NCR: Fantastic weather today for riding...

[glwilson]

Ah... Vic-flavored Kool-Aid was probably everywhere!

It is interesting Polaris is beginning to mix their brands at events now (Indians & Vic's at one event).

I suppose that makes sense, since one knows which might appeal to a potential customer -- and since they own both... might as well show the whole line-up when you have a crowd.

I will be interested if Harley comes-out with anything new and innovative to their line-up as a counter-point to the new Indians. HD certainly had enough time to come up with something, given the fact Polaris has been suggesting they were coming out with a new Indian for some time now.

HD's CEO was quoted as saying (I paraphrase); "All of the news about the Indians at Sturgis will fade within a few weeks when we release our new line-up for 2014". Ha! We'll see if he is full of it or not. If a new color-scheme is their only plan... then HD has a problem dealing with the new kid on the block.

[GIBBY]

I hope that HD brings back the Road Glide with better ergos for us tall guys and a new motor, I would definitely be interested in that bike.

[glwilson]

They are due for a new motor... no doubt. 103's and 110's of the same motor do little for me.


It is surprising with fewer of the old-guard at the firm and their customer demographics changing (not to mention new competition in the market), that they wouldn't be looking to do something substantial soon.

I have noticed in the recent years, the year after one of the "anniversary-years", they seem to come out with something new. '08 was the last anniversary year, and '09 brought major changes to their tourers. I hoping they follow that path for '14's models.

They clearly are no longer the only game in town, and I am sure their CEO knows it.

Currently, nothing knocks me out from any brand. Hard to please, or too short to have any viable choices...

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by cbutteris

And you other guys, am I the only one that works on Mondays? I got a couple rides in over the weekend going to a couple places around - just a couple hundred miles total.

And yes, the weather has been perfect! -C

Monday... and back to work for me Cal.

Busy day for me. A meeting with a very large "ag" business in Wisconsin, who is a client of mine. Our "ag-specialists" are flying-in from around the U.S. for the meeting; which means I get to sit there and be on my best behavior all day.

[GIBBY]

Originally Posted by glwilson

Monday... and back to work for me Cal.

Busy day for me. A meeting with a very large "ag" business in Wisconsin, who is a client of mine. Our "ag-specialists" are flying-in from around the U.S. for the meeting; which means I get to sit there and be on my best behavior all day.

Good luck with that buddy.

[GIBBY]

Twin Cities Victory Riders at the AVR in Spirit Lake, IA last Saturday

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by GIBBY

Good luck with that buddy.

Made it back from that meeting. I did well sitting there like a bump on a log. Was only required to speak twice... and that was to say hello and goodbye!

It went very well, and looks like the "deal" is going to happen. International grain commodity repurchase contracts, and more. I thought I understood the subject matter pretty well until the "experts" in the room started slinging "banking acronyms" back and forth like playing ping-pong. I swear I never heard a complete sentence... I then realized I knew just enough to be ignorant.

Fun stuff though... believe it or not. And you would not have believed my performance Gibby!

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by GIBBY

Twin Cities Victory Riders at the AVR in Spirit Lake, IA last Saturday

Great picture! That's a really good size group. Looks like despite themselves... that Vic's are catching-on! (Couldn't resist. )

I saw where Cyril Huze (well respected motorcycle blogger - cyrilhuzeblog.com) was there that day as a guest of the Indian dealer in Minneapolis. They rode down from there to Spirit Lake. You might not have know who is was though. The overall crowd must have been fairly large I would suspect.

Maybe next year if a few more of the "troop" from here do not join-in, a few of them can join the Labor-Day ritual.