It was a two-step process: placed a presale order at substantial discount versus projected retail then, as the years passed and bikes trickled out, they offered an ultralight upgrade at added cost so I opted in with a second payment. Retail on my configuration now, when they're taking orders, is US $4,500 and making a third payment to reach that mark seems to be the only way to get a bike. Lacking that, I'm in refund limbo with quite a few others.