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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...
