merlin427

If you're getting a great deal (and the bike is not due to change this year) then i would also go for it but the only saving you mention is the VAT which is not really that fantastic (<£200 if I've done my sums right). When I bought my SV (way back in 2001) I got it for £4000 when list was about £5400 IIRC, I had a 2000 model rather than 2001 (which I actually prefered - Black wheels), I also managed to get it registered in March 2001 on a Y and the dealer didn't deliver it until end of Feb so I didn't have to keep going to my garage to look at it! I don't think this will work in your case as it probably needs to be registered now to qualify for the VAT.

I've bought most of my bikes either late or early in the year due to prices being better. This doesn't work out quite as good if you are also off-loading a bike as the price will be down on that. And if you are buying from a dealer the want the advantage to them on both deals. I bought my current bike in in January this year, it was second hand, 4 months old 1200 mls. I saved about £1600 on the original price BUT the guy had put about £800 worth of extras on. Just a couple of weeks later Honda hiked the price £1000 followed by further rises during the year.

One problem with this is supply seems to dry up this time of year, I'm still looking for an SV1000 but very few for sale at the moment.

So in short (sorry I've gone on a bit), I don't have a problem buying a bike this time of year IF I'm getting a good deal and that should be the case on a 2009 bike, let's face it the only reason that is still on the showroom floor is because no-one bought it during the time it was intended for sale.