Thunder Roads Louisiana Magazine | Page 16

GENEVA LIVE
bikes with an emphasis on power and performance. It seemed an easy distinction to make and one that resonated with riders.
However, it would appear that the cost of developing and operating two independent lines of motorcycles finally became too burdensome and Polaris decided to pull the plug on the Victory line. I’ m guessing that there had to be outside factors to explain the abrupt change in course, and financial gurus are pointing to Polaris acquisitions and costs well outside the two-wheeled world as the cause. Regardless, it seems a shame to countless Victory riders. Of course, passion and( brand) loyalty have almost always outweighed fiscal responsibility in the minds of American riders.
The Sun Will Come Out Despite the many dramatic headlines(“ Polaris Industries KILLS Off Victory Motorcycles” – Forbes), current Victory owners really don’ t have too much cause for real concern. As Jon Petrich, owner of Witchdoctors Specialties- a
Victory aftermarket manufacturer and distributor pointed out in his Facebook live“ Why is everyone going crazy? … As far as I know today, everyone’ s bike still started … There’ s no reason for anything to change for us!”
When you boil things down, Polaris is simply not producing new Victory motorcycles. They haven’ t“ gone out of business”. Polaris is a powerhouse and clear industry leader within the power sport industry and they aren’ t going anywhere. Polaris is still committed to the consumers and dealers that have invested in the Victory brand and will continue to supply parts for at least another 10 years. Polaris will still continue to provide service and warranty coverage to both the Victory dealers and owners. You might compare the situation to when GM discontinued their“ We Build Excitement” division – Pontiac. Almost 8 years later, there’ s certainly no challenge to get your Grand Am or even Prowler serviced. You just take it to any GM dealership. I think that it’ s safe to assume that’ s going to be the case with Victory motorcycles.
APRIL 27, 2017 THURSDAY 8PM-11PM HOLLYWOOD’ S SWAMP SHACK 385 LOUISIANA ST.
WESTWEGO, LA( 504) 421-7566
APRIL 28, 2017 FRIDAY 8PM-11:30PM THE HIDEOUT 126 N HOLLYWOOD ROAD HOUMA, LA.( 985) 872-0651
GENEVA LIVE
FOR TWO SHOWS ONLY IN LOUISIANA TOURING THE RALLY CIRCUIT! Don’ t miss it! Playing at rallies across America for the last 10 years and also performed at the World Famous Buffalo Chip in Sturgis. First band to be invited by the USO to entertain the troops in the Middle East for Operation
Iraqi Freedom. Come out and experience them live and enjoy some awesome rock and roll covers and her own original hits
“ Thunder Roads” and“ Old Cheap Wine”
$ 5.00 COVER CHARGE DRINK SPECIALS ALL NIGHT LONG! MUST BE 21 PLENTY OF
BIKE PARKING AT BOTH LOCATIONS
www. thunderroadslouisiana. org | March 2017 | Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana
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