Craig, since this is a new post to update us on the progress of your situation and since I'm the one that probably trashed you the most, I feel compelled to responsed. I hope to ride with you one day and I don't think you're just trashing the Vision. I have no concerns there as the Vision, at least mine, is what it is. I think it is a premium machine and love to ride it. It is my primary ride, so much so I'm skipping a plane ride to ride to Atlanta for business, even in light of severe thunderstorms.

I see things this way, you are asking for a) help, or b) sympathy from the users of this site as this forum will not get you answer from Victory nor fix your problem. So if you are just asking for sympathy, you got, from me anyways, you're in a bad situation and you want it fixed, I wish you well. If you are asking for help to advise you what to do, then we need all the facts, not just part pieces, this is where I'm having the trouble. What I know so far is that your clutch is shot, the dealer says it is by examination, and you say you did nothing wrong. However, in a short period of time you say it goes from doing well, to a longer release travel, to it don't work no more, and all the diagnoses is, the clutch is shot. Victory says in light of no other problem, nope, can't fix your clutch for you, it is a wear issue.

From a wrench standpoint I have to totally agree with them, as a mechanical problem clutches alone don't go bad all by themselves. They have to have some extrenious force going on, from a lot of miles, to mechanical misalignment to just plain riding the clutch. So with just a simple 1,200 miles it is not from a lot of miles, so that leaves mechanical misalignment or just plan riding the clutch. (by the way, when I say mechanical misalignment I mean anything that would mechanically affect the clutch to include the hydraulics and proper oil used). So the dealer inspects the mechanics of the bike and finds absolutely nothing wrong, so that leaves us to one thing, riding the clutch or using the wrong oil or additive. However, you say that is not the case, at all, you are an experience rider with 100 years of experience and 6,000,000 miles under your chaps and you know by golly how to ride a bike, clutch and all. Sorry for the embelliousment, but just want to make a point. So that takes us back to the mechanical aspect of the bike that no one can lay a claim to ever, ever seeing this before.

So with all that said, no, Victory will not simply put a new clutch in your bike on the claim that it just wore out. However, I do agree they might want to know mechanically went wrong, and if you are insistant that the bike was not in working order, then you need to get this revealed as to what this problem is. If the bike is under warranty and the problem is not from abuse, then not only will you get your new clutch, you will get your bike fixed. Now, with the fact that you said this is a used bike, it is possible that the previous owner did indeed do something to the bike, and there again, it is abuse and not Victory's problem, but you might have a civil case against the previous owner.

Victory does not, (cringe, as I do believe they need to work on a few PR issues) have to step up to any plate in this situation, unless you are willing to pursue, "What caused the clutch to fail." and it falls to a mechanical issue not at the result of abuse.

I'm no laywer, nor do I play one on TV, but if it was me I would not leave the shop until ever conceivable review of every component related to the clutch was thoroughly inspected to rule it out or in. Then, in this inspection by the dealer reveals the problem, you have a case, to which I agree with you. Take the focus off the clutch plates and put it on what cause the clutch plates to fail.

Okay, I've said my peace and the offense rests. (say it isn't so) Hope you get to the bottom of this Craig.

radioteacher - 2009-03-29 8:56 AM slowryder, Craig and I have communicated about this issue a lot over the past few days. I was thinking about oil as well....but the 500 Mile was done at a dealer just before he bought the Vision. A new owner most likely would not change the oil before 500 miles and a dealer would not put in the wrong oil.....Well I hope that is the case. I guess someone could add additives to the oil that are not made for a wet clutch. I am glad Craig is back on the road again. Ride Safe.

RT it sounds like the Vision is back on the road again, so all that is left is if Craig pursues the warranty claim or goes after the previous owner he still has a burden of proof. The first thing to do is find ANY like case where there was an addivitive added to a wet clutch system that would cause RAPID deteration of the friction plates. This would mean that it would both be slick enough and abrasive enough to both slip and wear. Concerns of too slippery would cause it to slip but not wear, abrasive would cause it eat away at the plates on engaging, disengaging, but would be a continual process.

Also, lets say it was the fluid, then he shouldn't have much more problems. But if it is mechanical, he'll get the same results and we should be hearing from him around the 2,400 mile mark.

Just trying to help figure this out, as this is truly a mystery in my mind.

Vinner1 - 2009-03-28 8:03 PM Miles - 2009-03-28 7:22 PM ...None of this is any comfort I'm sure. How about getting your insurance company involved. It's a legit repair, and you know if THEY pay... they are going to get their money from somewhere, and the first stop is going to Victory. Larger insurance companies sometimes have a bit more clout. I hope you stick with it. Until someone comes along a proves to you it was abuse, I'd stay on them. I'm guessing it was a hefty chunk of change to get fixed. The only comfort I can say is that Victory has been known to do the right thing once they get the original parts back and see the defect. Lets hope that happens in your case. I too hope Victory steps up to the plate. I know exactly how you are feeling as three days after I had my Vision I brought it back with cracks all around the headlight assembly...I got to hold my breath for two days while "Victory would lend their virdict"...my dealer said don't be surprised if they deny the claims because it could look like to Victory that I could have hit something to cause these fractures...I was livid...and I let my dealer have it too! Got it fixed under warranty but that was the last business that dealer got from me...I thought they were incompetent boobs and their back room and mechanics area looked like hacks worked there. I use another one that was the same distance away...thank goodness...and love them. Miles: What would the claim be against Craig's insurance company to have them kick in and then subrogate against Polaris/Victory. I am in a related field and am always interested in how people figure situations can be rectified with GL & PD insurance coverage.

Who was your original dealer?  I use Randy's Cycles in Huntley, Illinois, but he is moving even further away from me and that will put my ride to him to about the same as other dealers in the general WI/IL area.