A Beef Against European Motorcycles

The AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) announced today that it is opposing a plan that could double the cost of some European motorcycles imported into the United States. The federal measure is designed as retaliation to the 27-member European Union’s continuing import ban on American beef treated with growth hormones. EU officials haven’t lifted that 20-year-old ban, despite a World Trade Organization (WTO) order to end it. The AMA’s comments make a strong argument that motorcycles have no business being used as a lever in a dispute over beef. If U.S. officials impose the retaliatory tariff, it would double the price of a host of under-500cc on- and off-highway machines from brands such as Aprilia, Beta, BMW, Bultaco, Fantic, Gas Gas, Husaberg, Husqvarna, KTM, Montesa, Piaggio, Scorpa, TM and Vespa. Imposing these stiff tariffs on motorcycles would do nothing to resolve the trade dispute, but would punish American buyers of European motorcycles.”

10 Responses to “A Beef Against European Motorcycles”


  1. 1 Jeff Nicklus Dec 11th, 2008 at 11:29 am

    Damn, where is Gar when you need him?

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  2. 2 harry Dec 11th, 2008 at 1:37 pm

    I hate to say it, but there are some federal gov’t officials that are officially be categorized as fucking morons; there is no logical reason to do this whatsoever. If someone out there has any insight on why this needs to be done, please explain it to me. BTW–I am not being sarcastic either, I am being dead serious…

  3. 3 Joe Sixpack Dec 11th, 2008 at 2:26 pm

    “We ‘Mericans are fat from them thar hormon-ded cattle. We ride 7-hund’erd pound hogs and don’t need no stinkin’ Yer’pean racebikes.”

  4. 4 Dennis J Dec 11th, 2008 at 6:14 pm

    This to me is insane. Just imagine what this will do to any Piaggio/Vespa dealer or those who sell KTM dirtbikes or even BMW dealers with the OE’s new off-road machines.

    As Piaggio USA’s president puts it “We urge the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) not to punish the U.S. employees of a healthy and growing personal transportation company, along with the 400-plus U.S. dealers and employees that retail our scooters and small displacement motorcycles, when the only focus of this trade dispute is an agricultural product.”

  5. 5 ROGUE Dec 12th, 2008 at 8:27 am

    This is just another reason why I have asked everyone to Join The AMA.
    I can also say that all indications for 2009 are we are going to need a lot of their help.
    Rogue

  6. 6 rodent Dec 12th, 2008 at 10:12 am

    And the Jap and chinese parts used in American bikes will double in price…who elected these assholes?

  7. 7 Mike (Kiwi) Tomas Dec 12th, 2008 at 10:20 am

    I’m not attached to either political party but it seems like another classic case of our government hard at work for us, the people. Well thought out, NOT!!!!! It’ll punish the average American business person who is barely making a living anyway.

  8. 8 Mark Shubin Dec 12th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    Hey, it’s late in the day and I’m not sure many people will read this. My question is how much crap do we really need to add to our diet’s. Growth hormones? Yummy! Is cancer and other health issue’s a part of the use of products like these ? Back in the 50’s the FDA’s word was considered “Gold”. How would you rate it now ?

  9. 9 Nicker Dec 13th, 2008 at 2:42 am

    In Goververnment, as in everything else, “…Less is More…”

    Yes, IMHO
    -nicker-

  10. 10 Scott Dec 13th, 2008 at 10:13 am

    Another prime example of this government sucking farmer dick and screwing everyone else. Don’t these lazy moron bastards get enough government cheese. Must be the steroids in the burger I had last night talking.

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Cyril Huze