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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| Hello all, Ive been riding for about 37 years. Hondas mostly. 2 years ago I bought an Electra Glide, its a super bike but Im ready for something else. I usually only keep a bike for a year or two then Im ready to move on. I have no complaints about the Harley. Im thinking about a Vision and have a few questions.
I see a few Vision 8 balls on dealer floors, 2010-2011 models.
We tour alot, my wife rides a Road King.
I dont care about the radio, I bluetooth anything I want to listen to. I would like cruise. Can cruise be added to an 8 ball? Is it plug-n-play?
Does the 106 have hydraulic valves? I hate adjusting valves.
Is there a removeable passenger backrest available? The trunk is for touring not cruising around town.
I would need the trunk or pull a trailer when touring. What is the better value, buy the 8 ball and add cruise and a trunk/trailer or just buy the tour?
Other than abs is there any advantage/disadvantage buying an older model?
Thanks, we have looked at a couple and are going looking again this weekend. There are 3 dealers between an hour and 2 hours away so we have several bikes we can look at. Maybe a test ride if the weather is nice.
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Cruiser
Posts: 241
Monrovia, Ca | Just buy the tour and have it all. Yo can take the trunk off when not needed. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| bmcgc - 2012-02-09 8:09 AM Hello all, Ive been riding for about 37 years. Hondas mostly. 2 years ago I bought an Electra Glide, its a super bike but Im ready for something else. I usually only keep a bike for a year or two then Im ready to move on. I have no complaints about the Harley. Im thinking about a Vision and have a few questions. I see a few Vision 8 balls on dealer floors, 2010-2011 models. We tour alot, my wife rides a Road King. I dont care about the radio, I bluetooth anything I want to listen to. I would like cruise. Can cruise be added to an 8 ball? Is it plug-n-play? Does the 106 have hydraulic valves? I hate adjusting valves. Is there a removeable passenger backrest available? The trunk is for touring not cruising around town. I would need the trunk or pull a trailer when touring. What is the better value, buy the 8 ball and add cruise and a trunk/trailer or just buy the tour? Other than abs is there any advantage/disadvantage buying an older model? Thanks, we have looked at a couple and are going looking again this weekend. There are 3 dealers between an hour and 2 hours away so we have several bikes we can look at. Maybe a test ride if the weather is nice. 1. I would buy a vision tour with all the bells and whistles, you can always remove the trunk if you like. Also if you sell the bike after a couple of years it would be more apealing with more stuff. 2. I believe the valves are hydraulic , victory motorcycles are low maintainace, long running machines. 3. There are passenger back rest available in aftermarket. 4. Abs ??? I have a 09 so i don't have it but i think i would like it. 5. Transmission supposed to be quieter on newer models, but i have never noticed any noise or problems with mine. 6. I have rode a few different brands of motorcycles, but nothing has ever rode as well as the vision. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 216
Danville, CA | Agreed.. Vision Tour. You won't be dissatisfied... |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I've got 109,250 miles on my Vision in 4 1/4 years and all it has need is an oil change, plugs, filters, and I did have to replace the fuel pump, under warranty 53,000 miles ago, and a voltage regulator 11,000 miles ago. Other than that, I ride. I've got an '08 Midnight Cherry Tour Premium with the Street accessories, passenger back rest and rack. I've got it as Street right now, but I can throw the trunk back on at anytime. Given that, the later years they would only improve, with the exception of ABS. Oh, okay, sorry, some think that's an improvement, but there is no valve adjustment, nor do you have to disassembly the bike to change the air filter.
The only other thing I can say is why haven't you bought one yet? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| I agree, get the tour, you won't be disappointed. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| Once I take a ride and see if I like the Vision, I will buy one if the money is right. I do not finance anything, so it has to be something I really want or I just cant let go of the cash. It takes to long to earn it. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | The 8-Ball is the fastest.  |
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Tourer
Posts: 430
| +1 Vision tour
go to a Victory dealer and test ride the Vision - Victory is very big on allowing prospective buyers to take a test ride - ride then decide.
Present Victory owners know what you will do after you test ride |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| I borrowed money for mine. I don't regret it for one second. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | It seems like so many people that buy an 8 ball vision , end up buying all the stuff that they're missing that the regular version has... I lost count of all the threads I read of people wanting to add features that they're missing. It probably would've been easier to buy a fully loaded touring model and in make it in a 8ball... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| I think you would be better off with a tour. It comes with the trunk and cruise. The 8-Ball is a pretty bike. Ask the dealers if they will give you a deal on an 8 with cruise and trunk that is better than a tour price.
When you do the demo rides, take an 8 out so you can get a feel how the bike handles without a trunk. Mine just feels lighter.
I don't see all the hoopla about ABS so that would not be a deal closer for me. You may find you like the quieter tranny and longer distance between oil changes on a '12 model.
I always said I didn't need music on a bike but now that I have my Ipod and free music from Amazon I turn it off and on as I like. Music is nice when running across Iowa. :P
Get a deal with Stage 1 either way you go. |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| I went thru a similiar experience when I bought my Vision Tour..I really liked the lower 8-ball and its overall looks until I saw the 2011 Silver/Black Tour...It had all the things I needed and did'nt need,,,radio, cruise, adjustable windshield, trunk, until I discovered what I had been missing...Now I have them if I don't want to use them, I don't, if I do, I got them....Best of both worlds for me....BTW. as I am short,I changed seat to the lower 8-ball seat and I love the thing...Go for the full boat, you will not regret it........... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| After some additional research I have decided that the Tour is the way to go for me. Im not going to buy from a dealer, I just dont do wholesale/retail, now days it seems like there is a 5k price spread between the two.. Im going to sell my Electra Glide and buy from a private party. I have seen some very nice bikes in the 13-15k price range. My Harley has a clear title so that gives me more options. It may take awhile, but I will have a Vision when the time and money is right. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | your choice. HD's take forever to sell at most asking price. I know a few folks that has theirs for sell and swear they want to sell them so they can get something else. Two years later one is still for sale, and the other said never mind and still has his. It's up to you, and you know you're situation, but I'm glad I'm got in the saddle of a Vision at the soonest possible moment I could. Hope it works for you. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| I have to echo that fact that Harleys are difficult to sell. I have a friend that finally sold his at much less than his original asking price. Just too many on the market. But I do understand paying cash. I did the same thing. It opens up options and I've found cash gives be a little more leverage. |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | Rollin' - 2012-02-09 10:40 AM
The 8-Ball is the fastest.
Dude, he is riding a Harley. Do you think fastest was his motivation? LOL Tour model all the way. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 232
| I have harleys and goldwing and a vision tour for me THE VISION TOUR is the only way to roll. I have owned several bikes and i do believe that the Vision top them all.There is drawbacks but nothing like the other brands.I think the biggest problem is having to stop every 220/240 mile to fuel up. |
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Tourer
Posts: 323
Troy, NY | 20 10 Vision - 2012-02-09 11:54 AM
+1 Vision tour
go to a Victory dealer and test ride the Vision - Victory is very big on allowing prospective buyers to take a test ride - ride then decide.
Present Victory owners know what you will do after you test ride
I test rode my Vision by flying 1,000 miles away picking her up and "test riding" her home. When you get your Vision it will be the bike you own for more than a couple of years!!
Edited by adirondacks 2012-02-11 7:52 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| I sat on a tour and a 8 ball today. I rode the 8 ball. The 8 ball is the bike I want. Now many of you will disagree, but its the one I liked best.
As far as value goes, here is my issue. KBB for my 09 FLHT is $10,800. I have over 5k in parts and about 2k in labor on the bike, which as we all know doesnt mean squat when it comes to trade value..
The "new" 2010 8 ball is priced at $16,000, since I am retired military I may squeeze another $1,000 off the price per Victorys current incentive program.
Once the 2010 8 ball is mine, it is a 2 year old used bike. KBB value of $10,600.
Im having a hard time giving away my bike and 5 or 6k for a bike that has less value.
Im going to have to give it some more thought.
As a side note, the 8 ball rode much like the Honda Rune that I bought several years ago, except the Rune had a lot more get up and go throughtout the powerband.
Edited by bmcgc 2012-02-11 8:32 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Everything is the same, except a shorter shock and rod, an inch of foam out of the seat, and ABS is not an option. Those can be bought and put on a Tour. The hardest thing after that on a tour is blackening everything out, but that has nothing to do with your ride. You've got your own mind to make up, but there is few things you can do to the Vision that will make the Rune seem like a moped. Okay, I'm done, let us know when you got the keys... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| Are the front springs the same on both the 8 Ball and the Tour? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
Navarre, FL | Front end is the same except for the blacked out forks. I added cruise and power windshield to mine as part of the purchase, and added a seat heater to the 8 ball seat ($75, thanks webhair!). |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 33
| I have a 2011 8-Ball and decided the $5000 price difference (17k vs 22k) from the Tour was what I needed to get me in the drivers seat. I'm not a big "music on the bike" person and thought that I would add the other things as needed, it's not hard and most are plug and play. So far I've added a 16" windshield($140), windshield motor($200), heated grips($170), upper wind vanes($100), and throttle lock($40). These were the things that I felt were missing and adding them only increased my 17k by $650 plus it was fun to work on the bike and learn more about it. Future additions will include a passenger backrest/luggage rack and I might look into an ipod type audio system. I feel like I will still be way ahead of the 5k that I saved.
As far as the perceived power issue, I'm coming from a high powered VTX 1800 and I too noticed the difference. As you get used to the bike though you will find out where the power is, 2500 rpm and up can be a screaming ride once you learn to shift and twist the right way. The power is there you just have to extract it a little differently. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
Tifton, GA | I had my title when trying to go from 07 Electria Glide to 11 Vision back in Nov 2010. Problem was my Harley had 56K miles no emails or calls got past that point NONE. So I had to trade with a dealer to get my Vision. Liandra now has 18K miles on the clock and I was off the bike for a month for surgery last July. I got the 5 years of warrenty so may get another Vision at 4 years to help with my sale since she will probably have over 70K miles. I am retiring June 30 this year |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| I wasnt unhappy with the 8 Balls power. When I headed down the road my first thought was that the bike rode/felt a lot like the Rune. I had 3 VTX1800s (S N T). I liked the 8 Ball much better than any of those. Its not a tough sell on Harleys, its a tough sell on motorcycles in general. I also have an 01 Road Star on consignment at a local Indy. There doesnt seem to be much interest in that bike either. Its also winter so things are slow anyway.
The dealer is calling me Monday. The bottom line is they want my bike + 8k. Im just not going to make that deal. The 8 Ball has the same retail value as my Electra Glide. The dealer is a business and is in business to make a profit, but the money just isnt right for me. As I said I see several 08-09 Tours for 13 or 14k. These are low mileage loaded bikes. Maybe I can work a trade with someone. I will accept less than retail for my bike, but Im not accepting wholesale for my excellent condition, low mileage bike with over 5k in accessories.
Im not giving up, the right deal will come along. Meanwhile Im reading and learning about these great bikes. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 14
Iowa | bmcgc,My wife and i just bought a 2011 v8 ball for 14,500 new in create. Back in dec. So i think 16,000 is little high. You won't be disappointed with it. My wife likes hers. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| JohnX - 2012-02-12 9:56 AM
bmcgc,My wife and i just bought a 2011 v8 ball for 14,500 new in create. Back in dec. So i think 16,000 is little high. You won't be disappointed with it. My wife likes hers.
Care to share which dealership that was from? |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 14
Iowa | Yes bmc, it werner cycle in omaha, ne. They only had one left. I also checked bairs in canton,ohio. They had 2 of them but it was to far from iowa.They were selling them for around 14,000. I hope this helps. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 79
| Werner Cycle seem to be great people to deal with. Chapin is the reason we ended up on a Vision. He was great about answering questions and getting us a test ride without pressure. We ended up buy from a private party but have been trying to spend money on outer stuff there. Even though its 50 miles away. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 135
Chesterfield, VA | Bmcgc, don't know where you are located but there are some really good deals out there if you look. Here is one in NC...it's a 2011 Vision Tour for $17K. For that you get a newer bike, cruise, electric windshield, music, ABS, and Tour pack - all for $1000 more than the V-8ball you are looing at.
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2011-Victory-Vision-Tour-97637829
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
| Victorys dont seem to do well on resale value. There are 2 Tours in Atlanta for sale, private party, one for 13k, the other for 14k.
I posted my Harley on CL yesterday, Ive already had 3 inquires, so I think it will sell in the next couple weeks.
The dealers here do not want to deal, so I will buy private party or go out of state. We are always looking for a road trip anyway.
Edited by bmcgc 2012-02-13 8:07 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| bmcgc.....I wish you luck on selling your HD...Around here the market is full of un-sold used Harleys....I am sure the BS Obama economy has a lot to do with bike sales...Victorys are also difficult to sell, but not as many around so odds are a little better.....Good luck on whatever you do and I hope you can work out something on the Vic as it is, IMHO, a much better ride than the competition.....2011 Silver/Black Tour |
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Cruiser
Posts: 135
Chesterfield, VA | sarvbill - 2012-02-13 7:50 AM Bmcgc, don't know where you are located but there are some really good deals out there if you look. Here is one in NC...it's a 2011 Vision Tour for $17K. For that you get a newer bike, cruise, electric windshield, music, ABS, and Tour pack - all for $1000 more than the V-8ball you are looing at.
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2011-Victory-Vision-Tour-97637829
By the way, this is a new 2011...not used. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
| bmcgc ... you seem very analytical in your approach to which model to choose... i too - actually rode a Tour .. and rode an 8-Ball...before making the purchase decision... most of the people offering opinions on which bike to purchase... haven't ridden both bikes... there is a BIG difference in the way a Tour rides... as compared to an 8-Ball ... i have a road racing background.. and am a bit picky about how a bike should ride and feel... but the additional weight of the Tour pack... given its' odd mounting location so high and towards the rear... absolutely lightens up the front end... it unloads the front forks... and the Tour does not have the same 'secure' feel as the lowered 8-ball... both bikes ride well... and the Tour is an excellent bike - when compared to the Harley ... and the Gold Wing and BMW ... but the 8-ball outclasses them all in handling....
i understand the purpose for the Tour pack.. and i own one (because i do occasionally tour with my old lady - or my kids - and they like the back rest and rear speakers) ... but i take the tour pack off as soon as the trip is over (it takes about a half hour to remove)...
the reality is ... the lowered suspension - puts the mass closer to the ground .. and that combined with the lack of the Tour pack - make for a better handling motorcycle...
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Iron Butt
Posts: 752
Broken Arrow, OK | Never rode a 8 Ball but that makes perfect sense freddy. Now I really want to ride one, lol.
My 2 cents would suggest the tour version for the ABS and cruise and then a C note for the panel to cover the hole when you remove the trunk.
Only thing that puzzles me is your position on only paying cash for the bike. I understand that kind of money takes some time to save up. I've never understood, unless something is used and much lower in cost, why someone would want to pay cash for an item that immediately will take such a huge hit in value. Bikes and vehicles we all know will lose thousands when you take possession of a key, so why work so hard for that money to just throw it away right off the bat. Avoiding high interest?, yes, I get that. I went for their 1.9% interest. Use their money while I ride my bike. Just my opinion, taught by my dad! |
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Which Vision?