Older riders who ride HDs?

Question

would there likely be more HD riders if they knew about history? the history of WWII? the atrocities that Japan did to America and other countries? i know several people who outright refuse to buy anything japanese. they are chinese and korean people. who else remembers any history of wars past??? its okay to step up and show your patriotism. refusing to acknowledge atrocities never hides them.

Answer 1

We all should learn from our history.  Whatever is past stay be hide us.  The Japan made mistake of invading us and they paid the price.  Why would you want to dig up the mess and start it all over again?  I've owned Japanese's, Harley Davidson, and of course BMW (German).  They are all awesome bikes and nobody call me traitor because I rode the bikes.  Leave the history where it is and move on!

Answer 2

Give it a rest.  That was 60 + years ago.  We fought the British twice; they did atrocities; do you want to have nothing to do with them either?

Grow up and get a life.  When it comes to your own pocketbook, do you buy 100% American?  Or do you shop in WalMart with all the white trash and let the dollars float to China?  Wrap the flag around yourself  and mouth off; then buy Chinese-made Reeboks or Nikes.

For god's sake....Simplistic and foolish.

Answer 3

I'm not that old. Heck, I was too young for Vietnam.

Yes, many of us know history. And we watch the military channel, too. My wife asked me "Why do you watch that?" My reply: "To remember."

"Never Forget" apllies to all. All they did. All we did. Did you see what we did to Berlin? Or Nagasaki?

Dad was a WW II veteran. I served in the Navy. My boy was KIA in Iraq. I would honestly like to say that none of that has influenced what I ride.

Unforunately it has. I ride my Superglide, #2347 of 3500, because it was a dying wish of the 2347th KIA in Iraq.

Answer 4

Bogus Arguement. Based on Your reasoning we shouldn't Buy German Cars, Italian  Clothing, or anything AMERICAN! h**l, We fought a war with Ourselves less than 150 Years ago!

Answer 5

I love HD and it's history. But I'm not going to stop using or buying Japanese products because the war. You have to move on sometime and the people responsible are long gone. Besides, do you use any Sony products?

Answer 6

learn from history, otherwise youll burn in the future

Answer 7

I understand why an older person who couldn't let go of the past might feel that way, but WWII ended a long time ago. How long do grudges have to last? Should I refuse to buy a Triumph because of what the English did back in the 1770s? Should I also avoid BMW and Ducati motorcycles? Those guys weren't exactly on our side either! Than again, I am wondering if I should avoid anything made in the old Confederacy. After all, they caused the death of more Americans than anyone, and they are the only ones since the English who almost succeeded in destroying the United States.

Seriously...

My dad remembers when his uncle was killed in the battle of Saipan, and he drives a Toyota 4-Runner. The guy who killed my great uncle was almost surely killed before he left the island. So, I am guessing he wasn't around in 2005 building cars in Japan when my dad's truck rolled down the line.

I just got back from Iraq. The guys who tried to kill me are probably still alive and kicking! But hey! I still pump my car full of middle eastern oil!

People who hold bitter grudges aren't being patriots. They are holding our country back.

Buying American is a great way to show you are a supporter of our country. You just don't need to hate Japan to do it.

Answer 8

For some reason I think this only comes to your mind when playing Harley fan boy.  I'll bet you pay no attention when buying a shirt or TV or your gasoline.

Answer 9

actually........the best selling bike in japan is the Harley......seem,s that import,s are sort of a status symbol there.....but as Mr. tucker  [ of tucker automobile fame ] said...........he wouldn't be able to sleep or live with himself if he thought that the radio,s in his car,s were being made by our former enemies,.......seem,s people tend to forget history.....the Japanese make fine product,s but they invent few......like the transistor , hand held calculator , computer , etc. .....were all invented here.....but the Japanese could mass produce them cheaper......now day,s they're finding themselves in the same position we were in......Chinese , Korean,s , etc. are giving them a run for their money......it,s true that few thing,s are manufactured here any more....that,s why many part,s on your Harley are made in japan.....but rest assured....they are made to strict specification,s.

Answer 10

Well, one can express patriotism in any way they see fit, as can you. On the other hand, I'm not exaggerating when I tell you a HD is probably 70% to 80% Japanese parts, and the majority of "American" parts are machined on Japanese machine tools. My opinion, the war's over and Japan is a good friend and ally. The Japanese people I know are all wonderful as well.

Answer 11

I'll be the first to say buy American, but the atrocities that Japan did is in the past and none of those people are even alive any more. We did our own share of atrocities during the war. We dropped a couple of nukes and killed thousands of innocents that had nothing to do with the war.

Answer 12

I'm sure there are people that feel that way towards Japanese bikes. I just wonder if these same people shop at Wal*Mart??

Answer 13

Being of Irish and Cherokee lineage, I find your argument, at the very least, insulting, and the most asinine.. The English committed genocide on the Irish and when they came to America they were  treated  worse than African slaves.  US  stole Cherokee land and forced them to walk to Oklahoma.  I guess you've forgotten how General Eisenhower made slaves of German civilians, as well.  Perhaps if you acknowledged the atrocities committed by England and  the US you wouldn't by Triumph, H-D or Victory.

I'm assuming you merely overlooked Germany and Italy and their treatment of Gypsies and Catholics.

Answer 14

While i sympathize with any vets who fought in WWII, (I had 5 out of 9 uncles who fought in that war, 3 in Europe and 2 in the Pacific), there must eventually be forgiveness for those attrocities. Remember, wars aren't usually started by the soldiers that fight them, but by the leaders of those countries who lust for world domination. those opposing forces were doing their patriotic duty as it was taught to them, and most if not all realized by the end that they were mislead by their leaders.

to continue to hold a grudge against their children and grandchildren makes no more sense than  black americans holding a grudge with white americans over slavery simply because our great great grandparents might have been slaveholders. (mine weren't. too poor)

Patriotism is about the love and pride you have for your country, not the hatred you feel for someone elses.