Dealing on a leftover 02 CR250

I can show you my invoice from Service Honda where I paid $1,872 for my son's XR100. He is trying to get you on that one also. I wouldn't even waste my time with him. I would politely tell him you are looking at another Honda dealer where you can buy an 03 CR for $5,000 out the door and the XR for $1,900 and tell him if he can beat those prices we'll talk, otherwise thanks for you help, but I will pass. Tell him you have no intention of paying anywhere near $5,000 for an almost 2 year old bike that will lose 2k in value the minute you leave the dealership.

Hey trout,check this out! Im about to buy my 03'kx250 from them.
http://www.motorcycle-brokers.com/index.html

Personally, I would purchase a KX or YZ for off-road use. I had a '00 CR250 that was completely off-road converted. The '00 has even more bottom-end then the '02 has. My KX has made a much better off-road bike with a whole lot less work then CR required. The YZ is also a good platform to work from as well for a off-road weapon, too. I personally chose the KX because of its violent power delivery down low. Very enjoyable and easy to woods ride. As for deals, Kawasaki has a $900 dollar dealer rebate on the '03 KX250 and 3.9% financing for 3 years too. I wouldn't be suprised if you could purchase one for $4500 out the door, tax included! Reliablity is great, the hardware is good, and some of the ideas and engineering on the bike is very well thought out. I'm not saying CR's are bad bikes, just some bikes are way easier and cheaper to convert to off-road weapons then others are.

I'm also assuming since your intrested in doing hare scrambles and possibly some enduros that you have already found the SETRA website. SETRA has some really fun enduros. Join a club and it gets even better! (I do all the ECEA enduros and the occasional SETRA)

Oh yea, I sell bikes for a living. Bikes are not cars, and buying them is a little different. At least thats how I treat it. These are toys and are supposed to be fun to buy, not a chore like cars. Hey, Cost is cost! Dealer cost on a KX is about $5100 (U.S. cost, not Canada). Unless there is a dealer rebate you are not getting it for below cost! Shops don't stay in business selling for less then what they paided. Cycle shops are also not charities, so don't go on about getting a 'free' helmet thrown in for purchasing two bikes (two bikes at cost non-the-less). Sales tax is sales tax. The dealer just collects it and hands it over. IMO, just find a nice shop with a good in stock parts supply and knowledgeable people. When your loyal to a shop you can get discounts on accessories and such (I learned that when I was kid even). The BEST price isn't always the BEST deal.  Can't blame a business for trying to make a buck, you don't survive on hand outs alone.  Oh yea, our shop has no leftovers and no full size MXer's either.  We have a loyal following since we take care of our customers when they buy the bike and need the parts.

do a search on the jetting, there's tons of info on here.  If you spend a bit of time, you should be able to get an idea of ballpark jetting for your elevation.  The  jetting isn't really that big of a deal with all of the great help here on DRN.  To start out, you will want a 25 or 27.5 pilot jet.  Some of these bikes tend to foul plugs, especially when the jetting is rich.  Bring an extra plug or two along when you go riding, or you may be disappointed.

The other area needing attention on the bike is the airbox.  Stock, it can suck dirt right into the engine.  Avoid riding in dusty or loose dirt conditions until you address this issue.  MX-Bonz makes an excellent kit for this, well worth the money and time involved.

Overall, the CR is a great bike and I know you will love it.

Lissa hit the nail right on the head. Buying a dirt bike is not as complicated as for instance launching the space shuttle.,and should be fun.
The profit margin on motocross bikes is very narrow,and the invoice does reflect what the dealer paid.Dealers get 'holdback' money for bikes they sell,but it isn't much.On really slow moving units they may get an additional incentive,but again,not much of one with off-road bikes.They also have to pay interest on the bikes every month they have it sitting there unsold.
The dealers service,attitude of the employees,and standing behind their products is more important to me than a few bucks.
If I wanted to pick a bad investment,I'd go for paying 5000 bucks for the CHANCE to make 500-800,and that would be if I sold what I invested in for list! Factor in having to pay interest on the 5000,because I borrowed the money for the investment,and it doesn't look too hot,does it?
A buyer isn't getting screwed even if they pay list for a bike,even when they're buying more than one bike.Sure,take advantage of a good price.but don't think paying list or close to it is getting hosed.
Do watch out for freight and set-up fees,I think anything more than a hundred is too much for a dirt bike.
Enjoy your new bikes.You did well,and is anything prettier than a new dirt bike? Doug

It sounds like you bought the bike. Please try to ignore all the friends that now tell you...."Oh , you should have said something, My (insert relative) works at (insert shop) and could have saved you (insert dollar figure).

Some deals are great, some are not as good. The extra day spent riding instead of worrying about the price is yours forever. Enjoy it.

I agree, once the deal is done....don't listen to the nay sayers or the after-the-fact experts...ENJOY it.