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Cruiser
Posts: 55
Oklahoma City | As you know, many of us enjoy riding an American Made Motorcycle. Why, because we take pride in knowing we support Americans and the products we make. Sure, it may cost a little more buying American, but we support our American freedom and way of life.
That being said, which of the American assembled bikes has the most componants, etc., made here in America? Which manufacturer holds the title of the true American Motorcycle? Riddley, Harley-Davidson, Big Dog, Indian, or maybe Victory can claim the American Made Title.
Don't you want to know, I know I do! Who can produce the true percentage of American made bikes they manufacture? |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 13
Central Nevada | I'm not really sure which American motorcycle has the highest percentage of American made parts, but I know that alot of Harley's aftermarket parts are made in China. I was shocked when I was at a Harley store with my brother, who is a diehard Harley rider, I randomly picked up a few chrome and dressup items with the blazing Harley emblem, only to find "Made in China" on the back.  But who knows maybe Victory is guilty of the same practice.... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | If you take your Vision apart, you will find parts made in other countries, that does not suprise me. The US gave up manufacturing many items years ago, and at this time you really can't buy some items in the states. 15 years ago several American car companies gave out details on what percentage of their autos were actually made in the US. What happened to that, the general public really doesn't give a flip where it is made...as long as it is affordable and works. Even though it may say it is made in another country, it may not be totally. I work (for a few more months) for a large chemical company, yes I know we're bad, but we sell to other countries, because the dollar is down, they make something due to their cheap labor, and then send it back. We are truely in a world economy, that's not going to change! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | When I brought my Vision home the first thing I did was take the seat and center console off to look for foreign parts. They are easy to find on most other "American Made" bikes. I was quite surprised that I had to hunt for them. Makes me proud to ride and own a machine of such quality that contains a high percentage of truely American made parts. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 55
Oklahoma City | So, from the comments made so far, there really isn't a totally American made motorcycle any longer. However, wouldn't it be nice to know which manufacturer is trully supportive of American made parts and other components? Many of us would support a manufacturer who could factually claim that it's product, in this case motorcycles, are the highest in percentage made in the United States. I've heard from manufacturers, "we try to give our customers the highest quality product available," but they can't claim that it's the highest American made motorcycle on the market. Toyota is assembled in America, can Toyota now claim it's American made? Following this rational, I guess Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and the others might claim to be high quality bikes are sold and bought by Americans; therefore, they to are American motorcycles. I propose that all of us ask motorcycle manufacturers, who claim to make American motorcycles, what percentage is American made. I suggest that many of us want to ride the most made American bike, not Jap, German, or Itallian.
Ride and support America made products, and don't be a poser!
Edited by Top 2010-10-22 10:50 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I wonder why this is such a significant topic for most people, our world has been international for decades. There is wisdom in getting a part from another country that can be built cheaper and more reliable, because we can't and often times won't. The end product is that what is assemblied and quality control is applied to. The major part of the assembly such as the frame and engine is the important piece is what matters to me on whether it is "American" made. It is also important to know where my money is going. I'm am a firm believer in supporting local products and American made products, but when you can't find them, what do you do. Knowing friends that are in making material for manufacturing, or were, were out-priced by the foriegn market, to include the shipping cost, therefore had to shut the doors, it begs the question "where are we going wrong?".
Our people demand low-cost items and higher wages, the two cannot exist for long, especially in a coorporate structure where the top is too heavy financially. This is becoming more evident now that our economy is in the tank, but given time, it will provide balance as the fluff is finally thrown out, and prudence for survival kicks in.
One more thing to consider, if I may. I'm not buying Toyota anymore, though they make a first rate car. But, if a Toyota is being assembled here in the U. S. and we have people who live locally working there and drawing a paycheck because they are employed, and spending that paycheck in the local economy, is it a bad thing because it is a Japanese based company? You may say I'm unAmerican, but I served 20+ years in the Army, 10 of them, as a paratrooper and was ready to die for your right to call me anything you like, as an American, born and bred.
Edited by varyder 2010-10-22 11:41 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | My speedometer was made in Switzerland. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | The Rider of my Vision was made in San Antonio, Texas USA and I have the paperwork to prove it! My Vision was brought to life by skilled American workers in Spirit Lake, Iowa on December 20th 2007.
I have put almost 20,000 miles on it and would be proud to own any Victory product .... except that POS centerstand they make.
Ride Safe! |
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Tourer
Posts: 367
Cottage Grove, Mn | radioteacher - 2010-10-22 12:27 PM
The Rider of my Vision was made in San Antonio, Texas USA and I have the paperwork to prove it! My Vision was brought to life by skilled American workers in Spirit Lake, Iowa on December 20th 2007.
I have put almost 20,000 miles on it and would be proud to own any Victory product .... except that POS centerstand they make.
Ride Safe!
++++1 |
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Tourer
Posts: 367
Cottage Grove, Mn |
So I?m having lunch today and I look out the window of the restaurant and see this Ocean Blue Vision enter the parking lot. Twenty minutes later I walk out to find it parked next to my Vision (surrounded by a crowd of course) and immediately recognize its owner. It?s the former St Paul Chief of Police and once avid Harley rider. We chatted a while, compared notes and when I finally asked how he liked his Vision he just grinned for ear to ear looked at the bike held out his hands and smiled so more. Enough said. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 55
Oklahoma City | As a consumer, and not being independantly wealthy, I too look at prices and quality. However, we are jaded to our own demise. Once our nation was the leading manufacturer in the world, with high quality products and pride in our workmanship. Now it seems as if the call of the all mighty buck is where we place our priorities. I believe that Victory is a high quality motorcycle; ergo, why I ride Victory. However, I feel that all motorcycle manufacturers who claim to be "Amerian Made" have a moral obligation to disclose the percentage of the product that is really made in this country, to include it's components. Wouldn't it be a selling point to be able to exclaim: "We are the Paramount American Made Motorcycle, ride our Bike and Support our Country!"? Unlike our current president, who promised "transparancy", let's encourage our American Motorcycle Manufacturers to fully disclose the percentage of their products made in America. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Top, I believe most of us older folks agree to what you've said. But the issue is we are truely a world economy and the US cannot move back from that. There are too many ramification if they would do that. We are in this for the long run, for better or worst. It started a long time ago when the US gave up on the steel industry, and they are doing the same with the chemical industry. We as a whole have been programed to not like the word industry...it's dirty!! Proctor & Gamble is a company, many of us have used product that they manufacture...they have been around forever. Proctor & Gamble make two products that are in my house, Cheer & Crest...I don't even have to explain what the products are. When you look at those products one says MADE in USA, and the other does not say where it is made. The Crest product does not say Made In USA. I'm pretty sure Crest is probably one of the best selling toothpastes in the USA, but it probably is not made in the USA. The whole thing is, most people just don't give a flip about where it is made, as long as it works and give them good quality for the money. If it is important to a person, they will look to see where the product is made prior to purchase. Victory motorcycles are American made in Spirit Lake, Ia....that good with me.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 70
Fryeburg ME | Arkainzeye - 2010-10-22 12:45 PM
My speedometer was made in Switzerland.
Not a bad thing right? The Swiss make some great time pieces, so my thoughts are an accurate and reliable speedometer would be a good thing. Think Global. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| If being the banty rooster in the courtyard is important go look for the all American made bike so you can rub it in the face of the "other" owners.
If helping Americans have jobs is more important start buying postage stamps. You can't be a postal worker and an illegal alien. Cheap easy way to help Americans have jobs. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | ask any pre-2009 GL1800 GoldWing rider, they'll tell you in a heartbeat they ride an American made motorcycle, if it was made in Marysville. I'm glad Victory came out with the Vision as it outclasses all other touring bikes IMHO. |
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| Visioness - 2010-10-23 7:25 PM
Arkainzeye - 2010-10-22 12:45 PM
My speedometer was made in Switzerland.
Not a bad thing right? The Swiss make some great time pieces, so my thoughts are an accurate and reliable speedometer would be a good thing. Think Global.
And what about the parts inside the speedo, are they swiss made?
How deep to you want to dig? Where did the copper come from? Or the Lithium for the memory battery? How about the oxides in the paint? The cows that the leather comes from?
Complex machines like cars and motorcycles likely have thier roots in almost every corner of the world, including some of our so-called enemies. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 55
Oklahoma City | I have read good points regarding "American Made" products from many of you. The deal is; there have been, and still are many riders and clubs that insist on their members riding a "Harley" because it's "American Made." Well, I'm, like many of you, here to tell you it doesn't matter what motorcycle you ride, whether it's Germany, Itallian, English, Japanese, or American, you like and enjoy "Your Bike." Ride it and make it yours! Unless you are a Harley-Davidson rep or have stock in the company, what does it matter? Harelys for the most part now days suck.
They don't keep up to date, their parts are way over priced, and many Harley riders seem to think, if its not a Harley it's not sh*t. I guess if it is a Harley, it is sh*t, well.
However, all this being said, I still feel if manufacturers claim to be "American Made," they should disclose what percentage is American made. I think we, as consumers, have a right to know. |
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Tourer
Posts: 323
Troy, NY | If the Victory Vision was made in Ethiopia and had the same quality and craftsmanship as she currently does......I would still buy it!!!
American Made is great....but is not in the top 5 reasons why I bought her  |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Any of you remember 'recent history'? The Allies bombed the crap out of German and Japanese industrial centres - destroying virtually ALL their machine tools - while America still was using their Pre-War tools to manufacture war machines. After the war, America turned to using their old machines to manufacture NEW tooling for Germany and Japan, and using their old machines to manufacture cars and trucks (and Harleys).
It took a few years - but soon Germany and Japan were building better cars (and bikes) than America - because they had better tools - thanks to America (and Canada and others).
By the time America got around to upgrading their machines from pre-war stuff - they had fallen far behind, and have been in 'catch-up' mode ever since. I think now their product is as good as anyone's. BUT. ...
Problem is, now American labor costs are higher - so finished products cost more - you get more 'bang for the buck' from China and also Europe and Japan.
So, American manufacturers have turned to the Global Market to help bring down the costs to make their products more competitive with 'foreign' makers. Just common sense to do so - who would buy a $50,000 Victory Vision instead of a Wing or BMW at 1/2 that cost?
Anyway, my point is - America is suffering from the remains of 'lend/lease' and WWII. Or something.....
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