For me the choice is not about continents or countries. I have worked in the Automotive industry since 1993. I can show you small scale producers who hand make items fixing every defect as they go. I can show you small scale manufacturers who have lost the skills to do this and make unadulterated **** because they insist on not using common parts and processes. I have worked with the biggest car makers in the world who variably either work to the spirit of proven management systems and have high quality and productivity as a result while other cannot integrate this into their culture and pay lip service while living firmly in 1971 and cutting costs to stay competitive. There is no gene or passport stamp that will change this.

There are managers who can turn a disaster like British Leyland into a sucess like Toyota UK or Nissan Sunderland using essentially the same pool of workers. Triumphs collective of 1979 does not share electrics suppliers with a Hinckley of 2015, yet the reputations live on. There are marketing men who will convince people a Vauxhall Viva is a safer bet than a Honda and those on the net who want to believe a badge guarantees something. There are customer service organisations who can make you feel lucky to have a product that dropped to bits or designs that are so great when working you forgive them as soon as they are fixed after a failure.

I will buy any product from any manufacturer in any nation or trading block based on all these factors and current feedback. I am bound to own Chinese made at somepoint.

I bought a Guzzi because I like how it rides, trust my dealer, think Piaggio have kicked out the old guard in Italy and believe I can do most work required myself without expensive new kit.

Andy

Been there, done that, but only once - when I lived and worked in central Asia; for a simple reason, there was very little else available to buy.

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Dave

Agree. My experience from motorcycle riding since 1970.

As well, the difference in specs is often overstated- meaning Euro bikes are not always so much better...or sometimes not at all!