Wildthing wrote-
"I've traveled outside the USA quite a bit and I've never seen
any riders on $15,000 to $30,000 motorcycles"
I have also travled allot and worked outside the good ole U. S of A. Wildthing is right you do not see too many$30,000 bikes and especially Custom Cruiser and Choppers style.
One of the reasons is that in allot of countries such as EU, there is very heavy Taxes on some of the bikes, some are realted to cost alone, others are related to engines, size, etc. An example-if you were to by a typical HD in England, it will cost you nearly twice of what it would here. South Africa has close to a 100% tax on motorcyles also.
One thing I can say from working with quite a few foriegners over in the Sand Boxes, is that many of them would love to have a nice Chopper but due to cost, taxes and factors, the cost for them and registeration-inports, etc are out of reach for most or impratical.
There is also the factor of some pretty major emission regulations, safety issues, noise laws of so many other things. Modifying a V Twin like we tend to do, is pushing so many regs and require so major paperwork and cost in the EU, that it is just not norm. Even S & S has some of their specifically designed to meet the TuV requirements.
Love the U. S. A. so much more, even with all our crap after visiting other countries or talking to those from the other side of the Ocean.
I will have to swap them out for my next long trip (whenever that will be).
