1983 motorcycle tariff  The 1983 motorcycle tariff was a 45% tariff imposed on imported motorcycles in the United States. The tariff expired in 1988. During the first year of the tariff, the tariff was set at 45%, then dropping to 39.4% in the second year. In the third year, the rate dropped to 24.4%, then 19.4% in the fourth year and 14.4% in the fifth year. In the early eighties, Harley-Davidson claimed that Japanese manufacturers were importing motorcycles into the US in such volume as to harm or threaten to harm domestic producers. After an investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission, President Reagan in 1983 imposed a 45 percent tariff on imported bikes with engine capacities greater than 700 cc. Harley-Davidson subsequently rejected offers of assistance from Japanese motorcycle makers. However, the company did offer to drop the request for the tariff in exchange for loan guarantees from the Japanese.