No, its the 1930 technology at 2014 prices!
Yeah and dont forget all the chinese and mexican parts too...made in USA???.Maybe assembled in USA...
Absolutely!
Still being a Harley fan (no matter what you ride in your declining years, you never get Hogs completely out of your system...) I sometimes check out what's up with them. A while back, it was reported that HD had decided to go to CHINA to produce their bikes. CHEESH! Apparently, that never did happen, and the idea quietly died. THAT is OK by me... as I'm sure it would have been VERY detrimental to their all-American status. Any Harley that's NOT a true "Milwaukee Shaker" and branded "Made in China" is not likely to be well received.
That said, obviously many bits and pieces of today's Harleys are made "elsewhere"... NOT good old Milwaukee...
Some of the Harley enthusiasts sites indicate HD having a major production facility in INDIA... But supposedly, that plant does NOT make whole bikes, or parts, for the American market. Anyway, HD of India IS rumored to produce a SWEET Mini-Sportster for the Eastern world! Something around 500cc I think, but am not sure.
FLASH! I just Googled "Harley Davidson India" and found a "plethora" of news... HD now is undertaking the building of several big factories in India, and word has it that THOSE factories may end up being the major producer of HD bikes AND parts by the end of this year, not ONLY for the other hemisphere, BUT for America too.
I guess a Hog made in India might be somewhat more "palatable" to the enthusiast than one made in China, BUT... HD is THE quintessential AMERICAN brand. I can't imagine even TODAY'S buyer (far removed from MY generation, which bleeds RED, WHITE & BLUE) being too happy about paying the price of a Lexus for a Harley "Made in India".
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Now, here we have an interesting situation... The NEW Indian, FABULOUS and made IN AMERICA by Polaris FINALLY has credibly resurrected the marque, and brought to the big-bike enthusiast a TRUE and GENUINE contemporary INDIAN motorcycle. It MORE than competes with the finest HD has to offer, AND starts at a "paltry" $20,000.
Due to its birthplace, a new Harley, made in Bangalore will ALSO be a true "INDIAN"... Albiet an EAST-INDIAN, but, an "Indian" none the less... LOL! The Polaris Indian product honoring the original bike, named after the Native American "Indian"... And the new Harley-Davidson product being a REAL "Indian" by virtue of being made in India.
Do you suppose in the dark recesses of the HD marketing enclave, the ad-gurus will have the cajones to do comparison-advertising, renouncing the century-old "All-American" Harley-Davidson image, while touting the "NEW" HD as being the REAL, genuine "Indian"? Because of where it's made???
Holy Bajaj Batman! Pour me a shot of 2-stroke castor, and call me Stella!
It boggles the aging hog-rider's mind. And makes me quite content to be riding rusty, old, Taiwanese "Minnie Mouse"... LOL! Everybody KNOWS where the venerable Kymco was made, and really, who gives a moldy fortune cookie anyway?...
Personally, I'm kinda looking forward to giving a tongue-in-cheek high-five to new HD riders, and asking: "Hey, Bro, is dat Hog a Souix?... An Apache?... Wait, I KNOW! It's must be a "Maharaja"! Wow! Do those come with curry powder? And is THAT real ELEPHANT hide on the seat? Ah, maybe NOT such a good idea after thinking it over... LOL!
Ain't life grand?
Ride safe, and keep yer' sense of humor...
Leo (Not quite ready to ride an elephant, or an East-Indian Hog...) in Texas
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