So, let’s talk about tariffs.
If you haven’t noticed, the chatter over the winter has been all about tariffs. The U.S. government has been signaling plans to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, prompting us to respond with our own tariffs on American products, including motorcycles. As a result, Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles are expected to see price increases until this situation is resolved… with a couple of exceptions.
First, Harley-Davidson successfully imported a significant number of motorcycles into Canada before any tariffs were implemented, which helped maintain lower prices. Smart move.
Additionally, Harley-Davidson shifted its Sport and Adventure production lines overseas in 2024, moving away from the York, Pennsylvania plant (originally intended for EV production); these models are now made in Thailand. This may help them evade tariffs in Canada and Europe (despite previous disputes with European trade courts). Regardless of tariff implications, moving production to Thailand, where costs are lower, will likely aid in keeping prices down.
We are already witnessing the benefits with the 2024-model Harley-Davidson Nightster. The Nightster serves as a replacement for the previous Sportster 883, featuring its air-cooled EVO engine. It boasts a 975cc liquid-cooled engine, which is the smaller version of the Revolution Max engine found in the Pan America adventure bike, just as the earlier EVO engines were available in two sizes.
As of March 2025, Harley-Davidson lists the Nightster at an MSRP of $12,499 in Canada, provided you’re okay with the Billiard Gray color option (upgrading to fancy trims or paint will increase the cost). This is only about $500 more than the last edition of the 2021 Sportster 883, which utilized outdated technology and was produced using antiquated tools on a design that has long since been paid off. Given the decline of the CAD against the USD and the expectation of continued unfavorable exchange rates in the coming months, this might be the ideal time to purchase an entry-level Harley.