No surprise really.

Maybe in time the American built stuff might hold its value better than the Thai.

Maybe.....

As much as HD outsourced many of their parts I think their legend (and what made them more attractive to a lot of people) was the made in the USA aspect.  Without that they'll become another cheaply made bike that will truly have to compete with the "jap crap" market as one of the pack.  I think they're fucking themselves over big time.

Spot on Bonkerz - they could get away with it with lams-type bike but the premium price tag for a ‘Made in Thailand’ bike won’t cut it. 

Men, the MoCo have accepted the reality, they need to be in the Asian market, there are more potential bike riders / buyers there then there are old fat white men in the rest of the world. Don't get me wrong, I am well and truely apart of that demographic. But due to massive tariffs on imported bikes, they have to assemble the bikes in country to even look like getting a foot in the door, or be viable. At this stage they are saying they are only going to assemble what they call knock downs to get around the import tariffs. As a business owner myself, it's impossible to ignore the opportunity/ markets in the worlds most populas countries.

$20000 Softail? Doubt it.

they won't sell many of the bigger bikes in the Asian market ,they will target the younger sportster / iron / 48 buyers. Custom bling, look at me.

I watched a doco about 18 months ago about HD in Vietnam. They sell heaps. Aparently the guy that owns it is from Newcastle Australia. They have HOG chapter and always out on rides. 

We all know aians are getting wealthier and there are many wealthy ones. They love big, flashy status symbols. That includes big Harleys even if they are too big for them. 

Gotta admit I don’t really care where they’re made or assembled. Depending what you read components already come from Germany, Italy, Taiwan, Japan and Mexico (AUS for wheels but no longer). 

Maybe Pauly but not at ‘US-made’ prices.

Bikes are different, out of all brands (and marketing), USA is a key part of the deal.

No i never endorsed the idea that it was something i embrace but indicated that this is the way forward for many companies. Not sure why you feel that a bike manufactured outside USA should be priced lower ?