Welcome to WhatBike?

Get even more bang for your buck with these sizzling-hot end-of-year deals

Welcome to WhatBike

It might not feel like it, but it’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a new bike. Yes, the temperature is dropping, and salty roads are looming over the horizon – but now is the time when manufacturers and dealers get nervous about shifting bikes, and have new models waiting in the wings. It’s time to do a deal. And to get you started, we’ve got a selection of hot deals from Honda, Kawasaki, Triumph, Suzuki and Ducati to tempt you into your local dealer for a test ride. Many of the deals are on PCP, but we also have some HP gems, and some cracking manufacturer contributions to bling your new ride – or riding wardrobe – to the max. 

Dealers are keen to shift 2024 stocks

Dealers are keen to shift 2024 stocks

So what’s the deal with PCP? 

The overall outlay is less with PCP, just as long as you don’t pay the final settlement figure, so with a bit of careful budgeting the repayments aren’t too severe. And you could have another bike in two or three years’ time, possibly without increasing your monthly outlay, or having to find a fresh deposit. The system works by letting you pay for the depreciation (plus interest), rather than the full retail price. Add in a deposit, and you’re only paying back a small chunk of the bike’s value, which is why the monthly figures are so attractive. At the end of the period, you don’t own anything. You have to decide whether to pay off the outstanding amount and keep the bike, give the bike back and walk away owing, and owning, nothing, or roll your PCP deal on to a new one. There are pitfalls, so do your homework and make sure it’s the right route to a new bike for you.

The dealer’s happy, you’re happy. It’s a win-win time of year to buy a new bike

The dealer’s happy, you’re happy. It’s a win-win time of year to buy a new bike

What about Hire Purchase?

If you want a bit of security with your purchase, and you’re comfortable with the bike belonging to the finance company until you’ve paid off the whole contract, then you could go with a good old-fashioned Hire Purchase contract. The benefit is that you can buy the motorcycle you want while spreading the cost over a period that makes it more affordable over time.

After paying an initial deposit you can ride away on your new pride and joy, on the strict agreement that you’ll continue to pay the remaining instalments to the end of the agreed HP term. Once you’ve made all the payments the motorcycle is yours. Simple.

Is a personal loan better?

A standard bank loan means you own the machine immediately, and the cost of the loan might be cheaper than an HP or PCP deal – although 0% finance offers are unbeatable! If you want to own your motorcycle outright from the start, and you want fixed, regular payments – then this could be your best route to a new machine.

Jon Urry, your buying guru

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MCN

By MCN