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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 41
| I've been mostly lurking here, trying to get a bit smarter about the Vision while I attempt to decide which bike will be my next one. I was leaning toward the Vision but had second thoughts based on riding a rental for 200 miles in Vegas about a week ago.
Thought I like several things including the legroom and handling, I was disappointed in the drive train noise in 1st thru 4th gears. Things immediately got quiet upon shifting to 5th and then got a bit noisier in 6th.
The bike was a bone stock 2008 Tour Premium. Is this a common occurence or just a rental that has been beat up pretty good for 6,000 miles?
Thanks guys.
Randy
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Visionary
Posts: 1340
Gainesville Fl Home of the Gators | That's why they make stage1 exhaust systems |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 33
Myrtle Beach,SC. | I have a 08 tour comfort and in comparison to the road glide that I test drove the day before I bought the tour the noise was not even comparable to noises i got from the hardley glideable... |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. | Think about what you just said: Drivetrain noise! What do you want, a world class luxury sedan ?
As mentioned before, the Harleys are many decibels louder. I wouldn't classify the drivetrain on the Vision as being noisy, in an annoying way, but that's my opinion. It's a great bike !
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 41
| I've rented Ultras before and ride a shaft drive bike now.
The Vision was a lot noisier than either of these. I thought I would chock it up to a rental bike that had been a little abused. Based on what you guys are saying, that's probably the case.
Thanks.
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Madison, AL | I've heard mention on other postings that the alignment is a bit out on most bikes. Mine was and after reading the post I fiddled around a bit and things are much less squeaky. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | After I bought my Vision, I was concerned about the "Drive Train Noise" and I could not wait to get to 5th gear to make it shut up.
Then I started thinking about what I am hearing and why am I hearing it.
The closest thing I can relate to riding a Vision is driving a convertible with the top down.
The fairing blocks so much wind that raising the windshield can cause back pressure on your upper body. You hear the engine and gear noise because you can. When going 45 in 4th gear your head and ears are in a pocket of still air and you can hear every noise the engine makes.
Plus the engine noise comes up the triple tree area right to your head. That area has the metal of the gas tanks to channel the noise straight up. Unlike almost every other bike on the planet, there is no fuel tank is in the way of the noise. The fuel tank on other bikes pushes the noise to the sides of the bike not up.
Guys and gals here can tell you that the drive train is solid. Some members here have over 36,000 miles on their Visions and have never had a running gear come flying out the side of the engine.
As far as Victory goes...Roadkill has 200,000 miles on his 99 Victory and Lonestar has 100,000 miles on his.
Ride Safe!
Edited by radioteacher 2009-03-08 10:54 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 137
Houston, Texas | When I test drove the Vision I heard the same noise(s) and sure enough it got quieter in 5th.....then I realized that I was hearing new sounds from a totally new bike ( i was riding a HD at the time).
And Radioteacher makes some great points about engine noise being funneled straight to the driver.
I don't hear that noise now.....its like anything new....new machinery....new noise. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | aka, I think naturally you're digging for a response based off your rental, so I'll give you mine. To me it is a shame that you'll base your decision off the noise factor. I think radioteacher is right on that the Vision has a great pilot envelop that you notice this more. I went to a shorty helmet and don't have a lot of wind noise, but do hear all the other noise, exhaust, engine, tires on the road, tranny, all of which is pure music to my ears. Not only do you hear how solid the Vision is but you can feel it too. I say if you find a more comfortable bike, forget the Vision and go with it. I laugh when I hear all the harley riders talk about all their stops to make it to simple destinations, and once I get on the Vision I don't want to stop, nor do I need to. I guess it is all in what you want, less noise and uncomfortable in a few miles, or a little noise and all day comfort. By the way, the noise actually gets a lot less once you get her broke in. I just turned 35,800 in 16 months of ownership. |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | radioteacher nailed it. On most bikes, even most well fairinged (is that a word), the WIND noise covers up the engine and drivetrain noise. On the Vision, which actually has a quieter drivetrain than most, there's nothing to hide it because of the design. While the intercom is nice, talking to the passenger, even at highway speed, is just a matter of talking, not yelling.
There's also a good point about break-in. I'm not sure when the Vision opens up. Most V-Twins, even Harley's it's upward of 10,000 miles.
Now having said all that. Again, I'm can't speak personally on the Vision, but when I switched to Amsoil on my V92C there was a noticeable (unexpected I might ad) difference. It was so much quieter. So quiet in fact, as I have a large windshield also, I initially thought there was a problem due to an odd rattle that I started hearing right after the oil-change. Took me quite some time to figure out this odd rattle... that turned out to be the rubber key fob on my key hitting the edge of the cheese-wedge. Really had to snoop to find that one. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | akabubba42 - 2009-03-08 8:56 PM
I've rented Ultras before and ride a shaft drive bike now.
The Vision was a lot noisier than either of these. I thought I would chock it up to a rental bike that had been a little abused. Based on what you guys are saying, that's probably the case.
Thanks.
The personality of the Vision fits me so good that I don't see or hear the issues that some hear or see. It is hard for me to understand what your questions really is? The noise on the rental bike is probably the same as mine other than I have a Stage 1 Level 1 exhaust, I believe all Visions are created equal. If you want a motorcycle that HUMMMMMs quitely down the road, I believe you'll have to look elsewhere. But if you want an American made touring motorcycle that rocks your soul, the Vision is the one, your ears will be happy also.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 150
Las Vegas, Nevada USA baby! | I came from a shaft drive 2007 Nomad 1600 to my '08 Vision. After riding the Vision, I suppose I could somewhat hear what was going on when the belt leaves the drive area, along with some whirr that was unique, or really expected of non-drive shaft drive systems.
So keeping that in mind, I mentally just took note of it and accepted it like a new stepchild. The other qualifying decision makers that helped me do the Vision switch from the Nomad far exceeded the difference in sounds.
As long as I've had it now, (over a year), I haven't thought of that since my first couple of days riding the Vision (I call Pegasus).
I do wonder about the experience you had on the rental and wonder if some rentor/rider tried some clutch popping stunts, and who knows what else could have happened in 6,000 miles of non-owner appreciateion!
Just some of what I'm thinkin'.
EdRadio |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | akabubba42,
If this was your first demo ride of the Vision I would recommend trying many others from other dealers then ride the Vision again. I demo'ed the Goldwing, two HD's (Heritage and Ultra Classic), a Kingpin and rode the Vision twice before picking a Vision.
I did not want to mention oil in my other post but I agree with the statement above, Amsoil reduced my gear noise. I had it put in at 500 Miles and again at 2500 miles.
At 5000 miles the tech put in Victory oil and charged me for Amsoil. I found out on the way home due to the increased noise. I pulled the dipstick and could tell this was not Amsoil. I called the dealer and was upset. I left the Victory oil in the bike. It is good oil but I did enjoy the reduced noise from the synthetic.
I will change the oil again in a few weeks and will do it myself.
Ride safe and enjoy whatever you ride!  |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| At first I was not sure how I felt about all the drive train noise...now I like it, it sounds "meaty" and I know its a strong system. If it needs to whine then let it whine. I love this bike and all its noises. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 247
| My female accessory unit says it sounds like someone opened the door on the dishwahser. She still gets on for a ride everytime she can. Ain't no big thing. I cam off a Harley. I was missing th exaust noise. Now I know why. Thanks for enlightening me.
BTW-for me-the Harley was easier to ride long distance. 140 to 170 miles at a time onthe Ultra. Can only do 100 on the Vision before my tail bone starts to scream. With or without a butt buffer. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Hartland, , WI | akabubba42 - 2009-03-08 6:56 PM
I've been mostly lurking here, trying to get a bit smarter about the Vision while I attempt to decide which bike will be my next one. I was leaning toward the Vision but had second thoughts based on riding a rental for 200 miles in Vegas about a week ago.
Thought I like several things including the legroom and handling, I was disappointed in the drive train noise in 1st thru 4th gears. Things immediately got quiet upon shifting to 5th and then got a bit noisier in 6th.
The bike was a bone stock 2008 Tour Premium. Is this a common occurence or just a rental that has been beat up pretty good for 6,000 miles?
Thanks guys.
Randy
I've read other comments like this and guess my bike must be fine or I'm deaf. I hear a lot of sounds from my bike but what is everyone talking about drive train noise...my belt doesn't sqeak...my trans doesn't whur...my pipes sound great...and I'm coming off of BMW LT!!!
I ride with a helmet on but that doesn't mean I'm in a sound proof chamber. |
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Tourer
Posts: 377
O'Neill, Nebraska | Some friends and I went riding yesterday and a guy came up to me and said 'It looks futuristic,' to which I responded with a big grin on my face, 'Yes it does!'
The fact that it's different makes all of us grin. I had another Vic before buying the Vision; however I checked on the HD Ultra Classic and the Goldwing before buying the Vision. Hated the sitting position of the GW and couldn't get a sales rep to talk to me at HD (still can't figure that one out).
You'll love the Vision.
Edited by spursmvp 2009-03-09 11:14 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Can't hear any noise over the iPod. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | Vinner1 - 2009-03-09 10:47 PM
I ride with a helmet on but that doesn't mean I'm in a sound proof chamber.
Actually, you'd be quite amazed at how much noise the helmet blocks. When I had my Kingpin I had a full-face helmet (I had always had full-face helmets up to that point). The second year I had the bike a buddy of mine talked me into trying a half helmet. I was completely amazed at how much the half-helmet opened the world up to me, especially what I could hear. One of the first things I noticed was how noisy the engine was. I'm not talking about exhaust noise, I'm saying that I could hear the cams, the chains, and the gears a-whirring away.
Bubba, the Victory engines make noise. No two ways about it. It's just the nature of the beast. If you do a search of the forums from a year ago you'll find a lot of us "old timers" all discussing the drive train noise and the "clunky" transmission of the Vision. All I can tell you is that it's normal. It will lessen a bit after you get about 2k miles on and it will get even quieter still after 5k. Go with Amsoil or something similar, as others have mentioned, and it will get even smoother and quieter.
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Disappointing rental