This time next week the second event of the year will have “kicked  off” down out Inverloch for the Sitting Bull Rally so hopefully like me you have had the “old Girl” kicked to life and ready for the action (no not the missus), to tell you the truth I’m looking forward to catching up with all the members that take advantage of our excellently organized rallies and this time “hats off” to Noel Thornby he always sets up a great week-end. Of course next month the 4 -5 day event is on at Dunkeld and Chris Horner never fails to provide a great time as his past Gypsy Tours have proved, which by the way is March 2018 will have us doing a Gypsy on the Old Hume Highway to Sydney and returning on the Princes Hwy don’t miss out on this one when eventually the expressions of interest come out it only caters for about 20 and fills up nearly overnight.

We all have a bucket list, some want to go to Sturgis (waste of time) others to I.O.M the Isle of Man (Mecca), Daytona (Jury’s still out) Davenport (to view acres of ferrous oxide) or the Cannonball Run ( lots of money) mine was the auctions at South Point Casino in Las Vegas Nevada for two reasons one to see 1.000 bikes auctioned over three days at Mecum’s the other at the Rio Hotel & Casino where 345 bikes were auctioned by Bonhams in a day. Fellow association member Jon Munn from Classic Style met me with his mate Martyn Crisp who is a ex-pat Pom living in Ventura California, I arrived minus my wife because of a visa waiver foul-up and that was emotional for the both of us, meanwhile the auction at Mecums was were I was lodging so it was a mere 5 minutes walk past all the fools gambling on the slot machinery to see the presented motorcycles, and there was plenty everything from Honda mini bikes to $500,000 Henderson’s, works replica Tridents to 1912 Indian’s and when the auctions are going its like a cattle sale most bikes on the podium sold in under 2 minutes. The thing to remember is a sellers fee of 10-15% and a buyers fee of 15-20% so that combined with a 25% variation in the exchange rate can have a $30,000 bike costing you $45,000 plus by the time it’s here! People quickly forget this from overseas and soon realise its wasn’t a good deal after all, but there were bargains to be had a 1941 Indian 4 at $40,000 seemed cheap and an immaculate 1952 Blackhawk at $30,000 a 1972 Indian-Velo $12,000, 1948 Chief $26,000 seemed ok but remember you can’t hear them run and some Americans don’t ride just trailer to one concours to another. Bonham’s Auctions are the one’s I had a personal interest in as my Indian-Vincent was on the podium they start at 11-00am (compared to Mecum’s at 8-00 am) and things are more conservative for the British based firm Nick Smith was the man in charge and was good at his job and seemed unflustered when 300-400 people want him all at once and at about that time I realised most bike were selling 25% under there listed reserve price or more which meant the reserve price in the immense catalogue they had and you could read it as a direct Aussie exchange, the currency exchange boards were at Bonham’s and helped to see what the actual prices were unlike Mecum’s that had none. Bonhams are pedantic over details and history, providence etc Mecum’s aren’t  & the Americans like Mecum’s and it pulls huge crowds in an auditorium, Bonhams sell in a large darkened  room quite a contrast to Mecum’s in an arena ready for Madonna to sing. Anyway my Indian-Vincent topped out at below reserve with two serious bidders, and so it was passed in but negotiations are still in progress by Nick Smith so the “fat lady is not singing” just yet. Would I do this again, I think so but when the dollar was favorable our way would help and Jon Munn said in such times in the past he brought back 40-50 bikes at a time there is a odd bargain to be had still a tatty Vincent Rapide could have for about $50,000 landed here, the secret is selling your machine in the States as at the moment it can be great with the right machine and you don’t have to go yourself if you are thinking about doing this please contact me there is a Mecum’s Auction on June 1-3 this year at South Point Las Vegas and I’m tempted to go again or next year in January 2018 to Bonham’s . The picture above with the guy standing next to his Kiwi Indian is none other than Kiwi Indian Mike Thomas, went out to a meal with him and his charming wife Carolyn quite a pleasant night nice people. The other person that I must say is fantastic at his job is Warren Barnes from Schumacher Secure he was in charge of all the movements of the bikes all around the world and some also in USA, another great guy to do all the worrying for you about shipping you machine to a event anywhere in the world, a hearty thanks to both Nick and Warren for their commitments to me and many others.

Yesterday I had to take my Scout to Rick Thomas at All American Motorcycles in Ringwood for a fault code since I fitted a EJK kit and S&S airfiter this gives a 12 hp boost so well worth doing but brought up the engine management light. The ever obliging Rick is very professional and treats his customers like they are all mates, I had to wait some time as he is very busy on Saturday and generally doesn’t do service work on Saturday, I wasn’t in a hurry and didn’t mind the wait at all the good thing though was he offered me a ride on the Victory Octane, which I jumped at the chance to make the comparison to my 2015 Scout. They look similar at a casual glance but the ride and seating position are markedly different, the first thing I checked was the digital display and I reckon it’s better than the Scout as its coloured darker and also it has two trip meters, sadly no gear indicator or fuel gauge but neither has the Scout, the foot peg position is further back which is good and the different front wheel size makes it sharper on the steering. On the road the handlebar position is not comfortable as my machine and its small handlebar fairing is inadequate, but like the Scout it’s low and remarkably even more power on tap even know capacity is virtually the same, the stock Octane is on par with my Scout with the mods that I have fitted I think. Now the thing is that everybody wants to know is how comfortable is the Octane next to the Scout as it has a reputation for a uncomfortable seat and inadequate shocks well laid forward that can be replaced, mine has a Corbin seat and Fournales rear shocks fitted now, well the Octane seems to have a more comfortable seat and yes the rear suspension I think is much better although I never rode it a great distance so the jury is out on that. With Polaris shutting Victory this week all this brand is now on run out sale price they are about $3,000 less now than they were released at and except for the name Indian better value than a Scout Sixty at around $16,000 ride away. The Octane would make a perfect Sports Scout, Polaris please note it would be a shame to dump this bike and I believe if you are looking for a nice bike put the Octane on your shopping list and ring All American Motorcycle 03 98793322 and ask for Rick times running out on these versions

John Smith send this through, interesting how few there are

 

PRESS RELEASE
Monday 9th January 2017
Victory Motorcycles Media

Polaris Industries to wind down Victory Motorcycles operations strengthening its position in the powersports industry

Victory Motorcycles announcement press release Word

MINNEAPOLIS (January 9, 2017) — Polaris Industries, Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced it will immediately begin winding down its Victory Motorcycles brand and related operations.

Polaris will assist dealers in liquidating existing inventories while continuing to supply parts for a period of 10 years, along with providing service and warranty coverage to Victory dealers and owners. Today’s announcement does not affect any other Polaris business units.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision for me, my team and the Polaris Board of Directors,” said Polaris Industries Chairman and CEO Scott Wine. “Over the past 18 years, we have invested not only resources, but our hearts and souls, into forging the Victory Motorcycles brand, and we are exceptionally proud of what our team has accomplished. Since inception, our teams have designed and produced nearly 60 Victory models that have been honoured with 25 of the industry’s top awards. The experience, knowledge, infrastructure and capability we’ve built in those 18 years gave us the confidence to acquire and develop the Indian Motorcycle brand, so I would like to express my gratitude to everyone associated with Victory Motorcycles and celebrate your many contributions.”

Several factors influenced today’s announcement. Victory has struggled to establish the market share needed to succeed and be profitable. The competitive pressures of a challenging motorcycle market have increased the headwinds for the brand. Given the significant additional investments required for Victory to launch new global platforms that meet changing consumer preferences, and considering the strong performance and growth potential of Indian Motorcycle, the decision to more narrowly focus Polaris’ energy and investments became quite clear.

“This decision will improve the profitability of Polaris and our global motorcycle business, and will materially improve our competitive stance in the industry,” said Scott Wine. “Our focus is on profitable growth, and in an environment of finite resources, this move allows us to optimize and align our resources behind both our premium, high performing Indian Motorcycle brand and our innovative Slingshot brand, enhancing our focus on accelerating the success of those brands. Ultimately this decision will propel the industry-leading product innovation that is core to our strategy while fostering long-term growth and increased shareholder value.”

Any one-time costs associated with supporting Victory dealers in selling their remaining inventory, the disposal of factory inventory, tooling, and other physical assets, and the cancellation of various supplier arrangements will be recorded in the 2017 income statement in respective sales, gross profit and operation expense. These costs will be excluded from Polaris’ provided 2017 sales and earnings guidance on a non-GAAP basis.

Polaris will release its fourth quarter and full-year 2016 financial results and provide 2017 guidance on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. A webcast and conference call will be held at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on January 24, 2017 to discuss the results. A slide presentation and link to the webcast will be posted on the Polaris Investor Relations website at ir.polaris.com. To listen to the conference call by phone, dial 877-706-7543 in the U.S. and Canada, or 478-219-0273 Internationally. The Conference ID is #45015597.

So whats all this mean for Indian, plenty a bit like Harley when they dumped Buell and sold MV Agusta (for $2) and stopped the V-Rod (http://hdhistory.com/v-rod-discontinued/) it allows concentration on one brand and seeing profit from the motorcycle divisions is 4% that doesnt affect Polaris at all. What it means is all development on one single brand and more model Indian’s and as I have forecast probably a new Indian Four, if I was Harley I would be worried even more now. The bloke above is Arlen Ness taken a few years ago with his son Arlen they were responsible for Victory’s styling which I  and many others never cared much for, looks like this guy is now out of a job.