I take it the other way around Harley(MAC) and PC(Concours).
Harley is all hip, nice, shiny and overpriced. And some owners think it is the best motorcycle in the entire world. I remember a funny incident at the end the ERC this year. This guy that rides a road glide comes to me with some ABATE forms and asks if I would like to join. He proceeds to comment that they do not care what we ride - two girls in that chapter even ride pink Kawasakies! Got me speechless! lol
So how much does Kawasaki sell our OE rear valve stems for?
For my C-10, it was $35. Got one for a Triumph for $12 that works great though. 90 degree, super low profile, just over 1/3 the price.
How much does Kawasaki sell OE float bowl seals for? Last thing I saw was $13.95 EACH. From H-D, around $5. Yes they fit, and they are even in stock. If they didn't fit then my C-10 would be leaking gas all over the place.
Ask a smart KLR owner where they buy a replacement diaphragm if theirs goes bad. H-D is half the price of Kawasaki and the local dealer probably has one IN STOCK.
Look at the fasteners used an a stock C-10. Compared to even a base-model XL they are cheap junk. Otherwise, Murph wouldn't sell a kit that brings the bike up to the level one gets with a stock H-D.
The brakes on my 2001 XL were fixed-rotor stainless and the rotors were made in the USA, iirc. It had 4-piston opposed calipers also. A brandy-new rotor costs $120 from H-D. Ever checked the price for a pre-94 fixed-rotor C-10? Bout $300 each, aren't they? Sure, they have a slightly larger diameter than the H-D so they take a little more material to produce but does that warrant the 250% price increase?
My 2001 XL had more advanced instrumentation than a 2006 Concours. 2006--mechanical, inaccurate speedo and mechanical odometer. Really, Kawasaki?
My C-10 has cost me way more in parts than my XLH ever did. That's just stuff to keep the bike on the road, running properly, serviced and safe. I don't buy all that chrome crap and I'm not really into farkles.
Still better than not riding at all though. I don't know who will make my next bike but I do know who won't be making it.
Just curious, have you ever turned a wrench on an H-D or owned one?