I've been in China for a week now on a two week trip to Asia, and got to do something cool with my employer (Polaris) on the Indian side of the business. One of my China colleagues found out we had an open Saturday so he invited me and one of my direct reports that's traveling with me to the unveiling of the Indian Scout Bobber bike to the China market. It was released in the U.S. last July.
It was a media event at one of the two Shanghai dealers that had a live band, test drives, and marketing info.
It was interesting learning that the registration/licensing in China for a bike this size is 3 times the price of the bike! It's definitely a luxury/disposable income item there. There was interest though, so a new market for Indian.
I think the blue bike would look great next to my Malibu. I'm going to take license prep in the spring so I can start riding as I get 3 products free to use per year.
Thought you guys might enjoy checking this out since there's a few riders in the club.
I see they finally did away with the goofy headlight that looked like the scream mask. That was a huge turnoff for me for all these years, about an Indian. The new models look good and should sell better here too.
The 2 legged models must be twins..
Jon H said
Jan 20, 2018
Stan, you should have grabbed one of those vests, very unique.
Did you see many bikes that size riding on the streets?
SShink said
Jan 21, 2018
Jon H wrote:
Stan, you should have grabbed one of those vests, very unique. Did you see many bikes that size riding on the streets?
Yeah Jon, the cuts were only being given to someone if they purchased a bike at the unveiling. We were given one of the goofy cowboy hats and an Indian bandanna, so I kept the bandanna and left the hat in the hotel room when I checked out. Hopefully somebody on the cleaning crew will take it.
Believe it or not, we were in the taxi after the event going back to the Shanghai city center, and a heavyweight Indian bike went by us with his baffles removed. It was loud!
Otherwise, I don't usually see too many bigger bikes in Asia when traveling. They're definitely a luxury item with as much as they cost to own outside of the U.S.
I've been in China for a week now on a two week trip to Asia, and got to do something cool with my employer (Polaris) on the Indian side of the business. One of my China colleagues found out we had an open Saturday so he invited me and one of my direct reports that's traveling with me to the unveiling of the Indian Scout Bobber bike to the China market. It was released in the U.S. last July.
It was a media event at one of the two Shanghai dealers that had a live band, test drives, and marketing info.
It was interesting learning that the registration/licensing in China for a bike this size is 3 times the price of the bike! It's definitely a luxury/disposable income item there. There was interest though, so a new market for Indian.
I think the blue bike would look great next to my Malibu.
I'm going to take license prep in the spring so I can start riding as I get 3 products free to use per year.
Thought you guys might enjoy checking this out since there's a few riders in the club.
Dang, that's cool, Stan.
I see they finally did away with the goofy headlight that looked like the scream mask. That was a huge turnoff for me for all these years, about an Indian. The new models look good and should sell better here too.
The 2 legged models must be twins..
Did you see many bikes that size riding on the streets?
Yeah Jon, the cuts were only being given to someone if they purchased a bike at the unveiling. We were given one of the goofy cowboy hats and an Indian bandanna, so I kept the bandanna and left the hat in the hotel room when I checked out. Hopefully somebody on the cleaning crew will take it.
Believe it or not, we were in the taxi after the event going back to the Shanghai city center, and a heavyweight Indian bike went by us with his baffles removed. It was loud!
Otherwise, I don't usually see too many bigger bikes in Asia when traveling. They're definitely a luxury item with as much as they cost to own outside of the U.S.