Victory Motorcycle to Wind Down Production

[Cormanus]

"So, you know, I usually use grinders, 'cause they make a lot of sparks ... the sparks make it look legit; like I'm actually doing something, like ..."

[rotor]

[url=https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/indians-victory]Indian's Victory

This pull quote certainly hits the mark:

"Motorcyclists are a picky lot. There have been a boatload of motorcycles that just didn’t resonate with buyers for the most arcane reasons. Motorcyclists will happily damn a great bike for some trifling matter."

I think another quote from the article better explains what is happening:
Quote:...Profit margins are thin and motorcycles are a luxury toy in this country...
And the only way this will change, is for US/Canada to join the rest of the world, where a motorcycle is either 50/50 (Europe, Australia...) a transportation device and a toy, (or 90/10 (Asia, Africa...)).

And that that process is underway, we will know by two phenomenons: the emergence of motorcycle parking facilities in downtowns of North America, and by legalization of lane-splitting...

I'm not holding my breath...

[Riko_imp]

[url=https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/indians-victory]Indian's Victory

This pull quote certainly hits the mark:

"Motorcyclists are a picky lot. There have been a boatload of motorcycles that just didn’t resonate with buyers for the most arcane reasons. Motorcyclists will happily damn a great bike for some trifling matter."

I think another quote from the article better explains what is happening:
Quote:...Profit margins are thin and motorcycles are a luxury toy in this country...
And the only way this will change, is for US/Canada to join the rest of the world, where a motorcycle is either 50/50 (Europe, Australia...) a transportation device and a toy, (or 90/10 (Asia, Africa...)).

And that that process is underway, we will know by two phenomenons: the emergence of motorcycle parking facilities in downtowns of North America, and by legalization of lane-splitting...

I'm not holding my breath...

lol, being from Europe, I do wonder where you got that 50/50 ratio?

Here motorcyclists make 6,5% of the total road users..

[Stichill_imp]

"So, you know, I usually use grinders, 'cause they make a lot of sparks ... the sparks make it look legit; like I'm actually doing something, like ..."

Great stuff. Great humor always has a basis in truth...when you listen to these "work shop" shows that are "creative" that's how they actually talk, ha ha!

[rotor]

[url=https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/indians-victory]Indian's Victory

This pull quote certainly hits the mark:

"Motorcyclists are a picky lot. There have been a boatload of motorcycles that just didn’t resonate with buyers for the most arcane reasons. Motorcyclists will happily damn a great bike for some trifling matter."

I think another quote from the article better explains what is happening:
Quote:...Profit margins are thin and motorcycles are a luxury toy in this country...
And the only way this will change, is for US/Canada to join the rest of the world, where a motorcycle is either 50/50 (Europe, Australia...) a transportation device and a toy, (or 90/10 (Asia, Africa...)).

And that that process is underway, we will know by two phenomenons: the emergence of motorcycle parking facilities in downtowns of North America, and by legalization of lane-splitting...

I'm not holding my breath...

lol, being from Europe, I do wonder where you got that 50/50 ratio?

Here motorcyclists make 6,5% of the total road users..

lol, being from Europe, I do wonder where you got that 50/50 ratio?

Here motorcyclists make 6,5% of the total road users..
Of course, but I did not say 50% of road users are motorcyclists, I said that 50% of motorcycle rides/kilometers are for transportation (as opposed to "recreation"). Where I'm from in Europe, nearly everybody that owns a motorcycle uses it to - weather permitting - get to work and around town for whatever purpose people drive around town (for shopping, social contacts..).

As long as North American motorcycle market remains the way it is now (90%+ "expensive toys", with zero utilitarian value) it will keep deteriorating.

However, HD and dwarfs are hoping that they can keep the wolf from the door by appealing only to those that buy expensive toys. (cf., Motus). They are afraid to start promoting motorcycle as transportation device, because in that market segment they face what they believe to be unbeatable competition from the imports - mostly Japanese. They are not interested what happens in the long run, perhaps because they subscribe to the old "in the long run we are all dead" piece of wisdom.

Well, Victory is dead already, Indian is sure to follow, Motus will never sell enough of $40k Honda VFR1200 home-built replicas to be viable. Anybody else? (I didn't thing so...)

Can HD survive as the last Mohican in such toxic climate?

Future will tell.

[emptysea]

A) Indian is far from "sure to follow"
B) It is highly unlikely that that the US market will move appreciably toward "transportation" from "recreation". Motorcycles are actually incredibly impractical vehicles for most Americans. Urban Americans and single Americans may find some practicality in two-wheeled transportation, but weather, distance, fuel economy, hauling capacity, and a variety of other factors make a motorcycle a poor vehicle for transportation as defined above.
C) The recreational market here has not, as some have stated, dried up. While I will assume that it is true that Millennials have not been gravitating to motorcycles, they may in the future like so many of us Boomers did once our kids were raised. Also, I think I read that dirt biking is becoming more popular with younger riders and many of them may become street riders down the road.
D) There are very few bikes in the price range of the Motus and almost none that could be described as sport-touring bikes. Motorcycles are largely a "luxury" item in the US, but that doesn't mean that Americans are willing (or able) to spend $35,000 on a bike; that's the wrong definition of 'luxury'--bikes are a luxury to most Americans because they are not a necessity in their lives (yes, I am aware that most of you will now correct my definition of "necessity", but I hope you understand what I mean).

I have no idea where the US motorcycle market is headed. I do wish that there was a US maker of sport-touring bikes, but I can easily enjoy the foreign-born choices I have here.

[uscgmac_imp]

I don't think Harley will have any problems.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

[flynrider]

[url=https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/indians-victory]Indian's Victory

This pull quote certainly hits the mark:

"Motorcyclists are a picky lot. There have been a boatload of motorcycles that just didn’t resonate with buyers for the most arcane reasons. Motorcyclists will happily damn a great bike for some trifling matter."

I think another quote from the article better explains what is happening:
Quote:...Profit margins are thin and motorcycles are a luxury toy in this country...
And the only way this will change, is for US/Canada to join the rest of the world, where a motorcycle is either 50/50 (Europe, Australia...) a transportation device and a toy, (or 90/10 (Asia, Africa...)).

And that that process is underway, we will know by two phenomenons: the emergence of motorcycle parking facilities in downtowns of North America, and by legalization of lane-splitting...

I'm not holding my breath...

lol, being from Europe, I do wonder where you got that 50/50 ratio?

Here motorcyclists make 6,5% of the total road users..

lol, being from Europe, I do wonder where you got that 50/50 ratio?

Here motorcyclists make 6,5% of the total road users..
Of course, but I did not say 50% of road users are motorcyclists, I said that 50% of motorcycle rides/kilometers are for transportation (as opposed to "recreation"). Where I'm from in Europe, nearly everybody that owns a motorcycle uses it to - weather permitting - get to work and around town for whatever purpose people drive around town (for shopping, social contacts..).

As long as North American motorcycle market remains the way it is now (90%+ "expensive toys", with zero utilitarian value) it will keep deteriorating.

However, HD and dwarfs are hoping that they can keep the wolf from the door by appealing only to those that buy expensive toys. (cf., Motus). They are afraid to start promoting motorcycle as transportation device, because in that market segment they face what they believe to be unbeatable competition from the imports - mostly Japanese. They are not interested what happens in the long run, perhaps because they subscribe to the old "in the long run we are all dead" piece of wisdom.

Well, Victory is dead already, Indian is sure to follow, Motus will never sell enough of $40k Honda VFR1200 home-built replicas to be viable. Anybody else? (I didn't thing so...)

Can HD survive as the last Mohican in such toxic climate?

Future will tell.

I'm doing my part. I average about 14K miles per year on my two CBs and 3K miles per year in my truck. Of course, it helps to live in the desert where rain is a rare event. Having a high tolerance for heat also helps.

I only take 4 wheels when I need to carry large items, other people, or on those rare occasions that it's raining.

[Stichill_imp]

(Open letter from Motus Motorcycles)

The Victory and Pontiac Effect

"This Motus rides like a dream, but will they be around in 5 years?"

We hear that a lot. And, it's a fair question. Customers buying a Victory in 2016 or a Pontiac in 2007 probably didn't consider their purchase risky from those brands. But, why not?

As entrepreneurs/patriots/motorcycle nuts, we are saddened by the demise of Victory Motorcycles, but not surprised. Polaris is an incredible American company making the best business decisions for shareholders, as they should. Maybe similar to decisions General Motors made with Pontiac.

Conceived in Polaris' boardrooms to grab some of the (then growing) v-twin market, Victory remained target fixated as demand for heavy cruisers shrank by half. At the same time, the European brands grew like wildfire by offering appealing bikes in other segments- and there was no American competition. While Victory marketing showed intriguing sportbike concepts under the fuzzy brand promise of an "inextinguishable passion for American performance", Victory dealers only offered 800 pound/90hp cruisers.

So, what does this have to do with Motus? The Motus customer seeks a comfortable American sportbike and values attention to detail, premium quality, and character. For riders with a Motus already in their garage, the test ride sealed the deal. As long as Motus remains laser focused on providing an incredible customer experience, we will continue to grow and launch additional models in segments that complement our brand promise.

With Victory gone, some great motorcycle dealers are starting to look for alternative lines to represent. We hope that Motus - with our V4-powered, comfortable American sportbikes - will be a good fit for them and their customers.

Motorcyclists gladly accept more risk than "regular" people as we pursue the magic that is only experienced on two wheels. Every week, riders join the growing Motus family and we are deeply grateful they share our vision.

-Brian Case and Lee Conn
January 16, 2017

More here: http://motusmotorcycles.com/blog/

[Roper_imp]

Pickups and SUVs are luxuries for most people. Get a used Civic and save a lot of money. Heck, having a second vehicle of any kind was a luxury for my family until the kids got into school. Then it became a necessity. So I dunno about motorcycles. On the mornings I commute by motorcycle, I have a better attitude about the day. That translates into me being more patient with my students. When I ride home, I arrive ready to engage with my kids and my wife. I don't need extra time to decompress. If I had to commute in a Civic, I'm convinced I would be a worse teacher, father, and husband. So yeah, my bike's a necessity