Buy from NZ? I tried but come on...

[imdying]

I'm happy to wait till Honda Japan takes over the NZ distributorship from Blue Wing before I buy another NZ new Honda. If that never happens, that's life... I'll buy it overseas and import it new.

Blue Wing are robbers, they can stick their $620 bright orange seat cowls up their bums. Even a new rear seat was cheaper at $580.

[terbang]

the other thing is that if your particular brand or model is not supported by the distributor, you are fucked, pretty much. Very difficult getting parts for (say) a VFR400 NC30 or any classic SOHC Honda from the local dealer. The good news is there are specialists who can, and do, help.

Hah yeah, try a Cagiva Navigator ... There is a very good web based site in Europe that has a lot of parts for those and thats about it.

[Blackflagged]

I've tried my hardest to stay loyal to my dealership because they treat me so well, and it's no fault to them when other people have the markup. But, sometimes it's just ridiculous and you're pretty much forced to shop overseas.

A centre stand for my old Hornet was close to $600 over here! It's nuts. I enquired about some Leo Vince pipes for my viffer, $2400 for aluminium. I tried to hide my mouth from 'ing.

Long story short, I have some Leo Vince pipes on the way from overseas for a grand total of $780 NZD including shipping.

As I say, I'm the first to support who I feel deserves it but when you save $1620 it's fairly hard to continue that support.

Dealers often know they can`t compete here, and may wish you well in buying offshore, and here when you can.(Not saying you, are whine) but some whine and carry on, when there nothing the Dealer can do about it! I can tell you The dealer here`s cost price is more than $780.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I'm happy to wait till Honda Japan takes over the NZ distributorship from Blue Wing before I buy another NZ new Honda. If that never happens, that's life... I'll buy it overseas and import it new.

Blue Wing are robbers, they can stick their $620 bright orange seat cowls up their bums. Even a new rear seat was cheaper at $580.

On that bright day, perhaps Honda motorcycle prices will be more comparable with overseas pricing too. And I will be able to get that VT750RS I want. Though with the US economy being what it is, with money we could do that already.

[jasonu]

Just on that side topic - I spend a fair bit of time communicating with Americans through my Buell interests.
Things are not universally good there. Not very good at all in the north.

'We've run dangerously close to the death of hope itself.' Posted one friend.
They have fallen far and on some hard times.

Yes things are really tough here. House prices less than 1/2 what they were in 05, homes being foreclosed on left and right (while the govt is giving millions to shit holes like Haiti), 20% unemployment in my area. Lucky for me I have an ok job and the cost of living, food, gas,beer (is less than $18 for a 30 pack) etc is way less than in NZ.

(Quote) Their economy has dipped from when I was last there in the boom times of 04 & 07, but didn't appear worse than in 02, and I would still say it is in much better shape than ours - not that that's saying much.

The US economy has dipped, Surely you're having a laugh!!! The arse has fallen out of the US economy and from what I have seen in the NZ news, plus I was there for a bit 2 years ago, it is totally being understated.
Things are far worse now than in 07, I wish things were as good as they were in 02.

[gammaguy]

Im a Staunch supporter............until its stoopid.
I reckon always at least try local first.

Its a rock na hard place for both the customers and the shops, its not a good situation currently for either parties, we all just have to do our best for our personal finances, families and business.

dont you just love that one?i had the same thing a while back,a certain BMW dealer told me a part i needed did not exist,even when i quoted them a part nuimber.

A week later I received the part that did not exist,from Australia

and it was cheaper than the NZ dealer quoted me ,before they changed their mind and said it was never available.

its a joke,which is why I have been buying and selling online as a first choice for years now.

[MSTRS:Me]

...beer (is less than $18 for a 30 pack)...

That's because it isn't beer...I think they get it from the same weasels that produce Steinlager.

[jasonu]

That's because it isn't beer...I think they get it from the same weasels that produce Steinlager.

Nah, the beer is not that bad.
How about 1.75L Jack Daniels for $46US or 1.25L Seagrams 7 for $22US and a 12 can pack of coke (or whatever you like) for $3.00US.

[awa355]

Bike shops here often charge close to $1000, even more than that just for a single muffler. Add on a metre long section of pipe and you can expect to have your wallet $1500 lighter.

Then the bike shops complain how they're going bankrupt with the way the economy is. Money talks.

When I had my 2008 CBF250, they Honda quoted me $1900 for a replacement muffler and 1m of header pipe. For a single pipe and muffler for a basic 250 commuter bike?? . I know there is a catylitic converter in there but 1900 is still a lot of money for a simple concept. For an extra grand, I could've bought a complete 2nd hand bike.

Years ago my mate put two coby's on his CX500. had them on for ages and never had any problems. Looked bloody awful but WTF. did the job.

[SMOKEU]

When I had my 2008 CBF250, they Honda quoted me $1900 for a replacement muffler and 1m of header pipe. For a single pipe and muffler for a basic 250 commuter bike?? . I know there is a catylitic converter in there but 1900 is still a lot of money for a simple concept. For an extra grand, I could've bought a complete 2nd hand bike.

Years ago my mate put two coby's on his CX500. had them on for ages and never had any problems. Looked bloody awful but WTF. did the job.

Just have a look at the price of an aftermarket Yoshi or Akrapovic pipe.

[awa355]

Just have a look at the price of an aftermarket Yoshi or Akrapovic pipe.

If I'd bought a Yoshi can, I could've kept it and thrown the bike away. Would've been quicker running down the street with the Yoshi under my arm.

Back in the seventies, we grizzled about the price of parts so maybe not much has changed.

[k14]

...a 12 can pack of coke (or whatever you like) for $3.00US.

Only cause it is laced with high fructose corn syrup that is only economic to refine because the farmers are subsidised by the government (go capitalism!). All the food contains that crap and that is probably the main reason I would struggle to live there. From my 6 week holiday there in August there was certainly lots of things that made it more attractive than NZ but in the end I came to the conclusion that we don't know how lucky we are in NZ. I'm quite happy to pay more for my bike parts

[scumdog]

Only cause it is laced with high fructose corn syrup parts

And the coke or whatever drinks in NZ are any 'healthier'

And I was there in August too - I didn't reckon the food was that bad if you shied away from the processed and fast food crap.

[jellywrestler]

the other thing is that if your particular brand or model is not supported by the distributor, you are fucked, pretty much. Very difficult getting parts for (say) a VFR400 NC30 or any classic SOHC Honda from the local dealer. The good news is there are specialists who can, and do, help.

econohonda in te aroha are great for older Hondas www.econohonda.co.nz

[Katman]

If they priced it at a reasonable cost first up, theyed sell twice as much.

I'm interested to know what you consider to be a reasonable mark-up.