I was told today that Harley Davis Motorbikes are not all made in the USA, Is this true.?

Question

I am saving like mad to buy my dream Harley Davis bike but have been told most of this makers bikes are now built out of theUSA and just assembled in the US. Any one know if this is true or not.By the way I am a Brit who loves American machines.

Answer 1

Like most manufacturers Harley source some parts elswhere but does that make them any less desireable. I think not

I have had Honda's and loved them but am now on my 2nd Harley and would not wish to go back to a Honda certainly at this time. I currently ride an FLHTCUSE2.

I take no notice of the comments that various riders make regards any particular make, they are entitled to their opinion. I like to ride and any bike as far as I am concerned is as good a choice to each individual. I am from the UK and as far as I am concerned the Harley has a bigger following here in the UK s it ever has

You carry on saving and do your best to make your dream come true. I think it will be worth it and you will enjoy every minute of the riding experience

Just ride safe and keep the shiny side up and the rubber on the road

Answer 2

Harley's like all bikes source components globally and do then assemble in the USA. Not all Harley's are made in Milwaukee either, they have a large plant in York, Pennsylvania and quite possibly others.

The lions share of the work is done in the USA and the bike takes it's form there, so don't stress it too much, it is an American bike.

They are not my particular cup of tea so to speak but I can appreciate them for what they are and they have a huge following for a reason - so just enjoy it

I remember when I lived in the USA in the early nineties one of the TV shows did an analysis on "American Made" items from traditional American companies and it turned out then that if you wanted a TV with the highest percentage of made in the USA parts then a SONY was way more American than a Zenith was. In light of that and if the made America idea is really important to you then consider getting a Honda Goldwing, Valkyrie or similar. They are designed and made in Ohio.

I suspect though that it is the idea and heritage of the Harley that you have fallen for so go for it, enjoy and forget about the fact that it is sourced from component parts across the globe.

Answer 3

There is no such thing as a "Harley Davis". There is, however, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

According to the H-D factory, approximately 60% of a Harley is American made. Most of the remaing 40% is made in Japan, Taiwan, China, etc. This year, they have started using Brembo brakes, though (made in Italy). Harley also make golf carts and bowling pins.

If you want a 'more' American made motorcycle, buy a Victory. Around 75% of a Victory is American made, apart from the brakes (Victory have ALWAYS used Brembos) the forks (Marzocchi, Italian again), plus a few smaller bits and pieces which are made in Japan (about 5%).

Victory also came top in the 2006 J.D. Power survey of motorcycle owners in the U.S.A. (Harley was 5th). The 2007 survey results should be out soon...

Answer 4

Its actually the Harley Davidson Motor Company, they are all about the engine.....

I've had a Roadking FLHRCI and a 1200 XLH and they had major character, I loved them... but they are a lot of money for what they are.

The forks are Showa, I think the brakes are Brembo, the VROD engine was designed by Porche, most of the bolt on accessories are from the Far East... If you watch Biker Build off, even most of the Engines they use are S&S copies of the Harley V-Twin engine, which says a lot about what they think of them.

If you want a cruiser style bike, hang about a bit and look at the new Truimphs coming out... the Rocket III Touring and the even newer big Parallel twin based on part of the Rocket III engine are geting really good reports.... Rocket III is an inline 3 cylinder 2.3 LITRE engined bike... even Harley doesnt have ambitions like that

I know lots who swear by their current model Rocket IIIs and an equal number that swear at their Harleys! So when I get a few quid put by I may trade up my BMW R1150RS for a nice old-school New Truimph.

Answer 5

I should keep my mouth shut but... go out an compare the price of a steed or vstar (whatever they're called in UK) and then think about what you could do with the money you save.
Buying a bike is more than just making payments. You must buy adequate insurance, and you must pay for items like oil changes and tires etc. It sounds like you will be stretched to the limit just to make your payments.

Answer 6

SERIOUSLY , GO TO A YAMAHA DEALER AND SIT ON A COUPLE V-STARS , I HAVE A HONDA , LOOKED AT EVERYTHING HARLEY , TRIUMPH , SUZUKI , BOUGHT THE HONDA . NEVER LOOKED AT YAMAHA V-STARS . MY WIFE JUST GOT A 650 CLASSIC SILVERADO . I AM 6'2 260 . THIS BIKE IS A SWEET RIDE , SO COMFORTABLE , SMOOTH RIDING AND CAME WITH WINDSHIELD , BAGS , AND EVEN DRIVER FLOORBOARDS WITH HEEL TOE SHIFTER FOR UNDER $6000 NEW THE BIGGER BIKES LIKE THE 1100 AND 1300 ARE EVEN SWEETER . I WANTED A HARLEY TIL I LOOKED AT THE NEW ONES UP CLOSE .

Answer 7

Parts of the Harley's are made overseas..such as the front -ends (forks). Not everysingler part of the bike is made here in the USA.
Most of the parts are made here

Answer 8

Harley Parts:
h-d filters are made by purolator

the new forged wheels come from Alcoa.

The new fuel injection is a made by Delphi which is GM (Delco was it's old name)

Lower cases and cylinders are cast by Mercury Marine Illinois)

electronics (Module) are now made by Delphi,

forks and shocks are from Showa USA!

Starter motor - manufactured in Marryville TN

Brakes - Vadlex - Ohio

bearings, INA

Dunlop tires are made in the USA

Harley-Davidson, Inc. employs some 8,000 people. Corporate headquarters are in Milwaukee,Wis. The Company’’s production facilities are located in the Milwaukee area, East Troy andTomahawk, Wis.; York, Pa.; and Kansas City, Mo.

Menominee Falls - builds big twin engines and transmissions

Wauwatosa - manufactures Sportster and Buell engine and transmissions

Tomahawk - a plastic-forming and painting facility for saddlebags, fairings,Tour Packs, sidecars and windshields.

Franklin - parts and accessories distribution center.

Willie G. Davidson Product Development Center, Milwaukee - Engineering and Purchasing Departments.

York Pennsylvania - production of Softail and Touring bikes

Kansas City Missouri - production of Dyna, Sportster, and V-Rod bikes

Answer 9

There was a time in the '70s that HD was in bad shape and some bikes were made overseas...

Now, like many automobiles, the parts may come from all points of the globe, but are assembled here with quality by American workers.

It's a great machine and you have nothing to worry about.

Answer 10

Everone imports a part or two.
Harley never made bowling balls. AMF did.
The only other thing that Byron missed (minor):
The Custom Vehicle Operations line, where limited edition models are assembled (like my Superglide) is also in York.


If you want it, buy it. It's your ride.