Craig and I headed down to Big Bend Friday through Sunday for a total of almost 1800 miles. Some of the pictures can be found here: http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=95.

Some observations about our first long multi-day trip:

• The position of the windshield affects gas mileage by as much as 4 MPG. You get better MPG when the shield is down. It makes sense that a higher shield causes more resistance and lower MPG but I didn't realize how much. We tested it several times. It is what it is.
• I need my handlebars to come back 2 more inches. That would be a perfect fit for me. Now I will wait for somebody to make new bars.
• I need the wind deflectors on the fairing. This is more of a must at high speeds which is my normal riding style.
• Over 100 degrees is hot no matter where you are. The bike didn't seem as hot as I would have expected from an oil cooled engine (I'm used to water cooled).
• For me, I have plenty of room for full leathers, clothes, and all needed stuff for any length trip and still have plenty of room left over in the trunk. I wonder if that will be the case when the wife-unit is with me. I'll have to get her to pack light but it should work.
• The max speed I could get my bike to was 113. Craig said he got his to 119 but he was either drafting off me or he's lying. He says he has the proof on his GPS so I suspect he'll get in his car tonight and get it to 119 to prove it to me later. It was very windy here in Texas and that affected our top speed, I'm sure.
• At 110 MPH, I got 19 MPG. We averaged low 30s when riding at our normal cruising speed of 90. In the park, after being forced to do the speed limit by a Park Ranger, we were getting 50-60 MPG but were going nowhere fast.
• The bike handles well at any speed; even 113. I didn't feel like I was going fast through the turns as I would have on my other bikes but I realized I was. Taking 35 MPH turns at 70-80 was easy and the bike was solid at all times.
• I wish the bike had more roll-on power at 70-90 MPH. Passing is a little more problematic than I'm used to. I'm used to my Vulcan 2000 with 110 RWH and 140 RWT. A quick twist of the wrist and off I go. However, I'm not willing to give up on MPG for more power so I guess I'll be happy with what I have.
• My Passport SRX works great and it is now integrated into my audio system so I can hear it no matter what.
• National Park speed limits are 45 MPH. In some parks, that may be fine. In Big Bend, that's crazy.
• 400 miles down I-20 is a real bore. We did over 700 miles on Friday, almost 400 on Saturday, and over 700 on Sunday. 400 on Sunday was interstate to get home fast but it was windy, hot and boring. iPod and XM radio made it tolerable and CB radio to talk to Craig made it almost enjoyable but not quite.

That's it for now...

Fergy, was that readout 50-60mpg, on the avg, or int? Or was that validated at the gas pump? The best I've gotten to date is 40mpg and I ride conservative, though I did get at interstate speed to NC and return.

Thanks for the feedback.

varyder - 2008-04-21 11:28 AM Fergy, was that readout 50-60mpg, on the avg, or int? Or was that validated at the gas pump? The best I've gotten to date is 40mpg and I ride conservative, though I did get at interstate speed to NC and return.

I don't remember the exact number. I don't intend to ever ride for long periods of time at 45 MPH so I didn't really care what MPG I was getting. Craig may remember because he's the one that brought it to my attention.

The 1,800 mile trip to Big Bend National Park with Kevin was awesome. This was the first multi day trip and the longest on the Vision so far. We really got to put the Vision through the paces.

We rode in temperatures from 46 to 103 degrees, rode in a wide range of attitude from 300 feet to over 6,700 feet above sea level, did miles of twisties, sweepers and long straightaway’s in winds from calm to over 35 miles per hour and the Vision was a dream.

We accelerated hard, braked hard and yes I did hit 119 mph top speed and I have the GPS tracks to prove it. At 119 mph I hit a limiter of some sort and the engine started cutting out. I failed to get an rpm and speedometer reading but only the GPS reading so I have a reason to do it again.

We got to use every feature and function on the Vision including all the storage bags and liners, foot pegs, all the electronics including CB, Intercom, XM Radio and iPod integration, cruise control, HID light, heated grips and seat, Garmin Zumo 550 GPS, Utopia backrest and Arai helmets with integrated J&M Audio speakers and microphone.

Some of my observations in addition to Kevin’s with some duplication:

• Speed and wind will impact your mileage a lot on this bike. You can see average mpg range from the low 30’s to near 50 mpg depending on speed, wind, windshield setting and side wind deflector settings and yes even to what extend you have your feet and legs catching air outside the protected zone.
• I was really surprised at how manageable the heat was from the bike in 103 degree weather. Try adjusting the side wind deflectors in hot weather as they make a big difference.
• The adjustable windshield is truly a great feature
• The brakes on this bike are exceptional especially the rear ones.
• The suspension on the Vision is the best I have experienced on any cruiser or touring bike I have ridden and that is a long list.
• I am continually amazed at the cornering and handling capabilities of the Vision. There is nothing short of a true sport bike that can match or beat it in this category. 
• The Utopia backrest is a must have on a long trip like this and once you get one you will kick yourself for not getting it sooner.
• The cruise control works better than the ones in most cars. How did I survive without it all this time?
• The HID light, low beam and high beams provide the best lighting you will find on a bike. You really get a true sense of the Vision’s lighting capabilities out in the middle of nowhere at night.
• The seat is the most comfortable seat either stock or aftermarket including the Corbin and Mustang that I have ever sat on for long distances. They totally perfected this aspect of the bike.
• The J&M Audio upgrade speakers work very well and even at 100 mph you can hear the music clearly.
• All the trip computer functions built into the dash are really helpful on trips and seem to be extremely accurate. 
• Having a CB radio to communicate with your riding partners greatly enhances the riding experience on these longer rides. Especially with someone like Kevin.
• It would be more comfortable for me to have handlebars with about 2 inches more pull back than the stock ones.
• Lower wind deflectors for real cold weather and real hot weather.
• There are a few things I would like to see improved on the Vision like less air intake noise, less engine and transmission noise in some gears, a little taller 6^th gear so you are only running at 3,000 rpm at 90 mph instead of 3,350 rpm, a little less vibration – harmonics at 3,200 rpm and up, but these are small nits in the scheme of things.
• The more I ride the Vision the more I like it. I have ridden the Gold Wing GL1800, the 2008 Harley Ultra and the BMW 1200 LT and while each of these bikes have some nice points the Vision blows them away overall IMHO.
• O yes every time we stopped to get gas, eat or take pictures we had a flock of people asking questions and saying how cool the bike looks. We had bikers riding every type of bike drooling over the Vision. We had none bikers, young people, old people and even a variety of wildlife checking out the bike.  I have never owned anything that got so much attention. The common thing you heard from the bikers was I have seen pictures of it but this is the first one I have seen in person and the pictures don’t do it justice. The vast majority of people truly liked the design of the bike.
  

I can’t remember buying anything ever that I have been more thrilled about than the Vision. If you are sitting on the fence post wondering if you should buy the Vision or not you need to pull the trigger and start experiencing the thrill of your life.