2010 Victory Batwing
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
Likes: 471
From: along the Front Range in Colorado
...... Microsoft, maybe ..... but APPLE ?
..... In the last decade Apple has only transformed the music industry (iPod / iTunes) and the mobile computing industry (iPhone / iPad) and that doesn't begin to resemble complacency to me.
..... In the last decade Apple has only transformed the music industry (iPod / iTunes) and the mobile computing industry (iPhone / iPad) and that doesn't begin to resemble complacency to me.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 200
Likes: 1
Harley has done a good job marketing a lifestyle dare I say attitude. We buy harley T's, home products etc. How many Harley Tat's have you seen. Their dealerships are designed as meeting places and not to mention the HOG effect which not all but many are affiliated. We have a connection to the brand and it is going take an awful lot for most to look elsewhere. A few technologial "advancements" will not replace all the other stuff not to mention resale value. It seems to me Victory needs to create its own market rather than going after Harley's. It's a losing proposition. That said, I like the look of their modified bat wing. Of course I ride an ugly road glide so what do I know
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
Are you referring to the Victory Cross Roads or Cross Country? I wouldn't mind the 106ci motor, with 92 hp and 109 ft. lbs. of torque. Don't know what my Ultra has, but I'm sure it's not that.
Last edited by UltraClassicElectraGlide; Feb 26, 2010 at 12:00 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
From: East TN.
I don't think they are ugly, just dissappointing. Why dissappointing? 107 years after Harley began manufacturing motorcycles the US motorcycle market is divided primarily into three parts. (1) Harley, (2) the imports and (3) the US produced Harley look-a-like (Victory). You can argue the merits of Victory vs. Harley all day long, but the bottom line is the only other viable US manufacturer of motorcyles, other than Harley, produces a Harley look-a- like with one or two technical advancements.
Am I to believe the only viable motorcycle engine is the Air/Oil cooled V-Twin??? 60 years ago Indian had a V-4 that at the time was considered technically superior to anything Harley was manufacturing. 107 years later we are still debating who produces the best V-Twin. While it's an interesting debate, it doesn't seem like a lot of progress for that many years.
That's why I think it's dissappointing. Marketing 101 says "don't try to out Harley, Harley."
Anybody else agree??
Am I to believe the only viable motorcycle engine is the Air/Oil cooled V-Twin??? 60 years ago Indian had a V-4 that at the time was considered technically superior to anything Harley was manufacturing. 107 years later we are still debating who produces the best V-Twin. While it's an interesting debate, it doesn't seem like a lot of progress for that many years.
That's why I think it's dissappointing. Marketing 101 says "don't try to out Harley, Harley."
Anybody else agree??
Last edited by joeschmoe; Feb 26, 2010 at 12:20 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
I rode the Vision, and took my wife on the test ride. If it were up to her, we'd have one. She loved it. The ride, comfort, it all worked for her. I just couldn't get past the look. Now that new Cross Country, that's different. I kind of like the look, and I like the storage, the engine size, tq, and hp, and it's kind of growing on me. I think the bezel on the headlight should match the fairing, not be chrome, and that huge, and I mean monstrous crashbar is so out of proportion that it would have to go. I'm kind of on the fence. I've been pretty loyal to HD for a ton of years, but their attitude lately (last few years) as gone so corporate and boutique that I'm not feeling it. I'm beginning to think maybe I need a change.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 363
Likes: 61
From: BC , Canada
I believe those numbers are at the Crank !!! The info I got was 84hp & 97 Tq at the wheel .
Still keeping my Ultra though !!!
Bandit
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
I agree with EVERYTHING you are saying...but if you are going to go into the motorcycle business wouldn't it be good business sense to go after the NUMBER ONE COMPANY Harley??? But also have to disagree as someone else pointed out look at the Vision (Look at my sig picture), it is no way close to looking like a Harley and doesn't pretend to...but OMG it is the best riding V-twin I have ever ridden!!
(V) Air/oil cooled motor-(H) Air cooled motor
(V) Rubber/carbon fiber belt driven-(H) Rubber/carbon fiber belt driven
(V) 50 degree v twin-(H) 45 degree v twin
(V) 106 cu in motor-(H) 96 degree v twin
(V) 5.8 gal tank-(H) 6 gal tank
"wouldn't it be good business sense to go after the NUMBER ONE COMPANY Harley???" Absolutely. But going after the NUNBER ONE COMPANY with what many view as a product that is not significantly different/better and hampered by a very small, in comparison, dealer network could eventually have very negative ramifications.
Victory has been producing motorcycles for 12 years, actually been in business for 14. 2009 Sales were approximately $40,000,000. That would equate to 1.3% of Harley's sales. And yes to some degree that's an apples to oranges comparison but still.....
My dissapointment is more in terms of what the industry has accomplished in the last 107 years. I just felt that Victory had the best opportunity to really change things up.
That's just my .02