Victory Motorcycle Forum banner

Polaris Is Closing Victory Motorcycles

70K views 277 replies 65 participants last post by  Lisa2017Octane 
#1 ·


Polaris Industries is shutting down the Victory Motorcycles brand after 18 years in business. Polaris says it will assist dealers in liquidating their remaining inventory and will continue to produce parts for another 10 years to support Victory owners.

'This was an incredibly difficult decision for me, my team and the Polaris Board of Directors,' says Scott Wine, Polaris Industries chairman and chief executive officer. 'Over the past 18 years, we have invested not only resources, but our hearts and souls, into forging the Victory Motorcycles brand, and we are exceptionally proud of what our team has accomplished. Since inception, our teams have designed and produced nearly 60 Victory models that have been honored with 25 of the industry’s top awards. The experience, knowledge, infrastructure and capability we’ve built in those 18 years gave us the confidence to acquire and develop the Indian Motorcycle brand, so I would like to express my gratitude to everyone associated with Victory Motorcycles and celebrate your many contributions.'

Polaris says Victory motorcycle sales peaked in 2012 but has steadily declined since. Victory sales represented only 3% of Polaris’ total sales revenue in 2015 with dealers on average only selling about 20 motorcycles a year. The brand has only drawn a profit in two of the last five years. Victory’s decline mirrored the rise of Indian Motorcycle which Polaris purchased in 2011. While Victory sales dropped, Indian’s sales have grown. Polaris sees greater growth potential in Indian, resulting in the decision to focus the company’s resources on a single motorcycle brand. Polaris says it will dedicate more money into research and development on Indian as well as its Slingshot brand.

'This decision will improve the profitability of Polaris and our global motorcycle business, and will materially improve our competitive stance in the industry,' said Scott Wine. 'Our focus is on profitable growth, and in an environment of finite resources, this move allows us to optimize and align our resources behind both our premium, high performing Indian Motorcycle brand and our innovative Slingshot brand, enhancing our focus on accelerating the success of those brands. Ultimately this decision will propel the industry-leading product innovation that is core to our strategy while fostering long-term growth and increased shareholder value.'
Read more about Polaris Is Closing Victory Motorcycles at Motorcycle.com.
 
See less See more
1
#5 ·
Called it

Many of us saw this "writting on the wall" when they bought Indian. I think there may even be a pool out there for the LDOP (Last Day of Production). Sorry to see this happening to a truly superior product but just as Windows Network Server was crap when compared to Novel, Windows is about the only thing out there these days so marketing won in both instances over superior technology. Hopefully, Polaris can leverage their experience with Victory to allow them to build a superior Indian.
 
#6 ·
Loss for words

I'm at a loss for words. Indian is swelll but look so much like a Harley why bother. Why not just get a Harley? From what I've seen in my experience the Victory is superior to both but the bean counters always win. Damn.:frown
 
#8 ·
Damnit!

I know I will NEVER see the gorgeous styling curves on bikes like you see on a Victory ever again unless they're ultra expensive customs. Honestly, I fell in love with the scalloped tanks, multi-layered fenders and the lines of these bikes. Then you add in the reliability and power at a reasonable price for a used bike, and the pride in having bought American made, and it was a no-brainer for me. It's a shame to see it go. Wish they could have at least sold the brand off to someone else, but I guess with a 2% of sales pull, no one would have picked it up? Shite! I don't want another Harley. Hell, I picked up a v92 after my Kingpin because I was such a believer in the Victory lineup. Argh!
 
#9 ·
Now put back that Ducati picture, ha ha ha

Andre
TaPaTaLk
 
  • Like
Reactions: MonsterMash
#10 ·
F$%&%%*

This is totally disappointing!!! Vic was one of a kind and #1 in my book, they knocked style out of the park like no other brand, especially American made.
Sometimes a manufacturer - car or whatever - discontinues a brand or model of something that you particularly love. There may be some others to fall back on to satisfy but they just never capture your heart and soul. When I bought mine I had an open slate and approached it with open eyes to ANY manufacturer and model. When the dust settled the Hammer was my dream bike.
Now I've been lusting for a Cross Country the past year or so (still not wanting to give up my Hammer though). I was hoping to get another year or 2 before buying one (used of course) but feel a bit of a need to start looking now.
Indian and Harley just aren't my style. I approach everything with the mentality of improving and moving upward/forward with every step. Now I feel as though in the future that if I ever bought a new bike it would be a step down from my expectations and hopes :(
 
#11 ·
I must be in denial cuz I keep thinking this is fake news.......it can't be for real...I have over 10 years of victory ownership, brand loyalty, gear, clothes and heck, I even bought Polaris company stock......

Say this ain't true and ya'll just f'ing with me.....
 
  • Like
Reactions: David Buchanan
#23 ·
I signed it but the bloody computer register "Israel" automatically coz I'm working.... Grrrr


Andre
TaPaTaLk
 
#21 ·
Say were pretty lucky.
Think of us that were screwed with the Excelsior henderson.

Indian will go by the wayside now that polaris has screwed everyone with the victory. In 5 years the electric bikes will take over and Indian will be put on the shelf
 
  • Like
Reactions: MC Hammer
#24 ·
I can only echo the sentiments that I've heard already. I'm extremely disappointed and saddened by the news. I at one time believed that i would trade my Vic in for a Roadmaster but I'm not sure that Polaris's commitment to motorcycles is. >SMH<
 
#26 ·
It would be more competition for them.
 
#28 ·
  • Like
Reactions: 44Dave
#30 ·
screw polaris and the indian they rode in on

I have been loyal to this brand from 2004 to now. I have skin in the game. I do own other motorcycles, would have bought the octane instead of the scout, if I had known. I should have figured it out when the octane hit the streets. I had a previous dealer tell me this would happen when indian was bought. I feel raped. I will never buy another Polaris product again. yes, all of my Polaris bikes are for sale. screw Polaris.
 
#31 ·
I have been loyal to this brand from 2004 to now. I have skin in the game. I do own other motorcycles, would have bought the octane instead of the scout, if I had known. I should have figured it out when the octane hit the streets. I had a previous dealer tell me this would happen when indian was bought. I feel raped. I will never buy another Polaris product again. yes, all of my Polaris bikes are for sale. screw Polaris.
Yep , Indian SCALPED Victory .... And Polaris customers got Castrated . :mad:
 
#32 ·
Rode home from work, a guy with an Electra glide pulls up next to me. Gives me that "sorry-bro-you-got-f'd"....looks at the bike, grins and says:"ride safe"...light turned green, he pulled ahead. I tucked my tail inwards and rode into the susnet back home....slowly like a biker whose OEM just gave up on him and pulled the plug on his brand because it was NOT worth it anymore........

True story..... I am PISSED!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blowndodge
#33 ·
redheaded stepchild

this has been planned. Look at the crosscountry, electronics unchanged since 2010. After 2 years they upgraded the stereo on the chieftan and the roadmaster. I just feel stupid for trusting the parent company. If they had stuck indian with the electric moped, the results might have been different. If the octane had been introduced first as it was intended it would have helped. They also kept coming out with models that did not sell. (wasting money) They should have upgraded the best motorcycle ever built (cross country) not that it really needed anything. Maybe this would have ended different.
 
#34 ·
Anybody else finding themselves looking at Harley bikes this morning?

The street glide or road king look somewhat better this morning.... that milwaukee 8 engine seems to be a hit.....

Say what you want about Harley's... they wouldn't walk away from their loyal customers and would rather go bankrupt than alienate their demographics........Might have to swing by for a test drive soon.....
 
#36 ·
I might go in two different directions. Either a HD Road Glide Ultra. Or........ a BMW K1600 GTL. Polar opposites. HD because its a classic and that's why I bought a V-Twin in the first place. the BMW because it has more technology than all the other motorcycles combined AND a 160 HP motor!
 
#38 ·
My brother in law just got one and I like it. But I'm an Ultra Classic guy myself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top