Scootypuff snr wrote: ↑Mon Oct 15, 2018 2:47 pm Bikes are cheaper in the UK than the rest of Europe now hence the reason lots our second hand models are bought in bulk by dealers from Belgium, Poland, etc.

"Europe" isn't one country and isn't the EU, two completely different entities. Many countries within the EU have lower prices for motorcycles than the UK, Germany is one of them. They are about equal now as Sterling is so low against the Euro. Unfortunately due to the plummet of Sterling, prices will only rise in the UK as it's seriously hit the margins of all manufacturers. The countries that don't have motorcycle/car manufacturers tend to be more expensive as they levy taxes to deter money leaving the country to foreign industries.

Anyway, it's an interesting article on how trade and trading blocs work and the affects of being part of one or not.

I suppose we are not going to get much of an idea until after things actually happen.

Many costs already have gone up seroiusly, not least on fuel etc. but we can`t know the full extent of things at all yet.

If prices rise further still its not going to help scooter sales in the UK.

Might boost 2nd hand sales quite a bit though.

Best Mark.

Now we're leaving, more expensive bikes will be blamed on Brexit.

If we hadn't left, the bikes would be more expensive because we hadn't left.

Consumerism, laced with an unhealthy dose of opportunism innit.

I wouldn't pay too much attention to all the speculation about cheaper bikes if you live in the EU zone. Japan, specifically their prime minister, aside from wanting to welcoming us with open arms into the pacific rim partnership, has already repeatedly said it will reciprocate with lower taxes on UK imports if we lower ours. Something we simply cannot do under current EU laws. and while we are in the 'club'. In fact, they have actively said they look forward to us exiting the EU because they will be able to negotiate a lower or non existent tariff for cars and bikes. It's in their interest as well as ours. So at the end of the day, we may as well all pretty much ignore this press stuff because life will go on very nicely once we brexit.

Anyhoo, remember most of our trade is done with the rest of the world these days. Our trade with the EU has fallen considerably over the last 12 years (they sell us 100bn pa, we sell them 60bn pa) and is predicted to continue to fall even if we stayed in the EU, while our trade with the rest of the world will continue to expand. Many business (small and medium size) want to export to the rest of the world but cannot because the EU either won't grant them a license, or it's too expensive to go through the EU red tape to get one. That's going to change pretty quickly once we leave.

ps. not trying to make any political statement here.

The UK's trade with the rest of the world benefits from being an EU member. Without that membership, WTO tariffs will kick in making UK exportts much more expensive. Toyota disagree with your perception of trade with Japan:

"Toyota warns ‘no deal’ will spell post-Brexit shutdown"

https://www.ft.com/content/99c3603e-c3c ... 353379f7c2

Also:

"Brexit: Japan says trade deal with EU is a greater priority than deal with UK"

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... 80021.html

It takes many years to negotiate a trade deal but this is now a done deal and will exclude the UK after March next year:

"Why the EU’s agreement with Japan is a big deal"

https://www.ft.com/content/572fef42-626 ... 2f7ee26895

Plenty more real examples if you like but not trying to make any political statement just pointing out that things will get very tough for the UK if they don't get a deal from the EU. It might not impact immediately but will definitely drive living standards down.

Well I was going to add the definative statement on all ossible outcomes of all possible political debates during my remaining lifetime, but none of my crystal balls are in agreement with each other

It's pointless looking much further than Bern's lifetime. Global warming will have got us by then.

Hmmmmm, ice spikes on scooter tyres, very Death Race 2000

orange1290 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 22, 2018 6:35 am It might not impact immediately but will definitely drive living standards down.

Just like Italy, Portugal & Greece then.

As the saying goes

Before sex you help each other get naked. After sex you only dress yourself.

Moral of the story:

In life no one helps you once your fucked