Any Honda April Offer Predictions?

[dubhe]

I'm going to buy a new TA soon, probably in May. Anybody bought new recently? Any idea how far in advance I would need to place an order at my local dealer?

Also, I see they currently offer heated grips and top box, but only until 31 March, this being their 'winter offer', any ideas what might be offered in April? Not sure if anyone has been following their deals over the years?

Thanks

[jasonbc]

I'm going to buy a new TA soon, probably in May. Anybody bought new recently? Any idea how far in advance I would need to place an order at my local dealer?

Also, I see they currently offer heated grips and top box, but only until 31 March, this being their 'winter offer', any ideas what might be offered in April? Not sure if anyone has been following their deals over the years?

Thanks

Might be worth going to see a dealer now we've just changed registrations so dealers may be getting rid of 59 plate demonstrator bikes

[dubhe]

Might be worth going to see a dealer now we've just changed registrations so dealers may be getting rid of 59 plate demonstrator bikes

Thanks, but going to go for brand new 10 plate. Had an ex-demo VFR and always felt it was 'used'...

[jasonbc]

Thanks, but going to go for brand new 10 plate. Had an ex-demo VFR and always felt it was 'used'...

does it really make that much difference

[Redsoul]

does it really make that much difference

I have just bought a transalp on a 10 plate and yep it makes all the difference.

[dubhe]

does it really make that much difference

To me, yes. Anyway, back to the question, lead time and offers

[ABC]

To me, yes. Anyway, back to the question, lead time and offers

You may not want to hear this but the best time to buy an Alp or any new bike is in the winter months for the simple reason that trade is much worse then so incentives are offered frequently in the form of discounts or accessories and dealers are generally more open to bargaining. And similarly the worst time is the spring-summer period when demand is much stronger so there is less need to provide incentives to buyers.

I've bought many new bikes over the years but learned to time it in the Autumn-Winter period for this very reason, the advantage gained is often quite substantial in prices and/or accessory deals. The Alp deal you mentioned is valued at a few hundred quid and so well worth having.

If this expires at the end of March it is unlikely to be extended unless they have trouble selling Alps already in stock. But you can't know that in advance and your dealer is most unlikely to tell you now of deals after March because he wants to sell now. Best idea in my opinion would be to bring forward your purchase by a couple months if possible to fall within March and thus be certain of the deal rather than chance it or something equally valuable still being available after.

[dubhe]

Fair point, but I not able to buy now as in Spain and a bit short of cash, need another couple of pay days

[Twickers]

Probably not what you want to hear, but the offer will expire at the end of March, and they probably won't do other ones, other than maybe certain finance deals.

Honda do seem to have done the 'winter' offer for the last couple of years though - free top box and heated grips, although it's down to the individual dealers. For my own part I took the heated grips and 'traded' the top box (which I wasn't particularly bothered about ) for the low seat option and centre stand, which probably saved the dealer a few quid and gave me more what I wanted.

On the plus side, you could always wait until next year as they'll probably do it again!

[rssenna]

I bought a new 'Alp in 2005 and the offer at the time was free heated hand grips, topbox & touring screen or pannier set, there might have been a 3rd option but can not remember. I have noticed winter deals in following years but it seems now just 1 option is offered this year heated hand grips and topbox.