Well said, Honestly i have been saving for a chieftan and at this point I'm unsure if i should pull the trigger on it, I mean whats to say Indian isn't next?
Dinky Dot I don't think you have anything to worry about there. We all knew Vic was on shaky ground after Polaris bought Indian. Plus just look at the numbers. Victory lost a decent amount of money over the past few years (not including 2016), meanwhile Indian is taking off like a rocket. Unfortunately in the US, riders are obsessed with brand history, which means that even though Victory made a great product (some argue better than HD) in the end even that couldn't overcome the 'heritage' barrier. Indian doesn't have that problem, Polaris saw that, which is why they've spent millions on buying the brand and developing the new line.
Thank you Lloyd... I have the same feeling, about the light on the end the tunnel. I'm keep running my bike till the wheel fall off. Polaris turn his back to this brand... if in the future someone ask me!!! Victory build by Polaris? I'm gonna say... NO Build by ME., becouse I'll never give up from the bike, all parts, performace components, paint style and colors....by ME. sorry folks for this... I'm just mad about. thanks..
Didn't get mad over this, hurt yes. Saw this coming a few years ago, when Indian came out. VIC was put on 2nd burner and money was going Indian. On 3rd VIC, XR with 66,000+ and no problems. Hell of a good bikes and as I am 73 and ride the hell out it, may go before Vic does. See no need change now, as XR and me will keep hauling ass down the pike. With Polaris the money talks and Victory took the shaft.
With the octane being so new in the lineup, do you think yall will have any performance aftermarket for the bike(cams, valves, head work, big bore kits exhaust, etc)?
Great follow-up Lloyd. If my '05 TC ever dies I will be looking around for a CCT and all the Lloydz motor goodies that go with it. Let's all shut up and go ride!
You are a big shot sir, I was told if I'm into Victory's at all then that mean I know who Lloydz is lol. Sadly at the time I didn't and had to look you up. You are officially my drug of choice because I bought a 2016 Vegas on NYE and it for sure will be getting a healthy dose of the Lloydz!!!
Enjoyed my Victory until you got your hands on it. Now all it does is backfire and none of friends want to ride behind me and you had the audacity to tell me to change the way I ride by grabbing the clutch instead of downshifting. Really!!!! Lloyd would have been a class act if he bothered to follow through on anything he promised. Spent thousands with Lloyd and have a bike that's embarrassing to ride. This is not only my story!!!!
I put your timeing gear on my 09 vision and loved it,but I wanted a different setup in color Iwas able to get a 2012 vision setup the way I wanted my 09,then Polaris pulled out.Pissed me off I even posted my black betty for sale,2 weeks later i'm keeping her till I die.You are soo right they are the best riding bike and they will remain that way regardless.
Even though I sold Porti years ago I've always kept an eye on you. I've watched you grow, build and provide THE best performance parts out there for Victory and Indian. Just because Victory is no more doesn't change the fact that I will still be a fan and watch you continue your growth with Indian and other brands! I wish you the best in this new era!
All of the above goes without saying. Was there really anybody out there that was going to stop riding their Vic just because they couldn’t buy a new one? I’ll ride mine until I just can’t keep it running.
Well said Lloyd ,nothing to add except I'm still grieving. I'm surprised how much this has affected me but it really has and my heart goes out to all those whose livelihoods depend on it but I will be riding my Victory Cross Country tour for years to come . I love that bike,which means I will be buying more of your products than simply the throttle ring I see a timing wheel in my near future thanks again for all you've done 4 Victory's and the Motorcycle industry and thanks for the video,.
I bet this is what Indian riders felt like in '53 when the original went under. Ironic that all these years later Victory did the same so that Indian could live again.
Agreed, we are a separate group from Harley riders, BMW riders, Indian riders and such. We are small and tight. I think that is awesome!Starting my channel with Victory Judge rides to come...others will be jealous.
You are EXACTLY right, Lloyd! It is the PEOPLE who made Victory great, and it is the PEOPLE who will continue to build it's legacy. I will ALWAYS support Lloydz no matter what your endeavor. Your components literally saved my life!
Indian has been on loose ground for, well, since the 1953 or 54 when the original cut out. After that, ALL attempts have failed, up till now. This is sad. The question is, in My eyes, WHY Polaris would kill its own child off just to ATTEMPT to carry Indian???? They let Victory die! They put all focus and effort on Indian. Seeing how even the big guy, Harley Davidson, could not also keep Buell, let alone their other products they made years back (snowmobiles, golf carts, small or minibikes, enduro type bikes..) why couldn't Polaris take note earlier on??? Polaris, until Victory and that Slingshot has always been a ATV type company. They created a street bike and it WORKED! Now they want someone else's frankenstein? Sad. Maybe I'm off a little. However, in my world, I would want to see Victory, And Indian, and HD, Buell, and hell, even Excelsior Henderson, in business. Maybe not under the same roof. Any American or American as you can be brand. Can't be that way, but why kill off a proven thing? Victory, up till now, HAS beat out Excelsior Henderson, Buell, and Indian (previous generations). Indian started and stopped. Started and stopped. Victory has given other MFGs a fair run for their money, although at a much smaller amount in production. Why kill it now? I think it is important to get Indian back up and running, but NOT at the cost of a Polaris branded bike, that they designed, built, and sold.... Why take your bread n butter and dump it, just to try some untrustworthy "gourmet" stuff? ? ? ????????? When you IGNORE something, you create your "bottom line," and it won't be a good one!
Victory made a good bike, but alone, they were not making a dent in market share, in fact, after 18 years, they held 3% Indian was selling 15:1 with only 9 models in 2 product lines. There is no way to make a dent in HD market share when you are only running with 9 models and 2 product lines compared to HD's 37 models in 5 product lines, 6 if you include the Live Wire (not in production yet). I am 100% sure that 7-8 best selling Victory models will re-emerge as a new product line under the Indian banner. Right now there are 2 product lines, the Scout line-up (2 models) and the Chief line-up (7 models). (3 more models coming Feb 25 under the chief product line, but i am not sure all 3 will be unveiled that day). They will re-badge some popular Victory models under a new product line using the Indian name to bring Indian into a new, younger demographic that is not looking for a nostalgic motorcycle, who are looking for a modern look. Hell, i can even see them adding a 4th product line by rebadging the Empulse TT as an all new Indian electric. When all is said and done, i can see 4 product lines for Indian, Scout line, Chief line, Modern line(not sure what it will be called) and the electric line. This will give Indian roughly 20 models under 4 product lines putting them in line with HD's 6 product lines. The only product line that Indian will not have a product line to compete with is the CVO Line up, but who know what the 5 and 10 year plan for Indian looks like. They may buy a performance line down the road and compete in the CVO line-up or take a few bikes from the rebadged Victory line with factory upgraded performance parts to compete with the CVO line, who knows, only thing i am positive on it Victory will re-emerge under the Indian name that will create and entirely new product line for Indian. Personally i would be interested in picking up a re-badged victory with the Indian name and add it to my 7 bikes i have now. I would love to see Indian get to 25% market share while HD drops to 25%, this will encourage increased spending in R&D in both Indian and HD and will only end in a win for consumers.
I think you're right Snake Bite, they have to make some modern Indians too. The 1940's look only goes so far and long. I think looking back at some of the statements they made about Indian always being ahead in technology is exactly saying that. It's sad they killed the Vic brand but I won't mind if they bring them under Indian badge in some way shape or form. My wife and I bought new bikes a month ago. Her a Scout and me an Octane. Everywhere we go people come asking about the Indian. Same bike but no one asks about mine.lol And the dealer told me that they sell 10 Indians to 1 Victory. It's sad but people are about brands and that makes Indian a true contender. Although in my opinion I don't know why it has to contend against HD. What are the sales of Moto Guzzi or Triumph compared to Victory I wonder. I'm sure they're not putting a dent in HD either but they're not closing doors. And they have many bikes in their line ups.
I will be riding my 14 XCT until it comes down with a terminal ailment. It's a good machine and it does the job. I recently was debating whether to add some additional go goodies or trade for an Indian. Polaris has now made up my mind for me. I'll look into grabbing more power for the XCT. Although not my machine of choice, I will say one thing about Harley Davidson that is admirable. In the 114 years of Harleys existence, they never walked away and left their customers and enthusiasts high and dry. They stuck it out through thick and thin, rich and poor. Polaris on the other hand has a couple of bad years and they bail like a frightened child. And as for an Indian, well, it's doubtful that I will ever get one. You see, Polaris fooled me once. Shame on you. Polaris fool me twice? Shame on me! Having said that, I believe Lloyd is right about Victory owners being the brand. When the announcement was made, a friend of mine suggested that I trade for a Milwaukee 8. I've had HD in the past and I think the new power plant will help cure some of the existing ailments but I'm afraid that I just can't see myself on pig iron anymore. After owning my XCT, well, I guess I just got spoiled.............so now what is it....supercharger or 116 kit.....decisions, decisions......
Both as in the ten over and the supercharger? Lloydz advised against this for street usage stating that there was simply too much power (200+ to the ground) to make riding it any fun at all.
