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New user
Posts: 1
| I'm getting ready to purchase my first bike in over 20 years and I believe that I have it narrowed down between the 2009 Victory Vision, and a Harley Ultra Classic.
I've never owned a Harley, so I have nothing to compare how different these two bike will ride, handle, accelerate, etc.
I was hoping that if any of you out there that have a Vision and may have had a Harley could give me your opinions, I would really appreciate it.
I'm going for a test ride on a Vision next weekend!!!!!
Thanks for your help.
David Smith |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Fargo, ND | The best way to decide is to go on your Vision test ride, go take a Harley test ride, then enjoy your new Vision! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | Good luck on the HD test ride. After driving over 300mi to the 3rd HD dealership to find the Road Glide I was looking at (with check in hand), they told me I'd have to rent another bike similar to it at another dealership in Kansas City (at least another 250mi away). You may get lucky and find a used HD similar to the setup you're shopping for. Maybe there's a dealership out there that's a little more gracious with their test rides? I would just save myself the heart ache and rent one from the start. I'm not trying to steer you from Harley, just giving you a heads up about how the culture has changed since you've mentioned its been 20 years. Either way, do expect to have to show up with a helmet regardless of state law. No one wants to be liable for a rider without a helmet these days (and rightly so). Whatever you choose, good luck, be safe and have fun. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Well, now that's it's winter there are less rallies. Most rallies have demo rides even on HDs. My local HD dealer, Mike's Famous, has demo rides during Open House days. The demo rides are put on my the local HOG chapter and you ride their bikes. So check in advance if they will have one like you want to demo ride.
You should be able to demo ride a Vision at all dealers unless they sold their demo bike so call ahead. Good luck in your decision.
Make sure to do a lot of research on the dealer you decide to buy from. That is the key to great ownership with any brand. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | I went back and forth with the same decision. One of the things that help me decide was at a local bike night. 3000 to 4000 bikes. Eighty percent were HD and ONE Vision. Guess which one had a crowd around it. Than I went for my one hour unescorted test ride and was sold.
I mention that because the HD dealer here lets you go for a twenty minute ride wearing a day-glo orange safety vest and an employee following on another bike.
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Madison, AL | Test ride first for sure, I had to rent the Harley Davidson for that. At Victory I got a free test ride and a T-shirt. If you are not going to ride a lot, a Harley Davidson is a very nice bike. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 965
New York State | I do not know about you but my height made the choice for me I'm 6 ft tall and my legs feel very cramped on the H-D but the Vision has plenty of leg room.
Edited by Trekwolf164 2008-11-03 7:58 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 133
New Castle Delaware | I had a 04 Classic and put 32,000 mi on it. This past July I took the Vision Tour Premium for a 40 mi test ride. As soon as I got back to the dealer I bought the Vision and have had no regrets. FYI. I also test rode a 08 RoadGlide at Gettysburg Bike Week and still bought the Vision. Hope this helps and good luck! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 143
Birmingham, AL 08 MC Tour Premium 2012 Bronze Mist | I had a 06 Screaming Eagle Ultra Classic and bought the Vision, no comparison in my book. Prior to that was a Road Glide, Heritage Softail, a couple of GL1800's etc etc.
What it will come down to is which one you enjoy riding more (if you can get to test drive the HD).
That's why they make different brands, to each his own.
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Tourer
Posts: 423
northwest florida | get the vision.....you know you want it. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | dnsmith62 - 2008-11-02 10:01 PM I'm getting ready to purchase my first bike in over 20 years and I believe that I have it narrowed down between the 2009 Victory Vision, and a Harley Ultra Classic. I've never owned a Harley, so I have nothing to compare how different these two bike will ride, handle, accelerate, etc. I was hoping that if any of you out there that have a Vision and may have had a Harley could give me your opinions, I would really appreciate it. I'm going for a test ride on a Vision next weekend!!!!! Thanks for your help. David Smith In a blindfolded taste test, the Vision would win everytime. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 17
Summerfield, NC | Well... based on my experience with 110,000 miles on a 93 BMW K 1100 LT, 93K on a 97 Ultra Classic, 87K on a 00 Ultra Classic and 85K on a 03 Road Glide with a TourPack added... The Victory Vision Tour is in a class by itself. The stability going down the road, I'd swear the bike was made of lead. So smooth, glides over rough roads. And in the corners, like a sport bike. Comfort and low maintenance for this 6'5" bike photographer blows away what Harley-Davidson has to offer. The maintenance on the Harley was killing me. The Vision can haul more gear too. But after all this raveling, if you do not plan to ride the bike much, the Harley Ultra Classic is a nice bike too. It's got a nice "Barbaric" feel to it compared to the Vision Tour. (and that's not a put down) |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | I live 2 blocks from my towns only HD dealership. I live 30 miles from my Victory dealership. Lets say for the sake of argument, that we totally take both bikes out of the discussion and just talk about dealerships service and "tude". Last year, I accidentally let my inspection sticker on my 2 year old ST1300 expire, and so I made an appt with the HD dealer 2 blocks away just for an inspection. When i got there on time for my "appt", first they couldnt find me on their "appt list", then when he walked outside and saw that my bike was
not a HD, he refused to inspect it. " I dont know anything about that bike, so i dont wanna be responsible for its inspection". Now all of us here know that he cannot do that, but he did, and at that point, honestly I didnt want the asshole inspecting it.
Ok now back to the two bikes, If you have to tell people you're a badass because you ride a Harley, then make your purchase and
be happy with the results good or bad. If you dont follow blindly, have a sense of adventure, and think outside the box and dont care
that you arent buying a brand name image, go for something that in all areas, will be much more satisfying. Ever notice that all you ever see in the used motorcycle mags at the grocery store are used Harleys.... hmmmmmmmmmm oh yeah, one last thing
your butt will know the difference. |
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Needing help on my decision