Why such high Yamaha prices in NZ?

[R6_kid:Me]

considered importing a new bike from the states, only thing is the tax you get charged, otherwise it could work out quite handsomly

[limbimtimwim]

The build is good on an R1.

I have had an '03 R1 as a loaner twice, and it is in excellent condition. It has done ~28,000 and looks very tidy. They gearbox is in an amazing state, feels crisp as. The engine feels great, though I can hear what is probably the camchain when it is stone cold going 'clunk!!!' if you open the throttle a little. Otherwise it idled and ran so smoothly as to be quite remarkable. I didn't notice a single rusty fastener.

My 6 month old Suzuki, which has done 18,500km is in a much worse state. Some of this is up to the owner, some of this is the bike. My Suzuki corrodes like crazy on all the unpainted alloy, and where there is paint, it's pretty thin. I'm wearing through the paint on the black frame where my knees touch. The plastics are flimsy (But they are super light...). Engine is sweet though. Always ready to go, and always consistent.

I see many modern Honda's are worse than my 1996 RVF, but they are still holding up better than my Suzuki.

The R1 is Yamaha's flagship bike, and they build it like that. The GSXR750 is kinda Suzuki's flagship, and they kinda don't.

I think Yamaha's argument about the build holds some weight, but is it worth $3000 more?

[The_Dover]

I think the build quality shit that suzuki get's is bullshit.

My k6 has done 29000km in 14 months and the only thing wrong with it is the scratches where I threw it down the road.

It's a fucking sportsbike, made to be abused, thrashed and enjoyed. I don't want a tank and I don't want a fuckin ornament.

Give me a bike I can rape like Rickards.

[paturoa]

Give me a bike I can rape like Rickards.

I thought you were only allowed one pillion on a gixer not 2?

[avgas]

Build quality isnt it. Its prob to do more with sales and the fact they can charge what they damn well want.
Like why the fuck are TRX850's from the mid 90's still going for $6+K!!!!
Still $24K for a 955i is a joke to me. New dukes are still ridiculous.

[paturoa]

has anyone done similar research for Hogs etc?

[Paulus]

has anyone done similar research for Hogs etc?

Do it yourself and post it up. The internet makes it easy.

A forum like this is a great place to get this information out to the public. If enough people read it and pressure the dealers then the prices may come down (or they may not). Personally I'd not buy a new Yamaha until they drop their prices to the same as everyone else and I'd advise others to do the same.

[paturoa]

Do it yourself and post it up. The internet makes it easy.

I was thinking someone else may have already done it ....

[Wenier]

My Suzuki corrodes like crazy on all the unpainted alloy, and where there is paint, it's pretty thin

I find it hard to believe that the alloy is corroding so soon and at all. my K3 isnt corroding. Maybe the metal in ya bike has a defect. And the paint is usually like that gets chipped off by stones and speed but hey its a sports bike made to be raped and they take it well.

[R6_kid:Me]

2007 FZ1-Naked in Australia is $13,990 brand new, some places even $12,999. Was as much as $15,999 last year.

2007 FZ1-Naked in New Zealand ex-demo is $17,995... and the faired versions are selling for nearly $20k.

What the hell is going on here?

[ElCoyote]

Look at the price of parts. Recently I was quoted $125 for a gear lever from one particlar shop. Ordered one from a shop in the UK and with postage it came to $75. Where does the $50+ difference come from? Drealer markup and such.

Remember that the dealer you bought from also had a margin built in so that makes the NZ dealers bigger crooks as their buying power beats a one off purchase.

If the Yamaha importer is still Mollers then I am not surprised. Go E-Bay

[Paul in NZ]

Which is why, when I was rebuilding the FZR, I purchased all my genuine Yamaha spares from Boston, USA...

In both cases the dealer (I was buying from Ed's Honda) purchased ex Japan but my guy faced re exporting 1st class from USA to Raumati.... He was at worst 1/2 the price of local and at best 1/3...

Insane....