New Kawasaki prices, 1979... [Archive]

Stylo

7th May 2011, 18:50

Found a newspaper clipping from October 1 1979 today in an old suitcase and here's what you'd pay back then for a new Kawasaki ;

Laurie Summers, 83 Mt Eden Rd ...Ph 774-329

Z1300 $6799

Z1R TC $6899

Z1R $5399

Z1000 $4979

Z750 $3599

Z650C $4299

KX400 de lux $2399

KZ400 Special $2099

KH250 Triple $1899

No GST back then ...

And , for the record a used '79 Z1000 at the same shop was priced at $4795 , '76 Z1000 $4095, two GS1000's both '78 and $4795 and $4595 .....

Would'nt it be nice to turn back the clock !

Bonez

7th May 2011, 19:02

Considering wages back then and now bang for buck modern bikes are cheaper.

onearmedbandit

7th May 2011, 19:45

Yup, and petrol was going up to 38c per litre from 31.

superman

7th May 2011, 19:49

Found a newspaper clipping from October 1 1979 today in an old suitcase and here's what you'd pay back then for a new Kawasaki ;
Would'nt it be nice to turn back the clock !

Let's see $1 NZD 1979 would cost $5.02 to buy with 2011 NZD's.

So that means:-

Z1300 $34130
Z1R TC $34632
Z1R $27102
Z1000 $24994
Z750 $18066
Z650C $21580
KX400 de lux $12042
KZ400 Special $10536
KH250 Triple $9533

:shit: Goodness me!

I'm quite glad of todays prices if that's the case.

Stylo

7th May 2011, 20:00

Let's see $1 NZD 1979 would cost $5.02 to buy with 2011 NZD's.

So that means:-

Z1300 $34130
Z1R TC $34632
Z1R $27102
Z1000 $24994
Z750 $18066
Z650C $21580
KX400 de lux $12042
KZ400 Special $10536
KH250 Triple $9533

:shit: Goodness me!

I'm quite glad of todays prices if that's the case.

True , but there were still people buying those bikes back then, guess the cost of living may have been a little different , you'd get a nice house in Auck for around 90K

superman

7th May 2011, 20:14

True , but there were still people buying those bikes back then, guess the cost of living may have been a little different , you'd get a nice house in Auck for around 90K

Ooo housing is terrible when you look at inflation. So that's very true, housing inflation from then till now is 12.61 compared to 5.02 for the average inflation. IE that 90k house to buy today would cost $1.13 million.

So with housing definitely 1979 would have been much easier to obtain a nice place. But mass production vehicles were definitely more expensive than today.

And yes if less money is put into a house, you have more money for other areas such as motorcycles, so very complicated with whether it was cheaper in the general cost of living or not. 60c per litre for fuel then, which would be $3 per litre in todays money, so really it's all relative.

Stylo

7th May 2011, 20:43

Ooo housing is terrible when you look at inflation. So that's very true, housing inflation from then till now is 12.61 compared to 5.02 for the average inflation. IE that 90k house to buy today would cost $1.13 million.

So with housing definitely 1979 would have been much easier to obtain a nice place. But mass production vehicles were definitely more expensive than today.

And yes if less money is put into a house, you have more money for other areas such as motorcycles, so very complicated with whether it was cheaper in the general cost of living or not. 60c per litre for fuel then, which would be $3 per litre in todays money, so really it's all relative.

True, yet there were 3 times the amount of new Bikes on the road back then than there is now, go figure .

Motig

7th May 2011, 21:07

1973 Yamaha TX650 $1735 brand new. Wish I still had it.:yes:

Motig

7th May 2011, 21:20

jellywrestler

7th May 2011, 23:10

and I recall a GSXR1100K in 1989 @ $19995, even when the GSXR1000 came out it took a while for them to reach $20K

Voltaire

8th May 2011, 09:04

I bought a 1981 Z1000J in 1984 for $4000. when $200 was a weeks wages you shopped around.... a few months later I got a 79 Darmah in Sydney for $2700......the Z was put in storage and sold in 1995 for 3K.....the darmah I still have.

davebullet

8th May 2011, 09:29

Let's see $1 NZD 1979 would cost $5.02 to buy with 2011 NZD's.

I think your inflation rate it way too high. For the last 8 years it averaged about 3.3%

If you extend that over 34 years (1979 to 2011)
= 1.033 ^ 34 = todays NZD$ = 3.01 vs NZD $1 in 1979.

JimO

8th May 2011, 09:47

True, yet there were 3 times the amount of new Bikes on the road back then than there is now, go figure .

jap import cars killed the motorcycle everybody i knew started out with a motorbike cos they were cheap, i paid $650 for a road legal ts185 suzuki in 75, worn out old 50s hillmans were double the price

Mom

8th May 2011, 10:03

jap import cars killed the motorcycle everybody i knew started out with a motorbike cos they were cheap, i paid $650 for a road legal ts185 suzuki in 75, worn out old 50s hillmans were double the price

My first bike cost me $65. I went halves in it with my boyfriend. It was a little Yamaha 125 two smoker, dont recall the model. Went like stink if I remember correctly :D It was a bit banged up in places, had bondifilled side covers, but was perfectly road legal. Great first transport.

superman

8th May 2011, 11:09

I think your inflation rate it way too high. For the last 8 years it averaged about 3.3%

If you extend that over 34 years (1979 to 2011)
= 1.033 ^ 34 = todays NZD$ = 3.01 vs NZD $1 in 1979.

Through the 80s the inflation rate went up to 17.5% at some points.

http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/0135595.html This is what I used.

JimO

8th May 2011, 11:15

Through the 80s the inflation rate went up to 17.5% at some points.

http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/0135595.html This is what I used.

at one point we were paying 22% on a 2nd mortgage

geoffm

8th May 2011, 11:23

And for you Triumph lovers from my 1969 Velvin & Cresswell Triumph brochure (they were in Chch).
250cc Trophy TR25W $815
500cc Daytona T100T $1195
650cc Trophy TR6 $1195
650cc Bonneville T120 $1295
All from 1/3 deposit balance over 15 months.

Dont know why the Daytona and Trophy were the same price, must have been the extra carb

IN 2011 dollars, using the Reserve Bank calculator
250cc Trophy TR25W $12421
500cc Daytona T100T $18213
650cc Trophy TR6 $18213
650cc Bonneville T120 $19737

So what the top end bikes have remained failry constant in terms of purchasing power parity (if you take a Bonnie as GSXR equivalent for the time)

geoffm

8th May 2011, 11:25

1973 Yamaha TX650 $1735 brand new. Wish I still had it.:yes:

That cost you $19591 in today's dollars.
Inflation really wacked prices in the last 30 years.

Motig

8th May 2011, 12:27

Amazing to think I was on $25 a week back then. Hell I cant even save that amount a week at the moment.:shit:

fatzx10r

8th May 2011, 13:30

Crasherfromwayback

8th May 2011, 13:44

Z1R TC $6899

I still cry myself to sleep at night thinking of my dearly departed Z1RTC!

238163

and I recall a GSXR1100K in 1989 @ $19995, even when the GSXR1000 came out it took a while for them to reach $20K

Aye! When I first started selling for WMCC, a GSXR 1100WT was $23000.00. Now, a Busa is only $21500.00!

Virago

8th May 2011, 13:58

Let's see $1 NZD 1979 would cost $5.02 to buy with 2011 NZD's...

I think your inflation rate it way too high. For the last 8 years it averaged about 3.3%

If you extend that over 34 years (1979 to 2011)
= 1.033 ^ 34 = todays NZD$ = 3.01 vs NZD $1 in 1979.

You're both wrong, but Superman was close.

Here's the official Reserve Bank inflation calculator:

http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/0135595.html

Going from Q1-1979 to Q1-2011, you'll find that $1.00 equals $5.51. Try plugging that factor into the prices above, and you'll see how expensive they were in real terms...

superman

8th May 2011, 13:59

You're both wrong, but Superman was close.

Here's the official Reserve Bank inflation calculator:

http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/0135595.html

Going from Q1-1979 to Q1-2011, you'll find that $1.00 equals $5.51. Try plugging that factor into the prices above, and you'll see how expensive they were in real terms...

Yeah that's what I used but I went from Q3-1979 to Q1-2010 instead of 2011, woopsies.

I'd start Q3 since magazine is from October... oh wait, are the quarters starting from January, or do they do tax year, IE Q1 starts April?

Virago

8th May 2011, 14:13

Yeah that's what I used but I went from Q3-1979 to Q1-2010 instead of 2011, woopsies.

I'd start Q3 since magazine is from October... oh wait, are the quaters starting from January, or do they do tax year, IE Q1 starts April?

Nah, they're calendar quarters (Q1 is Jan-Mar).

I always giggle about people who get all nostalgic about the price of consumer goods. The reality is, in real terms, the goods were hugely expensive "back in the day".

As an example, I paid $1,000 for our first microwave oven, back in 1984. In today's money, that's $2,994. These days a $200 microwave from the Warehouse has more power than that old 600 watt beastie...

The price comparisons on motor vehicles may not be quite so extreme, but the reality is today's pricing is way cheaper, with vastly greater consumer choice.

Virago

8th May 2011, 14:36

Stylo

8th May 2011, 19:20

Anyways, here's those "great" prices in real terms...

Z1300 $37,462

Z1R TC $38,013

Z1R $29,748

Z1000 $27,434

Z750 $19,830

Z650C $23,687

KX400 de lux $13,218

KZ400 Special $11,565

KH250 Triple $10,463

I bought a little KH100 commuter bike for $1,000 in 1980 - $4,657 in today's money...

Yesterdays money, I bought a new '79 XL500, first model from Forbes and Davies in Auck , $2750, I still have the payment book ...and about $300 less than an XT500Yamaha, March 1979 and Muldoon was the Prime Minister , remember him ?

Crasherfromwayback

8th May 2011, 19:29

and Muldoon was the Prime Minister , remember him ?

Rob Muldoon before he robs you!!!

98tls

8th May 2011, 19:37

Rob Muldoon before he robs you!!!

That Sir Rob to you:innocent:Jesus the money he made the old man was disgraceful."subsidise this subsidise that:woohoo:"We seem to have moved on to "subsidise the lazy bastards".

Virago

8th May 2011, 19:43

...March 1979 and Muldoon was the Prime Minister , remember him ?

Still trying to forget...

He controlled manufacturing and imports to the extent of creating some odd-ball shortages. A six-month waiting list on some new vehicles wasn't unusual, and when your vehicle arrived you got what you were given - no choice on colour etc.

The vehicle shortage and rampant inflation meant that it wasn't usual for a second-hand vehicle to sell for more than it originally cost as new.

"Good times", eh...?

Voltaire

8th May 2011, 20:00

Muldoon.....he was pissed most of the time wasn't he?

If you had an import licence you were made here, all the poly cronies did well under that system.
I wanted parts from overseas for my car in 1980....the old man had some US dollars he had got giving visitors an better than official rate.....
Me I had to get postal notes from the Post Office...but only so many a day/week.
We used to look at overseas mags in amazement at the prices.
My first 'good' stereo a Thorn 3 in one.....pos...$800.00 in 1976.
The list of overpriced shit that was made here is long......remember Lincoln Turner screw drivers.....and Fun Ho toys.....what a load of crap.
Good old days....yeah right.
Going to Australia in 85 was llike driving your Trabant thru the Berlin Wall....:innocent:

davebullet

8th May 2011, 20:02

Through the 80s the inflation rate went up to 17.5% at some points.

http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/statistics/0135595.html This is what I used.

Ooops - right you are. Sorry about that! Excuse me whilst I go and eat my humble pie.

davebullet

8th May 2011, 20:05

at one point we were paying 22% on a 2nd mortgage

Quite right. I'd conveniently forgotten that period in our history when I made my calculation f'up.

Stylo

8th May 2011, 20:35

Quite right. I'd conveniently forgotten that period in our history when I made my calculation f'up.

Don't forget the 'Carless day ' thing either , instigated in '79 ?

' Take the long way home ' Supertramp , 1979

Crasherfromwayback

8th May 2011, 20:57

' Take the long way home ' Supertramp , 1979

Some think you're a Romeo...

Stylo

8th May 2011, 21:02

Some think you're a Romeo...

'So you think you're a Romeo '

Pull your head in Crashman :-)

Crasherfromwayback

8th May 2011, 21:08

'So you think you're a Romeo '

Pull your head in Crashman :-)

Is that what they say??!!

Too late Stylo. My head's been bounced on one time too many.

SPman

9th May 2011, 16:42

Hmmm
From memory...
Triumph Bonneville T120 - 1967 - 420 quid ($840) - W Whites
Yamaha YL1 100 twin - 1967 - 189/10/- ($379) - W Whites
Suzuki 250-II SS (1970 model) - 1971 - $865 - Bill Russells
S2 Kawasaki 350- 1972 - $1330 - Laurie Summers
H1 Kawasaki 500 - 1972 - $1540
Ducati GT 750 - 1973 - $2480 - Cambridge Motorcycles (Henry Brothers)
Ducati 750S - 1973 - $2700 - Auckland Motorcycles
Ducati 750SS - 1974 - $3350 (I think - I didn't want to remember the price and had to flag it after a couple of months, anyway)
Rickman Trident Mettisse - 1974 - $2280 - Auckland Motorcycles
Kawasaki Z1 - 1973 - $2200 - Laurie Summers

they still seemed f*ckin expensive, even then..

SPman

9th May 2011, 17:01

Hmmm
so that's
Triumph Bonneville T120 - 1967 - 420 quid ($840) - W Whites - $12,439
Yamaha YL1 100 twin - 1967 - 189/10/- ($379) - W Whites - $5627
Suzuki 250-II SS (1970 model) - 1971 - $865 - Bill Russells - $10,147
S2 Kawasaki 350- 1972 - $1330 - Laurie Summers - $13,436
H1 Kawasaki 500 - 1972 - $1540 - $15,557
Ducati GT 750 - 1973 - $2480 - Cambridge Motorcycles (Henry Brothers) - $24,490
Ducati 750S - 1973 - $2700 - Auckland Motorcycles - $26,220
Ducati 750SS - 1974 - $3350 (I think - I didn't want to remember the price and had to flag it after a couple of months, anyway) - $31,267
Rickman Trident Mettisse - 1974 - $2280 - Auckland Motorcycles - $21,280
Kawasaki Z1 - 1973 - $2200 - Laurie Summers - $21,360

they still seemed f*ckin expensive, even then..

So - actually, Bonnevilles were quite cheap....... (assuming I'm using the right chart....transport?)

Bonez

11th May 2011, 06:53

So - actually, Bonnevilles were quite cheap....... (assuming I'm using the right chart....transport?)6 year difference might have helped too.

Motig

15th May 2011, 09:21

Just some more for interest-

1969 Kawasaki A1 Samurai 250 $899
1969 Kawasaki A7 Avenger 350 $999
1969 Suzuki TC125 Stinger $589
1969 Suzuki T250R Hustler $859. 1976 $1357
1969 Suzuki T350 Rebel $989
1969 Suzuki T500 Titan $1099. 1973 $1259. 1976 $1895

1973 Honda CB750 K3 $1956
1976 Suzuki GT750 $2194
1973 Triumph T150V Trident $1999
1973 Yamaha RD350 $1170
1973 Yamaha TX750 $1875

awa355

15th May 2011, 12:36

My Bikes, all bought new.

'69 V50 Yamaha, 3spd $160, deposit 1/3rd, TWO YEARS to pay the balance. Traded on a
'71 CT175 trailbike, $242.00 traded in on a
'72 RT2 360 trailbike, $1059. Traded mid '72 0n a
'72 XS2 650. $1675.00 Traded Jan '73 on a
'73 TX750. $1895.00.

238917238919

pete376403

15th May 2011, 20:20

Kawasaki F9 350 "Bighorn" 1972, $1169. Financing was supposed to be 1/3 dep and balance over 18(?) months through Broadlands Finance, but the local shop used to get creative by marking up the price on the finance co application so buyers would get the bike on no deposit / 100% finance. Completely illegal of course, but what it took to get the bikes off the floor. And no the shop is no longer in business.