Forgot to mention that i did get another reply back from a third dealer. They said that this is a new model (er, duh!) and that the price and availability has not been released to them yet. I guess they don't use the Internet very much.
Garvis Honda, Des Moines- CTX1300D $16999
Another price quote from a dealer came in. This one is from the local dealer in town. They are not the biggest dealership and are known for being really proud of their stock. They also tend to cater more to BMX and dirt and not so much to touring/cruising or even sport touring. Their service department is good though and they are where I go for service for anything I don't want to handle on my own. Their email reply was:
Will likely go to Storm Lake Honda when ready to buy. 144 miles is not far to go for saving $1000 at least.
It always amuses me when a dealer attempts to make me feel like I should be lucky they are even just a little under retail pricing by quoting me the MSRP... as if I wouldn't already know that. I was in their store just the other night and told THEM when the 1300s are expected to show up! I did sit on a f6B and looked over a CTX700 that was on the floor. The f6B was nice but bigger than I want and the 700 has foot forward controls that I really don't do well with. Can't wait for the CTX1300s to show up to sit on one.
Will likely go to Storm Lake Honda when ready to buy. 144 miles is not far to go for saving $1000 at least.1 - 16 of 16 Posts
unfortunately they think in the now, what will bring a few extra bucks in now rather than the long term that add's up and works out better in the end
Not real all that far. I know many ST riders that will fly across the country to buy a used bike and ride it back. Besides, Garvis here close to me have me a quote $1000 higher. It costs a fraction of that difference to drive father for the better price and has the bonus of knocking out a great many break-in miles riding back... Very casually of course
Don't feel like a sucker. I'm usually the same way. The only question that matters is, is what they're asking what you're willing to pay for something you want? Or to put it another way, do you want it bad enough to just pay what they're asking for it? Some people dicker just for the sake of shaving a few $$$ off; but in the long run, it's the enjoyment you'll get out of the purchase that matters. And of course there are those intangibles. You have a good relationship with the dealer and you obviously trust them -- that alone is worth an extra dollar or two a month.
In my part of the country we don't really have any non-Harley motorcycle shops. We have ATV and Side-by-Side shops that will also occasionally sell a motorcycle. When these guys hand you a business card, it has a picture of a four-wheeler on it. Getting any bike below list is difficult.
Some folks will point out that the local Harley shops are really clothing stores that also occasionally sell a motorcycle.
I had to go all the way to Nashville to get the Gold Wing I wanted a few years ago. I had to go all the way to Lexington to get my Trophy.
My local dealer has made me a very nice deal on a Deluxe model. I will be able to get the color I want for a good price. I've had a very good relationship with this shop over several years. I suspect anyone walking in off the street would end up paying list and waiting for the bike to come from the warehouse.
Some folks will point out that the local Harley shops are really clothing stores that also occasionally sell a motorcycle.
I had to go all the way to Nashville to get the Gold Wing I wanted a few years ago. I had to go all the way to Lexington to get my Trophy.
My local dealer has made me a very nice deal on a Deluxe model. I will be able to get the color I want for a good price. I've had a very good relationship with this shop over several years. I suspect anyone walking in off the street would end up paying list and waiting for the bike to come from the warehouse.
This dealer, the local one around here, received 100 bikes on truck today and they are busy putting them together. I was in the area so stopped by and found that one of the first ones was a gray blue CTX1300 Deluxe! Got to sit on it but they didn't want to let it go for a test ride just yet (road conditions just finally getting clean but not quite yet even though I've been riding for a week now), I understand.
It really felt nice and feet fell in the right place, though different than my ST of course. Very low and very easy to manage compared with my ST, and even better than my old GW. Like it a LOT. The handlebars are just the right width and my reach and grip felt natural from the seat, even when I scooted to the back of the seat. On my ST I generally scoot up as close to the tank as I can so I'm not leaning forward. I did notice the handlebars were set too high as many dealers seem to be doing, and would need to be dropped about 2" to clearly see the mirrors. The mirrors are just a little less tall than my ST mirrors but of good size. I could see adding some SAENG/TA, Sport Touring Accessories - Quick-Scans™ to the windshield if anything but I don't like mirrors on the handlebars myself. I mentioned this to the sales guy but don't think he was paying any real attention (kind of like this dealership). I really did feel like I was sitting "IN" the bike rather than "ON" it. Found the plug hanging out the left side for a battery tender. Noticed how shallow the left glove box is, but it's OK for what I would put in it. The right glove box was fairly deep on about half of it. Could reach almost my entire hand down into it up to the base of my thumb before touching bottom. Checked out the saddlebags and felt they were more than sufficient for my needs. Not Cadillac quality like the GW or even ST but of newer construction and plenty sturdy I thought. The latch was also plenty sturdy IMO. Though I noticed that the key is held in the lock until you lock it so I might be inclined to do as many ST1300 riders do... make additional keys and cut off the tab you hold and glue on a round nob and leave in the locks. Noticed also that they are at least as deep or deeper (outside to inside) on the inside as my ST1100 bags. Narrower toward the front but deeper in the last 2/3. Bigger than my ST1100 bags altogether, and longer (front to back) so my tent and tarp poles will likely fit. Just bigger or so they seemed!
Here's a few photos of the bike (didn't have my good camera):
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It really felt nice and feet fell in the right place, though different than my ST of course. Very low and very easy to manage compared with my ST, and even better than my old GW. Like it a LOT. The handlebars are just the right width and my reach and grip felt natural from the seat, even when I scooted to the back of the seat. On my ST I generally scoot up as close to the tank as I can so I'm not leaning forward. I did notice the handlebars were set too high as many dealers seem to be doing, and would need to be dropped about 2" to clearly see the mirrors. The mirrors are just a little less tall than my ST mirrors but of good size. I could see adding some SAENG/TA, Sport Touring Accessories - Quick-Scans™ to the windshield if anything but I don't like mirrors on the handlebars myself. I mentioned this to the sales guy but don't think he was paying any real attention (kind of like this dealership). I really did feel like I was sitting "IN" the bike rather than "ON" it. Found the plug hanging out the left side for a battery tender. Noticed how shallow the left glove box is, but it's OK for what I would put in it. The right glove box was fairly deep on about half of it. Could reach almost my entire hand down into it up to the base of my thumb before touching bottom. Checked out the saddlebags and felt they were more than sufficient for my needs. Not Cadillac quality like the GW or even ST but of newer construction and plenty sturdy I thought. The latch was also plenty sturdy IMO. Though I noticed that the key is held in the lock until you lock it so I might be inclined to do as many ST1300 riders do... make additional keys and cut off the tab you hold and glue on a round nob and leave in the locks. Noticed also that they are at least as deep or deeper (outside to inside) on the inside as my ST1100 bags. Narrower toward the front but deeper in the last 2/3. Bigger than my ST1100 bags altogether, and longer (front to back) so my tent and tarp poles will likely fit. Just bigger or so they seemed!
Here's a few photos of the bike (didn't have my good camera):
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