'AE' Question

[charismaticmegafauna]

I recently heard something in some emails going back-and-forth by a guy who fancies himself as somewhat industry knowledgeable:

Dealers are sitting on tons of FJR autos and can't give them away even at heavily discounted prices.

Since I don't get around much and am kind'a isolated geographically (by choice), I thought I'd throw it out the the Forum (where all the real knowledge resides.... ).

Nothing meant against AEs (actually, I want to test-ride one) -- just looking for opinions/data points.

 

[Ignacio]

Dealers are sitting on tons of FJR autos and can't give them away even at heavily discounted prices.

Let's see...the bike is about 600 pounds....and a ton is 2000 pounds.....so that's like a little over 3 of them.

......Yes, I would bet there are at least 3 AE's on dealer floors.

...and for observation...there are some on floors at sub MSRP I've seen....just like others models in what is a recessionary economy. But, they're not giving any away. I have yet to see one with a $0 price tag.

That was my free expert opinion.

Big whup.

 

[Makuna]

I have yet seen one being sold as the same price you get get the A, thats sort of a trigger point at being able to say STEEPLY discounted.

 

[GGPa]

Mine (an '06 carryover to season start at '08) was discounted enough to get me seriously looking at it. As soon as I saw what the AE option actually did, and tried it out, I was sold. I would have bought it at full price after understanding it.

 

[uctofeej]

I know of one 06 and an 07 still on the floor at two different dealers in my home town. One of them also has a used 06. That being said, I also see a lot of FJRs in town, so I don't know if the two on the floor have any real significance. There's also a dealer who's been trying to sell an 07 AE on ebay. The highest bid has been $11,200, but the reserve hasn't been met, so that would support Iggy's comment that they're not "giving them away."

On a related note, I looked up the NADA and KBB values on a used 07 AE a couple days ago. It was listed at $`13,800 and $12,250, respectively. I'm not sure exactly how they compute those figures, but supposedly it includes actual resale prices, location, new price, historical depreciation rate, among other things.

If you consider dealer sales and personal resales together, it *might* mean salespeople on the floor often blow the sale somehow. Just a theory (and a specious one at that).

Far be it from me to criticize an "expert," but if someone fancies themselves knowledgeable about this industry and still thinks this bike is an "auto," then they really need to do a little more research.

 

[ALz fjr]

I recently heard something in some emails going back-and-forth by a guy who fancies himself as somewhat industry knowledgeable:

Dealers are sitting on tons of FJR autos and can't give them away even at heavily discounted prices.

Since I don't get around much and am kind'a isolated geographically (by choice), I thought I'd throw it out the the Forum (where all the real knowledge resides.... ).

Nothing meant against AEs (actually, I want to test-ride one) -- just looking for opinions/data points.

I bought my 06 AE in June 07 as a left-over for 13,500. And I've noticed here in eastern PA Yamaha dealers mark down AEs to near A price after being on the showroom for X amount of time. My riding buddy Kenny is looking at an 08 AE for 13,800. His R1150 RT burned in a garage fire this spring, and was going to replace it with a K1200 GT. But after riding mine and seeing the price on an 08, I don't think RIDE OF THE VALKERIES is playing quite so loudly in his head

 

[sonicspeed]

so far i have only seen 1 08 AE at a dealership this year. that was 2 days ago and they had only just set it out.

that was in memphis

and it was not heavliy discounted

 

[rushes]

A year or two ago you could get a big discount ona AE. For some reason people jus' passed 'em over...

Now, yur lucky to find either in stock...

At least 'round here...

 

[uctofeej]

so far i have only seen 1 08 AE at a dealership this year. that was 2 days ago and they had only just set it out.that was in memphis

and it was not heavliy discounted

Hey Sonic, was that at Performance Plus? Saw one of each there a few weeks ago. All their beemers were on sale, but not the feejers.

 

[zip]

I've seen brand new, zero mile '07 AE's sell on eBay for less than $11k. I think dealers were really having trouble getting rid of them. Change is difficult, and I think many traditional riders were dubious about the shifting quality and performance of this new technology.

I was seriously considering one before finally deciding on my '05, which better fit within my budget. After reading about the AE, I really thought I'd like one. I'm not an incredibly sporty rider, and my commute is primarily on surface streets with occasionally heavy traffic (and of course no lane sharing.) A clutchless commute would've been comfortable.

Still loving the '05, but my next bike will be an AE, I'm sure of it.

 

[sonicspeed]

so far i have only seen 1 08 AE at a dealership this year. that was 2 days ago and they had only just set it out.that was in memphis

and it was not heavliy discounted

Hey Sonic, was that at Performance Plus? Saw one of each there a few weeks ago. All their beemers were on sale, but not the feejers.

yea it was