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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. | Saw, Sat on and critiqued the new Crosscountry on display, with the Victory Demo Truck, while it made it's stop here in NE Penna. at Baer's Victory Dealership. If money were not an object, I certainly would take the Vision, besides that, I still would take the Vision. It's funny how manufacturers tease the consumer with a little of each item on the models. Bigger side bags
are the only plus on the Crosscountry, I see comparing the 2. Initial thoughts while sitting on both,
give the comfort nod to the Vision. I believe that the Crosscountry will give the other big cruisers,
like HD,a run for their money, and for less money.
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Cruiser
Posts: 185
Nebraska | If money was no object my Vision would have a Cross Country as a stable mate. But it is an object. And from what Ive seen so far no way I would trade. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 154
Cabot Arkansas | Am I the only one that notices that big fugly honkin' plastic and metal radiator looking thing on the front of these bikes,I know they don't have down tubes but I just think they could've come up with a better looking design.I did see one that was color matched and it looks better.Also the way the gas tank sits so far back that gap in front of the tank looks funky to me even more noticable on the xr bike without the fairing to hide that and the wires running back.Othet than that I think they look great and Vic will sell lots of them they fit the bill for the folks that want a more tradtional look.I sat on them at the AVR and they feel pretty comfortable BUT the Vision seat is a lot better.
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Many(divers) Do not recoginize their limitations, and when they do they are about to die
2009 Vision Tour Premium Midnight Cherry
2006 Jackpot Comp Yellow Xtreme Graphics
2009 Vision Tour Premium Black (Wifes bike) |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | mav, i wish i could side with you, the looks of anything is a loosing battle. what looks out of whack on one thing to you and i is a jewel to many others. folks will vote with their wallet and they will sell and folks will love them who buy them. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 111
Maine | Mav, you are not the only one. It was a shock when I saw those two items. the publicity photos stayed right away from those angles. But as they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I have come to love my Vision. No trade going to happen here! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 170
Houston, TX | I've been planning to buy a Vision for almost a year. (Still trying to unload my VTX18F and pay off my wife's car- 7 more payments!). But since I saw the XC I have to say I am a little torn between the two. While I like the ride and comfort of the Vision I really like the traditional cruiser styling and features of the XC. If the XC had a matching trunk, for me it would almost be a no brainer factoring the cost. But I will reserve judgment at least until I am able to see one in person and test ride one. Decisions, decisions... |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | Having seen the Cross Country and Cross Roads in person, let me say this.... If you haven't seen them in person, you just haven't seen them. I went around both bikes trying to get a camera angle for a decent photo. They just don't photo. The Cross Country being the worst. I don't know what it is... but I was looking in the viewfinder at this big ugly bike with a nose that looks like it was added as an afterthought and those big chrome "wings".... and I look up at the actual bike... and it looks like a frigg'n different bike than the one my camera was seeing. This really perplexed me all weekend.
I think the Cross Roads and Cross Country are marketed to all those folks that want a "traditional" influenced "bagger." The Vision is still the Vision, and I hear rumors that there may be some Vision upgrades as a result of what they came up with on the Cross bikes.
"the Crosscountry will give the other big cruisers,like HD,a run for their money, and for less money." is exactly the point. There were feature stickers on the ones I saw that compared xx% more power, xx% more storage etc.. to an HD Ultra.
But seriously, if you are turned off by the styling... trust me.. don't make any judgments until you see them in person. You still may not like them.... but at least you will be looking at the real bike. They should give an award for the person that can get a decent complimentary picture of a Cross Country.
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Thanks Miles for your assessment. I think if I dug around for my posts either here or on theVMC I think I said it is Victory's attempt to pull over the HD market for those who like the traditional look over the Vision. I think in that regard they did a fine job, but as you say, you have to see them in person. the cross bikes (i refrained from saying cross-dresser) will have their own following for sure as many of the Vicsters don't like the Vision either. a motorcycle platform is hard to work with since there are only so many variations to work around a saddle and two wheels.
I still feel that the Vision 8-Ball will cause more HDer's to come over to Victor than the X-er's, but that is just my opinion. I think the one reason it will is that the Vision is a proven comfort ride, but the creature comforts turn away the tough biker crowd, where the 8-ball will dispel that as alow, sleek black individual appearance that grabs their attention.
inspite enjoying my creature comforts I rode through the darkness this morning with no-cruise going and the radio silent, it was truly a sacred time with all the miles just listening to the beat of the engine at my input. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| wjoel, so are you gonna give us a rundown or not? How tall are you and how did it fit as compared to your Vision? Are the ergo's in line with the Vision given it borrows a lot of components? What about the passenger; does a passenger still sit up high? Hows the balance of the bike off the stand? Does the windshield sit high enough or interfere with line of sight/not offer enough protection/height? Controls all easily reached?
You know an actual comparison, lol..... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | varyder - 2009-08-23 4:33 PM
I still feel that the Vision 8-Ball will cause more HDer's to come over to Victor than the X-er's, but that is just my opinion. I think the one reason it will is that the Vision is a proven comfort ride, but the creature comforts turn away the tough biker crowd, where the 8-ball will dispel that as alow, sleek black individual appearance that grabs their attention.
No offense, var, but I think you're completely wrong. I ride almost exclusively with "hard core" bikers and HDers. Not because I'm some sort of snob, but just because that's how my riding buddies are. The ones that don't like the Vision--or are "iffy" about it--are that way because of the overall styling of the bike. A lot of them ride Ultras, so creature comforts aren't a problem; and I regularly ride circles around the stockers and Screamin' Eagles (and I hang pretty well with the guys that have sunk 10k in performance upgrades into their engines), so they are well-aquainted with the power and handling of it. However, when I show them pics of the Crosses and tell them they're built with the same engine and frame as the Vision they perk right up and get interested.
I think these two new bikes will also do a lot to woo back the disgruntled TC crowd. I ran into two different ex-TCers on a trip a couple weeks ago who had switched to metric bikes. They both loved their TCs but really didn't like the Vision and were quite pissed that Vic dropped the TC. Both of them really liked the looks of the new Cross bikes, though, and spoke of maybe returning to the Vic fold. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | no problem Rebel, I don't mind being completely wrong, it is just MHO. I think there are more than one group of bikers and my perception of the biker for the 8-Ball may not be the same group you hang with. |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. | Here are my thoughts as requested: Being 6', the fit is somewhat different with regards to handlebar placement. I sat on the Crosscountry and on a display Vision for instant comparison.XC's handlebars slightly lower-for me it was minimal. Ergo's are somewhat the same,
the floorboards are the same, however the Vision's seat is more cushy and you have more room in front of you on the Vision. The passenger seat is not as large as the Vision, it does sit up high
like the Vision. I felt the balance was superb, I lifted it off the kickstand with ease. The stock windshield on the XC is very small, not for me, that's why I have the tall CEEBaileys on my Vision.
I'm sure you can order taller windshields for it though. The handlebar controls on the XC have
cruise and to operate the radio, XC doesn't have a console.
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. | Different looking chrome engine guards that stick out far, takes some getting use to. The XC,
in my opinion, will be a success.
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. | Different looking chrome engine guards that stick out far, takes some getting use to. The XC,
in my opinion, will be a success.
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. | Meant to send bigger pic, here !
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 19
Cheyenne, Wyoming | Hi All
I had the opportunity to spend some sitting on the XC at Sturgis.
I like the fit I'm 6'2 the boards have some adjustment.
I really like the fit and I believe it will handle with the Vision.
I asked the engineer how the fork mounted faring handles heavy winds, in Wyoming we know what its like to ride in the wind and solid front wheels and fork mounted farings can become a challenge. Victory never has had a solid wheel design good for Vic. The Engineer told me they did some wind tunnel testing for shapes to help guard against this. Note that the XC has much more of a wedge design than other farings on the market so I believe they may be onto something.
I do admit that the Vision 8-Ball and the XC really have me twisted as to which one I'll buy. I am in the market. The lack of some things on the 8-BV may move me toward the XC.
I also was thinking that the cowling on the front of the XC should be color matched and that would really enhance the look of the bike. If I pick up the XC I'll look into getting it painted to match.
The other thing I noted is the XC is about 70 lbs lighter than the Vision tour, that may have an impact. not that any of the Vic's lack in performance.
I can hardly wait to ride the XC.
WyoHammerman
Brian Cox
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Cruiser
Posts: 105
| I had this same problem. XC or V 8 Ball? The 2010 8 Ball loses 3 items from the 2009 Street. That's the Cruise, Radio, and Hydraulic Clutch. What sold me on the 8 Ball is the overall comfort level. Along with the lowered suspension and all that black. The one of a kind styling didn't hurt either. It should arrive at my dealer in about 7-10 days.
Ride safe,
Vrodder |
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Cruiser
Posts: 175
Colorado | The benefit of a XC as I see it, is local short hop riding. If long distance is the goal I want to see a comparison of the two bikes as far as wind/rain/bug protection goes. Can you compare a fixed windshield with a bike that has a retractable one? Does anyone have a graphic of the XC in a wind tunnel? My riding comfort is number one, styling is further down the list behind reliability and maintainability which I am sure will be solid with Victory's track record.
The positives of the XC beyond the storage capacity is that you can access the rear wheel by pulling off the bags making cleaning and checking tire pressure and teh drive belt much easier. If the Vision bagger comes to life I think that kills any advantage the XC may offer.
Heat on the leg...well without any protection from the elements I think the XC will run cooler. Still I never did experience what some other riders complain about on the Vision.
The XC has a quick disconnect trunk, or rear luggage rack..still I wonder how many paint jobs that will cause. Yet it is appealing to me.
A minor negative is where the air filter is on the XC, you have to pull the seat and slide the tank back toward the rear tire to access the filter. I want to ride not turn wrenches.
I am not taking the XC off my potential list of buys but I will say that the Vision as it is today is still my favorite machine. When I get the chance to ride a XC for eight hours through the Colorado country side and learn what it take to maintain completely that may change for now the Vision has my vote.
One more note..I like the front fender on the Arlen Ness model more than I did the standard VIC fender on the XC..
just mt .02 on the topic
Edited by badnvegas 2009-08-30 10:36 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | i'm refraining from dissing any of the new bikes as they will become someone's pride and joy. just as i've not like folks dissing the vision, but any comments now roll off like water on a ducks back. victory should have done their marketing studies and this is what they feel will make them money this year.
there is only one bike that i would buy out of the new line up...
Edited by varyder 2009-08-31 4:38 AM
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