VTX Made in America.... Other Motorcycle Manufacturers Discuss VTX Made in America.... in the Motorcycles forums; What's up? I'm new here... and was wondering?? I own a VTX 1312cc made in the heartland... Marysville, OHIO -- that qualifies my bike as an American made motorcycle right? ...

What's up?

I'm new here... and was wondering?? I own a VTX 1312cc made in the heartland... Marysville, OHIO -- that qualifies my bike as an American made motorcycle right? My bike is fully assembled here... so, I say it's an American bike right? Wheather or not the company has foreign roots, they still "get her done" right here in the ole US of A!! here's a pic of my ride:



Floodgates

[AmeriRider]

Just because a bike is assembled in America in no way qualifies it to be an American bike. That would be like Mexicans calling Levi's a Mexican company because the jeans they wear are sold and assembled in Mexico. The bike you posted looks like a toy to me but opinions vary. The fact that you ride is your first step into a great American tradition.

[Desert Drifter]

Hyundais are made here. Are Hyundais American cars?

Originally Posted by AmeriRider

Just because a bike is assembled in America in no way qualifies it to be an American bike. That would be like Mexicans calling Levi's a Mexican company because the jeans they wear are sold and assembled in Mexico. The bike you posted looks like a toy to me but opinions vary. The fact that you ride is your first step into a great American tradition.

So... if the nationality of the parts qualifies the origins, is a Harley partially Japanese because some of their Carbs are from there?? Tell you what looks "toy like" to me:



There is a little less difference than that between my bike and a Fatboy, but not that much! Talk about toy like!

Floodgates

I'm sure there are many Honda websites where members agree with your position. Keep in mind that AIM is "For People Who Love Harley Davidsons". I don't think you'll find much support or sympathy here.

Rick

[94flhtcu]

I've been waiting for this one... Hey, I think from what I can see of it, the floodmobile looks great. I'd like to see the side view, with the apes and all. Not too bad, actually nice bike, but it'll never be american. Trig's right... you'll not get a lot of support for yor position here. I define the country of origin as the country that gets the cash.

I'm not busting on yer bike.. I like it. But it's not an american bike. If you want an american, doesn't have to be a harley, you should get one. Not instead of, in addition to!

It's unfortunate that our american made products have been , uh, I'll say compromised, by greed. Not just HD, all of america's manufacturers that use foreign materials or labor. The once proud "American Made" distinction is blurred... Ya gotta nice bike, tho.

[buttnekkid]

Honda's mother company may not be american but they do provide many many americans with jobs. I have over 30 relatives who work in the honda plants in Ohio assembling these bikes and from what I've been told its one of the best places to work. In regards to Levis being Mexican, in my opinion they r! About the time they started outsourcing work to Mexico, their quality went waaay down (kinda like Harley parts) not to mention all the now unemployed Americans. Not that I have a problem with Harley, I love the bike but it seems to become less and less an American Icon everyday

Apparently, I didn't have all the facts when I posted this. I just found out (from a reliable source) that the VTX isn't just "Assembled" in Ohio. All of the major parts are made/cast/stamped/welded/painted there in Ohio as well. The engine case and internals are made down the road at the engine plant, frame is welded together at the bike plant, brakes and shocks are across the street from the bike plant, etc....
The electronics and other smaller parts are from where all vehicle manufacturers get their parts, Asia (Korea, China,Japan, etc... )

Furthermore, Harley has had to remove the "Made in the USA" labels about 10 years ago as the content dropped below 60%. The stickers now say "Made in the US, By American Workers" There was a story when the VTX was first released that the VTX was the first foreign owned bike that has more US content than H-D.

Interesting isn't it?

Floodgates

[AmeriRider]

I didn't want to pass judgement without seeing one up close so I visited one down in my parking garage. At first it looked ok but then I started tapping around on it. When I said "toy" I was correct. Most of the pieces on the side of that thing were chromed plastic! I'm sure many people enjoy that type of thing and that's fine but this is an American motorcycle board.

Originally Posted by AmeriRider

I didn't want to pass judgement without seeing one up close so I visited one down in my parking garage. At first it looked ok but then I started tapping around on it. When I said "toy" I was correct. Most of the pieces on the side of that thing were chromed plastic! I'm sure many people enjoy that type of thing but this is an American motorcycle board.

Yup! It's called plasti-chrome. The same material which the front grill of a Dodge Ram truck is made of, and everybody raves about!! It's lighter than chrome and doesn't rust! Do you figure that's why I can smoke any HD (except the Sporty 1200 & the Vrod) even if they have higher displacements than mine (1312cc) -- all those lighter parts and all? I don't know what you ride, but if it's an HD... your bike has less American parts in it than mine!

Floodgates