Triumphrat

Tbirdnz · 10-18-2011, 05:27 PM

A 2012 Thunderbird Storm here is in NZ is NZ$26,880 or US$20,990.

click here for nz price

We have 15% GST (same as Vat) and no import duties. So that's US$990 over the Australian price.

Within the UK Triumph prices are dearer than the US. I've seen adverts showing this bike is US$15,700 in the UK.

If you want to go by the Big Mac chart on value of your currency:

US = US$4.07
OZ = US$4.69
NZ = US$4.08
UK = US$3.77

(click here for the full chart)

will_s · 10-18-2011, 06:30 PM

everything is dearer in oz then america and it comes down to a bigger market

sell 10,000 bikes in USA and make $1,000 each on these

or in Oz sell 200 bikes and make $5,000

The funny thing is now the retailers who have been ripping us off for years are now crying to the Govt about how people are buying online from America......

I have brought 2 Triumph jackets , a long haul seat and a few other racks from USA ( detroit and madss ) and have saved at least $800

JethroAus · 10-18-2011, 10:43 PM

I don't think it really can be explained by the tariffs 10 - 5 % or whatever it is doesn't explain the price doubling.

Isolation, no real market to sell the things and because they can.

Are the reasons we pay too much for anything in Australia.

Id seen a Honda dealership with 21,500 tag on a CBR1000RR, there isn't anything in the world that explains that, I wouldn't even feel bad for anyone clueless who did walk in and pay that for one.

grantr1964 · 10-19-2011, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonnie_In_AR

I'm no Australian Law buff, but a quick google search shows that the Australian government charges a hefty tariff on imported cars. Even the wikipedia explanation of "Tariffs" includes notes about the Australian Car Tariffs. This is probably the reason you guys pay so much more for vehicles.

Ahh yes thats sounds about right bloody politicians I'm sick of trying to beat them, might be time to join them!

Tbirdnz · 10-19-2011, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JethroAus

I don't think it really can be explained by the tariffs 10 - 5 % or whatever it is doesn't explain the price doubling. ............

Dead right ! This month the Honda dealers here knocked NZ$6,200 (US$4902) off their 2011 1300 ST model for end of the year clearance, this shows how much mark-up they make as they will also still be making a nice profit on this price.

shoegaze · 10-21-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantr1964

Can anyone tell me why the TBird is $13K in the US and $20K+ in Aus when our Dollar is at parity? and don't tell me volume of sales when they are sold all over he world!

Agreed. It's rubbish.

It is either that the Australian Gubmnt charges a very hefty luxury tax in an attempt to send a not-so-subtle message to Aussies that they do not like motorbikes...

OR

It is perhaps because the world still believes there is gold in Fort Knox.

welshrob · 10-22-2011, 03:28 AM

Pretty much anything in Australia is going to cost more than in the USA, except perhaps Kangaroo meat. And healthcare, which still available free here, last time I looked.

With a population of 22 million spread over a country the size of Australia, we are never going to be able to get imported products at the same price as a country with a population of 307 million. It why things in your corner shop cost more than they do in Coles. They sell more. Simple.

DaveM · 10-22-2011, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshrob

Pretty much anything in Australia is going to cost more than in the USA, except perhaps Kangaroo meat. And healthcare, which still available free here, last time I looked.

With a population of 22 million spread over a country the size of Australia, we are never going to be able to get imported products at the same price as a country with a population of 307 million. It why things in your corner shop cost more than they do in Coles. They sell more. Simple.

You hit the nail on the head Rob.

DaveM

TBRider · 10-23-2011, 02:23 AM

Short answer, Aussie taxes and shipping.

GRANDPAamerica · 10-26-2011, 12:59 PM

Dumb & Dumb?? The new Thunderbird is nothing more than another want-to-be Harley look alike in my view. Even dealers I spoke to could not understand why Triumph hired a Harley cruiser designer from the states. The tank gauge location sucks!! The original Rocket III and all others with their top of fork yoke instrumentation cluster is great. Having to look down at the dam Thunderbird or Rocket Touring tank mounted pie plate Harley gauge makes the bike look like a hog. Dealers could not understand why the original Rocket III chrome gauges were not the preferred choice. I wonder how many other prospective Thunderbird & for that matter old Rocket III buyers think the same. I owning a pair of modern Trumpets__.