Triumphrat

Halfpint

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Harley-Davidson has a lot to blush about. Harley motorcycles unarguably serve as the icon for the form of motorcycle known as a cruiser.

For decades other motorcycle manufacturers have glommed onto the cruiser theme. Some brands unabashedly produce models that look as much like a Harley as possible – Harley clones – without getting into legal hot water, while others just strafe the notion of a cruiser simply by creating a machine with the general look and feel of a cruiser: a neutral if not relaxed riding position and some chrome in just the right amount.

When we contemplated the fact that Harley has inspired so many other brands to interpret the cruiser form, we thought we'd conduct a cruiser comparison review that's something of an experiment.

Using a Harley-Davidson as the standard, we selected a sampling of brands from around the globe where motorcycle manufacturing has a solid history. We picked models that embody not only the spirit of motorcycles coming out those regions of the world, but also what we think these manufacturers envision as a cruiser.

More: 2011 World Cruiser Shootout [Video] on Motorcycle.com

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!

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2010 Speedmaster

brockway

Maybe Aussie's get paid more? Taxes? Seems like you guys get charged alot more for everything. I know videogames cost like something like 20% more down there.

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2009 Triumph Sprint ST ABS Pacific Blue.
2012 Honda CBR250R
MSF Certified Rider Coach ^_^

ArferBrick

Cos politicians are all bloody crooks!

If you had the cash you could fly to the US, buy a new bike, spend a week riding around for a holiday then have it shipped back to Aus.

You'd probably save a couple of thou' too!

JethroAus

I saw a Storm advertised for $22,000 and I probably wouldn't see the value in them even if they were selling them for $13,000 AUD.

You can get a new Voyager with everything Kawasaki list for $22,000, cruise, abs, audio, big luggage, "fairings", backrest, its probably the only cruiser I can see that offers anything for the money expected.

I still wouldn't buy one you can nearly get a 1400GTR for that money which is a 100x better actual bike.

Having said all that though I ride everyday and that's why a bike that does nothing for alot of money does absolutely nothing for me.

grantr1964

Sounds like a Plan!

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2010 Speedmaster

Victusvita

probably import taxes

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Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember, from time-to-time, that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught. -Wilde

ATGATT

JethroAus

I don't think there's a market for any bikes at least in regional areas like where I am.

I know metro has big multibrand dealerships and even like 4 of the same Japanese dealers within an hour of each other, but out in the middle of nowhere the dealers don't even stock a full range of bikes from a manufacturer.

Want to test ride a VFR do you have one, no.

Is there anywhere or way I can test ride one here, no they are good bikes.

Ok thanks for that easy decision made.

There was some crap ages ago about in New Zealand some model HD being 27,000 NZD there and $37,000 AUD over here in Australia even though the NZD is weaker and that its 'real price' is $21,000 USD in America.

Its real value would be half of that USD price but I digress.

If people will pay double what something is sold for elsewhere or 4x what its actually worth so be it, they can get into debt over a depreciating asset as much as they want.

In other words, if there's a limited market of people buying an item, they aren't paying in cash, they don't know anything about it, theres no real reason to lower prices as an incentive to sell more.

Also this more the Japanese manufacturers then Triumph but isn't a new 250 in America like $3000 USD? Against like $7900 here or something crazy like that.

They have to have some scale in what they are selling I think we are already seeing that with LAMS bikes killing off the 250 market, how can you sell a Ninja 250 for $7000 when you're selling a Ninja 650L that converts to an R at end of restrictions with 1 small mod for $9000 or whatever they are.

Subsequently how could you sell some pokey Ninja 650 for $9000 if you're selling an inline 4 ZX6R for a reasonable price like $11,000 instead it becomes $15,000 and so on it goes. The ZX10R cant be sold for $17,000 so it becomes $19,000.

A new 600cc supersport is barely worth $11,000 AUD new but people will pay $15,000 for them, same again the 1000cc is barely worth $15,000 AUD but people will pay $21,000 for them.

Then move into even less common bikes like Triumphs, Ducatis, BMWs, again even less common like Aprilias, Guzzis, whatever.

Look at the Guzzi Grisso 1200 8v, $23,000 AUD for a god damn air cooled shaft driven 220KG, five speed V-Twin with not a single do anything feature and a 16L fuel tank bike.

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.

TBird Daryl39

It doesn't make rational sense. My bike was the 1600 Blue w/white stripe and it was $12,750 I believe full MSRP. As it was a floor demo it had 180 miles on it so they sold it to me for $9,999.

I thought the British and Australia had a friendly relationship - why they are some how conspiring to hit their citizens with such a high tariff is kind of startling. Even the full dressed Kawi that was mentioned is available for $15-$17K. $22K Craziness! I think I'd be installing a little motor on my bicycle.

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---Daryl

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Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things