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Cruiser
Posts: 78
| Getting ready to do something different. Been on GL1800's since 2002. Like the bikes, but want a little more leg room. Rode a Vision for <15 miles (per dealer's instructions).
I liked a few things, but the transmission had a CLUNK to each gear change. Is this normal or just due to being new. Dealer give me the "it is like a Peterbuilt and solid". Haven't driven a Peterbuilt, but KW doesn't do that.
For 2 up, have to buy intercom system, plus CB etc. Why doesn't Victory have the intercom standard on a touring bike?
Handling was pretty good, but not enough miles to really test and another had just drove it prior and I think he was really serious in buying so didn't want to try too much on a motor with 14 miles.
I am also looking at a CVO HD in an Ultra Package in a 09-11 model range.
Will the "CLUNK" go away after a while?
How is the Vision with pulling a trailer?
What CB unit/antennas do you run?
Is there a "premium package" where many of the options are included at a discounted price?
Edited by bigdogtx 2012-10-24 3:50 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 241
Monrovia, Ca | #1 No The tranny is no louder than all the HD's I ride with
#2 Pulls just fine. If you want extra power,for $1350 installed you can get cams, air box and fuel controller. Will add 20+ hp and 10 or so foot pounds of torque. This set up will run from your wing.
#3 Vic sells a CB and Antenna that will integrate with the radio/com system. More and more popel are getting away from CB and going with a Bluetooth unit. Me, I like the CB set up.
#4 They did it only one year. IN 2009 they sold 100 of the Anniversary edition models. It had every accessory on it that Victory made.
Go ride the CVO. If you are open minded, you will buy the Vision. A much better bike. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 118
Spfld, IL but temp Bay area, CA | You cannot beat the handling or weather protection on a Vision. So it clunks--no big deal and the neutral finder on the 2011s and newer is awesome. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | All I can say is 128,000 in under 5 years. I don't know if this will make sense, since I don't know what I mean either. But the Gold Wing is strictly a touring bike, so it will have all the bells and whistle that white color tourers want. Victory makes road bikes, while all bikes are "luxury" items, some don't see it that way. I got the tour premium Vision in '08, and had the CB installed, with commo. I used it the first year or so, and haven't used it since. The headphones were low quality and near useless. But I can see why that stuff is extra. Power windshield is a major plus over the Wing, and the low narrow seat with large floorboards sold it to me, even before I really looked at the styling. A rock solid class act in my opinion. It comes down to this, it is not, do you want the Vision, but does the Vision want you?
Edited by varyder 2012-10-24 5:05 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Do a search for the CB there not cheap. Some say they can't get out very far what do they want state to state.
There is a lot of guys pulling trailers and more each day.
The cluck is louder on a vision I think and we don't have a primary chain so there is more gear noise.
At 80 thousand or earlier you will new new chain tensors if you make it that far on a harley. Yes O owned a 09 FLHX and I'm happy with the vision. Would not go back.
Not knowing where you live but dealers all a round the country have close outs going on now.
If you like to travel you have looked at the best there is go test ride another vision and if you need to ride another one and make a deal.
Get dealer to throe in first 500 mile check up and ask for a deal on the CB if you go that way.
By the way vision have linked brakes sorry h-d doesn't |
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
Tifton, GA | The clunk is about the same as my 07 Harley so no problem for me.
Almost never have a passenger and do want anything in my helmet, but my head, the arms of my glasses, and something to keep it warm in the winter.
Never pulled a trailer and never will, but many people do without a problem according to what I have read.
Had a GPS on my bike, but removed it do not need the distraction.
I really like my 2011 Vision. Bought it the Wed. before Thanksgiving in 2010 and have 37,700+ miles on it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 255
New Brunswick , Canada | If your looking for more leg room and floorboard , the vision is it.
The power windshield , you are going to love it.
The clunk of the tranny will not get more quiet.
I had a Goldwing for 20 years and switch it for a 2010 Vision.
The Goldwing was very low cost maintenance and never had issues with warranty work.
But it's a different story with MY Vision...and right now i'm thinking of going back to the Goldwing.
I'm having problems with My headlight cracking at the upper right coner.
I'm at my 5th crack headlight and this started 1 month after i both the bike.
Headlight cost $499.00 + labor. (OUCH)
Dealer and Victory will not change this last crack headlight under warranty.they can not find the cause....i have to pay from now on..
Do the math 2 headlight per riding season is just to much maintenance cost..even more then a H@rley
Do i like to ride this bike ? The answer is yes
Would i keep this bike if Victory could find a solution to this problem...Hell Yes
And the funny thing about this i'm not the only one thats having this problems with the headlight..Check ALL forums
When it come to Maintenance cost...i'm realy missing my Goldwing..
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | My buddy has an '11 road glide ultra. Great bike for sure but very different. The vision is MUCH faster than the HD even after he spent $2500 on performance mods my Vision still beats him. This may not sound like much but having that extra power makes for a nicer idling experience and better pulling power two up and with a trailer. The best part is even with more power it still gets exactly the same mpg as the HD!
The best way to describe the difference is the HD is more like driving a Lincoln town car. Soft, mushy and disconnected (that's ok it might be your thing) but still very capable. The Vision is more like driving a 5 series BMW, agile, precise yet comfy and easy to gobble up the miles. If you're more of a BMW ultimate driving machine type of person then vision is the way if your more marshmellowy floaty kinda chap the HD may suit you better. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | My buddy has an '11 road glide ultra. Great bike for sure but very different. The vision is MUCH faster than the HD even after he spent $2500 on performance mods my Vision still beats him. This may not sound like much but having that extra power makes for a nicer idling experience and better pulling power two up and with a trailer. The best part is even with more power it still gets exactly the same mpg as the HD!
The best way to describe the difference is the HD is more like driving a Lincoln town car. Soft, mushy and disconnected (that's ok it might be your thing) but still very capable. The Vision is more like driving a 5 series BMW, agile, precise yet comfy and easy to gobble up the miles. If you're more of a BMW ultimate driving machine type of person then vision is the way if your more marshmellowy floaty kinda chap the HD may suit you better. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 212
Tavares, Fl | I was prepared to buy the excpensive CB for my new 2012 till I read the writeup on the Scala G9 bluetooth. So many more features for about half the price of the CB with all the wiring adaptors....Oh yea and this is my second Vision after years of Goldwings. I'll never go back....
Edited by rlreed 2012-10-24 9:25 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 12 years on Harley touring bikes, thought I was going to have to stop riding after my back surgery. Now on the Vision, I'm planning Iron Butt rides again! I can ride all day without any problems. I didn't really look at GWs or BMWs because I wanted an American bike and I like moving my feet around. Not even a HD can compete with the floorboard space of the Vision. On the rides I do with friends on other bikes, the HD riders get left in the dust, both with power and handling. Only the GWs and BMWs keep up. For a $1200ish cam upgrade, you can outpower the GWs too. I don't hear the clunk anymore, it's just part of the bike. I would be concerned if it meant the tranny was weak, but with a Vic, it's the sound of a strong tranny doing it's thing.
If you ride 2 up alot, you'd better get the pillions opinion. My wife says it's more comfortable than the HD, but most think GWs have the edge there.
I didn't get the CB, had one on the HD and never used it. Got a Scala G4 to talk to my passenger, other riders and talk on the phone. When I call on the phone, people don't even know I'm on the bike. I like not having a tether.
30,000 miles so far with no more than regular maintenance.
I also love how easy it is to find my bike in a crowd. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| Lojak - 2012-10-24 7:12 PM
If your looking for more leg room and floorboard , the vision is it.
The power windshield , you are going to love it.
The clunk of the tranny will not get more quiet.
I had a Goldwing for 20 years and switch it for a 2010 Vision.
The Goldwing was very low cost maintenance and never had issues with warranty work.
But it's a different story with MY Vision...and right now i'm thinking of going back to the Goldwing.
I'm having problems with My headlight cracking at the upper right coner.
I'm at my 5th crack headlight and this started 1 month after i both the bike.
Headlight cost $499.00 + labor. (OUCH)
Dealer and Victory will not change this last crack headlight under warranty.they can not find the cause....i have to pay from now on..
Do the math 2 headlight per riding season is just to much maintenance cost..even more then a H@rley
Do i like to ride this bike ? The answer is yes
Would i keep this bike if Victory could find a solution to this problem...Hell Yes
And the funny thing about this i'm not the only one thats having this problems with the headlight..Check ALL forums
When it come to Maintenance cost...i'm realy missing my Goldwing..
Wow, very strange. Sounds like something is putting pressure on your headlight. I have 31,000 miles on my Vision and absolutely no issues with the headlight cracking. Love my Vision, and no clunking if you change your shift style... (pre-load the peg a little with your foot just prior to change). Slips like butter into the next higher gear. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | I half thought the ride on the Alaska and Dalton Highway was going to destroy the bodywork on my Vision but when I got home all I had to do was wash it and wash it and wash it. No repairs were needed. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | I came from a Goldwing and still ride with them a lot. I consider the Vision and Goldwing to be equal overall with each having advantages over the other in particular areas. For me, the main differences are the Goldwing has bigger and easier to use saddlebags than the Vision, but the Vision's are sufficient once you learn how to pack them. The Vision is much more comfortable for the rider than the Goldwing. Either is equally comfortable for the passenger and personal preference will dictate choice here. My wife much appreciates the fact that she can see over me on the Vision, instead of looking at the back of my helmet on the Goldwing. With the lower wind deflectors installed (optional), the weather protection on the Vision equals the Goldwing. The protection for the passenger is probably a little better on the Goldwing, especially if you have a larger aftermarket windshield, but it's not a big difference. With the optional lower deflectors on the Vision, and the power windshield lowered, it is much cooler to ride in hot weather than the Goldwing. The heat from the motor is effectively removed by the lower deflectors.
The clunk when shifting is the nature of the beast. It doesn't get any better, but it isn't a cause for concern.
I use the factory CB/Intercom and antenna. It works well and has a range of several miles under ideal conditions. Of course, conditions aren't always ideal for CB, but if you drive Kenworths you already know that. We use it constantly when riding with friends. We can usually count on 2 or 3 miles range most of the time (away from cities). The intercom part works better on the Vision than the Goldwing. It is VOX operated instead of being live all the time. The passenger also has complete autonomous control over the volume of the stereo, the CB, and the intercom, whereas the volume of those functions on the Goldwing is a slave to the rider's, at least on the Goldwings I'm familiar with.
The handling of the Vision is the equal of the Goldwing, with the exception being the Vision has more lean angle. The Vision has a better ride and handles rough RR crossings better than the Goldwing.
There was a "Premium" package in 2008, which is what mine is, but I understand that Victory has made many things optional now so you can choose those features you want without buying those you don't want. Personally, I like the "package" approach of Honda better there.
You might consider finding a used Vision with the options you want already installed. Like the Goldwing, the Vision is just getting warmed up with 50,000 miles on it. The long term reliability is proving to be as good as the Japanese makes.
The Vision's horsepower is slightly lower in stock form, compared to the Goldwing, perhaps to satisfy the EPA. The torque of the two is actually pretty close, so pulling a trailer is reported to be no problem. The GW is geared a little lower in 1st gear than the Vision, so it "feels stronger" in 1st gear. 5th gear passing power is pretty close between the two. As has been mentioned, $1200 to $1300 in cams, intake, and fuel control will get you power that exceeds the Goldwing with no penalty in fuel economy or reliability. Those mods just eliminate the EPA restrictions and uncork the power that was hidden there all along. You'll end up with about 10 to 15 more horsepower (at the wheel) than the Goldwing, and that's with the stock quiet exhaust.
All three of the bikes you are looking at are capable of ranging 200+ miles on a tank of gas. Ride each of them 100 miles through the hills and curves and then 100 miles back on the freeway--200 miles non-stop. The choice will be easy after that.
Ronnie
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Since no one has mentioned pulling a trailer yet, I'll throw in my two cents worth.
I have a Bushtec hitch and trailer and have towed it several thousand miles with absolutely no issues. I really don't even know that it is back there, even when 2-up (with a combined weight of about 450 lbs) and the trailer stuffed to bursting. It cuts my mileage down from 37 or so down to about 33. No pulling issues, no stopping issues thus far.
Good luck! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 78
| Thanks for everyone's replies. CB is NOT an option due to some off hours events with the motor. Has anyone used a J&M?
http://jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=39
Where do you all find aftermarket accessories?
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Cruiser
Posts: 207
| I used J&M products on my Valks. High quality and they gave me excellent customer service on the few times I needed it over the years. Here's my Victory accessories links so far:
http://www.cycleopsusa.com/
http://www.noemtz.com/
http://www.dragon-bobdesigns.com/
http://www.strokersdallas.com/
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | bigdogtx - 2012-10-28 11:56 PM
Thanks for everyone's replies. CB is NOT an option due to some off hours events with the motor. Has anyone used a J&M?
http://jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=39
Where do you all find aftermarket accessories?
That's a good unit and some of my friends who ride sport tourers have it. However, as far as I know, it will not integrate with the factory stereo like the factory CB and intercom does, by itself. I think J&M might have another unit to enable that, but then you're getting up to the price of the factory CB/Intercom. It would be best to call J&M and discuss it with them before your purchase. A good place to buy motorcycle audio equipment, including J&M's is Sierra http://www.sierra-mc.com/ Give them a call and tell them what you are looking for.
Ronnie |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | Don't forget www.buywitchdoctors.com
Edited by Monkeyman 2012-10-29 10:05 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 209
| as for shifting clunk,my tour prem. has hyd.clutch.[not sure about other models].i had clutch assist lever added. i found it easiest to shift when , pull clutch and shift quickly at same time. not pull clutch,then shift. i think heel shift is also smoother. "just sayin" |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | bigdogtx - 2012-10-29 12:56 AM
Thanks for everyone's replies. CB is NOT an option due to some off hours events with the motor. Has anyone used a J&M?
http://jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=39
Where do you all find aftermarket accessories?
Not sure what you mean about off hours events with the motor. I have the CB/Intercom and love it. My buddy has the J&M CB on his K1200LT. A complaint he has, that I don't have with the Vic CB / Intercom, is that he has to turn down his radio when using the CB as the CB doesn't break the radio volume to hear it. The Vic one will.
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Cruiser
Posts: 78
| ScoreBo - 2012-10-31 2:35 PM
bigdogtx - 2012-10-29 12:56 AM
Thanks for everyone's replies. CB is NOT an option due to some off hours events with the motor. Has anyone used a J&M?
http://jmcorp.com/SeeProducts.asp?PF=39
Where do you all find aftermarket accessories?
Not sure what you mean about off hours events with the motor. I have the CB/Intercom and love it. My buddy has the J&M CB on his K1200LT. A complaint he has, that I don't have with the Vic CB / Intercom, is that he has to turn down his radio when using the CB as the CB doesn't break the radio volume to hear it. The Vic one will.
I have a side job escorting on the motorcycle and have to have CB in order to talk to the other escorts. Since I will be running CB/Intercom/Radio or MP3, looks like the Factory Unit is my only option.
Are there any discount internet sellers for the units?
Thanks |
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Changing to something different