Want a cool Harley? Move to Europe.

Harley is storming the beaches of Europe. But isn't it interesting to see Harley attacking the European market with weapons suited to the task? Instead of following the lead of America automakers and pumping bloated land yachts into the continent, Harley actually designed a bike for the market.

Press reports indicate Harley's new XR1200 runs, turns and brakes like a world-class motorbike. The XR1200 appears to be a real live motorcycle for people that prefer not ride feet-first. I say "appears to be" because I've never seen one. The XR1200 is not available in the U.S.

Then this rolled across my RSS feed...

HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO ACQUIRE MV AGUSTA GROUP EXPANDING PRESENCE IN EUROPE

Milwaukee, Wis., July 11, 2008 -- Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to purchase the Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta Group (MVAG). Under the agreement, Harley-Davidson will acquire 100 percent of MV Agusta Group shares for total consideration of approximately 70 million euros ($109 million), which includes the satisfaction of existing bank debt for approximately 45 million euros ($70 million). In addition, the agreement provides for a contingent payment to Claudio Castiglioni in 2016, if certain financial targets are met. MV Agusta Group is privately held, with the Castiglioni family owning 95 percent of MVAG shares...

Wow, so what froze over or did something begin to fly?

It's a shame that H-D doesn't feel the need to market the XR1200 to Americans. Which probably also means they won't see any need to make an MV Agusta in an everymans version. But they obviously see the market for non-retro motorcycles.

The upshot is maybe someday we'll see some trickle-down of all this globalization at The Motor Company. Like I've always said, I don't dislike Harley-Davidson... it's their bikes I can't stand.