Harley is winning in Europe against local rivals even without a trade war

Harley's success in Europe is evidence that American companies can flourish there, without a trade war

Willi Breuckmann could have gone for the BMW motorcycle—it was a comfortable and affordable machine. And it made sense for him to stick with a ride made in his own country, Germany.

Instead, he chose a Harley-Davidson. The Road King.

“It comes down to a feeling,” what the Germans call “ein Gefühl,” said Breuckmann, a 54-year-old web developer who lives in Dortmund, in the nation’s northwest.

The Road King is a big bike, starting around 24,000 euros ($28,100), long and low with the iconic V-Twin engine and dual exhausts growling the sound that made Harley famous. It’s a smooth ride for long trips