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Victory Motorcycles now collector bikes?

Victory Motorcycles marks history with book

The recent announcement that Victory Motorcycles is ceasing production seems to have started a rush on sales of the bikes in Australia with some wanting them as a collector item.

Sales people tell us that some customers and the odd collector or two are snapping them up.

There are plenty of demo deals and discounts on offer and stock is selling quickly. It comes as both Victory and Indian launch “Australia Day” sales with 20% on apparel and accessories from tomorrow to Sunday.

However, Victory Motorcycles Australia did not wish to comment on sales or the winding down of the company.

They said they stood by the statement made last week by Peter Alexander, Managing Director Polaris Industries, Australia and New Zealand.

Polaris head honcho Peter Alexander joins riders for the first Brisbane Victory and Indian Motorcycles shop ride. production collector
Peter at a Victory owners’ ride

Peter said they had become“the largest unit volume market for Victory outside North America” in just eight years.

He also said emphasised that the Australian dealer network was “committed to continue to supply parts, service and warranty to ensure this happens”.

That seems to have satisfied the punters who are lining up for the bikes and emptying the showroom floors.

And it makes lot of sense.

They are good bikes, especially the new Octane. It is definitely a collector bike.

2016 Victory Octane collector
Octane a collector

And they still have the backing for the next 10 years of parent company Polaris Industries, an industrial giant.

After 10 years, we can’t image they would walk away from a lucrative spares market, nor would aftermarket suppliers.

Customers tell us they hope and believe that Polaris will restart production at some time in the future.

However, there is talk of selling off “factory inventory, tooling, and other physical assets, and the cancellation of various supplier arrangements”.

So it does sound final … making their bikes more valuable as collector items.

Victory Motorcycles now collector bikes?
Victory riders

Dealers tells us many of the customers are already Victory owners wanting to get a new bike now.

Victory comeback?

While the factory has ceased production, it is believe there is still a large stockpile of bikes in America still to be shipped out and as many as 120 could be heading to Australia.

In fact, the Victory name won’t disappear. At least not straight away.

It seems the big Victory signs will remain on the Polaris-owned dealerships in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth as they want owners to know they are still servicing them.Victory Motorcycles now collector bikes?

2016 financial result

Meanwhile, Polaris Industries has this week announced a total sales drop of 4% to $US4.5 million last year while motorcycle sales were actually up 1% to $708,497.

However, that seems to be largely the result of “significant progress” in Indian Motorcycle sales which recorded “mid-twenty percent growth”.

Victory must have been letting the side down badly as motorcycle shipments in 2016 were down 35%.

  1. re “Sales people tell us…………”

    ahem, would sir care for a grain of salt with his press release?

    1. Hi Robert,
      I’ve spoken with several, but no one will go on the record.
      However, it’s pretty plain to see the showrooms are rapidly emptying out.
      Also spoken with customers in the stores who are keen to grab one before they all go.
      Also, this is NOT a press release. The company has not released any information.
      Cheers,
      Mark

      1. hmmmmm, ok, but lets be a little sceptical here.
        Fact – victory has ceased production, and there are now two possible naratives:

        1. Dealers are stuck with stock they can’t get rid of.
        2. Victory bikes are now collector items.

        If you were a Victory dealer, how would you go about selling the second narrative?
        If something sounds too good to be true……………..

        1. I reckon they’ll be collectors machines. Rarely ever saw Vic’s on the road. But still remember seeing a gunner parked up and it was turning heads in Southbank. It certainly stood out in a sea of plastic sportbikers. The Octane, even though a parts special, still has a good industrial look to it, and is pretty rare. With the Vrod being cancelled we are running short of muscle cruisers with an American flavour to them. I know I want an Octane, with some lowered fatbars, bar end mirrors, shortened indicators and a snarly exhaust, all finished in matt grey. Now that’s a city/back Street stomper. No café racers anymore thanks.

  2. I just bought one of the last octane in south of France and it looks like these bikes are easy to sell since Victory made this announcement. 100 bikes in 2 months, versus 65 for the entire 2016. .I bet it is already a collector !

  3. It is all about marketing. Many people would see my bike and have no clue what it was. One person at a gas station thought I was riding a custom bike when I was on my stock 07 Jackpot…

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