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Cyril Huze’S 5 Motorcycle Predictions For 2014


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1- Indian Motorcycle To Become A Formidable Competitor To Harley-Davidson

 

 

http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/2013/12/30/cyril-huzes-5-motorcycle-predictions-for-2014/

 

 

Let the Indian / HD War continue!

 

 

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Read that, not sure about the 10% of HD's business in the next year though (25,000-27,000 bikes). The make or break IMHO will be next spring (May-end of June)....when riders have their hard earned Income Tax return money in their hands and the weather changes. By that time the initial surge of buyers wanting the NEW Indian will be over.

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Let the games begin.

We have entered a new era in American motorcycles with HD, Indian, Victory, e-bikes and some other smaller players. It's good to be an American rider in the 21st century.

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Let the games begin.

We have entered a new era in American motorcycles with HD, Indian, Victory, e-bikes and some other smaller players. It's good to be an American rider in the 21st century.

Aren't they also bringing back Vincent and a couple of other heritage brands?

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That writer's smoking dope. He does hit the nail on the head when he talks about Indian carving their own little niche.....they've already done this for years. But to think Indian will be a Harley competitor through either brand loyalty or sales volume within the next couple years is a pipe dream.

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That writer's smoking dope. He does hit the nail on the head when he talks about Indian carving their own little niche.....they've already done this for years. But to think Indian will be a Harley competitor through either brand loyalty or sales volume within the next couple years is a pipe dream.

I spoke with Cyril at length a few months ago .. he's a huge proponent of our brand, but also realistic.

 

Niche.. most people didn't even know Indian was back in '09. .. and many ( most ? ) think PI resurrected it from the grave , to include many journalists. We know Indian carved out that niche... the rest of the world was apparently unaware.

 

Guess I have to disagree with you ... Indian is now the main HD Competitor IMHO. Doesn't' mean they are worried or will get hurt financially in the near term... but ... they most likely are paying attention and should be concerned...... Indian's got momentum.

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No problem with the disagreement. Obviously, like everyone else on this forum, I'm hoping for the wildest success of the Indian brand. However, I think it's just a little too early to predict Indian will be a strong competitor for Harley. I hope he's right, but only time will tell.

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HD will NEVER admit to having competition, nor will the HD faithful - HOWEVER, when was the last time you've seen a marketing push from Milwaukee like this.

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HD will NEVER admit to having competition, nor will the HD faithful - HOWEVER, when was the last time you've seen a marketing push from Milwaukee like this.

Agree and it hasn't even kicked into overdrive yet

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HD will NEVER admit to having competition, nor will the HD faithful - HOWEVER, when was the last time you've seen a marketing push from Milwaukee like this.

Oh and wait for it....wait for it....HD gives rebates to quell the Indian uprising :pirate1:

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When I was at my HD dealer last week they were lamenting how HD really tanked their Sportie business. The introduction of their Street bikes put prospective buyers in a holding pattern. If Indian could get a Scout launched before or around the time the new HD Street's come out, things will get VERY interesting.

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If Indian could get a Scout launched before or around the time the new HD Street's come out, things will get VERY interesting.

 

How true.

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When I was at my HD dealer last week they were lamenting how HD really tanked their Sportie business. The introduction of their Street bikes put prospective buyers in a holding pattern. If Indian could get a Scout launched before or around the time the new HD Street's come out, things will get VERY interesting.

 

 

How true.

Totally agree, that new HD is intended for the same type of rider the Scout is

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That writer's smoking dope. He does hit the nail on the head when he talks about Indian carving their own little niche.....they've already done this for years. But to think Indian will be a Harley competitor through either brand loyalty or sales volume within the next couple years is a pipe dream.

Indian is ALREADY a competitor......how much is yet to be determined.

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...

 

Guess I have to disagree with you ... Indian is now the main HD Competitor IMHO. Doesn't' mean they are worried or will get hurt financially in the near term... but ... they most likely are paying attention and should be concerned...... Indian's got momentum.

 

I agree.

With Victory being Number 2 in heavyweight machines (at least for now) the Indian - Victory 1-2 punch will be a pain in HD's bottom line that will likely be felt more over time.

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No problem with the disagreement. Obviously, like everyone else on this forum, I'm hoping for the wildest success of the Indian brand. However, I think it's just a little too early to predict Indian will be a strong competitor for Harley. I hope he's right, but only time will tell.

 

Is HD still making bikes? I didn't realize they were still around...

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When I was at my HD dealer last week they were lamenting how HD really tanked their Sportie business. The introduction of their Street bikes put prospective buyers in a holding pattern. If Indian could get a Scout launched before or around the time the new HD Street's come out, things will get VERY interesting.

Do you think a Royal Enfield, would fit the bill????

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Do you think a Royal Enfield, would fit the bill????

 

I think the R-Es are very coo-lookingl, and their quality has improved over the last several years. But their frame is w-a-y too small for me, and that single thumper is underpowered.

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He's an Idiot. Band wagon Jumper extraordinaire. I think the rumor of Harley Davidson's demise MIGHT be a tad premature. Polaris has built ONE MODEL for half a year. Sold a couple thousand (maybe) bikes. They used a puree blend of everything good from previous Indian reincarnations that they could possibly hang the 2014 Chief. They are using a name (Indian) and a model (the Chief) that are iconic. Low hanging fruit. You are guaranteed to sell SOME bikes with that platform. As I have said all along, let's see what they do with a clean slate before calling them the second coming of our motorcycle Savior and the David of motorcycle Goliaths. When they roll out a brand new model THEY designed AND they start pulling market share....maybe start making predictions like that. When they build a bike without skirted fenders, a fake flathead, and maybe even without a Warbonnet on the front fender (gasp)....THEN....MAYBE....we can judge where they are in the big scheme of things and how good they really are at carrying the Indian torch. An engineer and a designer with a blank page can be a dangerous thing.

Edited by badndn
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Do you think a Royal Enfield, would fit the bill????

Smart ass :)

 

Actually if they made a Spirit. Take the chief and loose the valanced fenders, the would draw a good chunk of folks. Many love the engine and the bike but hate the fenders.

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Aren't they also bringing back Vincent and a couple of other heritage brands?

 

It looks like Vincent is long dead (since 1998 at least) for the time being.

There is a Norton in production now but it looks like a pretty pricey proposition, and the quality is a question mark.

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It looks like Vincent is long dead (since 1998 at least) for the time being.

There is a Norton in production now but it looks like a pretty pricey proposition, and the quality is a question mark.

 

Are the Steve's involved? :rotfl:

 

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Smart ass :)

 

Actually if they made a Spirit. Take the chief and loose the valanced fenders, the would draw a good chunk of folks. Many love the engine and the bike but hate the fenders.

My understanding Polaris own Royal Enfielf now. I could be wrong,but?????????

Edited by CKelly
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