Victory launch in NZ

[Tank]

Or as a well known Harley rider explained to me, they are the Skoda of cruiser bikes .

Skoda make some bloody good cars these days. People still hang onto old preconceptions and don't notice the quality kit when its available to them, sticking to the same old, same old - hey it could be great analogy for the Victory after all.

[The Lone Rider]

whats a soft opening........i can think of one but it doesnt have much to do with motorbikes

Soft opening is a silly concept - my company has done them before

Its basically, and as lame as it sounds, is the opening presentation of a new product before the opening presentation of a new product.

Say whattttt?

Ok.. its the smaller not quite so official opening. Kinda like a pre-party.

It's a teaser opening to get people gurgling over the new product before its mass marketed.

[Griffin]

Geez - never heard of them. Will be interesting to see how they do with sales in NZ

[The Lone Rider]

Geez - never heard of them. Will be interesting to see how they do with sales in NZ

You are gonna make people like Xknuts cry

They have been around for awhile, several listed on trademe off and on

Kram also has one - flame paint job and all.

They are being marketed these days as "The new national American Iron"... ie.. roll over harley and get out of our way.

BTW Chris, while they might be better engineered, I'd still buy a harley over your custard square hahaha :P I have a nice 1986 softtail I have my eye but the bank account says no (and with no pillion seat.. the women say no )

[xknuts]

nothing wrong with the bikes, well engineered but..........

But What? For a company that strive to give YOU the Rider the best technology going forward on their models, the best rideability & the best customer satisfaction, I'd say they will go far.
Polaris just sold 35% of KTM to invest further in the Vic brand.
You don't see many coz Polaris have just announced that total Production just reached 50,000 units. Not many @ 10,000 units per year now compared to HD @ 300,000.

A well known Harley rider explained to me, they are the Skoda of cruiser bikes but you be the judge, you may be pleasantly surprised. John.

He has his head in the sand! New Skoda's are a class car.

I perfer them over harleys...
depends on the colour you get.Yellow = custard square,Red = Strawberry tart
blah blah blah

Funny Dale,
BUT the Square is about to be a tart!!!!! Watch this space.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Funny Dale,
BUT the Square is about to be a tart!!!!! Watch this space.

Cool... I await the tarts arrival... dang I never even got a blast on the square

[oldrider]

He has his head in the sand![/B] New Skoda's are a class car.
Funny Dale,
BUT the Square is about to be a tart!!!!! Watch this space.

C'mon X we are just pulling the hairs on your fanny, there's nothin wrong with the square!

Lookin forward to seeing the "tart" whatever that means. Cheers John.

[Toaster]

Wow, that's really exciting, been looking at the 8 Ball recently and wishing we could get these bike easily in this country. Bring it on!!

My thoughts exactly! great to see them finally getting shown here.

[The Lone Rider]

Lookin forward to seeing the "tart" whatever that means. Cheers John.

I think it means he's getting a red one!

Get a white one so we can spit cherry pits over them. Isn't that the SI KB Rally tradition?

[cs363]

I wish them well

nothing wrong with the bikes, well engineered but..........

they just don't sell, they have been marketing them in the uk for over 9 years, only twice have I ever seen one out side of a showroom or a bike show

each year they have a new improved model so getting parts for the old model given short production runs could prove to be a problem

I think they are always going to be in HD's shadow regardless of how good or bad they may be and to majority they will be most likely always be second best purely because of Harley's huge market share and clever marketing.
They also seem to have a rather large number of recalls given the somewhat limited model range: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/mo...ory/index.html - something to be aware of, if nothing else.
Being under the Polaris umbrella isn't neccessarily a good thing either in NZ as that brand hasn't exactly enjoyed stellar sales or good reputation here up until recently.
That said, it does appear that Polaris has made concerted efforts to lift the quality and reliability of their ATV range in recent years and they certainly have a stronger dealer network than they used to have so hopefully this has rubbed off and will help on the Victory range.
Whatever the case, resale will be an issue with these bikes because of the likely small market for them versus the strength of HD and metric cruisers, so that is something that likely buyers will need to allow for. Probably won't be an issue if you are trading a Victory on a Victory but once you change to another brand be prepared to take a hit.

[xknuts]

I think they are always going to be in HD's shadow regardless of how good or bad they may be and to majority they will be most likely always be second best purely because of Harley's huge market share and clever marketing.
They also seem to have a rather large number of recalls given the somewhat limited model range: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/mo...ory/index.html - something to be aware of, if nothing else.
Being under the Polaris umbrella isn't neccessarily a good thing either in NZ as that brand hasn't exactly enjoyed stellar sales or good reputation here up until recently.
That said, it does appear that Polaris has made concerted efforts to lift the quality and reliability of their ATV range in recent years and they certainly have a stronger dealer network than they used to have so hopefully this has rubbed off and will help on the Victory range.
Whatever the case, resale will be an issue with these bikes because of the likely small market for them versus the strength of HD and metric cruisers, so that is something that likely buyers will need to allow for. Probably won't be an issue if you are trading a Victory on a Victory but once you change to another brand be prepared to take a hit.

I have decided to fly up to Victory launch & check it out!

Watch this space!

[outlawtorn]

I have decided to fly up to Victory launch & check it out!

Watch this space!

Great stuff mate, have a blast and shitloads of pics!!!!

[xknuts]

Victory released their full range into New Zealand last night to an enthusiastic crowd. The full 2008 bike range, with parts, accessories & clothing on display. Brett & Lisa Fordham, the NZ dealership principals, ably assisted by the Australian contingent from Victoria Steve Harvey & Lance Whitelock.
The range will be shown at the Big Boys Toy Show 14th - 16th November.

[xknuts]

And More Photos

[Bren]

wow chris that victory vision looks sweet....i bet would be a nice ride!