Trump's War With Harley-Davidson Has Divided America's Bikers

[JonLP24]

STURGIS, S.D. — Gary Rathbun rumbled into South Dakota to attend the United States’ pre-eminent gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts atop his Harley-Davidson, a 2009 Ultra Classic that brought him 800 miles from Idaho. It is the 40th Harley he has owned. It will also likely be his last.

Like many of Harley’s most loyal customers, Mr. Rathbun was enraged by the company’s announcement this summer that, because of the Trump administration’s trade fight, it would begin manufacturing the bikes it sells in Europe outside the United States.

His anger echoed that of President Trump, whose public denouncement of Harley’s decision has put one of the country’s most iconic brands in the uncomfortable position of clashing with a president who is immensely popular with most of its customers.

“I’m riding my last Harley,” said Mr. Rathbun, 67, a retired truck driver whose bike rally essentials included a steel knife nestled in his belt, a saddle bag stuffed with a Ruger pistol and a small bottle of Jack Daniel’s cinnamon whiskey. “It was American made, and that’s why we stood behind them.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/11/business/us-bikers-harley-davidson.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

[Historic NY]

1. At 67 its is the last Harley.

[LakeArenal]

2. Womp womp

[Squinch]

3. A Ruger pistol and a bottle of Jack Daniel's cinnamon whiskey. Good lord.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. In the saddlebag. Of the motorcycle he was driving. What a fine person.

[Squinch]

10. He's been reading "Being a Biker For Dummies" manual.

[smirkymonkey]

18. Yeah, I noticed that too.

Great combination.

[Cha]

4. Fraud is the #BeBest fucking Divider.

[gordianot]

5. No more football or Harley's for you boys.

Guess you can all take up golf.

[Squinch]

11. And scooters.

[PoorMonger]

12. +1.

Uncle Pootie’s Put Put

“Putin The Ball In The Hole”

Gonna have to open up some new clubs of course - because he wouldn’t want the mass of MAGA fucks anywhere near him if he can help it.

[MontanaMama]

6. These idiots have to realize

and accept that everything tRump touches turns to shit. They helped create this monster, now they get to enjoy the consequences. They’re not exempt.

[Solly Mack]

8. Who gives a fuck what they ride? Even if they ride. I don't.

Whiners on wheels

[CaptainTruth]

9. So Republican trade policies forced Harley to move their manufacturing...

... & his reaction is "I’m riding my last Harley?" WTF?

His reaction should be "I've voted for my last Republican."

These people seem to have no grasp of the concept of cause & effect.

[JDC]

13. Guys like this live in their own bubble wrapped world

Harley is legally obligated to maximize profits. Fiduciary Responsibility makes decisions like this a matter of mandated dollars and sense. And they will still manufacture here in the US, just dont buy a Euro version if you want made in the USA.

The whole thing is shitty to be sure, but don't blame them. Blame the big orange dumbfuck you voted for. And by the way, Jack Daniels is shitty enough w/o the cinnamon.

[JonLP24]

14. Posts 13 and 9 really expose the stupidy

just dont buy a Euro version if you want made in the USA.

[joshcryer]

15. "they gouge you" said of American made t-shirts

No, idiot, they don't use literal slave labor in sweatshop conditions with people who work for pennies an hour because they have no other options in their sad pitiful lives.

American labor has to meet a minimum wage and have at least some standards else you will get your ass sued off.

Of course, that's the way these psychopathic conservative leeches on the global economy think, they think they're entitled to slave labor.

Last time I went into a Harley dealership they were selling those ugly shirts that they love to parade around for $60 a pop. Made in some print shop in India or China for $1. Some are made in the USA, but not all of them.

Honda dealerships are so much nicer, more affordable, and their motorcyles are built way better.

[Thrill]

16. Fools. He's the one fucking up the industry

[keithbvadu2]

17. Any headlines of Trumpsters taking a sledgehammer to their Harleys?

Any headlines of Trumpsters taking a sledgehammer to their Harleys?

So what brand are they going to buy now?

[pstokely]

19. Ural?

big in Russia