Why buy Japanese bikes?

Question

when you can buy American?

Answer 1

Variety!

Answer 2

Some j*p bikes have more American parts on them than your HD does,besides take a closer look at dependability,and then don't just put them down.Besides dependability there are more options as far as far as riding style's speed & looks Have a great ride what ever your rideing and welcome to choices

Answer 3

People buy j*p bikes because they offer more bang for the buck.  There isn't an American made bike that can offer the performance of any of the j*p manufactures crotch rockets, I'm sure some one who is ignorant of the facts will say that buell makes some fast/quick bikes, which they are but they are still a step or two behind the others.  I personally buy Honda bikes and will continue to do so for as long as they keep thier current (and past) quality standards, I have never had any real problems with the bikes even after miles and miles of use, many of them high in the rev range and some at the drag strip.  The two cbrs I have owned have been bullet proof so far and I expect the same in the future.  All that said in the cruiser market I can understand why many buy Harleys and also why many buy the other manufactures bikes.  Harley has a name and carefully marketed image.  The others offer the same (or better, but definatly further technically advansed) bike for a lower price but even I have to admit they are simply trying to copy Harleys proven sales method.  Why else would liquid cooled motors have fins normally for air cooling.  The truth is the j*p cruiser are technically better but most buyers (cruiser segment only) believe that Harleys are better, mainly due to Harley's marketing people, heck you cannot go into the motorcycle section of yahoo answers without seeing a Harley add in the corner.  For the guys who do thier own work on the bikes the simplisity of the Harleys may be a good thing, but in all reality even that point is going away now that they are fuel injected, which is not any harder to work on but it intimidates some people I guess although it is definatly a better system that will rarely cause any problems even after storage without proper winter storage, the main problem for bikes around my part of the country (WI) where winters are rough and most throw the bikes in the back of the garage for 3-5 months.  The Harley owner doesn't have to worry about a cooling system problem either.  Most of these worries are mute point since the j*p bikes are very reliable and tend not to break, although I bet I have lost more than a day of my life pulling the fairings off my bike and putting them back on after installing various hop-up part here and there.  In the end get what you want, pay extra for the Harley name or not your choice.  I personally choose top shelf performance not avalible by an American manufacture.

Answer 4

I am really happy to see Harley Davidson doing so well.  That said, the Japanese make outstanding bikes as well.  If I wanted a cruiser, I'd probably go Harley due to quality, retention of value, and "cool factor".  But, if I wanted a performance or dirt bike, or an inexpensive commuter, then the Japanese rigs are hard to beat. (FYI: I've owned YZs, CRs, XRs, KTM, Suzuki street, Yamaha street, and a ton of others.  I've found the rice burners to be consistently reliable. The KTM was well built but the friggin parts would eat you alive).  Safe riding.

Answer 5

I work at yamaha (not at a dealer).  There are lots of americian parts in this.  There is a bit from japan and other placs too.  Go look over your americian polaris/victory or your harley and see which has more americian parts.  It will be close.  I am looking for the best deal on a harley because I want a striped down dyna.  The only yamaha i am interested in is a naked fz6.  For some reason the vx1100c does not do it for me.  I can name a list of reasons why it should but it don't.  It is all about what you want.

rd

Answer 6

Because no American company makes a decent sport bike, a decent sport cruiser, a decent dual sport bike or a decent dirt bike.

If I wanted a two wheeled tractor I guess I could get a Victory which is ok if you are into that kind of thing.

Answer 7

Think about it !! Look at most of the people you see on them Would you really want to see them on a Pan Chopper Or A Ness original No I didnt think so

Neither would I

Answer 8

all that most can afford?????

Answer 9

the Valkyrie is one mean machine..... if it wasnt for the all black paint on the night rod special i would have bought the valkyrie

Answer 10

I buy whatever is better quality and better value.

American cars and bikes expect to sell me stuff just because it is American (do them a favor?).  Then they should sell it at no profit just because we are Americans (do me a favor).

Good Luck...

Answer 11

because all GM cars suck balls and bikes are the same.. dont get me wrong i love my country but we cant make s.hit to save our lives

Answer 12

Those bikes fill the needs of some people so they buy them.

Answer 13

Because my American m/c riding brother........They make bikes for boys and motorcycles for men. Keep the shinny side up my friend,

Answer 14

because theyre better

Answer 15

Buy what you want.

j*p Bikes for the dirt, American Bikes for cruising, and either for carving up the canyon.

What ever floats your boat!

Answer 16

The Americans only offer the same old tired technology.

So much that most of the rice market has followed them, only improving the design slightly.

Ive been a performance rider for over 45 years.

The American iron is just plain inferior.

Answer 17

Because its a better product. you can't get the power and handling out of a Harley, ever, for the amount of money a Japanese brand charges for such a superior machine. A Harley is boring compared to a R1, CBR1000, ZX10R, GSXR1000

If America could build something well I would buy it, so I will continue to ride japanese and drive German

Answer 18

Because you can't get your money's worth.