When Is the Best Time to Buy a Motorcycle?

Seasonal sales and discounts mean that certain times of the year are better for big purchases than others. 

In this article we’ll review when are the best - and the worst - times to buy a motorcycle and discover the reasons for these price differences.

Highlights/ Key Takeaways

• Whether you are buying a new or used motorcycle, online or from a dealer, winter months are often the best time to shop for a budget-friendly bike.
• Cold weather, holidays, and end-of-year motorcycle sales mean that dealers are more likely to offer attractive discounts in the winter.
• Avoid buying a bike between April and August, as the peak of a motorcycle season often means higher motorcycle prices and less inventory.
• To save even more, consider buying a smaller and older motorcycle model, or a motorcycle in need of repairs.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Motorcycle?

If you have your motorcycle license, enough room in the garage, and enough cash in the bank, you don’t need to wait for a specific time period to buy a motorcycle. 

However, if you are looking to buy a bike on a budget, buying it in the winter is likely your best bet. 

Let us take a closer look at the best times to buy your new motorcycle from a dealer or online.

The Best Time to Buy a Motorcycle from a Dealer

Believe it or not, the season and even the date you buy a new motorcycle from a dealer can make a huge difference and whether or not you can get an attractive price. 

When shopping with a dealer, we recommend completing your purchase:

• In the winter. Generally, winter is a great time to buy a motorcycle, especially if you live in an area with a colder climate. You may need to wait until summer to take your new ride out on the road though.
• On a weekday. Most motorcycle dealerships are busier on weekends than on weekdays. This means that they often offer great sales and deals Monday through Thursday in an attempt to bring more customers through the door.
• On a holiday. Finally, dealers frequently offer amazing deals on holidays like Black Friday or Labor Day - both on the retail prices and motorcycle dealership fees.

The Best Time to Buy a Motorcycle Online

If you are looking to buy a motorcycle online, the best sales and deals will be offered around the same time as they are at physical dealerships: on holidays, on weekdays, and during colder months. 

In addition, shopping online allows you to set up alerts through sites like CycleTrader to get notified about any new deals on your preferred models.

The Best Time to Buy a Used Motorcycle

Any winter month is a great time to shop when buying a used motorcycle, but February is likely the best one. 

Once the winter holiday excitement wears off, many people are faced with hefty credit card bills due to extensive holiday shopping. Looking for a quick way to make extra cash, private sellers flood the used motorcycle market with great deals to offer.

Why Motorcycles Are Cheaper in the Winter Months?

Motorcycles are generally cheaper in the winter for more than one reason. Cold weather, seasonal deals, and end-of-year sales on older models make winter months the ideal time to shop for a motorcycle without breaking the bank.

Cold Weather

In areas with cold winters, the motorcycle riding season peaks in July and continuously slows down as cooler weather approaches. Most people won’t go riding their bikes in a winter blizzard, which means that there is a larger inventory with lower prices from November through February.

This Is When Motorcycles Go on Sale

Late fall and winter are rich in holidays, starting with Thanksgiving and ending with New Year’s Day. Many dealers offer great deals during the winter holiday season, - so, if you are willing to battle the crowds, you may find some of the best deals of the year during this time. Plus, if dealers haven’t met their yearly sales quotas by December, they run additional promotions in an attempt to encourage more sales.

New Motorcycles Come Out in January

Most motorcycle manufacturers release new bike models in January. This influx of newer models automatically makes all the existing inventory obsolete, while making January a great month to shop for a last-year motorcycle.

Many dealers offer great deals during the winter holiday season, - so, if you are willing to battle the crowds, you may find some of the best deals of the year during this time.

The Best Month to Buy a Motorcycle

While November through February are all excellent months to look for a great deal on a motorcycle, December is probably the best one of all. December is when many dealers rush to meet their sales quotas and offer amazing sales. Plus, Black Friday and Boxing Day sales run throughout December.

When Is the Worst Time to Buy a Motorcycle?

There is never really a bad time to buy a new motorcycle, given that you have all of your documents in order and are able to secure the necessary motorcycle financing. 

However, buying a bike in April through August can cost you a few extra bucks, as this is when motorcycles are in great demand. July is likely the worst month to shop around for a deal, as this is the peak of the motorcycle season.

How to Find Cheap Motorcycles

In addition to choosing the right timing, there are a few other tips that can help you buy a motorcycle on the cheap. If your budget is tight, your best bet might be to:

• Buy a small motorcycle. Smaller bikes are often viewed as beginner bikes. As a result, they are commonly sold just after one season of use, flooding the market with smaller models. High supply means low demand, and, therefore, low prices.
• Buy an old motorcycle. Motorcycles have a steep depreciation curve, which means that a bike only a couple of years old can be 27% cheaper than a new one. To save even more, you can look for a bike from the early 2000s, 1990s, or even 1980s.
• Buy a fixer-upper. Broken bikes are incredibly cheap! So, if you know how to wrench a motorcycle, buying a fixer-upper and repairing it yourself can save you a great deal of money.

Final Word: Winter Is the Best Time of Year to Buy a Motorcycle

Wondering when should you buy a motorcycle? Generally, the winter months of November through February are a great time to buy a bike, as they feature countless holidays and amazing deals, end-of-year rush sales at dealerships, and cold weather that leads to increased inventory. So, if your budget is tight (and you have the patience!), we recommend postponing motorcycle shopping until the wintertime.