Victory Motorcycles 1998 - 2017

"McMike" (mcmike) 01/09/2017 at 11:22 • Filed to: Victory, twowheelsgood, polaris

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RIP.

http://www.polaris.com/en-us/company/article/victory-motorcycles-important-announcement

POLARIS INDUSTRIES TO WIND DOWN VICTORY MOTORCYCLES OPERATIONS

STRENGTHENING ITS POSITION IN THE POWERSPORTS INDUSTRY

MINNEAPOLIS (January 9, 2017) — Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced it will immediately begin winding down its Victory Motorcycles brand and related operations. Polaris will assist dealers in liquidating existing inventories while continuing to supply parts for a period of 10 years, along with providing service and warranty coverage to Victory dealers and owners. Today’s announcement does not affect any other Polaris business units.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision for me, my team and the Polaris Board of Directors,” said Polaris Industries Chairman and CEO Scott Wine. “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.”

I was never really as much of a fan of Victory Motorcycles as I was a fan that Victory Motorcycles existed. America needs more than one V-Twin manufacturer. Since whomever decided to resurrect Indian in each decade couldn’t seem to pull it off, I was excited to see Victory slide in and offer an alternative.

Since Polaris (Victory’s mother company) acquired Indian a few years ago, I wondered what they would do with two American V-Twin brands. Would one brand be the musclebike, and the other be the classic cruiser? Would they both exist and try to cater to both segments? Who would have the entry level bikes?

Those questions have finally been answered, and the answer to all of them is apparently, “Not Victory”

RIP Victory. I’m glad you were here for almost 20 years. I’m off to buy a Victory t-shirt.

OK Polaris, you now have one job. Don’t fuck up Indian.

You made a funny-looking touring bike. I’m sure it’s good, but it was too weird for me.

106 ci of Freedom. Seriously - “Freedom V-TWIN” was the name of the engine.

If anyone has a favorite Victory Motorcycle, post it in the comments below.

jimz > McMike 01/09/2017 at 11:26

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DipodomysDeserti > McMike 01/09/2017 at 11:28

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Couldn’t care less about Victory motorcycles, but I’m wondering if I can now get a dirt cheap one with which to turn into a scumbag chopper. Hmmmm. Are the engines in these any good?

Your boy, BJR > McMike 01/09/2017 at 11:30

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Highball. First street motorcycle I ever rode. RIP Victory.

Seriously, don’t fuck up Indian, Polaris. I’ve been a lifelong Polaris buyer, but if Indian goes under, I’m boycotting them.

Pickup_man > McMike 01/09/2017 at 11:31

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You beat me to posting by seconds, expect another farewell post to pop up any time now.

Pickup_man > DipodomysDeserti 01/09/2017 at 11:32

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I’ve heard really good things, avoid some of the earliest ones and they’re supposedly very stout motors that make good power.

Used bikes are already pretty cheap, I doubt they’ll drop in value much. Killer deals on new bikes can probably be had though.

McMike > Pickup_man 01/09/2017 at 11:33

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I just saw that. :)

I expect a few for the Chevy SS today as well.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > McMike 01/09/2017 at 11:50

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File to “meh.”

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > McMike 01/09/2017 at 11:50

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Indian is Soooo much better

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > DipodomysDeserti 01/09/2017 at 11:50

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Is there any other kind of chopper?

PatBateman > McMike 01/09/2017 at 11:54

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Spoiler alert: They’ll fuck up Indian.

DipodomysDeserti > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/09/2017 at 11:54

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Most choppers you see on the road are built by the factory and ridden by doctors. I’m talking real shitbag stuff. My inspiration is going to be this Hell’s Angel guy from this Hunt S. Thompson interview.

McMike > In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you 01/09/2017 at 12:00

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How come? Do you think it’s of better quality, or do you prefer the styling?

McMike > PatBateman 01/09/2017 at 12:07

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They need to make good bike, and sell them for less than the HD alternative. I’m glad they at least have a huge powersport parent that can help with some of the engineering.   Hope they treat their dealers well, and make it easy for them to slide into Indian sales. 

There are plenty of folks who like cruisers, hate HD, and don’t want a metric cruiser.

(fingers crossed)

Pickup_man > McMike 01/09/2017 at 12:18

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Is that dead too? Didn’t hear about that one.

McMike > Pickup_man 01/09/2017 at 12:24

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Yeah, this is the last model year of the SS

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-shows/detroit-auto-show/news/a32209/chevrolet-ss-discontinued-in-2017/

Pickup_man > McMike 01/09/2017 at 12:31

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I was never super interested in the SS, but that’s unfortunate.

Decay buys too many beaters > McMike 01/09/2017 at 12:40

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Nooo!!

There go my chances of picking up a used Octane for cheap in a few years (I know, I know... I am the problem)

At least there’s still the scout

Nonster > McMike 01/09/2017 at 12:45

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I’m pretty bummed about this. I didn’t really care for many of their bikes, but I’m glad they existed.

I want to know what will happen to the rebadged Brammo and the Project 156 bike. I was really hoping they would build an American FZ-09 competitor.

Nonster > Decay buys too many beaters 01/09/2017 at 12:53

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I wish Indian would spice the scout up a bit...

McMike > Decay buys too many beaters 01/09/2017 at 12:55

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They still have 2017 motorcycles that will be used in a few years. Never say never.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > McMike 01/09/2017 at 12:58

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Both. Look up the Scout Sixty

Justin Hughes > McMike 01/09/2017 at 12:59

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I like my metric cruiser.

Made in the USA, even. But the brand isn’t based in America (it’s a Honda Shadow ACE 1100), so many would look down on it. But this particular model is such a Harley ripoff that Harley themselves sued Honda over it. :)

Decay buys too many beaters > Nonster 01/09/2017 at 13:01

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Those flat track bikes?

Decay buys too many beaters > McMike 01/09/2017 at 13:02

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But now they’ll command a premium, and I won’t ever get the “manufacturer just released the next gen” used market price correction.

McMike > Justin Hughes 01/09/2017 at 13:08

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I loved my ACE, too.

There just be some parts of ‘Murica that probably still don’t, even thought they have been made here for over 20 years.

McMike > Decay buys too many beaters 01/09/2017 at 13:09

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Ah, I see. Didn’t think of that.

McMike > Nonster 01/09/2017 at 13:21

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Oooh, like a Buell. That would be cool if they made a sporty canyon carver.

Justin Hughes > McMike 01/09/2017 at 13:27

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That’s right, you had an ACE too. And yeah, for many if it ain’t ‘Murican, it ain’t nothin. Sonny Barger himself made his reputable living as a Harley mechanic because he knew they were so unreliable he had complete job security. I remember him saying in an interview that if it was up to him he’d rather ride a Yamaha FJR or something similar, but because he was a Hell’s Angel he HAD to ride a Harley, so he did. Many people still think this way.

Also, Harley’s done an amazing job with marketing. It’s not just a motorcycle you’re buying - it’s a lifestyle. That’s why the new ones appeal to dentists more than outlaws these days. And the new ones are good cruisers. They’re just too expensive for me when I can get an ACE for a small fraction of the price.

Nonster > McMike 01/09/2017 at 13:37

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I’d buy it, but hell I’d be thrilled if Indian made a Standard/Scrambler with mid-controls and a little more suspension travel.

McMike > Nonster 01/09/2017 at 14:00

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I can’t see why something like this isn’t possible. Polaris has so much R&D upstairs. Surely they can figure out how to make one of these.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Decay buys too many beaters 01/09/2017 at 14:03

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Maybe not. Buells didn’t really have that happen

Kanaric > McMike 01/09/2017 at 15:02

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It didn’t make sense for them to have two brands. They got one with a better image and name and probably will be expanding the line on that with bikes that otherwise would be victories.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > McMike 01/09/2017 at 16:28

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Don’t Victory and Indian both use Harley Davidson engines?

The Compromiser > McMike 01/09/2017 at 17:27

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And here I am thinking I won’t have to buy a Harley when I move on from mine.

Shit. They were the only brand with models I liked too, other than my Honda.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > McMike 01/09/2017 at 19:01

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well booo! I’m not a cruiser guy in the least, but if I were I’d be all over that retro-future-rocket design language. They were by far the prettiest of the type.

McMike > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/09/2017 at 19:04

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No.

Indian and Victory (Polaris) each had their own engines.   After Polaris bought Indian, I’m not surer  how much influance they had on Indian before today.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > McMike 01/09/2017 at 19:11

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Shows you how much I know, and I’d have never claimed it was very much.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/10/2017 at 01:17

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The last time Indian was around, it was pretty much just a stock SS motor cramed into an Indian stamped frame. The new ones are much better than that

pip bip - choose Corrour > McMike 01/10/2017 at 05:10

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no loss

Grindintosecond > McMike 01/10/2017 at 11:07

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GM has the best R&D facility in the world, literally; it’s so good Ferrari licenses their electric shock absorber tech . . . and they build the Cobalt with that knowledge. It all depends on how much Polaris want’s to let them succeed, who knows.

Grindintosecond > McMike 01/10/2017 at 11:23

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Indian’s history has a huge overshadowing bookmark called the Indian-4. If Indian is not going to have a flagship bike in that vein, a muscle bike that appears to be all engine, then they will not get back on the front with a bike people will pick over a much flashier and more flatulent HD. Bring a 4 to a party and there will be instant cred, especially if it is indeed a muscle cruiser that handles nicely. Everyone has a flagship bike that is different in one way or another from each other, and Indian’s looks like an HD custom. Would Triumph succeed without their Triples? Their Rocket flagship has a 2.4 liter 3 cylinder. Character up the ass. Where’s Indian’s ? “Let’s cover the rear wheel and, well, i dunno....try to sell it to the nostalga set?”

Yeah...not working. Bring on a 2 liter inline-4 with a flashy bundle of snakes 4-2-1 exhaust and we’ll have show stopper.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 01/10/2017 at 13:47

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Does “SS” refer to the Harley engine?

MonkeePuzzle > McMike 01/10/2017 at 19:42

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but where can I buy a harley from now!?

McMike > MonkeePuzzle 01/10/2017 at 20:12

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There are three in Denver for all your mid-life crisis needs.

Happy birthday.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/11/2017 at 00:10

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Kinda sorta.... it’s like a crate motor. like a 350 (or whatever)but not really a GM engine....same thing. they were all over the place a few years ago during the custom chopper craze.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 01/11/2017 at 16:13

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So a particular engine manufacturer? Did SS manufacture the engines for Harley Davidson?

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/11/2017 at 23:56

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This should tell you pretty much everything you would like to know about them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%26S_Cycle

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 01/12/2017 at 00:06

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I never heard of Wikipedia before.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/12/2017 at 00:52

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Don’t worry, most people haven’t. It’s a fad that’s sure to pass.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/12/2017 at 00:52

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Don’t worry, most people haven’t. It’s a fad that’s sure to pass.