Will boycotting Harley Davidson make a difference?

SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 19:13:26 -0400

So perhaps we should boycott everything that not's owned and made in America? Toyota Nissan, Honda although some are made in America however the ownership is in Japan. What about Apple cracking a Trillion dollars in value however do you know where their products a manufactured? What are your thoughts?

Peace!

Response by TSgt David L. made Aug 12 at 2018 7:28 PM

TSgt David L. — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 19:28:27 -0400

Boycotting Harley-Davidson won't matter to the stock holders and board of directors. I am against them closing a US plant and moving to Thailand but they will follow whatever advice that has driven their choice. I don't plan on buying a new HD anytime soon though.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2018 7:28 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 19:28:46 -0400

boycotts are usually silly. personally I won't own a HD because they are overpriced or I'm just a cheap man... My Suzuki Blvd works great.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 12 at 2018 7:30 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 19:30:45 -0400

I don’t own a Harley-Davidson, but I wouldn’t dare not get one due to politics. If that is the bike I want, it’ll be the bike I own. If we boycotted everything that wasn’t made here, most of us wouldn’t be able to post on this site. We wouldn’t be able to go to work. No TV. Unless you remember how to wash clothes by hand, forget washing machines. ‘Made in America’ is a beautiful thing. Have American able to function is better. Where can I get a fully dressed Harley for a good price?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 13 at 2018 7:22 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 07:22:12 -0400

I am not a Harley Fan, but aren't the bikes being made overseas supposedly for the European an d Asian markets ? I know that the small 500 Harley is made in Thailand, but I also believe that they sell most of those bikes in Asia too.

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Aug 13 at 2018 11:16 AM

PO2 Jonathan Scharff — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 11:16:13 -0400

I own two Harley Davidsons and two of my sons own one. I don’t know that I would “boycott” them, but I can certainly say that if at all possible I favor American made products and yes I’m willing to spend more for them. I also find it funny that a lot of people “say” they would buy American if products were made here, but when push comes to shove, they say that they are overpriced and go foreign. You can’t have it both ways, either support higher American wages, American wealth and American corporate wealth or you are part of the problem. Case in point, the only dress shoes I own are Allen Edmonds. Yes, not cheap, but they are quality and are made in America. It’s time people spoke with their wallets and not with their rhetoric.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2018 11:30 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 11:30:17 -0400

Boycotts worked in the past because people boycotted small locally owned establishments with a limited reach. I'm not sure how you can effectively boycott an iconic multibillion dollar company with international reach. But you are welcome to try. People don't buy harley's because they are the best, the cheapest, or even because they are american made; they buy harleys because they want to own a harley.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 13 at 2018 1:04 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 13:04:44 -0400

Looking at the History of HD, their on again off again clashes with bankruptcy, one can understand why they would do it. When AMF bought them out they were pretty much at verge of going under all by themselves. For them to be competitive they have to adapt to a world market. I worked for a HD dealer and a couple of aftermarket shops, HD parts have been coming from all over the world since the 1960's. This is not a new thing, this is how companies are surviving.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 13 at 2018 1:09 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 13:09:55 -0400

Case in point on the parts: Showa Forks have been on a Licensed Japanese Harley since the 1930's.