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Fountain Inn, SC United States | What were some questions you had about the bike as a prospective owner?
I'd like to gather a collection of these and your answers, now, as owners.
I think it'll help those that are considering a Vision.
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Cruiser
Posts: 98
Santa Maria CA | I was worried about how reliable it would be, not a lot of dealers out there and how many mile the engine where good for. I've had honda with over 100,000 mile with no problems. |
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Tourer
Posts: 460
Centennial, CO | JAM - 2009-04-08 5:34 PM
What were some questions you had about the bike as a prospective owner?
I'd like to gather a collection of these and your answers, now, as owners.
I think it'll help those that are considering a Vision.
I really didn't have many questions. I liked the look and took a ride. I thought about the bike a lot and did my own research as far as reliability. However, there was some question on this based on the fact that there was no proven history. So, I took a chance and have loved it ever since. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Only 1. When will it be ready for delivery?
Saw picture. Wanted one. Priced it out on-line with desired extras. Wrote Dealer a check. Hmmm - there was another question:
Can you match my price (from an American dealer) ? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
| I knew other owners of Victory products. One showed me a net picture of the Vision in 07 ,I was intrigued. Rode a friends Wing for a long ride. Then went on a whim to Mainly Motorsports one afternoon. I asked many questions of the bike but the last one was most important. I asked "How much wind do you get from the fork tunnel at speed. " The answer was take it for a ride!!!..............I did ............obviously the rest is history. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | 1) How soon can I get it! 2) How long is it going to take you TO DO THE PAPERWORK? I want ride! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 204
guelph ontario | Having had a Victory before I knew how well built and reliable the bikes are. However my main concern was dealer support and network. With HD there is a shop in every town and they are usually well equipped. With Victory I found that the dealer network was sparse generally and that the quality of dealer was often questionable. In fact one dealer I approached at time of the 08 Vision launch was not even aware of what a Vision was. Even today the dealer network and quality is spotty and unstable. This time I took a chance as I really liked the Vision and the local dealer so far has been pretty good. There remains a little concern of dealer support when going on tour. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| JAM, my main question was with reliability. Having read posts from many owners of other Victories this was pretty much displaced. I then turned my attention to the Vision specifically and this website. There were very few if any complaints at the time, just the odd bag alignment issue.
If I was to be considering this purchase NOW I would very much like to be made aware of maintenance interval and expense associated with the bike.
I am probably one of the few who would NOT make this purchase over again. Don't get me wrong I love the bike, but I also ride a lot of miles and hate being bothered by petty maintenance and frequent intervals. It is NOT a matter of expense but rather one of frequency. My dealer is the ONLY one for many many miles which means they do a pretty good amount of business. So the maintenance interval would not be an issue if I could get the bike right in. Unfortunately most times it is a minimum of 2 weeks before I can get her in and then I never get her back the same day. I've actually resorted to doing most of my own work again, something I have not done in some 10 years. It isn't that I can't do it, but at my age and means I can afford to let someone else do it and normally would.
Ok so thats my take and I know my comments won't sit well with some (they like to read more in & defend when there is no need), but if I was looking maintenance & availability would be my top concern. Hope this helps your study. |
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Tourer
Posts: 332
Dale, Indiana |
Before you bought your Vision
I wasn't as cool as I am now.
JAM - 2009-04-08 6:34 PM
What were some questions you had about the bike as a prospective owner?
I don't really remember.... I had just got out of the hospital and my mind was still mush.
I was concerned that it was a First Year Bike and wanted to know how well they would back up the bike when problems happened as they do on any major new thing.
Plus, it was 5 degrees how do I get it home? (They trailered her to the house the next day)
I had been looking at the bike on the Internet for months. At first I thought the thing was butt azz ugly. But, the more I looked at her and what she had to offer the more I started to like her.
She's very pretty now.
Edited by Indiana RoadRunner 2009-04-08 9:40 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Hartland, , WI | JAM - 2009-04-08 6:34 PM
What were some questions you had about the bike as a prospective owner?
I'd like to gather a collection of these and your answers, now, as owners.
I think it'll help those that are considering a Vision.
I questioned the laws of physics of a big V twin vs. four or more cylinders and could they compare in smooth-ness (clever hey)
I just figured I won't even waste my time checking out this new WTF touring bike. This is another HD wanna-be that happend to be the "swept wing" version of the base 1969 design. This one must be called the "Ultra-flying Brick" or "Stream-glide turd" but I know for a fact what I'll look like holding onto the handlebars idling at the stop light...I'll be just like 007's martini..."shaken not stirred".
One test ride took care of any quesitons...as a matter of fact when I talk to people looking for a new bike and they ask me about my Vision I just tell them that they have to test ride one...period! My words answering your questions won't do the bike justice...go ride it!
Un-freakin-believable...two Mongo size pistons going up and down and it's WAY SMOOTH! And I was coming off of a BMW LT....combined with the riding position...DONE...sign where?
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| 1. Could I handle such a big bike with my 28" legs? 5 demo rides and I felt I could.
2. Did the trunk effect handling? I demoed a Street and found you could feel the difference but the trunk handled fine.
3. Reliability was not a concern for me since I had 100,000 miles on my '99 and '03 in the past 10 years.
4. I had waited years for a Victory Tourer and would this be the one for me? Sure is.
My only concern is getting used to the limited space between the Tip Over Protection. I still have trouble with getting my legs down without hitting them. I have been getting better and better each ride. Sometimes you just don't have the choice of coming to a complete stop and just put your legs down. Soon I will be riding with the p-floorboards down. They make the spacing even smaller. :P I always inform my passengers they need to move their feet back when stopping even on my "old" Vics. When I put my feet down and my calf hits the toe of their boots my reaction is to move my leg forward which raises a red flag and so on and so on. I think it's just practice, practice, practice. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 58
Saratoga NY area | Could I ride on a touring bike at 39 yrs young while my friends joked on me?
Did I want a bike that looked like the rest of the cattle walking into the slaughter mill?
Did I want a bike that was boring?
Did I want to start carrying more of my friends crap becasue they had no bags to hold them?
Answer - This bike is waaaaay too cool looking and is THE bike. Now, I will even get more drinks and food for free from my friends! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 196
| I had a sweet '99 Antares Red & Black #1502, V92C Deluxe, so I knew the reliability was not going to be a problem.
Made up my mind when I saw the concept drawings that when Victory produced the Luxury Tourer, I would have one!
Mine was the first ordered at the dealer, but somehow was the second one to arrive. I have been fighting cramps in my face from smiling since Nov. 21, 2007.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 271
Belding Michigan | Questions:
1. how does it ride GREAT
2. is it comfortable YES
3. does my wife like it YES
BUY IT
Have had it since last May and it is the best motorcycle I have owned since my first bike. A 350 Honda in 1971 that bike made me 10' tall and bullet proof this bike makes me feel the same way but am a little wiser and a lot older. I shudder to think of some of the stunts I pulled with that 350 I should be dead/ Proof God is not done with me yet. Archie
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Tourer
Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | Finding a dealer far enough away that my ride home could be the 600 mile brake in ride....
Tim
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Cruiser
Posts: 185
Nebraska | Fuel capacity & Mileage...... Was coming off a '02 Victory TC. And on long road trips 2 up fuel was a constant worry. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | Mine is an interesting story (or at least I think so). I went in Feb 2008 to look at Victory's and wanted a "muscular looking loud ass eye popping machine, I came home with a limited production Kingpin fully loaded with limited edition skins. While I was at the dealership both visits deciding which Kingpin I wanted, i kept looking over at the Vision but I wouldnt let myself go near it. I was just coming from a Honda ST1300 (Honda's touring version for those not old enough to ride a Wing). Keeping true to what i believed was my interest in
a macho bike, i pulled my eyes back to the Kingpin and bought it. That was last February 08. I loved the bike, it was loud, it was
a big honking bike, and it turned heads. Here is the part of the story where things get blurry. I took the Kingpin in to the dealership to have something minor done. My dealership is awesome, they know that my only day to have the bike serviced is a.....
(get this) SATURDAY !! So they always work on my bike on a Saturday, hows that for customer service. Since i was essentially stranded at the dealership during my kingpin service, and no one was with me, just for kicks they told me to go out and drive the Vision.
... I came back 2 hours later !! I was sooooooooo in love with every aspect of the bike. The low center of gravity, the smoothness,
the styling, everything. Being in a creative business field, I am paid to think outside the box. I chose my particular Kingpin because
it did not look like all the other stock KP's and there were only about 100 of them in the country. To think that my KP looked "out of the box" visually was tame compared to the look of the Vision. This bike is so far out of the box, that it left the darn box on its home planet. So now i picked up the KP from service, and for the next 2 months I couldnt get the Vision out of my head. My dealer called me and invited me to come preview all the new 09's last October. The Victory hauler was scheduled to be there. Again wanting to be open to something radically different, they suggested i come prepared to look at the Ness blacked out Vision. I got there,
looked at the Ness, looked at the hidden 10th anniversary that wasnt available to buy, and took the Ness for a ride. I couldnt get past the higher price, and less features aspect of that purchase. I summed it up mentally as I was paying Arlen for his name only.
I was on the fence with the bike, then Julie (my Victory salesperson) started talking to me and I explained how i viewed the Ness bike.
She simply said "Mac, in the back office is my 08 Black Street Premium that you loved. Go back and spend some time with it.
Well, the bike just spoke to me. The two hours i had been on here were nothing but internal joy. Julie ran some numbers by me
and I have to admit I was nervous about buying a second bike during last years economy, and i felt for sure that the bank would laugh
at me for asking them for another motorcycle loan while i still had the other loan with them that was only 6 months old. Julie laughed at me because she knew my financial background and said i was being worried for nothing. She ran the credit application and in less then
2 minutes, I had bought the 08 Vision. I love my Kingpin but she is up for sale. Has nothing to do with dual payments, but I feel so guilty going into the garage and always choosing the Vision to ride. My Kingpin has about 750 miles on her and 5000.00 in add ons.
My dealership has her on display and is selling her for me ( at no charge). So, why did i spend so long tell you guys my story?
Because i wanted to share several points the biggest of which is how lucky I realize I am with the dealership that I have. They are family owned and operated, they welcome me and my sillyness when i come in, they work my bike in according to my crappy work schedule, and even if i cannot get the bike to them, they will come drop off their car at my office, and take my bike in for me, then return it at the end of the day. How can you not feel good about a scenario like that. So who am I to complain about
frequency of maintenance, costs, warranties, etc etc etc. My bike and my experience are both Victory's |
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Tourer
Posts: 319
| Before I bought my Vision.............I never paid attention to it..............saw it at the dealership took her for a "demo" ride that was it.....sold! at the time I was disgusted with HD....product and dealers and wanted an American alternitive The only thing that bugs me about Victory is the extended warrenty they are offering............Polaris should offer this to all the people who took a chance on a first year model....and bought one,Instead they send a us a little cheap detailing kit..............Even HD offers a 2 year warranty. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Before I bought my Vision.....! Comfort for my wife was the biggest question. She did not like the Kingpin comfort at all. That was solved at the Victory test ride Sept 07, we put a deposit on one the same day. Have really enjoyed this motorcycle. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 194
Buford, GA United States | I went from a Suzuki Intruder 1500 to a Kawasaki Nomad and with those 2 bikes there was nothing to worry about but the Vision was a magnet I could not pull away from. Everything I read about Victory was that the motor was bulletproof and that you should ride it like you stole it! So I happen to be in Myrtle Beach and stop by Coastal Victory on my Nomad just when the Vision comes out. They toss me the keys to a Street and say have a good ride. I was impressed!!! They did not have a premium as they were sold out so a couple of weeks later I stop by the Cumming Victory Dealer to try out a premium. They toss me the keys and ask me to have it back sometime the next day. I show back up a couple of hours later after taking my wife on a ride and tell them I want a black one as they are the fastest ones made. He points to one at the back of the building and says it is yours and a couple hours later I am back at my house with a really big grin on my face and of course my wife is really impressed that I could spend that much money in so little time!!! My only question or concern for a new buyer is make sure you get all the free $h!t that VaParadox gets in his mailbox... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | My last 2 new bikes were HD. Had little trouble with both. Last was an e-glide with 65k on it. New HDs looked just like what I already had with bigger price tag. Saw articles on the Vision. Thought it was a cool concept bike. Later found out they were taking orders. Researched countless websites on Victory. Found out they had great dependability factor once the freedom motor was perfected. Decided to take a chance. Got frustrated with the pre order deal. But loved it once I had it. After a year and a half, still amazed at this bike. A close dealer and factory support can still be frustrating. |
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Tourer
Posts: 550
Tacoma, WA | My questions were basic, as I was looking for a tourer.
Is it comfortable, for ME?
Does it have ALL the creature comforts? (GPS, Cruise, Heated seats, grips, plug ins for heated gear, cell, etc?)
What does it have that the others do not? (Electric windshield, H.I.D. light, iPod interface, huge floorboards...)
Do I like the looks of it?
Does it have ample power?
How does it handle in traffic?
It was no contest, but the 'Wing was its strongest competitor. I scraped pegs 2-up on it, and the Vision within 2 hours of each other, and the choice was an easy one.------Metalguy |
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Cruiser
Posts: 123
Marysville Washngton | Well, I hardly asked any questions because I lurked here for months and months. Often, I would walk in and bring up something being discussed here and the dealer was impressed with the depth of knowledge that was here on the forum. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | It has been a love, hate relationship for me. The bike is amazing, the dealer/factory backing is lacking. From what I read here, its not this way in other areas. I understand but at times it dosent help. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Stockton, Ca. | I first saw a brochure on the Vision in Feb. of 2007. The dealer was offering a worry free deposit program that paid 100.00 extra if I changed my mind. The attraction was that the Vision appeared to combine many features I had with a BMW1150RT and my Victory kingpin. Two very different rides, my thoughts were could one Vision perform as good as the BMW with the comfort I had on the Kingpin?
Having never spent as much on a bike I didn't think the wife would be very agreeable to a deposit. even one that paid interest. Initially I was right "No Way!" was the response. While I was awaiting service on the Kingpin the Vision remained on my mind. About 15 minutes later I called my wife back and before I could begin speaking she gave me the green light. She knew that I would eventually wear her down anyway. I laid out my deposit 9 months before I would see a real version. Call me an early adopter maybe but I was so taken by the intense planning an unique ground up design. not a copy of any other cruiser but a bike that makes it's own statement. I had to have one. When the test rides came any reservations I may have had were gone. Well I have to say the Vision was so comfortable to ride the slight difference in cornering and top end from the BMW didn't matter any more. This is really both bikes rolled into one great package. I sold the Kingpin and kept the Beemer for awhile but the Vision was so comfortable on long rides and it rolls through the twisties with ease I finally sold the BMW as well.
Now having ridden the Vision for 16 months or so I am much more in tune with the handling there is really no difference any more. It keeps up with the sport bikes and sport tourers just fine and has much more class. I definitely made a good decision and the wife rides with me much more than she used to. This one's a keeper!
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Cruiser
Posts: 63
Corpus Christi Tx. | I did not have too many questions about the Vision other than what will it look like when Victory announced about a new tourer coming out for 08. I have an 05 Hammer that has been bullet proof and I knew then that the reliability on the Vision would be the same. I have to admit when upon first glance at the Vision it did make me think twice about purchasing one with the wild styling. BUT.....after taking it for a test ride is what sealed the deal and of course the looks grew on me pretty quickly. I'm happy and content with my Vision and look forward to many smiles with it.
RIDE SAFE. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | I had been wishing for a world-class luxury touring bike on which I could reach the ground with both feet. I have a 28 inch inseam. I used to own a Goldwing, which is undeniably a world-class luxury touring bike with a stellar reputation for reliablility. I gave it up simply because I was no longer comfortable handling the bike in parking lot situations. I have also been a Victory owner since the year 2000, and have watched the brand progress. The later models are much improved in refinement over my 2000 model, but the reliability of the brand has always been good, in my experience anyway. After giving up our Goldwing, I told my wife we would probably never have another luxury touring bike, since they were all too tall and top heavy for me. She was very disappointed. I was starting to consider a Goldwing trike conversion, but I really didn't want a trike. My Dad had a Goldwing trike, and well, it just ain't a bike. Then Victory announced the new Vision with a 26.5 inch seat height. I test rode one at the first opportunity. I wasn't too keen on the styling at first, but the test ride convinced me that Victory had built a real contender to the Goldwing. I could keep both feet flat on the ground at stops! We borrowed the dealer's demo for an extended ride. The wife loved it, and she was used to a Goldwing. It had a heated seat and dedicated passenger volume controls. She really liked that. Goldwings can now be had with heated seats and grips, but not dedicated passenger volume controls. The add-on accessory for the Goldwing only allows the passenger to decrease the volume level from whatever the driver has it set at. The Vision also allows the passenger to listen to the stereo without requiring the driver to also listen. We like that. Goldwing doesn't allow that option. I loved the ride and handling, and especially the low seat height. The Vision is much more comfortable on long rides than the Goldwing too, due to the ability to move your feet around on the long floorboards. On the Goldwing, you are locked into one position with your feet behind the cylinder heads, or with your legs splayed FAR wide (like a woman on the exam table) on the "highway pegs". Neither position is comfortable for very long. The Vision gives you unlimited foot positions. We decided that I COULD still handle a big luxury touring bike, if it was a Victory Vision. The rest is history and we love our Vision.
Ronnie |
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Cruiser
Posts: 257
Under the Rule of Jedi - Masshole | Do I have room in my garage for another one?
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
| Before I bought my Vision I had a 05 Suzuki Boulevard. I loved that bike. Spent a great deal of money customizing it to look like a touring bike, ie., locking saddle bags, locking trunk, Quadzilla fairing (satellite radio, CD, GPS, CB coms and much more). I did all I could to convert that bike to a touring bike, but the tell tale sign that you've done a good job is how the wife rides on the bike after a couple of hours. In the few years I owned the Boulevard, I longed for Honda to come out with a Gold Wing that would offer a rider with a long frame some comfort from tucking my legs up under me.
I first saw the Vision in Nov 08. It took a little getting used to at first, but everytime I came back to the dealership, I got closer. After about the 3rd visit I mounted it, and began to really look into the features. Needless to say I was impressed. It took me about 8 months to test drive it. Around this time the wife began to express discontent about the comfort of the ride on the Boulevard. That was all I needed to justify the purchase, since we were planning a long ride with the club, and she wanted to take the road with me.
There was some initial concern about it being a first year model and all, but I did my research on the Victory make, and decided that I had to take the chance on a bike that offers so many amenities, with extreme rider comfort. My first impression was a Gold Wing with leg room, but now I call it my 2 wheel convertible.
Big Woo |
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New user
Posts: 1
North Gower, ON, Canada | I'm a Victory Tour Premium wannabe. I've wanted a big tour bike for a long time. I got to tour New Zealand this March on a BMW 1200RT. Nice bike, lots of power and fun to drive, but I felt cramped and at the same time I had to be tippy-toe to reach the ground, which I did not like at all. Found it to be a little top heavy too, probably due to the height.
The Victory appealed to me even before I found out the height. I'd like the premium, in Midnight Cherry, with electric reverse. (I live in a hilly area and sometimes it would be nice to have assistance backing).
Everything about this bike appeals to me, from the looks to all the wonderful reviews I've read. Even to someone who dropped it, but it found it easy to get right up again as it didn't fall completely over.
I'm not sure yet to go for a brand new machine or to find a pre loved one though. I'd love to get the latest and greatest!
BTW, do they come with ABS at all? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | GranpaDan, no ABS on the Vision, and you'll probably have to go with a 2009 model if you want the reverse. Good luck on your search. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | G-Dan, I don't think you'd be disappointed in a 2009 w/reverse. The bike is very user friendly and fun to ride all the time. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 97
Brighton, Colorado | !. Concerned with first year production and what future problems would there be. (now have an '09 that has a bigger cam (yeah) and the trunk issues have been addressed)
2. Belt drive. All of my other cruiser/touring bikes had drive shafts. Didn't know ANYTHING about the reliability etc of a belt drive. Was actually kind of nervous about it.
3. No ABS
GrandpaDan: The '08 model doesn't allow for the reverse option to be installed. You'll have to have the 09. Even then, they'll change out the panels to fit the reverse.
Edited by Squeak 2009-06-01 3:36 PM
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New user
Posts: 3
Ottawa, Ontario | I live in Orleans and bought one from Gear Head two weeks ago. I was riding a Yamaha Venture before it, and the ride on the Vision is like a dream. Like the BMW, the Venture is a top heavy bike and I feel a lot more comfortable with the Vision. The lower centre of gravity, the lower seat height, and just the general feel. If you want a tour bike, the Vision is the way to go.
Gear Head is having demo days tomorrow and Wed (June 2 and 3) As far as I know they are going to have a Vision there.
GrampaDan - 2009-06-01 12:23 PM
I'm a Victory Tour Premium wannabe. I've wanted a big tour bike for a long time. I got to tour New Zealand this March on a BMW 1200RT. Nice bike, lots of power and fun to drive, but I felt cramped and at the same time I had to be tippy-toe to reach the ground, which I did not like at all. Found it to be a little top heavy too, probably due to the height.
The Victory appealed to me even before I found out the height. I'd like the premium, in Midnight Cherry, with electric reverse. (I live in a hilly area and sometimes it would be nice to have assistance backing).
Everything about this bike appeals to me, from the looks to all the wonderful reviews I've read. Even to someone who dropped it, but it found it easy to get right up again as it didn't fall completely over.
I'm not sure yet to go for a brand new machine or to find a pre loved one though. I'd love to get the latest and greatest!
BTW, do they come with ABS at all? |
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Before you bought your Vision...