I remember when the Goldwings had 'made in the USA' on the back of they're seats. They moved all they're Goldwing mfg back to Japan a few years ago. I'm pretty sure more of a Harley's parts are made in the USA than ...what ever bike you ride....sorry, I've forgotten already.
Harley Davidson Owners w/100,000 Miles on Bike
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Originally Posted By: Robenstein
I understand that parts get sourced from all over. However, you should not market it as an American made motorcycle if it isn't able to be legally labeled so on the product(51% or more of American components). I know my Triumph has Japanese and German parts, and I am sure a fair share of Chinese ones, but it can still be labeled legally as "Made in Great Britain".
From triumph.
Triumph has six-world class factories around the world, all 100% owned by our company. Two of these factories are based in Hinckley in the UK, just a stone’s throw from the Mallory Park race track – guess what we do there from time to time. Three are in Chonburi, Thailand and Brazil. - See more at: http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/global-content/frequently-asked-questions#sthash.Glq8zuOk.dpuf
I understand that parts get sourced from all over. However, you should not market it as an American made motorcycle if it isn't able to be legally labeled so on the product(51% or more of American components). I know my Triumph has Japanese and German parts, and I am sure a fair share of Chinese ones, but it can still be labeled legally as "Made in Great Britain".
From triumph.
Triumph has six-world class factories around the world, all 100% owned by our company. Two of these factories are based in Hinckley in the UK, just a stone’s throw from the Mallory Park race track – guess what we do there from time to time. Three are in Chonburi, Thailand and Brazil. - See more at: http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/global-content/frequently-asked-questions#sthash.Glq8zuOk.dpuf
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
If it is made in a nation that uses the metric system then it is a metric bike. Metric does not equal Japanese only. So British, German, Italian, Austrian, etc....all Metric.
Uh, you couldn't be more wrong on this. My ford Exployer has metric nuts and bolts but no one in this country claims it's metric, or European. They may consider it foreign made, if your in Europe.,,
If it is made in a nation that uses the metric system then it is a metric bike. Metric does not equal Japanese only. So British, German, Italian, Austrian, etc....all Metric.
Uh, you couldn't be more wrong on this. My ford Exployer has metric nuts and bolts but no one in this country claims it's metric, or European. They may consider it foreign made, if your in Europe.,,
Cars and bikes....apples and oragnes. Invalid argument. No one uses Metric to describe any car. But for bikes...sorry sir, you are wrong. European bikes are metrics. I mean they INVENTED the metric system and use it. When the bike is made it is more than just fasteners...the bike is built and calibrated all on metric measurements. But you are entitled to your opinion, even if it is wrong. Perhaps you are one that thinks Metric is a dirty word reserved for Asian made bikes and don't want to sully names like BMW, Ducati, Triumph, etc with that label when even the industry uses it.
And yes, Triumph makes bikes for the Asian and Australian market in Thailand. But mine was made in Hinckley so I got a brit bike. But from my friends down under, that is not something that is kept a secret. You know where it is made and Triumph even mentioned it on their website when the factory started up. No hiding it or going around it on the label on the bike.
And being from an immigrant background...I dont care where it is made as long as it is a good bike...unless the company lies about it. Like I have said every time...it is the marketing versus the reality that bothers me.
And yes, Triumph makes bikes for the Asian and Australian market in Thailand. But mine was made in Hinckley so I got a brit bike. But from my friends down under, that is not something that is kept a secret. You know where it is made and Triumph even mentioned it on their website when the factory started up. No hiding it or going around it on the label on the bike.
And being from an immigrant background...I dont care where it is made as long as it is a good bike...unless the company lies about it. Like I have said every time...it is the marketing versus the reality that bothers me.
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Man..you got a Jones for marketing! I think your disdain for the way Harleys are marketed is clouding your thinking process. Do you think that consumers are so easily swayed by a slick marketing campaign, they can be convinced to drop 20 to 30 K on a non essential vehicle and make their kids go without shoes and food and shelter? People who have enough disposable incomes are buying Harleys as fast as they can assemble them. Look at the stock prices, company growth, growth forecasts, etc. I know you'll come back with some lame OPINION, like a couple others here..! Of course the V twin is an old design, tell us something we don't know for a change. No other vehicle mfg that I know of has kept an old engine design as has Harley and been as successful and still retain as loyal a following for as long as HD has on they're V Twin. It's not all about marketing!
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I dont care about the engine design or layout...It does what it needs to do and it is reliable enough for me. And yes...I have a big pet peeve for dishonesty. I was between buying a Triumph and a Harley when I was shopping. I went with the Triumph but if I had enough cash for a second new bike it would likely be a Harley 1200 Sportster with a Ryca Cafe Kit thrown on it or a V rod.
And one other company has used the same layout for about as long and maintained a following...BMW and their flat twin/boxer engines.
Harley builds a decent bike...if you read my posts you will see I mention that often. I think they can be a bit over priced, but that is besides the point.
And the new Street 500 and 750 bikes sold in the USA will be assembled in Kansas City from what I read, but the drivetrain will be made overseas, likely in India. They will make the bikes for the Asian and likley European market in India though.
And one other company has used the same layout for about as long and maintained a following...BMW and their flat twin/boxer engines.
Harley builds a decent bike...if you read my posts you will see I mention that often. I think they can be a bit over priced, but that is besides the point.
And the new Street 500 and 750 bikes sold in the USA will be assembled in Kansas City from what I read, but the drivetrain will be made overseas, likely in India. They will make the bikes for the Asian and likley European market in India though.
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
And being from an immigrant background...I dont care where it is made as long as it is a good bike...unless the company lies about it. Like I have said every time...it is the marketing versus the reality that bothers me.
Of course everyone in the USA is an immigrant. I do care where it's made. You're in the USA now and folks should care where their products are made if they ever want a good US economy.
And being from an immigrant background...I dont care where it is made as long as it is a good bike...unless the company lies about it. Like I have said every time...it is the marketing versus the reality that bothers me.
Of course everyone in the USA is an immigrant. I do care where it's made. You're in the USA now and folks should care where their products are made if they ever want a good US economy.
I will amend my statement and say I do try to avoid products that come from nations that subscribe to certain political ideologies since those ideologies are why we are here instead of Eastern Europe.
And honestly, had Harley made a 800-900cc middleweight cruiser in the 8 to9 k dollar range I probably would have bought one of those versus the Triumph I did get. But the only HD in the ballpark was an Iron 883 and it was just too small of a bike, even had I splurged on the forward controls. It also had less power and worse suspension than what I ended up with. Having the better aftermarket support would have been nice.
I will say that international competition has benefited the American motorcycle industry. It made Harley get off their butts and create new engines and bikes that could compete with Japanese reliability and durability. Otherwise we might still have been stuck with Shovelheads and Ironheads instead of Evos and Twin Cams.
And honestly, had Harley made a 800-900cc middleweight cruiser in the 8 to9 k dollar range I probably would have bought one of those versus the Triumph I did get. But the only HD in the ballpark was an Iron 883 and it was just too small of a bike, even had I splurged on the forward controls. It also had less power and worse suspension than what I ended up with. Having the better aftermarket support would have been nice.
I will say that international competition has benefited the American motorcycle industry. It made Harley get off their butts and create new engines and bikes that could compete with Japanese reliability and durability. Otherwise we might still have been stuck with Shovelheads and Ironheads instead of Evos and Twin Cams.
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Aren't H-D's new "Street" 750's built in India?
http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/11/12/whe...and-street-500/
All Street 750s and Street 500s for US and Canadian consumption will be built in the Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations plant in Kansas City, Missouri, where there is a manufacturing line dedicated to producing the liquid-cooled Revolution X engine, a new 60-degree V-twin featuring chain-driven single overhead camshafts. On the other hand, all Street 750s and Street 500s for India, Italy, Spain, and Portugal (the only other markets at this time), will be built in Bawal, which has been expanded to a full manufacturing plant (for the Street models only) and uses parts sourced from all over the world.
Aren't H-D's new "Street" 750's built in India?
http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/11/12/whe...and-street-500/
All Street 750s and Street 500s for US and Canadian consumption will be built in the Harley-Davidson Vehicle and Powertrain Operations plant in Kansas City, Missouri, where there is a manufacturing line dedicated to producing the liquid-cooled Revolution X engine, a new 60-degree V-twin featuring chain-driven single overhead camshafts. On the other hand, all Street 750s and Street 500s for India, Italy, Spain, and Portugal (the only other markets at this time), will be built in Bawal, which has been expanded to a full manufacturing plant (for the Street models only) and uses parts sourced from all over the world.
Depends what they mean by "Built". Just saying they did not say "made"...I think the last Harley I saw that was new said "assembled in the USA with union labor".
Even if they assemble the engine in Kansas City I think for the price the parts or sub assemblies are likely coming from the Indian plant. That is the only way they could make a new and more advanced bike at a lower price than the simpler Iron 883 built in KC.
Even if they assemble the engine in Kansas City I think for the price the parts or sub assemblies are likely coming from the Indian plant. That is the only way they could make a new and more advanced bike at a lower price than the simpler Iron 883 built in KC.
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Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Depends what they mean by "Built". Just saying they did not say "made"...I think the last Harley I saw that was new said "assembled in the USA with union labor".
Even if they assemble the engine in Kansas City I think for the price the parts or sub assemblies are likely coming from the Indian plant. That is the only way they could make a new and more advanced bike at a lower price than the simpler Iron 883 built in KC.
Not sure where you saw assembled in the USA on the bike. Just checked a 2014 Limited and I found manufactured in the USA. My Chevy says assembled and built in the USA and so does the Passat. Not sure why is makes any difference.
Depends what they mean by "Built". Just saying they did not say "made"...I think the last Harley I saw that was new said "assembled in the USA with union labor".
Even if they assemble the engine in Kansas City I think for the price the parts or sub assemblies are likely coming from the Indian plant. That is the only way they could make a new and more advanced bike at a lower price than the simpler Iron 883 built in KC.
Not sure where you saw assembled in the USA on the bike. Just checked a 2014 Limited and I found manufactured in the USA. My Chevy says assembled and built in the USA and so does the Passat. Not sure why is makes any difference.
There is a law that says in order to have "Made in the USA" on it that any vehicle must have over 50% of its parts made in the USA. So it does matter. Harley has used variations in their language to skirt that law since it is closely regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and any firm that sells a vehicle labeled "Made in the USA" that does not meet the law can have legal action taken against it.
http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/tools-consumers/made-usa
http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/tools-consumers/made-usa
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Originally Posted By: Robenstein
There is a law that says in order to have "Made in the USA" on it that any vehicle must have over 50% of its parts made in the USA. So it does matter. Harley has used variations in their language to skirt that law since it is closely regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and any firm that sells a vehicle labeled "Made in the USA" that does not meet the law can have legal action taken against it.
http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/tools-consumers/made-usa
I guess that's why it does not say Made in America. Same as Victory and Indian. What vehicle says Made in America? I haven't found a claim by Harley that says Made in America. I've found claims that Harley is a American Motorcycle company. Again the same as Victory and Indian.
There is a law that says in order to have "Made in the USA" on it that any vehicle must have over 50% of its parts made in the USA. So it does matter. Harley has used variations in their language to skirt that law since it is closely regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and any firm that sells a vehicle labeled "Made in the USA" that does not meet the law can have legal action taken against it.
http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/tools-consumers/made-usa
I guess that's why it does not say Made in America. Same as Victory and Indian. What vehicle says Made in America? I haven't found a claim by Harley that says Made in America. I've found claims that Harley is a American Motorcycle company. Again the same as Victory and Indian.
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
There is a law that says in order to have "Made in the USA" on it that any vehicle must have over 50% of its parts made in the USA. So it does matter. Harley has used variations in their language to skirt that law since it is closely regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and any firm that sells a vehicle labeled "Made in the USA" that does not meet the law can have legal action taken against it.
http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/tools-consumers/made-usa
I think that's different for motor vehicles. Last I checked it has to be 75% to be considered made in USA.
There is a law that says in order to have "Made in the USA" on it that any vehicle must have over 50% of its parts made in the USA. So it does matter. Harley has used variations in their language to skirt that law since it is closely regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and any firm that sells a vehicle labeled "Made in the USA" that does not meet the law can have legal action taken against it.
http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/tools-consumers/made-usa
I think that's different for motor vehicles. Last I checked it has to be 75% to be considered made in USA.
http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/c...e01e7aa515.html
I found a link that explains better than I can.
I found a link that explains better than I can.
I've searched this before and all that I came up with is, motorcycles don't have to list what % of the motorcycle is made of foreign parts.Even tho we all know there are. If they had to by law, you would see it listed on the bike when purchased new. Doing a search for the % number will get you nothing from Harley. Motorcycles for some reason don't get held to the same standard as cars do. Just like there's no API spec for motorcycle oil. There's a factory recommendation which is a old car spec.,,
Honda 1500cc 6 cylinder Leadwing made in the USA
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