Does Kawasaki have any plants in the USA? If they do I much rather buy a 650 made here then else where. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Any 650 you buy in the U.S. is going to be made in the U.S. I'm not sure where they are made but I know that they are made here. Canada also has its own Kawasaki plant and all they buy is Canadian made machines. Up where I'm from we can buy ours in Canada and not have to pay any tariffs. And the best thing is that you can get them a hell of a lot cheaper there. I think that when I bought mine in the U.S. it was when the dealers wanted top dollar so I paid $7100 taxes and registration, and it was a plane jane model. Just twenty thirty miles away in Grand Falls the Canadian dealer was selling the same Canadian machine with the rear hitch and rear box/passanger seat for $5800 American. So I'm getting the wifes 360 in Canada for $3800.

 

I think it's in Lincoln, Nebraska. They used to have tags hanging off the handle bar that said where they were made at the dealer. I'm pretty sure they still do.

 

Than why is there a 606 lbs limit on Kawi 4 wheelers if they are not being shipped but made in the US and Polara$$ does not have to go by the same weight standards?

 

Kawasaki's are made in Lincoln Nebraska. I have had the opporotunity to tour the plant and it is in deed impressive. I ride a Kaw Vulcan street bike and a KX 250 for Cross Country racing. I toured the plant with several other Vulcan riders on our way to Sturgis in 2000.

I'm pretty sure the 600 lb weight limit has nothing to do with shipping. There has been a limit set by the SVIA (Specialty Vehicle Institute of America) that recomends that an ATV not weigh more than 600 lbs. This info come from the Feb '02 Dirt Wheels pg. 48, discussing the new 2003 Honda Rincon and how they got the weight down.

I have heard from some riders that When riding on Federally Managed Land that an OHV (off highway vehicle) cannot weigh more than 600 lbs. manufactured weight. I don't know if this is true or not. I think the Polaris 500 HO's weigh more than 600 lbs.

 

My experience with Toyota cars and trucks has left me with the impression that on average, workers in Japan and more sensitive to quality. I know this sounds anti-American but again, I base it on the performance of several cars and trucks that I have owned since 1978. I have also visited Japan several times and can vouch for their attention to quality. Ride in a taxi here and you might get some guy who hasn't changed clothes in two days. Cab drivers in Japan wear a suit and tie and the seats of the cars are covered with white lace that is washed every day.

Of course that doesn't mean we still can't outperform them. Who would have thought that Honda and Yamaha would be trying to copy the quality of Harley Davison. All it takes is for people to care a great deal about the work they do.