Starting April 2025, European riders could face eye-watering price hikes on U.S.-made Harleys due to a 56% EU import tariff—a retaliatory move in the escalating U.S.-EU trade war over steel and aluminum.

As a lifelong rider, I’ve seen tariffs shake markets before, but this? This feels personal. Let’s unpack why Harley-Davidson is caught in the crossfire—and what it means for riders everywhere.

EU Tariffs Set to Push Harley-Davidson Prices Sky-High

The EU is slapping a 50% retaliatory tariff on top of the standard 6% duty for U.S.-made motorcycles over 500cc.

The EU is retaliating against U.S. tariffs on European steel, and Harley-Davidson, an emblem of American manufacturing, is a high-value political target. Wisconsin’s ties to former House Speaker Paul Ryan only amplify its symbolic weight.

The math is brutal. Take the Road Glide: In Denmark, with its sky-high vehicle taxes, the total price could balloon to $124,000. Even in countries with lower taxes, a $26,000 Harley jumps to ~$46,000 before dealership fees. That’s a 40% hike overnight.

Harley’s Past Hail Marys Won’t Work This Time

Rewind to 2018. When the EU last hit Harleys with a 31% tariff, the company pivoted by shifting EU-bound production to Thailand. Thai-made bikes dodged the tariffs, keeping prices somewhat stable.

But the EU called foul, arguing Harley was gaming the system. By 2023, courts ruled against Harley, labeling the Thailand move “tariff circumvention.” Now, in 2025, that escape route is dead.

Harley’s stuck. Absorbing the 56% tariff would bleed ~$200 million annually—money the company doesn’t have.

Its 2025 financial outlook already forecasts flat-to-declining revenue. Passing the cost to riders? That risks turning Harleys into ultra-luxury items, alienating the brand’s core audience.

As one Rider said: “Harley’s already pricing itself into oblivion. This feels like the final nail.”

Riders Speak: “Used Bikes or Bust”

Scrolling through motorcycle forums like r/Harley, the frustration is palpable. Riders in the EU are panicking. Some joke about selling kidneys to afford a new Softail. Others are eyeing used Harleys, but even those prices could spike if new models vanish from showrooms.

But the bigger fear? Losing the Harley culture. Events, rallies, and the brotherhood around these bikes thrive when riders can actually buy them. If tariffs turn Harleys into garage queens for the 1%, the brand’s rebellious spirit risks fading in Europe.

Also Read: What’s News oon 2025 Harley Davidson Models?

Competitors Are Laughing All the Way to the Bank

While Harley struggles, EU riders have plenty of alternatives. BMW, Ducati, and Triumph face zero retaliatory tariffs. Japanese brands like Honda and Yamaha also get a free pass, thanks to trade deals. Even Indian Motorcycle, Harley’s main U.S. rival, has a workaround—some bikes are assembled in Poland, dodging the tariff bullet.

Harley’s EU market share, already a meager ~5%, could evaporate. As one industry analyst noted: “This isn’t just a headwind—it’s a hurricane.”

What’s Next for Harley—and Us?

Harley’s options are grim. Legal challenges? They’ve lost every round so far. Building an EU factory? That’s a years-long, billion-dollar gamble. For now, the focus is damage control: lobbying governments, trimming costs and praying for a trade truce.

But let’s be real—this isn’t just Harley’s problem. Tariffs on steel and aluminum could trickle down to all motorcycles, raising production costs globally. And if trade wars keep escalating, even your local dealer might feel the pinch through pricier parts or thinner inventories.

The Bottom Line

As riders, we’re collateral damage in a fight we didn’t start. The tariffs aren’t just about Harley—they’re a warning. In an era of trade wars and “America First” policies, the motorcycles we love could become pawns in a bigger game.