[APHATMOUSE]

The bike is a monster in size. Until you put a couple of hundred miles on her. Once you know the bike and get to feel the weight in different circumstances- the bike is awesomely balanced... I don't push her quite as hard in the corners as i did my XC, but I could!

The speakers are crappy. But the radio shouldn't even be called a radio. reception is pathetic. I can find a station if i seek all the way around the dial, but holding the station for more then 3-5 minutes won't happen and i'm back to seeking all over the place again. My XC had way better reception- I put 7k miles on the XC so I have a good feel for what stations I can get where in my local area. I've orderd the j&m speakers and an amplified antenna that someone mentioned on one of the other sites... will post impressions when I get them installed...

The heated seat for driver seems inconsistant- is this just my seat in particular? sometimes its on for over an hour and I have to ask if the heat is on a couple of times and then all of a sudden- WHAM. Ass is warm. for 20 minutes. then nothing. then 5 minutes later- sorta warm, no wait, very warm. Then, oh, maybe its not on?

Not sure if its the amsoil or what- but this 09 Vision sounds nothing like my 2010 XC. The XC had an annoying whine sound in the motor that was very noticeable and then add in the loud 6th gear and highway touring was not something I liked to do- I had no chance of hearing the radio the combo was that loud. Would be interesting to put "normal' oil into the Vision just to see what happens... the Vision trans is even clunkier sounding then the XC was... very THUNKY when sometimes when shifting. I don't mind and it's not dramatic, just a difference...

the bags are wicked tiny compared the XC... miniscule. Yet for day to day stuff the bags are better then my initial impression was. they get the job done- just don't expect gobs of space. (after unpacking the completely loaded Vision- netted down on top of the top box even. i immediately put 80% of everything into just the two bags of the XC. It's THAT dramatic between the two bikes. But again- the bags are ok as I got used to them..


Biggest surprise- my wife's comfort range has DOUBLED on the vision. She hated the day I sold my Harley SG and was bitter over the XC all this year- it was a running joke in our riding group. Now with the vision, we ride double the distance between breaks and she is more into the ride and what's up ahead and less about shifting around, standing up, or worrying if her hips will get through the day- and talks to everyone about "the victory" this and 'the victory that". it's pretty funny to watch- and it made me realize how little she was actually enjoying our rides as opposed to trying to get through them... its nice to see her sit back and genuinely enjoy the ride.

Backing up is doable on this bike- but boy, reverse would be awesome.

I wouldn't enjoy this bike quite as much if it didn't have a very deep rumble from the pipes. Bubba did an awesome job finding a sound for this bike. Probably a bit louder then I would choose if I went around a second time, but the bike definitely has sound and soul- and add in the comfort and BINGO!



that's my quick thoughts. Very nice bike and I enjoy it more and more with every ride..

 

[Bigfoot]

My wife has been my backseat driver on my motorcycles for 36 years.

We took a 45 minute test ride on the new 2011 Vision Tour and when we got off she said, "I wish I had never agreed to take this ride".
I'm like OH OH, this is not good.
Then she said, "I love it!".

She claims it's the best passenger seat she has ever sat on.

 

[Grecz1]

My wife has been my backseat driver on my motorcycles for 36 years.

We took a 45 minute test ride on the new 2011 Vision Tour and when we got off she said, "I wish I had never agreed to take this ride".
I'm like OH OH, this is not good.
Then she said, "I love it!".

She claims it's the best passenger seat she has ever sat on.
After the test ride I took with my wife, she got off the bike and said, "man, that's some major ass-pampering". Needless to say, she was all for getting the Vision.

 

[tcsinoid]

My previous bike was a 2005 TC, which I loved. My wife and I took a test ride on a Vision and the rest as they say is history. We now own a 2010 Vision. I though I had a great story about being the only guy in America who's wife said "we need to buy this bike" But I guess not ;-} Comparing my Vision to my TC, while the Vision is "bigger" its lighter. I agree with the original post, saddle bags a way small, with the trunk I can carry what would have fit in my TC. I have found a little additional storage in the trunk mount, (just open the plastic panel) I can store my bike cover down there. We did a 10 trip to the Black Hills and to carry all the stuff we needed we ended up having a luggage rack put on. The trunk has an annoying rattle that I can't seem to get rid of (full or empty). I have no issues with the radio or the speaker, although I usually ride with my iPod, Great sound even at speed (80+). I agree the seat heater does have a weird cycling program. My TC had neither a radio or trunk. I love the adjustable wind shield, fully extend I stay pretty dry in the rain. However since my wife sits higher she gets wet. My TC had stage I level I pipes and I must admit I ready miss the sound. So i have been toying with getting them added to my Vision. Anybody done that? I would welcome comments.

 

[ManWithAVision]

My previous bike was a 2005 TC, which I loved. My wife and I took a test ride on a Vision and the rest as they say is history. We now own a 2010 Vision. I though I had a great story about being the only guy in America who's wife said "we need to buy this bike" But I guess not ;-} Comparing my Vision to my TC, while the Vision is "bigger" its lighter. I agree with the original post, saddle bags a way small, with the trunk I can carry what would have fit in my TC. I have found a little additional storage in the trunk mount, (just open the plastic panel) I can store my bike cover down there. We did a 10 trip to the Black Hills and to carry all the stuff we needed we ended up having a luggage rack put on. The trunk has an annoying rattle that I can't seem to get rid of (full or empty). I have no issues with the radio or the speaker, although I usually ride with my iPod, Great sound even at speed (80+). I agree the seat heater does have a weird cycling program. My TC had neither a radio or trunk. I love the adjustable wind shield, fully extend I stay pretty dry in the rain. However since my wife sits higher she gets wet. My TC had stage I level I pipes and I must admit I ready miss the sound. So i have been toying with getting them added to my Vision. Anybody done that? I would welcome comments.

The Stage 1 Level 1 pipes are great on the Vision. I have them on my 2010 Tour Premiumand my wife has them on her 2010 - 8-Ball. We call them noise on demand. At normal cruising RPM'sthey are reasonably quiet so you won't need to wear ear plugs and you won't have to worry about your neighbours taking up a petition to run you out of town. But crank the throttle and the exhaust note comes alive. I like to do this as we ride by all those stationary H.D.'s in the Tim Hortons parking lots.

 

[marty]

I agree totally about S1L1 They just bark under throttle great!!

 

[BlackMandingoWarrior]

I agree with your opinion of the audio, Victory needs an upgrade option. If you use the mp3/ipod connection you always have the music you want to hear and can avoid the crappy radio reception altogether. Using the mp3/ipod connection make the system bearable but it is nothing to rave about especially compared the stock HD Harman Kardon system. As for just about everything else I have no or minimal issues. I'm glad to see your heated seat works like mine because I was beginning to think something was wrong with mine. Maybe they cycle the heat to keep from damaging the seat material. I am a little disappointed with the performance of the heated grips though; could be better but the mirrors/fairing do a good job of deflecting the air. The saddle bags are definitely small but I can usually get all of my riding apparel (leather jacket, chaps, sweat shirt, gloves and half helmet) in there without any problem. If I'm using the tour pack (trunk), I have plenty of storage for other stuff. If I'm going without the tour pack, a nice tail bag on the back seat is adequate. I have a Saddleman seat bag that serves as a backrest I use in addition to the tour pack which allows me to pack way more stuff than I need. I've taken several business on the bike without storage issues. I will be getting a tow hitch and trailer for the times I take wifey with me. The stage 1/level 1 exhaust is ok; I think I'm going to go with the Arlen Ness Big Honkers with the Big Shot and stage 2 cams. The Big Honker have a much deeper and throatier sound and more seat-of-the-pants performance difference. The S1/L1 does have a more appropriate sound for the VV verses stock but not much of a performance difference. I put 12k+ miles on my 09 VV since March when I got it and I have no complaints about its comfort, performance and fun factor. I've done 3 road trips from Dayton OH to Baltimore MD; to Knoxville TN (Deals gap); and to Milwaukee WI this summer. Next summer I'm planning to do the Blue Ridge Pkwy and Skyline Dr. I hope to see more VV's on the road because it gets a little tiresome having to tell the same thing over and over again when I stop, "It's a Victory; Victory makes it; It's not a custom; It's not a Harley or a Goldwing; Thanks for the compliments". The Vision definitely exceeded my expectations and I'm glad to be apart of the Victory family. Every dealership I've been to so far has been very friendly and helpful. Especially Philly Cycle Center (a brand new Victory dealership) who saved my ass by installing 2 new tires for me while I was in transit this month. They got me in and out in about 1.5 hrs and without issues, even clean her up for me and made me feel like a VIP customer. So far the VV has been a very positive experience for me!!!