I got a flyer in the mail last month from H-D to take a test drive on any new '09 model and get 2009 miles of gas free.  (It's really a gas card worth $150.00)  I test rode an '09 Ultra yesterday and told the sales guy straight up that I was not buying, just getting a feel for it so I can explain the differences between the Ultra and Vision from my own experience.  He had never seen a Vision before and asked if I was happy with it and I replied "It's an '08 and I just rolled over 29,000 on it.  What do you think?" 

We went for a 10 mile/15 minute guided tour and never got above 50 mph.  It was really hard to get a feel for all of the things they were so proud of upgrading;  the beefed up frame/suspension, the relocated exhaust, the fatter rear tire.  We did no twisties and no highway speeds.  Not enough speed to get any wind buffetting.  I followed the salesman who was on his Fat Boy with loud pipes and couldn't hear the tranny or pipes on the stock Ultra at all.  At idle, the handlebars shook enough that it would be tough to read your watch but as soon as you roll on the throttle it smoothed out dramatically.  I was surprised at how smooth it was once it got rolling.  I was a little surprised at the power also.  I was expecting a lead sled but it could actually get out of it's own way.  It doesn't have the "hit" of the Vision motor but it's respectable.  The seat cushion was thinner and the rear suspension bottomed out on some small potholes I aimed at.  I don't think the rear shock had any air in it.

The ride was pretty much worthless except to show how small it felt under me.  I've read about other guys mentioning this but it was amazing.  I couldn't even do a full lock u-turn in the parking lot because I couldn't keep the handlebars from hitting my knees.  This was my first experience with a heel-toe shifter also and I hated it.  The pegs were about 3" off the floorboard and I had to completely lift my boot off the floorboard to get on top of either peg.  My size 12 boot also overlapped the entire shifter by about an inch and a half so that just added to the claustophobia.  I wanted to move both feet forward at least 6-9 inches.

After the ride was over, I invited the salesman over to tour the Vision and a couple of other guys who had just been hanging around walked over with us.  None of them had ever seen one and the two guys had never even heard of it before.  On the walk over one of the guys said "So you're gonna upgrade from this to the Ultra?"  I smiled at him but basically ignored him and talked to the salesman.  I had told him about how cramped I felt on the Ultra and told him to swing a leg over on the Vision and he would see what I was used to.  (He's about an inch shorter than me at 6' 2".)  He got on and commented on how far away the dash looked.  I said "Yeah, you rarely look down on this thing.  Now put your feet up on the floorboards where they feel most comfortable but don't look down."  He looked up, put his feet up to where they probably would have gone on his Fat Boy and then slid them forward a couple of inches.  I said "Ok, now look down and see how much room you have left."  He leaned over, looked at the floorboards and said "Wow, that's amazing."  I showed him how the pedals could be adjusted front to back, the power windshield, the "trigger" for the dash readouts, heated grips, heated seats, cruise, XM, split gas tanks for lower center of gravity, huge tail light and the wind tunnel design.  I have mine in the "Street" mode now and explained how easy it was to take off the cover plate and put on the trunk for a full blown tourer.  I finished it off by laying it on it's side.  The whole time those other two guys were standing there watching in total silence (until I laid it down). I finally turned to the guy who made the "upgrade" comment and said "This is a 106 with about 40 percent more horsepower and torque than that stock 96 cubic inch Ultra over there.  I paid about twenty two five for it loaded out.  What part of this equation looks like it would be an "upgrade" for me to go with the Ultra?"  I turned around to pick up the bike and he blinked and said "Here, you need a hand with that?"  I said "No, thanks, I've got it." and made a show of picking it up easily (not bothering to turn around backwards and do it "correctly" ) and put the kickstand down.  The salesman and I walked back inside to fill out the paperwork for the gas card and we chatted for another 20 minutes.

As I walked back out to my bike those two guys were still standing by it and I finally got to leave about 30 minutes later.  They were genuinely impressed.  It was a good day.  The gas card will be a nice gift from my new friends. 

Hey Po,  I did the test ride at the H-D dealer in Collierville.  No way I was going to let FRS Powersport boys see me lurking in enemy territory across the street from them.  As for the lift, it's actually easier for me to pick up the bike when facing it.  When I use the back-in method I have to dip too far down to push my butt against the seat.  (Knees are shot.)  Not recommended for anyone else though.  Having the 50 lb trunk off makes a huge difference.

V-Tex - My wife laughed at the "%#@-you" smile comment.  Apparently I flash it more often than I think.  You are exactly right about the card just being an excuse.  Took me all month to psych up for it though.  They said that only 6 people had taken them up on that offer at that dealership.  I think they got my name from a Victory mailing list because no current Harley riders were eligible.  The salesman did say that a lot of '07/'08 Harley riders are trading in for the '09 because it is that much better that the previous models. 

Teach - I probably need to change my signature.  You are not alone in the confusion.