• Articles
  • Motorcycles for Sale
  • Motorcycle Parts
  • Motorcycle Manuals
  • Models
  • Collectibles
  • Contact

The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Harley Davidson Opens Taiwan Dealership

By Paul Crowe

Harley Davidson in TaiwanContinuing 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

Posted on June 14, 2008 Filed Under: Motorcycle Business


-- Subscribe to The Kneeslider --

Be the first to know when something’s new!


Be sure to check out The Kneeslider’s motorcycle manuals and literature listings.

Your purchases through ebay links on The Kneeslider may earn a commission for this site.




« Saint Thomas Academy’s Safer Electric Motorcycle
NSU 2000cc Single Cylinder Motorcycle »

Comments

  1. todd says

    June 14, 2008 at 11:19 pm

    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

  2. Mark says

    June 15, 2008 at 12:33 am

    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.

  3. Chris says

    June 15, 2008 at 1:44 am

    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.

  4. Tom says

    June 16, 2008 at 8:00 am

    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

  5. tom collins says

    June 17, 2008 at 8:31 am

    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.

  6. T. Johnston says

    July 1, 2008 at 6:20 am

    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.

  7. kneeslider says

    July 1, 2008 at 7:05 am

    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.

  8. George says

    August 1, 2008 at 9:30 am

    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…..

  9. T. Johnston says

    August 14, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    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!

  10. John Pigeon says

    November 13, 2008 at 2:01 am

    Can you supply me with the dealership’s tel no in Taiwan as i am interested in buying a Harley. Thanks.
    John

  11. FERNANDEZ says

    December 23, 2008 at 3:40 am

    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

  12. T. Johnston says

    January 26, 2009 at 6:15 am

    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.

  13. Nate Nossal says

    August 25, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    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

  14. trevor Johnston says

    September 11, 2009 at 8:46 am

    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

Subscribe to The Kneeslider

Be the first to know when something's new!

Search articles on The Kneeslider


Do You need motorcycle parts?

Everything from normal maintenance items to hard to find out of production parts, look here first.
Be very specific for best results! Use part numbers if you have them.


Be sure to check out The Kneeslider’s new motorcycle manuals and literature listings.



Your purchases through ebay links on The Kneeslider may earn a commission for this site.



From The Kneeslider Archives

Ian Drsdale's Godzilla V-Twin with master and link rods and longitudinal cam

Drysdale Godzilla V-Twin

JJ2S X4 500cc 4 cylinder 2 stroke concept from Poland

JJ2S X4 500cc 2 Stroke Update

RSS What’s happening on HorsePowerSports

  • DeLorean Motor Company is Coming Back with an Electric
  • Ford Shares Open Source CAD Files for 3D Printing Truck Accessories
  • If You Need a New Car, Buy an Old One Instead

Army Navy Surplus online

Motorcycle Engine Powered Cars

Copyright © 2025 · The Kneeslider · Website by Crowe Computer Services
US Army veteran owned and operated
This website proudly Made in the USA!
Made in the USA