US vs Foreign made?

[Sod Farmer]

I'm trying to learn a little more on what really is and is not made in the USA. I don't know for sure, but I have been told that my V2K was assembled in Nebraska. I don't know what percentage of the parts are foreign or made in the USA. Does anyone know the answer? It seems like the assembly is a very big part of of the finished product and therefore my bike is at least mostly "Made in the USA".

I looked at the same issue on cars and trucks and found that my Dodge truck was assembled in Mexico and that my Toyota Camry was assembled in the USA. I also learned that both Toyota and Dodge have almost the same percentage of both US and foreign made parts. So if my information is correct, my Toyota is more American made than my Dodge!

So now lets look at the same issues regarding Harley Davidson. I believe that they are assembled in the US. However, what percentage of their parts are made in the US? Does anyone know? - - - - I don't. I would be very suprised if they are 100% made in the USA.

Anyway, in most industries, the line between US and foreign made is getting very blurred. I've stopped trying to make buying decisions based upon my notions of what may or may not be made in the USA, because I am usually at least partially wrong.

[JFeisty]

I was under the impression that the Kawasaki plant in Lincoln, NE dealt with ATVs and/or watercraft only, but I don't have any data to back that up so take it for what it's worth. Your VIN will tell you where your bike was assembled:

VIN decoding, VIN number decoding by CARFAX Vehicle History Reports

[Carl722]

Up until about 25 years ago all Japanese vehicles were imported to the US. Now more of them are made here but are still considered Japanese because of the ownership of the company. I prefer to get American made as much as possible but when it comes to Bikes I bought the Ninja 500 because it is a great bike with a good history and the Maerican bikes in the 500 sport bike class are just not what I wanted. I looked at a 500 Buell and didn't like it. I won't knock HD's too bad I would like to have a Heritage classic but when I look at the new Vulcans I still think they are better bikes just don't have the American name or ownership, but that wouldn't stop me from getting it.

My truck was made in Detroit and my car in Canada. 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 and a 2000 Buick Regal. I am not sure of the percentage of American parts on either.

We are in a global economy right now and cost and quality is the biggest factor in buying parts either domestic or foreign to supply the auto industry or even the electronics industry. You get what you pay for in most cases with electronis but with Automobiles sticker price does not always mean the best quality.

[jaseman]

GoldWings and some other Hondas are (or were) assembled in Ohio.
HD's are built and assembled in either Milwaukee or York, PA - but include roughly 50% foreign parts.

Most American vehicles are produced, at least in some part, outside US borders. Whether it's final assembly, or just the manufacturing of some of the components. But even foreign car makers do the same thing. Made in Japan, Germany, or wherever, doesn't mean that components don't ship to them from other markets.

We've grown so far beyond our individual borders, as a whole, that most products we buy are multi-national to some extent. It's a global economy now-a-days, and there is no turning back.

[insolentminx]

i've heard that alot of HD parts are made in Japan... but i don't own one and haven't looked at any of the things for sale in the HD store to come to my own conclusion.



i don't really care, so long as the person who put it together was qualified

[jeffs99vulcan]

This is the top-right corner of the spec sheet for my bike... you can get this from the Kawi site if you don't have it already. The VIN range specifies where it was manufactured... compare this to your VIN number and you'll know...

[1400pilot]

The only bikes that were built in the USA, in Lincoln were the 800's up until 2003, after that all bikes are made in Japan, you can tell where they are builtby the VIN number if it has a B right before the last 6 digits it's assembled in Lincoln.
The Lincoln plant now only assembles watercraft,the ATV and RUV line and rail cars.

[elr658]

HD Dyna, VRod and Sportsters are made in Kansas City. My former CBX was made in Marysville, My ex KZ400 was made in Lincoln. One of my Mitsubishis is from Illinois.

[mbigica]

The sticker on my V2K says made in Japan. My Hyundai on the other hand a Korean car is assembled in Alabama.

Not sure if it's true today but years ago the Toyota with steal rims mostly were from Japan. Usually the alloy is put on sportier models, ones that don't have a calling in Japan.

My 06 Corrolla is 100% Japan. My friend with an 04 Camry 100% Japan. Both these cars are LX 4cyl. My neighbor has an 06 Camry not sure the model but it's a V6 with alloys. Made in TN.

Nissan Versa on the other hand made in Mexico, along with the Sentra.

All of the Japanese full size pickups are US built as I believe they are not sold overseas.