Where can I buy an American made motorcycle(not a Buell) that doesn't weigh a ton?

Question

Also I shower regularly and I'm not the jailbird type, so I don't want to be obnoxiously loud or threatening, I just want to compete with Jap bikes.

Answer 1

I don't know of any American brands that can turn out the same numbers (or better) than the Japanese sport bike makers.

Ducati, Benelli, BMW, Triumph, or Aprilia can... but they're not American either.

Face it, you're looking at two different design philosophies.

European and Asian bikes are pretty much like racehorses - fast, flighty, and not that comfortable to ride all day - and you perch up on them like a jockey. American bike designs are like quarter horses with cowboy saddles... they ain't fast, but you COULD ride all day if you don't pound it too hard.

What exactly are you wanting to DO with the bike? Race or track riding, carve canyons, motarding around little-known kinky backroads, long day or weekend rides, freeways, sport touring, commuting, fire trails, offroad...? Rather than go by brand, I'd go by design -- get a bike that fits the kind of riding you like to do, rather than by where it comes from.

Answer 2

Goldwings and Harleys? Shoot, and other comments.
You want go-fast, get a Japanese machine or Italian.
Yamazukikawahondas are great, and Ducatis, Aprilias, Guzzis, MV Agustas ... great AND sexy (but pricey).
Not being a racer, I ride an old airhead BMW with 100K miles on it, but then, I love to tinker. Newer Beemers (so-called "Oilheads") are pretty dang quick (my "Performance Award" for doing 92 in a 55 mph zone on an R1100RS is one of the reasons I traded down in technology) and the newest versions are supposed to be "'Busa-slayers" but I don't believe it.
Bottom line, so long as the American manufacturers (Including 'Confederate') insist on using that crappy 1950s offset V-twin technology, they can ramp up the cubes as much as they want and they'll never ever be able to compete. There were a couple of Buells at Laguna Seca last week and they failed miserably. Rah rah.
If you want to compete, ride a machine that uses modern technology.

Answer 3

You might want to try Confederate Motorcycles based in Birmingham, Alabama. Small company that builds their own high end performance bikes. Their designs are new and innovative. But because they are a small company, they tend to be rather expensive. But if you wanted a LIGHT American made bike that could give the other Jap bikes a run for their money then this would be the company who makes them.

http://www.confederate.com/home.html

Answer 4

The biggest Harleys are about 800 lbs. dry weight. Well under a ton I would say.
I shower regularly and am not the jailbird type also.

Answer 5

Honda Goldwing, and Shadow are made in the USA by Americans workers.

Kawasaki has five plants in the USA

Polaris/Victory makes a very stylish VTwin... in America.

There, now you at least have a clue.

Answer 6

Indian Motorcycle plant in Missouri weight is (depending on which model your interested in) from 382 pounds Right up there to 1000 pounds. Your choice.

Answer 7

All the japanese factories have american plants with between 60 and 90% of parts made in USA. this compares with HD who use around 61~90% of US made parts, there are ASSEMBLED in USA (they use japanese suspension and carbs, possibly instruments, other parts are made in Brazil, France and Tiawan)
I think Honda have the highest percentage of US manufactured parts?

Answer 8

Why not a Harley Sportster version? They're no where as heavy as a full Harley.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/sportster.htm

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/2004_harley_davidson_sportster/

Harley's have been holding their own in the NHRA..if you want quick. No..none of them are stock in any pro racing environment

Answer 9

um... not too many american bikes out there but beull.... you may look into ducati its not american, its an italian bike... but i think harley is the only american motorcycle manufacturer left...

Answer 10

can't see why you would.. and i resemble the jap remark in 2 ways.