Munkstump asked: Okay. First off, I’d like to say I’m not a Harley owner, nor a Harley hater. I’ve driven Harleys, and I’ve driven many other kinds of motorcycles.
Like music, all different types are appreciated for different things. I don’t believe people should compare the NASA-grade rice-rockets with the agricultural-grade Harleys. It is stupid to compare them. Would you compare a Buick station wagon to a Corvette? They all have their intended purposes.
That being said, I’d like to ask a question about Harley fans without being labeled as “jealous” or “ignorant.”
There are many, many Harley fans who believe the phrase “ride American”. They buy, or intend to buy, Harleys.
Harley makes good $ selling motorcycles on that premise, but they also make more $ selling merchandise.
Why then, is every single “official” Harley-Davidson logoed shirt, boot, jacket, etc, made in CHINA?
There are domestic companies that can be subbed-out for this work.
Why does this not bother H-D fans at all?
I don’t own a harley yet, but i’ve been putting together a hardtail from pre-evo HD parts.
I like rice-racers too, but would not buy one cuz they need to be very anally maintained for their intended use, and all of the parts are a million bux.
I’ve owned several bikes, and my current is a 84 bmw r65 boxer twin.
All of my riding gear is made in the states, except my helmet cuz i couldn’t find a USA one.
Chippewa makes gr8 boots, Schott, Vanson, Bates all carry at least some domestic jackets and pants.
Lucky is an American denim manufacturer, unlike Levis and the rest.
Kato, you ask how can I blast HD for making clothing overseas?
Because they push the “BUY AMERICAN” joke in their advertising. How sickening is it to have a HD shirt that says “American legend” when the shirt is made in anything but? And then you say “who cares?” I don’t know, but the buy-american HD owners should.
All I’m saying, is for the price, they can afford to have the clothes subbed out to american garment manufacturers or leather crafters.
Having a foriegn TV in my home does not make me a hypocrit, not only because there are no other options, but because I don’t go around with a buy-american shirt or bumper sticker. I am not telling anyone to buy American, just asking whiy it doesn’t bother HD fans that the gear is foriegn.
Read the whole question next time, “top contributor”.
This question was aimed at people who’s primary reason for buying a HD was it’s domestic manufacture. Your story does not apply, because you don’t care where your bike was made.
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