Purchasing in Feb/March?

O

oppi

Member
Forum Sponsor
I know variations of this question have been answered before - I used search.

I understand that purchasing in late November is probably ideal, but I won't be in a purchasing position at that time.

What is the market like in March in terms of prices and availability of bikes? Would it be better to look in to purchasing earlier in the winter (Jan/Feb)? Have some experience but this is my first bike purchase, so will likely be looking at an SV650, EX500 or GS500.

Thanks!!
 
March is already "gearing up for spring" so prices tend to be inflated IMO. You'd have to find a motivated buyer... which there are lots of, since people want to upgrade bikes for the coming season.

January is a decent time to buy, but selection dwindles. I've had the best luck going south of the border around March.. dealers unload old stock of new bikes at rock bottom prices.
 
I assume you are looking for used - I am always on look out for a bike (for myself or friends). i found over last two years selection and pricing was great in April/March, especially in US.
 
I bought my last bike in February. Don't expect rock bottom pricing BUT the frienzy hasn't started yet so I think it's a good time to buy. You can casually look at bikes, think it over and put in an offer a couple of days later without worrying that some overzealous idiot is going to purchase it 5 seconds later. Probably easier to book a visit from Knee Dragger to safety it too since he's not busy yet.
 
July was good to me. I found it became a buyers market as most of the newbies already bought their bikes during march-June. So the people that had to sell became desperate. Although I just could of been lucky.
 
Bought my Versys this February and had a motivated seller as he was upgrading. I got a good deal but the only downside was riding it home in the slush about 75km down the 401. The roads were bone dry until the hour I picked it up. I washed the bike as best I could when I got home then put her away. The chain was pretty rusted out come March when I pulled her out for the season.
 
In the end it'll come down to what you're looking for and what you're willing to pay for it...used bikes you may find guys holding on as they know that spring is around the corner. For new bikes some dealers may be desperate to sell and move inventory so they may be willing to budge a little bit more. If you're looking for a beginner bike (125/250cc class) then that'll be harder as people know these machines keep their value.

Personally...if you find a price for the bike that you want and you're ok paying for it...I say go for it. You may spend your entire time searching for the best deal and then letting a good deal slip by because you were too focused on price. Your money your call but keep looking and something will come by. A deal to one person may be a ridiculous price to another. I go into it knowing what I want to pay, and then search within my budget, and if the price and bike match I go for it.

EDIT: I bought my CBR125 in October for $1800 and then sold it in March for $1800. The CBR250 I bought from a dealer in February and they held it until March.
 
I would expect that pricing will always be better prior to people "storing" their bikes. After this window prices become less attractive. if you can save somebody the cost of winterizing/storing, you should be able to benefit. By sring people have already incurred this cost (real or soft $'s) and will expect to recoup some. There will always be some benefit to buying in off season before people get the bug to ride again, but with that also comes limitations where you may not be able to ride or see the bike ridden.

I will be on the look out for a new bike for my wife later this year and into spring. We have enough patience to wait for the right deal, that may include picking something up locally or taking a trip south to pick up a good deal up to 10-12 hours from the border.
 
mimico_polak said:
In the end it'll come down to what you're looking for and what you're willing to pay for it...

EDIT: I bought my CBR125 in October for $1800 and then sold it in March for $1800. The CBR250 I bought from a dealer in February and they held it until March.
Click to expand...

So true. I bought my CBR125 in April for $1900 and sold it a year and a half later with about 10 k more on it in August, moded up for $2500.
 
mimico_polak said:
See!?? Don't be that sucker! Good for you WestEnd!
Click to expand...

beginner bikes hold their value - may be look at fixer-upper?
I bought my firts bike, 1989 GS500E, for about 1200, I think it was late October.
It needed some TLC - I replaced all fluids, air filter, installed braided lines, new tires so all in all invested about 400-500 into it.
I rode it for 2.5 seasons, put approximately 30 or 40Kn on it and sold it for 2200.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom