KTM and Polaris: A Strategic Partnership
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771 Posts
Re: Polaris and KTM announce partnership
I don't know, this doesn't sound to bad. KTM gets a bigger exposure in the USA, Polaris gets a push in the EU. KTM is off road/hooligan type bike, polaris is power cruisers, watercraft, snowmobiles. No direct competition with each others lines. KTM gets more dealers and a bigger parts distribution network.
Polaris gets its broad line of product more European exposure.
Both brands get pretty good reviews, the only thing thats held them back (for me) is the lack of dealers.
This one might float.
First cross platform bike will be called the Polekat
I don't know, this doesn't sound to bad. KTM gets a bigger exposure in the USA, Polaris gets a push in the EU. KTM is off road/hooligan type bike, polaris is power cruisers, watercraft, snowmobiles. No direct competition with each others lines. KTM gets more dealers and a bigger parts distribution network.
Polaris gets its broad line of product more European exposure.
Both brands get pretty good reviews, the only thing thats held them back (for me) is the lack of dealers.
This one might float.
First cross platform bike will be called the Polekat
Re: Polaris and KTM announce partnership
Actually, this makes a lot of sense. Last Saturday,while trailering the Honda dirt bikes after a ride (my daughters, 8 & 10 years old, rode about 35 miles of technical single track, and 50 miles total, which I believe is more than sportbikebandit does on his Ninja, but i digress) through Wyoming, MN, the new home of Polaris R&D, I was thinking that Polaris ' next move will be dirtbikes. I was thinking that they'd develop their own, but this makes sense.
KTM is good stuff, but parts are ungodly expensive. KTM charged $170 for a clutch cover gasket and 6 fiber plates! Hopefully, Polaris will improve KTM logistically here, and we will all benefit. Actually, Victory bikes aren't so cheap. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Actually, this makes a lot of sense. Last Saturday,while trailering the Honda dirt bikes after a ride (my daughters, 8 & 10 years old, rode about 35 miles of technical single track, and 50 miles total, which I believe is more than sportbikebandit does on his Ninja, but i digress) through Wyoming, MN, the new home of Polaris R&D, I was thinking that Polaris ' next move will be dirtbikes. I was thinking that they'd develop their own, but this makes sense.
KTM is good stuff, but parts are ungodly expensive. KTM charged $170 for a clutch cover gasket and 6 fiber plates! Hopefully, Polaris will improve KTM logistically here, and we will all benefit. Actually, Victory bikes aren't so cheap. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
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137 Posts
Re: Polaris and KTM announce partnership
Actually the watercraft arm of Polaris went out of business.
Actually the watercraft arm of Polaris went out of business.
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441 Posts
Re: Polaris and KTM announce partnership
Woo-hoo! I'll bet the Super Duke gets here sooner rather than later.
Woo-hoo! I'll bet the Super Duke gets here sooner rather than later.
Re: Polaris and KTM announce partnership
I have a feeling this will probably have less impact on the motorcycles of the respective products and more impact on the ATV, snowmobile and watercraft areas.
Their motorcycle product lines compliment one another very well in that they are presently entirely distinct. It wouldn't make sense to join forces and then make a KTM cruiser or a Polaris motocrosser to compete with the existing product. Combining forces to develop a sweet-a$$ line of ATVs and snowmobiles however is an entirely different story, and one that definately has my interest piqued.
I have a feeling this will probably have less impact on the motorcycles of the respective products and more impact on the ATV, snowmobile and watercraft areas.
Their motorcycle product lines compliment one another very well in that they are presently entirely distinct. It wouldn't make sense to join forces and then make a KTM cruiser or a Polaris motocrosser to compete with the existing product. Combining forces to develop a sweet-a$$ line of ATVs and snowmobiles however is an entirely different story, and one that definately has my interest piqued.
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243 Posts
No such thing
Better than Buell? Bite-th thy tongue!
Better than Buell? Bite-th thy tongue!
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771 Posts
Re: Polaris and KTM announce partnership
Shows how much I know. I thought they where still making them.
Shows how much I know. I thought they where still making them.
Re: KTM AND POLARIS: A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
I hope this means more exciting bikes coming out of Polaris.
As for KTM as a company, they may make cool bikes, but since they have never bothered to show up at the Cycle World International Motorcycle show here in Minneapolis, I won't bother to stop in and see their bikes at their sparsely placed so called dealer network.
I hope this means more exciting bikes coming out of Polaris.
As for KTM as a company, they may make cool bikes, but since they have never bothered to show up at the Cycle World International Motorcycle show here in Minneapolis, I won't bother to stop in and see their bikes at their sparsely placed so called dealer network.
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5,447 Posts
Re: Polaris and KTM announce partnership
Crazy stuff indeed. KTM seems to be on top of the dual-sport-dirt world at the moment. Remember, it all started with John Penton. Who woulda thought. Let's hope KTM doesn't take big gas. I don't see too many Vic's out here on the left coast.
Hey, I just completed a hybrid project myself, maiting a Kroozer bicycle with an 80cc "Kings Motorscooter" motor.
Check out this link:
http://www.kingsmotorbikes.com/index.html
I'll send you a pic later. The dang bike must go 40 mph. Even has a real clutch. Call me Pee Wee.
Crazy stuff indeed. KTM seems to be on top of the dual-sport-dirt world at the moment. Remember, it all started with John Penton. Who woulda thought. Let's hope KTM doesn't take big gas. I don't see too many Vic's out here on the left coast.
Hey, I just completed a hybrid project myself, maiting a Kroozer bicycle with an 80cc "Kings Motorscooter" motor.
Check out this link:
http://www.kingsmotorbikes.com/index.html
I'll send you a pic later. The dang bike must go 40 mph. Even has a real clutch. Call me Pee Wee.
Joined
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33 Posts
Re: KTM AND POLARIS: A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Great; an unreliable, expensive to maintain, orange cruiser! Just what the market needed!
Great; an unreliable, expensive to maintain, orange cruiser! Just what the market needed!
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4,129 Posts
Re: KTM AND POLARIS: A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Harley wanted KTM for a minute, remember? Makes great sense to me. KTM builds quality equipment. Polaris builds ATVs that are rock solid. That is pure business mechanics. If KTM develops Duke and SM bikes as planned by 07 there will be a Victory sportbike to compete with Buell. Watercooled at that. Oh, no one said technology was cheap. You don't see cheap KTM's rolling around do you? Expect the prices of all the machines to stay status quo. Which also means parts will still be high, too. Just easier to locate.
Harley wanted KTM for a minute, remember? Makes great sense to me. KTM builds quality equipment. Polaris builds ATVs that are rock solid. That is pure business mechanics. If KTM develops Duke and SM bikes as planned by 07 there will be a Victory sportbike to compete with Buell. Watercooled at that. Oh, no one said technology was cheap. You don't see cheap KTM's rolling around do you? Expect the prices of all the machines to stay status quo. Which also means parts will still be high, too. Just easier to locate.
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