Are these prices real?

[motordude]

Hello all,
just checked out this website www.meccanica.4-all.org

Are these prices for real, or are there hidden extras? Can you get a BMW F650 for just over 4K in the US?

As a foreigner (Norway) what is required to own and register a bike in the US? What about insurance?


regards

John

[Riq]

John
I don't know what the rules are for registering in the U.S. however the price sounds right. In Canada they list for around $10,800.00 which is around $9,500.00 U.S.

In addition we have a 7% sales tax but you should be able to bring the dealer down that much.

cheers
Rick

[AnderZen]

Wow, I would like to know that as well - as a dane these prices seems like from a bikers fairytale. Prices are considerably lower than the ones I´ve seen quoted elsewhere on US websites.

[mmclaughlin]

I would be a little concerned. Their website lists a 2006 R 1150 GS for just under CAD$9000 (Less than US$8000). The manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) as just under US$16000. They list fhe F650 at CAD$4100 (about US$3600) when MSPR is US$7500. From what I understand of dealer pricing, I don't think dealers can even find prices this low. These prices are literally 1/2 price. My big concern, however, is the information they do not provide. The say on the "home" page that they have been in business for 40 years. The say on the "about" page that they have been in the industry for 20 years. They have pictures of a showroom and staff. They have a testemonial from someone who says he will later be heading down to buy accessories. They list store hours, but they do not list an address. They say do not hesitate to call, but they do not list a phone number. Who cares about store hours if you don't know where they are and can't call? They say they will ship to many places, but they don't list even approximate prices for the more popular areas that they may ship to.

I did a google search for "moto meccanica" and came up with two businesses in California (USA), but nothing for this one in Canada (and I can only say Canada because .ca is the Canadian domain name extension). Granted, I only browsed the first 50 results, but if you are this big and this successful, shouldn't you be easier to find a reference to? If the prices are legit, they must be one of BMW's largest volume dealerships on the planet to be able to buy bikes and get enough factory incentives to stay profitable. If they are so big, how come they are so hard to find out info on?

The prices seem too good to be true, and they have no real information about themselves. I would contact the Canadian Council of Better Business Bereaus www.canadiancouncilbbb.ca before really considering it. If they check out (and you can get a physical address), check further and try contacting one of the Horiozon's Unlimited communities wherever this company is and have someone walk in there for you, and see if they are legitimate and if the prices are real.

If everything checks out, let us all know, because you could finance your whole trip by buying bikes from this company and selling them in some local newspaper.

Matthew

[Grant Johnson]

Originally posted by petesonhisway:
Fake!

Among other things, it is all hosted on web servers in the Netherlands.

Pete

where the site is hosted is irrelevant - BUT - I see NO info anywhere that says it's Canadian - or anywhere else! There IS NO REAL information anywhere.

someone please contact them and report back - but I tend to think it's too good to be true...

Do be aware that there are some nasty scams on bike sales over the net...

Grant

[Bill Ryder]

I work in a dealership and we a constantly hearing about really good deals. Like the tires realy cheap with free freight .....but $30.00 handling charge per tire. To answer one of the questions first asked, how easy is it for a foreigner to buy and register a bike in the US. An international license and a US address (anybody can let you use their address) and you can buy a bike and insurance in montana USA. And the plate is permanet as long as you own the same bike.

[Cinquegrana]

I sent them an email yesterday (Jan 29, 06) and haven't heard back from them. As soon as I do I will post here.

[motordude]

Hello all,
I sent an email to BMW in Germany asking whether this company is known to them. This is the reply I got:

"Thank you for your e-mail and the interest you express in the BMW range
of motorcycles.

Unfortunately we have to disappoint you. We are not familiar with the
company moto meccanica. For this reason we are not in a position to give
you any further informations on this topic. We appreciate your patience.

Kind Regards,
BMW Motorrad Direct"

I would assume that BMW have lists of all their dealers worldwide, so this sounds iffy.

regards

John

[Bill Holland]

The Canadian site muiana.ca (right-click over the 'submit info' button on the 'contact us' page and select 'page info', then select 'links') was only registered on 19th Jan 06, and if you do a who-is for Muiana.ca it gives a name and yahoo email address - try emailing that person to find out the validity of their claims

[Cinquegrana]

Well, here's the response I received a few minutes ago:

"Hello,

My name is Frank Conner and I am the Sales Representative for the motos & quads
compartment.

The final price with shipping and all taxes would be :

-4519 USD - 2006 Kawasaki KLR650 - 0 KM

The shipping is made using international express freight. The time of arrival is
guaranteed to be between 3-5 days.

The moto is a brand new model with a 5 days returning policy and a 2 years full
warranty. The order complies with your local legislation and can be registered without any
problems.

The order is provided with complete documentation both in english and also
your official language.

The payment is made C.O.D ( cash on delivery ) but a 700 USD advance which
represent the shipping charges from the assembley line in Japan are required.

This advance can be paid using :

- credit cards ( Visa and MasterCard )
- bank account transfer
- postal money orders drawn in USD
- bank money orders drawn in USD
- cashier cheques drawn in USD
- e-gold

Best wishes,
Frank Conner
Moto Meccanica
www.meccanica.4-all.org

> (Cinqueg@hotmail.com) on Sunday, January 29, 2006 at 23:34:25
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> your_name: Giampaulo Cinquegrana
>
> phone: 845-667-9300
>
> through: Go
>
> comments: I am interested in ourchasing a KLR650, can someone call me and
> give me some more information?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Giampaulo
> New York
>--------------------------------

I don't understand why they wouldn't list a phone number. In any case, it looks like if I send them U$S 700 then I should expect a KLR at my door step in a few days, right? I guess at that moment I pay them the rest of the money and the bike is mine.... hmmm, kinda fishy.

Ok, I am going to reply to their emal and ask them who the shipping company is and how do I know I will receive a motorcycle. Can you guys think of anything else I should ask them?

Let me know,

John

[AnderZen]

Yeah, I got the same reply. Only I asked for a Yamaha XT 225 - listed at 3655 on top of this comes "shipping" at 700 so you end up with 4355 US - more than the MSRP (4150) at Yamaha-motor.com

Also asked them for an adress but they didn´t reply to that.

[Eduard]

This smells like scam, if something sounds too good to be true, it mostly isn´t going to happen.
A BMW for half the price, new? Nice dream...but I´m not sending any money...
Who wants to try?Let us know how it went...

[Cinquegrana]

I'm obviously not going to send the 700 bucks unless I know for sure I will receive the bike.

What if we all put in some money and have a bike sent to Grant and see if he gets it??? I can just see it now, Grant gets a knock on the door and two big guys called Vinny and Gumba with a brand new BMW..... : Uhhh, sir, you gotsa to pay us 5 smackaroos for dis new bike or we breaka yuu legs... hahahah

[Ben R]

Just offer to pick up the bike and pay cash in person.If they are for real, they will send an address and accept your cash. If not you will get the run around,ask were their show room is located.It sure looked good on the web page.If the prices were real I would drive a bit to buy a bike.

Ben

[Chris of Japan]

Originally posted by Cinquegrana:


-4519 USD - 2006 Kawasaki KLR650 - 0 KM
The payment is made C.O.D ( cash on delivery ) but a 700 USD advance which represent the shipping charges from the assembley line in Japan are required.
>

The KLR is made in Thailand, not Japan. Kawasaki moved the assembly line there a couple years ago (my '04 says Made in Thailand)
Also, I doubt that any dealer gets biked directly from the factory overseas. They should come from a distributor (Kawasaki USA, etc.) in the country where it is sold.
3-5 days from order to delivery seems pretty fast when you are getting a bike made half 'way round the world.
If this is real, I'd like to know their shipper who can get a bike from Japan to anyplace in less than a week for $700!!