Can You Buy a Motorcycle Directly from a Manufacturer?

Are you looking to buy a motorcycle directly from a manufacturer? 

You may be disappointed to find out that motorcycle manufacturers only sell their vehicles to dealers. Don’t despair though - purchasing your bike from a dealer is an excellent alternative with a number of benefits to the buyer.

This article explains some reasons why you can’t buy a motorcycle from the manufacturer, and how you can go about buying your dream bike from a dealership instead.

Highlights/ Key Takeaways

• U.S. manufacturer regulations, customer service requirements, and limited geographic locations prevent motorcycle manufacturers from selling their products directly to buyers.
• While you can’t buy a motorcycle from a manufacturer, you can buy one from a bike dealer.
• Buying a brand-new bike from a dealer comes with a number of perks, such as a great selection, a manufacturer’s warranty, and flexible financing options.
• The process of buying a motorcycle from a dealer is fairly straightforward, but make sure to stick to your budget and shop around for the best deal.

Can You Buy a Motorcycle Directly from the Manufacturer?

Unfortunately, you can’t buy a motorcycle directly from the manufacturer. Manufacturers only sell motorcycles to dealers, which means that your options for buying a bike include visiting a local dealership, shopping on a dedicated website, or completing a private purchase.

Can You Buy a Motorcycle Online From a Manufacturer?

You can’t buy a motorcycle from a manufacturer online. That being said, some dealerships and most private sellers post their new and used bikes online on dedicated websites. Therefore, buying a motorcycle online is absolutely possible.

Manufacturers only sell motorcycles to dealers, which means that your options for buying a bike include visiting a local dealership, shopping on a dedicated website, or completing a private purchase.

Why You Can’t Buy a Motorcycle Directly from the Manufacturer

Certain barriers exist that prevent manufacturers from selling their motorcycles directly to consumers. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Country Regulations

The automotive industry is subject to certain regulations that govern both the construction of factories and the marketing and sales of the products. In the U.S., these regulations encourage motorcycle manufacturers to only sell their products through authorized dealerships.

2. Customer Service

Whenever you are selling something, you must provide customer service along with it. Motorcycle manufacturers don’t have the capacity nor the resources to provide good customer service to buyers, so they leave this task to professionals - the authorized dealers.

3. Geographic Location

Manufacturers don’t have locations all across the country, which means they can’t reach customers in every city or even in every state. Luckily, dealerships do! Thanks to dealerships, manufacturers can showcase their products to customers across a much broader geographic region.

Advantages of Buying a Motorcycle from a Dealership

Since you can’t buy a motorcycle from a manufacturer, your next best option is to buy it from a dealer. The good news is that shopping at a dealership offers a plethora of benefits:

• Great selection—When shopping at the dealer, you will have a plethora of motorbikes to choose from. Some motorcycle dealers may have vehicles from different manufacturers in stock, which would allow you to shop around and compare your options.
• Financing options—Many dealers offer financing options in-house, whether from their own financing facility or from a manufacturer. Dealer and manufacturer loans are generally more flexible, meaning you may be able to negotiate a better deal.
• Manufacturer’s warranty—When you buy a new motorcycle from a dealership, you can still enjoy a manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty will typically cover any major issues for 2 to 3 years or until a certain mileage.
• Trade-in opportunity. Many dealers allow trading in your old motorcycle to reduce the cost of your next purchase.
• Possible upgrades—Dealerships can also make upgrades or modifications to your new motorcycle upon request. If you feel like the bike doesn’t have a particular function, you can always ask the staff to add that component.

Since you can’t buy a motorcycle from a manufacturer, your next best option is to buy it from a dealer.

Disadvantages of Buying a Motorcycle from a Dealership

Here are some potential disadvantages of buying a motorcycle from a dealership:

• Higher prices—Dealerships often charge more for motorcycles than private sellers because they have overhead costs like salaries, building costs, and more.
• Sales pressure—Dealership salespeople often work on commission, which can result in high-pressure sales tactics that may not be in the best interest of the buyer.
• Less room for negotiation—Unlike private sellers, dealerships have set prices and may not be as flexible when it comes to negotiations.
• Upselling of Extras—Dealerships often try to sell additional products such as extended warranties, accessories, or insurance which can inflate the final price of the motorcycle.
• Financing Rates—Dealership-provided financing may sometimes come with higher interest rates compared to bank loans or credit unions. It's crucial to compare the rates before accepting dealership financing.

How to Buy a Motorcycle from a Dealership

Buying a motorcycle from a dealership is easy and convenient and requires no more than nine steps:

• Review your financial situation and determine your budget.
• Choose your preferred motorcycle style based on its intended use - do you need a standard, cruiser, touring, sport, or off-road bike?
• Decide whether you should buy a new or used motorcycle.
• Explore motorcycle dealers selling online and visit your local motorcycle dealerships.
• Shop around to find the appropriate motorcycle for your needs and budget.
• Find out whether you can test ride the motorcycle and arrange a test ride if possible.
• Arrange insurance and apply for motorcycle financing if needed. You can also consider unsecured motorcycle loans which provide another flexible financing option. They aren't tied to your motorcycle and often provide competitive interest rates.
• Complete the sale and sign all the documents.
• Pick up your motorcycle or get it delivered if you shopped online.

Before sealing the deal, make sure to research the reputation and reliability of the dealer of your choice. At the end of the day, dealerships often serve as real communities, and you’ll want to know what you are buying into.

Things to Know Before Buying a Motorcycle from a Dealer

When buying a motorcycle from a dealer, make sure to choose a dealership you can trust, have all the required documentation on hand, and arrange for the bike pick up or delivery.

Is It Safe to Purchase Motorcycles from Dealerships?

Purchasing a motorcycle from a dealer is generally much safer than buying one privately. When working with an authorized dealer, you can be confident that the bike isn’t stolen, has no major hidden faults, and the sale is not fraudulent.

What Documents Are Needed to Buy a Motorcycle?

Surprisingly, buying a motorcycle doesn’t require that many documents: your motorcycle license, proof of insurance, and proof of payment or your financing documents. For registering your new bike, you would also need the bill of sale and the title of the motorcycle.

Can You Get a Motorcycle Delivered to Your House?

You can sometimes get a motorcycle delivered straight to your house. Many dealers offer local delivery, within a specified distance. If you live further away, you would have to arrange and pay for the shipping yourself.

Final Word: Alternatives to Buying a Motorcycle from the Manufacturer

While you really can’t buy a motorcycle directly from the manufacturer, it isn’t the end of the world. Manufacturers sell their products through dealerships, which offer a number of perks like a large selection, convenient financing, and extensive customer service. Alternatively, you can explore dedicated websites or purchase your bike privately.