My Love and Hate of American Engineering.

[lumberjack_jeff]

11. It's actually kind of sad.

The motorcycle business is a parable about american engineering in microcosm. All marketing and legal - no engineering. Why design something better when you can simply imagine new ways to leverage "tradition"?

I wish that I could own an american made bike. My son bought a new Dyna a couple of years ago. He loves it, but I have to wonder how anyone can rationalize paying $17,000 for a bike (plus the obligatory costume) that is in no way superior to my 1982 GS 750. It's not as fast, not as comfortable, doesn't handle as well and won't go as far on a tank of gas.

Even the British can make a bike engine with 2hp per liter.

What I wish is that an american company would abandon the goddamn fixation with v twin motors, or at least do it right (see Ducati).

What I want is a BMW R1200 made in america. 1 hp per liter in a boxer configuration and solidly reliable.