Cdn$ Vs Us$ - Are Fjrs Cheaper Up North?

[Sherman]

Now that the CDN$ is on par with the US$, how do the FJR prices compare?

How much are they going for in Canuckland?

This is a proud day for all Americans - 'specially the Northern mostest Americanos, eh?

WTF

 

[bramfrank]

Discounted to the max they cost about C$16,000, compared with about $11,800 US - but we get heated grips in '07 and we get the transponder key system.

You get case liners.

So that's $4200 for the grips and immobiliser - a rip. But there are warranty issues to consider . . . They'll adjust things, maybe - the problem is not that the Canadian dollar is up, the US dollar is down and they don't want to increase prices in the States if they can avoid it.

Reminds me of the day I attended a 'sell to the US military' seminar hosted by the US government. A general told me in a very loud voice that 'ONLY AMERICANS CAN SELL TO US" to which I replied - "works for me, I'm American". The General was confused (OK, more confused than usual) and boomed back "NO SIR, YOU ARE CANADIAN". I retorted that he was quite correct. I then said that I was also a "North American" and that he, if truth be told was a "United Statesian", for the country is NOT "America", but is "The United States of America", implying in truth that it is only a subset of what we know of as America.

I then pointed out that by his own definition, Brazilians, Venezuelans, Argentinians, Bolivians and Mexicans can allsupply sensitive equipment to the military, because THEY ARE ALL AMERICAN. He blustered and in to put it mildly, was unhappy with me. I didn't care, because I wasn't American enough by his standards (no matter what NAFTA may say).

Believe it or not, I signed a supply contract with the same General 3 months later.

 

[Sherman]

Discounted to the max they cost about C$16,000, compared with about $11,800 US - but we get heated grips in '07 and we get the transponder key system.
You get case liners.

Reminds me of the day I attended a 'sell to the US military' seminar hosted by the US government. A general told me in a very loud voice that 'ONLY AMERICANS CAN SELL TO US" to which I replied - "works for me, I'm American". The General was confused (OK, more confused than usual) and boomed back "NO SIR, YOU ARE CANADIAN". I retorted that he was quite correct. I then said that I was also a "North American" and that he, if truth be told was a "United Statesian", for the country is NOT "America", but is "The United States of America", implying in truth that it is only a subset of what we know of as America.

I then pointed out that by his own definition, Brazilians, Venezuelans, Argentinians, Bolivians and Mexicans can allsupply sensitive equipment to the military, because THEY ARE ALL AMERICAN. He blustered and in to put it mildly, was unhappy with me. I didn't care, because I wasn't American enough by his standards (no matter what NAFTA may say).

Believe it or not, I signed a supply contract with the same General 3 months later.

Then you are getting screwed. Could you buy on here for import into Canada?

Good story too.

 

[Colin24]

No they are not cheaper up here. But they are an absolute bargain for us down there right now. Just looking at list prices for a 2008 "A" model here are the prices:

US ==> 13,899

CDN ==> 19,099

Some years ago when the exchange was 70cents or event 80 cents this almost made sense. Even when I bought my FJR I considered briefly about going to the US. But factor in exchange and import hassles and it was not worth it at the time. But now? I can save $5000 outright just by driving a few hours south! Suddenly the import hassles are worth it....

I know that once I am gainfully employed again I am going to be taking a serious look at stocking up on parts and supplies from the US while its this good a deal. I just looked into tires last night. For a set of Pirelli diablo strdadas I could likely knock the cost from around 450 down to around 250 for a pair!

Whatever you guys are doing to your economy down there in the old US of A, thanks! And keep up the good work!

- Colin

 

[uctofeej]

...if truth be told was a "United Statesian",

I prefer to be called an "USian" :dribble:

 

[FJRottie]

If I was in the market to buy a bike or a cage, I would not buy at home, I would buy in the US.

It can and has been done many times and is not very hard at all.

Even with duty and GST etc it is very much cheaper for a Canuck to buy a vehicle in the US. Matter of fact if he doesn't he is silly and wasting money..in the 1000s.

I have co-workers that have done it and some just did, like days ago.

We are ripped off here big time. Even book/magazine prices are (always have been) ridiculous. This dollar thing is gay IYAM.

 

[fossilrider]

People always seem to be tied up on MSRP. I purchased my 05 when the 06's came out. $14,500 out the door. You do have to look around more but our problem is the lack of dealers.

Currently on autotrader - Out of Quebec - 2007 YAMAHA FJR1300 $14,999.00

It's Yamaha's policy not to adjust MSRP for currency but that will have to change with the dollar being on par.

To answer another question, yes you can purchase in the U.S. and import, I've never done it but there are others who have.

Re parts, I just ordered a set of 021's form SWMoto, super price.

john

 

[El Gordo]

FJR's are definately cheaper to buy in the U.S. with current exchange rates, but I understand that Yamaha will not honor the warrenty if you import them. Used bikes are very attractive to buy in the U.S. right now.

 

[Last Chance]

Are bikes imported into Canada subject to greater tariffs/taxes than those imported into the U.S.? What is the exchange rate of the Canadian $ vs. the Yen?

Might be part of the difference also.

LC

 

[bramfrank]

Are bikes imported into Canada subject to greater tariffs/taxes than those imported into the U.S.? What is the exchange rate of the Canadian $ vs. the Yen?
Might be part of the difference also.

LC

If you buy a new FJR in the states you'll pay 6% duty plus about $175 in addition to the usual sales taxes to import. That 6% is the import duty - and Yamaha pays it on the transfer price, so it represents a lower dollar cost to them than it does to Joe Public. However they almost certainly take margin on that money as well, so it's a wash overall.

Yamaha does have to maintain an organisation, parts and has to deal with the burocracies in Canada for a much smaller population of clients - that cost is therefore spread over a smaller number of buyers and that explains PART of the price difference. However if I was willing to forego my warranty (and it looks like a good deal to do so) I'd be importing.

Toyota has a whole section on their Canadian web site about 'why you should buy your car in Canada' - mostly bullsh*t, because Toyota does honor warranties on imported vehicles.

If there were a significant spread between the value of the Canadian/US dollar and the Canadian/Yen exchanges, you would be well served to spend your days buying Yen in US dollars and selling them in Canadian, then moving your Canadian dollars to US ones at par, then doing it over again forever.

There are tiny differences than can (and are) exploited by banks and money types, but they are tiny and change continually - there is a huge downside risk to currency trading. But the benefits to the average person in the short term are insignificant because those gaps are quickly closed by the traders - now, if only the manager at the company that manages my portfolio listened to me when I told him to dump my US assets two years ago . . . .

 

[fossilrider]

A written experience from a person who imported a FJR from the U.S.

Importing a Motorcycle to Canada from the USA

There are other examples of people who have done this on the web.

john