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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | I was going to start this as a poll, but I'm really more interested in the discussion.
I see many people refer to their bikes as "recreational vehicles" or motorcycling as a "hobby."
I'm sure for some it is. For me, a motorcycle is transportation. Fun yes, but it's transportation first.
I buy a bike with the same questions as I buy a car. Comfort, quality, gas mileage, performance, overall value/bang for bucks, etc..
My choice of what to drive or ride on any given day again is made on a similar set of questions. Really the only thing that gets me to drive my car are bad road conditions (ice) or what I might have to haul, like packages to the post office, or if I need to stop at the store on the way home.
Even if there is rain, it depends on other factors. Going to work, I take a bike as I can put on a rainsuit and I can park the bike outside my office. If I take the car when it's raining, unless I want to where a rainsuit in the car, I'm gonna get soaked as I must part a car two blocks from my office.
Anyway... back to the question. Is your Vision a "transportation" vehicle or a "recreational" vehicle?
If you need help deciding... If you have to keep your car on a battery tender to insure it will start in case you need it (my car sits for months at a time), then chances are your bike is transportation. If you put more miles on your bike per year than your car, chances are your bike is transportation.
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | As has been stated, the purpose of this site is to provide the latest and best information on/about the Victory Vision motorcycle!
Hmmmmm! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 185
Nebraska | My 4 wheeled mode of transportation is a '00 dodge Dakota I bought new. I just turned 50K miles on it. In that same period I have put around 107K on 3 different bikes. Dont drive the P/U much in the spring,summer or fall. Dont ride much in the winter. But I dont think I would have rode 107K out of transportation needs. I guess that make it a multi functional transportational/recreational machine. Hope that helps.  |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Full time transportation for the same reasons as Miles. Ice or hauling large objects (besides myself) are my main limitations.
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | 28,000 miles yearly average, you decide. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
| My wife and I bought the Vision so that we could expand on the tour aspect of riding. That certainly has happened and more. Long trips that the car would have been the mode of tranport has changed to the Vision at every oppertunity. The standard route has been re routed to go places that offer different roads and sights. Why because we have the Vision and things are seen just a different on the bike when traveling.
I take it to work all the time. simply put I ride it at every turn. I have rode three times more than on any previous bike.
I hope to start doing add on's as funds can bare to give it the personal aspect.
So in my case I think its all of the above. The one constant in the whole experience is by turning the key on hittting the road no matter the reason. The ride will be worth it. Always fun and always enjoyable. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Don't know where I fit?
100,000+ miles in 10 years on Victory motorcycles and less then 1% going to work.
Pure pleasure. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1340
Gainesville Fl Home of the Gators | Until next year the EPA says it is a Recreational Vehicle. for 2010 it becomes transportation, and falls under a new tier of regulation. For the most part Victory is already compliant. The good news is that as transportation Victory MUST release all software, and tools to the aftermarket. Meaning things like Digital Wrench will no longer be under lock, and key. Also if I read it correctly the software in the ECM will no longer be locked; meaning TRUE programers will be able to be used |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | kevinx,
That's great news!
Ride Safe |
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | I would say right now mine is recreational because I have a take-home car for work. But, when I change jobs and lose that benefit, then it will most definitely become transportation. Except in the winter, because I am just a huge wuss, and having lived in the caribbean for a few years, I am very thin-blooded. If I could convince my wife to move south, then I would ride year 'round. Until then, just when I really get the itch in the winter. Had that the other day, it was 28F and I decided to ride to lunch with some buddies. Two days later we had a 60F day and I got out again. I know global warming is bad, but if I can get a few 60F days every now and then in the winter, then it'll make me a much happier winter person.
Edited by divesharc 2009-01-25 7:42 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | I wish I could ride more for transportation but the stupid weather here keeps me from that. I can deal with cold, but not snow, ice OR SALT!
I occassionally ride it to work in downtown Cleveland, but sometimes I just don't want to deal with ID10Ts at rush hour on our lovely 4 lane (2 on each side) major highways. I'll drive my beater 2000 Buick Regal GS with 140K on it and let it take the abuse. Plus I have a heck of a time getting out of the packing garage (the gate comes down on me before I am clear of it) and the attendant has to manually lift it.
As soon as the kids are in college, I am moving to AZ. I've had enough of this crappy town and the crappy weather.
Bike week in Daytona is only a month away! The trailer is ready and so am I!
Edited by ScoreBo 2009-01-25 9:11 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 69
Citrus Heights, CA United States | Year round tranportation for all needs other than those stated earlier truck for big stuff 3K on new truck in 5 months mostly by sig other |
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Tourer
Posts: 377
O'Neill, Nebraska | I ride to work everyday....however the time it takes me to get home has doubled since I bought our Vision. That's the recreational part! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 193
Buford, GA United States | I am involved with land use and rezonings so I use the bike to look at property and charge the gas to my company. When I ride to other areas of the country I am there to look at how developers are doing things in their area. I don't care about gas mileage but comfort and style are very important. Sometimes the property I need to look at is only 5 miles away but it usually takes me about 50 miles worth of riding to make sure I see everything. Life is Good on a Vision...Hard work and Clean Living is all that I know... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 172
Prescott, Az | This is a tough question. I ride for recreation, but my recreation is the transportation that I ride for recreation...while I'm transporting me to...my...uhh...rec...I just love the Vision and ride it like I stole it.  |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | Wow, some great and I guess when I think about it, not so surprising words from most.
I have asked this question about other bikes on other forums over time, and while many "prefer" to ride if they can, in most cases it is NOT their primary transportation. I was actually surprised to learn how many GoldWing folks treat their ride as an RV. Weekends mostly etc..
So seeing so many responses so quickly that the Vision can easily be a primary vehicle speaks volumes. And that tidbit about the EPA is fantastic. Thanks Kevin.
Keep those comments coming. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | Okay, like many riders here I also LOVE to ride my Luxury Touring, brand new (a year ago), one of a kind mortorcycle. After logging LOTS of miles on my old Nomad(s) going back and forth to work (65 miles six days a week) I knew a touring bike was in my future, little did I know that I would buy my "retirement" touring rig 6 years before retirement. Now my comute is a mere 25 miles daily and yes I have struggled to put on the miles, I still ride to work everyday that I can and certainly consider the Vision as daily transportation but hot damn do I ever enjoy planning those trips on the days that I do not have to work!!!! I only managed 10K the first year and one "big" trip but that will change this year with a trip west and one east. We get some snow here in my area but it never stays long and if you wait a week you will be back in the saddle before the withdrawls really get bad. So when it is all said and done the Vision is definitely recreational transportation at its absolute BEST!!!!!
Ride Safe, Ride Often!! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | I retired 12-28-07 to ride! If that sounds a little strange to you, I'll try to explain.
After working for "the man" for 30 years & then for myself (self-employed in the drywall trade) for 5 years, my Dad passed away @ 93 yo and left me a small inheritance. I used some of the $ to pay off EVERYTHING so now I have only rental space for my toy-hauler & insurance on it, the Vis, and my truck (which pulls the T-H).
The truck gets 12 mpg on a good day & my Vis gets ONLY 38 mpg when riding 2up w/ a rather large trunk bag. You do the math!!!
I ride the Vis whenever I can - to visit my brother @ the beach, to visit my sister, to meet Laura for lunch/dinner, because the sun is shining, because I want to get out of the house for a while, ....
I bought the Vis to ride, not to polish! So it usually has some "road grime" on it. When I go for a ride with the Geezer group of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club, most of the other bikes are "spit shined". They ride Harleys, Vulcans, Goldwings,etc and are almost to the last bike cleaned, with chrome shining so bright you have to wear dark glasses to look at them. But they always ask " what's your mileage now?" as I put more miles on the Vis in a week than they do all MONTH!
I went for a trip cross country in April & May of '07. Met a lot of Vicsters & got to ride w/ a couple of Vision riders while I was out there. The Vis rode in my toy-hauler 'til I got to a place that I wanted to see more of, then I unloaded her & off we went.
I got to see some of the things that were on my "bucket list" - the Painted Desert, the Four Corners, the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, old Route 66, the Pacific Ocean, the PCH route 1, Big Sur - & really enjoyed being out there. But I really want to do more riding with my Significant Other Laura. She is the love of my live and I can't wait 'til she can retire so WE can travel & ride the Vis more. I only hope & pray that my health holds up so we can actually do it!
Edited by CoolHandLuke 2009-01-26 11:44 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Hartland, , WI | The bike has been under cover since Novermber...by March I might sneak a ride in here and there...better when April gets here so I have a recreational vehicle sitting in the garage.
I have a company supplied vehicle for work but once in a while will let it sit in my garage and take my bike to work even though I pay to transport myself to appointments. The fun to be out on the bike inbetween appointments is well worth it.
I'll put 12,000+ miles on my recreational vehicle this year. |
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Vision - Recreational Vehicle or Transportation ?