Daryl Jones
non-practicing pacifist
I swear, I will not contribute to this thread any more after this:
Manufacturing and licensing are so intertwined anymore it's hard to say just what is original or really made where.
I'm a motorcycle nut, former dealer, rider and racer as well. I've owned and ridden almost every known (to the m/c community) brand there is in the last 53 years. In the last few years Harley Davidson (likely the single most iconic m/c make ever) has taken to having bikes built in India and elsewhere across the pond. This is to compete on a global scale that was necessary to expand their domestic and global customer base. Does that mean they are not HD motorcycles? I think not. But even their "home" plant in Milwaukie uses a very high percentage of components from all over the world, including Japan and China. Sure, they have their own foundries and onshore suppliers, but in order to compete in the marketplace, they need to outsource parts and components, just like every other manufacturer these days. Does that make them lesser bikes? Again I say not. Made in USA doesn't mean everything in every product or plant that makes them. But do you know what does? The brand itself. As do the people that purchase them. Paul endorses the SE line and is very adamant about it. It's his name, his company, and we are all his customers. Again, that's good enough for me.
Just FYI, do you know what the VIN sticker on my Honda Goldwing says? "Made In USA" specifically Marysville, Ohio. Not "Made In Japan". Gee, I guess I don't ride a "real" Honda...
Manufacturing and licensing are so intertwined anymore it's hard to say just what is original or really made where.
I'm a motorcycle nut, former dealer, rider and racer as well. I've owned and ridden almost every known (to the m/c community) brand there is in the last 53 years. In the last few years Harley Davidson (likely the single most iconic m/c make ever) has taken to having bikes built in India and elsewhere across the pond. This is to compete on a global scale that was necessary to expand their domestic and global customer base. Does that mean they are not HD motorcycles? I think not. But even their "home" plant in Milwaukie uses a very high percentage of components from all over the world, including Japan and China. Sure, they have their own foundries and onshore suppliers, but in order to compete in the marketplace, they need to outsource parts and components, just like every other manufacturer these days. Does that make them lesser bikes? Again I say not. Made in USA doesn't mean everything in every product or plant that makes them. But do you know what does? The brand itself. As do the people that purchase them. Paul endorses the SE line and is very adamant about it. It's his name, his company, and we are all his customers. Again, that's good enough for me.
Just FYI, do you know what the VIN sticker on my Honda Goldwing says? "Made In USA" specifically Marysville, Ohio. Not "Made In Japan". Gee, I guess I don't ride a "real" Honda...
