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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Stockton, Ca. | The bottom line here is we are waiting for a premier bike and Victory is not giving premier customer service to it's current and or potential customers because they know it is a groundbreaking product. If someone really wants one they will wait. All we ask for is some basic communication. Set my expectations, thats ok but then live up to it. I base my own conduct on integrity and am inclined to do business with the same values. If it wasn't for the dealer I might be considering a HD, after all I could go in buy one and drive it home today.
What a concept! |
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Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | While this news is disappointing it is not uncommon with automobile and motorcycle manufactures. People I know that work in these industries tell me about line shutdowns due to supplier issues occasionally. It's just a lot more noticeable on a new model where you don't have dealer inventory to provide some cushion.
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I've heard from several sources that the problem lies with shippers. I don't know if Victory has their own trucking dept or if they contract out deliveries but it would explain why it has an effect on all Victories, not just Visions. There are not a lot of parts that are interchangeable between the Vision and other models so a vendor issue company wide doesn't seem likely. It could be something a minor as a D.O.T. sticker that is mislabeled. (They had a recall on this very item.) I am totally guessing because no one in the know has actually come out and explained anything.
Whatever is it, I wish they would let us in on it. I was actually shown a shipped date of October 24th on the computer but when I called for a status today I was told that it had not actually left the factory yet. Back to expecting the middle of November. There is nothing they can do at this point that would make me change my mind. Having said that, I'm just taking notes and trying to figure out how to get the uninitiated through the madness next year when a bunch of non-Victory newbies want to buy the '09 models. I guess the prior Victory owners have a sense of numbness to the lack of communication: "Oh well, that's just the way it is around here. You think this is bad, you should have seen what the '05 Hammer guys had to endure! You know, new model and all.'" Kind of sad, really. I think I'll go back to sleep now. Call me when it gets here.
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Cruiser
Posts: 104
Plainfield Illinois | A bunch of non-victory newbies? I admit it. Haven't had a new motorcycle in 30 years.
I decided to stick my grand down on a new Vision a few weeks ago with hopes of taking delivery next June.
But geez, ya said it like ya had a wad of chaw you were ready to blow on the sidewalk right after ya said it.
So I'm a newbie. BFD, I'm a quick study.
regards,
WillieByte
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | WillieByte, I consider myself a non-Victory newbie. I meant it as someone who has never gone through this before with Victory. Wasn't meant to demean anyone.
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Stockton, Ca. | Hopefully nobody feels demeaned. This string wasn't meant for that. It was just a place to vent and find out if anybody else felt as I did. Kind of a sanity check... Am I really a child in a 52 year old body? It sure feels like that. Who would think a machine with 2 wheels would bring a grown man to such a state. By the way I am currently a Victory owner, have a 2005 Kingpin. It was during a visit for service that I saw Pix of the Vision and left my deposit. I also ride a BMW, I like variety :-) Throughout the years with many buying experiences I have to say this one tops them all for poor communication. If it wasn't for the communication shared on this site the waiting would really be unbearable. Venting sure helps... |
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Tourer
Posts: 547
Mount Vernon, WA United States | "The bottom line here is we are waiting for a premier bike and Victory is not giving premier customer service"
Well here's my take.. If you were paying 35K for the bike, I'd see some of the "support" issues mentioned as a problem, and really, I think you'd be hard pressed to "put together" a bike with all of the features of the Vision (all of the features), for 35K from anyone else. Really when it comes to any of the issues that have popped up be they customer support (factory related not dealer related) or the little idiosyncrasies of some of the first options, I chalk it up to the fact that the bike is in the less than 25K range and not the over 30K range.
I'm not sure if I'm being clear, but I just think to put this bike out at the price point they did... something has to give. I'm glad it's customer support or what version iPod you can use and not, something like the brakes, transmission or frame. More importantly further is that they seem to be correcting any of those idiosyncrasies in a fairly timely manner.
I'm not saying customer support isn't important. It is, and is my background which is why I understand that customer support also costs money and good customer support costs LOTS of money.
As cutting edge as we like to think Victory is, we can't loose sight of the fact that Polaris has been around a long time and they are not known for taking risks. They know that their less than stellar communications, and relying on the dealer network, may cost them a few sales, but they also know raising the price of the bike to cover that loss, would be a lot more than loosing a few sales... and in fact.. has it lost them those sales??? Has anyone said "hey you said my bike was going to be here last week, keep the deposit I'm going to buy a Beemer?!?!?". Nope it hasn't happened.
Bottom line, I wish they were a little more proactive and didn't rely on the inconsistency of the dealer network as much, but at the same time I'm glad they chose to concentrate and building a good bike and keep it at a competitive price.
You constantly hear the H-D crowd spending a LOT more money for bikes, BUT, they get stellar support in every possible way. It's worth paying an extra for that support and knowing you'll get pretty much the same support no matter what dealer you go to, and there is one on nearly every corner. (slight exaggeration, but you get the point). Would people who have to travel 100+ miles to the nearest Victory dealer, be willing to pay an extra 5K or 10K for "support" ?? Would they be willing to do that knowing that the dealer that is 100+ miles away has a 50% chance of being a dealer you'd want to go to in the first place???.
Nope, I think Victory is doing just fine on all fronts. I "wish" it was a little better, but I also understand why it isn't and based on the number of problems I've had with my V92C (none really) I'm glad I didn't pay an additional 5K for it and I'm glad the base price of a Vision isn't 30K too. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Nightmare, this is just my opinion, but I feel Victory made a big mistake by taking deposits on these motorcycles as early as they did. I wasn't going to place my deposit on one until I rode one with my wife. She loved it, I loved it, then we shopped dealers in Houston who had ordered bikes last summer when they were able. I then placed my deposit with a dealer that said I get the first Premium Cherry Tour he gets. The folks that placed orders in April and May, they were promised, and they did not get..........I still feel alot of the bad feelings comes from this really early order program and promises the made. Someone put money down on a premium and when they showed up at the dealer to pick up the bike, it was not the premium. Man what a bummer, that is terrible, but who's fault was it, the dealer or the company. It could have been the order placer at the dealer or the order taker at the company, that stuff happens and I know, I've been disappointed a lot in life, by other peoples screw ups, but that does not make us feel better. I hope you early order placers get your bikes real soon and enjoy them. Please hang in there, your waiting for what you want, Victory produces a very good motorcyle.
Dream, I spent about an hour yesterday at the dealer looking over a Cherry Comfort Tour just getting some ideas and memorizing the lookand dreaming. This bike has some really fine details, still finding new stuff. I think when mine gets here, I'm going to do some custom paint on it.........I'm still trying to visualize what I want, but is has to do with NOT adding so much chrome to the upper body parts. Anyway, just waiting for now. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | 25k or 30k, its still alot of money. Its also the most Victory has ever charged for a motorcycle. Its still a premium price tag. You expect premium service. Communication is getting better lately. I think its more because the dealer is tired of taking the heat. They were probably in the dark as much as the rest of us early on. I have no problem giving Victory more time, just give me a good reason. Those that have bikes dont seem to have any problems, no recalls, so what IS the hold up. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | There are only two Victory dealers in the area. One 50mi. east the other 50mi. west. Within that radius is at least 8 HD dealers. I dont need a new bike, the one I have has been an exellent ride, no complaints. When I saw the Vision I thought, wow what a great mix of goldwing and harley. The only reservation I had was the lack of dealers. Through research I decided that dealers were not a problem because the quality of the Victory seemed exceptional. I, like many others decided on a premium package, due to the small price diffrence. Had I known this was going to be a problem I might have ordered a standard or comfort model. Dont really need the extras.
When I worked for GMC I couldnt believe people would pay more for a chevy with GMC badges. A few customers told me they bought GMC because the experience of buying a chevy sucks right from start. I understood when I bought my first new chevy (and last) in 1980.
From the ordering proccess to the service, it all sucked.
I dont think Polaris realizes that the Victory line is diffrent from the rest of their products. People arent buying snowmobiles or atvs, they are buying a premium motorcycle regardless of trim level. There is more to it than a dependable motorcycle. Whether I buy the cheapest Victory or the top of the line we expect the best in service. Why sould I be made to feel that only because I spent less I deserve lesser treatment.
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | There is so much good discussion/debate/venting going on in this forum. I think of all the money I am saving by not having to go to therapy. For many of us , these are the worst of times. Eventually the madness will be over. I can't wait to meet every one of you guys and girls face to face.
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Im with you SongFan. We need to make an effort to get togther after all this. Been through a lot together. Hard to believe my simple life has been complicated by a motorcycle. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
MN. | This is an interesting thread. Reminds me of back in late '98 early '99, when a bunch of us were on the old Yahoo Victory site (which turned into the VMC) and many of us were waiting for our new bikes. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 904
29 Palms California | Oh yeah! Monday, and the Buckeye is Vision-less! But thats O.K. because my Buckeyes took out Penn State! My dealer told me why the bikes are late, and I was totally happy with victory making sure I have a quality scooter. This site has been a great "vent", and I will continue to loose whats left of my mind while on here. plus, i get bored when there is no aircraft to talk to..so I talk the circus clown living on my bald spot. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 43
Connecticut | Parts and accessories aren't any better. Slow or no shipments. Poor or negative communications. It should be better than this. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 223
Valdosta, GA | cjnoho - 2007-10-28 11:01 PM
Im with you SongFan. We need to make an effort to get togther after all this.
Not sure about the guys/gals on the west coast (although it IS a touring bike), but the 3rd Annual Southeast Victory Rally has been scheduled for June 5-8, 2008 in Helen, GA. We're running it with the USRiderNews Reunion Run again, as it helps with vendors, entertainment, and the like. This year, there were more than 100 Victorys in attendance and probably close to 2,000 bikes overall. This despite the rain which fell on us most of the weekend.
We're hoping to spend that Friday evening at the Atlanta Speedway, and will have have a couple of guided rides and dinner rides throughout the weekend.
I can say for certain there WILL be at least three Visions in attendance next year. I hope we'll have some more join us, though.
You can check http://www.victoryrally.com for more info...
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Stockton, Ca. | I think SongFan's got a great idea. Georgia is a long run from California but maybe a more centralized location like Reno... Just joking.
Somewhere in the midwest like Sturgis. After the bikes come in there will be much reason for celebration. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 223
Valdosta, GA | Dodge City, Kansas is about as center of the country as you can get, butis there any good riding to be done in Kansas???
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I think we need to start regional and go from there. Georgia is great for the guys in the Southeast. New England would be great for the Northeast. Washington or Oregon would be awesome for the Northwest and Colorado would be perfect for the Southwest. All of these locations are as good as it gets for American motorcyclists. We have lots of organizational talent in our ranks and they also know the in-and-outs of the local Victory networks. All bikes and riders should be welcome. Having said that, my #1 goal would be to meet as many fellow "Visionaries" as possible.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 904
29 Palms California | northwest? i lived in oregon for 3 years. it rained every day! the coffee is decent this morning. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Rain, schmain. You make it sound like you might get wet. You'll be on a Vision dangit!
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Iron Butt
Posts: 904
29 Palms California | will i be on a vision? who knows how long this supplier thing will last? how about Las Vegas, Nevada? they have a Las Vegas Bikefest every september. it's a hoot! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I would have suggested SoCal for the Southwest get together but the bikes don't come with smoke detectors. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 904
29 Palms California | buy the time we are riding, the fires will be a long ago memory. sturgis seems to be a great meeting place. i wonder if we will be on the visions by august? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 241
Monrovia, Ca | Wanted to introduce myself here. My name is Kevin and I am the president of the Greater Los Angeles Victory riders. WWW.lavictoryriders.com
Currently in the stable is a 04 Kingpin and a 07 Cory Ness Jackpot that has many mods including a 45 degree front end.
Any way, getting to the point of rides and getting together. The Southwest chapter of the VMC is having their annual Laughlin weekend.
Here is the details This years Southwest Region Annual Laughlin River Ride will be held Friday-Sunday February 8th-10th at the beautiful Aquarius Casino Resort: http://www.aquariuscasinoresort.com
If you don't already know about it, the VMC site is www.thevmc.com. Check it out
OBTW, I am live Monrovia California, born in South Bend Indiana, (Hate the Domers). My Grand Parents lived in Lancaster Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. I grew up and am still a Buckeye fan.
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Vision Dream or Nightmare?
