In the UK, bikers agree “no one in their right mind would pay list price on a new or secondhand bike.” The advertised price is the beginning of a negotiation, since it may be the seller's maximum-profit point, but it might not be the buyer's best deal. So how can you get the best deal on a new or secondhand bike, if you're planning to buy in the UK? Well, your first task is—hard though this may be to hear—to do your homework. No, not your math homework, your motorcycle homework! Read the classified ads in the local paper go out on the Internet and surf for local dealers, and don't neglect to ask your friends about deal that they've gotten on their bikes.

Now that you've done your homework, schedule your exams carefully. The best day to drive the seller's price is going to be the last day or two of the month. This is the window when most of the people who work in bike sales have a little bit more room for negotiation so that they can hit their dealership's sales targets. Have you got extra time to maneuver? If that's the case, wait until winter when the market's slowest, and you'll get the best deal on your new bike. When you go into the showroom to negotiate for your bike, start off with the right line. Ask, “What's the best you can offer me?” and you'll find that the conversation just flows from there.

Don't be intimidated by the sales staff; on the contrary, they're there to help you, and you're certainly there to help them do their job. Once you've started off with the right question, remember that you'll pay not only the price on which you agree, but that there are hidden costs as well. If you rode your own bike to the showroom, well, you'll want a good price on it. And if you're planning to sign on for financing, then keep in mind that the interest rate you pay on the loan will work out as part of the purchase price as well. Sales staff will likely make more money if you buy with a finance plan; so keep that in mind, and you might even be able to use this information to your advantage.

Don't forget that English law frees the dealer of any obligation to report that the bike's been damaged in shipping or on the showroom floor, unless you ask directly, so make sure you ask the question—even if it seems unnecessary. Also keep in mind that, for the first six months after your purchase, new consumer legislation requires the dealer to prove that any flaw that develops or becomes apparent in the bike isn't their fault—even if it's a used bike, regardless of any warranties. So, check out your current consumer rights before you shop and keep an eye on consumer legislation even after you make a major purchase.