Harley Forum - American Iron Magazine - Off Topic http://www.aimag.com/forums/ Discussion of items not related to motorcycles en Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:38:47 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.aimag.com/forums/images/redbar/misc/rss.jpg Harley Forum - American Iron Magazine - Off Topic http://www.aimag.com/forums/ Ca. Gun owners victory, con-grats Ca. http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9705-ca-gun-owners-victory-con-grats-ca.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:55:11 GMT *Victory for Gun Owners in California!* **Thank You for Your Hard Work and Support!** Yesterday, Tuesday, August 31, lawmakers in the Golden...
Victory for Gun Owners in California!
Thank You for Your Hard Work and Support!

Yesterday, Tuesday, August 31, lawmakers in the Golden State heard loud and clear the voices of pro-gun advocates when they defeated three dangerous pieces of anti-gun legislation.

Assembly Bill 1810 would have established a registration system, similar to the one currently in place for handguns, for all newly-acquired long guns. Under AB1810, the make, model and serial number of the firearm as well as the identifying information of the purchaser would have been recorded and kept on file by the California Attorney General’s office.

If AB1810 were enacted, violent criminals would have continued doing what they do now – obtain firearms through illegal means. This bill would not have decreased crime but would have rather had disastrous effects on the already financially unstable Golden State. AB1810 would have imposed additional burdens on California’s taxpayers to maintain the registration system as well as on the state’s licensed firearms dealers, small businesses who already deal with extensive business requirements.


Assembly Bill 1934 was a blatant attack on the self-defense rights of law-abiding Californians. This legislation sought to outlaw the open carrying of a handgun for self-defense.

AB1934 was a knee-jerk reaction by anti-gun legislators to punish citizens for engaging in the legal act of openly carrying an unloaded handgun. In reality, the open carrying of firearms by law-abiding citizens is forced by California's unfair concealed carry law, which allows some citizens from some counties to receive a permit to carry, while their neighbors in the next county are denied that basic right for political, not public safety, reasons.

Assembly Bill 2358 was intended to “clean-up” and address problems encountered with the passage of AB962 in 2009. Make no mistake about it; this bill did nothing to improve AB962 for California’s gun owners. In fact, it would have made things far worse. AB2358 was even recently amended to include common rifle ammunition like .223 and 7.62 x 39.

AB2358 would have forced licensed state ammunition retailers to obtain a special local license to operate in municipalities. These retailers would also have been required to notify local law enforcement before conducting business within their jurisdiction.

Moreover, this bill mandated that ammunition retailers submit sales records to local law enforcement agencies and allowed them to maintain those records indefinitely. It did not require the same privacy and destruction requirements mandated for state ammunition vendors.

Passage of AB2358 would have made it difficult for ammunition retailers to sell ammunition at sporting events and gun shows. It would also have left law abiding Californian gun owners vulnerable to identity theft and political persecution by local, anti-gun politicians.

Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call to oppose these bills. Without you, success in these battles would not have been possible. While this is certainly a momentous occasion for California’s gun owners, anti-gun forces are sure to continue their offensive against our rights. Please be sure to check your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates on Second Amendment issues in California.






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[/CENTER] ]]> Off Topic harold http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9705-ca-gun-owners-victory-con-grats-ca.html In protest of the proposed Mosque at ground zero http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9694-protest-proposed-mosque-ground-zero.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:25:38 GMT I though, hmm, what would be a good business to put in right beside the Mosque......well........I decided on a Deli style Restaurant The INFIDELI... I though, hmm, what would be a good business to put in right beside the Mosque......well........I decided on a Deli style Restaurant
The INFIDELI Restaurant and Bar.

So I created a Facebook group just for my virtual restaurant :D

here is a peak at the menu



Fried Bacon Allah mode
Qu'ran Crackers with Pork Fat.
Smoked Haji Ham with Talibanana peppers.
Sharia on a Shingle (S.O.S)
Mohamed Matza Balls
Beheaded goat cheese
Meccaroni and cheese
Uncle Achmed's Minaret Rice
Jihad Jumbalaya
Mosquaball Soup
Ramadan Noodles
Our house wine is a robust but Patriotic White Iinfidel

So stop on by :D:D:D:D ]]> Off Topic Axe Grinder http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9694-protest-proposed-mosque-ground-zero.html What will you do on 9/11/2010? http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9680-what-will-you-do-9-11-2010-a.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:48:09 GMT I will be standing on the corner of the busiest intersection in my town, I will be standing there with my American Flag flying proudly. This... I will be standing on the corner of the busiest intersection in my town, I will be standing there with my American Flag flying proudly. This particular American Flag was flown above the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq during combat operations and presented to me by the Marines of the 1st F.A.S.T Co 5th Platoon.



I will NOT be forgetting!

I am the Proud Infidel! ]]> Off Topic Axe Grinder http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9680-what-will-you-do-9-11-2010-a.html RIP Penny Kanter http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9645-rip-penny-kanter.html Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:06:40 GMT I am saddened to announce the passing of my mother, Penny Kanter, earlier this week. She was 85 years old and was a great influence in my life. ... I am saddened to announce the passing of my mother, Penny Kanter, earlier this week.

She was 85 years old and was a great influence in my life.

After buying me and my brothers a 50cc minibike when I was in high school, she and my dad told us we would never be allowed to own or ride a motorcycle. Never really understood that, but glad they got us that minibike.

Eventually she became more accepting of my motorcycles and would occasionally go for a ride with me in one of my various sidecar rigs I owned over the years.

She would talk to strangers on Harleys and ask them if they read American Iron Magazine, one of the motorcycle magazines I publish. I know she was proud of what I do for a living and, as a magazine publisher herself, gave me some good ideas on how to improve the magazines.

I will miss her very much. ]]> Off Topic Buzz Kanter http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9645-rip-penny-kanter.html 11.02.10 http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9633-11-02-10-a.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:03:09 GMT Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a monkey will... Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana.



As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all the other monkeys with cold water. After a while another monkey makes the attempt with same result, all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon when another Monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.



Now, put the cold water away. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs.



To his shock, all of the other monkeys beat the snot out of him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs he will be assaulted.



Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one.



The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm.



Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth. Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs he is attacked.



Most of the monkeys that are beating him up have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs OR even why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey. Finally, after replacing all of the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the banana.



Why not?



Because as far as they know, that is the way it has always been done around here.



And that, my fellow monkeys, is how Congress operates - And precisely why we need to REPLACE all the original monkeys this November. ]]> Off Topic texan321 http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9633-11-02-10-a.html <![CDATA[Don't mess with 67 yr old vet]]> http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9603-dont-mess-67-yr-old-vet.html Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:05:43 GMT YouTube - Dont Mess with A VietNam Vet!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpDjUqpQaqg) YouTube - Dont Mess with A VietNam Vet!!! ]]> Off Topic grampadac http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9603-dont-mess-67-yr-old-vet.html Friends.... http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9600-friends.html Mon, 23 Aug 2010 03:30:16 GMT Those wonderful creatures with the ability to do you a favor and bust your chops all at the same time. The other day, I was riding home from work... Those wonderful creatures with the ability to do you a favor and bust your chops all at the same time.

The other day, I was riding home from work at 10pm, and when I got to a part of the road that didn't have street lights I realized my head lamp wasn't working! it was awful freaking dark too!
Anyhow, the next morning I changed the fuse and it blew immediately. So I took the bike to the dealership and had them check it out, still under warranty so why not.
So the next day I went and picked up my bike and stopped by the other building at the dealership where a buddy of mine works. Where as my buddy Nikki proceeded to tell me how he washed my bike for me since it didn't look like I had done so in a long while LOL!
Friends, ya gotta love 'em! something does tell me he will be hitting me up for a favor soon. He is the guitar player for the Godz, so I got a feeling I will be tweaking one or more of his fiddles before he tours again. ]]> Off Topic Axe Grinder http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9600-friends.html Show us your landmarks http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9595-show-us-your-landmarks.html Sat, 21 Aug 2010 17:11:47 GMT Hoover Dam Bypass Thought it would be interesting to see what landmarks we live around. Attachment 1899... Hoover Dam Bypass
Thought it would be interesting to see what landmarks we live around.


Attachment 1899
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Hoover Dam Bypass.jpg (20.5 KB)
]]> Off Topic grampadac http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9595-show-us-your-landmarks.html discovered an open library http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9558-discovered-open-library.html Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:06:37 GMT I accidentally discovered an open linrary on the internet and so hope to share it with you guys. Welcome to Open Library! (Open Library)... I accidentally discovered an open linrary on the internet and so hope to share it with you guys.


Welcome to Open Library! (Open Library) ]]> Off Topic harold http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9558-discovered-open-library.html Cell Phone Warning http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9551-cell-phone-warning.html Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:07:11 GMT REMINDER..... *all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. .... YOU WILL BE... REMINDER..... *all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls.

.... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: ***888-382-1222.

It is the National DO NOT CALL list It will only take a minute of your time.. It blocks your number for five (5) years.*You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked.*You cannot call from a different phone number.

HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON*.. It takes about 20*seconds.***
https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx ]]> Off Topic Buzz Kanter http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9551-cell-phone-warning.html The Top 10 Cheapest Places To Buy A Car http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9533-top-10-cheapest-places-buy-car.html Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:22:59 GMT It's just plain human nature: Every day, buyers across the country drive their shiny new vehicles off dealership lots, and immediately get the sinking feeling that they could have gotten a better deal somewhere else.
But where would that somewhere be? How about Tampa, Atlanta or Washington, D.C.? Those are the best markets in the country for car shopping. A few other cities, such as San Francisco, Dallas and Los Angeles might have done the trick, too, if a trip to the Eastern seaboard were out of the question. These and a few other metropolitan areas boast the greatest discounts off a vehicle’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price, according to data analyzed from the AOL Autos Best Deal Program.
New vehicle prices in the Tampa-Orlando area, the top discount market, averaged 10 percent below their manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). Prices averaged 9.9 percent below MSRP in the Baltimore-Washington area, and 9.4 percent under MSRP in Atlanta.


The study also found that best states for car shopping were Maryland (with an 8.1 percent discount off MSRP), Virginia (with 7.6 percent) and Florida (with 7.5 percent).
There is a practical use for these figures. Once armed with the data, consumers may decide it’s worth their while to drive 100 miles or so for a particular deal. But with the deals topping out mostly on the coasts, it might even make financial sense from time to time to jump on a plane and take delivery of a car 1,000 miles or more from home. Indeed, some people are doing just that.

It’s possible for consumers to adopt a medium- or long-distance strategy for a simple reason: Dealers in the program commit to a price before buyers show up. In the past, consumers could not count on that, said J.R. Lang, pricing manager at Zag, AOL Autos’ partner for its Best Deal program. And without real-time data, they probably wouldn’t have known about a good deal in a timely fashion in the first place, he said.

For instance, an eight to 10 percent discount on a 2010 Cadillac CTS sedan could certainly justify the plane fare, and perhaps a dinner and a nice hotel room to boot. It could translate into savings of as much as $3,500 off MSRP in the country’s most competitive car markets. If you bought a CTS in your hometown for roughly the invoice price of $33,231 to $47,786 -- potentially a good deal in some locales – you would miss out on the extra savings of $1,500 to $2,000 in a more competitive car market.
And if you prefer to stay close to home, the mere knowledge that 
consumers are getting an average discount of 8.8 percent off MSRP in Dallas or Philadelphia could be a bargaining chip in your negotiations with a local dealer.

“If consumers see pricing in other metro markets, they can leverage that information,” Lang said.

For its study, Zag zeroed in on a range of popular cars, price levels and body styles. To be part of the Best Deals program, more than 3,400 participating dealers across the country are required to provide real-time pricing information to the company.
Zag sifted through the data to find pricing for 10 sample vehicles, including the 2011 BMW 328i, 2010 Cadillac CTS, 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, 2010 Ford F-150 SuperCrew, 2010 Honda Accord sedan, 2010 Honda Civic sedan, 2010 Hyundai Elantra, 2010 Mazda3, 2010 Nissan Altima, and 2011 Toyota Camry. Given the broad range of models, Zag analysts believe its figures reflect general pricing trends.

The analysts averaged the maximum discounts being offered on the models for its metro-area ranking. For its ranking of states, it
made a calculation based on average vehicle discounts. Either way, the savings end up substantial.
The best metro markets were all areas with lots of dealerships, suggesting that competition between them is a key factor in increasing discounts and lowering prices. “These are areas where dealerships are really competing for business and customers are winning,” Karim O’Driscoll, Zag’s director of pricing strategy, said.
The study also revealed a surprise. In some cases, the best prices are found on the outer edges of metro areas. The analysts concluded that dealerships there are forced compete aggressively with urban stores that are a relatively short drive away. But in the end, they can offer the best prices because their cost structures are also leaner.
It’s no secret that discounts tend to be least available in rural areas, simply because the competition is less intense. “There may not be many BMW dealers out in the most picturesque parts of a state,” O’Driscoll said. ]]> Off Topic harold http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9533-top-10-cheapest-places-buy-car.html Fox flag - poll/ vote time sensitive http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9525-fox-flag-poll-vote-time-sensitive.html Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:30:58 GMT vote before poll closes. They want to remove the American flag from schools. this is the same flag that became a world war 2 picture being hoisted... vote before poll closes. They want to remove the American flag from schools. this is the same flag that became a world war 2 picture being hoisted by American marines, the same one Betsy Ross thought up.. because it is offensive to some. Well here is an idea, it the flag offends you voice your opinion so we can deport you to any were else.




GO HERE NOW and vote to keep our flag in the public schools......:
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/05/06/american-flag-banned-america/

]]> Off Topic harold http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9525-fox-flag-poll-vote-time-sensitive.html New Political Section http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9499-new-political-section.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:37:00 GMT Harold, maybe you were gone at the time but the Admin saw fit to add a political section as to keep it out of the general and off topic sections. Harold, maybe you were gone at the time but the Admin saw fit to add a political section as to keep it out of the general and off topic sections. ]]> Off Topic Twinpeaks http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9499-new-political-section.html Harley davidson http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9490-harley-davidson.html Sun, 08 Aug 2010 02:48:33 GMT Harley-Davidson (NYSE (http://www.wikinvest.com/wiki/NYSE): HOG) is the largest manufacturer (http://www.wikinvest.com/wiki/Manufacturing) of... Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) is the largest manufacturer of heavyweight motorcycles in the world by market share, capturing half the U.S. market and a third of the global market.[1] As a luxury good, Harley competes primarily on design and quality, rather than price, which keeps margins high; gross margin during 2009 was 31%, as opposed to 34.5% in 2008.[2][1]
Harley's past growth and continued success is closely tied to its customers brand loyalty; Harley is arguably the only company whose customers have been known to regularly tattoo its trademark on their bodies. Despite this rebellious image, the average Harley customer is an upper-class 47-year-old white male, and has been getting older at a rate of 6 months every year for the last 20 years.
Despite brand loyalty, the company had to shut down and consolidate factories in 2009 due to the effects of the recession and the fall of the U.S. Housing Market. About 15% of Harley's business used to be writing loans to its motorcycle buyers. The company's finance arm has since collapsed.





Revenue from Parts and Accessories increased by 0.2% to $231.8 million; revenue from General Merchandise, however, fell by 3.2% to $67.4 million.[3] Gross margin increased from 34.1% in the second quarter of 2009 to 35.0% in the second quarter of 2010.[3] Operating margin fell to 13.9% from 15.3% in year-ago comparisons.[3]
Despite these gains, sales in both the United States and international markets decreased. In U.S., motorcycle sales were down 8.4% and international sales were down 0.2%.[3] Overall, worldwide retail sales fell by 5.5% in relation to year-ago figures

Q1 FY 2010 Quarterly Earnings
Harley Davidson posted $68.7 million in operating income for the first quarter of 2010, an 18% decline from the first quarter of 2009, but an improvement from the three previous quarters.[4] These losses were driven by a 28% decrease in U.S. retail sales and a 2.8% decline in international retail sales.[4] Revenue from 2010 first quarter business operations were down across all business segments. Revenue for motorcycle sales was $808.8 million, a 20% decrease when compared to year-ago results.[4] Revenue from Parts and Accessories was down 12.1% and revenue from General Merchandise was down 11.9%, culminating at $149.1 million and $66.3 million respectively.[4] Gross margin was 36.6% for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to 37.1% in the first quarter of 2009.[4] Operating margins similarly dropped from the first quarter a year ago, from 18.1% to 12.2%.[4]

Business Segments
Harley has two main businesses: selling Harleys, and giving people credit to buy Harleys. Specifically, Harley Davidson sells motorcycles directly, sells motorcycle parts and accessories, operates retail motorcycle dealerships, sells motorcycle gear and general merchandise, and offers loans to buyers.
Motorcycles (75% of 2009 revenue)

The primary business of the Motorcycles segment is to design and manufacture premium motorcycles for the heavyweight market and sell them at wholesale. Harley-Davidson branded motorcycle products emphasize traditional styling, design simplicity, durability and quality. The Company manufactures five families of motorcycles: Touring, Dyna, Softail, Sportster, and VRSC. The Company’s Harley-Davidson engines range in displacement size from 883cc’s to 1803cc’s.
The touring segment of the heavyweight market was pioneered by Harley-Davidson and includes the Harley-Davidson Touring family of motorcycles, including three-wheeled motorcycles, which are generally equipped with fairings, windshields, saddlebags and/or Tour

Parts & Accessories (17.9% of 2009 revenue)
Parts and Accessories (P&A) products are comprised of replacement parts (Genuine Motor Parts) and mechanical and cosmetic accessories (Genuine Motor Accessories).

International Sales
The Company’s revenue from the sale of motorcycles and related products to independent dealers and distributors located outside of the United States was approximately $1.38 billion, or approximately 32% of net revenue of the Motorcycles segment, during 2009. Europe accounts for about 50% of international sales. Canada accounts for about 15%, while Japan accounts for 13%.
Demand in Japan and the rest of Asia declined only about 7% in the past year, whereas Canada saw a decline of 36.7%. This could be due to Canada’s exposure to the United States Market, which saw a 26% decline. Overall, world sales have not been affected nearly as much as North American either due to premium brand recognition (in the case of Asia) or the depreciation of the US Dollar (Europe). [5]

An Aging Customer Base Limits Consumer Base for Harley Davidson's Products
Harley Davidson’s average customer has been getting 6 months older for the past 20 years, and is now 47 years old. The children of Baby Boomers generally do not want huge bikes that drive most of Harley's sales. Younger generations have a taste that errs towards smaller, cheaper Japanese bikes.
To address this trend, Harley bought out Buell, a fast bike producer, in 1998, introduced the unconventional V-Rod in 2002, and bought out the Italian MV Agusta company which makes premium light-weight bikes in 2008. However, Harley-Davidson has decided that this strategy does not fit well with its brand image. On October 15, 2009, Harley-Davidson announced its intent to divest MV Agusta and that it would exit from the Buell product line.
Harley will need to attract younger buyers to maintain its long-term market share, while not alienating its core customer.
The Strength of the US Dollar Abroad Impacts Earnings

Harley Davidson is increasingly reliant on international sales, especially in Europe. In 2004, only 18% of the company’s sales were international. This figure had moved to 32% by 2009, helped by a heavily weakening dollar. [6] Because Harley incurs its production costs in the United States, it benefits when the dollar weakens against the Euro and the Yen.
People tend to buy dollars to buy U.S. goods, or to hedge against the fluctuation of global currency (the U.S. Dollar is the world's most trusted currency). When people buy dollars, the dollar goes up, and Harley gets hurt.

The "American-made" Premium Negatively Affects Consumer Perceptions
Some say the collapse of General Motors (GMGMQ) was the end of an era for American manufacturers. GM did not just collapse because of high pension obligations. Its cars did not sell well. Asian competitors were making cheaper cars that broke less, took less gas, and went faster. [7]
As an increasing number of American factories go overseas to reduce expenses and do not see a decline in quality. Even Harley imports some Japanese parts due to their higher quality. The "American-made" premium is more nostalgic at this point than anything else. Honda and Kawasakis compete head-to-head with Harleys on technical specifications.[8] Harley is able to charge premium prices for their motorcycles primarily because of their brand image.
The question is: can a brand built on an increasingly distant past survive the future?
Harley faces two threats with its reliance on its brand image. First of all, cool retro-"Easy-Rider" culture could fade out of style along with corresponding demand for Harley's. Secondly, custom American chopper producers such as Big Dog Motorcycles and American IronHorse actually deliver the promise of an All-American bike that is more powerful and customized than almost anything out there.[9]

Major Competitors
Harley-Davidson maintains a large margin in its dominance in the U.S. Heavyweight Motorcycle market as compared to its major competitors. While the United States is HOG's most important market, the company sells motorcycles in many other markets worldwide. The two most important are Europe, where the company has grown market share from 9.8% in 2005 to 10.7% in 2007, and Canada where HOG had a 39.0% market share for 2007, up from 32.7% in 2005. Worldwide, Harley has a dominant worldwide market share of 33% in what is a growing industry.
Harley-Davidson's main competitors include:
Honda Motor Company (HMC): headquartered in Japan, Honda is the world's fifth largest automaker and largest motorcycle producer by FY2009 sales.
Suzuki Motor (SZKMF): a Japan-based manufacturing company, Suzuki operates in four business segments. The Two-wheel Vehicle segment is engaged in the manufacture of two-wheel vehicles, as well as the manufacture of parts for two-wheel vehicles and the sale of two-wheel vehicles in domestic and overseas markets. The Company has 141 subsidiaries and 37 associated companies.
Yamaha Motor (YAMHF): Yamaha Motor is the world's second largest producer of motorcycles (after Honda). It also produces many other motorized vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, outboard motors, and personal watercraft.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KWHIY): Kawasaki is a global manufacturer of transportation equipment and industrial goods. KHI manufactures ships, rolling stock, aircraft and jet engines, gas turbine power generators, environmental and industrial plants, and range of manufacturing equipment and systems. KHI also produces consumer products, such as Kawasaki-brand motorcycles and personal watercraft. ]]> Off Topic harold http://www.aimag.com/forums/off-topic/9490-harley-davidson.html