How To Buy A Motorcycle In The Pandemic

[Hugh Janus]

New vehicle purchase? Some dealers will deliver it right to your house. (Andrey Kekyalyaynen / 123rf.com/)

The last few months have been brutal for vehicle sales of any kind, but it’s especially sobering when you look at the motorcycle market during this pandemic.

Early on, factories and suppliers in Asia experienced disruptions and makers across Europe were forced to close facilities. Supply chain hiccups will likely mean a shortage of some motorcycle models sold in America this year, but less supply will probably be offset by reduced demand. As the coronavirus continues to spread though, many of us have experienced stay-at-home orders and business closures in its wake, making it harder to shop for and buy a new bike.

A good chunk of US motorcycle dealerships have had to shutter showrooms (restrictions vary from state to state), so it’s no wonder manufacturers are rethinking the new-bike purchasing process. The good news for consumers is that motorcycle makers are pulling out all the stops, offering shop-at-home programs, deals, and discounts online, as well as payment assistance and flexible loan terms. (According to Bankrate, the average new vehicle loan as of April 1 was under 5 percent for a 60-month term.) Manufacturers’ websites and local dealers’ social media accounts are great places to start your searches.

A few brands are exploring “contactless” buying programs similar to what some carmakers have rolled out, allowing buyers to scan inventories, arrange test rides, manage paperwork, and schedule vehicle pickup, all without entering a showroom.

The bottom line is we’re at the traditional start of the riding season, and pandemic or not, dealers have to move inventory. They’re highly motivated to make deals, and it might even get away with naming your own price. In other words, if you’re in good health, are solidly and stably employed, and feel reasonably confident in your online negotiating skills, now might be a great opportunity to buy a new motorcycle.

The Italian market has been especially hard-hit, but Piaggio says most of its current model year fleet will be relatively unaffected. Aprilia’s Noale facility is scheduled to reopen in May. (Piaggio/)

Aprilia/Moto Guzzi

The Piaggio Group, which owns Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, and Vespa, closed its factories in mid-March for a “deep clean,” and production at Aprilia’s Noale facility will resume in early May, with the same timeline for Moto Guzzi’s Mandello del Lario plant. Some US dealers can offer bike pickups for servicing and new-bike delivery in some cases, but it’s on a case by case basis. Piaggio’s US promotions include incentives for military and first responder customers who purchase any 2020/prior model year Aprilia, Vespa, Guzzi, and Piaggio vehicles. They’re eligible to receive an incentive up to $750, applied to the purchase price of the vehicle. Candidates include United States Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves in addition to firemen, police, or EMT; as well as medical workers like doctors, nurses, and EMS. The promotion is valid until June, but buyers must provide military ID or fire, police, EMS ID. See more at:

• <a href="https://www.aprilia.com/us_EN/special-offers/2020/April-May/">aprilia.com/us_EN/special-offers/2020/April-May/</a>
• <a href="https://www.motoguzzi.com/us_EN/special-offers/April-May-2020/">motoguzzi.com/us_EN/special-offers/April-May-2020/</a>
• <a href="https://www.motoguzzi.com/us_EN/special-offers/Military---First-Responders/">motoguzzi.com/us_EN/special-offers/Military---First-Responders/</a>

BMW is ramping up to restart its Berlin-Spandau motorcycle plant beginning early in May. There are deals to be had. (BMW Motorrad/)

BMW Motorrad

BMW had originally planned to restart production at its main Berlin-Spandau motorcycle facility earlier this month, but was forced to push the reopening to sometime in May. It too is offering exclusive promotions on most of its new US models but only ’til the end of April. We’ve also seen some pretty attractive deals on the brand’s Instagram page recently, like $1,500 back on a 2019 R nineT, but these things come and go so check the main brand page as well as local dealer pages often.

bmwmotorcycles.com/en/offers/limited-time-offers/q2-retail-offer.html

Ducati has announced the resumption of production at its Borgo Panigale factory this week and says new bikes will be in dealers soon. (Ducati Motor Holding/)

Ducati

Ducati, in addition to just restarting production in Italy, is also trying the “contactless” model and is pushing several incentives as well, including 0-percent financing on older models and 1.99-percent financing for current model year units. Certain Ducati dealers are fulfilling new motorcycle orders via an entirely contactless purchase and delivery service. Ducati’s official statement reads: “They can support you through all stages of the purchase process from learning about the motorcycle, to financing options via Ducati Financial Services, and to final delivery to your home or place of work.”

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Despite the reopening of production lines, Ducati says visits to the museum, factory, and Fisica in Moto are still suspended until further notice. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali had this to say: “It will be an extremely difficult year but starting up again is still a beginning; we have a lot of orders for the Streetfighter V4, for the Multistrada GT, and for the Panigale V2. The motorbike is a perfect vehicle for ‘phase two’: no parking problems and distancing guaranteed; safety and fun at the same time.”

Harley says it’s “restarting some manufacturing,” and that home delivery of its bikes is available in some markets. (Harley-Davidson /)

Harley-Davidson

From its recent Q1 2020 earnings results announcement, we learned that The Motor Company is reshuffling the timing of some of its upcoming new bike launches like the Bronx and the Pan America, and it’s also restarting “some manufacturing,” though specifics on that point weren’t made available. But Harley did say there are no foreseeable supply disruptions for its new 2020 models, so already released bikes should be in stock. The Motor Company is also dangling a flurry of incentives including the Electric Vehicle Incentive of up to $2,500 for the LiveWire, and it’s also offering H-D home delivery in some areas (subject to availability and location). There are discounts and reduced rates for active military personnel as well as Rider Training graduates, and $0 down terms for some of its models, both new and used. The official wording on its website reads: “Dealership operations are at the discretion of each dealership. We encourage you to use our dealer locator and call or check dealership websites for the most up-to-date information. Home delivery is available for a limited time through participating dealers. Availability is subject to applicable laws, regulations, and government orders.” You can also find more info here:

• <a href="https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/tools/find-a-dealer.html">harley-davidson.com/us/en/tools/find-a-dealer.html</a>
• <a href="https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/owners/financing-and-insurance/finance-your-ride.html">harley-davidson.com/us/en/owners/financing-and-insurance/finance-your-ride.html</a>

Honda has a few financing promotions going now but nothing in the way of a contactless purchasing plan just yet. (American Honda Motor Company/)

Honda

Honda hasn’t (as yet) embraced home delivery as a purchase option, but it is easing requirements for purchasing a new or used motorcycle, giving buyers 90 days to make their first payment on new vehicles financed by Honda Financial Services. Check the website for eligibility and restrictions: powersports.honda.com.

Indian goes for a carmaker-type promo with its Click.Deliver.Ride program. (Indian Motorcycle /)

Indian Motorcycle

Indian Motorcycle’s dealer network is also subject to reduced hours or closures, so it recommends you check with the individual dealership to confirm its status. But the company is also offering home delivery with its Click.Deliver.Ride program which gives prospective buyers the option of purchasing a motorcycle online and having it delivered to their home. Indian has offered online search and customizing options prior to this, but now it’s extended to the sale too. Contact your local dealer, either online or on the phone, make the buy, and arrange to have your new bike trucked right to your garage door. There are also discounts and incentives for military, police, fire, and some medical services personnel. Customers can also check out Indian Motorcycle Self-Help or Customer Support at (877) 204-3697 or via email.

Along with home delivery and other incentives, Kawasaki is also offering a free custom graphics kit with the purchase of a new Z125 Pro model. (Kawasaki/)

Kawasaki

With stay-at-home orders and social distancing recommendations due to COVID-19, Kawasaki is now allowing participating dealers to deliver products like vehicles and parts right to buyers’ homes or businesses. The company says it’s “committed to providing a first-rate experience [and] vehicle inspections will be performed at the dealership prior to delivery, and all required delivery checklists will be completed in your presence.” The motorcycle you buy will be delivered by trained dealership personnel (not third-party operators) who will also give you a thorough briefing on that vehicle’s operation, maintenance, and safety info.

There are some restrictions though; the release states that “delivery for parts and accessories ends May 31, 2020. Due to variations in state and local stay-at-home orders, home delivery of vehicles may be unavailable in some areas.” Kawasaki is also offering a Military Customer Promotion valid through June 30, 2020, to all active, reserve, and retired United States military personnel, for most models. In either case, as always, make sure you contact your local dealer for up-to-date info.

kawasaki.com

No word yet on KTM’s Austria factory reopening, but you can get some great financing on several US models. (Shedl R./KTM Sportmotorcycle /)

KTM/Husqvarna

Although it was originally due to reopen several weeks ago, we haven't been able to confirm resumption of motorcycle production at KTM’s Mattighofen HQ. In America though things look fairly normal on the surface, with the KTM US website offering attractive 0-percent and 1.99-percent financing on some 2020 as well 2019 models (which ends soon), and no payments or interest on select other bikes through July. KTM has also said there should be no disruption in current model year deliveries. See more info on promotions here: ktm.com/us/powerdeals/.

Triumph’s main production facilities in Thailand are still going strong, so there should be little disruption in the current year’s bike fleet. (Triumph Motorcycles/)

Triumph Motorcycles

We haven’t heard anything regarding home delivery from Triumph, but its production facilities in Thailand—where more than 80 percent of the bikes are made—are still operational. Plus there are a host of dealer incentives for US customers, though most of them all go away come May. They include up to $1,200 in Triumph Cash available on select models or special financing as low as 1.99-percent APR. Other options include low monthly payments with Triumph Triple Financing, or no money down, no interest, no payments for 90 days.

Check out triumphmotorcycles.com/find-your-ride for more details.

Yamaha’s another major manufacturer offering delivery of new bikes directly to the buyer’s home. (Yamaha Motor Corp./)

Yamaha

Everybody’s scrambling to facilitate bike sales during the COVID-19 clampdown, and Yamaha’s no different. The company’s US division just announced an all-new Deliver Your Ride program supporting Yamaha dealers that are able to complete motorcycle purchases remotely and then deliver the product directly to customers. The new program is available nationwide wherever dealers can legally and safely participate. Yamaha says that, for now, the new Deliver Your Ride initiative is a temporary (and voluntary) program and that it’ll work with dealers to roll it out. Interested customers can contact their local Yamaha dealer or visit yamahamotorsports.com to see if it’s available in their neighborhood, or if local regulations allow it. The Tuning Fork guys are also doubling down with other incentives, like $0 down, 0 payments for 90 days, and 0-percent APR for some models.

For details, visit yamahamotorsports.com, and check out the video here.

Most manufacturers are currently giving discounts to military personnel, as well as first responders and medical services workers. (Piaggio/)

The latest is that BMW will be restarting its Spandau motorcycle plant in Berlin beginning May 4, and the word from Ducati is that its factory in Borgo Panigale, Italy, resumed production on April 27, with enhanced safety measures in place. Aprilia’s and Moto Guzzi’s Italian facilities will reopen May 4. Yamaha, however, has extended plant closures for many of its Asia-based motorcycle facilities (including Japan) for several weeks throughout May.

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