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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Ok, let me start by saying this is in no way a dig on the 2008 Visions. I loved my 2008 Vision. I had 2 prior to getting my new bike 2 weeks ago. 35,000 miles on the first one that was totaled and 36,000 on the second. I bought number 2 pre-owned with 18,000 and traded it in with 54,000. I am just shy of 2000 mile already on Vision 3 and have had it long enough to give my opinion.
I went 160 plus miles up to Polaris of Gainesville because of KevinX. They are great guys up there. I did not really expect to be making a deal that weekend. My trade in had Arlen Ness wheels, rotors, pulley, pipes and a bunch of other add-ons. My local dealer told me they would DEDUCT for the Ness wheels, never mind give me anything extra. Polaris of Gainesville made me a very fair offer on trade in. They had a beautiful black 2013 in stock and offered to make me a deal on it to ride it out. I had 2 black Visions already and wanted red. I held my ground. They found me one, but couldn't have it until the next day. I did all the paperwork and took my 2008 with me to Daytona for Biketoberfest that Friday night.
Late Saturday afternoon I went back to pick up the new red bike. It arrived on a trailer about an hour after I did with 1 mile on it. Photos do not do the Sunset red paint justice in direct sun. I was very happy I went with the red. Kevin prepped my bike and moved over my Kewlmetal engine covers, black speedo bezel and Ness reservoir covers. It was after 6 PM and off I went back to Daytona. I never expected to be there that late. I had room keys for an out of town club member that was going to share the hotel. I really needed that $100. It's a good 2 hour ride.
Half was to Daytona I/m getting cold and stop to top off the fuel tank and put on more than a sleeveless tee shirt. When I stop I realize brake fluid had been leaking out of the clutch side. It was all over the bike and my left glove. The whole left side of the bike, plus what I touched with my left hand. I had no way to wash it and did not want to wipe it. The rest of the trip all I could think was if the paint if ruined I am not keeping the bike. The dealer is getting it back and it will be their problem. 2 hours later I finally make it to Main Street. I pay 5 bucks to park, find my roommate and hurry back to the bike. I can't get back to the hotel fast enough to wash the bike. When I get back to it the bike it won't start. WTF! It fires and stalls. I see another Vision pulling out a wave him down. I wanted to know if he was local and where can I have the bike towed. After a dozen tries and holding the throttle half open it started and ran like crap. I got back to the hotel and washed it holding a flashlight in my teeth. It restarted after the wash, but still ran very rough.
Much to my relief the next morning the paint was fine and the bike started right up. I wiped the whole bike down with spray detailer. I later found that the cause of the leak was the fluid was filled right to the lip and the cover was slightly over tightened causing the rubber gasket to flatten out. BTW, the bike has started and ran perfect ever since.
After all that I get to what it different. The fit and finish on this bike if far superior than my 2008s. I do not think the paint on my old bike would have survived the brake fluid spill. When I got home I polished the bike with liquid glass.
My saddlebags have no gap at all between the seat. On the 08 fingers fit in the gap.
Just about every part has an inspection sticker on it or a grease pencil mark at the seams. I don't remember that before.
While on the saddlebags. They no longer have the little pistons. On day 1 I released the latch without holding the low side door. It slammed open and pulled the cable bracket partially out. I'd much rather old system, especially since you do not gain any space. I would like to retro the pistons if possible.
The headlight does not come on until you hit the started button. I hope it is not something that can fail. It does not sense engine running and turn on. If you hit the started in gear without pulling the clutch in the headlight will activate. I don't see the need for this.
They have added a little color to the instruments. Low fuel, redline, and high or low volts the needle points to orange.
Now when the fuel light comes on and the display says "low fuel" you can change it to another display and it will stay there. I really like that. I hated that it hijacked the display when you were on the last gallon.
When you are in any gear but N and pull the clutch in the number goes away and you get a dash until the clutch is released. Not sure the point. Playing with the new radio I have stopped twice in third gear and didn't realize it until I tried to take off. That's a new brain fart for me.
The bike comes with a chrome bezel. It should be black. Even the dealer commented on how much better it looked when they switched mine out. Then black round handlebars are a clean look. Rock solid and no vibration. Two people asked me if that open space around the bars was always there because it looks more open.
The windshield has much better optics and it has no free play. The '08 had over an inch of movement. Wasn't a big deal, the wind kept it from moving or shaking. I do seem to get a lot more wind on the highway. My old bike may have had a plus 2" wind shield on it. Plus the old one had a 21" front wheel which raised the front of the bike up an inch and a half.
The radio receives. YAY!. Than it stopped. A antenna connection came loose. See photo. Radio receives again. YAY! More features for iPod users. Very happy with that. The new black iPod cable has a box inline that takes up glove box space. Sounds better, but not as loud. Harder to hear at highway speed.
The transmission makes less noise, but that was never an issue. Neutral assist is pretty cool.
The seat it firmer and actually more comfy when riding for a long time.
The rear trunk does not rattle. You have to push it down a little to release the latch. I hope it stays tight.
I pulled the pipes and drilled them out. I also disconnected the O2 sensors. Sounds OK. Mileage is still under 40 MPG, but the motor is tight. The first few hundred miles was like have a Jake brake.
One of the reasons I wanted a new bike was ABS. I tried (not very hard) to activate them on some gravel, but have not as of yet.
I liked the look of the 21" wheel but I had forgotten how much better the stock wheel handles. With as much as I ride I take function over style.
The pipes in the photo are stock '08. After I drilled them I realized they don't have extensions on them and I just drilled out the 2013 pipes.
The glove box tab already broke. I know I didn't stress it. I decided to fix it myself. Now I know it won't happen again and the color match is still there. You can see one of the inspeced stickers on the inside of the glove box door with somebody's initials on it.
KexinX cams soon. Speaker and amp and I?m keeping this one for a long time.
Edited by cw1115 2012-11-08 10:29 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | forgot one of the pics. 1-1/8' hole saw thru the intake side. Really thin metal. I poured a little used oil in to lube the hole saw.
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | good post! | |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Makes me think to put some JB Weld around the glove baox tabs before they break.
You miss your HID light yet | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Good thinking. Not so much on the HID. The halogen seems to throw a more usefull beam anyway. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Good thinking. Not so much on the HID. The halogen seems to throw a more usefull beam anyway. | |
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