[Kurbs]

Randys' Cycle in Marengo is the best dealership in the world, except when it comes to his Demo Days! I went yesterday and had the opportunity to ride several new models, the Magnum, Cross Country Tour, Octane, and rode there on my 2012 KP. I just bought the KP in December and was talked into the Cross Roads Tour by the Northern Illinois riders club guys who were helping out. Well, I took it for a ride and fell in love dammit! Now, I LOVE my KP. I have added Lloyds timing, Vance Hines Pipes, windshield, backrests and rack, and more goodies. And it runs like a raped ape. The Magnum is one sexy beast but with the Stage 1 it ran very similar to my KP though I feel the KP handles and rides much better. Just my opinion. So I'm glad I got that out of my system. The fairing doesn't seem to protect me from getting battered any more than my Memphis Slim on the KP. The radio controls suck too unless you have a 13" thumb to reach it while driving. But the radio sounds good, gotta give it that. The 21" front wheel I think impedes the handling and general feel as well as the lowered rear end. On the road its not bad but slow speed maneuvering it felt like a tank. But was very surprised at the buffeting with a fairing that size on the bike. Now I will still admire the looks but it felt like I slept with a drunk woman and woke up unimpressed.

SO on to the the Cross Country with 2500 bucks in accessories like the adjustable backrest and some other goodies. Before I even left the lot I knew there was something special about that bike. And I took her on some country roads which is almost every road by Randy, and put her through the twisties. The handling, the feel, the no wind, the stereo, heated everything, equalled my old BMW with the added pleasure of a V Twin vs. the Boxer feel. Never thought I would find another touring bike as good as that BMW without going to a 6 cylinder car engine. Well now I have.

That bike even at low speeds felt as light and nimble ss a 650CC, plenty of leg room for a tall feller, and all the controls except the heated seat switch were very easy to use wihout looking off the road. I instantly fell in love and now I have a 5 month old KP I love and torn to shreds over selling it and buying a Cross Country Tour. I have 5 cars and a bike and simply no garage room for 2 bikes. I rolled back into the lot and as the Riders Club guys were standing there I yelled out to them that they suck. Never should have let me on that bike. That is how Randy got me on the KP. He said "ride a few and let me know what you think." I told Randy back then he sucked too. No high pressure sales at all there, not even close. That man KNOWS that a good ride on the right Vic will sell a bike no matter what your tastes. He hands the key off and stands there with a XXX eating grin when you pull back in with his finger on the cash register. And he did that, just let me ride the bikes when I bought my KP and made a sale. BTW he is one hell of a great guy to deal with. But for some odd reason the Cross Country had no incentives other than the 500 dollar demo day rebate. The other bikes you could get up to 2500 off, which would have made the sale. So I barely escaped with my KP.

Now this is like picking a hot mistress over an older wife who is a hell of a cook. Eventually one of them has to go....agggh!

If you are in the market for a touring bike, this thing handles, feels, and performs better than anything out there. I'd still be on a BMW except I cannot stand the looks of the newer ones. Same reason I gave Randy for NOT riding the Vision. I have not accepted the looks ( no offense to Vision owners, just a matter of personal taste ).

I did not want to fall for a Vision because everyone says if you ride one, you'll walk with one. But that CR...what a gem, so who knows. After the summer I may turn the KP loose, although the styling of that bike is awesome. I get compliments everywhere on it. Why Ma Vic decided to do away with the classic lines and poise of that bike I'll never know. But bringing them back wouldn't be a bad thing. So I now feel I am being torn between 2 great loves and am depressed. Guess I'll take the KP for a nice long run today and stretch her legs and let her comfort me a bit......sigh.

 

[CaliPhil]

Nice read. Would love a CC but no reason for me to have one if my wife's health doesn't allow her to ride with me more.

 

[Jasperboy]

You're wise to not ride the Vision if you can't wrap your head around the style. If you ever did ride one everything else would seem a little "lacking" in my humble opinion.

 

[primethious]

Be careful! Even mentioning the Vision will cause it to start whispering to you!

Glad you had a great day. The Kingpin is an excellent bike in all respects. If I had one I'd use the same tires Half_Crazy uses... they can make all the difference.

 

[Ariesnc]

You're wise to not ride the Vision if you can't wrap your head around the style. If you ever did ride one everything else would seem a little "lacking" in my humble opinion.

I have a co-worker that would beg the differ. I want to ride the vision but he swears I want like it and that it is top heavy and he actually laid it down on the demo ride during a slow speed maneuver while two up. The bike wasn't damaged and the tip overs he said worked like a charm. However he does ride a Harley road glide with the trunk on it. Again I'm just the messenger and I take what he says with a grain of salt.

The Magnum is sexy but the 21inch wheel isn't for everyone, especially at slow speeds. Requires the riders input a little more, but coming from street bikes I liked it but then again I didn't have trouble when I rode the hammer 8 ball with a 250 rear tire.

I say the best bang for your buck is the CCT considering all the features and the price! It's just hard to beat. However if you felt the magnum controls sucked then the cc controls may be a little closer for you to reach but they to are an afterthought. I think all 3 bikes have the same fairing the thing that hurts the magnum on demo rides is the boomerang windscreen . Most guys need to know it isn't for much protection and needs to be changed out.

 

[VicVisionBulldog]

I have a co-worker that would beg the differ. I want to ride the vision but he swears I want like it and that it is top heavy and he actually laid it down on the demo ride during a slow speed maneuver while two up. The bike wasn't damaged and the tip overs he said worked like a charm. However he does ride a Harley road glide with the trunk on it. Again I'm just the messenger and I take what he says with a grain of salt.

Sounds like your coworker needs to improve his skills. I bet he wasn't ready for a big bike that so easily drops into turns. There is no way the Vision can be considered top heavy by a person that rides a HD tour model.

That was just his story to make himself feel better about the drop.

 

[VicVisionBulldog]

I'd still be on a BMW except I cannot stand the looks of the newer ones. Same reason I gave Randy for NOT riding the Vision. I have not accepted the looks ( no offense to Vision owners, just a matter of personal taste ).

The Vision looks very different from the saddle.

Go ahead and give it a try.

 

[gdfishwell]

I understand your dilemma. I have never loved another bike like my Kingpin. But my wife really likes the looks of the Vision. Guess I need to win the lottery so I can afford both. Keep the Kingpin for solo rides and the Vision for two-up when the wife wants to ride with me.

 

[Ariesnc]

Sounds like your coworker needs to improve his skills. I bet he wasn't ready for a big bike that so easily drops into turns. There is no way the Vision can be considered top heavy by a person that rides a HD tour model.

That was just his story to make himself feel better about the drop.

I agree. I'm not arguing with you or saying anything bad about the vision. Just relayed his thoughts but I always beleive in riding one for myself. I'm sure I have one more bike in me and that may come down to a vision, CCT or Roadmaster!

 

[iabob]

Geez, like this is a hard problem. You have 5 cars and one bike. That's bass ackwards. Ditch a car or two and get yourself a second bike! You're welcome.

 

[glennuk]

I'm lucky I bought a vision then did a demo day loved them all but once I set off for home on my vision I knew it's right bike for me .

 

[VicVisionBulldog]

Geez, like this is a hard problem. You have 5 cars and one bike. That's bass ackwards. Ditch a car or two and get yourself a second bike! You're welcome.

Getting rid of one car easily equals getting at least two bikes to replace it.

 

[iabob]

Getting rid of one car easily equals getting at least two bikes to replace it.

Lol, for the last ten years I've been spending more on bikes until I got a new car about six months ago. My plan is to pay it off ahead of schedule so I can get back to spending on bikes

 

[Kurbs]

Yeah, but getting rid of cars you love too.....another issue. Ha ha. If I were back in Texas thats exactly how it would be but Chicago has such a short riding window in comparison. My friend bought the 2nd year Vision when they came out and hasn't been on his Harley since. Everyone I know who has one says the same thing...its in a class of its own. No doubt it is. But I don't sleep with ugly women just cuz they have a great rep in the sack either...lol. I don't care for the Goldwing look either, VTX, or any of the new Beemers either. Like Is aid, not slamming Vision at all its just a preference is all. But I am sure they are dang fine machines in their own right. Randy keeps trying to put me on one too...more power to the Vision riders by all means, but it also seemed the CC could cram a lot more stuff in the bags too. Has anyone ridden both and can compare? Plus I like the fact the top box pops off easily on the CC, just like my old Beemer did. Miss the old Road King too some days.

 

[Kurbs]

I have a co-worker that would beg the differ. I want to ride the vision but he swears I want like it and that it is top heavy and he actually laid it down on the demo ride during a slow speed maneuver while two up. The bike wasn't damaged and the tip overs he said worked like a charm. However he does ride a Harley road glide with the trunk on it. Again I'm just the messenger and I take what he says with a grain of salt.

The Magnum is sexy but the 21inch wheel isn't for everyone, especially at slow speeds. Requires the riders input a little more, but coming from street bikes I liked it but then again I didn't have trouble when I rode the hammer 8 ball with a 250 rear tire.

I say the best bang for your buck is the CCT considering all the features and the price! It's just hard to beat. However if you felt the magnum controls sucked then the cc controls may be a little closer for you to reach but they to are an afterthought. I think all 3 bikes have the same fairing the thing that hurts the magnum on demo rides is the boomerang windscreen . Most guys need to know it isn't for much protection and needs to be changed out.

Maybe your buddy can't ride? lol. Everything I have heard is the exact opposite, that the bike feels very light on its feet. I know bike riders who have owned bikes for 30+ years and still won't lean into a curve but try and fight the handlebars. And they always seem to fall too....

 

[iabob]

As the man (KevinX) says, "that's why they make chocolate and vanilla". Yes, I rode both several times before buying a Vision and have ridden several XC's since I bought a Vision helping my dealer out leading rides during demo days. Yes the ride is different and yes the Vision is better. But it's a matter of perspective. Like another man said, "any love is good lovin so I took what I could get". I bought a Vision 'cause the wifey said she liked it best. I rode my Kingpin all over including iron butt length rides and would do it again in a heartbeat. If the wifey said she wanted to sit in the sidecar of a Ural I'd ride cross country on one in a heartbeat. Moral of the story: who cares if one bike is better at this or that. If it's the XC that speaks to you, embrace it with both arms. If your butt isn't quite as comfy on an 800 mile ride as it might have been on a Vision, oh well. That's what tequilla's for.

 

[VicVisionBulldog]

Lol, for the last ten years I've been spending more on bikes until I got a new car about six months ago. My plan is to pay it off ahead of schedule so I can get back to spending on bikes

Me too!!!

I just got an awesome deal to refi my truck. I had a great rate but just got a really great rate. I cut my payment way down but Im still paying what I have been which was already over. Now Im paying almost double. The truck will be paid off in no time.

After its paid off and the new stand by generator I just bought is paid off I think a second bike will be in order.

 

[iabob]

Me too!!!

I just got an awesome deal to refi my truck. I had a great rate but just got a really great rate. I cut my payment way down but Im still paying what I have been which was already over. Now Im paying almost double. The truck will be paid off in no time.

After its paid off and the new stand by generator I just bought is paid off I think a second bike will be in order.

Lol, I'm hoping to have mine paid off in about 2-1/2 years. Then...there's a very good chance a Slingshot will replace the Vision as our 2-up ride. Not sure I could ever part with the Kingpin but man the electric bikes are fun and they're only going to get better and cheaper over the next three years. As of right now I'm imagining a Slingshot for long weekends with the Mrs., my Kingpin for solo distance riding, and a Zero SR for commuting and taking the long way home after work. First world problems.

 

[stilcrazee]

Randys' Cycle in Marengo is the best dealership in the world, except when it comes to his Demo Days! I went yesterday and had the opportunity to ride several new models, the Magnum, Cross Country Tour, Octane, and rode there on my 2012 KP. I just bought the KP in December and was talked into the Cross Roads Tour by the Northern Illinois riders club guys who were helping out. Well, I took it for a ride and fell in love dammit! Now, I LOVE my KP. I have added Lloyds timing, Vance Hines Pipes, windshield, backrests and rack, and more goodies. And it runs like a raped ape. The Magnum is one sexy beast but with the Stage 1 it ran very similar to my KP though I feel the KP handles and rides much better. Just my opinion. So I'm glad I got that out of my system. The fairing doesn't seem to protect me from getting battered any more than my Memphis Slim on the KP. The radio controls suck too unless you have a 13" thumb to reach it while driving. But the radio sounds good, gotta give it that. The 21" front wheel I think impedes the handling and general feel as well as the lowered rear end. On the road its not bad but slow speed maneuvering it felt like a tank. But was very surprised at the buffeting with a fairing that size on the bike. Now I will still admire the looks but it felt like I slept with a drunk woman and woke up unimpressed.

SO on to the the Cross Country with 2500 bucks in accessories like the adjustable backrest and some other goodies. Before I even left the lot I knew there was something special about that bike. And I took her on some country roads which is almost every road by Randy, and put her through the twisties. The handling, the feel, the no wind, the stereo, heated everything, equalled my old BMW with the added pleasure of a V Twin vs. the Boxer feel. Never thought I would find another touring bike as good as that BMW without going to a 6 cylinder car engine. Well now I have.

That bike even at low speeds felt as light and nimble ss a 650CC, plenty of leg room for a tall feller, and all the controls except the heated seat switch were very easy to use wihout looking off the road. I instantly fell in love and now I have a 5 month old KP I love and torn to shreds over selling it and buying a Cross Country Tour. I have 5 cars and a bike and simply no garage room for 2 bikes. I rolled back into the lot and as the Riders Club guys were standing there I yelled out to them that they suck. Never should have let me on that bike. That is how Randy got me on the KP. He said "ride a few and let me know what you think." I told Randy back then he sucked too. No high pressure sales at all there, not even close. That man KNOWS that a good ride on the right Vic will sell a bike no matter what your tastes. He hands the key off and stands there with a XXX eating grin when you pull back in with his finger on the cash register. And he did that, just let me ride the bikes when I bought my KP and made a sale. BTW he is one hell of a great guy to deal with. But for some odd reason the Cross Country had no incentives other than the 500 dollar demo day rebate. The other bikes you could get up to 2500 off, which would have made the sale. So I barely escaped with my KP.

Now this is like picking a hot mistress over an older wife who is a hell of a cook. Eventually one of them has to go....agggh!

If you are in the market for a touring bike, this thing handles, feels, and performs better than anything out there. I'd still be on a BMW except I cannot stand the looks of the newer ones. Same reason I gave Randy for NOT riding the Vision. I have not accepted the looks ( no offense to Vision owners, just a matter of personal taste ).

I did not want to fall for a Vision because everyone says if you ride one, you'll walk with one. But that CR...what a gem, so who knows. After the summer I may turn the KP loose, although the styling of that bike is awesome. I get compliments everywhere on it. Why Ma Vic decided to do away with the classic lines and poise of that bike I'll never know. But bringing them back wouldn't be a bad thing. So I now feel I am being torn between 2 great loves and am depressed. Guess I'll take the KP for a nice long run today and stretch her legs and let her comfort me a bit......sigh.

Yep, Randy and his crew are top notch. No high pressure sales. Bought my 08 KP from him at his old store (rip) and then my current XR from the current location. I didn't go for demo days so I was able to solo test ride without ant peanut gallery comments.
My garage is pretty tight with only 2 cars and 1 bike so I had to part with my KP., one sweet running, looking, and handling bike.

 

[stilcrazee]

Nice read. Would love a CC but no reason for me to have one if my wife's health doesn't allow her to ride with me more.

Thoughts and prayers for your wife.