The willow & green color scheme on the Vintage made me damn near pull the trigger on one when they did that color combo. But seeing the Chieftain, I decided I wanted hard, lockable bags. I've had leather bags before and while they look great, I was ready for something different. But I didn't want the fairing of the Chieftain. Then a year later, the Springfield was introduced.
I was glad it just wasn't a Vintage w/ hard bags, but a different bike (based on the different rake and trail). I was disappointed when they did make the change and made them essentially the same bike.
I get loads of compliments on my Springfield whenever I ride. But those compliments usually come from people in my age band or older (I'm Generation X). I do think the styling lends itself to "an old man's bike" in the minds of younger generations. I say this as someone who used to think of Harley dressers as "old man bikes" when I started riding street legal bikes. I
really wanted the new at the time, 883 Sportster...not some big ol' slow-ass bike with luggage on it.
I hope PII keeps a foot in the past (or at least several toes) w/ styling, just as H-D does, but moving forward requires changes. Changes often require businesses to make decisions that sometimes feels like betrayal by those who lined up day 1 for all the new designs just 7 years ago.
As a side note: I've always thought this was a great marketing idea by H-D, even though there were terms & conditions (there always is). Perhaps PII could start a similar program.
One final note: You can always try to influence the direction Polaris goes by purchasing company stock and becoming an active investor. Granted, your voice and opinion will be diluted based on ownership levels.
I expect I/P might offer the "leather" bags & fringe as an option or add on. But if so, the price for the bonded leather will be stupid high.
