I have just found out that Polaris is to wind down Victory motorcycle operations, although not a brand I have ever considered buying I have always appreciated the style of the bikes. A sad day.
Comments Todd?
Comments Todd?
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I'm on my way home today after a Indian Press event in Lake Havasu. I will post more tonight. However, in short, Polaris was looking simply at the numbers of units sold, and has chosen to steer the ship in the direction of the stronger brand Indian, which then gives 100% of their two-wheel resources to Indian. This is a very good thing.Comments Todd?
I can tell you, with what little I personally have learned (I do not work for Polaris of course), that I would not be skeptical at all. The future is very bright and is being heavily invested into.I can't help but be skeptical of what the future holds for Indian. Motorcycles, unfortunately, are not a significant source of revenue for Polaris.
They are very passionate about Indian, and are really grasping how significant of a brand it is for them. Indian sales predictions have been shattered every year since the (re-)launch. Victory sales never met any.Put another way, it's hard to see Polaris ever having a true passion for motorcycles. Unfortunately that takes many years to prove and they've just taken a giant step backwards by terminating Victory.
I don't disagree, however the corporate machine always has their reasons.To counter the negativity of the demise of Victory, it would have been smart to have simultaneously released an aggressive Indian campaign. At the same time it would have been good to have reached out to newly orphaned Victory owners.
I can tell you, with what little I personally have learned (I do not work for Polaris of course), that I would not be skeptical at all. The future is very bright and is being heavily invested into.
They are very passionate about Indian, and are really grasping how significant of a brand it is for them. Indian sales predictions have been shattered every year since the (re-)launch. Victory sales never met any.
I don't disagree, however the corporate machine always has their reasons.
It was reported that Victory dealers were only selling 20 units a year. 20 a year!
It's not hard to understand why Polaris pulled the plug.
I owned and raced a X-1 Lightning professionally c96-00, and met Eric in '96 at his factory building under VIP Racer invite, staying in touch with him frequently... still to date. He was elated and bummed within months of HD buying him out, stating that the companies days were numbered within that short amount of time after it was purchased. The fact that it lasted as long as it did was surprising, and when they went to the Aprilia motor because HD refused to give him any R&D budget or engine direction help, I knew the end was near. I really thought they would've handed over the VR-1000 motor to him (that bike was being raced when I was), but he told me back then the R&D for it would be used for a new model (aka V-Rod). Such a head-scratcher all the way around. I really would like to see him team up with Motus.I guess you can tell, I still remember the Buell debacle. I had a Buell Ulysses around that time and came within a whisker of getting a Buell 1125R. Fortunately I went a different direction (Ducati S4R). But I digress. Shortly after I bought the S4R, the bottom fell out from under Buell. Buell prices were slashed and there was seemingly very little support for dealers from Harley during this time. Even less support for Buell owners.
I owned and raced a X-1 Lightning professionally c96-00, and met Eric in '96 at his factory building under VIP Racer invite, staying in touch with him frequently... still to date. He was elated and bummed within months of HD buying him out, stating that the companies days were numbered within that short amount of time after it was purchased. The fact that it lasted as long as it did surprised me, and when they went to the Aprilia motor because HD refused to give him any R&D budget or engine direction help, I knew the end was near. I really thought they would hand over the VR-1000 motor to him (that bike was being raced when I was), but he told me back then the R&D for it would be used for a new model (V-Rod). Such a head-scratcher all the way around. I really would like to see him team up with Motus.
The Polaris decision is completely different, and I think you will find that is a choice that is largely in part of their own failure with Vic, but the writing is on the wall for Indian in a good way. They are 100% committed to the brand... Returning to racing (DTR-750) and I know you will be pleasantly surprised with what is on the horizon.
I hate to admit it, but somehow I missed the Introduction of the FTR-750. Let's say that my faith in Polaris may well be restored.