It s my point of view that there are both good and bad motorcycle parts made here in the US …and in Europe, China, Korea and of course all over the world. It is also my daily professional observation that there is a lot of hypocrisy from those in the US, manufacturers, distributors, dealers and buyers of parts pretending to support the national economy. How many US companies in our industry silence the fact that they subcontract abroad, distribute foreign parts, sell them in their dealerships with a final user knowing or not the origin of what is installed on his motorcycle. At the same time most of these US corporations and people feel obliged to state the politically and economically correct statement “Support your country. Buy American”. Buy what you want, but be an informed consumer, know what you buy, American or not, and face the consequences of your choices is my philosophy.
And all this ranting because this morning I am in copy of a mass e-mailing sent by “Accessories Unlimited” a manufacturer and distributor of both American & Korean made motorcycle parts, reporting that “Rivera Primo” has its transmission made in Korea, that both companies propose exactly the same product made with the same parts, in the same Korean factory, the difference being only the brand name stamped on them… and a big difference of price. Because I was raised with the notion that reporting, denunciating others is a no/no and to avoid this kind of situation, now I really wonder if it would not be better that part manufacturers be obliged to state the origin of their products. Below, I faithfully reproduce this denunciation email. Tell me what you think.
“Did You Know? Here is an industry secret most dealers do not know! The “Rivera Primo Transmissions” are made in Korea. The reason we know is because they are made in the same factory as the “Accessories Unlimited” transmissions, using the same parts. Up until recently we have stayed away from letting people know this information but we know feel that it is time you know the truth. The truth is that you are paying more for a name stenciled on the outside of the case. Other than that they are identical. This applies to the Left or Right Side Drive Transmission. Why pay more for the same thing”. Signed Accessories Unlimited.
