Skippy, I have no idea if a $900 doc fee is reasonable or not. What do other dealers in your area typically charge for doc fees? If the dealer is out of line with practices in your part of the state or country, then I'd call their bluff. On the other hand, if that's typical of other dealerships, then they're probably not gonna budge. In the end, it only matters whether you are willing to pay that price or not. While I believe it's smart to ask around about what other people think, you have to decide for yourself whether or not its good for you.
Majorrocky, you make an excellent point. If the buyer and the seller are both happy with the transaction, then it's a good transaction. Some folks aren't happy unless they get a discount. Some don't mind paying extra to get what they want. The rest fall somewhere in between.
I got my Silver Bullet for MSRP + tax & title and a $650 doc fee!!! Every dealership in the area (all 6? 7? 8? 9? of them?) charges a doc fee except maybe one. The bottom line was, I had talked to every one of them multiple times and none of them had a Silver Bullet available except the dealer where I purchased mine. Every other one was pre-sold earlier in the year.
I had a chance to buy a Yellow/Charcoal SERG the week after I put the deposit on the Silver Bullet. I walked into a dealership where the deal on a presold SERG fell through the day before because the buyer couldn't get financing. They wanted to sell the bike badly enough that they offered me a discount of MSRP and a good deal on my trade. In the end, I wanted a Silver Bullet. Just had to have a Silver Bullet.
So, I paid MSRP, tax, title and a doc fee to get what I wanted. I don't think that makes me (or you, Marjorrocky) any better or worse than anyone else, just a little different maybe. I am satisfied with the deal I got and, ultimately, that's what really matters.
Now, to be clear, I am just as appalled as others seem to be at $44,995 for an '09 SERG. Unless it's loaded with extras, that's not a price I'd be willing to pay. On the other hand, there might be someone out there who wants one badly enough to pay that price and still be happy they got it. Good for them and the dealer that sold it to them.
Rock On!