About to pull the trigger - some final questions

[BonesDT]

Just did a test drive - everything awesome. I'm about to pull the trigger on a rock bottom 2014 RS SM5, which supposedly takes 2-3 weeks to order.

What's the invoice price? MSRP of the '14 is $14,899. I got an initial quote of $13,999 + $695 freight, but the sheet says "2013", the dealer said he had to do it this way in the computer, but the price will be the same for the '14. However, I just remembered they significantly reduced the price of the base model RS in '14. The MSRP of the '13 RS SM5 was $16,699, so it wasn't clear if this was factored in. I'm wondering if the '14 is entered in the computer, it will get a similar $2,700 drop off the MSRP to $12,199.

In other words, what's a good price/percentage below MSRP?

Also, what's the final verdict of the necessity of this laser alignment. I read a bunch about it and some people say it's practically mandatory to do a laser alignment ASAP. The dealer poo-poo'ed this, said he never heard of it being important (he's owned a few Spyders in the past). Also, this dealer does not have laser alignments (they are a "Platinum" level certified dealer).

[ARtraveler]

You are probably not going to find deep discounts on any new 2014 RT. They are currently "hot" in a good way, and we hear of people posting daily about their new 2014. You might want to check price with another dealer or two. HOWEVER, I am one who lets the final price be secondary, and service after the sale be primary.

RE: the alignment. Pro active dealers should check them out and fix if the machines are not in factory spec. It seems that most are not. If the dealer does not have the laser set up--then find someone who does. You don't say where you are from, so can't help there.

The freight and any set up should be negotiable. But don't expect miracles.

Good luck on your purchase. We will expect the mandatory pictures when you post about the purchase.

[ulflyer]

You are probably not going to find deep discounts on any new 2014 RT. They are currently "hot" in a good way, and we hear of people posting daily about their new 2014. You might want to check price with another dealer or two. HOWEVER, I am one who lets the final price be secondary, and service after the sale be primary.

RE: the alignment. Pro active dealers should check them out and fix if the machines are not in factory spec. It seems that most are not. If the dealer does not have the laser set up--then find someone who does. You don't say where you are from, so can't help there.

The freight and any set up should be negotiable. But don't expect miracles.


Good luck on your purchase. We will expect the mandatory pictures when you post about the purchase.

I believe he's looking at the RS rather than RT. Good point on laser tho; get that factored in if you can. I think most are not in true alignment from the factory, no matter what dealers say.

[Bob Denman]

If you think that you're buying a 2014; and the paperwork is saying "2013"... I'd be VERY nervous.

[Dragonrider]

I agree with Bob - check the VIN number and build date on the bike before you accept it. Checking with another reasonably nearby dealer (even if you don't want to deal with them), may indicate whither this is a "bait & switch".

Nothing would anger me more than to get the title in the mail and have it show my new ride to be a 2013!!! "Let the buyer beware"

[ARtraveler]

I believe he's looking at the RS rather than RT. Good point on laser tho; get that factored in if you can. I think most are not in true alignment from the factory, no matter what dealers say.

My bad--I missed that one.

[ARtraveler]

If you think that you're buying a 2014; and the paperwork is saying "2013"... I'd be VERY nervous.

Make double sure that the dealer is not trying to sell a 2013 for a 2014. Make sure you get the 2014 part in writing. If the dealer is pulling a switcheroo, we would sure like to know who it is so that we can warn other potential customers away. A dealer like that deserves to lose all their business.

[spyder-dude]

Shop around....I have never paid freight or prep fees for any of my 4 spyders and refuse to. Not sure where you are located as your profile doesnt say but if you check with maybe the dealers that are within 200 miles of you then you will typically find one that is more agressive than the other. My 2014 RTS I bought from NC and saved $7000 when trading in my 2013 STS compared to the 3 dealers within 2 hours of my home in Virginia. Well worth the little over 3 hour drive.

[billrob71]

Is say if there ordering it for ya get it in writing that it is a 14 and that if it is not your deposit is refundable !

Even the RS 's have the vents on the side so it be easy to pick out , ask if they can get the vin of the bike 10th digit will tells ya the year

[NancysToy]

This sounds mighty fishy. I would never accept "forged" documents saying a vehicle is something other than represented. I think the dealer is up to something hinky! I would bide my time and look elsewhere, unless I could inspect the vehicle beforehand and the paperwork matched the vehicle info. JMHO

[BonesDT]

Just to clarify, I don't think there's any funny business going on with the year. This wasn't a final build sheet. This was an initial quote. He said it was easier for him to crunch the numbers quickly since he had a '13 already on the floor and in his system. I guess he would have had to start entering ordering information for the '14. He understood I would be ordering a '14 from the factory.

Just want to get an idea on what a good price would be for a $14,899 spyder.


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[BonesDT]

Oh, and I'm from Westchester County NY


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[Hammertime]

that price looks right -- bought the wife a 2014 RS SM5 for Valentines Day --(I hate flowers) -- seems like the standard price in this area(northern Illinois) although I did shop around via internet and did find some dealers selling for up to 3k more -- think there was a rebate also(1k) when I bought hers(Feb "14") she loves the trike ( she wanted to drive and I wasnt gonna ride on the back of my RT!!)

[Bob Denman]

Oh, and I'm from Westchester County NY

Sullivan County here!!

Come up to Harriman, and take 17 West to exit 100 (Liberty)
Rte 55 East to Grahamsville... 13.2 miles

[BonesDT]

Any more thoughts on the laser alignment? I definitely don't want any problems at highway speeds.

The closer dealer (Stamford Motorsports, CT) that I did the test drive with does not have laser alignments. Dutchess Recreational Vehicles, Poughkeepsie, NY, which is a little further, is giving me slightly better prices (at least over the phone). They DO have laser alignments for about $150-200. Stamford told me it takes 3-weeks to order while Dutchess says 1-week. Obviously, all of this talk I just take with a grain of salt.

I know a lot of you have said to just go with dealer that will offer you better service. Not sure how that works, since I'll probably have to pay out of pocket for services and what difference does it make where the purchase originated? I can't really get a feel anyway about the service departments other than one has laser alignments the other doesn't. The few reviews online complain about the exorbitant fees at both service depts.

I'm looking to pull the trigger on Saturday. Is there any advantage to buy the Spyder at the place where you plan to go for laser alignments in the future? Should I get a laser alignment immediately before riding it home? Should I haggle the initial laser alignment as a free-b?

[Bob Ledford]

Any more thoughts on the laser alignment? Should I get a laser alignment immediately before riding it home? Should I haggle the initial laser alignment as a free-b?

Your new machine should be PERFECT when you take ownership of it. If it is less then PERFECT condition I would not accept it until a mutual agreement in writing is in your hot hands.

There is nothing magic about laser type alignment. It is the simplistic method used to construct the device and the ZERO tolerance for fit and training the ROLO Outlaw folks seem to instill during training that makes it appear as MAGIC. I havE beeN to their facility and Mike has a no nonsense attitude about his pet project and everything he does......

[daveinva]

There is nothing wrong with a misaligned Spyder. Most everyone here at Spyderlovers had misaligned bikes and didn't even know it, didn't stop them from smiling. Heck, my RS was terribly misaligned for years and I never even knew it.

Of course, once I *did* get a laser alignment, the thing was like an entirely new bike, and a joy to handle.

So, bottom line: yes, it DOES make a difference, but NO, it's not something that I would consider a dealbreaker in a purchase, let alone an actual safety hazard. If the dealer isn't prepped to do it, no biggie-- you just may want to get it done in a year or two on your own, just to be sure.

I'd just do this: when you actually go to sign your paperwork, take the opportunity to talk to the mechanic(s) that will be doing your Spyder setup. Most Spyder problems show up in the first few hundred miles from improper setup-- dealers cut corners, or you just get a "Friday bike"; people are human, mistakes happen. Have the mechanics explain to you what is entailed in setting up the Spyder once they get it from the crate-- have them walk you through everything, step by step. If they're a good dealer, they'll be happy to talk this over with a new customer.

(BTW-- I just noticed this was my 1,330 post; guess I need a 2014 RT now, eh?