[r60rider]

Looked into buying a 2023 dl650. Went to my local dealer today and MSRP was $9104. Out the door was $2,200 extra. Freight, setup, paperwork, final checkup?, tags and registration. That’s around 25% added to MSRP. They lowered it to $900 when I went from ready to buy today, to leaving. Still seems like a large charge. Everyone has to make a living. No problem with that, but how much is normal, and how much over MSRP is outasiht?

cheers

 

[jettawreck]

When I was in retail (paint and floor covering) we figured we were doing good if we made 30%, which was seldom with customer discounts, etc.
Bigger ticket items (large flooring sales) usually less, sometimes only 10-15%.

 

[Tngarren]

MSRP has the dealer profit baked in. Some manufacturers reimburse the dealer for set-up. Generally, MSRP does not include freight, taxes, and registration. Doc is a silly add on. Can't say that I fault a dealer for adding a $500 surcharge when demand is strong. Same as no one is gives them a hug when they have to sell under MSRP other times.

My opinion is dated. I buy private sale used bikes during Fall / Winter.

 

[dravnx]

It doesn't matter what the dealer markup is or how many extras the dealer adds. The out the door price (OTD) and what you're willing to pay is the only thing that matters. It's horse trading. Make them an offer, they'll counter offer. Do that as many times as you like. There is no standard for mark up. If you live in a large metro area that has a large market then you might be in a better position to bargain. If the bike has been sitting on the floor for a while or it's not a real mover, then you have the advantage. If it's a popular bike and the dealer has no problem moving them, the dealer is going to mark it up as high as the market is willing to bear.

 

[Hans471]

When I buy anything the only question I ask is "What number do I put on the check" or "how much cash do I put in the envelop" to take this home. That is the number we talk about. Dealers will play number games and tack on every conceivable extra charge they can think of. When the Nissan Xterra's came out they were hot and hard to find. The dealer I went to see had, on top of all this other BS charges, actually added "marketing cost" of over $800 to the price. Really! Another "favorite" they use is "market adjustment". I laughed and walked away, money in hand and found another dealer who understood reality and that I was not stupid with my money.
Its a either a buyer's market or a seller's market depending on availability and demand. As my dear Daddy taught me, "Its worth what someone will give you for it". Later in college I had roughly the same lesson in an econ or marketing class. Never let emotion be the deciding factor in a buying decision. Do your research. Shop other dealers. Find out what things should be selling for rather than what the local dealer is trying to wring out of you. If there is no deal to be found anywhere, then wait or find a good used unit.
Remember: The dealer is NOT doing you a favor by selling you something, you are doing them a favor by buying from them. Its your money...spend it wisely.

 

[D.T.]

-$500 bucks at least for me. Mark down.

https://www.ultimatecycle.net/new-models/2023-suzuki-v-strom-650-powhatan-va-23139-11706849i?fbclid=IwAR2N_6hcYaLd3seX8QdZkY_7vfL7x39CdvagCYLTiEnHPJMaye8-NaPQWOw

 

[StretchNM]

As @dravnx and @Hans471 says, the Out-the-Door (OTD) price is all that matters. Your knowledge and awareness of MSRP and dealer add-ons is important, but you should never, ever use it against the dealer - it won't help your deal. How much it will cost you to drive away should be your sole concern in bargaining.

With that said, I have read that dealers often get shipping, freight, and setup charges reimbursed to them at the end of the year. Their finance people doing paperwork for registration, taxes, and titles are being paid by the dealer whether they sell a bike or not. Whether or not these things are true or not is irrelevant in bargaining or deciding what the bike is worth to you. Every charge in a sale (including MSRP) is decided by the dealer, so they can charge them or waive them, based on what the bike going out the door is worth to them.

 

[D.T.]

Yeah, it seems that you need to walk out the door and see if you get a.............

WAIT!

Just like some web sites. I have seem them cut the price when you try to leave.

 

[Hogges]

I disagree about asking for the “out the door price”. I always look at the fees charged by government/state (title, tax, registration, depending on where you live) separately, so I see what the actual dealer price is. If it’s all lumped together, then you don’t even know how much above or below MSRP you are paying.

To me, VStrom MSRPs have always seemed to be designed with a discount in mind, up front.

 

[StretchNM]

Yes, you must have knowledge and awareness of dealer charges, but it is important to bargain only the OTD price.

 

[richlandrick]

Check DE800 pricing thread. There are a couple discounted DL650s discussed.

 

[PerazziMx14]

It doesn't matter what the dealer markup is or how many extras the dealer adds. The out the door price (OTD) and what you're willing to pay is the only thing that matters. It's horse trading. Make them an offer, they'll counter offer. Do that as many times as you like. There is no standard for mark up. If you live in a large metro area that has a large market then you might be in a better position to bargain. If the bike has been sitting on the floor for a while or it's not a real mover, then you have the advantage. If it's a popular bike and the dealer has no problem moving them, the dealer is going to mark it up as high as the market is willing to bear.

This is 100% spot on.

 

[OydnaR]

personal relationship with the dealership owner works best when buying a bike, last fall when I bought my scooter, I walked in, grabbed a salesman and told him to call "Miles" ask him what the price was for me. 10 minutes later, he came back with a price, barely enuf for the salesman to get his commission, over invoice, meanwhile because of supply and demand, every bike in store is $1500 or more over MSRP

 

[Solarguy]

personal relationship with the dealership owner works best when buying a bike, last fall when I bought my scooter, I walked in, grabbed a salesman and told him to call "Miles" ask him what the price was for me. 10 minutes later, he came back with a price, barely enuf for the salesman to get his commission, over invoice, meanwhile because of supply and demand, every bike in store is $1500 or more over MSRP

It never hurts to have a sweetheart/buddy deal.

 

[Dado8]

personal relationship with the dealership owner works best when buying a bike, last fall when I bought my scooter, I walked in, grabbed a salesman and told him to call "Miles" ask him what the price was for me. 10 minutes later, he came back with a price, barely enuf for the salesman to get his commission, over invoice, meanwhile because of supply and demand, every bike in store is $1500 or more over MSRP

Funny you mentioned it, that's what I tried last year; decided to not waste any time and go straight to the dealer where I purchased a new FJR three years earlier, so I talked to the same salesman, and he did the "usual" checked with the owner etc...and after about an hour, presented me with the "pre-purchase" invoice. Based on my online research it did look like a decent OTD price. I told the guy to give me 24hrs to decide.
On the way home I stopped by another dealer, they had two Africa Twins on the floor, so I asked the sales guy what kind of OTD can I get if I was to buy one of his Africa's today? (I never told him I already have a quote by others)
long story short, he came up $800 under...so i bought the bike right there.

...probable reason for price difference could be; the first dealership has a huge and fancy building with more employees and higher operational cost, so his markups are higher.

 

[OydnaR]

Funny you mentioned it, that's what I tried last year; decided to not waste any time and go straight to the dealer where I purchased a new FJR three years earlier, so I talked to the same salesman, and he did the "usual" checked with the owner etc...and after about an hour, presented me with the "pre-purchase" invoice. Based on my online research it did look like a decent OTD price. I told the guy to give me 24hrs to decide.
On the way home I stopped by another dealer, they had two Africa Twins on the floor, so I asked the sales guy what kind of OTD can I get if I was to buy one of his Africa's today? (I never told him I already have a quote by others)
long story short, he came up $800 under...so i bought the bike right there.

...probable reason for price difference could be; the first dealership has a huge and fancy building with more employees and higher operational cost, so his markups are higher.

ya, the relationship I have with this dealer is different, I already enjoy 30day terms on shopwork and contractor discount on parts, labor and accessories. They do 100% of my personal and business small engine/motorsports service, and where I make the majority of my power equipment/motorsports purchases. On the otherside, I own a small land use consulting firm (primarily land surveying & environmental science) work that I do for the owner and many of the employee, but mostly the owner in his land development endeavors. Did I say I do a lot of barter as well. Basically that 30 day terms is an open account, with sometimes more flowing my way. I don't go to another dealer unless it's something they don't sell

 

[SteadyHorse]

I just checked Suzuki's site, on top of MSRP they also charge $600 for freight and shipping. So $900 over MSRP isn't crazy bad, depending on the market. But AFAIK the 650 isn't in high demand, you might be able to get a better deal. It's worth looking around to see if other dealers have any in stock.

 

[Akula61]

 

[D.T.]

^ yeah, what he said.

Usually 1700 miles away. Oh well. Fly and ride!

 

[Akula61]

^ yeah, what he said.

Usually 1700 miles away. Oh well. Fly and ride!

The point is that there are LOTS of dealers out there not charging retail. The best deals seem to be on the Base Models. An even better deal is to find a "Low miles"//Under 2K ...2020-21-22 bike.
Just throwing it out there.
In Powhatan VA...a lil closer than Kali.

https://www.ultimatecycle.net/search/inventory/usage/New/type/Street%20Bikes/brand/Suzuki/class/Adventure/sort/price-low

Here's one in Wake Forest-North Carolina: https://www.capitalpowersports.com/inventory/2021-suzuki-v-strom-650-wake-forest-nc-27587-11347026i

This one has been listed AWHILE...so probably get this one $8K OTD. It's like brand new.

Good luck
MJ