Newbie from England
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 0
From: Bristol UK
Yeh, I thought about that too - left hand drive...
Also I would have to convert the fuel tank to imperial gallons from US gallons & remove the fenders etc & fit mudguards - might not be worth the hassle.
Seriously , Initial research suggests about $2 - 2.5k to ship along with import duty & vat - so a an approx total of about 30% + on a Ł10,000 bike at todays rate of about $1.53 to the pound.It's borderline....
Guy
Also I would have to convert the fuel tank to imperial gallons from US gallons & remove the fenders etc & fit mudguards - might not be worth the hassle.
Seriously , Initial research suggests about $2 - 2.5k to ship along with import duty & vat - so a an approx total of about 30% + on a Ł10,000 bike at todays rate of about $1.53 to the pound.It's borderline....
Guy
I've never looked into it, but the costs appear far less than I would have expected. Of course, there is the hassle factor to take into account.
I dont know if new prices for Harleys are any cheaper elsewhere in Europe, but that might be worth looking at as you could then go collect the bike and ride it back. Again there would be import duty & VAT (Vague Additions to the Total).
With either option, would you need to re register the bike over here and if so have you taken those costs into account? Also, if bought abroad would there be any issues with Harley Dealers over here? I'm sure (with what they like to charge) they would happily service the bike etc, but may not abide by any warranty problems if you had any.
P.S. Dont forget the chancellors kind increase in the VAT rate from next January to 20%.
Another possible avenue for investigation for you could be second hand bikes for sale in the USA. Obviously there are a lot more dealers over there and although it does seem to vary from one area to another, I do think second hand bikes with low mileage go for 'better' prices over there. I was originally looking to buy a bike one or two years old, but at the dealers over here these bikes barely offered any discount over buying brand new.
Anyway, thats my thinking cap worn out for the day. I hope its given you some food for thought. Good luck finding a bike your happy with.
John
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Derbyshire , England
Hi Photo
What I am trying to understand is why a second hand bike ( in England) can be worth nearly what a new one is when it is for sale at a dealers. Also why are there so many low mileage bikes about - surely if it is low mileage then they are not being used & therefore I would say it is unlikely that someone is trading up... they would more likely be getting out og Harley ownership.
OR are prices up when the sunshines & down when it snows.
Unfortunately I have to wait until June before I get my hands on my funds for my bike. Hence the desire to do some research. I have seen plenty of bikes Stateside at the right money even with the exchange rate. Also I have a very good mate who has taken a Dyna out to Germany but now needs to sell but the timing is wrong for me to buy.
Near to where I live there is supposed to be a bloke who brings container loads of Harleys into the UK from the States - i am pretty sure I know where he is based so I might check him out.
Finally I did find a book on Amazon but it is not due for release until June 2011 but it did tick all the boxes
Cheers
Guy
What I am trying to understand is why a second hand bike ( in England) can be worth nearly what a new one is when it is for sale at a dealers. Also why are there so many low mileage bikes about - surely if it is low mileage then they are not being used & therefore I would say it is unlikely that someone is trading up... they would more likely be getting out og Harley ownership.
OR are prices up when the sunshines & down when it snows.
Unfortunately I have to wait until June before I get my hands on my funds for my bike. Hence the desire to do some research. I have seen plenty of bikes Stateside at the right money even with the exchange rate. Also I have a very good mate who has taken a Dyna out to Germany but now needs to sell but the timing is wrong for me to buy.
Near to where I live there is supposed to be a bloke who brings container loads of Harleys into the UK from the States - i am pretty sure I know where he is based so I might check him out.
Finally I did find a book on Amazon but it is not due for release until June 2011 but it did tick all the boxes
Cheers
Guy
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
hello
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