Polaris is Done with Motorcycles

[nakkers]

Forum Sponsor

Seems weird for a company like Polaris to hold Indian as its one and only motorcycle brand, alongside sleds and ATVs and stuff. Way off brand. I bet they get rid of Indian as well.

I agree. I think Indian is more of a premium brand and isn't something to be sold next to side by sides quads and snow machines.

But I'm not in marketing so, what do I know?

I do believe Indian is growing market share and has excellent brand recognition. And I'm sure the profit margins are working for it. Otherwise, it would have been flushed like Victory.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Matt Rain]

Just to be clear, I would expect Polaris to prepare Indian for a sale. The Scout seems to be a smashing success so shuttering the brand is prolly not on the radar. But I'm no bean-counter.

 

[Morrissey]

I can't say I'm surprised. Victory never captured enough of the market to be really successful. Pull into any bike night or rally and count the Victory's there and you can see they never really made much of a dent. There are only so many riders out there looking for big twin cruisers and if said buyer decides he wants an American bike, why wouldn't they go to the OG American bike rather than a resurrected brand that has been around less than 20yrs. In a sector where refinement is the key rather than innovation, I think it really hurt them that they continually discontinued models and brought out new ones. You find one you like and then 2yrs later they don't make it any more.

I think the cruiser market in general is in trouble. You look at how many different models of cruisers the various Japanese manufacturers had back in the early 2000's vs today and you can see it. Some of that can be blamed on the shrinking economy, but I think a great deal of it is due to changing rider preferences. At one time Honda had 4 different versions of it's 1800cc VTX, 3 different 1300 VTX, and 2 or 3 750 Shadows. Now they have eliminated the 1800's all together and have 2 1300's and 2 750's. Yamaha has dumped a few of their cruisers, Kawasaki has dumped a few too.

 

[STARSHIP]

Wow now HD can go back to sleep.

 

[TwistedKestrel]

Victory always seemed a bit odd to me. Like they were trying to build a better Harley, but HD buyers don't want a better Harley. Metrics always seemed to have some angle that differentiated them

Indian shutting down or going bankrupt is part of the brand at this point. I think owners expect it.

I lol'ed

 

[Roadghost]

I'm not surprised. Indian, a motorcycle name with a very rich history has been selling extremely well for Polaris. Never mind that Victory is almost the same. I think the slightly unconventional styling of the Victory bikes combined with a Johnny-come-lately brand was too much for the conservative types who like a brand with roots. In a tough motorcycle market with declining overall sales Victory no longer made sense. Performance wise Indian far outstrips Harley Davidson and is the only motorcycle that can equally brag about it's American history. That's important if you understand America's blind nationalism.

 

[crankcall]

OP your opening salvo is a bit misleading, done with Victory yes, motorcycles not so much. Its a cleaning up around the office excercise, a millions of dollars excersice none the less. Indian will become an even more powerful brand.

H-D kept taking runs at it for decades, the Arremachi deal using bad Italian engines, the 125cc post war project using the engine they collected from the Nazis. H-D dirt bikes...., they figured it out and make V twins. As will Indian.

 

[nakkers]

OP your opening salvo is a bit misleading, done with Victory yes, motorcycles not so much. Its a cleaning up around the office excercise, a millions of dollars excersice none the less. Indian will become an even more powerful brand.

H-D kept taking runs at it for decades, the Arremachi deal using bad Italian engines, the 125cc post war project using the engine they collected from the Nazis. H-D dirt bikes...., they figured it out and make V twins. As will Indian.

Couldn't edit the title to change Polaris to Victory. My apologies.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hedo2002]

Yep your right the cruiser market is toast, after all the aging baby boomers with spouses who want to ride or at least be on the rear seat, are itching to run out and get a new GSXR 1000...lmao Why have 30 models of basically the same thing when you can carry 10 and sell the same amount reduces R&D and production costs WAY down.

I can't say I'm surprised. Victory never captured enough of the market to be really successful. Pull into any bike night or rally and count the Victory's there and you can see they never really made much of a dent. There are only so many riders out there looking for big twin cruisers and if said buyer decides he wants an American bike, why wouldn't they go to the OG American bike rather than a resurrected brand that has been around less than 20yrs. In a sector where refinement is the key rather than innovation, I think it really hurt them that they continually discontinued models and brought out new ones. You find one you like and then 2yrs later they don't make it any more.

I think the cruiser market in general is in trouble. You look at how many different models of cruisers the various Japanese manufacturers had back in the early 2000's vs today and you can see it. Some of that can be blamed on the shrinking economy, but I think a great deal of it is due to changing rider preferences. At one time Honda had 4 different versions of it's 1800cc VTX, 3 different 1300 VTX, and 2 or 3 750 Shadows. Now they have eliminated the 1800's all together and have 2 1300's and 2 750's. Yamaha has dumped a few of their cruisers, Kawasaki has dumped a few too.

 

[crankcall]

The cruiser market is a long way from dead, but there is a shift in the market. Triumph and BMW building bobbers? The multiple incarnation of the Ducati scrambler. I see them like more 'day' cruisers. Lots of guys coming to the conclusion that light, nimble, reasonable to operate and insure is OK. That and the never ending aging demographic.
And marketing 101, innovate or wilt on the vine.

 

[nakkers]

I think there a few factors occurring with the market. One is emissions and the ability to comply and do it cheapest as possible. The other is fashion. What is the custom looking for?
Adventure bikes seem to be growing. Both for young and old. Male and female.

And you have North American market and global markets. Some trending the same. Others not.

Victory did ok in NA but, across the pond? Not so much. And I think Indian will be able to grow beyond NA. They have liquid cooling and smaller displacement machines. Not sure what they plan to do with their touring machines?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PrivatePilot]

The cruiser market is far from dead - the crotch rocket crowd who pooh-pooh the cruiser guys now, well, time marches on...and many (not all, but most) will slink to the cruiser market eventually when their bodies can't hack a sportbike anymore, their egos don't need it, or (gasp!)....they suddenly find it appealing because they've grown up.

As for Victory....unfortunate - I really like the look and was thinking something in their lineup would be my next bike. Perhaps one still will be, there will be parts out there for a long time to come even when official dealership support ends - I owned a 15 year old Polaris Jetski up until a year or so ago and never had trouble finding parts even though they folded their watercraft division as well in 2004.

I think the biggest damage will be customer confidence in the Indian brand now - if people think they might do the same to Indian it could change purchasing decisions. They'd be really wise to come out in support of the Indian side of the business now and declare it's not going anywhere as I'm sure there's people concerned about that....but reportedly they're selling well and I have a friend who put around 30,000K on his new Chief classic this past summer without one hitch, so they are reliable.

 

[inreb]

As long as people get/are old and/or lethargic there will be cruisers. Full stop. Nobody need worry about cruisers going away. See how old people dress? That never goes out of "style". Hike your @$$chaps to the 24 bellybutton and hihosilver.

 

[Blackfin]

I think the biggest damage will be customer confidence in the Indian brand now - if people think they might do the same to Indian it could change purchasing decisions. ...

People probably thought the same of GM when it jettisoned Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Saturn. There may be some angst at first but, as long as Indian doesn't stagnate or do **** like stick that engine of theirs into a hundred different bikes they'll get over it quickly.

This will likely be a non-event in 6 mos.

 

[Roadghost]

Here's some more detail on what Polaris is doing, and why Victory is being discontinued. It makes perfect business sense to me. Indian simply was the better performer.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/motorcycles/victory-motorcycles-closes-down-as-polaris-focuses-on-indian-and-slingshot/ar-BBy50hG?ocid=spartanntp

 

[BKnight]

Biggest problem they had is no dealer network. Really loved the Victory designs but I'm sorry but I'm not riding 110 kms to get my bike serviced. Now that Polaris has pulled the plug I would be hesitant to buy an Indian because if they start having trouble financially Polaris will just shut it down too to concentrate on more profitable ventures. Remember they promised that Victory was here to stay too so why should I believe them about Indian?

Friend of mine bought an Indian. Three weeks later the dealership went out of business. Now he's riding over 100 kms to get service. No thanks Polaris! Not unless your bikes are significantly lower than the price of HD to make it worth my while. I'll stick with my Yammy and get serviced locally.

 

[crankcall]

Here's some more detail on what Polaris is doing, and why Victory is being discontinued. It makes perfect business sense to me. Indian simply was the better performer.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/motorcycles/victory-motorcycles-closes-down-as-polaris-focuses-on-indian-and-slingshot/ar-BBy50hG?ocid=spartanntp

Of course it makes business sense, you wont often see billion dollar recreational companies making emotional choices. Sure the advertising will all be about living the lifestyle and ride to live, but the guys that show up at the plant wearing jackets and ties, not A$$less pants make the decisions at Polaris.
Its only the marketing teams that read GTAM to see where the trends are and what to do next....

 

[DoomedSince78]

I just bought a Victory last year in March and this news to me is gut wrenching... I chose Victory because it was different from HD and well the HD in Barrie sucks for customer service.. I love my bike and I'm gonna ride this ***** until the wheels fall off !!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nakkers]

I just bought a Victory last year in March and this news to me is gut wrenching... I chose Victory because it was different from HD and well the HD in Barrie sucks for customer service.. I love my bike and I'm gonna ride this ***** until the wheels fall off !!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just think your bike is something a little more special now.

I like owning a brand of motorcycle that is no longer made.

It's kinda like riding an old Ducati with HD rumble. Gets lots of attention where ever I go. Never going to sell it.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ddusseld]

Good to know the only reason to ride a sport bike is ego and the fact you are not a grown up. Thanks. I've been confused up until now. Should be "slinking" to a cruiser any day now....

The cruiser market is far from dead - the crotch rocket crowd who pooh-pooh the cruiser guys now, well, time marches on...and many (not all, but most) will slink to the cruiser market eventually when their bodies can't hack a sportbike anymore, their egos don't need it, or (gasp!)....they suddenly find it appealing because they've grown up.

Forum Sponsor