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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | About 4 months after I got my Vision they had test ride day at the local Triumph/Polaris Dealer. I went to take a test ride and it was a good day for it. First off, it seemed that all the staff for the ride was rather snobbish as well as the Triumph riders that were waiting to try the new stuff. I walked around looking at the bikes and kinda took a liking to the RIII but it looked like you sat in the saddle like a Wing. Because the bike is tall and the saddle low, I thought it was lower than what it was so I go grab a brochure and read the seat height to be 29". From that point I quit looking and headed off to my Vision and nevered looked back. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
Lehigh Valley, Pa | Folks, this was good information. Not that I was having any issues managing windy rides but I put more thought into the way I am riding my new Vision based on the the advise given in this thread and was happy with the outcome. You can teach an old dog new tricks. Thanks... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 137
Houston, Texas | I think we have pretty well 'flogged' this horse to death. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 29
| Hello! I had a vision (get the pun?) that panties were getting bunched up on the internet highway. Just wanted some of you guys to know that I really like this bike except for a few problems Im having. I dont need driving lessons because I ride as loose as the bike will allow me to. Did you ever think that my specific bike might be having a problem due to incorrect torque on the steering stem bearings or something else? The bike has great power and torque and is very comfortable and I love the looks (not a carbon copy of everything else). Just looking for some solutions to my particular problems. Time for a de-bunching! Thanks |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | UntamedBill - 2009-04-27 2:39 PM
Hello! Just wondering if anybody else felt that high winds or tractor-trailers knocked their bikes around quite a bit? My Vision seems to be buffeted about quite a bit. Is this a trait of the bike because of the large fairing area or could there be a problem? Tire pressure OK. Thanks!
I would have your dealer check out the bike, there maybe an item that needs to be checked, like the steering head bearing. The Vision I feel moves around, but it really doesn't, it just seem like it. There is a lot of contact area so it will feel twitchy on top because the wind is pushing and buffeting, but the wheel track is very stable for me. Bringing down the windshield and pulling in the defectors can reduce that to twitching, in my opinion, but then you get more helmet (head) buffeting. I usually move to the far side of the lane when passing and do it a quickly as possible.
Good luck with your ride. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Bill I did not read all the replies just a couple so if this has already been said disregard. I came off of 2 back to back HD baggers and experienced the old burned crotch from engine heat with the last which is why I switched to the Vision. After picking mine up I noticed it felt like I was riding on marbles every time I got behind a semi and picked up some buffering. Wind control also felt a bit uneasy.
Someone here recommended I try loosening up more instead of instinctually gripping a little tighter. It helped but it did not entirely rectif the issue. As I've racked up more miles the feeling that the bike is riding on marbles has gone and I ride regularly in high winds. Work at relaxing as much as possible and lean slightly forward. I use my backrest to guide me forward just a little. It really is just becoming acustome to the extremely sensative handling characteristics of the bike. Please take this as intended just a friendly suggestion and NOT a critique of riding ability. Like I said I had similar issues and like yourself hae 40+ years in the saddle. Ride safe..... T |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | UntamedBill - 2009-04-29 1:30 PM
Hello! I had a vision (get the pun?) that panties were getting bunched up on the internet highway. Just wanted some of you guys to know that I really like this bike except for a few problems Im having. I dont need driving lessons because I ride as loose as the bike will allow me to. Did you ever think that my specific bike might be having a problem due to incorrect torque on the steering stem bearings or something else? The bike has great power and torque and is very comfortable and I love the looks (not a carbon copy of everything else). Just looking for some solutions to my particular problems. Time for a de-bunching! Thanks
Might want to have them check rear wheel alignment. Had the same problem when mine was new. Mentioned it at 500 mi. service, dealer adjusted, no problem after. Learned to do it myself after belt started making noise. Takes some trial an error to get it right. Dont go by the marks on the swingarm, you'll be way off if you do. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 65
| Someone on here led me to this site as I cannot source one in the UK (Polaris do not let you order direct in the UK, I have to go through a dealer)...
http://www.mediafire.com/2008visioninfo
There's a PDF download of the service manual. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 65
| Oops! Wrong thread -sorry! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | May I make a suggestion? Would one of you folk who actually experience the fork bearing, etc. problem that experienced the wobble, marble sensation make a tech post Titled: Wind Instability. I make this suggestion for future inquiries and the tech forum can also be the "what if" or Frequently Asked Questions collection point. I've not had that technical experience of the wobble, but did have the acclaimation issues of knowing how to ride the Vision. I suggest this so that no will try to "adjust their rider input" when their's is a more serious issue at large. It can go something like this: If you experience instability in crosswinds or any riding circumstance check the following. - Tire pressure, servicability and mounting
- Rear Wheel alignment
- Forknut torque
- Shock, shock pressure
- Frame, engine mount bolts
- etc.
- If all of the above are well and good, it may be that you are in the adjustment period of getting to know the Vision and the way it rides. Several riders have noted that the Vision does not ride as other bikes in comparison in size.
Just a thought, it is serious to make sure all is well on the bike before riding. Me, myself and I would not want to have a problem that is readily fixed but I think the bike is wobbling all of the road due to the fact the everyone else thinks I'm a natural born klutz and don't know how to ride a motorcycle. Ride safe, ride often... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 6
Edmond, OK | Gee I'm new to riding a Vision and have been really disappointed with the wind problem. I thought it might have been just me or my bike. It's far more of an issue than on my Kingpin. Maybe I need to relax a little. |
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Tourer
Posts: 301
Buffalo Grove,Ill | Come on people, gees. Which is going to be more stable in a cross wind? My Prius or a mini van?
A Vision or a Vegas?
More surface area grabs more wind. Deal with it. Its not like its blowing you off the road for Gods sake.
I think im going to start a thread and call it. "My bike handles badly on a bumpy road, What ever should i do?"
If your bike handles badly all the time , Fix something! If it is only on a windy day, ITS THE WIND !!!
Of course these are just my opinions. I wouldnt want to Offend anyone : ) |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| I was thinking about VAryders suggestion and I did have an issue that was corrected that MIGHT have been a factor. The upper middle (I think middle) shock bushing was bad and was replaced at 7500 miles. I know it caised my rear tire to feather like crazy so it MIGHT have contributed to the loose feel.
Clubford, I don't believe we are talking cross wind type stuff, but rather instability handling issues. Could be wrong but thats what I was referencing. |
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Tourer
Posts: 301
Buffalo Grove,Ill | And thats fine, as you can see in my last post. If there is a problem, obviously get it fixed. However the bike is big and cross wind or headwind it will grab it. : ) |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I take off my trunk to ride to work during the week. I put it back on during the weekends for the girlfriend. I definately notice the bike responds less to wind without the trunk. The biggest difference is when passing or being passed by heavy vehicles. The trunk definately grabs sidewind. This is not a complaint. I really like the Vision with and without the trunk. It's just something I noticed between the two. |
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Tourer
Posts: 377
O'Neill, Nebraska |
I would have your dealer check out the bike, there maybe an item that needs to be checked, like the steering head bearing. The Vision I feel moves around, but it really doesn't, it just seem like it. There is a lot of contact area so it will feel twitchy on top because the wind is pushing and buffeting, but the wheel track is very stable for me. Bringing down the windshield and pulling in the defectors can reduce that to twitching, in my opinion, but then you get more helmet (head) buffeting. I usually move to the far side of the lane when passing and do it a quickly as possible.
Good luck with your ride.
+1 I figure going around a 30k truck that is pushing quite a bit of air is going to catch the large body area of the Vision. I move to the far side of the lane as well. Also figure it's safer in case the truck peels off a retread. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 260
| victoryvisiontour - 2009-05-07 2:01 PM
I take off my trunk to ride to work during the week. I put it back on during the weekends for the girlfriend. I definately notice the bike responds less to wind without the trunk. The biggest difference is when passing or being passed by heavy vehicles. The trunk definately grabs sidewind. This is not a complaint. I really like the Vision with and without the trunk. It's just something I noticed between the two.
+1, just took the trunk off yesterday and added the Sissy bar and luggage rack. Looks like the switch back to the trunk will not be difficult. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Sissy bar? A new accessory? I like mine with the pillion backrest and rack, I'll be putting mine back on this weekend, getting ready for the Redwing 19 run next Saturday. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Sissy bar? A new accessory? I like mine with the pillion backrest and rack, I'll be putting mine back on this weekend, getting ready for the Redwing 19 run next Saturday. |
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Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | I do not own a Vision yet but have owned a GL1800 Wing, BMW K1200LT and presently own a Harley ultra. I have ridden A Vision two up in wind and would like to say it is most like the BMW except better and more predictable and of course lower CG. After almost 35K on the BMW handling the Victroy in the wind is a piece of cake and the lead-in the this post about just relaxing is the key. I would like to add a little to this by saying as the Victory recieves a just of wind from the side if you put all your attention on just driving the thing straight you will notice the wheel and bottom of the bike will swing out under you in the direction the wind is going. As the wind dies it will swing back. The only thing you do is keep it straight and not try and fight it, it becomes second nature after awhile but when first encountered will throw you for a loop. Reminds me of steering a boat straight on rolling waves.
Walt |
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Stability in high winds?
