Quote: Indian is going to be a hard sell as a high end cruiser. It really has no continous heritage like Harley or Triumph and those old enough to afford and want one will remember the brand's recent failures. Failures that cost the owners that took a chance and bought one.
How many models will they introduce? Will they have a huge selection of paint options and accessories? Will Polaris outsource components to China like they do with Victory? The buyer of a limited production high end cruiser will probably want to order the bike his way and not just take what the dealer happens to have on the floor. This adds up to a tough business situation for it's dealers. Example: The local Harley dealers around here sell ONLY Harleys and are full of customers every Saturday...and they are buying. The 2 local Victory dealers sell at least 2 other brands of bikes and don't have as much showroom traffic..not even close. Look at the high-end buying experience in a big Harley dealership vs trying to sell a $28,000 Indian that is sitting next to a row of Japanese dirt bikes. and in the back of every buyer (and dealer principal's) mind is "will Indian stick around this time?"
The only good thing this time is Polaris does not need to make money on Indian...for a while anyway.
What components on my Victory were outsourced to China? I know the front end components are. HD front are Japanese I believe. I really don't know. Maybe as many as are on your bike? Are there any components on your Thai built bike not British?
Last I read Victory has the same percentage of U.S. parts as Harley. I am surprised somebody with a Thaiumph would be so concerned with outsourcing.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
