Harley, VS Honda Valkyrie....or any other "Rice-Burner". I don't get it...

[nogrey]

Was down in Elko at the "Rumble in the Rubies" Rally a couple of years ago with a few friends. If you've never been, It's really a nice, quaint rally in a very nice town.  Like a lot of these rallies, there are a ton of Harley's. I'm good with that, I really don't care what you drive/ride etc. I was looking at a product called "Purple Ice" that a guy was selling.  Really cleans a bike up nice, even the pipes. But he had a couple of bikes (HD's) that he was demoing on. I asked him how it worked on road film. He said "go get your bike, and I'll show you". Well, as soon as I showed with my '01 IS he wouldn't give me the time of day. This is the "I don't get it" part. What the He!!? This guy totally blew me off for having a "rice burner" I suppose. Didn't say another word to me.
I guess my Momma taught me that people were more important than the clothes they wore, cars they drove, or houses they lived in. My brother owns several Valkyries, a Triumph, and a Harley. We both enjoy the riding just for the sake of riding. When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the Japanese? Do we hate the Chines (you know, the people that make about 30% of the Harley parts)? It never ceases to amaze me how shallow folks can be.
I guess my hope is that I never treat others that way.
Enjoy your ride, don't care where it comes from. Enjoy the company, people are our greatest asset.

[Bighead]

Yep bunch of foolish people in this world. What I find funny is that how many HD owners drive Japanese cars with HD stickers all over them to show they own one (or want to own one).
I do have MC stickers on the back window of my truck but all they say is watch for motorcycles and the others are AMA stickers.

[The emperor has no clothes]

It's been that way for a long time. I wouldn't ride a Honda until I was 19 and got a 250 Elsinore. Only Yamahas & suzukis for me !  And an occasional Kawasaki ! Most of the Harley riders that wouldn't be caught dead on a "rice burner" have never been on one. That's OK, we are still "brothers".

[alph]

what's really funny is that if it wasn't for Yamaha, you wouldn't have Sturgis!! 

[8Track]

what's really funny is that if it wasn't for Yamaha, you wouldn't have Sturgis!! 

Please elaborate! Enquiring minds want to know more.

[cookiedough]

face it, there are a-holes all around us.  Not Valk related, but just yesterday after having only sent 1 email to general mgr. and 1 email to the salesman we bought our 2011 vehicle from 3 years ago and gave us a great deal, I decided to call the salesman up who was not in so asked to speak to GM of car dealer since found on their inventory the exact car I was interested in purchasing from them again.  The GM must of had a bad day all he said was you are 120+ miles away and won't be down for service work or parts or repairs so we do not want your business just for a sale is all and told me to go local.  After trying to explain to him there are only 2 closer dealers with no inventory since smaller dealers and I bought in 2011 my vehicle from them and got a good deal, I wanted to drive down 2 hours to discuss the one on their lot.  He basically said no, not interested in just a sale.

I was jaw dropped to have a General sales mgr. state such non-sense out of the blue.  What an ass - like said there are a-holes all around us.

[alph]

what's really funny is that if it wasn't for Yamaha, you wouldn't have Sturgis!!  

Please elaborate! Enquiring minds want to know more.

sorry, INDIAN!  not yamaha!!  the guy owned an Indian franchise !!  it wasn't until later that yamaha came around and started competing for the hill races, and was kicking the tar out of the compitition!! 

[MCRIDER]

When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the 

The valk was engineered in japan from the japanese gold wing.  It was ASSEMBLED in the USA with most parts shipped from japan.  Don't believe me?  Try and find ANY OEM part at the dealer that was made here.  You can't, even years ago.  They all say "Made In Japan".  Most importantly, when sold, the profits all went overseas to help the japanese economy. 

[biguglyman]

A Harley guy at work thought it was hilarious when he scattered rice around my Gold Wing years ago. "Rice burner hahaha"...I went out the next night and scattered pennies around his Harley.

[MP]

When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the 

The valk was engineered in japan from the japanese gold wing.  It was ASSEMBLED in the USA with most parts shipped from japan.  Don't believe me?  Try and find ANY OEM part at the dealer that was made here.  You can't, even years ago.  They all say "Made In Japan".  Most importantly, when sold, the profits all went overseas to help the japanese economy. 

Same thing for HD.  Try and find parts that say "Made in USA"!  LOL

That is why Honda could put "Made in USA" on the Valk, but AT THE SAME TIME, HD could NOT put the same on the HD.  The HD had MORE parts from overseas than the Valk did!  So, the law got changed, raising the % of US content needed, so that Honda had to take off the Made in USA label.  HD ALREADY was over that limit.

As soon as you stop buying anything made overseas, great.

[musclehead]

the attitudes of a few don't change my mind about the rest.

I enjoy looking and leering at all kinds of bikes. if I had the money I'd have a harem. 

[RP#62]

When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the 

The valk was engineered in japan from the japanese gold wing.  It was ASSEMBLED in the USA with most parts shipped from japan.  Don't believe me?  Try and find ANY OEM part at the dealer that was made here.  You can't, even years ago.  They all say "Made In Japan".  Most importantly, when sold, the profits all went overseas to help the japanese economy. 

Have to call BS on that one.  I saw with my own eyes the parts being made in Ohio.  I watched them making them.  Do you make this stuff up or what.  I'm sure that changed after they stopped production, but while the Valkyries were in production, the majority of the parts were being made in Ohio.  That's why they say made in USA on them and Harley's don't.

-RP

[John Schmidt]

When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the 

The valk was engineered in japan from the japanese gold wing.  It was ASSEMBLED in the USA with most parts shipped from japan.  Don't believe me?  Try and find ANY OEM part at the dealer that was made here.  You can't, even years ago.  They all say "Made In Japan".  Most importantly, when sold, the profits all went overseas to help the japanese economy. 

Have to call BS on that one.  I saw with my own eyes the parts being made in Ohio.  I watched them making them.  Do you make this stuff up or what.  I'm sure that changed after they stopped production, but while the Valkyries were in production, the majority of the parts were being made in Ohio.  That's why they say made in USA on them and Harley's don't.

-RP

I agree RP, have had two factory tours while they were still being made in Marysville, OH. Watched them making saddlebags & lids one time and then the painting process. Watched a lot of other stuff being made as well, then it being moved on to the ass'y. line. Had the opportunity to watch one bike being made from station one all the way through to the test cubicle. Amazing operation.

[Momz]

The saying at local HD dealers here is: "If your not on a Harley, you may as well be riding a moped".

Stupid is as stupid does!

[.]

The saying at local HD dealers here is: "If your not on a Harley, you may as well be riding a moped".

Stupid is as stupid does!

I guess I'll just keep on enjoying my moped. 

[Gryphon Rider]

When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the 

The valk was engineered in japan from the japanese gold wing.  It was ASSEMBLED in the USA with most parts shipped from japan.  Don't believe me?  Try and find ANY OEM part at the dealer that was made here.  You can't, even years ago.  They all say "Made In Japan".  Most importantly, when sold, the profits all went overseas to help the japanese economy. 

Sorry, McRider, I didn't realize Josef "Joe" Boyd, Honda America's senior motorcycle R&D engineer at the time he made the Valkyrie happen, was Japanese.

[nogrey]

When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the 

The valk was engineered in japan from the japanese gold wing.  It was ASSEMBLED in the USA with most parts shipped from japan.  Don't believe me?  Try and find ANY OEM part at the dealer that was made here.  You can't, even years ago.  They all say "Made In Japan".  Most importantly, when sold, the profits all went overseas to help the japanese economy. 

Have to call BS on that one.  I saw with my own eyes the parts being made in Ohio.  I watched them making them.  Do you make this stuff up or what.  I'm sure that changed after they stopped production, but while the Valkyries were in production, the majority of the parts were being made in Ohio.  That's why they say made in USA on them and Harley's don't.

-RP

Yup! That's what I always heard too!

[DarkSideR]

I am glad to see that I'm not the only one who finds it ironic when I see a foreign automobile with a huge glorious HD sticker on it.

And of course I still love to park the mighty valk next to any HD model Ford Trucks.

[fudgie]

Sorry, McRider, I didn't realize Josef "Joe" Boyd, Honda America's senior motorcycle R&D engineer at the time he made the Valkyrie happen, was Japanese.

     

[Psychotic Bovine]

When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the 

The valk was engineered in japan from the japanese gold wing.  It was ASSEMBLED in the USA with most parts shipped from japan.  Don't believe me?  Try and find ANY OEM part at the dealer that was made here.  You can't, even years ago.  They all say "Made In Japan".  Most importantly, when sold, the profits all went overseas to help the japanese economy. 

I feel so sorry for the US workers at those Honda plants in Ohio, they had to send all of their money to Japan and couldn't keep a penny of it.

[Odin1]

 Dont forget the salesmen, service techs, truck drivers, mangers and secretarys, they had to send thier money to Japan also. do a google search -foriegn parts content of a Harley Davidson-, Honda spends more money with American parts suppliers than Harleys whole company is worth.

[Big Al of Tennessee]

Was down in Elko at the "Rumble in the Rubies" Rally a couple of years ago with a few friends. If you've never been, It's really a nice, quaint rally in a very nice town.  Like a lot of these rallies, there are a ton of Harley's. I'm good with that, I really don't care what you drive/ride etc. I was looking at a product called "Purple Ice" that a guy was selling.  Really cleans a bike up nice, even the pipes. But he had a couple of bikes (HD's) that he was demoing on. I asked him how it worked on road film. He said "go get your bike, and I'll show you". Well, as soon as I showed with my '01 IS he wouldn't give me the time of day. This is the "I don't get it" part. What the He!!? This guy totally blew me off for having a "rice burner" I suppose. Didn't say another word to me.
I guess my Momma taught me that people were more important than the clothes they wore, cars they drove, or houses they lived in. My brother owns several Valkyries, a Triumph, and a Harley. We both enjoy the riding just for the sake of riding. When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the Japanese? Do we hate the Chines (you know, the people that make about 30% of the Harley parts)? It never ceases to amaze me how shallow folks can be.
I guess my hope is that I never treat others that way.
Enjoy your ride, don't care where it comes from. Enjoy the company, people are our greatest asset.

You summed it up wonderfully, I wish more people had the great attitude you do. There would be no more wars, or famine or people generally going without.

Good Job. I ride a 2013 Harley as well, so I don't care what anyone rides. I have had maybe one

of each brand. Never had a bad one, because no matter what I was having fun. Except for the 13

different bones I have broken, not all bike related, but most are.

Keep on putting out the good word brother and I will keep on reading them.

Big Al of Tennessee

[Big Al of Tennessee]

Yep bunch of foolish people in this world. What I find funny is that how many HD owners drive Japanese cars with HD stickers all over them to show they own one (or want to own one).
I do have MC stickers on the back window of my truck but all they say is watch for motorcycles and the others are AMA stickers.

I won't put a HD sticker on anything I own. I own one. But I don't do free advertising

[sandy]

When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the 

The valk was engineered in japan from the japanese gold wing.  It was ASSEMBLED in the USA with most parts shipped from japan.  Don't believe me?  Try and find ANY OEM part at the dealer that was made here.  You can't, even years ago.  They all say "Made In Japan".  Most importantly, when sold, the profits all went overseas to help the japanese economy. 

Every Wing made up to the 2010 year was made in Ohio. I've seen videos of wing engines being assembled in America. The Valk was a Joe Boyd product and was made hear.(Mostly) The OEM parts claim is because they are now made there. USA Honda no longer makes motorcycles. The American corporation named Honda of America sends about 3% of it's money back to Japan. One of my friends did his masters thesis on Honda and it's financial effects on the economy. He currently owns 10 bikes including 4 wings.

[sixlow]

i have the same issue with my Ridgeline, it too was made in USA, Alabama plant now, first editions came from a Canadian plant but the testing and design engineer,(Larry Flint i believe), all resided in Ohio as well. funny how most GM and Ford trucks are assembled in Mexico, but guys still look down on the Honda brand name and say" buy American", i did, i did,,,,, they can't see past the name plate.
that's a whole other topic and one well voiced on the ROC..Ridgeline Owners Club of which i am also a member. here is my most recent post showing off my Valkyrie there, and that new 2014 from the Daytona bike week, i saw one of our Valk'ers sittin on as well..
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84865

[cookiedough]

Here in chevy and ford country,  my toyota tundra was at least made in the USA in San Antonio TX with at one time for sure and still believe has more American made content as well.

People driving the Big 3 say nice jap crap.  I seriously challenge them 1/2 ton vs. 1/2 ton V8 engine (or V6 turbo in the ford ecoboost) to a race for pinks anyday.  If I really don't want to be challenged,  I'd get stock from the showroom floor the optional 5-6 grand supercharged tundra making over 500 ponies and torque.  Those monsters are neck and neck with the dodge viper 10 cylinder engine in mopar trucks.  Several youtube videos with the pretty much stock tundra supercharged V8 drag racing the 10 cylinder highly modded viper in the dodge truck and is a toss up who wins off the line usually wins.

It's too bad someone like toyota or whomever doesn't put a very small displacement diesel engine in 1/2 ton trucks achieving mid 20's avg mpg and yet have the towing power of a bigger V8 engine. 

[VMODON]

I've seen where Nissan is going to put a small dsl engine by Cummins in a half ton pu...

[hairyteeth]

Dodge is also adding a 3.0 liter italian diesel to the Ram half ton fleet. 21city, 28 hwy, 420 ft/lbs torque. HT

[Bighead]

Yep bunch of foolish people in this world. What I find funny is that how many HD owners drive Japanese cars with HD stickers all over them to show they own one (or want to own one).
I do have MC stickers on the back window of my truck but all they say is watch for motorcycles and the others are AMA stickers.

I won't put a HD sticker on anything I own. I own one. But I don't do free advertising

Al ol buddy you are one of the few

[9Ball]

When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the 

The valk was engineered in japan from the japanese gold wing.  It was ASSEMBLED in the USA with most parts shipped from japan.  Don't believe me?  Try and find ANY OEM part at the dealer that was made here.  You can't, even years ago.  They all say "Made In Japan".  Most importantly, when sold, the profits all went overseas to help the japanese economy. 

Have to call BS on that one.  I saw with my own eyes the parts being made in Ohio.  I watched them making them.  Do you make this stuff up or what.  I'm sure that changed after they stopped production, but while the Valkyries were in production, the majority of the parts were being made in Ohio.  That's why they say made in USA on them and Harley's don't.

-RP

At IZ 1 the Marysville Honda factory tour guide made it a point to show that the majority of the parts boxes used for assembling the bikes were from US companies.  Even if the parts were made overseas, some of the profits were going to US companies and supporting the US workforce.

[MCRIDER]

When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the 

The valk was engineered in japan from the japanese gold wing.  It was ASSEMBLED in the USA with most parts shipped from japan.  Don't believe me?  Try and find ANY OEM part at the dealer that was made here.  You can't, even years ago.  They all say "Made In Japan".  Most importantly, when sold, the profits all went overseas to help the japanese economy. 

Did you see them making wheel bearings, fork tubes, speedometers, piston rings, batteries, mirrors, etc etc? The answer is no because they make (and made) most everything in  japan.

Have to call BS on that one.  I saw with my own eyes the parts being made in Ohio.  I watched them making them.  Do you make this stuff up or what.  I'm sure that changed after they stopped production, but while the Valkyries were in production, the majority of the parts were being made in Ohio.  That's why they say made in USA on them and Harley's don't.

-RP

I agree RP, have had two factory tours while they were still being made in Marysville, OH. Watched them making saddlebags & lids one time and then the painting process. Watched a lot of other stuff being made as well, then it being moved on to the ass'y. line. Had the opportunity to watch one bike being made from station one all the way through to the test cubicle. Amazing operation.

[dragon96]

If you did the research you would find that Honda has a plant in Anna Ohio the actually makes the engines the heart of the beasts here in the USA not Japan! They also sub out most of their parts to local mfg within a 200 mile radius not all of them ! Electrics come from Mexico. Fyi !

[Skinhead]

i have the same issue with my Ridgeline, it too was made in USA, Alabama plant now, first editions came from a Canadian plant but the testing and design engineer,(Larry Flint i believe), all resided in Ohio as well. funny how most GM and Ford trucks are assembled in Mexico, but guys still look down on the Honda brand name and say" buy American", i did, i did,,,,, they can't see past the name plate.
that's a whole other topic and one well voiced on the ROC..Ridgeline Owners Club of which i am also a member. here is my most recent post showing off my Valkyrie there, and that new 2014 from the Daytona bike week, i saw one of our Valk'ers sittin on as well..
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84865

You guys are FOS on this most GM trucks are assembled in Mexico BS.  GM has one Full size truck plant in Mexico, GM has the Ft. Wayne, Arlington, Flint, and Wentzville, Oshawa (Canada) plants in the US.  Several other US FS truck plants were closed due to downsizing, i.e. Janesville, Pontiac, Oakahoma.  I don't want to bash unions, but they were a big factor in determining  which plants closed.

As far as components go, all the auto makers buy components from global suppliers, these suppliers determine where they manufacture parts.  The days of GM. Ford, Chrysler, whomever building all the components for their vehicles are over.  Have been for quite awhile.  Again, one reason is the Union wage and benefits costs forced the manufacturers to unload their component divisions.

Don't get me wrong, I don't advocate Mary Bara getting a $14M raise, but the consumer can show their support or lack there of with their pocket books.  Buy what you want to, IMHO, they are all overpriced pieces of junk.  Much of that is due to Governmental regulations and liability suits.

[cookiedough]

I drive a honda cycle made in usa,  kymco scooter from taiwan,  toyota truck made in usa,  hyundai suv made in korea, and can am atv's guessing from Canada.  Call me internationally diverse???

I'm definitely not pro or anti-anything.  I buy what I like and what I think best suits my needs and is the best deal around for reliability, resell, and usefulness.  It's a free country last time I checked and get what I want regardless of what anyone else thinks. 

[Regis]

I've seen where Nissan is going to put a small dsl engine by Cummins in a half ton pu...

I wouldn't call it small . Ive seen stacks of them at the Cummins Plant here in town . its a sizeable V8 .

[sixlow]

i concede Skinhead, i pulled that out my axx... i knew it would ruffle some feathers , o.k. "some" of the trucks are assembled in Mexico.. your info seems very accurate.. carry on. 

[Skinhead]

i concede Skinhead, i pulled that out my axx... i knew it would ruffle some feathers , o.k. "some" of the trucks are assembled in Mexico.. your info seems very accurate.. carry on. 

Just setting the record straight.  I've been known to exaggerate a little bit myself.

[Dogg]

When did it turn into some sort of "Class war" because you ride a bike (engineered, manufactured and built here in America by Americans by the way) with a Japanese name on it? Do we hate the 

The valk was engineered in japan from the japanese gold wing.  It was ASSEMBLED in the USA with most parts shipped from japan.  Don't believe me?  Try and find ANY OEM part at the dealer that was made here.  You can't, even years ago.  They all say "Made In Japan".  Most importantly, when sold, the profits all went overseas to help the japanese economy. 

The valk was done in ohio. American idea and design based on the wing chassis. Engineered in the same place. Honda is in japan, so yes most of the parts where shipped in but, the bikes were built here. Engines built here. That how they got the made in usa stamp on the head.

[hubcapsc]

Did you see them making wheel bearings, fork tubes, speedometers, piston rings, batteries, mirrors, etc etc?

I've been to the Harley Davidson speedometer foundry, it's impressive   

-Mike

[MCRIDER]

I drive a honda cycle made in usa,  kymco scooter from taiwan,  toyota truck made in usa,  hyundai suv made in korea, and can am atv's guessing from Canada.  Call me internationally diverse???

I'm definitely not pro or anti-anything.  I buy what I like and what I think best suits my needs and is the best deal around for reliability, resell, and usefulness.  It's a free country last time I checked and get what I want regardless of what anyone else thinks. 

But, I'll bet you're the first in line to complain when the US economy is in the dumps.  I'll never bit the hand that feeds me.  By the way, you truck was ASSEMBLED in Texas, not made.  Buy some parts from a dealer and see how many are made in the USA.