Now is a great time to make big ticket purchases, especially vehicles and certain bikes. I am in the auto business and I can tell you that the automakers really are giving cars away, how much you save depends on how much it is marked up. Basically everyone is paying dealer invoice plus whatever the dealer documentation fee for vehicles. Definitely a buyers market.
Here is where the flaming will begin. I found while out looking at bikes the following...... A demo 05 30th Ann. Honda GL1800 w/comfort and ABS package...( in other words loaded, just doesn't have GPS ). New with 1200 miles ( never titled, used as a demo at the Honda Hoot ). It has a ton of add ons, to show what people can do to their stock Wings. It has the rear deck spoiler, fog/driving lights, a 6 disk cd-changer, cb, heated grips and some appearance items. The bike stock has an MSRP of around 22 grand. It is a nice bike. After looking at the Honda and then going to my local H-D stealer I looked at some Ultra's and considered the Screamin Eagle Ultra and began to compare the bike in my mind to the GL1800. Even if they had the same MSRP, the Honda has more hp, is plenty reliable, handles better, gets better gas mileage and has things I will still need to buy for my SE Ultra to make it have the same goodies the Honda has on it already. With extensive mods I still would not get alot of the things, for instance electronically adjustable spring load in the rear. The list of things I could not do to my ultra without spending a ton of money are too many to mention and noone wants to hear about the Honda anyhowe.
What is worth mentioning is it seems like my local dealer figures I must not want the overpriced Ultra anyhowe, since whenever I am looking at them in the dealership noone seems like they want to sell it. If I have any questions I would have to go find a salesman??? If Harley wants to grow or even compete they really need to step up the Customer service end to make it worth the extra cash for less of a machine. I love my Harleys, but you know what? I am looking for a touring bike to add to the collection. The bottom line is I just made a deal on that GL for 18,900 and I got them to add a heated Corbin seat and the first service free on a bike optioned out would have an MSRP of around 25,000.........118 hp out of the crate!
For that same cash , Harley has to offer me a stock Road King for a touring bike ( about 65hp and no goodies) ...........Flame on my friends, ride a GL1800 a few miles before you do though, but be careful cuz you will buy it!