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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| I always felt the tour pack was an after thought on Victories part. It is rather out of character with the rest of the bikes lines, sits at an odd angle and rather high. I removed mine for around town riding and installed the passenger backrest, what a HUGE difference in balance.
So I think I'll save the tour pack for just road trips where I'll be running 2up. This isn't a diss, nor is it intended to be, just an observation. I also wanted to let folks know just how BIG of a balance improvement is noticed without the pack on.
ps..... just a thought for those who might want to run the street look at some time in the future; Remove the tour pack and cut a piece of 1/8 thick rubber to place between the packs base and frame before reinstalling. This will effectively eliminate the rubbing/chaffing that currently occurs and damages the paint on the tail panel. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | One of the first add extra "pieces" I ordered was the panel that goes on after you remove the trunk. You are right on the money as far as the balance once the trunk is removed. Not only does it make the bike lighter and better balanced it makes a BIG difference if you are dealing with cross winds!! Not having that sail back there makes all the difference. I put the trunk back on for a trip to Colorado but will be removing it again for my daily commutes to work. It is also quite nice to have "both" versions of the 08 Vision! Way Cool!! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 293
Arkansas | I like removing mine as well but have the CB installed-sure makes it harder to do; and you lose the Hi $ accessory function in the process.
Bummer! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | This isn't a Victory specific problem. One of the reasons I wanted to stick with the Street version was the cross-wind problem. Following a couple of geezer glides on the highway, I see what they have to deal with and don't want any of it. I live in the middle of gustywindville and even my Street Primo has deeper treadware on the left and right sides of the tires because of all the leaning I have to do with the wind out here. This is why I wanted a bike with an integrated fairing, because handlebar mounted fairings would ware me down out here. I'm one of those guys that wants to pack the kitchen sink, so I have thought about adding the trunk for long distance. I was hoping Victory would take a cue from other manufacturer's trunks and run with the concept. I was holding out to see if the trunk would get redesigned for 09'. Just lowering the trunk would have been a phenominal improvement! Of course; at this point, I'd be SOL since they discontinued the SSG color, but I would gladly pay to have SSG shot on a redesigned trunk. A trailer would be nice too; but with these winds, fahgetaboutit! My "Vision" for this bike's tour trunk would be something that eliminates both the trim piece for the current tour trunk and the trim piece around the tail lights/saddle bags. It would create a molded look for the tour trunk that does not disrupt the bikes lines and would provide at least twice the storage space. Being half as tall; it would creat half the drag. In other words, the trunk would be just as wide and deep as the saddle bag seams, causing aesthetic lines for the Street and the Tour version to merge. Thus far, my Grand Tour pack has served me well but it does not offer the security the trunk offers. This is another one of those niches that the aftermarket competition could really take advantage of. My girlfriend says that the windshield being up reduces the wind in her face greatly, so I assume that it would help some with fighting the tour pack drag, but in cross-winds over 30mph, I doubt anything but experience will substitute.
Edited by bigwill5150 2008-08-12 1:44 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 101
| I also agree with the trunk removel, did the same for my work commute. Handles like a different
bike. Truck wash don't effect it much at all and cross winds are not an issue anymore. Girlfriend
is a little upset,as she puts it you give me a sofa to sit in, then with the back rest feels like sitting in a kitchen chair and without the back rest it is a bar stool with no back. LOL 6 Thousand miles in 8 weeks and goin strong, beat bike I have had,no regrets.
Bob :cool: |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
| A few of you mention problems with wind and the Vision in tour form. I have yet to have any type of complaint from wind on the Vision. If you want to experience problems with wind, go take a ride on an HD Ultra. There were times I was straight up scared from how far the Ultra was getting blown across the road from wind. To me, the Vision hardly moves at all. Maybe I just don't notice it because I know how aweful the Ultra is in the wind... |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Same thing with a Kawasaki Concours. Tall bike, 7.5 gallons of top-heavy gas, samsonite boxes on the side. I've been blown from the left shoulder of the road, across both lanes, onto the right shoulder before. If the Vision Tour moves 12" left or right I know I'm in severe crosswinds.
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | I have the tour and have yet to ride without the trunk, although I did buy the fill panel for those times when I get to remove the trunk. Unfortunately, my girlfriend loves the back rest of the trunk, and since she rides with me on the weekends, I doubt I will be changing it just for the commute to work during the week.
So I do not know the difference in handling, either without the trunk or in the wind. I will admit that I have been concerned about all that weight so high up, but so far it hasn't been a problem. The winds definitely got my attention the first couple of weeks on the bike, but after about 2500 miles, I don't really notice it that much any more. I just finished a trip up the coast of California, much of it in fairly high winds on some very twisty roads, and while there was a gust or two that got my attention, most of the ride was great.
Having said all that, I would love to take the trunk off and try it without. How long does it take to remove and reinstall? In reading the manual it seems rather simple, which is why I am convinced it isn't! I would like to know other's experiences removing and reinstalling the trunk. I don't have a CD player, satellite, or CB radio to contend with, so it will hopefully be easier. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | Should be about 15-20 min tops. I've pulled the "filler" panel off of my Street several times now. The seat will have to come off, open the saddle bags, pull off license plate frame, unclip trim around tail lights and saddle bags, unclip harness under rear of seat and unbolt 4 bolts holding the trunk down. The filler panel clips into placed just like the light trim panel. Reinstall: Filler panel first, tail light panel/license plate mount, seat and viola! Shouldn't take long at all. This is from memory though, so you'd probably be better off following the instructions in the service manual because it shows where the clip points are but this is the geist of what's needed.
-Will |
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Cruiser
Posts: 170
Houston, TX | theVOG.net has a youtube video to show how to remove the trunk.
here's the link:
This one shows the trunk removal
http://thevog.net/videos/id_83/title_removing-the-trunk-victory-vis...
This one shows the trunk reinstalled
http://thevog.net/videos/id_82/title_installing-the-trunk-on-the-vi... |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | Thanks! |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | OooWWWEEEEE!!!! That's funny, I'm exactly the opposite. I thought this was one of the best flowing trunks on the market. It has sleek lines that match the bike. The rear section combined with the tail lamps also makes a V, from a side angle. All the other ones on the market look like a box stuck up on top of the rear fender, no flow. I can't imagine sticking a box on top for a trunk. Everything seemed to be integrated compared to what's on the market. Everything looked like an "afterthought" I make bike, now I make saddlebags and trunk. Victory however seemed to incorporate the bags and the trunk and it looks better than anything out there.
As for sail purposes, I don't seem to notice any difference in the ride or the handling, with or without. Started out in street mode, 5000 miles later switched over. Didn't seem to change any handling.
Inflation, so there's my $5.50. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 273
| bigwill5150 - 2008-08-12 2:19 PM
Should be about 15-20 min tops. I've pulled the "filler" panel off of my Street several times now. The seat will have to come off, open the saddle bags, pull off license plate frame, unclip trim around tail lights and saddle bags, unclip harness under rear of seat and unbolt 4 bolts holding the trunk down. The filler panel clips into placed just like the light trim panel. Reinstall: Filler panel first, tail light panel/license plate mount, seat and viola! Shouldn't take long at all. This is from memory though, so you'd probably be better off following the instructions in the service manual because it shows where the clip points are but this is the geist of what's needed.
-Will
Looking at the bike...and the VOG video, for the life of me I don't understand why you'd take off the license plate bracket?
Cover it with a towel to eliminate scratches and be done with it.
Or am I missing something? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 293
Arkansas | You're missing the fact that the plate bolts go through the trim panel
That you have to unclip to remove the trunk. Won't work if you can't lift the panel
Edges out of the way. Even more important going back on. And, you might want to
tape over the surrounding trim to prevent scratches while replacing. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 36
Tonopah,NV | I feel less wind movement than I ever have. The wind wants to move me but doesn't seem to affect the bike at all. I felt much more on my Gold Wings. I love my SSG Premium. I wouldn't think of taking off the trunk. My wife love it, and rides with me every where I go. I think it looks great. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | Yeah, what Jama said! Anyone else notice that the license plate mount doesn't allow plate frames to fit around the plates witout rubbing the trim piece? I have tried 2 different plates so far and they both rub. I intend to make a shim to place between the plate frame and the trim to allow me to use the new chrome plate frame to work. |
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Tourer
Posts: 332
Dale, Indiana | I think the Vision looks odd without the trunk on!!
Of course, I am still bewildered over someone painting his chrome tips.
Edited by Indiana RoadRunner 2008-08-12 10:08 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 21
Plano, TX | I have wind problems too. On one trip, it felt like I was being pushed all over and then in a turn, was almost pushed down to the road. It was weird. However, as a girl, the trunk stays on! I need the space.
Also, my inspection sticker is in the trunk. If I take the trunk off, I'll have to do something about the sticker.
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Northeast Pennsylvania | I've had the trunk on since I bought it. I love the style..I'm spoiled with the convienence of getting off the bike and throwing stuff in it. Sometimes it almost feels like a junk drawer..I have to clean it out once a week  Plus I think it finishes off the bike nicely. I like having the biggest land cruiser out there. If I didn't want the trunk I would have stuck with my TC, which I also loved but there's no comparison to this visually stunning Vision. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 296
Central Florida | Indiana RoadRunner - 2008-08-12 10:08 PM
I think the Vision looks odd without the trunk on!!
Of course, I am still bewildered over someone painting his chrome tips.
That is what the Devil does, He bewilders people. To each his own,enjoy your vision of YOUR VISION. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 212
Tavares, Fl | Are we riding the same bike????2008 Vision tour premium???? I curse the bike everytime I get around a semi. It throws me and the bike around like a sack in the wind, and I weigh 300 lbs. I've checked tire pressure and raised shock pressure with no help..... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 21
Plano, TX | I'm no small woman. The bike does funny things even behind an SUV. I keep the windshield low, the wind deflectors at a minimum and it helps. but I understand. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 247
| agreed about the wind but the ultra was just as bad. i had to get off 81s through va this past fri. got blown into the next lane. added 4 hours to the trip to s.c. but i will say moving the weight into the bags and taking as much as possible out of the trip trunk helps a lot. big rigs and suv's move the bike around too; sometimes worse than others. i do think that this bike handles passing them much better than the ultra-especially tandems which were scary on the ultra. i found that if you drop the windshield about one inch it closes the gap between the fairing and the windshield and seems to help. wind direction is also a factor in the handling issue. rain gear seems to help slip the wind better than leather too.
does anyone have any techniques they use for passing trailers. i pull up next to the cab. then quickly accellerate through the dirty air i know i am going to hit coming out from behind the rig. usually works but sometimes it gets shaky. i also use their mass to shield me from cross winds on bridges and big open spaces. anyone else have any suggestions? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| exharleyrider, coming off of two Road Glides (dressed) in the past 10 years, I can say the Vision does certain things great, and other things terrible compared to the HD. The HD was superior on rough, dirt, and other road hazards, it also didn't get tossed around by every SUV that you happened to get behind (we won't mention semi's, lol).
However, the Vision get much less lift and crves much better. It is also far less work after a long day of riding (700+ miles).
As far as I'm concerned it is a wash as to which is better handling, but the power availability is the true strength of the Vision.
I put the trunk back on yesterday. School begins in a couple weeks and I'll need the trunk to haul books back and forth.... BUT the bike handles FAR superior with the trunk removed. Less buffeting from other vehicles, less top heavy and way more flickable. I noticed the top weight difference immediately. Liveable??? You bet..... but I still think the trunk was an after thought, lol..... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | Well I'm gonna chime in on this also.My Vis Premium Tour has never had the trunk off (& probably won't ever as I carry a lot of "stuff" in it - registration/insurance info,digital tire gauge,extra smokes,towels,hats,glasses,etc,etc). I do get pushed around by semis & large trucks/SUVs but I've learned to get around them ASAP & get 'clean air" to ride in.
On a recent trip to South Florida 2up w/ my S.O., I put a medium-sized tour bag on the trunk rack and was pleasantly surprised that it actually HELPED w/ the wind problem. On that 850 mile trip I was not bothered at all by trucks/crosswinds as I am with just the trunk.
And NO, I wasn't riding any slower than I usually do - speed limit +5 around towns & 70-80 on the open highway.
BTW it was approximately 30 pounds of clothes,shoes,etc. I won't hesitate to use it again.
I strapped it to the trunk rack & used 4 bungees to tie it all down to the bike (passenger grap handles & rear valance).
Edited by CoolHandLuke 2008-08-15 12:18 PM
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An after thought?
