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Cruiser
Posts: 69
| Wish we hadn't lost all the great responses to my first post regarding the merits of the Vision, the Kingpin and my test ride. Thanks to you all. You gave me a lot to think about so here are a lot of thoughts and observations.
I met Jerry Byrd of Distinctive Cycles in Freeport here in the FL Panhandle, about 40 miles west of Panama City. Seems like a nice guy, very low key. Gave me a quickie control briefing (Premium model) and I was off (I didn't pay much attention to the cruise control and some other stuff as I figured I'd be busy enough handling a big new bike and trying to get a feel for it).
The first thing I noticed was that ya'll are spot on regarding how easy it is to ride this baby. By the time I was pulling out of the lot any worry that I was going to drop it or not be able to handle it was gone.
Unfortunately it was a windy day (15-20, worse near the water) and the buffeting was disconcerting throughout the ride. Realize, however, that I have never ridden a full dress tourer and there is a lot more surface area for the wind to hit. I was starting to get used to it near the end of a 45 mile ride.
A few miles down the road I was settling in, starting to look at the gauges and realized I was crossing 70 in 4th. Flashback to my old Acura Legend. So smooth you're doing 20 mph more than you think.
Love the floorboards. I can even rest my boots on the forward tip over triangles.
Foot brake is tucked in too far. Not hard to get used to I imagine.
The brakes themselves are great.
I love the power windshield and analog speedometer.
Heated grips are fantastic (though it wasn't cold).
The handlebars are just right for me.
The mirrors just plain suck. No good way around this. I don't need them to look at my hands.
I love real cruise control.
The radio sounded O.K., better after I adjusted the bass, treble and f/r (obviously I got more comfortable w/the bike than I thought I would). Great quality isn't a biggie to me; I'm not much for music on a bike though w/longer distances…?
I heard "body noise" for lack of a better term. No specific rattle or anything, I don't know how to describe it. Mainly heard it in the first 15-20 miles, probably just different than what I'm used to and the bike itself is quieter than the VTX.
I pulled it into an old parking lot just to run it very slow, get on and off. I can't believe how easy this bike is to handle!
Took one then both hands just off the grips at one point--the bike didn't know. Amazing (to me, but let's not push our luck).
While I haven't ridden one of the big new scooters either, it felt a little like a big scooter when the thought came to mind. Probably the low center of gravity and those great floorboards.
I already knew it, but it seems like they could get more usable space in those giant bags.
Will this thing fix in my garage? I've got width to get the mirrors in between the two cars but those wide bags and rear triangles may make it impossible to get the doors open.
The seat is the most comfortable stock seat I've ever been on. A new Mustang was the first accessory on my prior two bikes.
My back was a little sore when I started, didn't get any worse. (I did 175 on the VTX Sunday, first ride in almost 2 months, plus 45 to the dealer today).
In short (not), this is the finest machine I've ridden. I hadn't figured on spending the money for the Premium (and to me this is a lot of money for ANY bike) but if I buy that's what it will be. I asked for a bottom line no trade in price and I got:
'08 grey demo I rode, 650 miles, recall work and 600 service done: $17,995 ($19,202.00 w/tax tag title and all). I must say he didn't put in a dime that isn't required and I appreciate that.
'09 black, 20,499.00
'09 cherry (my fav) 20,999.00
'08 black w/Ness paint 22,999.00
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Cruiser
Posts: 203
Rapid City, SD | Great write up. I figured this would be your general tone after riding the bike. As long as you don't have any prejudices going in, it is hard to find people that don't enjoy the ride.
Keep doing the research and it all depends on your comfort zone but I would probably lean towards the 09's. I think they squeezed a few of the first year bugs out of the bike. I would imagine next years will even be better but for me the 09 had a little better fit and finish than the 08's. Is it worth the extra money? Only you can answer that one. Which ever way you go I think you'll be super happy with the Vision. Good luck and keep us posted. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | I would concur with af goalie except for one thing. Everyone knows that SSG Visions are the fastest.
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Nice write up.
People always bring up the mirrors. The way I look at them is if they stuck out more they would get damaged on a tip over or the protectors would be 3 inches farther out.  Also if I keep an open mind when using them it appears the actual square inches I use on them is greater than most stock mirrors. Yes, I see my hands but I see behind me as well as I do with the mirrors on my '99 and I have the large Kuryakins on her.
I put spot mirrors on the Vision. I have them on my truck and they always helped no matter what mirror I have. If I put them on my large truck mirrors does that mean my truck mirrors don't work well?
I guess what I am saying is that most motorcycle mirrors don't work like I think they should. Maybe West Coast mirrors so I can see around my fat..... 
I stick my hand in the saddlebags straight back and they seem about 9 1/2 deep. I haven't stuffed them yet but someone had posted long ago how much stuff they could pack in them and the trunk. When I make my trip to Sturgis I will find out. I wonder if it's because we are so used to having the top open on saddlebags that Vision bags seem smaller do to the side opening?
I am sure you will enjoy your new Vision when you get it and you will adjust to these items. |
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Tourer
Posts: 423
northwest florida | I bought my 09 Blue Ice (which is THE fastest color) from Distinctive Cycle in Freeport Fl. Great people and fair treatment. what more can you ask? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | The mirrors just plain suck. No good way around this. I don't need them to look at my hands.
I felt exactly the same way after my first few rides on the Vision. After I bought mine, I spent about a half hour dicking around with the mirrors to get them where I wanted. I found that even though I see my hands in the mirrors I can still see everything behind me like I could with my other bikes. After I got used to seeing my hands I realized that I could actually see more with the Vision mirrors than I could with other bikes. I think what throws people off is that we're used to having mirrors mounted high, above our hands, looking more or less over our shoulders. The Vision mirrors are mounted lower, so we see our hands instead of our shoulders.
I already knew it, but it seems like they could get more usable space in those giant bags.
Again. I felt the same way. That is, until the wife and I packed for our first long weekend trip. I have the luggage liners, which makes things a little easier for trip packing. On my old Kingpin the wife would have both saddle bags packed along with a large T-bag (and roll) crammed full and we would wear our jackets. On the Vision we pack the same thing, but now it all fits in the saddlebag luggage and throw our jackets in the trunk along with a road atlas and leave the rest of the room for bringing home thigs we buy on the trip. The bags hold a lot more than they look like they would hold, especially with the liners.
Oh, and don't listen to those other guys. Anyone with half a brain knows that Midnight Cherry is by far the fastest color |
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Cruiser
Posts: 235
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada | Rebel - 2009-02-11 10:26 AM
The mirrors just plain suck. No good way around this. I don't need them to look at my hands.
I felt exactly the same way after my first few rides on the Vision. After I bought mine, I spent about a half hour dicking around with the mirrors to get them where I wanted. I found that even though I see my hands in the mirrors I can still see everything behind me like I could with my other bikes. After I got used to seeing my hands I realized that I could actually see more with the Vision mirrors than I could with other bikes. I think what throws people off is that we're used to having mirrors mounted high, above our hands, looking more or less over our shoulders. The Vision mirrors are mounted lower, so we see our hands instead of our shoulders.
I already knew it, but it seems like they could get more usable space in those giant bags.
Again. I felt the same way. That is, until the wife and I packed for our first long weekend trip. I have the luggage liners, which makes things a little easier for trip packing. On my old Kingpin the wife would have both saddle bags packed along with a large T-bag (and roll) crammed full and we would wear our jackets. On the Vision we pack the same thing, but now it all fits in the saddlebag luggage and throw our jackets in the trunk along with a road atlas and leave the rest of the room for bringing home thigs we buy on the trip. The bags hold a lot more than they look like they would hold, especially with the liners.
Oh, and don't listen to those other guys. Anyone with half a brain knows that Midnight Cherry is by far the fastest color
Cherry and Blue might be the fastest colours, but everyone knows the Steel Grey's come with 10 extra HP. LOL
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Hartland, , WI | Coming off of a BMW LT: Did my demo ride and was out for 10 minutes and played with every bell and whistle the bike had, loved the ride immediately.
Question: Am I weird that in 10 minutes had know everything about the bike including all the electronic gizmo's? I had to show the dealer how the windshield worked when I got back. Sounds like most others get on the bike and are all concerned about the size, etc...get around to the buttons later.
Loved all of the computer stuff second...knew immediately that I could ride it all day even though I had 10 minutes...bought one the next day and sold the BMW.
So: Bag comparison - the same. Have liners & Had liners...but you still wonder if you could use that extra "weird as it is" space somehow.
If people haven't ridden on a stationary fairing bike before, you'll always hear about the mirrors and your hands...BMW was the same no disappointment there.
Really didn't want a big V twin...but what was my comparison? HD...man I just think "retro" or "classic" when describing the look is beyond weak...I'd rather go with "clunky" because that's what they always look like to me...hard for me to think of something else that is comparably overrated as HD...and my office is right down the road from the plant! But give me the latest engineering and bells & whistles (if they improve comfort & functionality) and that's why....I WAS BLOWN AWAY by how smooth 2 enormous cylinders could be vs. the in-line 4 I was giving up.
I never in a million years would believe that the physics of 2 big bangers in a V could ever be considered SMOOTH!
I'd love to trade it in every other year for another up to date Vision Premium and if they would cost me a couple grand to do so I would....fat chance!
Snow snow go away
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Shyster - 2009-02-10 10:28 PM The mirrors just plain suck. No good way around this. I don’t need them to look at my hands. I found the cure for not looking at your hands in the mirror, ride with you boots up on the inside part, hides them perfectly!  Comfortable too! This is by far the best bike on the road and this machine only gets better everyday. I snuck and sat on my buddies Wing at work and I couldn't believe how cramped I felt. The only way I'd get anything else is if they improved on the Vision, not with dodads, but the ride. Unless that happens, I'll ride until they pry my cold dead hands from the grips. Now I've got to see about putting a strip of leather on the inside part of the mirror and down the sides of the tank to keep boot marks off. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Vinner1, thank you for the great post. It's nice to read a post that gives an honest opinion. Sometimes I think there are people out there that just buy a Victory so they can get on sites to piss and moan about everything. "That costs too much, the mirrors suck, you paid too much for that." I just hope when I retire I don't turn into them.
Look forward to riding with you someday. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Hartland, , WI | BlueOx USA - 2009-02-12 5:22 AM
Vinner1, thank you for the great post. It's nice to read a post that gives an honest opinion. Sometimes I think there are people out there that just buy a Victory so they can get on sites to piss and moan about everything. "That costs too much, the mirrors suck, you paid too much for that." I just hope when I retire I don't turn into them.
Look forward to riding with you someday.
Jeff: you won't turn into one of those moaners...but what is cool is I'd love to ride with you too...and because of the Vision's comfort, you might not even live near me and someday we could ride! Can't wait to fire it up this spring. |
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Tourer
Posts: 394
Tucson, AZ | I agree with you about the rear brake peg being too short causing you to have to tilt your foot in to get to it. The fix for it is the Arlen Ness chrome peg. It's about 50% longer and is a big improvement. I bought two, one for the shifter as well just to make look balanced. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 9
| Hello Brian, I got your message about the ride a couple of weeks ago but lost you phone number. We were away but would love to get in on the next one. Are you going to the ride and BBQ in Burlingtion this week end? June 6th. If so we will see you there.
Email me at j.cushing@sympatico.ca
Jim |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 9
| Hello Brian, I got your message about the ride a couple of weeks ago but lost you phone number. We were away but would love to get in on the next one. Are you going to the ride and BBQ in Burlingtion this week end? June 6th. If so we will see you there.
Email me at j.cushing@sympatico.ca
Jim |
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Cruiser
Posts: 235
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada | email sent to you Jim |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | The final word Red is NOT the fastest. Gray is Not the fastest, Blue is Not the fastest, nor is Black the fastest color.
C H R O M E is the fastest and I got everyone beat on that, so i win !!! Lovin my chrome passenger handles! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | When member #57 gets all his mods complete with Lloyds, I think his color, Antares Red, will fastest. In second place will be SSG, you know it....it is SUPER. "Giddy-up".  |
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My demo ride