I've been reading all the posts here about the Indian release and all the angst among the Victory faithful and it made me think, what are some of the things that make Harley such a dominate force.
We all know that Harley didn't invent the 'Biker' lifestyle but they seem to be the only ones who have been able to mainstream it. To that end I'll share a story that I don't think is all that unique.
My in-laws have taken to the motorcycle lifestyle as they have become empty nesters. Their first big bike was a GL1500 GW which they used to tour the US about 15 years ago. As part of that they joined the fairly active GW owners group and realized early on that they craved the social aspect of riding almost as much as they did the ride itself. About 10 years ago, after moving to FL and retiring they sold the Wing and bought a Road King. They immediately joined HOG and noticed something they weren't expecting, their 'friends' in the GW group shunned them. After the initial rejection they soon replaced those 'friends' with new friends through HOG. Although they have waned a bit in their participation in HOG they did replace the RK with an Ultra in '06 and ride about 10K miles per year.
When I bought the XC in late '09 my father-in-law took it for a ride and was blown away, he loved it. When i asked him why he wouldn't sell his '06, which had started to leave him stranded a couple times and was nearing the end of it's extended warranty his comment was revealing. He said, 'While he would love to own and ride the Victory they valued their 'friends' in the local HOG group more'.
While I find this profoundly sad it's also profoundly telling. Comments on their reasons for owning and riding aside it points out to me that Polaris needs to focus on the social aspects in addition to creating great bikes. At some point they need to create, build and support either Indian Owners Groups or Polaris Owners Groups for the motorcycle business. I see no value including the off road or sled buyers, they aren't typically compatible with the market segment they are going after. I also think it might be hard to create a group that includes both Victory and Indian together. You only need to see how Buell owners were treated within HOG to see how that doesn't work.
Of course none of this happens without them reaching critical mass in ownership but they could jump start this by requiring each Indian dealer to sponsor and promote a local IOG chapter, enroll every new owner and give them membership for 1 or 2 years and begin the process of owner bonding that will be critical to their future.
These are just my thoughts, let us know what you think.
We all know that Harley didn't invent the 'Biker' lifestyle but they seem to be the only ones who have been able to mainstream it. To that end I'll share a story that I don't think is all that unique.
My in-laws have taken to the motorcycle lifestyle as they have become empty nesters. Their first big bike was a GL1500 GW which they used to tour the US about 15 years ago. As part of that they joined the fairly active GW owners group and realized early on that they craved the social aspect of riding almost as much as they did the ride itself. About 10 years ago, after moving to FL and retiring they sold the Wing and bought a Road King. They immediately joined HOG and noticed something they weren't expecting, their 'friends' in the GW group shunned them. After the initial rejection they soon replaced those 'friends' with new friends through HOG. Although they have waned a bit in their participation in HOG they did replace the RK with an Ultra in '06 and ride about 10K miles per year.
When I bought the XC in late '09 my father-in-law took it for a ride and was blown away, he loved it. When i asked him why he wouldn't sell his '06, which had started to leave him stranded a couple times and was nearing the end of it's extended warranty his comment was revealing. He said, 'While he would love to own and ride the Victory they valued their 'friends' in the local HOG group more'.
While I find this profoundly sad it's also profoundly telling. Comments on their reasons for owning and riding aside it points out to me that Polaris needs to focus on the social aspects in addition to creating great bikes. At some point they need to create, build and support either Indian Owners Groups or Polaris Owners Groups for the motorcycle business. I see no value including the off road or sled buyers, they aren't typically compatible with the market segment they are going after. I also think it might be hard to create a group that includes both Victory and Indian together. You only need to see how Buell owners were treated within HOG to see how that doesn't work.
Of course none of this happens without them reaching critical mass in ownership but they could jump start this by requiring each Indian dealer to sponsor and promote a local IOG chapter, enroll every new owner and give them membership for 1 or 2 years and begin the process of owner bonding that will be critical to their future.
These are just my thoughts, let us know what you think.