|
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
| I have always been a HD man, well that is a lie, I started on Metric Crusiers for a few years, but they were not HD's even after 1000's of dollars in work. So I made the jump to HD, I currently have three a my first HD and my baby a full custom Road King (www.TheOtherBlackBike.com), my over the road bike a Road Glide and my wifes bike that she never rides a V-Rod.
I have always like Vic's and have a couple of buddies that ride them. Since the Vision came out I have always kept my eye on them. I guess I have always like the odd looking rides, well on my way down to Austin ROT rally on Friday my Road Glide died it took me all day to fix it and screwed up my weekend plans so I went down to the Vic dealer yesterday and test drove a vision.
I am concidering buying an 08 Tour Premium in Black. I do my own work and I don't see a lot of visions around here so I wanted to build a custom one. I figure getting the Tour Premium gives me all the options and I can pull the pack for when I don't need it and have it for when I go on long runs.
Now my questions. I got the dealer down to 18.9k which I think is a pretty good price for a new 08 still sitting on the floor, but let me know if it is. Also I test rode the bike they had on the floor a street model and really enjoyed the ride, but the heat around my legs was really intense. Is this normal? It was 102 here in Dallas yesterday and I was riding with shorts which I do not normally do, so I can tell if the bike runs this hot or if it was the ride yesterday. This was my biggest turn off on the bike. HD's run hot, but nothing like this.
Also what goes wrong on the Vision, what should I look out for change or look into right away. Like I said I am my own wrench, but looks to me as if there are not any tuners like there are for HD or I have not found any yet. Any help would greatly be appreciated, and I will keep reading to see what I can find.
Thanks,
Jeff |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
| Ahh I just saw they do make PC-III's for the Vision, I can tune. This is good news so far...
Jeff |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 172
Prescott, Az | Hi Jeff
I have an 08 Vision I blacked out and it really gets a lot of looks. I ride often in Phoenix where the temps get about 195 in the summer (193 in the winter), or so it seems. Two things on the Vision make the heat tolerable. First, put on some lowers! There is an amazing difference when the engine heat is blown away from your legs. In cooler climates, they help hold heat by your legs. The second thing is the adjustable windshield. Lowering it puts the wind into your face and on a hot day that's a good thing.
I'm not a wrench either but I do change my own oil. I've had nothing go wrong so far in 8K miles. From what I understand, there is little maintenence needed on the Vic Viz. Your dealer should be able to handle whatever comes up. |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
| Thanks Necktie, I have never been a big fan on lowers on HD's but will have to check them out on the Vision to see what they look like. I have spent some time in Phoenix for biz and I don't know how you guys do it other then it is a bit cooler in the the shade there then it is here since you don't have to deal with the humidity.
Jeff |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Jeff, Haggle with the dealer on a set of the lower wind deflectors. The heat from the Vision is caused by a big dead zone behind the fairing. The motor actually runs about 60 degrees cooler than a lot of HD's so it is not a tuning issue. The lowers take away from the lines of the bike a little bit but are worth their weight in gold in warmer climates. You can paint to colormatch if you need to. In the winter time the lowers can be flipped out to accentuate the dead zone and keep the heat on your legs. Your riding comfort zone will easily increase +/- 20 degrees from any other bike you've had. The most annoying issue with new owners is the belt chirping. I had it for about 500 miles but my dealer finally got it dialed in and it has been quiet for 28,000 miles since. A few guys have chased this issue for months. Make sure the dealer can make this go away if it pops up on you, especially after the break-in period. Mostly seems to happen with big temperature swings so you should be ok with constant warm temps for awhile. Ask them what is involved with changing out the headlight bulbs. I'm not sayin'..... Keep the tire pressure above 40 psi. Unbelievable difference in the ride if they get below that. Some of the local wrenching experts on this forum are Lloyd (the Victory wrench), Kevinx, DWhite. KansasGuardsman is fearless when it comes to wiring issues. Build in extra time for gas stops and all the attention you're gonna get. Good luck. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 261
Sugar Land, TX (Outside of Houston) | The Heat on legs can also be solved with highway pegs. Just being able to get the pants legs outside the heat zone makes it more bearable. And that extra heat is welcomed during the winter.
$18.9 is not bad but since the 10's will come out soon, i bet they could do better. Or have them throw in a 4 or 5 year warranty for free.
What could go wrong? You will see a lot of griping on the forum about some of the early release 08"s and problems with Radio, Cruise Control and numerous little things. I got an 08 that must have been a later line model because I have not had any of the problems reported here. The recall items sure, but mine has worked flawlessly in my books.
I have ridden all types of bikes, but I am SOLD on the Vision Tour. I added Stage 1 Pipes, Fluted tips, Highway Pegs and an EBay bought Garmin 2720 (Don't buy Victory Sold Items if you can get them elsewhere) and the Tour Pack (Non Victory from Saddlemen). And I can't think of anything else I need or want. It is a great riding bike.
I have, although, decided to print out color handouts or cards about the bike because I promise you will be constantly telling people about it and answering questions. I thought about a "Hello, I am a Victory Vision" cards with printing on the back saying:
1. No, it doesn't fly
2. Yes there is a company named Victory that makes Motorcycles
3. Yes, it is the best bike I have ever owned.
Richard |
|
| |
|
Fountain Inn, SC United States | Jeff, the "lowers" necktie was referring to are these:
Yes there is indeed a PC III made for the Vision. There's also the Lloydz Victory Fuel Controller III (VFC 3) which is made for the vision. Many of the '08 Vision ran pretty lean which generated more heat than normal. The fuel controllers above will help, not eliminate, that issue.
As for other problems, there are no major issues. There are a few "annoyances" and they are not present across all Visions:
poor radio reception
molding dimple on hardbags
misalignment of hardbag covers
trunk light switch misaligned so the light stay on and drains battery
I'm sure other could chime in on other minor issues, but there's not anything big. Most if not all were remedied in 2009 models.
Check out the recall page on this site: http://www.Vision-riders.com/tech-corner.asp
There are a couple recalls but the dealer should have taken care of them.
As for maintenance, all Victorys have minimal maintenance, just change the oil/filter and watch for tire wear because you'll ride the piss out of it! There's no valve adjustment, no clutch cable lubing, etc. Just enjoy!
|
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
| Thanks for the info guys... The dealer is throwing in a 5 year warranty for free ( I think this is a Vic thing for this month on new bikes). I will concider the lowers after riding the bike for a bit, the dealer is closed today and tomorrow so they are supposed to bring in the one I want on Tuesday so I can go up and test ride it and look it over. If it is what I want I will pick it up then.
BTW I have already seen multiple posts on the lights, damn engineers... I think they should all have to work on what they design before they are allowed to release anything to the public.
Jeff |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 311
Atlanta Area | Hi Jeff,
My heat experience has been just the opposite of yours. I sold a fully (and I mean fully) customized 2007 Ultra because of the heat. I had a PC3 on it and pipes and I still couldn't get it cooled down enough. I finally had enough of it and bought a Vision. MUCH cooler engine temps. You didn't mention what year your Harley's were, but from 2007 and up Harleys, the Vision runs much cooler... |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
| My Road King is an 04 and Road Glide is an 05 and are TC 88. I know what you are saying about the newer HD's and they are damn hot, but to me it was up in my thighs. The heat on the Vision is down at my ankles and caves, the HDs just have a tuning problem and can be fixed. I wanted to know what to know if it was the same issue with the Vics and it sounds like it is more of an issue with the way the heat is being trapped around the body work.
Jeff |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | Hey Jeff
I own a 08 Vision Street Premium. The lower deflectors are a MUST. They arent that expensive, so even if you cannot get them "thrown in" open the pocket and buy the things. In the full open position they force incoming are past the heads and all that hot air
is gone. I also agree with the post that highway pegs will help as well. You will want that heat if you ride in winter, and the deflectors
fully open will create a nice warm pocket of air. As far as the price on the bike, its all about what you can afford to buy and what he can afford to sell. Its stupid for buyers to think that because this economy this year is so difficult that we retailers just throw all profit margin out the window. Im good friends with my dealer, they were over last night for dinner. I know what they pay for the bike. If you
are around 18, then thats a very fair price for what you are getting. People gotta remember, because the model may be on their lot for a year, doesnt mean what they paid for it goes down. There is just a deminishing profit margin as it ages, but the bike is still new, the model hasnt changed, and their cost is the same. At some point you have to stop haggling and decide if the price is what
YOU can afford. I will tell you that Victory is having a better season in sales then HD is having. Good luck, and come back to tell us what you did !! Welcome aboard.
Cpt. Mac |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Jeff, I'm a LONG time RGlide rider myself and often get a bit of grief for being too honest so here is the scoop from my point of view.
First off my last two bikes before the Vision were a 07 RG and prior to that was a 1999 RG (wish I kept this one).
The Vision is night and day different than the Harley. For starters the Harley handles less than perfect roads much better ala dirt, gravel, checkering, etc... but the Vision will do it but you'll notice.
Handling on the Vision at speed is WAY better than the RG, and being able to hide behind the windshield if you like is great. Tires last longer, baggage holds as much, but the Vision is a little heavier off the stand with the tour pak.
Heat!!! Ok I live in PA so we don't get REAL high temps but I do ride all over the country. The reason I gave up my 07 for the Vision was I took the skin off my inside leg twice the 96 got so hot. The Vision does produce some heat behind the schrouds so if you ride a lot in the high heat, you'll find a post were one of the members here (AZ I think) cut 1" off the inside of the shrouds using a dremel and it cured the heat issue. He of course followed the line of the stock so it still looked the same. Or there are the wind deflector thingies previously posted.
Finally the price???? He's way high still at $18500. Offer him $16800 or $17,000. out the door. If he bulks go find another dealers. Folks are buying 09's for what he quoted you. Yes it is lower than msrp, but have a look at KBB and you'll see why it would be silly to go that high.
Finally, there are some minor things that have been previously posted, but for the most part this is a great bike. In fact the most comfortable bike I've ever bought (out of the box). Thats my HONEST take/opinion. Put 15k on mine the first year and it was parked for winter (5 months), probably ride another 15-20 this summer. Now I need to go pack the trailer cause I'm heading to GA in the morning. Good luck...... T |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
| Teach,
Thanks for your opinion, I am actually reading several of your posts and you and I are a lot alike and don't pull punches. As for the price KBB is 18.1 which is retail trade (used value) based on the CA market where KBB values are calculated. I looked at NADA and several other local dealers and they are right on track. I am not going to have any tax because of my trade in and they are giving me the warranty for free, so I am not worried about the price. I can't find anyone selling a vision used and have only found two other Black 08 Tour Premiums and they both were 1000 over. Again price is easy I am more concerned with what am I getting my self into and it doesn't look like the Vision has anymore issues then the HD's so it is going to be down to personal preference and drivablitly.
Jeff |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | As a novice rider I've put on 44K in 19 months and absolutely love the riding experience. It is my primary mode of transportation with a jeep cherokee in the drive with rotting tires. I've done 1,000+ miles in less than 24 hours at least 2 times since I've bought it, and road 750 miles a month after I got it and cannot believe the comfort. I don't have the heat issue as other have complained about and my only source of aggrevation is the popping/stall in stop and go traffic. I paid full price out of the box with only the communication package as an extra. I've not regretted not getting a discounted deal as the value to me is more than what I paid and actually got it when I couldn't afford to buy, but couldn't keep from not getting it. If I was where you are and wanting to customize I would go with an '09 as it seems not to have the popping issue that a lot of the '08s experience. Hope this helps you make the decision you want to make.
Edited by varyder 2009-06-14 5:44 PM
|
|
| |
Need Honest Anwsers...
