hmmmm... I wouldn'd mind a new 10 model with a reasonable price if there is one around.  I have read these Irons have been sellling well.

Cant wait for the next GFC!!!!

One thing you need to understand mate, is that unlike many other bikes and most cars Harley's tend to retain their value much better. One of the reasons for this is that you can't buy one at a discounted price, and I'm sue you can understand the direct correlation from this to the good second hand values.

Don't worry, you'll still think its a bargain every time to ride it - trust me!

Merlion but that's just the law of supply and demand. All you need to be concerned about is what's the price, and is that good value for you. I ordered the first Iron in Australia (keep out of this Madness, your's just arrived first!) so how did you think I did trying to get a discount 

Sold it for $14,400 with some extras and everyone said I was mad to give it away. I reckon the Iron is the bargain of the century. Went for a hoon yesterday with the Forum member who bought mine and told him that if I worked a bit harder I hoped I could buy it back when he was ready to move on to something else. 

Just buy it - you'll forget the price as soon as you get it home.

Merlion - welcome mate. The other regulars here have said it all - retained value, timing and supply and demand, hence little or no discounting with Harleys in general, and the popular models like the Iron, 48, Nightster and Superlow in particular.

I bought my Iron nearly a year ago. Ordered in January 2010, delivered in late April. I got a helmet and trickle charger thrown in, and paid full retail ($13,300 at the time). No real discount, and you know what? Every time I ride it, I come home with a huge smile on my dial. Worth every penny.

Dealer bashing is a popular hobby on forums, but the fact is we need them. There is only one Harley dealer in my home town. I want them to stay, so I have worked on building a relationship with them. BTW, the first salesman I talked to at my local Harley dealer was a complete f#$%wit. I went back another time and spoke to the other salesperson (a woman), and it was like chalk and cheese. Super helpful, and great to deal with, so she got the sale......stick with it, and try another dealer or another sales person if you can.

Thank you all for all your inputs.  

I have today put a deposit for an Iron.  I did, in the end, negotiated a small discount.  Sales guy was very helpful and nice.  Look forward to riding the beauty.

Once again, thanks for all the helpful comments....and now for some research on exhaust!

 Congratulations Merlion. Woo hoo!

 Congrats  Merlion - you won't regret it, the Iron is a great bike. Just tweak the exhaust, air filter and shocks and you'll never look back...!

TC,  if I bought the yellow, no one will talk to me in this forum!  Black of course mate.

 yeah, it's a good little run that one - that bit down to Karlong is pretty nice really, so I'm glad you asked me along! I got home before 12.30, so even the wife was pleased; makes for a good Saturday morning, that's for sure.

Taff:  Good to hear that!  I am going to ride the stock for 3-6 months and then upgrade to SE pipes and then wait for another 3-6 months before moving on to upgrade breather and tuner. 

Cant wait, i'm like a kid waiting for Christmas to come!

Mega:  The april timeline is about right.  You are going to struggle to find an Iron for a test ride at a dealer.  You probably have to turn up on a ride day and check out the bike and if you are lucky some kind soul might let you have a ride....

Taff: Your Iron on the sticky looks AWESOME!!

It is awesome Merlion... Just awesome

mega - I test rode a yellow iron they had at Trivetts in Alexandria. That ride sealed the deal for me - well and truly.

 I am ashamed to say I bought mine without test riding one, just wondered into dealer and told them what i wanted, argued that the colour did actually exist, and to ring me when its here.  I don't regret it.

So true SJ. Hey, Daimoh, let's hear about you getting in trouble with the better half because of how late you got home that first night   (No wonder you had to get that nav system - did your wife buy it for you?).

 

yes, well... certainly something I've had to become used to - the wife couldn't understand why a 20 minute trip home took me 1.5hrs. The whole "I took the scenic route!" didn't wash, but yes, in fact, that's what I did. When I should've turned left, I went right - "well, i'm just having so much fun on this, I can't go home yet!!"

My face hurt by the time I got back from all the grinning. Magical, just magical.

SJ - I'll probably go with SE mufflers and shield kit , SE Stage 1 air cleaner and SE SP tuner kit....

The Daimohs (both) irons are a great guide to those upgrades and beyond mate.