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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 29
| Anyone out there installed the Vision motorcycle hitch made by Hitch Doc? Was it very difficult and how mucl time did it take to install? Thanks! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
shakopee , Mn | Not really, Total time was spread over 2 days. Handy person could do it in a day.
Wiring harness:
Hopkins Towing Solutions.
PART # 48925
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 29
| Thanks for the info VicGuy! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| I have the hitch but have not installed it yet. The longest part of the job is removing the rear tire. I would guess about 4 hours tops for anyone handy with a wrench and a MC jack. |
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Tourer
Posts: 412
Fargo, ND | I put one on my Vision early this spring. I 'savored' the project so I can't give you an exact amount of time, but would guess a 'garden variety' handyman could spend 4 - 6 hours doing the hitch and wiring. There are some photos here... http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=2889&posts=1&start=1 Good Luck! |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 33
Myrtle Beach,SC. | Hey Guys. I installed mine without removing the tire and am still able to remove the tour pack without removing the hitch bolt. Complete installation time was two and a half hours. the plastic panel under the seat that holds the air line for the bag will fold down out of the way and allow installation of the bolts upward instead of the way the factory reccomends !!! any questions ? Give me a call , I am happy to help!!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'm hoping to be hitched before summer gets into full swing but don't know if I'll be trailered. Has anyone tried the little hitch carriers that just sits to the back of the bike for another bag? If so, how does the Vision ride and handle, two up and with the bag??? I hope to have a trailer, but I'm not sure that will happen before the end of the summer. |
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Tourer
Posts: 412
Fargo, ND |
Just an FYI on the carrier...the ones I have seen have either a 'vertical' or 'horizontal' drawbar that mounts into the receiver on the hitch. The Hitch Doc's receiver is set at about a 40 degree downward angle. So...Varyder, just be sure you can 'find' or be prepared to 'fabricate' what you'll need as you may not be able to find a carrier that will work for you on the market currently.
Regards,
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Tourer
Posts: 377
O'Neill, Nebraska | Wow...this looks great. How much weight can you guys tow with the Hitch Doc setup? Based upon that weight, what are you towing?
Thanks! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Denver | Hey varyder, I have the Bustec on my vision and use the Pakit Rak with it with no problems... I did not notice any difference in the handling of the bike. I generally do not put more than 40lbs in the pakit rak. Pakit Rak made the adapter for me for the Rak...
Edited by BillyTheKidd 2009-05-18 2:13 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Thanks, I appreciate the reply. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | BillyTheKidd - 2009-05-18 1:12 PM
Hey varyder, I have the Bustec on my vision and use the Pakit Rak with it with no problems... I did not notice any difference in the handling of the bike. I generally do not put more than 40lbs in the pakit rak. Pakit Rak made the adapter for me for the Rak...
BTK, I have a friend that has one of these on his GW. Following him it does not interfere with the tail lights, I'm thinking I would like this, but looks like it gets in the way of the taillights. Can you clear that up? Thanks. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Denver | Yup, I had to use firehawk's instructions and do the mod for the trunk lights (should have been that way from the factory where the trunk lights work as turn,brake and running). It does not interfere with the license plate and only the lower brake lights are blocked. All is well with the kury 4710 adapter. I originally had this on my Goldwing and wanted to use it. I have some pictures of the rack if you would like me to send them to you.
willy |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Denver | Yup, I had to use firehawk's instructions and do the mod for the trunk lights (should have been that way from the factory where the trunk lights work as turn,brake and running). It does not interfere with the license plate and only the lower brake lights are blocked. All is well with the kury 4710 adapter. I originally had this on my Goldwing and wanted to use it. I have some pictures of the rack if you would like me to send them to you.
willy |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | BillyTheKidd - 2009-05-19 11:10 AM I have some pictures of the rack if you would like me to send them to you. willy Please! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| FYI, the Pakit Rak folks are making an adapter to fit the Victory Vision HitchDoc Hitch. If you have some pictures of your BushTec version, post them so others can see. I will post pictures of the HitchDoc version when it is done.
Sincerely, Tim
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
Reston, Virginia | I just finished installing the HitchDoc hitch on my 2008 Vision Tour. It took 3 hours but I took my time. The rear wheel removed makes it easier but it could be done without removing it. It is very solid and even with a car tire installed, there is plenty of clearance...no rubbing.
What is great about the install is that the 4 holes from the trunk are threaded so mounting the bolts from below upwards was a snap and I didnt have to worry about the bolts being too long since the heads mounted flush from the bottom, and I didnt need a second pair of hands.
I am very impressed with the HitchDoc quality and heft. It says 40 lbs max tongue weight but it could probably hold more. Let me know if you have any questions. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| gcarroll, couple things to consider. You might want to install nuts that are not self locking and then install the self locking as a backup. If you decide to remove the trunk later you'll find the self lockers back the bolts out.
What size rear tire are you running? If you are running the 195, it will hit on bumps carrying a passenger even though it appears to have plenty of clearance.
Took me about the same amount of time as it took you but I didn't remove the rear tire. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
Reston, Virginia | I replaced my OEM rear tire with a Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid (195/55/r16 87H) car tire. Since I dont travel with a passenger (normally) I should be OK but I appreciate the warning. I am planning on installing the Hopkins Towing 48925 harness for lighting. What harness did you use? Do I need to get a power converter? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I installed a HitchDoc and it took about 2 hours. I did not remove the rear wheel and I did not have a lift. With my back on the garage floor I put my foot on the bottom of the trunk and pushed up. This extended the suspension far enough to wiggle the hitch in between the tire and everything else.
I frequently remove the trunk so I followed the suggestion of installing the bolts from the bottom as explained in another post in this forum (through the rubber flap under the seat).
I used wiring harness Reese 74672. Very easy to install and comes with plenty of wire. It also comes with a testing tool to find the correct wire on the bike before cutting it. I got it from the local hardware store Menards for $23. Click link for info on this harness.
http://reese.cequent-cpi.com/product/detail.asp?ID=74672
I soldered and applied heat-shrink to all connections. The crimp-on connectors supplied with the harness will work, but I feel wire splicing lasts longer when solder is used.
The connector itself has two mounting holes. I drilled and tapped into the bottom of the hitch and secured the connector to it. Makes plugging and unplugging the trailer a simple one-hand operation. The zip-tie supplied with the harness can be used to mount it, but it's not quite as solid as screws. Click link for pics.
http://picasaweb.google.com/victoryvisiontour/2008VictoryVisionTrai...
I spoke with the folks at HitchDoc. They said 40 lbs tongue weight is optimum, but would not give me a total towing capacity. They said some customers are successfully towing 1,200 lbs. I'm pulling approximately 450 lbs (trailer+dirt bike+dog+gear). The Vision's 106cid pulls with ease. When I only have the 26 lb mountain bike on the trailer it is barely noticeable.
If interested in trailer pics, click link below.
http://picasaweb.google.com/victoryvisiontour/2008VictoryVisionTour...
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Yes I used the hopkins and tapped directly into the rear brake/run/turn harness at the disconnect plug (right side under rider seat outer panel). You cant miss the plug it is really large.
I may purchase the direct harness from Bushtec over the winter. Better safe..... |
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Vision Trailer Hitch