| Author | Message | ||
     Lorazepam |
Harbor freight has their platform lift at 100.00 off list right now. I will try to get the 20% off coupon posted as well. http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/tabviewer/startBrowseBook.do?bookid=114&prev iew=&type=RET&simple= | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Just adding to the trade deficit when you buy from Harbor Freight. We send all our money and lots of jobs to China and the pres wants a middle eastern country to own our shipping ports. What the heck is going on. | ||
| Lowflyer |
That's a great deal, Loraz. Do you know anybody that owns one? | ||
| Lorazepam |
I have several friends that have them, and they work really well. I have used one, but I dont have one in the garage yet. I need to save my pennies, but the jack I have works well enough for now. If you sign up for their mailer, you can also get 20% off coupons regularly. Makes this deal even better if you use the coupon. | ||
| Blake |
"the pres wants a middle eastern country to own our shipping ports." That is wildly inaccurate. First, our President has expressed no such desire; my bet is that learning of it, he'll commission further study of the UAE acquisition of the British business that currently manages the logistics at some of our ports. Second, the current issue has nothing to do with the ownership of or security forces governing any of our ports, only the management of port logistics. Thirdly, I agree that it sounds extremely foolish, but I don't have all the facts. Fourth, please let's leave politics out of moto related threads here.  Buy American! | ||
| Jim_sb |
Blake, What percentage? <g> Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Bomber |
tough to do, all things considered ;-} | ||
| Blake |
More accurately... buy non-Chinese! As much as possible. | ||
| Bomber |
well, for many, the coice is harbor freight or nothing -- easy choice if it comes down to that | ||
| Lowflyer |
"As much as possible." It ain't. Like it or not, we participate in a GLOBAL economy. China gets a percentage of every dime you spend. | ||
| Blake |
Global economy yes. Maybe I need to be more clear. When there is a viable alternative to a product labeled as "made in China", I opt for it. Period. That is absolutely possible. I do it all the time. In other words, if there is a non-Chinese manufacturer producing the same product, even if it is more expensive, then I will opt for that brand over the one that is tagged as "made in China." Pretty darn simple. I'm not a defeatist when it comes to such issues. The main reason being that I view China as an oppressive communist regime that is a threat to the core liberties, human rights, and freedoms that I hold dear, and I want to contribute as little as possible to the Chinese government's goal of achieving military super-power status. | ||
| Blake |
My wife did just purchase a Dell computer system and near the entire lot of its peripherals were made in China. Dang thing was dirt cheap though. I recall back in 1995 paying around $2K for a 21" high resolution computer display. Michele just paid under $800 for a 24" DVI LCD monitor that blows me away with its display quality. And it serves double duty as an HD wide screen TV monitor. Made in China. The one thing that gives me some comfort is the knowledge that China is more dependent on American consumers than we are upon them. Without them, we would suffer higher priced stuff made in Mexico and elsewhere. Without us, the Chinese economy would CRASH & BURN. | ||
| Thunderbox |
I find we buy too much made in China as it is. That however is not why I prefer to buy Canadian first, then US products. My reason, we do 80% of our trade with the US so unless it's made here in Canada I go with the people who trade with us the most. If China bought more of our products other than scrap iron I would buy more from them. That probably won't happen too soon. I also don't buy Chinese products if possible because it increases their demand for energy and that is driving the price of oil to where it is today. Why would I want to increase their demand for energy ands our costs if we don't need too? In response to Blakes last post, I'm afraid China already is a military superpower my friend, like it or not that is a fact. So far they have chosen not to flex their muscle. But just you wait it is coming I have no doubt of that. | ||
| Solarbri |
"... that is a threat to the core liberties, human rights, and freedoms that I hold dear..." You talking China or our current administration?  } | ||
| Jim_sb |
Hello Blake, Well, this is all very interesting to be sure. Here are things to consider: 1. Any foreign nation that receives US dollars as payment for goods must figure out what to do with those dollars. Whether they buy US stocks, bonds, real estate, government securities or jets from Boeing, the dollars eventually come home. They aren't a valid daily currency in China. 2. What's the best way to encourage a nation to improve it's human rights policies? (I don't know). But it is possible that by helping them grow economically they may be more receptive to "moral growth" as well. It's easy to say 'buy American' but unless you're buying land in the USA it's pretty hard to be 100% sure these days. You call your favorite software company and their tech support line is answered in India. Your car has parts from Mexico. Or China. Or both. How much extra are you willing to pay for the part made in America vs. the one built overseas? 10%? 100%? 1000%? Labor is much cheaper overseas - for many valid reasons - as well as for some unfortunate ones. But our competitors have a significant advantage in terms of labor costs. Clearly HD has tapped into the buy American phenomena - which for the most part has been obliterated in the car & truck business as Toyota vies to become #1 in the USA while GM and Ford struggle mightily under the financial burden made to generations of union workers. Yet what percentage of HD parts is US sourced? These are interesting times. The world is smaller now than at any time in history. Arguably this nation was built by immigrants. But when is it appropriate to stop or limit immigration? Is it better to build a strong nation and have the rest of the world immigrate here or is it better to "share the wealth" so to speak by spending money overseas and strengthening far away economies - which encourages their residents to remain at home? I don't pretend to have any answers. Just lots of questions. Best, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Lowflyer |
To my little "defeatest" brain, buying American means to get the most out of every dollar and invest the savings. The thing that I believe will strengthen our economy is to lessen the average personal debt-load, increase savings, and invest like a madman. IMHO, trying to "do your part" by not buying Chinese is misguided and futile at best; delusional and damaging to the economy at worst. | ||
| Blake |
"I'm afraid China already is a military superpower my friend, like it or not that is a fact." I disagree. China hasn't the means to project military power anywhere near on par with America. Considering the relative state of technology, the number of nuclear aircraft carrier battle groups, size/capability of Air Force, the number of nuclear submarines, control of global GPS system (America owns GPS at this point), global communications/reconnaisance systems (SatCom), stealth technology, the list goes on and on. But thanks to their exploding economy, they are on their way. I agree, prosperity does seem to be bringing information and hopefully will support the march of freedom. | ||
| Blake |
Brian (Solarbri), Your equating of our leaders to the oppressive communist Chinese government leads me to conclude that debating you would be a complete waste of my free time. Been there, done that. Never again. Live and learn. With age comes wisdom. | ||
| Blake |
Choosing to buy alternatives to Chinese made goods "is misguided and futile at best; delusional and damaging to the economy"? Interesting take on the issue. Not one I've ever heard anywhere before. I couldn't disagree with that view more strongly, except in a limited sense the "futile" part. Not sure hurling insults is productive. Probably best I kill this thread before someone really gets out of hand. Too late.  | ||
| Lowflyer |
Not sure I insulted anyone. My comments are directed at the subject matter; not any one person. That is the problem with this type of thread anyway. Insults seem to come out of nowhere regardless of the intent. My opinion and your opinion at odds does not equal an insult unless you or I say so. I apologize for your reading an insult into my previous post. That was furthest from my intent. My take on this issue is probably more complicated than would be worth posting on a "hey, great deal on a bike lift" thread. Rest assured, I have studied enough macroeconomics to know my little place in this world, and it ain't taking on China.  | ||
| V2win |
Back to the original post. I recently bought one of these lifts. I got the $100 off plus a coupon for another 20% off. I brought it home, unpacked it, put it together, rolled my FJR up on it, took it back off, and sold the lift to someone else. The wheel/tire vise is very weak and the front tire stop is marginal at best. I would say that use with dirt bikes and small street bikes would be ok. Putting my FJR up on it made me nervous. It did roll around the garage well and the foot operated cylinder did not take too much effort to operate. I have heard of premature leaking in regards to the cylinder from others. Its Chinese, you get what you pay for. For a very good lift try www.directlift.com A friend of mine got one and Im impressed with it. John | ||
| Jim_sb |
Hello John, One of my closest riding buddies has a near new FJR as well as a KTM off road beast (510?). He's an ex-racer (street and dirt) and still rides way too well to be as old as he is... (Shhh. Don't tell him I said that or he'll roost on me this weekend). Anyway, he just picked up one of these lifts and he has been raving about it. His words were "this makes working on my bikes fun"... And I can't believe you suggested these foreign guys leak prematurely! ;-p Best, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Lorazepam |
Wow, I never intended to make this a political thread when I posted. I have been to China 8 times over the last few years, and have several opinions. The first one is that the folks over there are just like us. They work hard, dont bother anyone, and just want the best for their families and themselves. I have seen the lift, and have seen it take oilhead bmw and airhead bmw bikes without major problems. That said, the pro lift for 600 bucks looks pretty good. I will have to see, as a lift such as that is a luxury item for me. | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
Gale, you darn "Buckeye", you did not make it a political thread. Craig started it and Blake gave it life blood. At least you picked the right color of Uly! Now if you could help me find my way back to the "Big, Bad, and Dirty" area as I have seem to wander over to the "Quick Board" section.  | ||
| Lorazepam |
what is this "quick" board you speak of? | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
It's no man's land where posting a reply is sure to bring all the world's answers to your door step. At your expense of course! Just look up one section above this topic on the main topic screen. You have been warned if you do not like what you see.  | ||
| Dave |
Thanks for the review JOhn. Ya saved me a trip or two. DAve All this other noise... I remember a time when we talked motorcycles on BAdWeb | ||
| Lorazepam |
It cant be a bad as some other bike boards. | ||
| Lowflyer |
Unfortunately, this board has some hot buttons. We just tripped the Harbor Freight trigger. A few months ago, the Wal-Mart button was pushed. I would take some of the blame, but I wouldn't want to take credit for Blake's handy work.  | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
Oooh yeaaa!  Who's your "Huckle berry? |
