What is the Best Month to Buy a Motorcycle?
Just like when you ride a motorcycle, you want buying a bike to be fast and worry-free when shopping on the marketplace. You want to find the motorcycle that fits your desired lifestyle and, if you have time to plan ahead, you could get the perfect bike for less money — maybe even a model from one of the most popular motorcycle brands of 2022. While deals may come and go like the seasons, Cycle Trader is looking for an answer to the question many shoppers are asking, “What month is the best time for buying a motorcycle?”
Shopping for a Motorcycle by Season
The answer may not be straightforward, but there are some general notions out there as to when you might have a better opportunity to find the right bike you’re after for less money. For example, if you’re looking through the marketplace for the best cruiser motorcycles, one of the most popular types of bikes, it might be harder to find a great deal during the summer. These bikes are ideal for long rides when it’s nice out, and you’ll likely have less selection and have to pay more compared to buying during the winter. For more clarity, here’s some buying insight broken down by each season.
Winter
In January and February, many dealers are looking to clear their inventory in anticipation of new models arriving in the spring. Therefore, you could find a motorcycle that’s new or pre-owned from recent years for a better price. And you might get a better deal on a private sale, with a seller that’s eager to get rid of their bike in the off-season, when motorcycle riding is less popular due to cold weather. Even in warmer climates where the riding season doesn’t stop, the market competition will slow down during these months. Compare the listings, and expand your search outside of your area when you’re looking online. Even if you don’t decide to buy during January or February, you can start shopping to get a better feel for the market as it changes throughout the year.
Spring
In the spring, you can expect the market to be competitive as more shoppers are looking for their next bike with warmer, longer days ahead with the oncoming riding season. Depending on where you are, it might not be the best time to buy at the best price because of high demand, unless you can find a deal with a special sale. However, there is an advantage to shopping during March and April, when you might choose from the newest selection of bikes. This is where you’ll see the latest releases from some of the top brands on the market. So if you’re adamant about the most up-to-date specs like power, performance, and picking a model based on motorcycle color, design, and technology, this could be the right time for you if you plan ahead.
Summer
For many motorcycle shoppers, summer can be a challenging time of year to buy a bike for best value right away. The market will be competitive in June, July, and August, with more riders looking to find a bike and get on the road. With high demand, prices could be higher, and it’ll likely take some time to close a deal, so you might have to wait before you have a chance to ride. That being said, it doesn’t mean you can’t find a deal on a motorcycle during these months. If you’re flexible with buying, and look around at listings from private sellers against larger dealerships, you kind find a rare deal.
Fall
The motorcycle market can vary during the fall months. It could be a time when bike sales slow down to the off-season and expect less riding during the coming months due to colder temperatures and less daylight. If you’re looking for the best dual sports motorcycles for sale, this may be an opportune time to buy, as the riding season never ends if you’re going off-road through dirt and mud, any time of year. In October and November, many dealers have sales quotas to meet by the end of the year, so they’re looking to move units before new inventory arrives. You could find a bike for less money if they decide to slash prices to move inventory off the lot. This is also when many holiday sales start appearing on the calendar, with sales prices and financing options that could be better than other months.
Keep an eye on the market all year to see what deals come up, because they can change each season. In January and February, you might get a better price during the off-season, while in March and April you might get a quality bike with more competition, or an end-of-the-year deal in October and November. Start shopping today from all the new and used listings on the nation’s leading marketplace at CycleTrader.com.
Ryan Miller
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