A dollar is a dollar, whether from a sale of a bike or apparel. I agree most of the clothing vic hangs is not for me, or my wife, it don't fit me either. Okay, I won't go down that road far. I fail to understand why all the apprarel seems to be an after thought when it can be one of the biggest means of advertisement. I guess this is another one of those rants that will change very little but HD figured this out a long time again to become iconic. Most people when they talk of getting a motorcycle, they don't say motorcycle they say they are getting a Harley because they don't think anything else is out there. I even have non-riding friends that refer to me as a Hawg rider. But that's okay because I respond, "No. I got the Victory."

But anyway, the small guy like Victory can actually survive these hard times for two reasons, one most people don't know they exist so they pay little attention to any news hype of struggles, and they have low overhead infastructure. When HD drops in sales, it is headliner, and when they close stores and lay off folk, it is headlining. So folk may back-off when they hear the news and begin to think negative thoughts toward the giant, much of what will work against Indian. Victory though I believe will hold the line and survive the downturn because of the inventory strategies and more personalable thinking rather than a big corporate think-tank. The under $8k sportster is a cheap shot to keep the brand awareness going for those who can't afford a 30K HD but "I can swing one of those and still ride a Harley" attitude, something I don't ever see Vic doing or having to do.

I have to babble a few more lines. I don't know everybody but there are several hearts to motorcycling. There are those who are recreationalist, toys if you will. There are those who are practical, and then there are those with the passion. I think the motorcycling world needs to have all aspects to stay alive, but the last man standing will be the biker. The rich recreationalist keeps the industry pumped with dollars to keep the dealers and manufacturers going that supports the biker. So if all the dealers of all manufacturers would close their doors, the bikers would still be riding, but these guys are the ones who keeps the image going because they do ride. When I first started riding in 1984 I got the strong desire, mostly from wandering, or should I aptly put it, rambling and riding was the vehicle to feed that desire. My pilot light burned for 20 long years before I lit the flame of passion when I got my GL1200 three years ago. I've ridden consistantly year round since then and there is no letting up. From my perspective, it may have been a good thing that it went dormant as I would not have had the life I have now if it didn't. Though I ride everyday, it is routine in what I do, work, church, store, etc except I ride. My wife says all I think about is that bike, but she didn't say that about my Jeep when that was the way I got around. But the passion makes it a way of life, maybe because of the risk, or maybe it is the soul that riding has.

So when the giant hd's percentage of recreationalist and wannabe's are greater than the bikers, in hard times they go into a spin like they are now. But I also believe that Victory has more passion riders that will help maintain, but we'll see. That is an observation that I have made that most are very serious on riding, and could not live without a bike. As for the dealers being few and far between, to me that actually adds to the appeal. I am thankful that I have one close by, but even if they shut the doors, that would not affect my decision to continue to own my Vision or have future dealings with Victory as long as they stay around. When I went to Texas on my 1,654 mile ride I never even got the "rescue list" or found the dealers a long the way. I know the Vision is made for the long haul and breaking down was the furthest from my mind. But there is an assurance I believe that if I was to break down, I would have been assisted by another biker, and at worst, loaded the Vision on a u-haul and headed home.

Even though I have the extended warranty, I'm going old school and learn more about my bike, though some stuff I'll never figure out, but it can't be more complicated than what a jeep is. I plan on doing most of my own work, except major engine work, and even that would not be out of the question.

I'm working to completely pay off my Vision, half way there, so if all else fails, I'll have my bedroll and bike and hopefully my wife.

Well I'll end my babble by affirming my personal assesment that I don't see Victory or HD closing their doors, reorganizing, maybe, but closing, no. Indian has the greater chance of sucking hindteet again, or maybe pairing up with Big Dog. No' I'm not trying to start rumors, but as much as I would love to have an Indian, they are way out of my reach, as would be a Big Dog. I don't see functionality, I see struting you're stuff, a sure loser in a topsy-turvy economy. But this is my keyboard and my rant, so I now digress and turn it over to you... yes you... with your fingers on the keyboard....go....