Harley vs Indian. This is going to be fun to watch!

[trevor]

Victory no longer exists for a reason.

Wasn't that because Polaris could focus all it's efforts into Indian?

[GS1150Pilot]

Polaris was quite strategic, Victory was the test run (and in the beginning they were ROUGH) but over time, they refined and bikes ended up working and selling well... Polaris than bought Indian, used Victory to get that brand off the ground and than Victory went away like any good set of training wheels. Indian is now making decent coin and really nice bikes. Polaris knew from day one the only way to compete with an iconic brand is reviving and exploiting another iconic brand. Ironic since Indian and HD have been rivals since basically forever.

Victory doesn't exist for it was never planned to endure... How "good" business works.

I'll stick with a company that has stayed in business and kept its marque integrity. I'm one of few here for obvious reasons, but I like HD and think their product is great.

[GS1150Pilot]

Wasn't that because Polaris could focus all it's efforts into Indian?

LoL. Yeah, and I'm sure all those folks who payed to support that experiment's gestation were thrilled when Victory bowed out.

[GS1150Pilot]

As has been mentioned, the engine (and trans?) where supplied by S&S and as mavens of old bikes we can all get all the used parts we want off fleabay et Al

I wouldn't think twice about buying a Victory, I'm just not in the market for a motorcycle that would be better suited powering a piece of agricultural equipment.

I don't think the latter day Victory motors and transmissions were made by S&S.

[trevor]

LoL. Yeah, and I'm sure all those folks who payed to support that experiment's gestation were thrilled when Victory bowed out.

I'm sure they were not thrilled. But I can see why Polaris did it. Victory never appealed to me anyway...neither does Indian for that matter.

[Jedz123]

And only the FTR1200 apeals to me out of both the Indian and HD brands..

[Jedz123]

I'll stick with a company that has stayed in business and kept its marque integrity. I'm one of few here for obvious reasons, but I like HD and think their product is great.

As said in other threads, I'm super stoked your HD works so well for you!!! I get it because I love my Bonneville T120, its such a motorcycle at the core it is just a pleasure to ride. Triumph has been around for a hot minute too. The Sportster was born to compete with the UK Twins. Aka the Bonneville

[Guest]

When the Indian name was up for bid back in the 90s, I wonder if Polaris was one of the bidders? The company awarded the name was the only one to show a complete bike (that was, in actuality just a parts bin special). This could explain why Polaris went with the Victory name.

[GS1150Pilot]

I'm sure they were not thrilled. But I can see why Polaris did it. Victory never appealed to me anyway...neither does Indian for that matter.

I actually like the Scout a lot, but the pedigree and community around HD are huge pluses to me. I love riding a bike that can trace its roots back 50 years, under a Marque that has existed without a break for nearly 120 years. It is special.

[GS1150Pilot]

As said in other threads, I'm super stoked your HD works so well for you!!! I get it because I love my Bonneville T120, its such a motorcycle at the core it is just a pleasure to ride. Triumph has been around for a hot minute too. The Sportster was born to compete with the UK Twins. Aka the Bonneville

Actually, the Sportster is a couple of years older than the Bonneville (not the TR6, though). I like Triumph a lot.

[Jedz123]

Actually, the Sportster is a couple of years older than the Bonneville (not the TR6, though). I like Triumph a lot.

Yeah I looked it up and was wrong. I found 57 for the Sportster and 58/59 for the Bonnevile.. But it was the British bike sales the Sprotster was trying to chase since HD didn't really have a competitive edge in the smaller entry level bikes back in the day. They were successful I would say! Very intertwined history there.

I know my XR1200 left an unfair taste in my mouth about Sportsters... I need to just ride a good ole 883 to understand it better. Hope our paths cross in June!!!

Best,

[bobgroger]

Another fun fact...the own the BMW/Ducati dealer...and recently purchased the Triumph dealer where they added the Indian line. My buddy says what a difference in customers! He says at the bmw/ducati dealer customers come in prepared, they have done their homework and know what they want....contrast to the Indian (old Harley customer) that really has not done their homework...and he says they get their credit declined 60% of the time! Lol.....shopping for an expensive toy with bad credit....classic!

Same when I bought my Connie at the Harley dealer. Couple people were interested but were declined....

[trevor]

Same when I bought my Connie at the Harley dealer. Couple people were interested but were declined....

How could you have the balls to buy a toy on credit when you have none? I guess that's why they are in the position they are in in the first place. Hmmm...I wonder who gets turned down for credit more often....which brand?

[Rob S.]

I saw a copy of a 1961 Cycle World review of the new Sportster. It said, "If you are riding a Sporty, you are either going to a race or on your way back from one."

The '61 Sportster was far and away the world's fastest production motorcycle.

[storm 64]

How could you have the balls to buy a toy on credit when you have none? I guess that's why they are in the position they are in in the first place. Hmmm...I wonder who gets turned down for credit more often....which brand?

Plus it's kind of fun walking into the dealership with $12,000 in cash in your pocket and saying I'd like that one! 😉