Extra fees + Motorcycle License: 2 questions

[DallasTampa]

So being that I am saving for a Buddy, I figure to have the $2695 as quoted by the dealership when it arrives in a month or so.

Question 1: I want to call and ask about the extra fees. He listed some variables in the mentioned quote (shipping, tax, blah, blah) but I want to be prepared. I don't want to get down there and then find out I was $300 short because I didn't ask/think about __________. Can I get the extra fees (not amounts necessarily, just what they are) you guys had to pay?

Question 2: I don't have my motorcycle license yet, so I am assuming that I wouldn't get to test ride it at the dealership, correct? I do understand that I would have to put it in my truck to bring it home, which is understandable. But I was really hoping to have it to take the license with. I have no idea what the process for getting a motorcycle license is (And I know it varies state by state, commonalities are cool....but I live in FL, btw) and would love any advice you all have.

Thanks! =)

[shmelty]

You should go and get your motorcycle permit now. Then when you pick up your buddy you can ride it home! Ride it for a couple months and go get your license.

[chancerbeans13]

The dealer I bought mine from said they were $2599. By the time I paid tax, tag, title, delivery and prep fees, it came out to $3278. Stupid fees. (I did get them to throw in a free windshield though. Bonus for me) You will also need a helmet. Also, one VERY IMPORTANT piece of info, Starting July 1, the State of Florida will no longer test for motorcycle endorsements!!!!! If you have not already taken your written AND skills test at the DMV, you will be required to take the MSF course. (which costs $200+ in the Jacksonville area. It is definitely worth it, but I'm not sure 1.5 days on a bike (wearing boots, long pants, jacket, gloves, and helmet) in 90+ degree heat is going to be the funnest thing.) And since you are getting you Buddy soon, I don't think you want to wait until the fall to take the course....

P.S. I took the written exam yesterday and passed, now practice for a week and then to the skills test. Make sure you study the intersection parts of the manual VERY well. These questions are tricky.

Good luck!!![/b]

[kilted texan]

Question 1: I want to call and ask about the extra fees. He listed some variables in the mentioned quote (shipping, tax, blah, blah) but I want to be prepared. I don't want to get down there and then find out I was $300 short because I didn't ask/think about __________. Can I get the extra fees (not amounts necessarily, just what they are) you guys had to pay?

Yes, call them back & ask what the "out the door price is". They should not have a problem with this because it is a normal fee they charge for every new scooter they sell.

Question 2: I don't have my motorcycle license yet, so I am assuming that I wouldn't get to test ride it at the dealership, correct? I do understand that I would have to put it in my truck to bring it home, which is understandable. But I was really hoping to have it to take the license with. I have no idea what the process for getting a motorcycle license is (And I know it varies state by state, commonalities are cool....but I live in FL, btw) and would love any advice you all have.

Look up see where a MSF course is being taught in your area. It will be the best thing you can do if you are new to the 2-wheeled world. Be safe.

Ride true & scoot fast.

[jfrost2]

What the dealer quotes is the MSRP, expect to pay 300-400 dollars more because of tax, title, and prep/delivery.

[jmazza]

Yes, get a manual and get your permit. It's good for three months and can be renewed two times. The test does have some tricky questions on it but it's not bad at all.

You can download the Florida Motorcycle book here: http://www.lowestpricetrafficschool.com/handbooks/

Also download this MSF Scooter Tips book (direct link to the pdf download):
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Scoote ... screen.pdf

I found it was very helpful in the written test too.

Starting July 1, the State of Florida will no longer test for motorcycle endorsements!!!!!

chancerbeans13, you're not the first person to say this here but can you tell me where you get this info? There's still nothing about it on the Florida website. And while FL is known for making boneheaded decisions, REQUIRING a $275 course to get a license will obviously only result in more unlicensed riders unless they plan to subsidize the course.

[Dooglas]

Question 1: I want to call and ask about the extra fees. He listed some variables in the mentioned quote (shipping, tax, blah, blah) but I want to be prepared. I don't want to get down there and then find out I was $300 short because I didn't ask/think about __________. Can I get the extra fees (not amounts necessarily, just what they are) you guys had to pay?

Fees beyond the MSRP aren't really variables and your dealer can tell you what they are right now. The dealer charges you shipping and prep for the scooter - that would typically be about $300. In most states, sales tax is charged on the scoot - another known quantity depending on your state. In some states you pay the license and title fee to the dealer, in others you can go to DMV yourself - same difference in terms of cost. Those things together are the usual out the door costs that kilted texan mentioned.

Your state probably also charges a fee for a motorcycle endorsement on your license (the MSF course would be a real good idea and is a way to get your endorsement in most states). You will need to pay for the first installment of insurance on your scoot, and then there is safety gear. Sometimes the dealer will include a helmet with the scoot as a bonus. Doesn't hurt to ask.

[EP_scoot]

DallasTampa,
you should just ask the dealer for a written quote on the out the door price so you can plan for it. They should be able to do that in 2 minutes. It is not like the fees changes from day to day like the price of gas. That way you know exactly how much $ you need, rather than guessing based on what the rest of us paid.

[ericalm]

Question 1: I want to call and ask about the extra fees. He listed some variables in the mentioned quote (shipping, tax, blah, blah) but I want to be prepared. I don't want to get down there and then find out I was $300 short because I didn't ask/think about __________. Can I get the extra fees (not amounts necessarily, just what they are) you guys had to pay?

Fees beyond the MSRP aren't really variables and your dealer can tell you what they are right now. The dealer charges you shipping and prep for the scooter - that would typically be about $300.

They're somewhat variable, in that shipping charges are going up (up, up). This gets passed on to the dealer and then onto you. I think some dealers who may have waived such charges at one time will no longer be able to do so.

[ryder1]

Also, one VERY IMPORTANT piece of info, Starting July 1, the State of Florida will no longer test for motorcycle endorsements!!!!! If you have not already taken your written AND skills test at the DMV, you will be required to take the MSF course. (which costs $200+ in the Jacksonville area.[/b]

Is the mandatory MSF for everyone regardless of age OR for those who are under 21 yrs of age?

http://www.motorcycles.hsmv.state.fl.us/safety2.cfm
Completion of this course is required for anyone under 21 years old who applies for a motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle only license. The course is voluntary for anyone 21 and older. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates are exempt from further testing at a driver license office and may be entitled to insurance premium discounts through participating insurance companies.

[jmazza]

Also, one VERY IMPORTANT piece of info, Starting July 1, the State of Florida will no longer test for motorcycle endorsements!!!!! If you have not already taken your written AND skills test at the DMV, you will be required to take the MSF course. (which costs $200+ in the Jacksonville area.[/b]

Is the mandatory MSF for everyone regardless of age OR for those who are under 21 yrs of age?

http://www.motorcycles.hsmv.state.fl.us/safety2.cfm
Completion of this course is required for anyone under 21 years old who applies for a motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle only license. The course is voluntary for anyone 21 and older. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates are exempt from further testing at a driver license office and may be entitled to insurance premium discounts through participating insurance companies.

ryder1 that's what I'm wondering- the MSF has been mandatory for those under 21 for a while now. But there's been two mentions of this new mandatory MSF course thing in FL here on the board.

I love the idea, but think it's a little nuts to ask people to pay $275 to get a motorcycle license.

[paige]

I don't think it nuts at all. If drivers licenses were harder to get and required a course of study, I think we would all be better off. I really admire the European program of tiered licensing, where you have to qualify to ride a bigger bike in successive rounds of time and experience. You can't be a sixteen year old on a Hayabusa there.

As an aside, it sounds like all of Floridas motorcycle laws are convoluted and contradictory.

[MikieTaps]

On the topic of the OTD price, when I got mine, we sat down, and my salesman flipped open a binder, and had OTD prices on an excel sheet for every bike at the dealership. It should be pretty standardized…

[jmazza]

I don't think it nuts at all. If drivers licenses were harder to get and required a course of study, I think we would all be better off. I really admire the European program of tiered licensing, where you have to qualify to ride a bigger bike in successive rounds of time and experience. You can't be a sixteen year old on a Hayabusa there.

As an aside, it sounds like all of Floridas motorcycle laws are convoluted and contradictory.

If licenses were harder and more expensive top obtain it would also dramatically increase the number of unlicensed riders, making it more dangerous for all of us. I have not as much of a problem with requiring the instruction, it's the cost I think is a bit much to require. There is already a course of study required... passing a test requires it. That's why I'm curious about this supposed change in the laws.

I agree that I'd love to see more trained riders, but I don't agree that requiring the MSF course will accomplish that.

[Perkussion]

I bought my Buddy 125 @ Pensacola Motorsports in... uh...
Pensacola, FL a few weeks ago.

The only reason I got one was because they held a $300 check as a
down payment and the color I chose was indeed on the next truck.
There was no ordering of color. They (you) take what is delivered or you
wait and hope that your color choice is in the next shipment.
Pink might be a different deal though.

Here's a rundown taken from the sales receipt:
Buddy 125: $2,599
Windscreen and Black Rear Rack: $143.06 (installed by them no charge)
Subtotal $2742.06

Freight: $199
Assembly & Prep $169
Tire Surcharge $2.00
Subtotal $3,112.06
Tax $207.42
Settlement & Closing Fees $129

(Freight, Assembly, Settlement & Closing Fees amounts are printed on the form
so those prices are charged to every customer, every purchase it seems).

Buddy 125 Out The Door Total $3,448.48

Extras (all with 15% discount)
Helmet: $110
A strap-type thing that attaches to the handlebars and holds the scooter
upright in the back of my pickup. Forget what they call it: $42
It works great by the way.
Scooter didn't budge on the 38 mile trip home. I highly recommend it if
you have a pickup. You'll need it to take it in for future service.

Hope this helps.
By the way -I am thrilled with my purchase. Even if gas dropped to $2.00

I've now got the bug. I'm a scooter boy for life!

[Perkussion]

Starting July 1, the State of Florida will no longer test for motorcycle endorsements!!!!!

chancerbeans13, you're not the first person to say this here but can you tell me where you get this info? quote]

I took my Florida MC written test a few weeks ago and the lady behind the desk told
me that if I wanted to take the road course test that I had better sign up
for it very soon because as of June 30th they will no longer offer it.

Straight from the horses mouth as they say.....

[BuddyLove]

the extra fees here in Minnesota are:
Tax (6.5% of total bike cost)
title fee
document fee
registration
License fee
service (prep...setting up the bike)
and fright. Ends up being about $300 more than the MSRP.