Harley or Indian
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 243
From: Oklahoma
why didn't Polaris have the guts to badge their bikes "Polaris Indian"? Ashamed of the Polaris name?
Apparently, Polaris was not concerned with spending 655 million to buy TAP. I can't find anything more current than 2015, when Polaris netted $455 million dollars. Their demise is along way off. As for Harley-Davidson, domestic sales are a bit down, but they're still raking in the bucks.
Polaris Stock price today = $83.25
You tell me if that's good for Polaris.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Apr 4, 2017 at 12:52 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
Obviously, AMF and Polaris neither asked my opinion nor shared their rationale as to why they did what they did. However, if you want my opinion, I'd assume AMF/Harley's actions were typical corporate hubris thinking they will build a better mouse trap and everyone will be beating down their doors to purchase one of their superior products. When time revealed that their products were actually inferior, I'd guess that the badge became more of a hindrance than an asset.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
Updated numbers I was not aware of, thanks. Thus, I agree that doesn't look good. On the other hand, Harley is running around $60 per share, compared to Polaris' $83. I remember back in 2008 when you could get Harley shares for under $10. I wish I had bought a bunch. Today, Harley is still a better stock option, but it's marginal. My point being - Harley worked their way out of their stock funk, and so will Polaris.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 243
From: Oklahoma
Updated numbers I was not aware of, thanks. Thus, I agree that doesn't look good. On the other hand, Harley is running around $60 per share, compared to Polaris' $83. I remember back in 2008 when you could get Harley shares for under $10. I wish I had bought a bunch. Today, Harley is still a better stock option, but it's marginal. My point being - Harley worked their way out of their stock funk, and so will Polaris.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 345
From: Ohio
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 170
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte, NC
[FONT=Calibri]I see you made your decision about what to buy and that is that. I have been riding and buying bikes for 30 years and my Milwaukee 8 Road Glide has been my first Harley.
My last three bikes were Victorys and I will never buy another Polaris product. Their fit and finish isnt as good as Harley or even Yamaha. And I did not have any trouble free Victorys, so I cant tell you that their mechanical quality is better than any other brand. Plus they just did not hold any resale value even before they were discontinued. Plus no brand can compete with the Harley dealership network, and dont expect Indian to be any better than Vics.
I think competition is great and I believe Project Rushmorewas a direct result of Victory. Vics had 106 engines Harley came out with a 107. Vics Cross Countrys had a vent in the fairing, under the windshield, just like what HD released. Vics started with a 20 inch front rim and HD followed with 19 inch rims. Vic Magnums had upgraded their stereos to 100 watt systems, and Harley followed suit.
I owned a 2009 Kings Mountain Indian and while that was a good bike, I eventually traded it in. I test road a Polaris Indian in 2014 but bought my first Vic instead.
Ride what you love, but for me its never Polaris again!
My last three bikes were Victorys and I will never buy another Polaris product. Their fit and finish isnt as good as Harley or even Yamaha. And I did not have any trouble free Victorys, so I cant tell you that their mechanical quality is better than any other brand. Plus they just did not hold any resale value even before they were discontinued. Plus no brand can compete with the Harley dealership network, and dont expect Indian to be any better than Vics.
I think competition is great and I believe Project Rushmorewas a direct result of Victory. Vics had 106 engines Harley came out with a 107. Vics Cross Countrys had a vent in the fairing, under the windshield, just like what HD released. Vics started with a 20 inch front rim and HD followed with 19 inch rims. Vic Magnums had upgraded their stereos to 100 watt systems, and Harley followed suit.
I owned a 2009 Kings Mountain Indian and while that was a good bike, I eventually traded it in. I test road a Polaris Indian in 2014 but bought my first Vic instead.
Ride what you love, but for me its never Polaris again!
Last edited by Klong4HD; Apr 3, 2017 at 07:30 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15,449
Likes: 7,791
From: Alabama
If- when- I bring home a Scout Sixty I'll be doing so with no illusions about any Indian bike being a 'modern classic' or having any connection to the original Indian MoCo other than name and imagery only. You can slap a Delorean badge on a Ford Escort and that doesn't make it a Delorean.
That being said, I do love Sportsters as well- the Iron 883 is about as basic a bike as you'll ever find. I've been torn between that and a Scout for a long time and either would be fine by me. But for me, for now, unless a test ride reveals something horrible I can't live with, I'm throwing in with Indian for my return to riding after WAY too many years out of the saddle.
That being said, I do love Sportsters as well- the Iron 883 is about as basic a bike as you'll ever find. I've been torn between that and a Scout for a long time and either would be fine by me. But for me, for now, unless a test ride reveals something horrible I can't live with, I'm throwing in with Indian for my return to riding after WAY too many years out of the saddle.
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15,449
Likes: 7,791
From: Alabama
