America implements tax breaks on bike sales...

[sammcj]

In Other News:

America has / is implementing a "Motorcycle Tax Break" For People Earning Under US$125,000 a Year as part of the stimulus package. - Why are we (NZ) going backwards?

"To illustrate the impact of the tax deduction, consider the case of a new motorcycle purchase of $10,500. For a 7.5 percent sales tax rate, the tax would be $787.50."

"This victory indicates that our legislators are starting to recognize how motorcycles reduce traffic congestion, provide efficient use of limited parking, lessen the impact on our roads and bridges and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil,"


http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2/2805/Motorcycle-Article/2009-Motorcycle-Tax-Deduction-Details.aspx

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/02/18/motorcycle-tax-deductions-in-stimulus-package/

[James Deuce]

I would gently suggest that it isn't about congestion it's about stimulating sales for Harley-Davidson and to a lesser extent Victory. Harley-Davidson is an indigenous industry that's had to lay off thousands of workers and I sense the Corporate Lobby hand at work.

Not that that is a bad thing.

[sammcj]

I would gently suggest that it isn't about congestion it's about stimulating sales for Harley-Davidson and to a lesser extent Victory. Harley-Davidson is an indigenous industry that's had to lay off thousands of workers and I sense the Corporate Lobby hand at work.

Not that that is a bad thing.

I agree entirely, it is still a break and when was the last time NZ bikers had one of those?

[James Deuce]

Never. Not gonna get one either, what with increased levies and local councils trying to push bike parking into private parks.

[sammcj]

Never. Not gonna get one either, what with increased levies and local councils trying to push bike parking into private parks.

Funny you mention parking.

I rung the CCC week before last to find out how to pay the meter if I had to park in a car park - where on earth would I put the docket?

The representative for the council's parking department said: "ummm.... good question.... I don't really know.... Hang on..." got put on hold for a few minutes; she came back "Well, we just had a little chat about it and you'd have to either:

-Hang the docket out your seat or on your dash somewhere and hope no one steals it.

-Photocopy(WTF?!) your docket and keep a copy with you to prove you had paid when /where you got the ticket.

-Not park in the car park.

[James Deuce]

In Wellington there is a by-law that prevents motorcyclists from using multi-bay parking meter printed tickets, and their attendant parking bays, altogether.

[knuckles24]

Makes sense because we all carry photocopiers around with us don't we, i have mine in my back pocket (DICKHEADS) :clap:

[James Deuce]

Really? I keep mine in my tank bag. I wonder if they'd accept a cellphone camera image?

[Virago]

Rather old news really - both articles linked are from early this year.

I agree that the move was all about propping up a flagging domestic industry during the early stages of the recession, and little to do with helping motorcyclists.

[Warren]

Funny you mention parking.

I rung the CCC week before last to find out how to pay the meter if I had to park in a car park - where on earth would I put the docket?

The representative for the council's parking department said: "ummm.... good question.... I don't really know.... Hang on..." got put on hold for a few minutes; she came back "Well, we just had a little chat about it and you'd have to either:

-Hang the docket out your seat or on your dash somewhere and hope no one steals it.

-Photocopy(WTF?!) your docket and keep a copy with you to prove you had paid when /where you got the ticket.

-Not park in the car park.

Why can't the machines let you select a motorcycle option and enter the licence plate into the machine? It seems an easy option for paying and for enforcement (a couple of clicks and they should get a list of motorcycle regos from the machine).

[been_there]

Why can't the machines let you select a motorcycle option and enter the licence plate into the machine? It seems an easy option for paying and for enforcement (a couple of clicks and they should get a list of motorcycle regos from the machine).

Bang on!
Even better text it through.

[Pixie]

In Other News:

America has / is implementing a "Motorcycle Tax Break" For People Earning Under US$125,000 a Year as part of the stimulus package. - Why are we (NZ) going backwards?



Because the believe in freedom.We live in a socialist state.

[YellowDog]

I know that fuel is dirt cheap, however how much does it cost to register your motorcycle for road use in the USA for one year?

[Molly]

I know that fuel is dirt cheap, however how much does it cost to register your motorcycle for road use in the USA for one year?

I asked that on a HD forum a few months ago when all this ACC stuff came out. It varied from state to state but seemed much less than we pay here. Insurance on the other hand...

Agree this is about helping out the domestic bike market. Ronald Reagan did it in the '80s by putting a duty on large imported machines. It was set for five years but HD's sales recovered so well, they voluntarily had the levy removed early.

The politics of motorcycle tarrifs
http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa032.html

That said, if it's anything like the car stimulus package there will be equal option to use the saving on imported bikes.