Harley Davidson is once again running their Sportster guaranteed trade in value program. It was very successful when run before but now they’re including the XR1200 which was previously excluded. Buy the Sportster between July 1st and August 31st and you have one year to trade for a Big Twin or V-Rod at which time you get the full MSRP for your bike. You ride free for up to one year, not a bad way to put a Harley in your garage.
Harley Davidson press release:
MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson has announced a special guarantee on the value of its Sportster motorcycles by backing their trade-in on Big Twin and V-Rod® motorcycles for up to one year.
Harley-Davidson® riders who buy a new Sportster® 883 or 1200 motorcycle at a participating dealership between July 1, 2009 and August 31, 2009, will get the original MSRP value (see note below) when they trade in for a new Harley-Davidson Big Twin or V-Rod motorcycle within one year. The Ride Free II Guarantee will be supported by national advertising in various media outlets.
“We’re excited to give customers who purchase new 2009 Sportster models the guaranteed MSRP value if they choose to trade-in to a Big Twin or V-Rod model within a year,” said Dino Bernacchi, Harley-Davidson Director, Advertising and Promotion. “The exceptional value of our motorcycles provides a unique way to reward our customers and give them more choices to enjoy the freedom and passion of the Harley-Davidson experience, especially during an uncertain economy.”
There are seven 2009 Sportster motorcycles eligible for this promotion, including the XR1200, which was recently recognized as the Best Standard in Cycle World magazine in its Ten Best Bikes of 2009. There are more than 20 Big Twin models in the 2009 Harley-Davidson line, including several Touring models with a completely redesigned chassis. The three 2009 V-Rod models are a part of one of the most acclaimed and awarded motorcycle lines in Company history.
The MSRP value used for trade-in will be the factory-delivered MSRP (including factory installed options) of the qualifying new motorcycle excluding parts and accessories, taxes, titles, licenses, set-up/prep charges, Extended Service Plan, GAP coverage and any dealer add-ons, and regardless of the amount actually paid.
Link: Harley Davidson
Walt says
Orrr . . . DON’T trade it on one of those “senior” bikes. One of the guys in our AMCA chapter (owner of multiple BMW R90S machines) surprised us all when he bought an XR1200 this spring. Broke it in on a ride from Washington State to Montana, installed a set of Bub pipes, dyno-tuned it and you can’t get the smile off his face. I’d like to see the MoCo quit thinking of the Sportster as some kind of “junior” or “entry level” bike. Certainly the XR1200 is way beyond that.
kneeslider says
Walt, I agree. Sportsters have loads of potential for cafe or street tracker builds and the XR1200 has hardly been tapped yet. And, there’s this neat British style mod mentioned last year.
Ted says
Thanks, Harley, but I have no intention of trading in my XR1200. It’s a great bike! And, as Paul points out, it is also a perfect base for future mods. I just wish Vance & Hines would get on the ball and deliver my backordered “Widow” exhaust (dumb name, but I’m hopeful about the performance improvement, if a bit worried about noise…).
JR says
I’m a young guy (22) and recently went into a Harley dealer near Cincinnati to ask about the XR1200; financing etc. I really like the look of the bike and have heard amazing things about its performance. Normally I ride vintage Yamaha triples.
They seemed barely interested in my business and said that they offer no test rides….
Are they kidding? Who do they think they are….
My business will go elsewhere… but I was really into the idea of getting something American and supporting our country a bit.
I wish Victory made something sportier. Although I haven’t ruled out Buell. What are their dealers like?
Maybe a triumph. I do loves me a triple.
dresden says
Anyone else out there with opinions of the XR1200? I’m looking to buy in the next year or so, and the look of the bike is very appealing. There’s a test weekend in September not super far from me, but if there are more owners/people who have actually ridden one out there, please, I’d like to hear about your experiences. In contrast, I’m also looking at a VStar 1100. I currently ride an ’82 Virago 750, and it’s a good bike, but I feel I’d get more out of something newer.
Tin Man 2 says
JR, I bet if you showed them some money a test would be arranged. Often dealers are hesitant to offer test rides to anyone who walks in the door,with good reason. A serious customer will be taken care of. All dealers use this method, you must develope a relationship with a dealer of any make to get a ride on a showroom new bike. The factorys of most makes have traveling Test Ride fleets that make the rounds for special occasions, You must have proper gear and a valid endorsement to ride.
Nate says
Nice idea but I’ve yet to see an XR1200 for anywhere near MSRP. Looking at the HD site MSRP for the base model is listed @ $11,099 including freight, $11,844 with the only listed options. The best deal I’ve seen on one was @ Rossyemeyers for a whopping $16,099, but they said they could probably work it down to $15,000 WTF???
JR says
I see what you’re saying Tin Man 2, but don’t you think that dealers, especially in this economy, should be bending over backwards for the customer? I don’t want to have to barter and beg my way into spending my own money. They should be the ones begging me to take it for a test ride.
I understand that people would take advantage of this and go for test rides for fun… but there has to be a middle ground.
When you respond to a Craigslist ad, or a newspaper ad, the person really wants to sell their item and usually will take off work to meet you and gladly lets you take a test ride…
Don’t be so cocky dealers… you’ll sell more.
JR says
… and Nate: In Cincinnati I saw a black one, brand new at the dealer, for just under 11k on the sticker.
Ted says
Responding to a couple of points here: I bought my XR1200 in December, for list price, no dealer markup, no unwanted extras, no nonsense. After 40 years of motorcycling, this is my first Harley, and I was a bit apprehensive about it. But I’ll tell you that the Harley dealer experience was fantastic. Super friendly, super helpful, with a spectacular showroom and a spotless service area that they were proud to show off. And since the purchase, I’ve been getting an endless stream of correspondence from the Motor Company, including a replica #1 plate signed by Parker and Carr. I did not take a test ride because there were no bikes available at the time, but they do now have one on the floor and are happy to arrange rides for qualified buyers — qualified meaning a motorcycle endorsement on your license and a gleam in your eye. In response to another question about performance, I’ll say the bike meets my expectations. I can’t hustle it around like my Ducati, but it hauls itself up the canyons (I live in Colorado) better than you’d expect for such a heavy bike, and for all other riding it is really terrific. The engine is nowhere as smooth as my Ducati or my BMW — the Harley idle will liquefy your intestines — but the engine is a torque monster (you couldn’t stall it on a bet) and from 3000 rpm to 6000 it really pours on the power. Redline is a few ticks above 7000 but the engine isn’t happy at all up there; that’s one reason why you can’t ride it like a true sportbike — like a Ducati, for example, which lives for revs. But ride it at eight-tenths and it is a complete blast. My only quibble, and I know this will sound absurd, is that I wish the mirrors had slightly longer stalks; right now, like my Ducati, I have a fine view of my elbows but it’s hard to see the cops. Apologies for this long post, but even though some of the bike mags are giving this bike the respect it deserves, there seem to be lots of questions among riders, and I thought as an owner I should speak up. In short, if you are in the market for a bike like this — a great around-town ride that you can really push hard on a fast, winding road — you owe it to yourself to give one a try. I sincerely doubt that you will be disappointed.
Dresden says
Ted, thanks! That helps.
SteveD says
This deal is not quite as crazy ar it sounds. Someone gets an XR1200 and then decides that they really wanted a comfy cruiser. This is a real possibility for someone shooping at Harley. It isn’t the “beginner bike” problem as much as the “wrong bike” problem. Plus, if you’re an old guy like me, you can zoom around on the XR1200 for a while and then trade it in for a Road King before you kill yourself 😉
Gordo says
JR,
Taking a test ride on a motorcycle is a LOT different than test driveing a car. Different skills are required and there is a lot of liability on the dealership. I work at a local dealership where I live and have had people come in with their M endorsement, MSF certificate and all their gear and still had to get them off the bike they wanted to test ride because they just couldn’t do it. That is not to say you are not a good rider but it is easy for someone to go into a dealership and talk a good game and it does a dealership or the patron no good for someone to go out on one of their bikes and get hurt.
Last month Harley offered free test rides through their “Joy Ride” program. This was at participating dealers so I am not sure if your dealer took part in the program. Even though the Joy Ride program ended the first of this month my dealership is still offering the rides on a case by case basis.
As far as you having to “beg to spend your own money”, if the dealership does not appreciate your business you may need to find a new one to visit. But it is a little unfair for you to go into a dealership and expect them to give you whatever you ask. My dealership sells a lot of motorcycles every month to people and we never offer them a test ride. Harley Davidson is a premium motorcyle and does not have to “beg” anyone to test ride or buy their product.
If you are still interested in the XR1200 I am sure I can get something worked out with my dealership to get you down here, test ride an XR and send you home with it.
JR says
Gordo, I appreciate the post. I didn’t mean to sound so negative; I guess I was venting.
You’re right though, at the time I was shopping around and didn’t quite have the funds to commit at the time. I’m sure if I had really started getting into the paperwork side of things they would be more willing to offer a test ride, although I did ask and they said they don’t offer “test rides.” This doesn’t necessarily mean they would not have let me take it for a spin before I signed the final paperwork.
I’ve heard great things about the XR to this day, and Ted’s post reinforces that. Since my experience I have decided to go straight from undergrad to grad school (Mech and Aero engineering) and won’t have the funds for a brand spankin new bike anyway. I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with restoring early 80’s Yamaha’s for a while!
That and reading the Kneeslider/Hell For Leather/ Bike Exif/ Cycle World, etc.
Keep on being awesome guys (and girls).
Jeff says
JR-
Before you go to grad school, check out PHDcomics.com. It’ll let you see what you’re getting yourself into.
tom in paramount,ca says
i just got the XR1200 about three days ago @ los angeles harley-davidson , got great service there. i was looking at another bike ,but that one just stands out. what a bitchen ride. palm springs here i come:)..