I can see how it doesn’t make much sense to someone outside the USA, maybe it makes some sense to others who reside in Federalized republics like Germany. But the USA has traditionally left criminal enforcement of individuals to the states. Going after businesses? Sure, they have been doing that for over a century.…

The answer to your first point is that for better or worse, when the Feds created the clean air act they left it to the individual states to enforce it for singular individuals, and there is no enforcement at the federal level. And unfortunately this is Texas, so the local and state enforcement is largely “I don’t…

That basic formula is why the Pontiac Fiero was a multi-decades smash success!

Don’t forget the fact that it was one of the most dangerous minivans ever made!

I had a coworker once in his 80's who used one in basically the same role as a retiree’s golf cart. Never took it on highways, never in traffic that flowed over 45mph. Just for commuting to and from work and stores.

That’s awesome. My family history is similar to yours but I am one or two generations further removed from farming. My dad worked some on his grandpa’s farm, and never touched it again after college. He didn’t grow up on the farm but frequented it to help, apparently.

This is pretty much my reason that I don’t go to them.  Plenty of other options out there.

“The greatest marketing coup in history is Austria convincing everyone that Hitler is from Germany and Beethoven is from Austria”.

This is one of the most fucked in the head insane things I have seen in my life, and quite frankly more than a little scary.

The Pan American is definitely a sign that there are people in H-D who are capable of thinking outside the box.  I hate to use such an overused expression but I can’t think of a better way to state it.

That’s the thing though. Any number of water cooled engines will run for hundreds of thousands of miles like a Swiss watch. A particular favorite of mine is Kawasaki’s parallel twins. Especially the 650cc, but I had their 250cc for awhile and it was lovely.

Interesting. I am not being snarky, but what about the hardware? Their engines, suspension, brakes, and really everything mechanical is decidedly old-school*. While all that has an appeal from a reliability perspective, with simpler lower-tech components I would expect a lower price; but that isn’t the case.

What do you think, 50 comes with an AARP card and an immediate reversal of all opinions in favor of old-person stereotypes?

That makes some sense. I still feel that there are just better bikes out there for less money and I think your last paragraph says that you agree with me.

At some point their aged demographic will disappear.

Here we are

Yup!  Meeting in 5 minutes, but will get the link when I can.

Well, Supply Side Jesus™ sure would be.

Everything except this.

Forgive my skepticism please.