Yep, Asia is a bit crazy with taxes on "luxury" items...
I live just north of where you took the pictures (Taiwan) and a Triumph is double what you guys pay in US, CAN or UK (don't know about Australia!). That's why I avoided these taxes and bought a second-hand bike (with just 2500 miles, you could say that is is pretty much new!).
But on the the other hand, the most important things and food that people need are dirt cheap (and 6% income tax!). So, I guess there's a balance somewhere.
There are a lot of places where I wouldn't feel comfortable riding a Triumph around in the Philippines (from travelling outside of the usual tourist spots). But if one day you guys feel like it, there's amazing sceneries, coastal and mountains roads in East Taiwan!
Enjoy it over there! (from an expat also married to a wonderful, and not typical, asian girl).
