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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 37
Kewaskum, WI | I have owned my Vision for 1 month now, and (after a 4K mile trip) just turned over 5K miles. Here are my thoughts….
THE GOOD:
First, this is a very comfortable bike for both the rider and passenger (after floorboard risers were installed). The heated seats and grips were a godsend in the cool (and rainy) Colorado mountains, and the handling and stability was exceptional in all the weather conditions we encountered. The bike has plenty of power, and I was pleased with the 40 mpg I achieved fully loaded with passenger and luggage. Another thing worth noting is that this bike packs a LOT more than you would think. (Yeah, I wish the bags were a little bigger, but with the tour pack and luggage strapped to the rack, this carried more than my TC ever did….and I never thought that would be possible!)
The Vision was also an attention drawer at practically every stop I made. Many riders were aware what the bike was and just wanted to see it up close, and many would just come over to ask "what is that"? In all honestly, it got a little tiresome after a while…..but I was a good sport and continued to answer the questions 
THE BAD:
Like many of you, the hand (audio) controls on my Vision tend to do what they want. I can live with it, but it is still a minor annoyance. The rear shock loses around 3-4 psi daily, but this is (temporarily) remedied by checking/refilling daily until I can schedule time to have it replaced under factory warranty. Another minor issue that needs to be addressed is the fuel map. My stage 1 (level 2) map runs pretty well, but has more than it's fair share of pops and burps. Again, just another minor annoyance that I expect Victory to correct in the upcoming months.
A bigger issue has to do with the belt/pulley. I had the belt adjusted prior to leaving (@ 500 miles), but at around 2.5k miles, it sounded like my front pulley was going to come off. After cutting my 4-Corners vacation short and riding 250 miles to the nearest dealer (Pueblo), they assured me that it wasn't the pulley and proceeded to tighten the belt. After riding in the rain for the next 300 miles, the noise disappeared until it dried out. At this point the noise was even worse than before. After detouring to yet another dealer (Rapid City), they found that the belt was EXTREMELY tight. The tech claimed that the belts come from the factory too tight, and they have had numerous complaints of excessive belt/pulley noise from customers. After re-adjusting the belt, the noise has subsided…..for now.
THE UGLY:
The fit and finish on the Vision leave a LOT to be desired. I would liken it to the automotive equivalent of a Yugo. The molding has gaps and just don't fit together quite right, the bags don't line up properly, and the paint quality is atrocious. The clear coat has completely warn off from where my wife's legs rubbed up against the bags…..and this was after 2K miles!!!!!!! Now there are ugly (and noticable) smudges that cannot be waxed out. I will be turning this in as a warranty claim, but suspect that it will be filed with my other cosmetic complaints….in the dumpster.
SYNOPSIS:
WTF Victory? You have a potentially wonderful bike mucked up by sub-par quality control issues, severe cosmetic flaws, and knucklehead engineering issues. NEWS FLASH….this is NOT a $10K bike, this is a luxury touring model. I expect a $22K motorcycle to be delivered to the customer with a paint job fitting of a $22K bike, and constructed in a manner that would lead me to believe it's built in the US…..not Yugoslavia.
I am not new to the Victory line. This is my 5th Victory, and I have been impressed with all of my other rides. While I am impressed with the ride quality of the Vision, at this point there are simply too many unresolved issues for me to continue a long term relationship with Victory. While it's not over yet, the writing is on the wall. How these issues are addressed with my Vision with dictate whether my next ride will be a Victory…...
Edited by raynman 2008-08-25 1:01 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | What color is your Vision? I have read about the clear coat issue from others, but haven't had a
problem on my Super Steel Gray. I was able to buff out a scratch on the saddlebag from me walking
between the bikes with a cell phone in a low side pants pocket. Maybe it buffed out because the
clear coat is weak?
I loosened up my belt on the Kawasaki from the dealership. It helped much on the belt noise. I have
had ZERO noise from the Vision, but I wonder the first time a new rear tire gets installed if that perfect
scenario will dissapear?
What, you are happy with 2nd gear? Maybe it is just mine. (o: Drives me crazy. It ruins perfectly good
runs with the wife on back.
Herb | |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 37
Kewaskum, WI | g1nomad - 2008-08-25 12:48 PM
What color is your Vision? I have read about the clear coat issue from others, but haven't had a
problem on my Super Steel Gray. I was able to buff out a scratch on the saddlebag from me walking
between the bikes with a cell phone in a low side pants pocket. Maybe it buffed out because the
clear coat is weak?
I loosened up my belt on the Kawasaki from the dealership. It helped much on the belt noise. I have
had ZERO noise from the Vision, but I wonder the first time a new rear tire gets installed if that perfect
scenario will dissapear?
What, you are happy with 2nd gear? Maybe it is just mine. (o: Drives me crazy. It ruins perfectly good
runs with the wife on back.
Herb
My Vision is black. I am glad I didn't pay the extra $$$ for red, because it looks like I'll need to re-paint it anyway.
First-to-second gearing could be a little more seamless, but the only time I found 2nd gear really awkward was going through slow and tight corners in the black hills. There seems to be a gearing 'gap' between 1st and 2nd gear, but nothing I find especially troublesome. Thanks for bringing that up though.....now it just gives me something else to whine about  | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| raynman, I wouldn't ASK the dealer, I would TELL them to order replacement doors for the paint issue. There is NO reason this should not be covered under warranty. ANY defect in MATERIAL or WORKMANSHIP is covered.
Now as soon as you get the new doors installed give your bike 3-4 coats of "Liquid Glass" to prevent this from happening again.
The NEW bar mounted control is in testing and should release soon. Make sure your dealer puts you on the list for a new one, Victory knows this is a problem.
The dealer has some play and adjustment they can do to address the pops and burps. So no excuse for them not getting that fixed right away.
Now the belt? LOL.... I'm going to have the guys at my dealership replace mine under warranty (belts and pulleys). I know they have adjusted it correctly numerous times and it goes out rather quickly(500-1000 miles). So I'm giving it one last go for this to FIX the problem. I don't know if Victory is doing ANYTHING to address this, but understand your pain.
Finally I know that the little issues can really tick one off, particularly when the remedy is not addressed satisfactorily. I almost got rid of mine after this past weekend, but decided I'd give it a little longer. Push the panel replacement and don't take no for an answer, the radio bar control will be released soon, the pop is easily addressed... which just leaves the belt. Press this with your dealer as well and force them to get on the horn with Victory. Maybe if enough customers press the test Victory will be forced to address this issue, at least I hope.
It is a first year production so a little patience will be required. Best of luck...... T | |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | as far as the clearcoat wearing where the passengers legs hit the bags, what about Invisigaurd? would that stop the issue? | |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 25
Gilbert, AZ | These "first year" issues remind me of the 2001 Goldwing introduction. There were many issues (overheating, cruise control inop, CB problems, speedometer issues and cracked frames, just to mention a few), but Honda made good on everything and finally after about 3 years managed to correct everything on production bikes. I think Victory will stand behing their bikes and will get everything corrected in due time. Patience is the name of the game here, along with good dealer commnications.... | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 273
| raynman - 2008-08-25 12:53 PM
I have owned my Vision for 1 month now, and (after a 4K mile trip) just turned over 5K miles. Here are my thoughts….
THE GOOD:
First, this is a very comfortable bike for both the rider and passenger (after floorboard risers were installed). The heated seats and grips were a godsend in the cool (and rainy) Colorado mountains, and the handling and stability was exceptional in all the weather conditions we encountered. The bike has plenty of power, and I was pleased with the 40 mpg I achieved fully loaded with passenger and luggage. Another thing worth noting is that this bike packs a LOT more than you would think. (Yeah, I wish the bags were a little bigger, but with the tour pack and luggage strapped to the rack, this carried more than my TC ever did….and I never thought that would be possible!)
The Vision was also an attention drawer at practically every stop I made. Many riders were aware what the bike was and just wanted to see it up close, and many would just come over to ask "what is that"? In all honestly, it got a little tiresome after a while…..but I was a good sport and continued to answer the questions
THE BAD:
Like many of you, the hand (audio) controls on my Vision tend to do what they want. I can live with it, but it is still a minor annoyance. The rear shock loses around 3-4 psi daily, but this is (temporarily) remedied by checking/refilling daily until I can schedule time to have it replaced under factory warranty. Another minor issue that needs to be addressed is the fuel map. My stage 1 (level 2) map runs pretty well, but has more than it's fair share of pops and burps. Again, just another minor annoyance that I expect Victory to correct in the upcoming months.
A bigger issue has to do with the belt/pulley. I had the belt adjusted prior to leaving (@ 500 miles), but at around 2.5k miles, it sounded like my front pulley was going to come off. After cutting my 4-Corners vacation short and riding 250 miles to the nearest dealer (Pueblo), they assured me that it wasn't the pulley and proceeded to tighten the belt. After riding in the rain for the next 300 miles, the noise disappeared until it dried out. At this point the noise was even worse than before. After detouring to yet another dealer (Rapid City), they found that the belt was EXTREMELY tight. The tech claimed that the belts come from the factory too tight, and they have had numerous complaints of excessive belt/pulley noise from customers. After re-adjusting the belt, the noise has subsided…..for now.
THE UGLY:
The fit and finish on the Vision leave a LOT to be desired. I would liken it to the automotive equivalent of a Yugo. The molding has gaps and just don't fit together quite right, the bags don't line up properly, and the paint quality is atrocious. The clear coat has completely warn off from where my wife's legs rubbed up against the bags…..and this was after 2K miles!!!!!!! Now there are ugly (and noticable) smudges that cannot be waxed out. I will be turning this in as a warranty claim, but suspect that it will be filed with my other cosmetic complaints….in the dumpster.
SYNOPSIS:
WTF Victory? You have a potentially wonderful bike mucked up by sub-par quality control issues, severe cosmetic flaws, and knucklehead engineering issues. NEWS FLASH….this is NOT a $10K bike, this is a luxury touring model. I expect a $22K motorcycle to be delivered to the customer with a paint job fitting of a $22K bike, and constructed in a manner that would lead me to believe it's built in the US…..not Yugoslavia.
I am not new to the Victory line. This is my 5th Victory, and I have been impressed with all of my other rides. While I am impressed with the ride quality of the Vision, at this point there are simply too many unresolved issues for me to continue a long term relationship with Victory. While it's not over yet, the writing is on the wall. How these issues are addressed with my Vision with dictate whether my next ride will be a Victory…...
WOW! I keep reading here and then asking myself, "Do I really want that 10th that's on the way"? Having owned my Kingpin for four years now, without any issues at all, I'm totally surprised at all the negatives I'm hearing about what should be the Victory flagship.
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | I'm at 5500 miles, seems like half of them have been in the rain, and haven't had any belt issues. I hope I haven't jinxed myself. It has only been touched at the 500 service. That is if they even did anything to it. I don't plan to have it serviced by the dealer untill I hit 10K. My VIN is 8400 and I got the bike 5/30.
Edited by cw1115 2008-08-25 6:10 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 34
Pensacola, FL | I am at just under 5,000 miles on mine, and have had zero issues. I think for a first production year bike, it is pretty impressive. Took delivery of mine 5/22/08.
Steve. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 72
Eyota, MN | Have you had someone from a body shop look at your bags? Mine did it once and I took a buffer to it and it cleaned up just fine. It's just lightly scuffing the clear and will pollish. I just told my wife to put her feet a little more forward on the boards and havn't had it happen since. It doesn't matter what kind of paint is on there, if something rubbs on black it will show scratchs. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 550
Tacoma, WA | Just under 11,000 miles on mine, and other than very few and minor problems, I have a wonderful bike!!!-----Metalguy | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Smitty, you'll be sorry if you don't pick up the 10th Ann model you are expecting. Please see my trip review on the review page. Now I would think Victory is going to be going over those 10th models with a fine tooth comb so I firmly believe yu'll be missing out.
GUYS PAY ATTENTION!!! Go to your autoparts store and buy a can of "Liquid Glass" polish. Apply 4 coats to your bike, allowing time between coats and buffing out (this will take ALL DAY to do right). You are now done and your bikes clear coat will NOT mark or wear. Unlike stickers it won't peel off either. Once a month add another coat after you wash your bike, BUT be sure the bike is CLEAN and dry. Anything you don't get off will get sealed under the liquid Glass. The good news is with each coat applied the bike will get brighter and brighter in shine. If you catch a stone or something you simply buff out the area to clean it and reapply the Liquid Glass. I have ZERO wear, marks, scratches, etc.... since I coated mine as soon as it came home from the dealer. Oh and liquid glass costs around $12, the sticker kit $200..... you do the math, lol...
Finally for those who say they have yada yada miles and NO problems? Yes you do, you simply don't know it YET. ALL of the Visions have a defective radio bar control, ALL of them. Victory knows this and has gone back to the vendor to have it fixed. The new module has been in testing for well over a month. So if no bulletin is released soon they ran into more problems with the new unit. I'll post as soon as I know the bulletin has released because mine is at the top of the list for BAD units. Three of the 4 Visions my dealer sold have defective headlites. Chances are many of you either do and don't know it or it hasn't yet separated, it will. I suspect Victory is working this issue as well but can't say for sure. Then there is the dreaded belt noise... Some have it some don't, BUT here is something to consider for those who don't. At some point in the not so distant future you will NEED to replace your belt (see routine maintenance) and if there is an issue which it appears there is based on the number just here experiencing it... what are the odds you'll experience it??
Now please do NOT take this as doom and gloom. As I have pointed out Victory IS working on the known issues, so I can only assume the will be taking care of these asap. YES it can get frustrating and probably NOBODY here has been more frustrated than I, but hang in there. It would be a shame to see a great bike get dropped because of minor FIRST YEAR bugs.
Oh and in case you think I'm joking about my frustration level here is the list:
1. Oil sending sensor twice
2. Belt noise 5 times but needed adjusted probably double that
3. Defective seat (chunk of padding missing)
4. Headlite Assy separated
5. Upper shock bushing bad
6. Windshield Cracked
7. bag alignment
8. trunk alignment (popping open, closed kiddy corner)
9. Chaffing brake lines
10. Rubbing Brakes and overheating
11. Ipod Lead twice
12. Radio bar module
13. No radio reception or WB
None of these all occured at one time and rather required multiple trips to the dealer. In fact I'm waiting on several parts right now. HOWEVER have a BETTER look at the list and you'll not see ANYWHERE that the bike wouldn't start, couldn't be ridden, or left me stranded. AND in every service appointment the warranty was honored. Hang in there it will turn around. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Madison, AL | My mechanic reworked a lot of the wiring on my bike and everything looks well put together, before the wiring wasn't as tight as I would like it. He rides a Vision and takes care of my bike like it was his. I can't be happier with my service. As stated above I haven't noticed any radio problems and have the CB/Intercom, XM radio, and Ipod all hooked up. I haven't had any comm issues during my three months of ownership and only 3,500 miles. I have only been on one long trip but plan two in the near future. One of about 1,500 miles and a second one of about the same length. I have been away from home on business the last few months and haven't been able to ride like I want but that will change soon. I have the J&M speakers comming and a backrest from Utopia. I hope to have them installed for the rides. For me this bike is just fine. There are quirks but that is true for any bike, car, etc. I had to take my Denalli back for work twice and that was an expensive SUV. I have little issues with the bike and would change this and that but the overall ride is my deciding factor. Heck I could list a whole bunch of problems with previous bikes but this bike has much more on it than the others I have owned. I think sites like this help alieviate problems before they occur. I have read several post then quickly ran out and checked my bike. I found the dimples and now will get that fixed. I didn't know about the radio bar but will have that fixed as well (even though I haven't had a problem yet). I think I have been very lucky with my dealership and go out of my way to buy stuff at their store even when I could get it cheaper some place else. I keep bringing this up because of the past experience with my Harley stealership, that was more interested in selling merchandise than bikes. This forum is a great place to lean new things and gain some first hand experience without paying the price. However, not all of us are the same and problems for one person may not be a problem for another. I have no problem finding neutral was kind of preplexed on the postings on that subject, however, I also cannot for the life of me figure out how to change my headlights per the instruction manual but find that others have no problem with that. With all that being said I think I have an excellent bike, great dealership support, and a fine source of information on the Vision on this site. Now all I have to do is go get some of that Liquid Glass. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Teach, I dropped my bike yesterday at a stop sign, guess I was looking at the clouds, is that a minor first year bug. Then, again, it maybe, this is the first year I have owned it. September a birthday will arrive. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Northeast Pennsylvania | teach, where did your headlight assembly seperate from. Serious question. And yes..Liquid glass is amazing. Make sure to clean bike well. Had a fleck on bike, thought it was nick in paint untill I realized it was small fleck of dirt I had coated over. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | pollolittle - 2008-08-26 11:20 AM Teach, I dropped my bike yesterday at a stop sign, guess I was looking at the clouds, is that a minor first year bug. Then, again, it maybe, this is the first year I have owned it. September a birthday will arrive. My man Po! What is going on down there? I'm beginning to think you are kin to Wile E. Coyote. But maybe I shouldn't be so hard on you, they left that thing off of mine too, so I have to put my feet down at the stop light to keep from falling over. You should give that a try the next you stop. I also got two black striped looking things that stick up and form a V right under the radio thing. They each got a pipe running out of them to the rear of the bike. The pipes get hot, but I figure they'll do that because of all that noise coming from the inside them things. I really like that twisty handle on the bar that makes it go real fast. Which reminds me, I was just asked at lunch by a guy that was admiring my Victory. He asked how I liked it, oh course I said I love it, its great. He then asked how did it handled at 75 - 85 mph? My knee jerk answer was "I refuse to incriminate myself, but it handles great at any speed I"ve had it." That is my story and I'm sticking to it. But Po, start working on putting your feet down when you stop and see if that helps. I might see how you're coming along in the latter part of October if you survive that long. Also, I'm working on my 25k review since I'm knocking at the door with 20,300K according to that thing on the dash. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Po, haha beat ya, lol... I dropped mine about 3 weeks ago coming out my driveway. Really easy to get up eh? I was actually glad after I droped it because I found I had been very tentative about leaning it over at slow speeds which I wasn't aware of. Guess it matters little how many miles ridden or years when it comes to brain farts, lol... I take it you and the bike are ok...
Victory2002 (Jon), the headlites are separating right "along" the upper edge and corners. I hadn't paid it much mind except to clean it but my dealer noted the greyish hue when I took it in and pointed it out to me. If yours has separated the top will look kinda greyish and fogged where the chrome trim behind the plastic should be shiny. I also noticed it had about a dozen small cracks facing straight up and down on the upper edge. It is noticable as compared to the bottom of the assy IF it has begun to separate, so you'll know at a glance. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Victory2002, what did you clean the bike with? The auto parts store that carries liquid glass doesn't carry the pre-cleaner. I have numerous coats of other wax on the bike. I wonder if I can put the liquid glass on over them. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 496
Scottsdale AZ | pollolittle - 2008-08-26 9:20 AM
Teach, I dropped my bike yesterday at a stop sign, guess I was looking at the clouds, is that a minor first year bug. Then, again, it maybe, this is the first year I have owned it. September a birthday will arrive.
Not to surprised at this most recent fumble of the Vision by you- I'm starting to wonder if that "accident" with the bike and the garage was really "wifes fault" Hmmmmmmmmm--- Bucky?
September B-Day in my garage also- Can't believe its been a year- LUV my Vision!
Edited by DesertJim 2008-08-26 7:38 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 247
| teach-have you thought to invoke your local lemon law? | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 106
Illinois | cw1115 - 2008-08-26 4:36 PM
Victory2002, what did you clean the bike with? The auto parts store that carries liquid glass doesn't carry the pre-cleaner. I have numerous coats of other wax on the bike. I wonder if I can put the liquid glass on over them.
Easy way to remove old wax is wash with dishwashing liquid. That will strip off any wax and give you a clean surface to start with. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Northeast Pennsylvania | Dawn Dish Detergent worked for me. Someone specifically said to use Dawn.
Teach; I'll check the headlight out. The only thing I have noticed and why I asked you is that I have water setting inside the top edge of headlight when I wash it. I will check for the color difference. thanx
Edited by victory2002 2008-08-27 12:22 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| exharley, well no I sure haven't. Here in PA the Lemon Law is NOT applicable to motorcycles as it is in other states. MC's are considered recreational vehicles like boats and therefore don't apply. Like I said lots of little bugs, but nothing I would consider the LL for.
Michael, yes Dawn dishwashing soap will do the trick for prep. NOBODY seems to sell the pre-cleaner and I have searched everywhere includng online. I've done two new bikes with just Dawn before application and no ill effects. Like I said just be really sure you have gotten all debris off and it is dry before applying the first coat. You need about an hours cure time between coats so just take your time. Oh and I know guys who have gone with the cans recommedations of a single or double coat.... use 4 minimum, it works way better. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 247
| teach, thanks for the tutorial on pa law. i shoulda' known since i live here. | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | Teach - 2008-08-27 4:08 PM
exharley, well no I sure haven't. Here in PA the Lemon Law is NOT applicable to motorcycles as it is in other states. MC's are considered recreational vehicles like boats and therefore don't apply. Like I said lots of little bugs, but nothing I would consider the LL for.
Hey, Teach, you might want to check with a lawyer. We have the same situation here in MI as you do in PA, but my lawyer said that, while the Lemon Law doesn't exactly apply, you can use it as a basis for a breach of contract.
Even though you may not feel like using it for this particular bike, it'd be good to know for the future what your options are for a worse situation. | |
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My take on the Vision after 5k miles....