How Victory Motorcycles Broke My Heart

The rise and fall of Victory Motorcycles and my thoughts on the next few years.

Victory Mods:
- Ipod cable extension to right saddle bag
- Tri-Oval Stage 1 Exhaust

Magna Mods:
- Corbin Gunfighter Saddle

Safety Gear:

MotoVlog Gear:
- RAM Camera (GoPro) Adapter AP-B-202U-GOP1:

#jayhawks
#victorymotorcycles
#motovlog

[stellarida]

I have an Indian Chieftain and I was upset that Polaris stopped making Victory's. I love the look and almost bought a Cross Country before deciding on a 2016 Chieftain that was about 8 months old. Shortly after Polaris made the announcement about Victory. My friend has a Vision and I road it for a day. I didn't want to give it back. My other buddy has a Crossroads. I wish something happens and the brand comes back or they do what you suggest and support those still out there with parts. It really makes no sense how they did that to owners. There is one Indian dealer in NJ called Rolling Fast that is a big supporter of Victory and everyone in the tri-state area seems to use them, but otherwise other dealers who use to sell and support Victory in my area (PA) don't seem to do so any longer. Good luck with your bike.

[ctemplejune]

You may not know or have forgotten that this is the third time Polaris has pulled this stunt on their dealers and their customers. First was the POLARIS STAR CAR, then the Polaris Jet ski, and finally Victory. in each case, Polaris failed to support the units in customer's hands through parts and dealer knowledge. That's not a track record I will support by buying an Indian!

[michaelroy]

I absolutely agree with you, polaris absolutely should service Victory motorcycles. Especially if they want possible future Indian owners. I have a 16 XCT and Love It!!! Great, Great Bikes. I hear ya about getting parts and getting anyone to work on Victory is not easy.. As of now, my go to for parts is Witch Doctors. But yeah for any kind of service, most shops don't want to touch em. I just hope to keep her going for many more miles, I now have 45, 000 and running strong!!!

[davidvanbrunt]

Gutless to not take care of the Victory guys, were still here !!!

[nathannicol]

I agree with everything you said on here. I currently own a Cross Country and a High Ball and love them both for different reasons. Until my recent accident, I had no need for service or parts. I purchased my XC from the Dream Machines/Indian dealer in Wichita, KS and when I went to the former Victory dealership here in Wichita, they wouldn't do an estimate as they wouldn't source parts. I went back to Dream Machines/Indian of Wichita and they assisted me with my issue and are now a Victory parts/service shop. They actually cared enough to listen. I hope other Indian dealerships take note...

[amksco]

My first bike was a victory highball. Wish I still had it. I wish victory were still around. Loved the magnum as well.

[jerryporter]

u are spot on brother ! no one wants to work on my bikes vision & cross country.

[MrUNCLESAM]

I have a 2015 Victory Magnum and you'd be surprised that I live in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Where Victory used to be made and I can't also get the parts. I love my Victory and I'm gonna ride it till one of us die and when that happens to my Victory I'm buying Harley Davidson, I'm not buying Indian I'm not going to give Polaris my money again so they can laugh at me and give me the middle finger again.

[RidiculousRocketry]

I ride a 2014 Victory Vision. I'm the second owner. I purchased my bike in May 2021 with 7, 000 miles in new condition. It's the first and last motorcycle I'll ever own and I've put over 11, 000 miles on it. I enjoy riding solo and 2 up with my wife. Good video. I used to live in Staley Farms in KC. Living in Chesapeake VA now. Interested to know what microphone and setup you're using for recording your narration.

[vincenttarquini]

You nailed it on the head. I own a Vision Tour. Have had it 2 years and I am tall. The bike is bulletproof and comfortable. The Victory has character. My local dealer in SD still works on them ad and the head of the service department has told me to never sell it. Victory motorcycle's sell like hotcakes here and dealer and brokers alike sell them as soon as they hit the floor. I plan to keep mine. If I buy an Indian, it will be the second bike.

[MrmultiJeep]

Great video. I totally agree with you about how Polaris should provide parts and Service through the Indian dealers. I live in Southern California and luckily, there is a dealership near my home that still provides parts and services for Victory motorcycles. They are very rare down here. Most people ride Harleys and there are only a few Indians. So, that makes me a little nervous. Dont know how much longer they’re going to do this. It’s a no-brainer that if Indian dealers would service and provide parts indefinitely, that most Victory owners would more than likely, purchase an Indian motorcycle! WAKE UP POLARIS!! I own a 2010 Victory Cross Country and absolutely LOVE it!

[jimmeyer]

My vision I purchased 2011. Ran up 35000 miles all over the states. Purchased a new 2016 goldwing as my new go to tourer. I will never sell my vision. Treat it like a rare collector bike. Pull it out on sunny days & enjoy the day.

[victorvisionrestore]

I just bought a 2011 vision tour there's an Indian dealer here in KY they worked on no problems. Very lucky. As you said not very many will. Love my vic.. Ride or die

[ARCSSelfDefense]

You nailed it on all points. Polaris did Victory owners dirty and the dealers giving up almost immediately was beyond disappointing too. I am 6'4" and 230 lbs, and my Vision is undoubtedly the most comfortable, best handling, and most reliable bike I've ever come across. I'll ride it until it just can't go any more. I suspect that will be a long time from now, but I'm looking to buy a second Vison just to make sure that I'll always have one until I can no longer ride. Ride or Die!

[scottcramm]

I have an 07 Kingpin and live in Olathe KS. I haven’t needed any repairs that I couldn’t do myself yet but I agree there seems to be no one who wants to work on it.

[snakebite]

Ive been a Harley guy and have owned a few Victory's along the way and ive always like the look and feel of the Victory. In 2021 I got fed up and sold my Victory's, i was looking for something i can personalize and make my own as parts for Victory was pretty much dried up and the Dealer that used to service Victory was less than useless. The Indian dealer that used to service Victory is totally worthless and stocks nothing, they have pretty much left Victory in the wold worse that what Polaris did.
I started looking around for a new touring as i had a 2016 Magnum (beauty), i looked at the 2021 Indian Chieftain and the 2021 H-D Street Glide, both rode well but i did like the feel of the shorter Harley for manoeuvrability, long story short, i went with the H-D Street Glide for a few reasons
1) Handling
2) Infinite availability to customize anyway i want, if i can dream it, someone has made a part for it.
3) Infinite amount of performance parts upgrades available
4) Dash layout - I hated that Chieftain Dash, felt like that robot Johnny 5 from short Circuit was looking at me while i rode.
5) Indian felt plastic when i sat on in, that same feeling you get when you get into a new Toyota, very plastic feeling
6) Dealer network
7) Fit 7 Finish, say what you want about a Harley but they have mastered paint and Indian doesn't come close. Indian went the other way and focused more on the "smoke" colours which i HATE.
8) Local dealership for Indian here in Canada was total shit and i wasn't ready to get into another relationship with that dealership, they stock nothing.
Anyway, no disrespect to those who got an Indian, both Indian & Harley make great looking bikes, but it made for sense for me to go with a Harley rather than an Indian.

[ametcalf]

I just bought a 2013 victory cross country from ride now power sports in Olathe ks. It was a trade in that needed the clutch replaced. It took the dealer 2 months to get the replacement clutch and get it installed. They told me they can do the general maintenance but that would probably be it.

[petechampagne]

Agree 100%. Thank you for doing this video. Same issue with me, I have a 2014 Vision and I absolutely love my bike. I'd buy another one if they still made them. I'm almost at that point as I have 91, 000kms on mine. Not sure what I'm going to buy but I'm not very keen on going to Indian after what Polaris pulled off. If Indian serviced Victorys and covered parts I agree that would go a long way. I love to long haul and I'm nervous now because if I break down, my trip is over. No roadside, no service, no immediate availability of parts. Heartbreaking to say the least. Pete

[deangelisstudio]

Sold my Pearl White Magnum, bought a 2121 Challenger, love love love the Indians power and handling but really miss the Magnum, wish I kept the Magnum and sold the Hammer.
Sometime over winter I’ll find a CC and sell the Hammer in the Spring

[c-leezyrc]

I got rid of my 2012 Hardball earlier this year. I was so mad when they shut it down. I have a Harley now. I would like to get a Challenger but I worry, are they gonna leave me in the cold again half way through making payments on the bike? I couldn't even get the oil change kits locally. I had to order them online from amazon.