What kind of vehicle is needed in ME? (snow, drive)

[DavidoftheNorth]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Hardleys are okay for short trips, but I do prefer American made bikes and V-twins are murder on long drives.

I ride a Gold-wing.

I'm not quite sure what a "Hardley" is, but Harleys (Harley-Davidsons) are American-made. I believe Gold Wings are Hondas - Japanese? You take airplanes for "long drives".

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by DavidoftheNorth

I'm not quite sure what a "Hardley" is, but Harleys (Harley-Davidsons) are American-made. I believe Gold Wings are Hondas - Japanese? You take airplanes for "long drives".

Goldwings have been manufactured in America since the 80's, with US made parts.

Harley-Davidsons have not been since the 50's.

And even now HD are only assembled in the US from imported parts. Except for their starter which is a honda product.

[DavidoftheNorth]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Goldwings have been manufactured in America since the 80's, with US made parts.

Harley-Davidsons have not been since the 50's.

And even now HD are only assembled in the US from imported parts. Except for their starter which is a honda product.

What about this:
Browser Update Required
(This is a link to an American HD factory.)

[Submariner]

Both companies are share-holder owned. So both have owners that are from any nation on the planet. Neither company is 'American owned'.

One company has never made the claim of being entirely American, the other company has made that claim in their PR, even while their parts have been entirely manufactured overseas.

For over twenty years one company has manufactured motorcycles in America, from American made parts, assembled in America, and they even supply parts to the other company, however that do have the foreign sounding name.

In some ways I would like an 'American' bike with an 'American' sounding name. However I am 48, and to own one would mean that the bike would be older than I am.

[woxyroxme]

Originally Posted by Coaster

Each year, come the first snow storm of the season, I can count on seeing three or four cars off the road on the way to or from work, and they are almost without exception 4WD vehicles whose drivers think they're invincible because they're in a 4WD.

This happens in Ohio when we get light flurries. And the road crews act as if it was their first day on the job and stick to plowing streets that are already clear.

[SportFury59]

There is a Harley plant about 45 miles north of me up in the Northwoods of Tomahawk, Wisconsin. They produce the fibre glass components that go into a Harley. Then they ship these components, cowlings, etc. to their plant in PA for assembly. I believe Harley engines are manufactured from scratch at the Wauwautosa (Milwaukee plant) and possibly the Kansas City plant. I took a tour of the Kansas City facility two years ago and it was very impressive. A lot of manufacturing took place there and not just assembly.

[Theeunderdog]

Originally Posted by Sminthian

I always hear the stories in the wintertime about Maine getting like 6 feet of snow at a time. Does everyone up there have like 4WD Pick-Ups or can a normal car do ok?

Think you just have to learn how to drive in the snow. I love watching the news when some place down south gets a half inch of snow and they start playing bumper cars. Mainers who were raised here just know how to drive...well... for the most part.

[Sminthian]

Well, I have a Honda Shadow and a Pontiac Firebird right now. Both of which are pretty much useless in the snow. I'm figuring on getting a 4WD 1/4 ton pickup if I'm actually gonna move up to Maine.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Sminthian

... I'm figuring on getting a 4WD 1/4 ton pickup if I'm actually gonna move up to Maine.

It might be fun in the summer mud, but you really do not need it for winter.

[WhoFanMe]

It's all about common sense, and some have mentioned that a front wheel drive vehicle is sufficient. It's a good idea to stay off the roads until the storm passes. When it snows enough, most business close down either for the day or until the snow is cleared. The major roads get cleared first, then the secondary roads.