[newenfieldwannabe]

After negotiation the dealer is asking for $4,500 out the door (OTD) price with tax, title and all fees.
The bike is new 2017 Classic 500 with no ABS.

It might be good price for a new bike but i don't want to over pay. The dealer has added $694 for "other fees" on top of $500 destination, $500 dealer fee, $350 tax, $160 title, $160 admin fee. I am not sure about "other" and admin fee.

It is also winter here and bikes cannot be ridden until probably next April. So there new business is also must null and i think i should i get some concession for that as it will just sit in my garage until next April.

What are your thoughts. How much did you pay (OTD) and where?

[Richard230]

"Dealer fee" is just additional profit that might end up in the salesman's pocket.  "Admin fee" is what the dealer is charging for filling out the DMV title transfer paperwork, probably done by filling in blanks on a computer screen and pushing "print".  Likely worth about $16 in labor time.

[newenfieldwannabe]

Hi Richard,
How much did you pay OTD for your 2011 Enfield?

[Richard230]

Hi Richard,
How much did you pay OTD for your 2011 Enfield?

I bought it used from a BMW dealer in 2015 with 1,000 miles on the clock.  The purchase price was $3,190, sales tax was $292, DMV title transfer fee was $70, for a grand total of $3,552.     And they tossed in a free truck delivery to my home 40 miles away. That BMW dealer really hated to have that Bullet on their lot.   

[Grant Borden]

June of 2014 I bought a new 2014 Classic Chrome with pillion seat, Premium EFI muffler, leather saddle bags and crash bars, tax, registration and shipping, set=up/assembly, license plate for a total of $5806, out the door price.

The dealer said he netted $268 profit on the deal.

Grant

[newenfieldwannabe]

Thats all useful info. Thanks.
I don't think i am over paying at $4500 then?

[Bilgemaster]

Thats all useful info. Thanks.
I don't think i am over paying at $4500 then?

I think in about two months that'll be a two year old motorcycle gathering cobwebs in a far corner of a dealership in the middle of a harsh Chicago winter. In San Diego $4,500 may be a good price. In Chicago in December it's a tax writeoff at 4 Grand delivered with a fresh full tank of gas, an extended warranty, a helmet and a pair of riding gloves. And I wouldn't even think of handing over the check until I heard the thing running. Just hem and haw a bit longer, and they'll be calling YOU with a sweeter offer.

[Richard230]

Yesterday my brother bought a one-owner 2015 blue and white Triumph Bonneville "T214" "special edition" with 4,400 miles on the clock for $5,500. Plus the San Francisco dealership tossed in a free helmet and delivery to his home about 25 miles away. The original MSRP was $10K.  Not a bad deal.

[newenfieldwannabe]

The thing is that they only have two Enfields in stock. New stock wont arrive until late winter in March. By that time 2017 will be gone.
I am also bargaining for Rebel 500 but that guy is not gonna come close to 4500.
It snowed here real bad yesterday. I am gonna try and get it for 4000. With that amount I think it's a steal. Not sure the dealer will move from 4500 though. They seem to have a slow corporate structure with many other bikes.

[Bilgemaster]

One of our two local dealerships in the DC area is also offering a 2017 Classic for $4,500. So, that would seem to be the plain vanilla December "asking price". Hence: No bargain there. If you dug in your heels, I'd be surprised if they not only took a $4,000 offer, but had that Bullet delivered by strippers with a Candygram.

[newenfieldwannabe]

So the actual bike price is $2,866.02. Out of my pocket cost is $4,500 with all taxes, title, fees, freight, and dealer prep charge.
I know most dealers might waive the freight and dealer prep charges...so with those charges included, the unit cost is only $3,835.02 in my case.

I am paying $3,835.02 + 363.98 (tax) + 136 (title) + 165 (admin fee) = $4,500

The bike has 5 miles on it. I don't think $3,835.02 is a bad deal for a brand new bike. I also checked with two other dealers (out of state), both came back with a higher OTD cost. The Honda rebel guy didn't even reply back after he heard about my $4,500 deal and that i am shopping for a better price, given rebel is probably also a higher costing bike.

[newenfieldwannabe]

Here is another update if anyone cares.

Two Honda rebel dealers got back to me. One quoted OTD for rebel 300 at $4900 and another at $5100.

Honda's are probably a better quality bike with liquid cooled engines. So i think 300cc might be comparable with Classic 500? I dunno you tell me.

But still rebel 300 is priced higher than mine by 400-600 hundred dollars. So i am now more assured that $4500 is probably the best price for Classic 500 here inclusive of all tax and fees. 

[Bilgemaster]

OK...You know that Royal Enfield Bullets are an "informed compromise," right? In exchange for velocity--even the adequate speed to deal well with  modern highways--you get an indefinable thing called "character"...an almost sort of snooty feeling of well-being as you just chuff along...archaic...equestrian... It's hard to convey. An Enfield Bullet is a quirky time-traveling pleasure craft that requires and rewards attention. It has "soul." But like anything with a soul, it can be irksome at times.

A Honda Rebel, on the other hand, is far more of a trouble-free transportation appliance for the here and now, with little more "soul" than a disposable lighter.  I'm not saying it ain't fun, but it's a different menu of fun. 

If you plan on using whichever bike you buy as a daily driver and occasional tourer in and around the Chicagoland area, you might be better served by a Rebel. I would only point out that the most frequently heard regret from owners of the Rebel 300 single is that they did not opt for the 500. Here's a very nicely done review on the breed.

Thing is though...If years from now you ever DO finally get your hands on a Royal Enfield too, that will be the one you'll be taking out for that snort on a sunny Sunday.