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Cruiser
Posts: 136
CALGARY ALBERTA | I had the Vision out in some pretty strong cross winds today and although the wind does grab it, I was able to keep blood flowing to my knuckles. The last fixed fairing bike I owned was the 80 HD FLT. I know, some time ago. I do remember being bounced around on that one, from lane to lane in a similar wind as today.
Can anyone compare the handling, in the wind of the HD FLTR or Goldwing, beemer, etc to the Vision??? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
Cumming, GA | I don't know about the other bikes, but I recently rode across SD into a 3/4 wind, pulling a trailer and the bike said...."no big deal".
Also rode it along I10 in Florida with a strong cross-wind and the same result. Bike handles cross-winds beautifully. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| The Vision gets bounced around far worse than most big tours I've owned, but I wouldn't rate it as uncontrollable just a bit unnerving until you get to know it's characteristics. The key on the Vision is that YOU get hit and that results in movement of the bike due to how touchy the handling is. So lets see the Goldwing gets moved in a crosswind, but not bad. The Harley FLTRI is more stable in cross winds but gets some lift if head into a wind. If I was to rate ALL of the larger baggers I would have to give the Harley FLTRI the nod for best handling fixed fairing bike "all around." Rides on any road surface extremely stable, little wind movement, and handles all weather fine to include slightly snow covered roads. It is also some 150-200lbs lighter than the others. In other words a fairer comparrison would include the Vision, Honda, and BMW which would all be pretty darn close in any category you wish to compare. The FLTRI has an unfair advantage against all the aforementioned due to the lack of plastic coverage. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | The one thing that I had to figure out is that the Vision has its own way to ride. When I first got my Vision I road it like it was GL1200 and even then I would get kicked around on the highway and preferred to stay on the side roads. It handled far better than my GL1200 with that exception of on the highway. Then it dawned on me that I rode like it was my GL1200 and I had to then pay attention to "tune" my body to the Vision. Since I figured that out, I experience near nil washout on the highway even when I'm among several 18 wheelers. I even noticed today on the highway how steady I could ride the Vision even in the worsed buffeting. It barely noticeable and I do not fear the interstate even in heavy traffic like I did the GoldWing. On the Sunday here in Central Virginia in which the winds were so high that it blew an 18wheeler over on the James River Bridge on 295 I was crossing the Appomatox bridge just a few miles down from there. I remember hitting the bridge and the cross winds were so heavy I had to lean into the wind almost the whole way across. Occasionally the wind would momentarily stop and I had to adjust to maintain track. The amazing thing was that even in that heavy wind, I did stay in my track in my lane. I was so impressed, though white knuckled, I came back the same way, which was just a few minutes later. The only difference was the lean was in the opposite direction. I came away from that ride with another level of confidence in riding the Vision. Now I haven't ridden a zillion bikes and a have zillion miles under my belt like some of you. I offer nothing else to the table than my desire to ride, but I would say that a bike in its class nothing can touch the Vision in handling. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| varyder, I think we have BOTH reached the same conclusion... Figuring out how flickable the Vision is pays a HUGE role in how good or bad the wind experience. Once you learn to loosen the grip and ride relaxed she handles just fine. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 52
The Great Northwet | Rode across Washington state on Monday 200+ of the 325 miles were into a 30+ mile and hour headwind. Then there was the side winds for another 50 miles. The bike gets moved around a fair bit but is so controllable. It doesn't wear me out like the V92C and TCD did in the same conditions. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 50
| Comparing it to my Valkyrie Interstate I believe the Vision is better in the wind.
But I will add the Valk was a very nice ride to bad Honda Runied it.
Glock |
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Tourer
Posts: 550
Tacoma, WA | The Vision handles much better than many of the other large bikes, including the street glide, and Ultra. Way stable!-----Metalguy |
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Tourer
Posts: 377
O'Neill, Nebraska | I just rode mine through West Texas with 30+ side winds. Now that was fun!
Overall I think the bike handled well and when I finally got into town I was talking with another rider who was admiring my bike. When talking about the side winds he mentioned he's never really had a bike that did well in those type of winds. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Glock - 2008-08-28 9:20 PM Comparing it to my Valkyrie Interstate I believe the Vision is better in the wind. But I will add the Valk was a very nice ride to bad Honda Runied it. Glock Toshay! I actually liked Honda's and still do, they're solid and dependable, but they never got to where I really enjoyed riding them. I enjoyed them because they were affordable and dependable and they were a motorcycle. I started with a 350 and then a 750, and then the 1200 twenty years later. I looked at getting a Valk, but the guy that owned it, crashed. But when I sat on it, it felt very top heavy, more so than the GL1200. I'm glad that Victory made the Vision, and the timing was perfect. I was working myself up to an Indian, but they are out of my reasonable price range. I was going to ride my just bought GL1500 when the Vision should up at the dealer. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 235
Evergreen, CO | Headwinds, tailwinds and 90 degree crosswinds are not an issue on the Vision. I have experienced a 30-45 degree headwind/crosswind that makes the Vision feel like it is riding on marbles. Was VERY unnerving the first time I experienced it. Luckily, it does not happen often. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 294
rhode island | Took the the trunk off for a change yesterday, 50 pounds makes a serious differance in handling and some
wind drag. Never had a problem with cross winds, but without the tourpack this bike handles like a large sport bike.
mpg went up by 2 |
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Northeast Pennsylvania | I find the less you fight the steering the smoother it is. I've driven by 18 wheelers with minimal buffeting. Have not been in 30 plus side winds either. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
Bellevue, NE | I have been in 30 mph crosswinds on two-lane highways. When the wind came from the left it was all you could do to hang on when 18 wheelers came heading in the opposite direction. You would get the constant wind leaning you, then the compression blast from in front of the truck, followed by relative calm, then blasted again once the crosswind resumed after the trailer passed. It was literally rock and roll!
This lovely experience took place when I was riding Highway 2 across the Sandhills of Nebraska.
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Some of you guys really make me laugh. Ok so the Vision doesn't handle the greatest in high mph gusty wind, just say it. To instead say well the Ultra, or this bike or that bike is terrible simply means you are dodging the question. Oh and when you add the likes of a Valk Interstate, Ultra, StreetGlide into the equation you are NO longer comparing apples. Fixed fairing bikes are always gonna win out in wind over a fork or bar mounted fairing bike in wind.
space cwboy, I share your experience and thanks for a little honesty. You know being honest can go an aweful long way. For example this post might well prevent some new or standing owner from going down because they are prepared for what MIGHT prove a different experience for them from what they are use to.
Maybe I just don't get all this denial stuff?? Where I come from and the groups I ride with it is important to be honest, sometimes to the point of painfully honest. Why folks feel they need to JUSTIFY is beyond me. You BOUGHT a Victory Vision. I assume you like the looks, the feel, the everything you could experience in the short test ride and showroom visit before purchase. You laid down the cash and now you own one. You don't have to justify that decision to anyone except yourself. If your happy with SOMETHING, thats great. If you are unhappy with SOMETHING thats great to, and you're entitled to say, think, express it as such. ALL bikes will have SOMETHING you don't like, do like, unsure of, etc.... I have yet to ride, own, or hear of the PERFECT machine.... wow, rant over, lol... I'm going out and ride. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
Altoona, Wisconsin | Teach,
I'm really sorry you have had problems with your Vision. I haven't and think it's a great bike. It is the best handling and riding bike I've owned in 35 years of riding. I prefer it to the GoldWing or Cavalcade touring bikes I've had for handling, perforance and ride. ANY motorcycle will feel wind. Is the Vision perfect? No, but name any vehicle - car, motorcycle, truck - that is. Again, I'm sorry you seem to have a problem with every detail of your bike, but I'm tired of hearing your constant complaints about it. I would personally hate to have to deal with you as a customer because you would never be satisfied regardless of the situation. I'm surprised you haven't complained that the ignition key isn't shiny enough for you. Wow, my rant is over. Have a safe Labor Day weekend everyone. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 36
Tonopah,NV | My last three bikes were a Valkyrie, 1800 Wing and another Valkyrie. While all three were good bikes, I don't think they hold a candle to a Vision. I ride what ever I'm riding like a sport bike. I will go hundreds of miles out of my way to ride twisty roads. The Vision is by far the best handling big bike I have ever owned. I live in the middle of Nevada, and Nevada is famous for wind. I have been in some very strong gusty wind since I bought the Vision, and she amazed me by how little she is affected by the wind. The wind feels like it is trying to blow me off the bike, and blow my head off my shoulders, and the Vision hardly notices. Mine is a SSG Tour Premium, and I will never know how she handles with out the trunk, because my wife rides with me and she loves the Vision every bit as much as I do. On the Valkyries and the Wing, she would only ride with me occasionally. Now she won't let the Vision out of the garage with out her on it. Hoorah! Now she is making plans for our next ride while we are still on our last ride. She would never concider taking a vacation on a bike, now she is making plans for our next vacation, on the bike. Hoorah, again. Did I mention, it is also by far the most comfortable bike I have ever owned. The Vision is #13 over the last 52 years. Thank you Polaris. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| StarChief, I would like to personally thank you for your post. You see the JUSTIFICATION almost ALWAYS takes one of two forms. There is the switch I previously mentioned and then there is the ATTACK which you just under-took. Like I said you guys make me laugh.
Great its the best bike "you've" ever ridden, and other than that YOU agreed with everything "I" stated previously. My comments have/had absolutely NO connection with ANY mechanical issue I might have had. "I" actually stayed on topic and it is YOU who brought this into another and unrelated realm. So when you are done applauding yourself maybe you'll come on back here and tell folks how uncalled for your comments were. I sure won't hold my breath. Oh and ANY bike performs better than the Cavalcade which was overweight, underpowered, slow reacting and extremely heavy. The QUESTION was how does the VISION stack up to other full dressers w/fixed fairings in high winds.... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 294
rhode island | Boy this wind thing really hit a nerve, I believe they spent much time in the wind tunnel with awsome results.
We new englanders don't get the cross winds like nevada, but with the slippery lines of the vision this bike slices
thru the air like no other. No head buffetting at all tells me there's very little turbulance. 
Edited by sandman 2008-08-29 5:40 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
Altoona, Wisconsin | Teach:
If I hit a nerve with you, so be it. I'm just glad that I didn't rely on posts like yours before deciding to buy my Vision. If I had, I would have thought it was a mechanical piece of junk that didn't handle well and was full of faulty parts and equipment. I would have never bought any Victory in that case.
As it is, I am extremely happy with mine. I haven't had the problems with it that you apparently have. Maybe you got a lemon - I don't know. As with any first year bike (or car for that matter) there can always be growing pains. I am confidant that Victory and my dealer will take care of any problems that might pop up. I also bought the extended warranty when I bought the bike so am covered for five years. But as I said before, I haven't had any issues with the Vision. And again, I'm glad I didn't rely on posts like yours because I would have missed out on owning a great motorcycle. I think it is you that is trying to justify your bike with all of the problems you obviously have with it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 261
Sugar Land, TX (Outside of Houston) | pastor - 2008-08-29 3:40 PM
My last three bikes were a Valkyrie, 1800 Wing and another Valkyrie. While all three were good bikes, I don't think they hold a candle to a Vision. I ride what ever I'm riding like a sport bike. I will go hundreds of miles out of my way to ride twisty roads. The Vision is by far the best handling big bike I have ever owned. .
Here, Here Pastor - I just sold my 99 Valkyrie Interstate today and I loved that bike. But the Vision is my new Baby and it is so much more fun to ride than My Suzuki, the Valkyrie and my Son's Sport Bike. I got on the Valk today to meet the buyer (after not having ridden it for a month) and it felt so cramped and "Old". Sure - It is a hot engine and runs great, but put it beside the Vision and I would take the Vision again.
Are we sure Teach is not a HD Plant on the Forum? Just kidding, Teach. I am sorry you have had problems, but I am enjoying the heck out of m Vision. And the only problem I have had so far (which will be fixed next week) is the mis-aligned left bag.
Richard
Edited by rmclarty 2008-08-29 7:12 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Never mind, it is not worth the point, I'm out to go riding.
Edited by varyder 2008-08-29 7:46 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 247
| hang in there teach. i've fallen victim here too for voicing my opinion. used to be a kool-aid drinking harley rider so i can sympathize.
the vision has some really great points. handles very very well. looks phenomenal, slips the wind well, nice radio and features. probably as good a first year bike as one can expect....but.....some design trade off issues, safety issues and technical problems leave it just that, as good a first year bike as one can expect. when i bought it the female accessory said "are you nuts buying a first year version?". but i had checked out victory's track record and my dealer and made the plunge. i, as are you, am banking on victory to fix these issues without too much hassle. right now i am waiting for them to provide me with a windshield to replace the one which they admit distorts the road. and i am not happy about having to pay to paint the console to get rid of the glare. both of these issues should never have been let out of the factory... but they were. and to answer the question at hand, this bike slips the wind well except quartering into a heavy cross wind. then it sucks. not as good as the ultra imho. so be it. |
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Tourer
Posts: 377
O'Neill, Nebraska | exharleyrider - 2008-08-29 7:38 PM
the vision has some really great points. handles very very well. looks phenomenal, slips the wind well, nice radio and features. probably as good a first year bike as one can expect....but.....some design trade off issues, safety issues and technical problems leave it just that, as good a first year bike as one can expect. when i bought it the female accessory said "are you nuts buying a first year version?".
What safety issues are you referring to? This would be nice to know if its true. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | yes! Please tell us before we ride another mile. |
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The Vision and cross winds
