Continuing their overseas expansion, Harley Davidson is now open for business in Taiwan. As with several other countries, Taiwan had a ban on large displacement motorcycles which has since been lifted.
With a soft market in the U.S., opening a few more international dealerships could be good thing. I'm a little curious how the new dealers in other countries have been doing, like the one in Beijing, for instance. Some countries aren't exactly ideal for excursions in a full dress Harley touring bike.
Harley Davidson press release:
Harley-Davidson opened its first dealership in Taiwan on April 20 in the city of Taipei. In the past, Taiwan completely banned all large displacement motorcycles until the Government Affairs department succeeded in getting Taiwan to eliminate its ban and resolve other regulatory issues that allowed Harley-Davidson to finally establish a dealership. And in June 2007, Harley-Davidson appointed Taikoo Motorcycle Ltd. as its designated Taiwan dealer. Ten months later the dealership opened its doors.
"Harley-Davidson enthusiasts in Taiwan have been waiting for an authorized Harley-Davidson dealership to provide them with the complete brand experience and quality support that customers have been experiencing elsewhere throughout the world," said Rod Copes, H-D Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific. "The Taipei dealership is another important step in expanding our sales worldwide."
After speeches given by Harley-Davidson Motor Company representatives, including a video-broadcast speech from Bill Davidson, H-D Vice President, Core Customer Marketing, the grand opening continued into the evening with a live concert for more than 2,000 enthusiasts who gathered to welcome Harley-Davidson to Taiwan.
Related: Harley-Davidson Opens Dealership in East China
Related: Harley Davidson Names First China Dealer
todd says
You wonder what sort of influence large bikes like Harleys will have in these countries. Will the traditional 150cc engine capacity grow to 1500cc or will people continue to buy the small bikes since they work so well in the crowded areas?
Regardless, it’s always a good move to be able to sell a US product overseas. This will help bring some foreign money into the US and help boost our economy. It doesn’t hurt that US products are a bargain in other countries lately.
-todd
Mark says
Why would anyone in Taiwan want a Harley? Sure, they look and sound great, but where will you ride them in Taiwan? Terrible handling on rough roads and off road, too long and heavy for tight and crowded city streets. Are there any long, empty freeways in Taiwan where they could be enjoyed?
Any sales success will be due to the image and brand marketing alone.
Chris says
Actually Mark, if you’ve been in Taiwan there’s quite a few twisty roads in the more hilly/mountainy regions. The streets are busy but aren’t a gridlock disaster. Rough roads, off road, tight and crowded sounds like a lot of US cities too.
Tom says
Chinese and Taiwanese conditions aren’t ideal for Porsches and Ferraris, either, but those expensive, hyper-performance automobiles are selling there and making money for their manufacturers. Compared to those cars, Harleys are cheap and practical. Why couldn’t HDI sell some bikes there?
Tom
tom collins says
There are many wealthy people in Taiwan and a good middle class. I think Harley will make a big impact there (no pun intended). I believe it will be a status symbol as it has been in the US for some time. It was a good move.
T. Johnston says
I have resided in Taiwan for about eight years now, and have gone from a 150CC scooter to a 1300cc Honda X4 motorcycle and now I have finally bought a new Harley Night Train. All Harleys imported this year have been purchased. The Taiwanese want them. The most popular bikes being the touring models, believe it or not. The more expensive, the better. And riding them is an afterthought in many instances as simply owning them provides “face” during ten minute trips to popular coffee shops. I paid 970000 NTD for my bike, or about 30000 CAD. Touring models go for about 1200000, or about 40000 CAD. And Harley will reap an aftermarket windfall as all Taiwanese are accessory junkies. Regarding my Night Train, the only reason it was still available was the crinkle black engine components. Taiwanese like shiny things. The roads are fine, especially out of Taipei. Once you travel a hundred kilometers south, traffic thins out completely. There are many highways and roads that offer spectacular scenery. It ain’t America, but it’s acceptable. Freeways are off-limits to all bikes, although city expressways are allowed. Opening up freeways would be nice, but apparently it will never happen.
kneeslider says
T. Johnston,
Thanks for the insight into the Taiwanese market! It’s good to hear the “sold out” sign is already up, sounds like the demand is there, Harley must have done their homework before opening their dealership. Enjoy your new ride.
George says
HAHAHA had a Harley behind my scooter in Taipei…….what a fun…..thought an earthquake is coming up……
Forget these ricecookers……I WANNA HARLEY….
This is next on my wishlist for this year…heheeheheh
Rumble in Paradise…..
T. Johnston says
Had my Night Train for a month or so now, a few problems: the stick on reflectors fell off I guess because of the humidity (took the front ones off when I got the bike, but the back ones came off by themselves somewhere along the road), the front end gives a strange feeling and sound when braking quickly or hitting a pothole (Taiwan Harley said this is a potential problem with Softails and has a part to rectify the situation, it’ll be here in a few weeks apparently). Also, gotta stop people from pushing by on scooters at red lights, others from leaning their old bicycles against it when the bike is parked, cars from pushing you out of your lane, and old men from letting their dogs pee on your pipes right in front of you… all of which happened in the past month… It’s a full time maintenance and protection job owning a Harley in Taiwan. But it’s worth it!
John Pigeon says
Can you supply me with the dealership’s tel no in Taiwan as i am interested in buying a Harley. Thanks.
John
FERNANDEZ says
To T jonhston
Hi, I am from France, and I am in Taiwan up to the end of December 2008.
I have also a night train 2007. Same problem as yours for the front end and try to set it by reducing the ware of the steering.
Mine has 15.000 km nearly.
No problem.
Good ride in Taiwan for you !
Serge
T. Johnston says
Hey John Pigeon, if you are still reading this, my sales guy’s name is Tony Yi, and the phone number for Neihu Harley is (02) 2798-9869. Toni’s English is pretty good, so no worries if your Chinese isn’t that good. If you need anymore info, send me an e-mail at trevorjamesjohnston@hotmail.com.
Nate Nossal says
I’m a biker in Japan, thinking about moving to Taiwan (not Taipei though).
I was planning to just sell my chop Sporster 1200C and get something appropriate in Taiwan. It sounds like a hassle getting an HD over there; maybe I should consider floating the chrome bomb over? What do you know about that?
Nate
trevor Johnston says
Hi Nate…
It is pretty well an impossibility to get yer bike over here and have it legal. It is possible to import a bike here, but it must be submitted to a government agency which will do all sorts of testing to determine if it meets emission standards. I have even heard that they take bits of the bike and burn it to see what it gives off. The guys who import pretty well donate a bike to the government for this testing, and once they are ok’d on that particular model, they can import them. The standards over here are pretty well on par with those of California, which are pretty stringent. All bikes here are EFI now. Having said all that, once you buy a bike over here, modify it, change the AFR to avoid burning nards, new pipes, air, etc., you have to take the bike every five years for testing. Apparently there are the right guys to take it to who will ensure that you pass this test, even with a modified bike. (for the right price, of course!) Prices of Sportsters start new at about 590 000nt, or about 1,600,000 Yen. I paid about 1,000,000NT for my night train, which is about 2,800,000yen.
Outside of Taipei city, however, it’s conceivable to have and ride your sportster – you just have to know the right guys to get a dodgy red plate to put on your bike. Lots of people here have illegal bikes and ride them, and the more south you get, the less chance you have of being questioned about anything about your bike.
Guess it’s up to you. Worst case scenario, they confiscate your bike. Nothing else would happen.
You need more info about harley in Taiwan, give me an e-mail: trevorjamesjohnston@hotmail.com