Triumphrat

[]*[] · 03-01-2008

Just another rant about the difference in prices between the US and Canada.

I was planning on buying a Speedmaster this spring but I just can't stomach the fact that, at $10,600 CDN, it cost 28% more than the US price of $8,300. I refuse to pay 28% more for the same bike simply because I live in Canada.

HarleyDavidson has a price differential of ~12% and unless Triumph smartens up I will be buying a sportster instead.

The Canadian dollar is expected to be at least on par with the US dollar for at least the next year. Prices really need to reflect this reality.

peter_s · 03-02-2008

it is sh|tty, a thruxton in the USA is about $8000 and here closer to $10,000. At todays rate, 8 grand US is about $7838 CDN, so hell yeah, we are getting the shaft.

I can only assume they expect the US dollar to gain once again and return to what was the norm for so many years, I am no economist but things look pretty bleak for the US dollar these days.

PS: I wish winter were over and failing that, I wish people from California would stop posting pictures of their bikes next to palm trees and beaches.

convict · 03-02-2008

prices will not drop ever !! all imports bikes and cars are staying the same- only domestic are dropping cause, well the have too. too much overstocking. also usa has millions of consumers - their buying power is great.
its about volume and margins.
just go and buy your bike and enjoy. its only money and dont cross border shop . buy local so we still have dealers in canada. note vw ( I just bought a new wabbita) website clearly indicate their feelings on warrenty issues cross border and caution buyers from refrainning purchases.
i know that lame but if you can afford a bike insurance helmets gloves boots and jacket a couple more bucks aint gonna bust ya.

[]*[] · 03-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by convict

prices will not drop ever !! all imports bikes and cars are staying the same- only domestic are dropping cause, well the have too. too much overstocking. also usa has millions of consumers - their buying power is great.
its about volume and margins.
just go and buy your bike and enjoy. its only money and dont cross border shop . buy local so we still have dealers in canada. note vw ( I just bought a new wabbita) website clearly indicate their feelings on warrenty issues cross border and caution buyers from refrainning purchases.
i know that lame but if you can afford a bike insurance helmets gloves boots and jacket a couple more bucks aint gonna bust ya.

So, where is your dealership?

Your argument about volume is crap. Triumph America supplies both the US and Canada, therefore there is no difference between a US dealer ordering Triumphs from Triumph America or a Canadian dealer ordering bikes from Triumph America.

As for cross border shopping, I won't. Why would I want to give my money to a company that wants to rip me off. I also won't buy locally. How many dealerships have to go broke before Triumph realizes that we won't pay the higher prices.

"what's a couple more bucks"? If it was only a couple more bucks it wouldn't be an issue but it is not, it is 2300 more bucks.

A little price comparison.
Boulevard S83 $10,799 CDN $8,499 US 27$ higher than US.

Vulcan 900 LT $10,499 CDN $8,649 US 21% higher than US.

VTX 1300C $11,499 CDN $9,599 US 20% higher than US.

V-Star 1100 Classic $9,699 CDN $8,799 US 10% higher than US.

Harley-Davidson doesn't include Canadian prices on the web.

At 28%, Triumph has the highest Canadian markup, and Yamaha is looking more interesting.

FelixLeiter · 03-02-2008

If it makes you feel better the brits are really getting hosed on pricing:

Speed Triple:
US--$10,299USD----$10,088CDA
CDA----------------$12,999CDA
GB--7,999lbs--------$15,565CDA

I dunno about the other bikes, but the S3 had dropped in price by $1000 in the last few years (I ride an 04, MSRP was $13,999 back then).

Hamr Mark · 03-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by []*[]

Your argument about volume is crap. Triumph America supplies both the US and Canada, therefore there is no difference between a US dealer ordering Triumphs from Triumph America or a Canadian dealer ordering bikes from Triumph America.

Actually, it isn't crap. The US consumes, and has more people buying down there than Canada. So, if a Triumph dealer in Cali can move 20 bikes a year, and a Canadian can only move 5, who has the better buying power? Obviously the US. So they can afford a lower price because they move moe bikes out the door. If more Canucks were willing to open their wallets, maybe over time the same would happen here.

So, you won't cross the border to shop, AND you won't buy locally. Well, I would like to know where you are going to buy from, if at all, then?

If you want to save some $$$, buy a '07 model, or buy used and save even more $$$.

Or, if you are that upset about prices of everything, don't buy anything. Anywhere. Ever again.

[]*[] · 03-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamr Mark

Actually, it isn't crap. The US consumes, and has more people buying down there than Canada. So, if a Triumph dealer in Cali can move 20 bikes a year, and a Canadian can only move 5, who has the better buying power? Obviously the US. So they can afford a lower price because they move moe bikes out the door. If more Canucks were willing to open their wallets, maybe over time the same would happen here.

So, you won't cross the border to shop, AND you won't buy locally. Well, I would like to know where you are going to buy from, if at all, then?

If you want to save some $$$, buy a '07 model, or buy used and save even more $$$.

Or, if you are that upset about prices of everything, don't buy anything. Anywhere. Ever again.

That argument only holds if all American dealers sell more bikes than all Canadian dealers. The dealer in Ottawa has over 20 Triumphs bikes at the moment and I am sure there are small dealer in the US that only sell 5 triumphs each year.

I said I won't cross border shop nor buy locally FROM TRIUMPH. I will either buy another brand or buy used.

convict · 03-03-2008

my dealer is bro's cycle in nova scotia and they are great guys - very experienced and very helpful. and compared to most dealers in ns outstanding customer care and support .
infact i cant think of another dealer i have visited where the service comes close.
wait there is a ducati dealer in newhampsire who were really helpful gettin my boots

And as for a couple of bucks - lets face it - biking is not exactly an inexpensive hobby. i suppose you could buy used gear and spend $100, put the cheapest insurance on the bike and use the crappy gas but you arent going to

me i wear a shoei sidi's tecknic and alpinstars gear - not to be cool but to be safe
point is that if you cant afford the bike - then buy a car
never mind insurance

again - just go buy the thing and have fun - its only money
want to bitch about something bitch about freakin SUVs bitch about crappy drivers
bitch about insurance, bitch about the price of gas

but biking is a waste of money so go waste money and have some fun!

[]*[] · 03-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by convict

my dealer is bro's cycle in nova scotia and they are great guys - very experienced and very helpful. and compared to most dealers in ns outstanding customer care and support .
infact i cant think of another dealer i have visited where the service comes close.
wait there is a ducati dealer in newhampsire who were really helpful gettin my boots

And as for a couple of bucks - lets face it - biking is not exactly an inexpensive hobby. i suppose you could buy used gear and spend $100, put the cheapest insurance on the bike and use the crappy gas but you arent going to

me i wear a shoei sidi's tecknic and alpinstars gear - not to be cool but to be safe
point is that if you cant afford the bike - then buy a car
never mind insurance

again - just go buy the thing and have fun - its only money
want to bitch about something bitch about freakin SUVs bitch about crappy drivers
bitch about insurance, bitch about the price of gas

but biking is a waste of money so go waste money and have some fun!

I get your point and to be fair I did start the post out with "just another rant..."

You are right, I will probably end up buying the bike but it doesn't mean I don't feel cheated and that is not a good way to start any relationship, be it personal or professional.

And as for the Brits, you guys are getting hosed even more than we Canadians. I feel for ya.

Big_Rick · 03-03-2008

I think you're just looking at things the wrong way. For one thing, British pricing includes 17% tax which if you remove comes out to $1337.60. pretty much the same as the Canadian MSRP.

You've got to realize that it's this way for all manufacturers, it's not so much that Canadians are being ripped off as it is the American market is being catered to. Even Bombardier does it. A Ski Doo that might cost you $XXXX.XX right here, you can cross the border and get it for 2-3 thousand dollars less. And this is for a machine that is completely designed, manufactured and sold in Canada. Go figure.

The fact is that the US is a HUGE market and it's all about everyone trying to get a piece of it. The fact that Triumph may be underselling by a greater margin as you point out, (28% compared to the others) probably speaks more to the fact that they are a lesser known brand compared to the KawaHoMaZuki's out there and need to be more competitive price wise in order to carve out a piece of the market. I may be a little off on these numbers, but I seem to recall seeing somewhere that about 10 times more bikes are sold in the state of California than are sold in all of Canada every year.

These tendencies are the same across the board for both recreational vehicles and automobiles, and living right next door to the US it is easy to think that we're getting hosed but like I say, I think it's more just that they're getting pampered. Not worth getting too upset over. I just look the other way and support my local dealers.

Just my 2¢