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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| I suppose I should have posted some time back that my decision to purchase the Vision was partly curiosity but mainly an experiment of sorts. I've been fascinated by the Victory line since the Vegas first appeared but being a bagger guy they never quite had what I was looking for (full blown tour). So when the Vision was being bounced around I was intrigued but not quite ready to leap, after all my 99 RG was like an old comfy pair of shoes.
When I purchased my 07 RG I quickly discovered I hated it. Harley had made just enough changes to make it a different bike and uncomfortable for me as well. I took the Vision for a couple rides but still wasn't sold, but after having my jeans burn to my leg a second time it was getting some serious consideration.
I finally decided to go ahead with the purchase of the Vision with the understanding on my part that it would be a sort of experiment, a documented account of my experience with this new design. It was after all a first year production bike and I fully anticipated some flaws. I have kept an accurate log of all maintenance, experiments in servicing, etc... I've also logged what roads, trips and such I've ridden... things that were nice and things that could use some improvement. I've tried very hard to "not" compare this bike to the others I have owned, but instead to evaluate it purely from the ride.
As I approach the 20k mark I've had a good look back over my logs and not of any surprise was the reality that the bike has done an awesome job overall. Sure there are a few things I might change but alas nothing major. I guess from an owners standpoint most here have a strong attachment to their Vision, or at least thats what I have read/sensed from the posts. Some here have alluded to my lack of connection and as you read this it might give you a better idea of why.
So from an unbiased, purely analytical position I can say the Vision has exceeded my expectations and while the dealership experience is sometimes less than perfect, the bike has worked flawlessly. Would I purchase another?? Hard to say as I'm not done with my assessment.
Edited by Teach 2009-06-30 12:01 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | I've read a lot of reviews on the Vision over the past year+, from people just looking and commenting to journalists that were allowed a couple of hours or a few days to ride and evaluate. Almost all the reviews have been 100% positive. I enjoy reading them and agree with them, but I tend to take these things with a grain of salt because I know the real proof of how good any vehicle is comes thousands of miles down the road.
I also have been a long-time reader here, so I know full well all the trouble that you (Teach) have had with your Vision. For those of you that are new here, just about every single glitch or flaw that has been mentioned on this forum (and a few that haven't...) has been experienced by Teach. He's never admitted as much, but I'm willing to bet that his bike is named "Murphy." While some folks here have rankled a bit at his negative posts (negative in reporting, not in tone) as if the honor of their rides were being impuned, I always took Teach's posts as being nothing more than reporting things he's going through so others can learn from them and deal with their own problems a little better.
So to have you say,"...the bike has done an awesome job overall. Sure there are a few things I might change but alas nothing major," and, "...the Vision has exceeded my expectations and while the dealership experience is sometimes less than perfect, the bike has worked flawlessly," I think really says a lot. Even with all the problems you've had with the bike, the struggles with your dealer, and going round-and-round with Victory you still seem to have had an overall positive experience with the Vision.
This is perhaps the best review I have ever read of this bike. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Agreed, knowing of this character, Teach, who must be a scientist of sorts, to have gone through all of this and the troubles. Still rack up 20k and still enjoy the bike. WO'OW!! I've never kept a log, but have enjoyed the miles. If you've kept a log of this bike, extensively, and possibly other bikes. It would make a good read one day in a BOOK. Obviously, you have a good grasp of the Queen's English, should read well.
I for one, have always enjoyed the TeachMaster posts. I wish he would try out a few more items, so I wouldn't have to be the guinea pig. Still trying to figure out the cupholder, though. I like the spot, just haven't been able to get a ram mount ball to try and figure out which size I need. Nobody, in this area, has just the ball, that I can try.
Wife almost had me into a Harley, I liked the Vision Better, for style points. Now she is spoiled and enjoys the ride. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 271
Belding Michigan | I find one interesting thing that no one else here seems to havenoticed. I am guessing Michigan people must be jaded as I hardly ever have any one comment about the bike they look at it or not but seldom does anyone say anything I don't think I look that mean but then who knows. I had hoped it would be a bigger deal not that I need the gushing just thought it woudl draw more attention.
Great bike to ride but the V-twin thing is much different than I was used to however was never sold on the 1800 Wing either it is a sport touring bike not a true tourer my last true tourers were the 1500 Wing and before that the Cavalcade if any one remembers back theree. Archie |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | ahhh michigan. It must be the case that you all are jaded, or just don't notice different, since everyone and everthing is different there. 
However, I make that observation all the time. I get the occasional comment where I live, but it is on the road when I get the most attention, like this past weekend at a gas stop in Tarrboro, NC. As mentioned in another post, you would have thought I had just brought the first T.V. to town. I must have responded to to about 6 people within a few minutes and even had one guy waiting for me to finish with another to say something. Young, old and in between, perhaps the most attention at one time I've had since I had the bike.
Oh, and Po, after having met you, you are definetly a Vision kind of guy. You'd been out of place and out of sorts on a HD.
Edited by varyder 2009-06-30 3:03 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Rebel and Po, thanks for the kind words..... Po I can hook you up with some instructions for hiding your coffee mug where I did BUT I saw a cool cup holder arrangement the other day that might just be the ticket for some. In the bike section of Kmart they sell a cupholder for bicycles that is made by Bell. Cost is around $7 I believe. A stainless travel mug can be had at Kmart or Walmart for another $9 (just bought a new one). All you need then is a RAM mount or "L" Shaped piece of steel to mount where I did (see my pic's). Works real well... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 260
| Tech, Keep the comments comming. Enjoy what you write! |
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Maybe I should have posted
