The infamous Trump tariffs continue to send shockwaves across industries, with the automobile sector being particularly affected. Carmakers are scrambling to make amends so that your next car won’t be unaffordable. The picture is equally grim for motorcycle makers, especially with the new Section 232 expansion that raises tariffs on steel and aluminum derivatives to 50 percent. Apart from imported motorcycles, this new tariff update will also make spare parts very expensive. While Donald Trump’s ideology is to promote American-made motorcycles with this effort, the irony is that even some Harley-Davidson bikes will also be affected by this tariff.
Steep Tariffs On Steel And Aluminum Are Here To Devour Motorcycles
The latest shock for motorcycle buyers in America comes in the form of a tariff expansion targeting imported motorcycles and motorcycle parts. The new Section 232 expansion encompasses a broad range of imported items made from steel and aluminum. But the ones that have us sweating are four specific codes mentioned by the Federal Registry concerning this tariff update.
Our friends at Carscoops dug deeper and have highlighted these—8711.30.00, 8711.50.00, 8711.60.00, and 8714.10.00. These codes reference different types of motorcycles, including those with engines between 50-250 cc, 800 cc and above, electric motorcycles, and motorcycle parts and accessories. In other words, almost all motorcycles from across the pond and beyond can become quite expensive, as the raw materials have been heavily taxed. Unfortunately, this new circular doesn’t even exempt goods that are currently in transit.
What Does This Tariff Expansion Mean For New Motorcycle Buyers?
There is no sugar-coating the fact that new motorcycles will be expensive. The existing tariffs certainly do increase the price, but those were confined to surcharges that were reasonably acceptable. However, with the tariff expansion now targeting core materials, the outcome could be significantly steeper. With the 50 percent tariff expansion, new motorcycles can become expensive, with some models even increasing in price by thousands of dollars.
Ironically, this move backfires on Trump’s dream of making motorcycles in America, because even American-born Harley-Davidson is scrambling to dodge the bullet. The likes of Pan America, Sportster S, and Nightster models are made in Thailand. Even US-made models, such as Softails and Grand American Touring bikes, will be affected because some of its parts are manufactured and imported from other countries, including Japan, Germany, Italy, and even China.
We Are Already Seeing The Initial Effects Of Trump Tariffs On Motorcycles
Motorcycles have slowly started sharing the pain of these tariffs with bumped-up prices of new motorcycles. Yamaha has introduced surcharges for its sports bike lineup, with the liter-class models, such as the R1 and R1M, being increased by $1,500 and $1,250, respectively. The baby Yamaha R3 also receives a $350 price increase.
KTM is still recovering from the near-death financial situation it was in. The new tariffs have not been merciful to KTM either, with the latest KTM 390 line-up, which has the potential to be a cash cow, being slapped with surcharges. The 390 Endur R and 390 SMC R have a $550 surcharge, whereas the 390 Adventure X and the 390 Duke have a $600 bump. The most expensive, however, is the 390 Adventure R, which incurs a steep $700 surcharge.
Even for an exotic motorcycle maker like Ducati, the tariff effects have been noticeable. The likes of the DesertX, Panigale V4, and Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak have been bumped up by $1,000. The rest of the line-up attracts a bump that ranges from $100 to $800.
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