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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 13
Saint George, Utah | Hey folks
New here and to Victory in general. Recently test road a XCT and Vision and have a ride question.
I found the XCT to ride like a Cadillac. Front and rear suspension worked in harmony and proved to be a very nice, comfy ride.
On the Vision, it seemed to me that the front suspension was rather stiff and bouncy. Other then that the ride was similar to the XCT.
Note* rear shock was filled to factory specs per the manual given the riders weights that day.
Is this because the fork configuration between the 2 are opposite, in that the xct has inverted forks?
Is this something others have noticed?
Is there a simple fix to lighten up the front suspension just a little like maybe going to a 5wt fork iol over the 7.5 Im told comes them from the factory?
or....is it simply the nature of the beast, and will lighten up in time, ans something I would have to adapt and get used to?
Any help with this question would be great. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | It could be any of those, but I think it may also have a little to do with the COG of the Vision is more even. I would suggest you take another test ride on both, doing it opposite of what you did the first time. That is, ride the Vision first, if you rode that second on the previous test ride, or vice versa. Hope this helps. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 79
| Coming from a Yamaha Venture that I thought was pretty plush the Vision blows me away every time we ride it. I still find myself clenching over the rough spots I remember and every time its like wow I barely felt that. I will say my girl misses the pillow top seats but honestly I think it's in her head haha. The Vision also doesn't grab grooves in the road like the Venture did. We only have a couple hundred miles on the Vision so far but I can't wait to run up the miles on it. Although doubt we will ever get to the kind of #'s that Varyder is racking up.
Enjoy the test rides no matter what you buy.
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Tourer
Posts: 307
Columbia, SC | Keep in mind fork oil, springs, etc. ccan be changed and manipulated. Look at the features and whatnot. Suspension (especially the front) can be adjusted for not much money. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 117
Kansas City, MO | what did you ride before? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 258
Akron, Ohio | I went to a 10wt oil in the forks. No regrets. I find the ride VERY smooth on the vision. I have not riden the X bikes yet. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | 10wt works good in my forks too........... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| XRsteve - 2012-03-01 7:29 AM
10wt works good in my forks too...........
Okay, someone explain to me how going to a heavier fork oil, like 10wt, is going to cure an issue that the OP is having with forks that give a ride that is already overly stiff?
You guys are going the wrong direction... if you want to soften the ride, you go to a lighter weight oil, such as 5wt, or 2.5wt.....
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Cruiser
Posts: 77
Bainville, & Mesa, AZ, MT | Ed
I just test rode a XCT when the demo truck was here in Mesa, AZ. I rode the new Vision as well and did not find the ride all that much different, each bike had its own feel and did take a minute to get used too. The XCT is a beautifully balanced bike and handled like a dream, but so did the Vision in my opinion. It was a warm d ay and the biggest difference I noticed in the bikes was the excess heat on my inner thigh from the XCT, I feel this could be a problem and it would keep me from buying the XCT. The Vision just does a better job of air/wind management in my opinion.
I would also suggest you do another test ride, preferably on two different bikes, maybe there was something set up different on the Vision you rode. When you are ready buy what you are the most satisfied with.
Good luck with your decision.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 13
Saint George, Utah | Mr Sug - 2012-02-29 9:34 PM
what did you ride before?
I have riden an 05 road glide, which had front forks to soft in which I went up one slot to solve the problem. I have also riden an 08 Ultra, which road the same as the road glide after the fork oil change.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 13
Saint George, Utah | DSmith - 2012-03-01 8:51 AM
Ed
I just test rode a XCT when the demo truck was here in Mesa, AZ. I rode the new Vision as well and did not find the ride all that much different, each bike had its own feel and did take a minute to get used too. The XCT is a beautifully balanced bike and handled like a dream, but so did the Vision in my opinion. It was a warm d ay and the biggest difference I noticed in the bikes was the excess heat on my inner thigh from the XCT, I feel this could be a problem and it would keep me from buying the XCT. The Vision just does a better job of air/wind management in my opinion.
I would also suggest you do another test ride, preferably on two different bikes, maybe there was something set up different on the Vision you rode. When you are ready buy what you are the most satisfied with.
Good luck with your decision.
.
After days of asking this question on several forums, reading responses, and recalling the ride. I have to agree with your findings as well. On the xct, even with the air vents open, we felt little to no air flow change and excess heat. This was done in roughly 50 degree weather.
I know I want a Vision, and considering my past experiance on Harleys, I can correct the fork issue simple enough. Like you said, it could have been the that visions set up, heck it was fresh outta the crate so maybe a little unfair to judge at the time. Im sure we will test ride much more in the future. There are several dealers close enough to do this.
And
What happened to the annual sale we always seemed to come across about this time of year, offering $2000 in accesories and extended warrenty....hahahahaha
I will be paying cash and dont care about low intest rates. Give me something I can get some use from!! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 277
Apopka, FL | Do a search on here or maybe it was the Vision Forum in www.theVMC.com where I read it. Someone had rebuilt the forks of the Vision and they couldn't believe the difference in ride and handling that an after market product made. Was it LobsterHunter?
I found the website:
TRAXXION DYNAMICS, INC.
261 Rope Mill Pkwy, Ste. 3
Woodstock, GA 30188
Phone: 770-592-3823
Email: info@traxxion.com
web: http://www.traxxion.com/
Here is a link to the VMC page and a review of this system. They make front and rear suspension parts. http://forums.thevmc.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=103467&posts...
Edited by DrDecay 2012-03-01 10:27 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 277
Apopka, FL | I also should add, you need to ride a Vision with the lowers installed. With these, you can direct airflow over or around your legs, depending on the temperature to suit you. I won't ride without them. Summer, I open, Winter, I close. Makes a huge difference. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| To dramatically improve the ride quality of the Vision front end simply install Vision 8-Ball springs, spacers and cartridges. Its like day and night. I've done both my '10 and '11 and highly recommend it. Let me know if you need any additional info.
Marc |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | marcparnes - 2012-03-01 5:14 PM
To dramatically improve the ride quality of the Vision front end simply install Vision 8-Ball springs, spacers and cartridges. Its like day and night. I've done both my '10 and '11 and highly recommend it. Let me know if you need any additional info.
Marc
Marc, what was improved? Did it soften the ride, stiffen it, cause it to track better, wander less, etc.
I really have no complaints about how mine is now. I'm always open to improvement but improvement can be very subjective. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| cchristo - 2012-03-01 2:56 PM
marcparnes - 2012-03-01 5:14 PM
To dramatically improve the ride quality of the Vision front end simply install Vision 8-Ball springs, spacers and cartridges. Its like day and night. I've done both my '10 and '11 and highly recommend it. Let me know if you need any additional info.
Marc
Marc, what was improved? Did it soften the ride, stiffen it, cause it to track better, wander less, etc. I really have no complaints about how mine is now. I'm always open to improvement but improvement can be very subjective.
When I did the '11 Vision I posted about it here. Here's what it says in part:
I finished the fork components swap today. I swapped out the fork cartridge, spring and spacer from the stock Tour parts to those from an 8 Ball. Actually I had to make the spacers since Victory was out of stock on them. The OE spacers are made out of plastic which I duplicated in aluminum. The new spring is shorter. The cartridge is the same length but the dampening is lighter. The difference is pretty amazing. The bike sits a bit lower so my feet are flat now. The ride is way better. Bumps that disturbed the bike before are just soaked up. Really, really nice. The turn-in is also improved which helps cornering. The cost of the parts was $320.00 and the dealer charged one hour to swap the parts out including new oil. I pulled the forks which took all of 30 minutes and about the same to put them back. If anyone has any questions please let me know.
Part#s
Spring 7043627
Cartridge 5137274
Spacer 7556550
One quart of Victory Fork oil So in summary, the quality of the ride is improved. It is much more compliant then it was before. Where it might have been choppy over stutter bumps it just glides over them now. Freeway hop is also reduced noticeably. Just this past weekend I added a 1" spacer over top of the springs in order to lift the ride height up to where it was originally. I did this for no reason other than to make it easier to park. Since it was sitting lower I had to be careful not to park it with the stand uphill or it didn't feel safe. The ride quality was not affected. Marc
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 13
Saint George, Utah | Thank you so very much for this response........VERY good info and solution. Im also glad to know I wasnt the only one who felt the ride difference.
Did the new oil also go to a lighter grade or the same as it was before the change of components?
Thanks again
Ed
That about helps me make up my mine....it can be done for a mere hand, leaving intact the rest of the arm and leg......hahahahahahahahahaha
Ok I just re-read your post........question popped up
You say you put in the 1" spacer on top to raise the front end back to factory...........did you loose the quality in the turns that you noticed in the lower version? and is that upper spacer included in your parts list or does it have a part number to add to the list?
Edited by BigEd 2012-03-01 7:27 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| BigEd - 2012-03-01 4:17 PM
Thank you so very much for this response........VERY good info and solution. Im also glad to know I wasnt the only one who felt the ride difference.
Did the new oil also go to a lighter grade or the same as it was before the change of components?
Thanks again
Ed
That about helps me make up my mine....it can be done for a mere hand, leaving intact the rest of the arm and leg......hahahahahahahahahaha
Ok I just re-read your post........question popped up
You say you put in the 1" spacer on top to raise the front end back to factory...........did you loose the quality in the turns that you noticed in the lower version? and is that upper spacer included in your parts list or does it have a part number to add to the list?
I used the stock Vic oil which I'm assuming is the same as what came out. I don't think the spacer made all that much difference to turn-in. I'm much more used to the bike (30K miles) then I was when I first did the modification so I think I just adapted to it quickly. I made the spacer out of a piece of aluminum but the same thing could be done with a piece of PVC pipe cut to the proper length. The original Vic spacer was plastic as well. I used aluminum because I had it and its what I'm used to working with. The spacer is not on the original list. I made it so no part#.
Marc |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| BTW, just as a point of reference, the original fork spring has a TON of preload on it compared to the 8 Ball setup. That's probably one reason it rides like it does. In any case, don't attempt to disassemble the forks yourself or you're liable to take an eye out. It needs the dealer's special compressor to get it done safely. Putting it back together is no problem to do by hand. There's very little preload.
Marc |
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Cruiser
Posts: 258
Akron, Ohio | Turk - 2012-03-01 8:39 AM
XRsteve - 2012-03-01 7:29 AM
10wt works good in my forks too...........
Okay, someone explain to me how going to a heavier fork oil, like 10wt, is going to cure an issue that the OP is having with forks that give a ride that is already overly stiff?
You guys are going the wrong direction... if you want to soften the ride, you go to a lighter weight oil, such as 5wt, or 2.5wt.....
The original post said the forks seemed stiff and bouncy. This in itself is a contradiction. I do not find my forks stiff, or bouncy. I did notice that the bike seemed to not follow the lines in the road as much in turns when I changed the oil. It seems to be more planted and not wonder. I changed the oil with about 10K miles on the bike and it was 2 years old or so. I did not see a lot of crud in the old oil and no metal specs to speak of. I don't know if this makes a difference or not, but the oil I used was synthetic Moble 1 ATF. I have used this in MANY bikes and always had great success. I was told that the oil weight is aprox. a 10w. Not saying everyone should do this, just telling what I did. |
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2012 test ride