|
|
Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Some of you asked if I'd do a rundown on the HD as it compares to the Vision. Now that I've had enough time in the saddle I figured I'd give you a rundown, per the requests.
As some of you know HD took some pointers from Victory ala the Vision. Exhaust now swings under like the Vision, front tire is now 17" instead of 16" and the frame length has been increased (if they say so, lol). Lets not forget they increased fuel capacity to 6 gal. I'll cover the stuff I like first and the stuff I don't second.
Likes include the handling. It is slower than the Vision but gives a nice feel. Weight of course is very much lower, and the radio reception & sound is far superior to the Visions. Maybe Vic will put an external antenna on the Vision for 2011, since the CC doesn't appear to have that issue. Power deliver is smooth and steady which allows one to hold a gear a wee bit longer. Storage is good, about the same as the Vision but a little more user friendly. Fit and finish is good as was my Vision. Handling of tar snakes is no longer an issue which is the biggest plus for me. Over all the bikes compare favorably with one another, BUT there is a catch to the HD.
Dislikes: Passing another vehicle does require some thought and enough room. The rider/passenger area is nothing like the vision, kinda small and close. Seat comfort is great provided you put on hwy pegs so you are sitting like you would naturally on the Vision using stock boards. Passenger boards need to be replaced with a $300 set for the passenger to get the same room as the Vision stock. Added adjustable wind deflectors (stock on Vision) and a shorter windshield from Clearview. The stock is right in a 6' riders line of vision and the clearview with turnout maintains a higher pocket with a shorter shield. This of course isn't an issue with the Visions pwr windshield.
If I was to make one observation in comparing the two bikes it would be this; The Vision is in stock form is ready to go and nothing is needed, in fact you probably have more than one needs to ride distance. The catch is packing takes a little more planning. The HD needs some accessorizing before you're ready to roll in comfort but little planning is needed to load and go. Both bikes are very good in the motor department and have a pleasant ride. In other words it becomes a coin toss one must make at the time of purchase.
I won't lie to you guys, I miss my Vision, it fit like a glove and the pwr ws was the cats behind, but I am getting to know the HD again. It's no Vision but I'm not sweating the tar snakes so I'm good wih the decision. Cost to get the HD to where the stock Vision comes in is around $1000. Hopefully Victory will have a Cross Country with full dresser gear in a year and I suspect the after market folks will have a hitch ready as well 
Well that my run down. Feel free to ask if you have any questions, you guys know I'm a pretty square shooter, good or bad. | |
| | |
Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Even when new, did the Vision give you a problem with the Tar Snakes? If not, did you try a new vision on them thar Tar snakes? Just curious! | |
| | |
Visionary
Posts: 1436
| pollolittle, I believe I mentioned this in another post but no I did not have issues with the tar snakes the first summer, none at all. I would have tried a new Vision on the tar snakes except all my dealer had was leftover 09's at the time I was looking (may still be the case), and I didn't want an 09. I'd have gotten a bit better trade at the Vic dealer for my Vision I'm sure, but he wouldn't have been able to touch the price I got on the Harley even with accessorizing.
Like I said I really wanted a CC but without a trunk and hitch it doesn't meet my requirements, so maybe next year those items will be available.
Edited by Teach 2010-06-15 4:00 PM
| |
| | |
Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Teach, Thanks, for the info. My wife wanted an HD BAD and she was loving the softail Classic. I might have been on it, if it hadn't been for my stubborn streak and liking the more futuristic / modern look.
Just from a curiousity standpoint, it would be interesting to know what the difference was:
Tires - seems you tried many,
suspension - lowering, lifting, don't know if you had the front shocks serviced or not,
rider input - seems your intouch with your machine, and willing to learn from it.
front and rear tire alignment
or steering geometry, etc.
Those are just some of the things I can think of, and which you tried to address, I guess it is just one of those things that just make you go HMMMMMMM!!
Seems you switch bikes enough you will be back on another Victory product or even another bike SOON, even after the current HOG goes to slaughter.
I figure if my wife has anything to do with the next purchase it will probably be the CC, due to I at least have to have my tunes. Don't care nothing about the real manly rowdy sound. I, however, would like to put some of those electric cutouts, that move a door and open the exhaust up. But only for a little bit to be a little showy and giggle.
It is a shame that Victory didn't get involved with some of these machines that had problems to figure out where to improve them. Especially, since yours worked one summer and then didn't.
Edited by pollolittle 2010-06-16 8:48 AM
| |
| | |
Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Teach - 2010-06-15 3:59 PM pollolittle, I believe I mentioned this in another post but no I did not have issues with the tar snakes the first summer, none at all. Teach, I think you made so many changes to your bike over the years that it ended up way out of balance compared to how it came from the factory. I pity the guy who buys your old Vision thinking that is what they all ride like. He'll probably trade for a Harley also. | |
| | |
Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Songfan, actually I made very few changes to my Vision. I tried a number of tires, and as a last resort tried the lowering link, but otherwise the bike was bone stock. Most of the changes you are probably thinking of were multiple headlites (5) and a radio, upper shock bushings, and a windshield. All those items were warranty replacements (along with a few others).
I suspect there was something wrong in the rear suspension and the front. Maybe some other bad bearings. All 3 upper shock bushings had to be replaced at around 5k miles and since I had a great deal of fork flex, I suspect there was somethng else going on in the front.
I did do all the maintenance on the bike to include the fork & steering head service at 15k so it wasn't a lack of servicing. One comment I did make note of; Varyder said when he serviced his forks they stiffened back up like new, mine remained mushy or really lite to compress. As I said I suspect something wasn't right in the front.
Po, the CC is a sweet ride. I suspect you'll see a tour pack added in this next model year. Then I'll be looking hard next year, lol.... | |
| | |
Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Teach, I know you were thinking about a steering dampener at one point but didn't know if you actually did it. From the way you describe how it ended up, I still pity the next owner. That bike ought to be donated to Victory QA department. | |
| | |
Visionary
Posts: 1436
| SongFan, you are absolutely correct. I always felt Victory should have recalled my bike given it had so many problems and try to figure out what went wrong. Obviously something went terribly wrong for a single bike to have so many issues. I don't ever recall anyone on the board having the number and combination of defective parts mine had. Worse is that they kept going bad even after replacement. Lol, some bikes just like the extra attention.
I wasn't able to do the superBrace because they didn't make one yet and mounting a steering damper would have been a nightmare. Mounting anything to the Vision can be testy.
I'm just glad that nobody else here has had the issues I've had. Yes some folks have had this or that but few have had them all as I did. And yes I feel for the next guy who gets that bike. | |
| | |
Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | Teach, what HD did you end up getting again? We'll have to meet at the BBQ joint in North Canton again so I can check it out.  | |
| |
|
As requested