Clearly market pricing is different; a £20,000 ($27,000) bike over here is a fairly high end offering.
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Interesting motorcycles, not XS650
- Thread starter Kevin Werner
- Start date
I think a lot is to do with tax. On a £20,000 motorcycle ~£4000 of that is tax. So without tax, price isn't so much different.
Makes sense. Our prices are quoted sans tax, as all states and local governments levy their own, so it differs region to region. My local sales tax rate is 8.25%, so a $15K motorcycle would attract $1240 in tax.
A Yamaha XSR900 for example lists for ~$11000.
A Yamaha XSR900 for example lists for ~$11000.
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UK price would include (typically, I think) ~8% import duty and 20% VAT (purchase tax) on top. Bikes imported from EU wouldn't have import duty, just the 20% VAT.
That VAT is a killer. How do they handle Triumphs imported from Thailand?
I would have to look it up to be accurate but I very much doubt they are free of import duty. Typical duty would be around 8% but it varies a lot. UK made Triumph would clearly not have import duty. But all the imported components in the UK built Triumph would attract import duty. Triumph obviously roll that up in the price, it's not visible to a buyer.
Everything new on the shop floor has 20% VAT. Unlike in the US, the shop price tag for a motorcycle already includes the tax.
In the US By law you CANNOT include sales tax in your price, it MUST be listed separately, and they enforce that one too. Gasoline is an exception.
I always figured it was a sales gimmick... hook 'em then reveal the real cost.
The AI summary disagrees with that. Looked around a bit and didn't see anything to disagree. Where'd you find that info?
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Most of the ‘good as new’ restoration XT500 are priced around £8k-£9k. So this bike as new looks good value.
I would buy a resto one personally and save a few £kkkk..
I would buy a resto one personally and save a few £kkkk..
Broadly agree. But a resto isn't and never will be new and unused. Makes the £11k appear almost reasonable. I doubt that bike will ever be ridden which is a bit of a shame but there many other bikes in collections around the world and never ridden.
A few yrs ago on Bring a Trailer. Was a resto with 8k miles.... $8500.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1976-yamaha-xt500/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1976-yamaha-xt500/
Would be surprised if anyone here payed 0,9 k I don't think I have known anyone.( But I can be wrong )
It is different on Markets
Sub 500 cc appears more expensive in USA
The 9 k -- Slam Dunk brand new Royal Enfield and have petrol money left.
Charles13
XS650 Addict
I bought that exact bike in 76 and I believe I paid Ernie White Cycle and sports around $1600
You caught me mom...
It does vary by state. Guess I was going by Wisconsin who's always been a stickler about that, then again vending machines have it baked in. There's a large list of exempt uses and organizations here. Farm use is one we are asked about all the time (our horsies are not exempt, darn it). So it IS simpler to not charge sales tax than back it out of a selling price, shrug
Several sites also mentioned tradition, it's always been added on at the register.
Is Sales Tax Tradition Changing?
Much like the tax rates themselves, the rules and regulations of sales tax change regularly. For example, in Washington state, it was illegal for businesses to include sales tax in the total price until a court case in 2012 changed the decision. Retailers and restaurants can include sales tax in the listed price, as long as they clearly indicate that tax is included. In other states, including California, retailers can post a sign that states “All Prices Include Sales Tax” but must follow certain regulations.
Several states have re-evaluated sales tax regulations, and others may follow, particularly with the growing focus on customer rights. While the U.S. maintains the tradition of adding sales tax at checkout, there's no guarantee it will last forever.
In K C we have to pay Missouri tax (4.25%), Kansas City tax (3.25%) and a county tax (1.5%) for a total tax of 9%.Of course!
That explains why, even allowing for inflation, the prices I used to see American cars being sold for in their home market looked extraordinarily cheap.
The relevant article often wouldn't include local taxes, just the bare showroom price.
I lived in Wa state for a few yrs. They had no state income tax. Sounds great huh? Problem is it takes X amount of dollars to maintain a state. It doesn't matter "where" those dollars come from, you still need 'em to run a state. What that did was make sales taxes and other bullshit "add ons" higher than any other state I've lived in. Like outrageous "oh by the way" dollars added to vehicle sales, title charges etc.
And now.... Missouri has a bill in session to adopt the same... zero income tax... which means sales taxes will go through the roof if adopted into law. 'Cause... you know, the cost of running the state won't change, just "how" and from whom they collect the money will change.
Here's how it'll affects me: I'm retired. Me meager SS and military pension are not taxed as income. I pay no state income taxes. In my mind that sounds fitting for someone who worked hard all their life. You know, like "take a break old dude, we gotcha." If this bill passes, I stand to lose a shitload of income due to the sales taxes and other add on's going through the roof, 'cause, you know, it still take X amount of dollars to run a state.
Those making millions a year will love it of course, they stand to save millions. It'll fall on the backs of poor folk and retired folk like me. Fuck that!
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When estimating the cost of buying a welder, I'm taking into account which city I'll buy it in. The city in which I work charges 2.00 percent sales tax, but the city in which I live charges 2.50 percent, on top of the 6.25 Illinois tax.
So I could buy the same exact welder from the same chain that advertises it at say 900 bucks on their website, but I could save a few bucks in tax by buying it after work before I head home that day instead of going out on a Saturday to the store by my house.
So I could buy the same exact welder from the same chain that advertises it at say 900 bucks on their website, but I could save a few bucks in tax by buying it after work before I head home that day instead of going out on a Saturday to the store by my house.
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