Harley-Davidson dealerships topped the rankings for the 2012 edition of the Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index, an industry benchmarking study examining how well dealerships treat customers, and turning shoppers into buyers.

The Pied Piper PSI rated different manufacturers’ dealerships in a number of categories to produce an overall score. The study was conducted between July 2011 and April 2012 with 1,653 anonymous “mystery shoppers” gathering information at different dealerships across the U.S.

The study gave Harley-Davidson dealers a score of 108, a four-point improvement from 2011 and five points above the industry average. According to researchers, Harley-Davidson dealers scored the highest of all brands in 16 different categories, including offering test rides, obtaining contact information and asking customers if for the sale. Continue Reading »

Polaris Industries reported a 44% increase in on-road vehicle sales revenue and a 40% increase in North American Victory Motorcycle unit sales over the first quarter of 2012.

According to Polaris’ first quarter report, its on-road vehicle division (which consists of the Victory and Indian motorcycle brands as well as electric vehicle brands GEM and Goupil) generated $64.7 million in sales revenue, compared to $44.9 million reported in the same quarter of 2011.

Of course, the Polaris didn’t yet own Indian, GEM or Goupil during that quarter last year, so the figures are a bit misleading. Nevertheless, the new acquisitions accounted for just half of the division’s first quarter revenue growth (about $9.9 million). Victory Motorcycles accounted for most of the remaining $9.9 million growth, thanks to a 40% increase in North American unit sales. Continue Reading »

Polaris Industries reported a record net profit of $227.6 million for 2011. Polaris’ on-road arm, which consists primarily of Victory Motorcycles saw a 79% year-on-year increase in sales.

Sales from on-road vehicles, including Victory and Indian motorcycles as well as small electric vehicles from the newly-acquired GEM and Goupil brands, totaled $146.3 million in 2011, compared to just $81.6 million in 2010.

“Our record fourth quarter results were a fitting ending to a year in which we generated record annual sales and earnings and significantly exceeded our initial expectations,” says Scott Wine, Polaris’ Chief Executive Officer. “Our top and bottom-line expansion, and the momentum we are sustaining throughout our business, directly results from our focus on driving innovation, enhancing our product offering, reducing costs, and growth through new global markets and adjacencies.”

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A collection of classic motorcycles including some owned by the Du Pont family was auctioned by Bonhams in Las Vegas, with sales reaching $1.8 million, nearly double the pre-auction estimates.

The auction included 50 motorcycles and 113 lots of spare parts from the Du Pont family including some from the personal collection of E. Paul du Pont, founder of Du Pont Motors and one-time president of Indian Motorcycles. The Du Pont collection accounted for $1 million. The auction also featured 70 other rare motorcycles.

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Polaris Industries announced another record quarter with sales growth across all its product lines including on-road vehicle sales which consist mainly of Victory Motorcycles and Indian Motorcycles.

The Medinia, Minn., company reported $67.6 million in net income for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2011, a 43% increase from the $47.2 million reported in the same quarter of 2010. Overall sales brought in $729.9 million, a 26% increase from Q3 2010′s $580.1.

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A new era has begun as the first Indian Motorcycle under the ownership of Polaris Industries has been produced at the company’s Spirit Lake, Iowa, factory.

The landmark first Polaris-owned Indian won’t be heading right to the showroom floor however; instead, it will undergo extensive testing and evaluation by Polaris. As such, this particular Indian Chief Vintage, and the rest of the 2012 Indian line, will be fairly similar to Indian’s previous offerings, save for some minor updates to catch any issues Polaris already discovered.

The 2012 Indian models will be equiped with air-cooled, fuel injected 105ci (1720cc) engines, six speed transmissions, chrome laced wheels, 5.5 gallon fuel tanks, Brembo brakes, long fenders and an array of color options.

The 2013 lineup will likely see more substantial updates, including perhaps a switch to the 106ci engine used on Victory models.

[Source: Polaris]

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Polaris Acquires Indian Motorcycle
Two Recall Campaigns for 2009-2011 Indian Motorcycles

Polaris issued two separate recalls for 2009-2011 Indian motorcycles, one for a problem with the headlight and another with the kickstand.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the kickstands on 2009-2011 Indian motorcycles may not fold up and to the rear if the motorcycle is moving forward with the stand deployed. As a result, the kickstand fails to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 571.123.

As seen in the 2011 Indian Motorcycle Dark Horse pictured above, the kickstand is angled forward when in the down position. If a rider tries to move forward with the kickstand down, it may affect the rider’s ability to control the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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When we saw pictures of this recently restored art-deco custom built back in 1936, we felt we needed to share them with you.

A 1930 KJ Henderson provides the platform for the sculpted design originally built by O. Ray Courtney, and it’s powered by an air-cooled inline four-cylinder engine. It has a sister bike built on a 1930s Indian.

Courtney’s Henderson was resurrected by its current owner, Frank Westfall from Syracuse, NY, who showed it at the Rhinebeck Grand National Meet last June. Not just a museum piece, the bike was ridden around the meet’s grounds over the weekend by its enthusiastic owner.

More photos after the jump.

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In July last year the second “Old Indians Never Die” rally took place in Pebbleshire, Scotland, the DVD should be available sometime this year.  The first rally was documented on film and was released in 1997, it can still be purchased on Amazon here.  The trailer for the second documentary is featured after the jump along with some other footage from the more recent rally, it looks great!

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NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion Ron Hornaday recently took delivery of his 2009 Indian Chief Vintage at Indian Motorcycle Charlotte. Hornaday’s top-of-the-line black & burgundy Vintage was built to his specifications and features optional painted rims, black leather saddlebags and seat with fringed leather.

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