What's this? Cheeper bikes in the USA?

[man5]

I'm searching around for a Harley. It looks like Harley bikes are couple to few grands cheeper down in the US, as oppose to here in Canada. Used and New. Now I may have hope of paying one in cash, instead of financing it. I do have a friend of mine that's actually Native, and both USA and Canadian Nationality. And since he doesn't pay taxes, it'd be a little cheeper to ask him to get it? Besides, I think he may have some contacts.

Anyways, how come things are cheeper right now in the US? Cause of the economy? I assume it'd be a wise choice to get it from the US? Would Insuring it be any problem over here?

[Brackstone]

It's because America is better than Canada!

Wooooooo! Go America!!

In all seriousness I think our Dollar is just stronger than yours. Either that or it's because the Bikes are made here and then sent over to you so you have to pay whatever import tax Canada imposes on that.

[Gummiente]

In all seriousness I think our Dollar is just stronger than yours.

Dollars were at par again earlier today and the word is the CDN dollar will surpass the US dollar and stay there for quite some time.

But man5, as Brackstone said the bikes are imported into Canada and the taxes, duties and costs of doing so are passed on to the consumer. Be aware that Harley will not honour warranties on new bikes purchased in the US and brought to Canada (neither will BMW, Ducati and most other manufacturers, either) and that you may have to modify a used US bike to Canadian specs in order to bring it across the border, depending on the year of manufacture. Also, while your friend may be able to purchase a bike on your behalf sans taxes, you will still have to pay them upon registering the bike.

And the word is "cheap", not "cheep". Cheeping is what little birdies do.

[Flesher]

Gotta give HD credit, last time the CDN $ edged up past the US $, Harley was one of the first (and few) to adjust prices in response to the growing unrest over the prices for big ticket items in Canada vs. the US for the same products. Perhaps Harley will do so once again.

[High_Side]

Gotta give HD credit, last time the CDN $ edged up past the US $, Harley was one of the first (and few) to adjust prices in response to the growing unrest over the prices for big ticket items in Canada vs. the US for the same products. Perhaps Harley will do so once again.

Agreed. And I would discuss this with your dealer before buying the the US, as there may be some equalization type of incentives in the near future. They likely won't be totally equal but should be closer. As Flesher said, HD is really the only manufacturer who stayed on top of this the last time the dollars were at par and should be given credit for doing so. (Although HD giving credit is what got them in to their financial mess in the first place

[jstark47]

Although HD giving credit is what got them in to their financial mess in the first place

Hah! I knew it!! You're saying giving credit to the denizens of Greater Kanuckistania is what got this Iconic Amurrican Company in financial embarrassment in the first place!

It's a plot!! First geese, now this........