They said that about the Japanese bikes back when too, but a 1968-1969 Honda CB750 fetches over $140k today. The original purchase price was less than $2000 back then. http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/black-side-down/honda-cb750-sells-for-148100
There are multiple 80s Japanese bikes that sell for 15 times or more what they did new. Meanwhile there are multiple genuine Harley models from the AMF years that are worth nothing but scrap.
I just remember what my dad said the first time a family member showed up at his house driving a Jap car, “those people tried to kill me on Iwo Jima”.