 Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Loquacious
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There's rumors (hope?) that Indian's next model will be a cruizer between the scout and the big Chief. But if true, there would probably be a "howl" of protest if the engine in said midsized cruizer strongly resembled a Victory motor.
Yep. I've been saying this since Wine's whine. 
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Yeah, Dwight, I get ya. I suppose the Scout can be described as a "mid sized cruizer. Funny thing is, I LIKE the looks of it, but even though it IS a bigger displacement engine bike, the America seems to be physically bigger. I loved the size of my America. But every time I sit on a Scout, it feels too small. I know the aftermarket people are gonna make bags and stuff for it, but I probably won't care for them. For instance, my cousin has a very nice 1200 sportster, but it came with soft bags, windshield and floorboards. It just looks funny to me. The styling screams "sporty", not highway cruiser.
I saw a few Indians together but i didn't like the look of the scout.The overall styling was good but the execution missed for me.Maybe it's the big radiator.I liked the bigger models.Anyway,When my friend parks his Wide glide Harley next to my America.The America looks the larger of the two.
Must be an optical illusion, I've owned both Wide Glide and an America and of course have seen them parked together. The Wide glide is almost 5 inches longer has twice the displacement and is 140 pounds heavier. The America's fat 16 inch front tire shorter length and slightly higher seat gives it a chunky appearance even though the engine doesn't fill out the frame. The Wide Glide's 21 inch spoke front wheel and 34 deg rake give it a long lean profile even though is't a lot heavier.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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And btw, and speaking of the Scout, while I kind'a sort'a like the looks of it, I can't help thinkin' I wish the boys at Polaris, like the boys in Hinckley with the latest water-cooled Bonneville line, had added fins to its engine.
(...but then again for those who have been around here a long time, you know how I've always felt about fins on an engine, and how the general lack of them along the cylinder barrel area on the Triumph Thunderbird was always kind of a sticking point for me, doncha?!) 
Honda has the solution, fake bolt on cooling fins! The Shadows have them and they could be a cruiser accessory for those who prefer the traditional look on their radiator equipped bikes. And they make small displacement engines look bigger kind of like a padded bra for motorcycles. 
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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I don't know, 140 Lb.s is not much when you have double the displacement and a 5 inch longer bike. If we ever get a 1200 America it will surely pick up a few Lb.s. Out on the open road a bit of weight makes for a good ride, around the neighborhood not so much. I always thought the Victory's were a nice compromise, glad I didn't buy one now.
Tin Man 2
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Loquacious
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Yeah, Dwight, I get ya. I suppose the Scout can be described as a "mid sized cruizer. Funny thing is, I LIKE the looks of it, but even though it IS a bigger displacement engine bike, the America seems to be physically bigger. I loved the size of my America. But every time I sit on a Scout, it feels too small. I know the aftermarket people are gonna make bags and stuff for it, but I probably won't care for them. For instance, my cousin has a very nice 1200 sportster, but it came with soft bags, windshield and floorboards. It just looks funny to me. The styling screams "sporty", not highway cruiser.
I saw a few Indians together but i didn't like the look of the scout.The overall styling was good but the execution missed for me.Maybe it's the big radiator.I liked the bigger models.Anyway,When my friend parks his Wide glide Harley next to my America.The America looks the larger of the two.
Must be an optical illusion, I've owned both Wide Glide and an America and of course have seen them parked together. The Wide glide is almost 5 inches longer has twice the displacement and is 140 pounds heavier. The America's fat 16 inch front tire shorter length and slightly higher seat gives it a chunky appearance even though the engine doesn't fill out the frame. The Wide Glide's 21 inch spoke front wheel and 34 deg rake give it a long lean profile even though is't a lot heavier.
Of course it "must be an optical illusion"How could it not be? My friends bike is a Harley and we know Harley is the, biggest,best handling,fastest,best built,American made,best looking,best sounding,with best dealer network, motorcycle on the planet.You tell us at every opportunity.
My friends Harley has low rider shocks flatish bars.A skinny "badlander" seat and skinny chromed 5 spoke mag front wheel not spoked.My bike has a 18" front wheel and sits higher than his. His bike is longer.but my bike APPEARS to look bigger.Thank you  AND my bike always gets more attention than the Harley
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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And btw, and speaking of the Scout, while I kind'a sort'a like the looks of it, I can't help thinkin' I wish the boys at Polaris, like the boys in Hinckley with the latest water-cooled Bonneville line, had added fins to its engine.
(...but then again for those who have been around here a long time, you know how I've always felt about fins on an engine, and how the general lack of them along the cylinder barrel area on the Triumph Thunderbird was always kind of a sticking point for me, doncha?!)
Honda has the solution, fake bolt on cooling fins! The Shadows have them and they could be a cruiser accessory for those who prefer the traditional look on their radiator equipped bikes. And they make small displacement engines look bigger kind of like a padded bra for motorcycles.
Yep, and Yamaha's V-Max based Royal Star V-4 cruiser/tourer has these kinds of bolt-on fins too, OB.
In fact a few years back and when I was throwing those little Triumph rallies in Prescott AZ, a couple of guys showed up riding the at the time newly introduced Thunderbirds and another rode in on a Royal Star.
One afternoon we were all "bench racing" out on my driveway when "inspiration" hit.
After asking if it would be okay with the Royal Star owner if I did it, I grabbed an allen wrench and unbolted the fins off his bike and then walked them over to one of the other guy's T-Bird and placed them next to its cylinder barrels and said, "See how much better and how much more interest these fins give this engine?"
(...as usual, I was right again) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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I thought the T-Bird engine looked traditional right out of the box. It looked like a nice alternative to a Harley from day one.
Tin Man 2
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Yeah, Dwight, I get ya. I suppose the Scout can be described as a "mid sized cruizer. Funny thing is, I LIKE the looks of it, but even though it IS a bigger displacement engine bike, the America seems to be physically bigger. I loved the size of my America. But every time I sit on a Scout, it feels too small. I know the aftermarket people are gonna make bags and stuff for it, but I probably won't care for them. For instance, my cousin has a very nice 1200 sportster, but it came with soft bags, windshield and floorboards. It just looks funny to me. The styling screams "sporty", not highway cruiser.
I saw a few Indians together but i didn't like the look of the scout.The overall styling was good but the execution missed for me.Maybe it's the big radiator.I liked the bigger models.Anyway,When my friend parks his Wide glide Harley next to my America.The America looks the larger of the two.
Must be an optical illusion, I've owned both Wide Glide and an America and of course have seen them parked together. The Wide glide is almost 5 inches longer has twice the displacement and is 140 pounds heavier. The America's fat 16 inch front tire shorter length and slightly higher seat gives it a chunky appearance even though the engine doesn't fill out the frame. The Wide Glide's 21 inch spoke front wheel and 34 deg rake give it a long lean profile even though is't a lot heavier.
Of course it "must be an optical illusion"How could it not be? My friends bike is a Harley and we know Harley is the, biggest,best handling,fastest,best built,American made,best looking,best sounding,with best dealer network, motorcycle on the planet.You tell us at every opportunity.
My friends Harley has low rider shocks flatish bars.A skinny "badlander" seat and skinny chromed 5 spoke mag front wheel not spoked.My bike has a 18" front wheel and sits higher than his. His bike is longer.but my bike APPEARS to look bigger.Thank you AND my bike always gets more attention than the Harley
I don't get the bigger is better thing, my very light slim Triump 650 chopper used to smoke my friends shovel that was BB and stroked among a ton of other performance mods. Triumph has always had a better power to weight ratio, also part of why Triumph used to spank HD on the flat track.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Of course it "must be an optical illusion"How could it not be? My friends bike is a Harley and we know Harley is the, biggest,best handling,fastest,best built,American made,best looking,best sounding,with best dealer network, motorcycle on the planet.You tell us at every opportunity.
My friends Harley has low rider shocks flatish bars.A skinny "badlander" seat and skinny chromed 5 spoke mag front wheel not spoked.My bike has a 18" front wheel and sits higher than his. His bike is longer.but my bike APPEARS to look bigger.Thank you AND my bike always gets more attention than the Harley
YOU brought Harley Davidson into this exchange not me. Claiming a bike that is 5 inches shorter and 140 pounds lighter with half the displacement "looks bigger" and "gets more attention" is just more metric owner Harley envy. Is your bike green? 
Perhaps you're a little green?Buyers remorse perhaps? Every time someone mentions Harley here,which by the way,is a TRIUMPH forum, you get all defensive
.My bike[the best bike on earth, in my slightly biased opinion]LOOKS bigger than his and always draws more attention, which admittedly is from old geezers.
My bike will just touch 160kph his will do over 200kph.His bike will smoke my bike at the drop of a hat.There ya go,his Harley can do that.Feel better now? He also has about $60,000 Australian in his bike I have about $13,000 Australian in mine So his Cost SLIGHTLY more too.Harley make a good quality,overpriced [in Australia] over-hyped product.That's why I would have bought Victory which wasn't overpriced had I wished to buy a brand other than Triumph.Then I would have hung around on a Victory forum not a Triumph one.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Of course it "must be an optical illusion"How could it not be? My friends bike is a Harley and we know Harley is the, biggest,best handling,fastest,best built,American made,best looking,best sounding,with best dealer network, motorcycle on the planet.You tell us at every opportunity.
My friends Harley has low rider shocks flatish bars.A skinny "badlander" seat and skinny chromed 5 spoke mag front wheel not spoked.My bike has a 18" front wheel and sits higher than his. His bike is longer.but my bike APPEARS to look bigger.Thank you AND my bike always gets more attention than the Harley
YOU brought Harley Davidson into this exchange not me. Claiming a bike that is 5 inches shorter and 140 pounds lighter with half the displacement "looks bigger" and "gets more attention" is just more metric owner Harley envy. Is your bike green?
You say 140 lbs lighter like it's a bad thing! I would be embarrassed if I owned a bike that couldn't do better against a bike that has only half the displacement.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Of course it "must be an optical illusion"How could it not be? My friends bike is a Harley and we know Harley is the, biggest,best handling,fastest,best built,American made,best looking,best sounding,with best dealer network, motorcycle on the planet.You tell us at every opportunity.
My friends Harley has low rider shocks flatish bars.A skinny "badlander" seat and skinny chromed 5 spoke mag front wheel not spoked.My bike has a 18" front wheel and sits higher than his. His bike is longer.but my bike APPEARS to look bigger.Thank you AND my bike always gets more attention than the Harley
YOU brought Harley Davidson into this exchange not me. Claiming a bike that is 5 inches shorter and 140 pounds lighter with half the displacement "looks bigger" and "gets more attention" is just more metric owner Harley envy. Is your bike green?
Perhaps you're a little green?Buyers remorse perhaps? Every time someone mentions Harley here,which by the way,is a TRIUMPH forum, you get all defensive
.My bike[the best bike on earth, in my slightly biased opinion]LOOKS bigger than his and always draws more attention, which admittedly is from old geezers.
My bike will just touch 160kph his will do over 200kph.His bike will smoke my bike at the drop of a hat.There ya go,his Harley can do that.Feel better now? He also has about $60,000 Australian in his bike I have about $13,000 Australian in mine So his Cost SLIGHTLY more too.Harley make a good quality,overpriced [in Australia] over-hyped product.That's why I would have bought Victory which wasn't overpriced had I wished to buy a brand other than Triumph.Then I would have hung around on a Victory forum not a Triumph one.
Over priced here too.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Of course it "must be an optical illusion"How could it not be? My friends bike is a Harley and we know Harley is the, biggest,best handling,fastest,best built,American made,best looking,best sounding,with best dealer network, motorcycle on the planet.You tell us at every opportunity.
My friends Harley has low rider shocks flatish bars.A skinny "badlander" seat and skinny chromed 5 spoke mag front wheel not spoked.My bike has a 18" front wheel and sits higher than his. His bike is longer.but my bike APPEARS to look bigger.Thank you AND my bike always gets more attention than the Harley
YOU brought Harley Davidson into this exchange not me. Claiming a bike that is 5 inches shorter and 140 pounds lighter with half the displacement "looks bigger" and "gets more attention" is just more metric owner Harley envy. Is your bike green?
Perhaps you're a little green?Buyers remorse perhaps? Every time someone mentions Harley here,which by the way,is a TRIUMPH forum, you get all defensive
.My bike[the best bike on earth, in my slightly biased opinion]LOOKS bigger than his and always draws more attention, which admittedly is from old geezers.
My bike will just touch 160kph his will do over 200kph.His bike will smoke my bike at the drop of a hat.There ya go,his Harley can do that.Feel better now? He also has about $60,000 Australian in his bike I have about $13,000 Australian in mine So his Cost SLIGHTLY more too.Harley make a good quality,overpriced [in Australia] over-hyped product.That's why I would have bought Victory which wasn't overpriced had I wished to buy a brand other than Triumph.Then I would have hung around on a Victory forum not a Triumph one.
Over priced here too.
Apparently the Indian made 500 Harleys are selling like hotcakes here as they're learner approved .Ugly IMO but "gosh it's a Harley" factor? I've never seen one in the flesh.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Perhaps you're a little green?Buyers remorse perhaps? Every time someone mentions Harley here,which by the way,is a TRIUMPH forum, you get all defensive
.My bike[the best bike on earth, in my slightly biased opinion]LOOKS bigger than his and always draws more attention, which admittedly is from old geezers.
My bike will just touch 160kph his will do over 200kph.His bike will smoke my bike at the drop of a hat.There ya go,his Harley can do that.Feel better now? He also has about $60,000 Australian in his bike I have about $13,000 Australian in mine So his Cost SLIGHTLY more too.Harley make a good quality,overpriced [in Australia] over-hyped product.That's why I would have bought Victory which wasn't overpriced had I wished to buy a brand other than Triumph.Then I would have hung around on a Victory forum not a Triumph one.
Polaris is the topic of this thread You brought Harley Davidson into the discussion for no other reason than to say your little bike looks bigger...to you. Then you get torqued up when someone who has owned both bikes calls you out on that.
This is the Other Bikes section of the forum so yes, it's for talking about bikes other than just the America/Speedmaster. No buyers remorse here I knew I didnt like the 4,000 RPM whine of the little Bonneville engine on the highway so I upgraded. Considered the Triumph Thunderbird because it has a capable engine but there is little dealer support and it simply is outclassed by other cruisers in it's price range. I'll use the Victory Vegas for comparison to stay on topic. The Vegas has comparable performance a better dealer network and most importantly superior fit and finish including it's color matched frame. $16,000 for a T-Bird or $14,000 for the Vegas puts Triumph in a difficult position.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I mentioned my friends Harley as Dwight was talking about bike dimensions and how the Indian scout seemed a little small. Then you jump in with the chip on your shoulder anytime anyone mentions Hardly Drivable I like my friends bike,I've ridden it a fair distance.It's not for me, and especially not for 60 grand he's got in to it,but it's not intimidating to me the way a Rocket or even a T-bird[width wise] is to me with my bum leg/knee. It's easy to throw a leg over.Obviously it has 1430ccs now B B to 1600 or whatever humongous engine.It LOOKS 90% engine.It LOOKS friggin' smaller than it is!Get over it. To get back to Victory I preferred the look of them to Harley or Indian, although I think the Indian motors[not including the scout] look great.I liked the 8 ball and the Hammer.As I said IF I was thinking about another brand, Victory would have been right up there.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Speaking of bikes not selling, I've always been surprised that the Thunderbird hasn't sold better. It gets great reviews but I rarely see them on the road. 
Last edited by Speedmaster05; 01/23/2017 7:04 AM.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Speaking of bikes not selling, I've always been surprised that the Thunderbird hasn't sold better. It gets great reviews but I rarely see them on the road.
I bought one of the first t-birds and I have been very happy with it, it is a great touring bike. It gets plenty of compliments, but I suspect that is because you just don't see many of them.
05 speedmaster - 1100cc, 11:1 racing pistons, Carillo rods, thunderbike cams, ported and polished head, 2mm over intake and exhaust valves, Barnett kevlar clutch, scepter pipes, oversize manifolds, 45mm HSR's, TTP stage 4 firestarter
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Speaking of bikes not selling, I've always been surprised that the Thunderbird hasn't sold better. It gets great reviews but I rarely see them on the road.
I bought one of the first t-birds and I have been very happy with it, it is a great touring bike. It gets plenty of compliments, but I suspect that is because you just don't see many of them.
I remember awaiting the arrival of the TBird with great anticipation but was not wowed by the looks or ergonomics. By all accounts they perform great. My Indian dealer had taken one in on trade and it sat on his floor for a very long time with about 800 miles and at a very attractive price. Very unfortunate.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Never liked the Thunderbird, give me one and I would sell it and buy something I want.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Funny, that's how I feel about Harley's. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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Funny, that's how I feel about Harley's.
I was in a local radio show Harley give away a couple years ago with several hundred people. I made it to the round of 16 and was beginning to feel quite confident. My mind started wandering off to " how much can I sell this for,will they give me cash instead, If I ride it straight to a dealer what's the trade in value. Needless to say I came crashing back to the ground when I was eliminated in the next round.
Got on the trusty Triumph and rode off with a good chuckle knowing all those Harley guys were getting pissed thinking the guy in the Triumph jacket and cap was about to steal one of their hoglets.
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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Funny, that's how I feel about Harley's.
Hey now! 
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Funny, that's how I feel about Harley's.
Me too Paul.I was in a charity raffle in Australia for a HD and like Ian, IF I had won ,I planned to sell it
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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The slow selling Thunderbird and now discontinued America/Speedmaster might be an example of what Triumph has done right and why Victory continued to struggle until the end.
Victory went all or nothing at the high profit high volume cruiser and touring market while Triumph "went their own way" and quickly built a well rounded product line that covers every type of street motorcycle. If Triumph had the same strategy as Victory it may have failed just the same.
Last edited by outerbanks; 01/24/2017 6:39 AM.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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Funny, that's how I feel about Harley's.
I was in a local radio show Harley give away a couple years ago with several hundred people. I made it to the round of 16 and was beginning to feel quite confident. My mind started wandering off to " how much can I sell this for,will they give me cash instead, If I ride it straight to a dealer what's the trade in value. Needless to say I came crashing back to the ground when I was eliminated in the next round.
Got on the trusty Triumph and rode off with a good chuckle knowing all those Harley guys were getting pissed thinking the guy in the Triumph jacket and cap was about to steal one of their hoglets.
It ain't what most people think. When you win the vehicle is titled in your name that means you pay all applicable state and local taxes on it which on a $30,000 car can be a little coin. Then since it has been titled it is now officially a used car with one recorded owner so the book value has dropped accordingly. Of course since the dealer has to sell the "used" vehicle at book value they ain't going to give the winner book he'll get average trade value at best. In the end the winner is usually irked at the percentage he gets of that fat sticker price, the real winners are the dealership and second owner.
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64 |
Thing is if you win a new bike you would have to be stupid to try and sell it to a dealer. You would do much better privately with a new bike.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,271 Likes: 17
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,271 Likes: 17 |
Quote:
Thing is if you win a new bike you would have to be stupid to try and sell it to a dealer. You would do much better privately with a new bike.
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
The slow selling Thunderbird and now discontinued America/Speedmaster might be an example of what Triumph has done right and why Victory continued to struggle until the end.
Victory went all or nothing at the high profit high volume cruiser and touring market while Triumph "went their own way" and quickly built a well rounded product line that covers every type of street motorcycle. If Triumph had the same strategy as Victory it may have failed just the same.
Yep, but in the case of Triumph and its initial offerings from the new Hinckley plant, it would have been more the thought of that it might not have succeeded IF they would have stayed solely with a line-up consisting of the modern water-cooled sport/sport touring machines they offered upon their re-start.
It would be the very successful retro-styled air-cooled Bonneville line which later would primarily place them financially speaking the black and out of the red, and begin to give John Bloor the return in his investment about ten years after his factory opened operations.
Yep, if it hadn't been for the fact that Triumph possessed the "Heritage factor" and would eventually use it to their advantage by bringing to the market updated and modern versions of the fondly remembered Bonnevilles of old, and something Victory didn't possess, the chances of Triumph succeeding would probably have been reduced, to be sure.
And also considering that in both the cases of Triumph and Victory there were and are "deep pockets" involved...Bloor's deep pockets for Triumph, and Polaris Industries deep pockets for Victory, and unlike so many other of these recent failed start-up and/or revival of motorcycle marques such as the Gilroy Indian venture, the Excelsior-Henderson venture and Kenny Dreer's Norton venture.
(...and which also now seems doomed after Brit Stuart Garner purchased it from Dreer a few years ago and returned operations to the UK...my guess: Look for an announcement very soon about Norton also closing down operations, as Garner's pockets were never nearly as deep as Bloor's)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
"Yep, but in the case of Triumph and its initial offerings from the new Hinckley plant, it would have been more the thought of that it might not have succeeded IF they would have stayed solely with a line-up consisting of the modern water-cooled sport/sport touring machines they offered upon their re-start."
I agree.I thought Triumph would be ok when they brought out the 900cc Thunderbird Triple and made it look retro,as long as they kept that look along with whatever else they made.I contemplated buying one and now wish I had.
Then the Twins came out and "the rest is history"
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 688
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 688 |
Quote:
This from "Down Under"
https://motorbikewriter.com/victory-motorcycles-now-collector-bikes/
From the article: Quote:
And they still have the backing for the next 10 years of parent company Polaris Industries, an industrial giant.
After 10 years, we can’t image they would walk away from a lucrative spares market, nor would aftermarket suppliers.
I wouldn't count on that parts availability optimism. Especially since the same article said: "However, there is talk of selling off “factory inventory, tooling, and other physical assets, and the cancellation of various supplier arrangements”. So where do these new replacement parts come from? Yes by law manufacturers have to make parts available but in reality you will get the "it's backordered...no release date" from your local dealer. It happens all the time with cars when GM killed Pontiac and Saturn the popular Solstice and Sky roadsters suffered the same fate on critical unique parts like convertible tops and front fenders etc.
Last edited by outerbanks; 01/25/2017 6:31 AM.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
"Always look on the bright side of life"
I wont be buying one anyway, but it's still a shame they're gone.They were reasonably priced and good looking IMO [except the full dressers].
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22 |
Giving off bits of your company to outsiders is a worry.
I was told a year back when I had warranty issues with my Thunderbird LT, that Triumph warranties are handled by a separate company.......which turns the game on its head...instead of being a customer service, warranty becomes a profit making activity.......maximise company income and minimise company payouts.....
Probably goes some way to explaining why the repairs took so long and were done so poorly.
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
I can agree with that Al.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 374
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 374 |
If that info on warranty is true, It's a game changer for me. I will stick with old fashion company ethics and check deeply before making a major purchase. I would think that a Co. would want to protect their own reputation.
Tin Man 2
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,301 Likes: 66
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,301 Likes: 66 |
I guess that kills my thoughts of getting a Cross Country Tour as a retirement present for myself. Not retiring yet so the timing if perfect. I much preferred them in test drives to the equivalent Harley.
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
I got myself a Thunderbird Commander for my retirement gift, 6 months early. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Polaris kills Victory
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
I got myself a Thunderbird Commander for my retirement gift, 6 months early.
Good onya. 
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