scoot
Member
Posts: 909
Lifes too short Ride it hard
Grand Rapids Mi.
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« on: April 19, 2011, 05:21:08 PM » |
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Polaris Acquires Indian Motorcycle
Polaris brings world-class engineering, manufacturing and distribution to Indian’s rich American heritage and historic brand
MINNEAPOLIS (April 19, 2011) — Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced the acquisition of Indian Motorcycle. The business was acquired from Indian Motorcycle Limited (“IML”), a company advised by Stellican Limited and Novator Partners LLP, U.K. Private Equity firms. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“We are excited to be part of the revitalization of a quintessentially American brand,” said Scott Wine, CEO of Polaris Industries Inc. “Indian built America’s first motorcycle. With our technology and vision, we are confident we will deliver the classic Indian motorcycle, enhanced by the quality and performance for which Polaris and Victory are known.”
With this acquisition, Polaris adds one of motorcycling’s legendary brands to its strong stable of Victory cruiser and touring bikes. Indian will operate as an autonomous business unit, building upon the potent combination of Polaris’ engineering acumen and innovative technology with Indian’s premium brand, iconic design and rich American heritage.
“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Polaris. Polaris will utilize its well-known strengths in engineering, manufacturing, and distribution to complete the mission we undertook upon re-launching the brand in 2006: harness the enormous potential of the Indian brand,” said Stephen Julius, chairman of Indian and managing director of Stellican. “Polaris is the most logical owner of Indian Motorcycle. Indian’s heritage brand will allow Polaris to aggressively compete across an expanded spectrum of the motorcycle market.”
Novator Partners LLP is a London based alternative investment firm founded and led by the investor Mr. Thor Bjorgolfsson. An avid motorcycle enthusiast, Mr. Bjorgolfsson said “After a troubled past, our goal was to bring the legendary Indian bikes back on the roads. The initial phase of that project is done and now our great partners at Polaris will carry on the work to realize the full potential of this classic American brand.”
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 Some like to ride Fat boys, I think I'll stay with the fat lady |
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Tropic traveler
Member
Posts: 3117
Livin' the Valk, er, F6B life in Central Florida.
Silver Springs, Florida
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« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2011, 05:45:21 PM » |
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Ahhh yes...... Let the "We have more heritage, tradition, & mystique than you do" ad wars between Polaris & the MoCo begin now.  IMHO boring news to me unless IndieLaris comes out with a 4 or 6 cylinder big cruiser. Probably more of a chance of that happening than Mother Honda doing it.  |
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'13 F6B black-the real new Valkyrie Tourer
'13 F6B red for Kim
'97 Valkyrie Tourer r&w, OLDFRT's ride now!
'98 Valkyrie Tourer burgundy & cream traded for Kim's F6B
'05 SS 750 traded for Kim's F6B
'99 Valkyrie black & silver Tourer, traded in on my F6B
'05 Triumph R3 gone but not forgotten!
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Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005
Member
Posts: 13834
American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God.
Beautiful east Tennessee ( GOD'S Country )
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« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2011, 05:47:31 PM » |
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I wish them the best I've always liked the looks of the Indian. A co-worker owns three of them I've rode two of his.
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 I've seen alot of people that thought they were cool , but then again Lord I've seen alot of fools. |
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Bobbo
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« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2011, 06:01:47 PM » |
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I wonder if the "new" Indian will just be a Victory with skirted fenders... I hope they can do a good job of resurrecting this namesake.
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16785
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2011, 06:15:24 PM » |
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Imagine this thing, watercooled, set up to handle like a Valkyrie...  -Mike |
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Sodbuster
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« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2011, 06:15:31 PM » |
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Doesn't Indian now have a proprietary engine ??
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VRCC # 30938 '99 Std. - Black & Silver - "Spirit Horse" Dear God, Seriously .... Thanks for creating beer. You rock !!  |
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Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005
Member
Posts: 13834
American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God.
Beautiful east Tennessee ( GOD'S Country )
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« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2011, 06:17:06 PM » |
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I wonder if the "new" Indian will just be a Victory with skirted fenders... I hope they can do a good job of resurrecting this namesake.
Agree...Sure hope they don't do a Bozo on the Indian   |
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I've seen alot of people that thought they were cool , but then again Lord I've seen alot of fools. |
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Tropic traveler
Member
Posts: 3117
Livin' the Valk, er, F6B life in Central Florida.
Silver Springs, Florida
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« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2011, 06:20:36 PM » |
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'13 F6B black-the real new Valkyrie Tourer
'13 F6B red for Kim
'97 Valkyrie Tourer r&w, OLDFRT's ride now!
'98 Valkyrie Tourer burgundy & cream traded for Kim's F6B
'05 SS 750 traded for Kim's F6B
'99 Valkyrie black & silver Tourer, traded in on my F6B
'05 Triumph R3 gone but not forgotten!
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highcountry
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« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2011, 06:27:30 PM » |
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Hopefully that is good news and more Indian outlets will be available. I have always loved the look of the classic Chief. I wish them well.
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alph
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« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2011, 07:11:17 PM » |
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are they going to make it in mexico also?? polaris use to be made in wisconsin. (or, some of 'em were)
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Promote world peace, ban all religion. Ride Safe, Ride Often!!   |
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KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)
Member
Posts: 4146
Specimen #30838 DS #0233
Williamsburg, KY
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« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2011, 05:09:15 AM » |
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Imagine this thing, watercooled, set up to handle like a Valkyrie... -Mike REAR tire looks too skinny. Needs a car tire..........  Dave: running for cover |
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« Last Edit: April 20, 2011, 07:16:03 AM by Misunderstood »
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csj
Member
Posts: 992
I used to be a wolfboy, but I'm alright NOOOOOWWWW
Peterborough Ontario Canada
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« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2011, 06:16:42 AM » |
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Two weeks ago at the spring motorcycle show, I sat on this
new Kawi Vaquero, big twin, heavy, comfy bagger,
fairly good lookin.
Price tag ~17K
Two bike lengths away were about eight plain-jane Indians,
priced anywhere from 23K - 27K.
Hope their 'heritage market is strong.
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A guy called me a Ba$tard, I said in my case it's an accident
of birth, in your case you're a self made man.
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G-Man
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« Reply #12 on: April 20, 2011, 07:56:07 AM » |
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Saw them at the NY MC show and love the look and colors of the Indians.....but the prices were silly, for a motorcycle.
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old2soon
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« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2011, 08:36:51 AM » |
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Saw them at the NY MC show and love the look and colors of the Indians.....but the prices were silly, for a motorcycle.
These days show me prices on ANYTHING that ain't silly.  Everything i use just keeps going up.  And yes i do know i ain't the only one this happens to.  So-all that being said-have yourself a really super dooper nice day.  RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16785
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #14 on: April 20, 2011, 08:40:52 AM » |
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Saw them at the NY MC show and love the look and colors of the Indians.....but the prices were silly, for a motorcycle.
These days show me prices on ANYTHING that ain't silly. Everything i use just keeps going up. And yes i do know i ain't the only one this happens to. So-all that being said-have yourself a really super dooper nice day. RIDE SAFE. I think this is around 13K...  This particular one probably has several thousand dollars of added goodness, though... I think those are Corbin bags... -Mike |
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Tropic traveler
Member
Posts: 3117
Livin' the Valk, er, F6B life in Central Florida.
Silver Springs, Florida
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« Reply #15 on: April 20, 2011, 06:22:12 PM » |
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Saw them at the NY MC show and love the look and colors of the Indians.....but the prices were silly, for a motorcycle.
These days show me prices on ANYTHING that ain't silly. Everything i use just keeps going up. And yes i do know i ain't the only one this happens to. So-all that being said-have yourself a really super dooper nice day. RIDE SAFE. I think this is around 13K... This particular one probably has several thousand dollars of added goodness, though... I think those are Corbin bags... -Mike Having owned one of those English beasts, I must agree on the "several thousand dollars of added goodness" observation! It's a total HOOT to ride but like any Polaris or Indian..... It aint no Valkyrie!!!  |
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'13 F6B black-the real new Valkyrie Tourer
'13 F6B red for Kim
'97 Valkyrie Tourer r&w, OLDFRT's ride now!
'98 Valkyrie Tourer burgundy & cream traded for Kim's F6B
'05 SS 750 traded for Kim's F6B
'99 Valkyrie black & silver Tourer, traded in on my F6B
'05 Triumph R3 gone but not forgotten!
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Sodbuster
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« Reply #16 on: April 20, 2011, 06:49:31 PM » |
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Maybe Polaris could be talked into resurrecting the Valkyrie and to h*ll with Honda |
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VRCC # 30938 '99 Std. - Black & Silver - "Spirit Horse" Dear God, Seriously .... Thanks for creating beer. You rock !! |
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Oss
Member
Posts: 12622
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #17 on: April 20, 2011, 07:07:57 PM » |
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some pics from the NYC show of Indians   sat on a green indian that was just beautiful but I could buy a Standard a Tourer and an interstate for the price and still have enough for bling |
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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Dogg
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« Reply #18 on: April 20, 2011, 07:08:59 PM » |
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indian will not be assimilated by polaris. indian will still be indian and will stay in NC. just polaris has the resources to be able to produce the bike and retail it for a reasonable price. tht ws the whole point of the merger. and if a vintage ever got down to below 20k, Id be all over one. that 104 is a work of art in my book, now that the bugs are gone... I love my valks. always will. but owning many bikes is good because it adds flavor to the days events...whichever I choose. I am going to pick up another Excelsior Henderson soon because I love them, with all their faults and imperfections...because they are a part of history. and they are way kewl.... Id buy an indian or a Harley ina second if they were more reasonable with prices and not so rigid with warranty. loving valks is one thing, crackin on a great motorcycle because of its lack of cylinders is childish-not funny. some of you like that rocket 3. what a piece of crap but you guys like them. have at it. nobody knocks you for owning one. Just like the guy with the thunderbird that came on to offer advice. you guys ran him off talkin smack about his bike and calling him names...the T-bird is an awesome machine, as is the indian chief and the victory motorcycle group. some times, as much as I love coming to read, I get suckered into reading bash threads that just upset me because of the stupid childish remarks. they aint valkyries. but they are a part of history. and I hope polaris can keep the line alive til I can afford to buy a new one...  |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16785
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #19 on: April 20, 2011, 07:48:52 PM » |
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...Just like the guy with the thunderbird that came on to offer advice. you guys ran him off talkin smack about his bike and calling him names...
That Thatch guy? He never made but one post. Everyone was nice to him, I thought... his post made me think I'd like a Thunderbird... http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,22068.msg193119.html#msg193119One guy thought Thunderbirds look like big Rebels, but...  -Mike |
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BudMan
Member
Posts: 625
"Two's in."
Tecumseh OK
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« Reply #20 on: April 20, 2011, 07:49:28 PM » |
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Here's one of my old Colege Roommate and one of his rebuild jobs. He runs a custom rebuild shop down around Mobile AL.  |
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Buddy
Tecumseh OK
MOOT# 263
VRCC # 30158
1948 EL Harley
2013 F6B Delux
"I rarely end up where I was intending to go, but often I end up somewhere that I needed to be,"
Dirk Gently; Holistic Detective
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Tropic traveler
Member
Posts: 3117
Livin' the Valk, er, F6B life in Central Florida.
Silver Springs, Florida
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« Reply #21 on: April 20, 2011, 08:43:32 PM » |
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indian will not be assimilated by polaris. indian will still be indian and will stay in NC. just polaris has the resources to be able to produce the bike and retail it for a reasonable price. tht ws the whole point of the merger. and if a vintage ever got down to below 20k, Id be all over one. that 104 is a work of art in my book, now that the bugs are gone... I love my valks. always will. but owning many bikes is good because it adds flavor to the days events...whichever I choose. I am going to pick up another Excelsior Henderson soon because I love them, with all their faults and imperfections...because they are a part of history. and they are way kewl.... Id buy an indian or a Harley ina second if they were more reasonable with prices and not so rigid with warranty. loving valks is one thing, crackin on a great motorcycle because of its lack of cylinders is childish-not funny. some of you like that rocket 3. what a piece of crap but you guys like them. have at it. nobody knocks you for owning one. Just like the guy with the thunderbird that came on to offer advice. you guys ran him off talkin smack about his bike and calling him names...the T-bird is an awesome machine, as is the indian chief and the victory motorcycle group. some times, as much as I love coming to read, I get suckered into reading bash threads that just upset me because of the stupid childish remarks. they aint valkyries. but they are a part of history. and I hope polaris can keep the line alive til I can afford to buy a new one... Sorry you take offense to my childish views. I am afraid that you may be very disappointed in what happens to the great Indian heritage while under Polaris ownership. I sense in all I have seen of Victory/Polaris a pronounced inferiority complex to the hallowed MoCo. They are a late entry into the American made V-twin bike scene & their purchase of Indian is a way to "catch up" or buy instant heritage cred that they so crave to do battle with HD in the buy American only V-twin sales market. I have seen this type of thinking in the car market, think Ford/Jaguar, GM/Opel etc. This is the 21st century, not the pre-war time period & that's the way things are done now. I can guarantee you Polaris did not dole out the bucks for Indian to make nostalgic bikers happy. They WILL expect a profit from their investment & since they make basically the same kind of bike as Indian, "blending" will happen. This is of course all just my opinion. As far as "bashing" of lesser bikes.... Living in the real world where anything other than a V-twin is the exception I have heard WAY more than my share of knocks by V-twin owners concerning my choice of bike. This IS a Valkyrie forum & bragging about the virtues of the F6 over all other types of bikes should be expected. A bike is a bike & it doesn't know what brand it is. Bikes do not have "heritage" or "mystique". That is an emotion assigned to them by their owners or admirers... or here in the 21st century ad agencies. To me the Valkyrie has earned a great reputation from it's features, great handling, high HP, build quality, & longevity far outclassing it's contemporaries. The fact that the Valkyrie IS powered by a six cylinder engine is the biggest reason these things are so. Therefore I find it very hard to get excited about ANY bike with less. Do hafta agree with you on the Rocket 3... while it was a thrill it was a ticking time bomb of trouble. Again, IMHO. Sold it & bought Kim a Valk. The past is the past. All historic bikes are cool as they have led us up to today. Just as we Valkyrie people are disappointed we won't be getting a new 6 cylinder cruiser, don't get too disappointed with what Polaris does with the Indian. Just want to be clear.  |
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'13 F6B black-the real new Valkyrie Tourer
'13 F6B red for Kim
'97 Valkyrie Tourer r&w, OLDFRT's ride now!
'98 Valkyrie Tourer burgundy & cream traded for Kim's F6B
'05 SS 750 traded for Kim's F6B
'99 Valkyrie black & silver Tourer, traded in on my F6B
'05 Triumph R3 gone but not forgotten!
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PhredValk
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« Reply #22 on: April 20, 2011, 11:12:47 PM » |
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Indians are not back. I sat on a new Norton Commando at the bike show this January. If Norton had been building bikes since the 60s, I would have been more impressed. Same with Triumph. Someone bought the rights to the name and some decades old technology; they aren't original Nortons or Triumphs. They may be great bikes, but they are new models that will have to make a new name for themselves.
Same with Indian. Are they made by the same people, designed by the same engineers or someone that studied under them for the last 30 years? No. They may look like 50s motorcycles, but they are built by a new manufacturer who has to make a name for themselves from the ground up.
If someone started making Packards all of a sudden, I doubt anyone would be fooled into thinking Packard was hiding in the bushes for the last few decades and are now magically back.
Just my 2 cents (CDN).
Fred.
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« Last Edit: April 20, 2011, 11:14:36 PM by PhredValk »
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Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
VRCCDS0237
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« Reply #23 on: April 21, 2011, 06:01:59 AM » |
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Friend of mine on his 2010 Indian  |
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RainMaker
Member
Posts: 6626
VRCC#24130 - VRCCDS#0117 - IBA#48473
Arlington, TX
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« Reply #24 on: April 21, 2011, 07:50:57 AM » |
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...Just like the guy with the thunderbird that came on to offer advice. you guys ran him off talkin smack about his bike and calling him names...
That Thatch guy? He never made but one post. Everyone was nice to him, I thought... his post made me think I'd like a Thunderbird... http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,22068.msg193119.html#msg193119One guy thought Thunderbirds look like big Rebels, but... -Mike If that's all it took to run him off...... well, I don't think anything in that mostly complementary thread would run anyone off. He said he didn't own a Valk so why would he stick around this forum with all of us Fat Lady lovers? If I were him, I'd be playing in the Triumph forums exclusively. |
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 2005 BMW R1200 GS 2000 Valkyrie Interstate 1998 Valkyrie Tourer 1981 GL1100I GoldWing 1972 CB500K1 |
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Big IV
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« Reply #25 on: April 22, 2011, 07:29:05 AM » |
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Imagine this thing, watercooled, set up to handle like a Valkyrie... -Mike The British Indian company is producing the engine that I would want to buy. Thanks for the pic Mike. The bottle cap designed by the most recent Indian company, which had a few metalurgy problems, is not nearly as sexy as that four cylinder. |
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"Ride Free Citizen!"
VRCCDS0176
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6jugzz
Member
Posts: 307
LUV2RIDE...buy safety chrome
Rock hill,SC
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« Reply #26 on: April 22, 2011, 03:52:31 PM » |
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They just closed the Mfg. plant in Blacksburg,SC. It was on tv today, wonder if they will reopen under Victory name???  |
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Valkyrie...ride the best, love the rest!  |
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T.P.
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« Reply #27 on: April 22, 2011, 04:21:48 PM » |
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NOPE! The Indians will be built in Spirit Lake Iowa in the same plant as the Victory bikes.
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"Well you can call me T, or you can call me P, or you can call me T.P. but you doesn't hasta call me Toilet Paper"
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