Polaris buys Klim

hyperboarder · 12-06-2012, 11:00 AM

http://www.klim.com/en-us/news/snow/...47374719591232

Not sure how I feel about it, I love Klim and I love how they're still small and not big box garbage. Hoping this doesn't change that. Discuss.

Mr. Canoehead · 12-06-2012, 11:05 AM

I guess there will be Klim pirate outfits and assless chaps out next year. Too bad, they had a good thing going.

Xeraux · 12-06-2012, 11:22 AM

POLARIS ACQUIRES KLIM TECHNICAL RIDING GEAR

http://www.klim.com/en-us/news/snow/...47374719591232

Buster714 · 12-06-2012, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xeraux

POLARIS ACQUIRES KLIM TECHNICAL RIDING GEAR

http://www.klim.com/en-us/news/snow/...47374719591232

Damn, you're quick! Haha

vibenation · 12-06-2012, 11:55 AM

Dunno if I like that or fear that...

On one hand, Polaris is a much bigger fish, and can pump even more money into R+D but now my motorcycle suit future is tied to someone concentrating even harder on snowmobiles....hummm

On another hand, Klim was having huge issues with getting suits turned out fast enough, retailers were shrugging their shoulders at people that wanted Grey Badlands suits....

Out of hands, guess I have to hope for the best.

Buster714 · 12-06-2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vibenation

Dunno if I like that or fear that...

On one hand, Polaris is a much bigger fish, and can pump even more money into R+D but now my motorcycle suit future is tied to someone concentrating even harder on snowmobiles....hummm

On another hand, Klim was having huge issues with getting suits turned out fast enough, retailers were shrugging their shoulders at people that wanted Grey Badlands suits....

Out of hands, guess I have to hope for the best.

Yep. Half empty or half full? More resources, better production, same management, win win win. Good PEOPLE at Klim. I'm very excited and optimistic about their future.

ghostryder · 12-06-2012, 12:45 PM

Oh well.....another one down the shitter.

bomber60015 · 12-06-2012, 12:50 PM

The move makes sense given Polaris' Snowmobile bidness . . . . .

Perhaps it telegraphs a move from a strictly cruiser motorcycle business to something broader . . . . that'd be aces . . . more choices is better.

phreakingeek · 12-06-2012, 01:14 PM

According to the press release "Calendar year 2012 sales for KLIM are anticipated to approach $30 million..."

So, guess they only sold 30 pairs of pants this year? Or was it 15 jackets and 15 pants?

concours · 12-06-2012, 01:25 PM

I lost a ton of respect for Klim sled gear when it went all offshore made. It was previously US made, and was better quality, IMHO

. Each year, sled makers struggle with offering HIGH QUALITY gear, Gore-Tex, etc. that customers demand, then each year they have tons of unsold high end branded gear.

Paul Harris sleds have been trying to regain lost market segment since BRP stole their lunch 10 years ago. Buying success may or may not work out for them.

eddyturn · 12-06-2012, 01:36 PM

Bummer. Corporate mentality says they will have to find a way to pay for this acquisition and that ususally means cheapening the product down the road. Can't blame them for taking the big bucks as that is what it's all about. Good for Justin.

cchoc · 12-06-2012, 02:27 PM

Here's hoping the product stays good and the offerings increase. The good news for me is that I just got my Badlands suit this year and, at 65yo, it will most certainly last a lifetime.

mario33 · 12-06-2012, 02:40 PM

Buy current products while quality lasts... thats my comment...

JALnSC · 12-06-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mario33

Buy current products while quality lasts... thats my comment...

+1

catalina38 · 12-06-2012, 03:34 PM

Well I'm glad I have a closet full of their stuff and we should be ok for a year or two then the mass market dumbing down will begin. I watched several small high end high quality out door clothing brands go down the toilet after being bought out.
It will become the "Adventure life style" look and feeling and inspired by adventure riding but will be junk.
I hope I'm wrong but I may get a second set of my favorite most used gear just in case.

12-06-2012, 11:00 AM	#1
hyperboarder ^OP Studly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2010 Location: Fort Collins, CO Oddometer: 647	Polaris buys Klim http://www.klim.com/en-us/news/snow/...47374719591232 Not sure how I feel about it, I love Klim and I love how they're still small and not big box garbage. Hoping this doesn't change that. Discuss. __________________ Current: 2004 Ural Tourist, 1999 Suzuki DR650, 2005 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom, 1992 Ford E250 Motohauler Gone but not forgotten: 2008 KLR, 2000 GSXR1000, 1999 ZX6R, 2000 Katana 600 Quarter Life Crisis 2011 Ural National Rally

12-06-2012, 11:05 AM	#2
Mr. Canoehead Eat Gunnels! Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Calgary, Too far to the mountains and too cold Oddometer: 1,092	I guess there will be Klim pirate outfits and assless chaps out next year. Too bad, they had a good thing going. __________________ ____________________________________________ 2005 GS1150 Adventure - Range Rover, 2002 DR650 SE - Land Rover "Not all who wander are lost" - JRR Tolkien

12-06-2012, 11:22 AM	#3
Xeraux Archvillain Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Oddometer: 30,418	POLARIS ACQUIRES KLIM TECHNICAL RIDING GEAR http://www.klim.com/en-us/news/snow/...47374719591232 __________________ Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. If, after I depart this vale, you ever remember me and have thought to please my ghost, forgive some sinner and wink your eye at some homely girl.

12-06-2012, 11:55 AM	#5
vibenation Out of Rat Race Joined: Apr 2011 Location: Gordonsville, Virginia Oddometer: 57	Dunno if I like that or fear that... On one hand, Polaris is a much bigger fish, and can pump even more money into R+D but now my motorcycle suit future is tied to someone concentrating even harder on snowmobiles....hummm On another hand, Klim was having huge issues with getting suits turned out fast enough, retailers were shrugging their shoulders at people that wanted Grey Badlands suits.... Out of hands, guess I have to hope for the best. __________________ "It’s up-the-spout and Charley-Wag With wipes and tickers and what not! Until the squeezer nips your scrag, Booze and the blowens cop the lot."

12-06-2012, 12:50 PM	#8
bomber60015 Anatomically Correct Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Chicago-ish Oddometer: 2,491	The move makes sense given Polaris' Snowmobile bidness . . . . . Perhaps it telegraphs a move from a strictly cruiser motorcycle business to something broader . . . . that'd be aces . . . more choices is better. __________________ Searching for the immaculate contraption

12-06-2012, 12:45 PM	#7
ghostryder made it Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Atlanta Oddometer: 4,990	Oh well.....another one down the shitter.

12-06-2012, 01:14 PM	#9
phreakingeek Adventurer Joined: Sep 2010 Location: VA Oddometer: 70	Sales... According to the press release "Calendar year 2012 sales for KLIM are anticipated to approach $30 million..." So, guess they only sold 30 pairs of pants this year? Or was it 15 jackets and 15 pants?

12-06-2012, 01:25 PM	#10
concours WFO for 41 years Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Kensington, NH USA Oddometer: 3,995	I lost a ton of respect for Klim sled gear when it went all offshore made. It was previously US made, and was better quality, IMHO. Each year, sled makers struggle with offering HIGH QUALITY gear, Gore-Tex, etc. that customers demand, then each year they have tons of unsold high end branded gear. Paul Harris sleds have been trying to regain lost market segment since BRP stole their lunch 10 years ago. Buying success may or may not work out for them. __________________ Too much is just barely enough..... 2007 Tiger 1050 2005 Royal Star Tour DeLuxe 1973 Yamaha TX750 1974 Norton 850 Commando Roadster

12-06-2012, 01:36 PM	#11
eddyturn Wannabe Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Hesperus, CO Oddometer: 980	Bummer. Corporate mentality says they will have to find a way to pay for this acquisition and that ususally means cheapening the product down the road. Can't blame them for taking the big bucks as that is what it's all about. Good for Justin. __________________ All things being equal... fat people use more soap

12-06-2012, 02:27 PM	#12
cchoc Outdoor Photographer Joined: Oct 2012 Location: Georgia Oddometer: 131	Here's hoping the product stays good and the offerings increase. The good news for me is that I just got my Badlands suit this year and, at 65yo, it will most certainly last a lifetime. __________________ Charlie... Stalking Light '13 F800GS Kalamata Metallic

12-06-2012, 02:40 PM	#13
mario33 Howling around... Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Warsaw, Poland Oddometer: 122	Buy current products while quality lasts... thats my comment...

12-06-2012, 03:34 PM	#15
catalina38 Contrarian Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Stingray bay CA. Oddometer: 1,411	Well I'm glad I have a closet full of their stuff and we should be ok for a year or two then the mass market dumbing down will begin. I watched several small high end high quality out door clothing brands go down the toilet after being bought out. It will become the "Adventure life style" look and feeling and inspired by adventure riding but will be junk. I hope I'm wrong but I may get a second set of my favorite most used gear just in case. __________________ Born 10,000 years too late Scientific Wild Ass Guesser:hmmmm

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