Rice-burner?

[Beast_Model]

Sometimes right-wing patriotism is expressed through the contempt most Harley riders feel for Japanese motorcycles. The “buy American” creed translates into both concern for American workers and personal fear of unemployment. “Jap crap”, the term used most frequently after “rice rocket” and “rice burner”, to describe Japanese bikes, has both personal and political overtones. At large rallies, Honda-bashing can be pretty common. Everything from bad-mouthing to literal bashing takes place. There have been Honda drops, burials, and smashings. Hauling the bikes by crane high into the sky and letting them drop is one kind of entertainment. At one rally, everyone paid a buck to whack a Honda with a sledgehammer. It was a popular event. Anger over the Japanese-made Harley lookalikes is also intense. Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha all make Harley knockoffs. These bikes have started encroaching upon Milwaukee’s market. The imitations are all big bikes with the characteristic Harley V-Twin engine look.

To Harley riders, nothing sounds, feels, rides, or performs like a real Harley, and the Japanese knockoffs just add fuel to the already burning fire of Harley chauvinism. The fact that the Japanese bikes have been known to outperform, outlast, and out-ride Harleys, while costing only a fraction of the price, is irrelevant. Harley loyalty transcends these boundaries. In this area, Harley loyalty reinforces ideals of patriotism. The biker is buying American.

Racism expressed in Japanese bike bashing has made popular the bumper sticker that reads “Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, from the People Who Brought You Pearl Harbor.” It is clear the racism is in operation, because British, Italian and German bikes are never trashed.

When was that written, 1977?

What a moronic piece of half truths and hyperbole.