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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 6
| Hello Everyone!! I just joined this site and have a few ?'s to ask. I currently own an '06 Kingpin and love it!! However within the near future I am planning a trip to Alaska and would really like a bike that would be a little more suited for that long of a trip. I really like everything that I have seen and read about the Vision. My only concern is about the number of dealerships as I get out West and North and North of the border. I am wondering what I would do if I broke down somewhere in the middle of B.F. Egypt!! I have all but ruled out a Goldwing but still am looking at a HD RoadGlide. Simply for the fact of the sheer number of dealerships that are across the U.S. and Canada. Has anyone had the chance too ride both of these bikes?? The main thing I am looking for is comfort. Also has anyone in the aftermarket made a nice sounding (loud) set of pipes for the Vision?? Sorry I LOVE loud bikes!! One last ? Anyone here ever been to Alaska on the bike?? Thanks for any info you can give. Ride safe.............................Stubby |
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Cruiser
Posts: 104
Plainfield Illinois | You're riding through Egypt to get to Alaska? no kiddin. Where you starting from, Kuwait?
If you take a Victory, you probably won't need service; Atlantic Ocean notwithstanding. Now if you want to have to service your bike, buy the other bike. They have more dealerships. Are you sure you want to buy something that needs so much service on one trip? |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 6
| Not really!! I'm starting here in N.IL. and I really dont want to go over to the "Dark Side" but am just exploring as many options as I can. Going that far is going to take some planning and forethought. I was just hoping that all the people on this site would twist my arm a bit so I get the Vision!! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 154
Cabot Arkansas | Hey Stubby I own a 06 Jackpot and 09 Vision sold an 06 goldwing ridden an 07 hardley ultra a few hunderd miles and I will say the Vision is THE MOST COMFORTABLE motorcycle I have ever ridden right out of the box,if comfort is what you want the Vision can't be beat.I put Ness Honker mufflers on mine and it now sounds like a Vtwin not obnoxious just a nice deep rumble . And why worry about dealers it's a Victory  My wife had a 08 Kingpin tour that she LOVED,she rode my Vision one time and traded her 10 month old KP for her Vision and she says it the most comfortable easiset riding bike she has ever been on.IMHO the Vision is the all around best touring motorcycle on the planet.Yeah I even like the looks of it NOW.You might want to think about a set of Vic lowers on it if engine heat on your legs bothers you.We put some on ours and they made the worlds best tourer even better.Good luck on what you decide and I sure wish I could get off enough time to ride to Alaska and back on mine. |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | stubby62 - 2009-07-14 2:22 PM
Hello Everyone!! I just joined this site and have a few ?'s to ask. I currently own an '06 Kingpin and love it!! However within the near future I am planning a trip to Alaska and would really like a bike that would be a little more suited for that long of a trip. I really like everything that I have seen and read about the Vision. My only concern is about the number of dealerships as I get out West and North and North of the border. I am wondering what I would do if I broke down somewhere in the middle of B.F. Egypt!! I have all but ruled out a Goldwing but still am looking at a HD RoadGlide. Simply for the fact of the sheer number of dealerships that are across the U.S. and Canada. Has anyone had the chance too ride both of these bikes?? The main thing I am looking for is comfort. Also has anyone in the aftermarket made a nice sounding (loud) set of pipes for the Vision?? Sorry I LOVE loud bikes!! One last ? Anyone here ever been to Alaska on the bike?? Thanks for any info you can give. Ride safe.............................Stubby
We see this question a lot, and I always find it interesting that anyone would consider any vehicle that causes them to wonder how many dealerships there are. Has anyone ever bought a car or truck based on how many dealers there are in their area? I guess it's possible, but then again, I wouldn't, so I don't know.
I would be more concerned about gas mileage, gas availability, places to stop, gear to carry, etc.. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | If you are short on time that you can spend on the trip - buy a HD - nobody looks twice at them - except thieves.
On a Vision, you will have to spend extra time dealing with folks who just want to look at your bike. And take pictures. And talk about it.
Oh yeah - be prepared for a lot of rain squalls along the way. The Vision is a great machine to keep you protected - better than any of my other machines. And I have done the Alaska thing - you start by putting your rain gear on each morning - even though it may be bright sunshine outside.
It's a great trip - I am going to go next summer with the Co-Pilot. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 203
Rapid City, SD | I know there is a Victory Dealer in Fairbanks but I am not sure about Anchorage. Those are the two big cities in Alaska. I didn't own a motorcycle when I was up in Anchorage. I imagine the rides would be nice but as you mentioned they would be LONG. Fairbanks to Anchorage can range from 5 hours (really flying) to 8+ hours. Your riding season will be short. Once it snows in the Fall it usually stays until late Spring. I would say mid October to late April is out of the question. Beautiful places to visit but if you think hitting a deer is bad consider hitting a Moose or Elk (not cool).
I own a Vision and I wouldn't trade it for anything out there. I love the comfort and mechanically its been trouble free. I have put 10,000 miles on mine in the first 6 months. That included a 4700 mile round trip from Rapid City, South Dakota to Daytona Beach, Florida. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 6
| Good point Miles. Yes I am starting to think about all of the ?'s that you brought up. Like I said this trip is going to take some extra planning and thought. thanks for the reply |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Miles - 2009-07-14 2:08 PM
stubby62 - 2009-07-14 2:22 PM
Hello Everyone!! I just joined this site and have a few ?'s to ask. I currently own an '06 Kingpin and love it!! However within the near future I am planning a trip to Alaska and would really like a bike that would be a little more suited for that long of a trip. I really like everything that I have seen and read about the Vision. My only concern is about the number of dealerships as I get out West and North and North of the border. I am wondering what I would do if I broke down somewhere in the middle of B.F. Egypt!! I have all but ruled out a Goldwing but still am looking at a HD RoadGlide. Simply for the fact of the sheer number of dealerships that are across the U.S. and Canada. Has anyone had the chance too ride both of these bikes?? The main thing I am looking for is comfort. Also has anyone in the aftermarket made a nice sounding (loud) set of pipes for the Vision?? Sorry I LOVE loud bikes!! One last ? Anyone here ever been to Alaska on the bike?? Thanks for any info you can give. Ride safe.............................Stubby
We see this question a lot, and I always find it interesting that anyone would consider any vehicle that causes them to wonder how many dealerships there are. Has anyone ever bought a car or truck based on how many dealers there are in their area? I guess it's possible, but then again, I wouldn't, so I don't know.
I would be more concerned about gas mileage, gas availability, places to stop, gear to carry, etc..
And tires. I would be worried about a flat on the side of the road and one of them bears coming around to see what the Vision is all about. |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Did Starship 1 ever make the Alaska trip he was planning for July? |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 6
| I was reading a story on-line somewhere about a guy that did the Alaska trip and he said that the truck drivers up there called the bikers Meals on Wheels |
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Tourer
Posts: 460
Centennial, CO | stubby62 - 2009-07-14 1:02 PM
Not really!! I'm starting here in N.IL. and I really dont want to go over to the "Dark Side" but am just exploring as many options as I can. Going that far is going to take some planning and forethought. I was just hoping that all the people on this site would twist my arm a bit so I get the Vision!!
As WB said...buy a Harley and a trailer...er...service department!
I have hopped on my bike and been on the road for days with NO problems and do NOT expect any in the near or even long term future. Fact is, this bike will ride like nobody's business.
Now, the HD with a trailer is another story all together. My buddy bought an '09 UC and it was in and out of the shop for the first 2 months. Mine...only during service time and for warranty things that were bugging me from a visual point of view (bags were not alighned...etc.)...but NEVER for mechanical issues. His was all mechanical. For example, he had an oil leak from the oil sender. Then he had another leak from which I cannot remember.
So, unless you want to buy a bike, truck and trailer...just go with THE bike and get the best on the road...the VISION!
Did I twist your arm enough? |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 6
| yep. I'm really just looking for an excuse to get one. LOL |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | Stubby, i just emailed you directly check your email. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | stubby62 - 2009-07-14 8:24 PM
yep. I'm really just looking for an excuse to get one. LOL
stub, i picked up on that in the first post . IF i was to ride to alaska i wouldn't do it on anything but a vision. just make sure you have done the bike a once over and you start with fresh tires. the tires are the same as a goldwing. i would expect any service except an oil change. 47,000 miles in 20 months with minimal service, oil changes, tires, a belt, plugs and fork fluid change, that's it!
just make sure you take A-1 for the bears so you'll be tasty....  |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | Y'know, after reading this the picture that keeps popping into my head is a Gary Larson-style cartoon of a nice road cutting through densely packed woods with a motorcycle off in the distance heading this way. Up close, off the side of the road, sit two bears wearing checkered napkins tied around their necks and holding a knife in one hand and fork in the other. One turns to the other and says, "Here comes a Meals on Wheels now. Did you put the rock where I told you?" |
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Tourer
Posts: 446
East TN | stubby62 - 2009-07-14 3:22 PM
Has anyone had the chance too ride both of these bikes?? The main thing I am looking for is comfort.
I have ridden both bikes I have an '06 Road Glide (40K miles) and have test drove a '09 Vision....As for comfort I would say there is a SLIGHT advantage towards...........the Vision (overall)
Larger floorboards to move your seating position around, instrument cluster is more at eye level so you DON'T have to look down, controls are more "user friendly" they are closer to you but you have to look down at them on the Vision...stock handlebars are further back on the Vision so you don't have a strecth issue to use the handle bars....And the lean angle is much better on the Vision. The CVision is by FAR more nimble in curves and turning....Several othe r"creature comforts" than the RG has "out of the box" I had to add $5K worth of stuff to get the RG to the levlel of a stock Vision (backrest, tourpack, oil cooler, speaker upgrade, windshield upgrade, and some other stuff too.)
As I have the 88 CI RG I can not say what the 96 CI HD runs like but my buddy (Candyman) left me sitting still while we rode Charahala Skyway, he had power and my RG just putted along...On the Dragon (US129) I drug my bike 3 times wile taking corners, he never once drug his floorboards...But the 106 CI is a power beast.....
Hope this helps...
Edited by joe schmoe 2009-07-15 8:45 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 6
| Gotta love the "Far Side" comment!! LOL Thanks for everyones input. Think I will try to make it to Spirit Lake this year and maybe get to talk to some of you in person and see what others have done to their bikes. Would be most interested in hearing some different exhaust notes from different pipes. Thanks again |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | this guy says it all....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT5WjbsSQeA&feature=related |
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A few ?'s from a newbie