MCN poll: Is where a bike is built important to you?

fratermus · 03-02-2016, 05:23 PM

On motorcyclenews.com --

Poll: Is where a bike is built important to you?

culcune · 03-02-2016, 06:44 PM

For me, it depends on traditional brands. For instance, any Harley=US built. Any KTM=Austrian built. Any Triumph=England (or at least somewhere in GB). And a few others I cannot think of right now, but based solely on tradition. Then, whatever bike is built by a brand should be built in its country of origin; for instance Suzuki=Japan, Zongshen=China, etc.

I am being a bit broad, as I am quite sure they wanted to know which country's bikes a person preferred, such as a dyed in the wool Harley guy wanting any bike he gets to be a Harley and US made, or the same for a Triumph guy. For me, again, once the traditional countries are figured out, then each brand's bikes seem most natural from that country. I am more open minded on my bikes, however.

**cheesy** · 03-02-2016, 08:40 PM

Makes no never mind to me.

2LZ · 03-02-2016, 10:56 PM

Me? Depends. I've always loved my American bikes. HD's Vics and now Indian. I have no great loyalty to any Japanese bikes. I can't justify their cost for how much I ride them and in all honesty, the small displacement Japanese bikes "ain't all that". Some still have drum rear brakes and are older tech than some of the CB's I've seen.

SeerAtlas · 03-03-2016, 03:31 AM

the difference in handling between my triumph thunderbird lt and the comparable harleys is staggering. The english have to build to also run on their far smaller, generally twistier roads besides the freeway like motorways.

kohburn · 03-03-2016, 07:17 AM

design, cost, reliability are more important than where constructed.

SpudRider · 03-03-2016, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kohburn

design, cost, reliability are more important than where constructed.

x2.

Weldangrind · 03-03-2016, 11:18 AM

I've read (but I can't confirm) that Hyosung has been manufacturing some of the Suzuki engines since the late '70's. I've has three TS Suzukis from that era, and I've loved them all. Country of origin means nothing to me.

That said, I actually prefer that RE is made in India, because it is replete with modern 12V goodness, rather than the Prince of Darkness.

FastDoc · 03-03-2016, 11:48 AM

The historical country of origin and where the bike is made and/or assembled have little to do with each other anymore.

KTM's from India. BMW's from China. Kawasakis from Malasia. HD's with much of their content from Japan, China, and Indonesia. Yamahas from the Phillipines. American cars from Mexico, German cars from Eastern Europe (Porsche, VW, Audi). It's a global mish-mash at this point.

Bicycles too. Almost all consumer grade (even up to professional level machines) are made in the Far East. Motobecane, Dawes, Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Giant. Just about any you can name except for the exotic Italian handmade steel frames.

FWIW, My Enfield (India, as Weld points out has it's advantages ;-) continues to operate perfectly. I had a leaky kickstart seal (just a drop, but warranty covered to have it repaired). Other than that it's been a good bike.

FastDoc · 03-03-2016, 11:53 AM

Like 2LZ I have no national loyalties in bike ownership.

In my garage today I have Italy, USA, Japan, India/UK. I've owned maybe a half dozen Chinese bikes as well in the past. Only country I've not owned is Austria/Germany, and I like the Duke 390... LOL!

Of course that's made in India!

Krasi_BG · 03-03-2016, 12:13 PM

Funny enough in Bulgaria we now have an assembly plant for Chinese cars, so that their labels can state "Made in EU"

Now, that's a "Country of origin' hurdle for you...

Because of this plant, there's a joke around here that goes something like, "Would you like a Chinese original spare part for your car, or you'd prefer a fake from Bosch?".

SpudRider · 03-03-2016, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krasi_BG

...Because of this plant, there's a joke around here that goes something like, "Would you like a Chinese original spare part for your car, or you'd prefer a fake from Bosch?".

FastDoc · 03-03-2016, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krasi_BG

Funny enough in Bulgaria we now have an assembly plant for Chinese cars, so that their labels can state "Made in EU"

Now, that's a "Country of origin' hurdle for you...

Because of this plant, there's a joke around here that goes something like, "Would you like a Chinese original spare part for your car, or you'd prefer a fake from Bosch?".

LMAO!!!!!

I have been looking at a Porsche, and I believe it is indeed made in Bulgaria and the final fit, finish and installation of the interior is done in Germany.

Maybe Bulgaria, not India, is the new China!

Sport Rider · 03-03-2016, 01:42 PM

not sure about the rest of you guys, but I NEVER buy a motorcycle unless it's sold in the good old US of A!

FastDoc · 03-03-2016, 02:41 PM

I love the avatar, Sport Rider :-)

A picture is worth a thousand words sometimes!

03-02-2016, 05:23 PM	#1
fratermus Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 130	MCN poll: Is where a bike is built important to you? On motorcyclenews.com -- Poll: Is where a bike is built important to you? __________________ Current: bikeless for now, moved into a campervan. Past: Honda NC700x, Suzuki DR650, Taotao ATM-50-A1, Taotao Evo 150cc, Honda Spree 50 2str, 1982 Katana 550
	0

03-02-2016, 06:44 PM	#2
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,055	For me, it depends on traditional brands. For instance, any Harley=US built. Any KTM=Austrian built. Any Triumph=England (or at least somewhere in GB). And a few others I cannot think of right now, but based solely on tradition. Then, whatever bike is built by a brand should be built in its country of origin; for instance Suzuki=Japan, Zongshen=China, etc. I am being a bit broad, as I am quite sure they wanted to know which country's bikes a person preferred, such as a dyed in the wool Harley guy wanting any bike he gets to be a Harley and US made, or the same for a Triumph guy. For me, again, once the traditional countries are figured out, then each brand's bikes seem most natural from that country. I am more open minded on my bikes, however. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
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03-02-2016, 08:40 PM	#3
cheesy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elburn, IL Posts: 5,960	Makes no never mind to me. __________________ Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts
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03-02-2016, 10:56 PM	#4
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,112	Me? Depends. I've always loved my American bikes. HD's Vics and now Indian. I have no great loyalty to any Japanese bikes. I can't justify their cost for how much I ride them and in all honesty, the small displacement Japanese bikes "ain't all that". Some still have drum rear brakes and are older tech than some of the CB's I've seen. __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
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03-03-2016, 03:31 AM	#5
SeerAtlas Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 770	the difference in handling between my triumph thunderbird lt and the comparable harleys is staggering. The english have to build to also run on their far smaller, generally twistier roads besides the freeway like motorways. __________________ Seer's First LAW-"FLY THE PLANE!", fail that, and nothing else matters. 12th Law- Consider what marvels you might do if only you had tomorrow to live over again. Third Law-When someone tells you some thing "Can't Be Done", what they're really saying is They can't do it!!14th Law-Just because something "IS", doesn't necessarily mean it SHOULD be.. Eighth Law-The only true personal security is anonymity.Ninth Law-Humans tend to learn very little when speaking.10th Law-Some lives ARE worth taking
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03-03-2016, 07:17 AM	#6
kohburn Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Coastal NC Posts: 537	design, cost, reliability are more important than where constructed. __________________ -whatever you do, just be awesome. - 2008 Kawasaki Versys - 2016 CSC TT250
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03-03-2016, 11:18 AM	#8
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I've read (but I can't confirm) that Hyosung has been manufacturing some of the Suzuki engines since the late '70's. I've has three TS Suzukis from that era, and I've loved them all. Country of origin means nothing to me. That said, I actually prefer that RE is made in India, because it is replete with modern 12V goodness, rather than the Prince of Darkness. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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03-03-2016, 11:48 AM	#9
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	The historical country of origin and where the bike is made and/or assembled have little to do with each other anymore. KTM's from India. BMW's from China. Kawasakis from Malasia. HD's with much of their content from Japan, China, and Indonesia. Yamahas from the Phillipines. American cars from Mexico, German cars from Eastern Europe (Porsche, VW, Audi). It's a global mish-mash at this point. Bicycles too. Almost all consumer grade (even up to professional level machines) are made in the Far East. Motobecane, Dawes, Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Giant. Just about any you can name except for the exotic Italian handmade steel frames. FWIW, My Enfield (India, as Weld points out has it's advantages ;-) continues to operate perfectly. I had a leaky kickstart seal (just a drop, but warranty covered to have it repaired). Other than that it's been a good bike. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-03-2016, 11:53 AM	#10
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Like 2LZ I have no national loyalties in bike ownership. In my garage today I have Italy, USA, Japan, India/UK. I've owned maybe a half dozen Chinese bikes as well in the past. Only country I've not owned is Austria/Germany, and I like the Duke 390... LOL! Of course that's made in India! __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-03-2016, 12:13 PM	#11
Krasi_BG Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Posts: 436	Funny enough in Bulgaria we now have an assembly plant for Chinese cars, so that their labels can state "Made in EU" Now, that's a "Country of origin' hurdle for you... Because of this plant, there's a joke around here that goes something like, "Would you like a Chinese original spare part for your car, or you'd prefer a fake from Bosch?".
	1

03-03-2016, 01:42 PM	#14
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,102	not sure about the rest of you guys, but I NEVER buy a motorcycle unless it's sold in the good old US of A!
	0

03-03-2016, 02:41 PM	#15
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I love the avatar, Sport Rider :-) A picture is worth a thousand words sometimes! __________________ Happy to serve.
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