[sdstryker]

Sorry about the subject - I'm sure it's been done before. I've been searching for a bigger bike to replace my '98 Kawasaki Vulcan 750. After considering a bunch of different bikes in 2010, I stopped looking because I didn't see anything I really liked. Arter having a 750 for about 12 years (and a 550 for 10 years before that) I didn't really want to go too big. I was looking for something like a Sporster that wasn't a Sportster.

Earlier this year I started thinking about a new bike again and came across the Stryker. After lurking on here for a while, I went to my local dealership here in Marlyland to see one in real life. They had a rust one, and it looked awesome. My wife loved it, and she's not really into bikes (although she does ride on the back sometimes). I asked him if I could do a test ride soon (it was pouring rain that day) and they said to come back during the week.

I took that ride today, and was really impressed. I was concerned about the bike being so LONG, but it was easy to handle, had tons of power, handled beautifully at slow speeds, and it looks amazing. So we started to talk about buying one. It was a very short conversation for a couple of reasons...

1. The base price was $10,600 and they were pretty unwilling to budge at all. The price out the door after destination, tax, and all the other stuff was going to be $12,400. After seeing people on this site say that they paid between $9500 and $10,500 OUT THE DOOR, I didn't want to be the guy who got ripped off. When people say they paid $10,500 out the door, does that include all the other stuff like tax, freight, destination, tags, etc? Am I misunderstanding what "out the door" means?

2. Even if I was willing to pay the 12K, I wanted the blue, not the rust. They told me that they didntnhave the blue in stock and they wanted to sell their stock. They said that if they had to order one, it would cost a lot more.

3. They said that this week (or next week?) is the Yamaha Dealer's Conference and they were presenting the 2012 models. Is that true? Anyone know anything about the 2012? Any major changes?

I know - a long winded post. Sorry. Just wanted to relate my experience. Any help in setting my expectations would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[strykenshane]

Sounds like you ran into a peckerhead of a salesman, I researched prices on the web and found mine at Searcy Yamaha in Arkansas. If you're paying cash you can overnight a cashier's check and have the bike shipped to you from most anywhere and save at least a grand off that price. Good luck, even at that price you would be happy with this bike.

 

[Air Stryker]

Well, I don't know anything about the 2012 models, but I can offer you a bit of info regarding buying a new one. I first saw the Stryker at America's Motorsports in Madison, TN, when I went there to look at a used Dyna WideGlide they'd advertised. When I got there, the HD was sold, but they had a 2009 (new leftover) Raider sitting up front that caught my eye. They still wanted $13k for the bike, and didn't come off that very much when asked what their lowest cash price would be. I then noticed this new Stryker, they had one of each color, and I was drawn to the 'reddish copper' one. Sticker price was $10499 if I remember right, and the black 'raven' model was $9999 or something. Well, the Dyna was going to be $9999 (dude, this thing was sweet, a 2007 model with only 72 original miles!!), so I figured I'd keep my price range under $10k. I rode my Suzuki V-Strom in that day, so figured what the ****, and had the salesman run the numbers. Now, I'd done a little research before on my own bike, and the book value was around $3k, even less for trade-in value. When asked what I wanted out of it for trade, I said "whatever you'll give me", and let them come up with that magic number. Well, he came back with his numbers, said they'd give me $3700 for my bike (which was $300 more than I paid for it 4 months earlier), and calculated the rest @ MSRP for the Stryker. I sent him back with my counter offer, and the owner of this big place came out and said he'd give me the copper one for $9999, and of course the $500 set-up fee, doc fee ($150) and TTL. It basically put the "ou-the-door" price of the Stryker at about $10800 or so, then deduct my trade of $3700. I instantly thought to myself SOLD!, but I've learned in the past to sleep on it, so that I did. It's at that point I began to SHOP AROUND, mostly on the internet for leads, then placed some phone calls to the best priced dealers. I eventually got everyone down to about $9500 for the stryker, plus same fees, without taking in consideration my trade. It all came down to convenience for me, deciding rather than driving 300 miles to save $200, and then not knowing what they'd offer for my trade once I got there, to just keep it local. I had also been considering other new bikes, and had gotten trade-in offers of average $2500, so that $3700 offer made an impression. I went back to AMS, and told them if they'd come down to $9500 for the stryker, same trade deal, then I'd do the deal. The owner again came out, we ended up meeting in the middle at $9799 for the Stryker, $3700 for trade, NO dealer prep fee, just doc fee and TTL. Now this was a 'clean' bike, no accessories, no add-ons. I'm sure if I'd not had the trade, I could have ***** (no offense to Jews) him down a little more or had some access. thrown in the deal, but I figured that was a decent deal. Funny thing is, after the deal, I told him his trade offer was the deal maker, and it was VERY generous, to which he replied he had a buyer "lined-up" for the V-Strom, and currently (almost 2 months later) it's still in his used inventory, listed at $5999 !!!! Hope this helped, I was actually more long-winded than you!! As you can tell from this forum, the bike itself is AWESOME, a good balance of power for the money, and I think you'd be satisfied in ownership, other than the limited availability of aftermarket accessories, and the prices of those that are available!!! But honestly, a windshield is the only 'extra' that I needed to make this bike rideable anywhere, anytime!!

 

[chubbleyum]

i dont know where you are in MD but if you are willing to drive a little there is a place called Track N Trail near St College where I bought mine that beat every price within 200 miles of me. I saved nearly 2000$ from what my local dealer wanted. prob worth a call and what is a hotel room for a night if you can save lots of $$, make a trip out of it. http://trackntrail.net/ ask for Chuck.

 

[rodekill]

Call around and find a better deal, or at least someone who is interested in actually selling a product instead of just being a prick. I've no idea about the newer models and when theyre shown, but if he was serious about getting rid of current stock he would be willing to deal. I talked my dealer down a bit, and the sales tax and all the other charges got added into my total price as well. You also dont have to finance through them. For instance when I was on the phone with my insurance agency getting a quote for the bike, they jumped at the chance to finance it instead. Lastly, I wouldn't fret over the color either, as you can always paint it whatever you want later. Which might be a good idea considering the nice aftermarket parts L&M are bringing to market. Either way, good luck. I dont think you will be disappointed in the stryker.

 

[dliszews]

Chubble, Glad you posted the dealership in State College. Will be heading up there
to look for a quad. Their inventory is huge.

 

[sdstryker]

Thanks for all the info guys! It sounds like I'll be calling around over the next couple of days. State College is about 200 miles away from me, which isn't bad, so its good to have them as a backup. I suspect that I may be taking a trip up there soon! And I'll look into shipping as well. But there are several places in this area that I can check.

And thanks so much Air for your buying experience. Definitely good to know that you were able to find multiple places that met your price. I suspect that things generally cost less in Madison, TN than they do in the Washington, DC area... but not THAT much!

Thanks again!

 

[The_Joker]

I thought I got a decent deal with my $9700 (not including other misc fees) but after reading the "What did you pay" thread.........I guess not......was working 2 dealers.....should have probably walked before buying at the 2nd dealer during the 2nd visit and headed back to the other dealer (only 1 visit there) and had them beat the offer.....Although I liked the salesman at the dealer I bought from better anyways...And they did throw in a decent jacket and gloves free, and a reduced price on the Arai Profile helmet (figures the only helmet that seemed to fit my cone head would be one of the most expensive) couldn't get the helmet thrown in completely on the deal

Regardless I'm happy with the purchase........and won't be worrying about the extra couple hundred bucks I may have overpaid.....
gotta get it in the shop for it's first service (just turned 600 miles) Hopefully their service (quick and discounted) as they stated is true.......

 

[Ravenstryker]

I paid $9200 out the door for my Raven. I was stoked to get that deal. They're selling even cheaper now though.

 

[sdstryker]

You guys are killing me. You all paid less than 10k out the door, but my guy wanted me to pay $12,400 which is around $2,600-$2,800 more! That a diffence of around 25-30%!!! That's a bit ridiculous, and makes me a bit ticked off. BTW, what state are you guys in? I'm in MD just a few minutes from DC. Things are generally more expensive in this area and we have a 6% sales tax, but that just doesn't cover the difference.

 

[Mr monte]

I paid $9,500 including all fees, back rest & 1st service but we don't have any sales tax in Oregon.

 

[wlfpak65]

I paid $11,200 OTD W/Tax & Everything... They Gave Me A Oneal Bluetooth Helmet ($329.99) Scorpion Leather Jacket ($329.99) & Some Tourmaster Leather Gloves ($49.99) I think i made out ok on the deal? & i also told them that i wanted to add accessories to my bike ie... disc break lock, bike cover, a half helmet, etc..... @ the employee discount which they had no problem in doing..... be sure and tell them to hook you up in other aspects if they wont budge on the price that much..... theirs not to much of a mark up on bikes and thats why their hard asses... but accessories and service maint. is where the dealership makes the loot!! make sure they hook you up on that realm!!!

 

[wlfpak65]

You guys are killing me. You all paid less than 10k out the door, but my guy wanted me to pay $12,400 which is around $2,600-$2,800 more! That a diffence of around 25-30%!!! That's a bit ridiculous, and makes me a bit ticked off. BTW, what state are you guys in? I'm in MD just a few minutes from DC. Things are generally more expensive in this area and we have a 6% sales tax, but that just doesn't cover the difference.

I know how you feel bro!! i stumbled onto this site and asked the same question you were asking and felt like i got ripped lol but im in San Diego, California and things are not cheap here.... With the accessories i think i made out ok..... Another cool thing was i went back to the dealership about 4 weeks later and my sales guy handed me a form and asked me to fill it out for a free pair of $130 Oakley Sun Glasses for a promo they were doing if you test road a different star motorcycle, i forgot the name of the bike but it wasnt the STRYKER, thats for sure... But that was cool that he did that for me and i felt like i was taken care of!!

 

[KenMcCoy]

3. They said that this week (or next week?) is the Yamaha Dealer's Conference and they were presenting the 2012 models. Is that true? Anyone know anything about the 2012? Any major changes?

I know - a long winded post. Sorry. Just wanted to relate my experience. Any help in setting my expectations would be GREATLY appreciated!

The star site says they are releasing the 2012 models tomorrow at noon eastern time....

 

[jester624]

Wow... I bought my bike on 8/26 a 2011 with 2 miles for 10200. I still have to pay taxes. I guess I got raped, and now that I know the 2012 is coming out less than a month later!!!

Well I guess I've already put 2k plus miles on it so... I don't really give a ****, it was worth the 2 weeks and the little extra money, you don't bring that with you when you die!

 

[bozzly]

Well the MSRP is 11,200 for the colored ones and 10,900 for the raven ones I believe. There will always be someone that gets a better deal than you. I would not worry about trying to be the person who has gotten the best deal or you will never get your stryker. Once you have your stryker, you will realize whatever you paid was not enough and you got a great deal on a great bike. Go get your stryker, a couple of bucks a month is not worth the headache of travelling all over the world to find your stryker. Some dealers may not budge on price since they do not move alot of stock, some move tremendous amount of stock and can deal more. Unless your dealer is an ahole, give him your business so he can stay in business and you have a local dealer to get stuff for your bike quick when needed and sound advice and maintenance when beyond your level of expertise.

 

[sdstryker]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I shopped around and found another local dealer who was willing to work on the price. We were out the door for $11K and a $250 credit for Yamaha stuff. That's about $2000 better than the first guy. I agree that businesses have to stay in business. But all it took was a couple of emails a d I found 2 other dealers within a half hour who beat the price. That tells me that the original guy was just an a-hole who thought took me for a sucker.

The bike will be ready on Tuesday. Problem is it's supposed to rain all week!

 

[strykenshane]

It'll be worth the wait, congrats and welcome to the family.

 

[bozzly]

Congrats on the new bike here's to hoping you get sunshine on Tuesday. Make sure you post some pics...