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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I'm begging you guys not to go with VOG. It is just another example of being tagged as a Harley wannabe. I know they are the marketing/branding model of all time but please, the Vision (and Victory) will never break out if they stand that close to the shadow. The Vision is outside the box. I think the people who own them should be viewed in the same way. Every other motorcycle owner is either a rider or a biker. I think Vision owners should be know as pilots. The very first impression of a Vision is "futuristic". I think we should go with that impression. The ride has been elevated to a new level and the feel and look from the driver's seat is a lot like being in a cockpit. We should have a name now that will also apply to the future Visions that will continue to incorporate new technology. People with pilot's licenses are notch above the masses when it comes to a quest for freedom and a detachment from being earthbound. I propose the Victory Vision Pilot's Association, VVPA or, just the VPA if you don't want Victory in there. Would the double V be more distinctive than just the VPA? We would be known as Vision Pilots. It isn't too Star Wars/Star Trekkie but it could be if you wanted it to be. It's just a futuristic mindset. I think most Vision owners are going out of their way to be approachable and friendly. We have fun with each other and want to be know as the coolest group of motorcycle owners on the planet. We have a fantastic machine to brag about but we are serious about it being the best it can be. I'm not on a typical motorcycle. I'm not a typical motorcycle owner. None of us are. Any other Vision Pilots out there? (We're all "out there" but you know what I mean.)
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
Puyallup, Washington | First I'd like to say thanks Jeff and Miles for starting this site. I've never been much of a joiner or a poster on internet forums. I found this site through a search engine after I saw the Vision on a showroom floor. I was actually there to look at Goldwings. This site with all its info and great members was a major factor, along with the bike itsself, of course, in leading to the decision to buy the Vision. I have since joined the VMC but in the short time I have perused the two forums I definitely see a difference. While I have learned a lot there and will continue with the VMC, I can see that it is not always a very friendly place. That kind of atmosphere often keeps non-joiners and non-posters like myself from participating. It's not that I'm necessarily afraid of being put down for my inexperience or ignorance by someone I don't know; I just don't need that kind of predictable input from them. Anyway, since this site seems to be filled with such great members and is so user friendly, the Vision and its success is what will really get more people into this forum. |
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Tourer
Posts: 332
Dale, Indiana | SongFan - 2008-03-08 10:51 AM
The ride has been elevated to a new level and the feel and look from the driver's seat is a lot like being in a cockpit.
AMEN to that, and the rest of your post.
I love the cockpit feel, gives me a thrill when cornering on curvy roads. Like I posted before I feel like a Star Wars fighter doing low level maneuvers.
I have friends who keep asking me; how can you ride a bike where you can't see the front wheel? Guess I am ‘to old to late' in this biking thing, because I can't figure out why I want to see my front wheel while riding.
BTW I fit the Victory Vision demographics. (scary but we are who we are!)
My kids call my friends and I (old guys) ‘Wild Hogs'. If you haven't seen the movie you are missing the funny stereotyping.
"I just wanna ride"
Wild Hogs
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Tourer
Posts: 332
Dale, Indiana | Here it is.
JAM - 2008-03-08 8:10 AM
As Miles has said, we are growing steadily and, based on the number of Visions produced since 9/1/07—I make a rough guess of 500 units, and further estimate Vision-Riders has been visited at least once by about 40% of the owners and 10-20% of the serious near-term potential buyers. Now, while that's quite a feat, I agree with you, I would like to see things grow at a faster rate and have already captured a higher slice of the market.
To speak to the Vision's target market, Mark Blackwell gave a presentation to shareholders in Jan.2007 where he touched on Victory's marketing research with respect to the Vision. Vision-Riders has had a pdf of this available for download since last July or so. Here's the link again: VictoryMotorcycles_1-19-07v2.pdf -be warned, it's a 8mb file. Blackwell indicates the Vision's market is- median age : 50
- HHI: $94,000
- 95% Men but shifting
- Want A Choice And/0r Something Different, and want to buy American
- Style & Comfort Most Important
- Have Time, Money & Spirit Of Adventure
I'd say most of you fit that description. Now, that report was probably assembled in late 2006 when the economy was in better shape. With today's sub-prime debacle and increased uneasiness, and the ambiguity of the focus of the nation (read: presidential race), I think sales figures of the Vision will slow a bit and that will impact the readership of this site. Can't do anything about it, but I'll continue to try and make this site as attractive as possible, staying within the founding guidelines I mentioned above.
Ok now I know who some of you are!
Edited by Indiana RoadRunner 2008-03-08 12:15 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
Puyallup, Washington | I'm a Vision rider with a pilot's License and while I don't feel a notch above the masses I love your VVPA idea, Songfan.
Did I miss something, or, are we sort of digressing from the thread subject? |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I digressed.
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Tourer
Posts: 332
Dale, Indiana | I helped to "digressed".
But, why not let things go as they go? I hate driving in the ruts!
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Fountain Inn, SC United States | PalmBeachRider - 2008-03-08 11:35 AM
While this site is well managed, I see many features that are missing that could be of benefit to the community.
As I've said in the past, both publicly, and in private conversation, I'm always interested in hearing how we can improve the feature set of Vision-Riders. We may not always incorporate the suggestion, but we definitely are interested in hearing them. Andy, you've provided some great ideas in your emails and we are working towards some of them. . .
. . . That brings up a point I hope everyone understands. If you make a suggestion and don't see things change right away, doesn't mean we aren't listening. The medium of the web, while instantaneous, does not allow for instant development or "found time" in our busy lives. Miles & I do what we can, when we can, as long as it furthers the goals we've laid out for this site. . .
. . . back to Andy. . .Some of the things you suggest, like the videos, require a certain site infrastructure (and bandwidth). While I'm excited at the thought of becoming a "Victory YouTube", it will have to happen gradually. Our hope is that the users of this site will add the content (ie, tech how-to's, product reviews, classifieds, parts cross-reference, etc.). My experience has shown that users know what they want to see far better than administrator's. Luckily I'm both, but expect y'all to make the site the draw that you & I want it to be.
As far as the Association idea, as long as it's free and open to all. I resist the idea of a club with entrance reqs. It has too many negatives for a privately run concern. I DO like the idea of people being associated with each other. That's why Vision-Riders was formed and named as such. We thought of "VOG" (and many other names), I thought Vision Riders was the best. It kinda reminds me of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. So if you want to be part of something, consider yourself a Vision-Rider!
One last thing and I'll step aside....I'd hate to see this site devolve into getting wrapped up in discussing "what it should be", or "procedures", or "talking about itself". Sadly, the VMC has become that. As Andy can attest, it's content, not positioning or politics, that makes a good site. The purpose of this site is to become a trusted resource of Vision information, marketplace, and a place to nurture friendship and riding.
With that said, let's talk bikes, events, get-togethers, and touring!
Jeff
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Tourer
Posts: 332
Dale, Indiana | Can we talk about food too?
I find Victory riders (and now Vision-Riders) know what good food is.
Tim digressing about his favorite past time …. Food.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 189
Baltimore, Md | Getting back to the original post, getting more traffic here, I'd make two points. First, the biggest hurdle is simple numbers. This is a VERY niche oriented site, as shown by the production numbers cited earlier. There are few reasons to come here (or anywhere else like it) unless you are: part of that niche, thinking/researching being part of that niche or simply a general m/c forum lurker. There just aren't that many Vision Riders yet and I would think most have done a search for places such as this to meet fellow owners and get/give info. Those that haven't may never or may need coaxing, but the numbers are small for now. Certainly, adding good content is a way to continue to attract readers and there are other ideas as well. But you still have a limited audience for now.
Second, the point about dealers being disinclined to promote or read these forums is problematic. But, IMO, it would be better to approach a dealer in a more positive way about an unresolved issue vs. saying anything like "...in our forums they say to do this or try that - did you do that...?" Telling a dealer that your forum buddies suggested he didn't do something is not going to win him over. With proper tact, you could ask a dealer about an ongoing issue and make gentle suggestions without pitting him against a group of (to him) "forum know-it-alls".
On the other hand, I would approach a dealer and speak highly of this forum and how it drew me to the Vision in the first place and to him in particular in my dealer search. Seeing the forum as a customer source - either new purchase, service or accessories - would entice him more than a critique of his performance based on forum posts. If more than one or two people told the same dealer that they found the Vision here and found him by searching after that, the dealer may well re-consider visiting the site or even advertising (if that's in the rules).
Especially with a new product like the Vision, customer buzz and referral is vital. If a dealer gets something from that buzz, he will listen. If someone here mentioned that they got good service, etc somewhere and someone else visited that dealer and mentioned that - he will listen. The relationship has to be cordial and mutual. If the dealer feels welcome and not threatened, he may inform customers of the site and even participate himself occasionally. That means more visits here (the original point), possibly more business (more buyers) and yet more visitors. Handled improperly, of course, it could all go the other way. A delicate balance to be sure. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
Florida | Thanks Jeff. You guys are great Administrators! Trust me, I know first hand how difficult it is maintaining a site and keeping the behind the scenes "stuff" transparent to users. It's a difficult task. This site runs fast and clean and I'm sure as it grows you'll have the bandwidth to keep it running that way.
In the early days of the Internet, I was considered a pioneer. For two years my company was listed in Yahoo Magazine's (yes, they used to have a magazine) 50 Most Incredibly Useful Sites. But, back then, there will little competition.
Thanks for all you do. Your work is appreciated.
Edited by PalmBeachRider 2008-03-08 3:14 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 103
| Codfather I have been reading Vision-Riders for 5 weeks and have gained some useful info. from your members. I am from a generation when men didn't type so you won't be seeing much from me, until I learn. I do know how to ride however and love the Vision. So know you have one more member. Thanks |
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Tourer
Posts: 320
Savannah, GA -Year round riding!! Yay! | While in Daytona this past week, at the Victory Owner's Appreciation brunch at the Hilton on Thursday, Mark Blackwell said that Victory would be producing their 500,000th unit this year, during their 10th anniversary, if I heard correctly. By the way, I kinda fit the demographic... 5% of it, anyway.... One of the engineers came over to me as we were filing out to ride down Main St. (I don't know them well enough by sight to know who it was, sorry!), to congratulate me on being the first woman Vision rider that they saw...Arlen Ness gave me a big thumbs up...
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | "Victory would be producing their 500,000th unit this year"
LOL... all us stockholders wish!!!!! More like 50,000, but it would be worth checking into. I don't think they exceeded about 7000 bikes in any one year yet. Although maybe Polaris as a whole is up to 500,000 units.
Again.. thanks to all who participate, and even those who just lurk... Yeah, you there... reading this and think'n "I got nothin to add" thanks to you too  (just didn't want anyone left out
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Cruiser
Posts: 177
NW Illinois | I would like to just say
Thanks to Miles and Jam |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Miles - 2008-03-08 9:28 PM
"Victory would be producing their 500,000th unit this year"
LOL... all us stockholders wish!!!!! More like 50,000, but it would be worth checking into. I don't think they exceeded about 7000 bikes in any one year yet. Although maybe Polaris as a whole is up to 500,000 units.
Again.. thanks to all who participate, and even those who just lurk... Yeah, you there... reading this and think'n "I got nothin to add" thanks to you too (just didn't want anyone left out
Miles, why do you say they have only made 7000 units in any one year? |
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How Do We Get More People Into This Forum?
