Polaris buys Klim - Page 7

Stinky151 · 12-14-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Alexander

Motorfist ... looks like they do have some interesting ideas and they aren't afraid to go outside the box.

http://www.motorfist.com/ca/product.php?p=80&c=

The owner used to be partners with the owner of KLIM, until some kind of falling out.

Dan Alexander · 12-14-2012, 11:13 AM

Interesting.

There are similarities in the products looks so I'm not totally surprised.

KingOfFleece · 12-14-2012, 11:24 AM

Gort-Tex fingerless gloves. Now that's funny.

Pantah · 12-15-2012, 11:01 AM

I don't think you can say Victory ever 'took off'. But this is a good thing for the founders on Klim. They get a liquidity event. Polaris is a good company and they probably are smart to buy a gear mfg that serves their sled market. The m/c stuff may get shorted, but probably not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tattoogunman

A lot of this noise reminds me of my old Victory days. When Polaris came out and said they were going to be making a cruiser, people hooted and hollered "What? The ATV snowmobile guys are making a cruiser? Hahahahahahaha" Yep, and look who got the last laugh on that one - Victory took off.

Same thing with Klim, I don't see it as being a bad thing as I always found Polaris to be a stand up company. Their stuff may be more than I can spend, but I don't see this hurting them in the long run

crtahoe · 12-25-2012, 10:06 AM

The problem with all of these buyouts is the debt load. To that end there are only three strategies to deal with it.
1. Increase sales by attracting new customers, that means either going deeper in the adventure segment, attracting new non-adventure segment riders. ( the latter can cheapen the brand to the core loyalist market.) or expanding the current quality products to new geographic markets. ( Europe, Asia etc.)

2. Increase the frequency of sales to the existing market, this can be achieved by continually innovating and upgrading its products so those that have them will want to buy upgraded replacement gear. (This is similar to what Apple does with its products.)

3. Reduce costs which can be achieved by either buying lower quality raw materials or by purchasing more raw materials at the same quality material and get economies of scale pricing discounts for buying more volume.

It sounds as if the potential upside is by expanding sales of existing quality products to new geographic markets. A global strategy.

mrpete64 · 12-26-2012, 03:29 AM

I doubt, seriously, the the quality of Klim gear will go down. They cannot afford bad comments about their quality control. With the internet it does not take long for the "word to get out" that something does not work well....or does. It was a smart move for both Klim and Polaris. Polaris has the $$$ and Klim has the know how to make an excellent product.

OConnor · 02-11-2013, 03:07 PM

Maybe Polaris wanted a premium gear line in their dealerships to bring people in. Maybe these people have money to spend on larger items? I'll wait and see before signing off with the old ," but I hope I'm wrong..."

F650Dakar_Norway · 02-11-2013, 06:38 PM

I'm seriously happy with my Klim Adventure Rally Suit, Klim customer service and followup upon warranty issues.

I expect this to continue under the Polaris umbrella.

I've simply never had better riding apparel for my specific needs in 35 years of motorcycling.

Bazgab · 02-12-2013, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrpete64

I doubt, seriously, the the quality of Klim gear will go down. They cannot afford bad comments about their quality control. With the internet it does not take long for the "word to get out" that something does not work well....or does. It was a smart move for both Klim and Polaris. Polaris has the $$$ and Klim has the know how to make an excellent product.

I agree with this. Klim recently delayed the Adventure Rally 2 that was supposed to be released in early March from a 2013 model to a 2014 model due to QC issues. That is at a least a delay of several months (not sure how soon they could release it and consider it a 2014 model). Shows me that they really want to continue to put out a premium product. Sucks for me though, as I am in the market for a higher end suit to replace my old gear and I had a deposit on the AR2. Having a hard time deciding on something else.

12-14-2012, 11:13 AM	#92
Dan Alexander Ride Far - Ride Fast Joined: Nov 2003 Location: Ottawa and Montreal Oddometer: 4,760	Interesting. There are similarities in the products looks so I'm not totally surprised. __________________ Beemers Past and Present: 74 R90S, 77 R100RS, 85 K100RS, 2x 87 K100RS, 96 R1100GS, 99 R1100S, 2002 R1150GS, 2005 F650 Dakar Plus the occasional Triumph, BSA, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and KTM but who's counting

12-26-2012, 03:29 AM	#96
mrpete64 Studly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2007 Oddometer: 546	Klim quality... I doubt, seriously, the the quality of Klim gear will go down. They cannot afford bad comments about their quality control. With the internet it does not take long for the "word to get out" that something does not work well....or does. It was a smart move for both Klim and Polaris. Polaris has the $$$ and Klim has the know how to make an excellent product. __________________ Mr. Pete----> aging hippie

02-11-2013, 03:07 PM	#97
OConnor Bad juju Joined: May 2004 Location: Midwest Oddometer: 2,605	Maybe Polaris wanted a premium gear line in their dealerships to bring people in. Maybe these people have money to spend on larger items? I'll wait and see before signing off with the old ," but I hope I'm wrong..." __________________ 2008 GSX1250S 2006 Ducati S2R1000 1974 Honda CB125 2000 Suzuki SV650 race bike 1971 CB175 vintage racer inabox

02-11-2013, 06:38 PM	#98
F650Dakar_Norway What off-season? Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Norway, Scandinavia Oddometer: 900	I'm seriously happy with my Klim Adventure Rally Suit, Klim customer service and followup upon warranty issues. I expect this to continue under the Polaris umbrella. I've simply never had better riding apparel for my specific needs in 35 years of motorcycling. __________________ Norway ________________________________ Current stable: 2010 BMW F800GS 2008 KTM 690 RR '04 BMW F650GS Dakar '94 Honda ST1100 '09 Garmin Zumo 550

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12-14-2012, 11:24 AM	#93
KingOfFleece Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Western New York Oddometer: 427	Gort-Tex fingerless gloves. Now that's funny.

12-25-2012, 10:06 AM	#95
crtahoe Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2008 Location: South Lake Tahoe Oddometer: 276	The problem with all of these buyouts is the debt load. To that end there are only three strategies to deal with it. 1. Increase sales by attracting new customers, that means either going deeper in the adventure segment, attracting new non-adventure segment riders. ( the latter can cheapen the brand to the core loyalist market.) or expanding the current quality products to new geographic markets. ( Europe, Asia etc.) 2. Increase the frequency of sales to the existing market, this can be achieved by continually innovating and upgrading its products so those that have them will want to buy upgraded replacement gear. (This is similar to what Apple does with its products.) 3. Reduce costs which can be achieved by either buying lower quality raw materials or by purchasing more raw materials at the same quality material and get economies of scale pricing discounts for buying more volume. It sounds as if the potential upside is by expanding sales of existing quality products to new geographic markets. A global strategy.