Comments on: Polaris to Buy Indian, But What Happens to Victory? (News) http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/04/polaris-to-buy-indian-but-what-happens-to-victory/ Motorcycle News, Editorials, Product Reviews and Bike Reviews Sun, 19 May 2013 20:34:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: vf6cruiser http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/04/polaris-to-buy-indian-but-what-happens-to-victory/comment-page-1/#comment-21899 vf6cruiser Mon, 09 May 2011 12:08:06 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=14804#comment-21899 Don't need Harley, (but some models do look like jewelry) Don't need Victory, and from what I can tell Indian leaves a lot to be desired in the reliability dept. This is just another re-floating of the Titanic, only to watch it sink again. Don’t need Harley, (but some models do look like jewelry) Don’t need Victory, and from what I can tell Indian leaves a lot to be desired in the reliability dept. This is just another re-floating of the Titanic, only to watch it sink again.

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]]> By: Jon M http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/04/polaris-to-buy-indian-but-what-happens-to-victory/comment-page-1/#comment-21732 Jon M Thu, 05 May 2011 15:37:57 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=14804#comment-21732 Folks, I see this discussion as sad. Indian has a rich quality history reaching further back than HD that continues to carry it far beyond it's unfortunate demise 50+ years ago. Like Ford men will never drive a Chevy, I will never put a HD between my legs. It's Indian or nothing for me. Unfortunately for all of us, Indian lost it's focus and had to shut down business. I applaud anyone who wants or has the ability to resurrect that great Indian history, but it must be for the bike itself. Do not bring back a name just to destroy a competitor. That is a misdirected path destined for failure. If Polaris or Victory have purchased the right to use the Indian name and faithfully try to resurrect a future for the legend as we know it, so be it. When most companies start up they pretty much sell their souls to investors just to be able to start work. But with integrity and a strong company objective or goal it can be done. Sustaining sales will judge them worthy. I truly hope that the Indian legend can live on. Folks, I see this discussion as sad. Indian has a rich quality history reaching further back than HD that continues to carry it far beyond it’s unfortunate demise 50+ years ago. Like Ford men will never drive a Chevy, I will never put a HD between my legs. It’s Indian or nothing for me. Unfortunately for all of us, Indian lost it’s focus and had to shut down business. I applaud anyone who wants or has the ability to resurrect that great Indian history, but it must be for the bike itself. Do not bring back a name just to destroy a competitor. That is a misdirected path destined for failure. If Polaris or Victory have purchased the right to use the Indian name and faithfully try to resurrect a future for the legend as we know it, so be it. When most companies start up they pretty much sell their souls to investors just to be able to start work. But with integrity and a strong company objective or goal it can be done. Sustaining sales will judge them worthy. I truly hope that the Indian legend can live on.

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]]> By: Wilson R http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/04/polaris-to-buy-indian-but-what-happens-to-victory/comment-page-1/#comment-21295 Wilson R Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:33:22 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=14804#comment-21295 Uh, Victory....modern four? Uh, Victory….modern four?

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]]> By: Jan J http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/04/polaris-to-buy-indian-but-what-happens-to-victory/comment-page-1/#comment-21243 Jan J Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:19:16 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=14804#comment-21243 Another request for a "Modern 4" Another request for a “Modern 4″

]]> By: Tom http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/04/polaris-to-buy-indian-but-what-happens-to-victory/comment-page-1/#comment-21169 Tom Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:51:36 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=14804#comment-21169 How do the new K-BMW's sell vs. the old R-air-heads? R bikes are rooted in history, so I bet they sell more of those. I think the "roots" or DNA is what sells a bike. Think Moto-Guzzi. Or Triumph. Or BSA if those are still made, I can't remember. Victory had no roots, so who's compelled to buy one? Indian suddenly gives Polaris some roots. Sort of. If you use your imagination. So it may well work! How do the new K-BMW’s sell vs. the old R-air-heads? R bikes are rooted in history, so I bet they sell more of those. I think the “roots” or DNA is what sells a bike. Think Moto-Guzzi. Or Triumph. Or BSA if those are still made, I can’t remember. Victory had no roots, so who’s compelled to buy one? Indian suddenly gives Polaris some roots. Sort of. If you use your imagination. So it may well work!

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]]> By: Ruefus http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/04/polaris-to-buy-indian-but-what-happens-to-victory/comment-page-1/#comment-21156 Ruefus Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:38:22 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=14804#comment-21156 Quite right. But you know who pushed for that legislation? Harley Davidson and Vaughn Beals. The government didn't just miraculously figure it out on their own. They didn't have the power - so they created it. Quite right. But you know who pushed for that legislation?

Harley Davidson and Vaughn Beals. The government didn’t just miraculously figure it out on their own. They didn’t have the power – so they created it.

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]]> By: wannaby http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/04/polaris-to-buy-indian-but-what-happens-to-victory/comment-page-1/#comment-21138 wannaby Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:56:24 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=14804#comment-21138 modern four please. modern four please.

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]]> By: Wilson R http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/04/polaris-to-buy-indian-but-what-happens-to-victory/comment-page-1/#comment-21103 Wilson R Tue, 26 Apr 2011 01:47:13 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=14804#comment-21103 It's natural to compare one product to the standard. The standard is HD and the Victory falls quite short in the styling department in most people's eyes. Mechanically, Victory might be even better than a HD, but even that is debatable. I don't think HD or any other company is threatened by Victory's offerings, as most riders snicker behind the backs of Victory riders after they leave the local watering hole on their garish machines. Too bad Victory can't be a bit more creative and hire professional designers rather than a bunch of hacks with a few #2 pencils. Also, whoever is naming Victory motorcycles (Eight Ball, Vegas, King Pin etc..) must have had quite a drug infested background as those names suggest. Giving bikes a name like that doesn't make it more desirable in most rider's minds, it just drives respectful people from the showroom. I truly hope that Victory makes changes to keep them from being the laughing stock of the motorcycling world. It’s natural to compare one product to the standard. The standard is HD and the Victory falls quite short in the styling department in most people’s eyes. Mechanically, Victory might be even better than a HD, but even that is debatable. I don’t think HD or any other company is threatened by Victory’s offerings, as most riders snicker behind the backs of Victory riders after they leave the local watering hole on their garish machines. Too bad Victory can’t be a bit more creative and hire professional designers rather than a bunch of hacks with a few #2 pencils. Also, whoever is naming Victory motorcycles (Eight Ball, Vegas, King Pin etc..) must have had quite a drug infested background as those names suggest. Giving bikes a name like that doesn’t make it more desirable in most rider’s minds, it just drives respectful people from the showroom. I truly hope that Victory makes changes to keep them from being the laughing stock of the motorcycling world.

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]]> By: 36EL_Knucklehd http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/04/polaris-to-buy-indian-but-what-happens-to-victory/comment-page-1/#comment-21096 36EL_Knucklehd Tue, 26 Apr 2011 01:17:55 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=14804#comment-21096 I'll comfortably wager that at least 3/4 of commenters here don't even own an American Big-Twin, of any make. It's just my *opinion*, but one can draw a reasonable conclusion from so many comments citing UJM standards & niche dual purpose bikes *rolling eyes* Recently sold my 07' FLHX and am waiting on my new Cross Country to arrive. It's a damn fine bike. I rode one & and put my HD on CL the same weekend! If Polaris uses their engine tech to revamp Indian's PP105 in the next couple of years, I'll probably buy one of those too. I’ll comfortably wager that at least 3/4 of commenters here don’t even own an American Big-Twin, of any make. It’s just my *opinion*, but one can draw a reasonable conclusion from so many comments citing UJM standards & niche dual purpose bikes *rolling eyes*

Recently sold my 07′ FLHX and am waiting on my new Cross Country to arrive. It’s a damn fine bike. I rode one & and put my HD on CL the same weekend! If Polaris uses their engine tech to revamp Indian’s PP105 in the next couple of years, I’ll probably buy one of those too.

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]]> By: G Fahey http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/04/polaris-to-buy-indian-but-what-happens-to-victory/comment-page-1/#comment-21082 G Fahey Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:35:07 +0000 http://www.motorcycledaily.com/?p=14804#comment-21082 Polaris did this for one reason: Despite the generally good reviews and reliability of the Victory bikes, they are ALWAYS compared to a HD. They don't quite have that retro look V-twin riders like. Indians look even better than HD's. I'm sure others would disagree but, Indians have an easily identifiable look to them that any MC fan recognizes as an Indian. They are not Hardly Davidson's. They are not Victory's. They have a broader appeal and if Victory can keep the looks (not just slap a Victory engine in them, wouldn't work) and make them reliable as the Victory's along with the stellar service, they have a winner on their hands. Do that and Polaris can not only compete with, but maybe one day surpass HD in sales/loyalty. Even hard core bikers would embrace an American made Indian. Polaris did this for one reason:

Despite the generally good reviews and reliability of the Victory bikes, they are ALWAYS compared to a HD. They don’t quite have that retro look V-twin riders like. Indians look even better than HD’s. I’m sure others would disagree but, Indians have an easily identifiable look to them that any MC fan recognizes as an Indian. They are not Hardly Davidson’s. They are not Victory’s. They have a broader appeal and if Victory can keep the looks (not just slap a Victory engine in them, wouldn’t work) and make them reliable as the Victory’s along with the stellar service, they have a winner on their hands.

Do that and Polaris can not only compete with, but maybe one day surpass HD in sales/loyalty. Even hard core bikers would embrace an American made Indian.

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