All of the major manufacturers officially launched their 2008 models to the Canadian
media and public on December 7-9, 2007.
More than 36,000 visitors came to the Metro Toronto
Convention Centre to view the latest
motorcycles and scooters from the major manufacturers, including Honda,
Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Harley-Davidson, Buell, BMW, Ducati, Victory, Polaris,
KTM, Hyosung, Can-Am and Ural.
The Toronto Motorcycle Show is owned by the Motorcycle and Moped Industry
Council of Canada (MMIC) and
the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV).
The event is produced by the Canadian National Sportsmen's Shows
(CNSS), a non-profit corporation and the largest producer of boat, fishing,
sportsmen's, ski, snowmobile, outdoor and motorcycle shows in Canada. CNSS raises funds to
benefit Canada's outdoors. Since the first show held in
1948, more than $28,000,000 has been committed to these causes.
The MMIC and COHV are national, non-profit industry associations that represent
the major manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters and ATVs in
Canada. Their member companies account for more than 95 percent of
all new units sold in Canada each year.
In addition to the exhibit area, the Show is famous for its wide variety of
entertainment, special features and participation from related riding clubs and
associations.
The Toronto Motorcycle Show also presented the SHE RIDES NITE on Friday,
December 7th as a recognition of
one of the industry's fastest growing categories of new riders. SHE RIDES NITE
has been created by the Toronto Motorcycle Show to celebrate all women who ride,
race or simply enjoy doubling up.
We asked Dean Macaskill to take a few photos (especially of
motorcycles we don't see in the U.S.A.), send us some comments about the show
and also to see if he could get to the bottom of the CAD vs. USD pricing issue.
Dean is a motorcycle rider and the Vice President of the Investment Division of
Lennard Commercial Realty in Toronto.
Here's Dean's report:
I went to the Toronto Bike Show yesterday and spoke to a number of dealers and
distributors about the discrepancy between Canadian and U.S. pricing. Basically
I was told to not hold my breath -- a number of issues were cited.
Firstly, the Canadian market is extremely small; for example, Suomy sells more
helmets in California in a year than all of Canada. Secondly, many of the goods
are made in Europe. In fact I was told that Suomy doesn't care that Americans
and Canadians are neighbours when it comes to pricing -- market fundamentals are
what matter.
The Euro is strong, as is the Canadian Dollar, so there are not
the price discrepancies that currently exist between Canada and the States. Thirdly, I
was told there is an import duty/tax of 16%, so even if the goods were shipped
from the U.S. there would still be close to a 20% difference in price.
Based on the above, I sense we Canadians will still face higher prices in 2008
with little or no change in price structure from 2007. Where there has been
significant improvement in bike pricing -- most manufacturers have reduced prices
in real significant terms.
Last year BMW went all the way and reduced prices by
$500 per model, hardly worth doing, but this year prices are down as much as $5,000
on some models. Virtually all of the manufacturers have followed suit with
significant price drops. I guess with this money saved we can use this extra
money to buy accessories at Canadian prices.
Quick Comments on the Show
Suzuki will be offering a 1250 Bandit for Canada only with full fairing and
touring bags. I apologize for the poor picture.
I have also attached photos of the new BMW 650 and 800 GS models. A comment from two
Enduro riders indicated that the seat on the 800 GS was too
narrow, otherwise both bikes do look great and sales of these models shouldn't
be too difficult. Likely buyers from the 1150 and 1200 GS line might see either
bike as a good trade for their heavier bike.
Other bikes that are worth
mentioning include the new CBF1000 and the Honda Varadero with the 1,000 cc VTR
engine. Both bikes have been available in Europe for a number of years and the
Varadero goes back to at least 2000 in Europe.
The CBF1000 is a great looking bike; it has oval exhausts on each side of the bike
and they look aftermarket right from the factory.
The CBR125 has been available here since last year. What is new is the race
series that Honda has created for this bike to run at certain stops of the Parts
Canada Superbike Series this summer. This should make for cheap, entry level
racing.
I have also sent a photo of the Ducati S4RS Tricolore. It looks fantastic!
What is even more fantastic is the list price here is $17,995 which is $2,000
less than the original!
Enjoy!
BMW F 650 GS
BMW F 800 GS - First one in Canada;
wBW
Reviewer "H.B.C." will be getting one soon!
Ducati Monster S4RS Tricolore
Honda CBF 1000
Honda CBF 1000
Honda CBR 125
Honda Varadero
Suzuki Bandit Tourer (with apologies for the poor quality photo!)
