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New user
Posts: 4
Southern California | New guy here. Been riding (and crashing since 1969). I currently have an 06 VTX1800N for long trips and a 03 Valkyrie standard for around town. Been looking at the 08 GoldWing ABS package and the only thing that stops me is the Wings don't have the leg stretch of the big twins because of the flat six engine. Since the Vision is pretty much the same out the door price as a Wing, it looks like everything would work for me. The only concern is seat height (34" inseam and a 29" seat height is ideal). Would appreciate feedback, especially from those who came off either a VTX or GoldWing. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | For me, the Vision is a natural fit in every aspect, nothing rubs, hits or is in my way like it does on a wing.... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
| It sounds like you have a lot of experience going for you! Ride a vision .....there should not be any questions after that. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
Paragould, AR | YES |
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Tourer
Posts: 412
Fargo, ND | <p>Highlander...Hi and welcome to the forum.</p><p>To give you my side of things on the Vision vs Wing. I would first start by saying the Wing is an awesome piece of equipment...I've had a couple 1800(s) and a couple others prior to them. The main negative (in my opinion) of the Wing is the seating / leg room as you mentioned. They are 'cramped' and 'hard on the knees'. Mine fell out of favor with me to the point that I did not ride it the last two years I owned it unless the wife unit wanted to ride along. I owned a Kawasaki VN2000 that I converted to a solo bike and that is what I rode and loved it...until I took a demo ride on the Vision in Sturgis a couple years ago. Then both the Wing and the Kawasaki went down the road and the Vision is now the 'solo bike' and the 'two up bike' at my house. The Vision is, as others have said, very, very comfortable for a big guy or a small guy.</p><p>I'm sure you would love one...I stake my reputation on it :-)</p><p>Regards,</p><p> </p>
Edited by Flatsix 2009-04-26 4:33 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 550
Tacoma, WA | Ride it, scrape floorboards on it, one up, or two up. I did, and within two hours had ridden the wing, and the Vision. I decided on the Vision because it fit me. They are both great bikes, I just like the comfort of the Vision much better!------Metalguy |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| I did the same thing. tested the vision and wing in same afternoon. The wing is a very good bike but all i can say is V-TWIN. the wing has no soul. just my 2 cents. best decision i ever made |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | BAR- CO- LOUNGER..........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz The wing has great assets blah blah blah we all know that, but lets face it the "newness" excitement of a Goldwing will wear off long before its payments do. The energy, design, fit and finish, and the attention you will get thinking out side the box on a Vision lasts much longer. So, do you wanna drive an Accord/Civic zzzzz yawner
with 2 wheels or do you wanna push yourself to step out of your self imposed box............... We all say "get that box cutter boy "
You wont look back.
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Tourer
Posts: 301
Buffalo Grove,Ill | What i say isn't necessarily the popular thing to say on this site. I think you take a Saturday and go ride the wing then go ride the vision, hell go ride a road king if you wish to, Decide what fits you best the seat the bars the footrests even the budget. Then decide for yourself. Its not about what others feel you should get its what you feel you should get. If people chastise you for your decision, then screw em. Its your hard earned money that is being spent not theirs. If you went to a wing site they say wing. if you go to a Harley site, they say harley. Ride em all. Then decide for yourself. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | clubford is right. My only advice is to take the test ride. I bought a Kawasaki before the Vision and there were no test rides. Unless I could find a kawasaki "event" somewhere like a bike rally that offered one, I was SOL. I regretted buying the Kawasaki (Vulcan Mean Streak) because I didn't know until many miles later that it wasn't very good for longer distances for me. That said, I rode the Vision several times. After each ride I would try to ride someone else's bike. I rode my buddies HD Ultra Classic on the way home from one ride, and then my other buddie's BMW 1200RT. Both great, but the Vision was my bike. I guess what I am saying is test ride as many as you can. Dealers are hurting for business right now and if they can't give you a test ride (I know HD only did it on certain demo days) then I say go somewhere else that will. I will never make the mistake again of buying a bike that I didn't get to test ride. Any in touring bikes that are all over $20K (retail), I would worry if they wanted me to buy one without riding it. That's my 3 cents... since I am long winded. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 97
Brighton, Colorado | Traded in my Goldwing for a Vision. You can find PLENTY of foot pegs out there that fit on the wing to fit your needs. Vision is just more fun to ride. The throttle boss liked the back set of the wing better, but is still just fine with the back seat of the Vision. Vision seems to be more agile than the wing. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 19
| I have both the Vision and an 07 Goldwing trike. My wife likes the comfort and wind protection with the Vision best. We bought the trike for her but now when we ride she wants on the back of the Vision more and more. She also has a a Vegas when we ride solo.
I like the flat six engine but with only a five speed and lack of foot room my choice is the Vision.
Bill |
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Tourer
Posts: 377
O'Neill, Nebraska | I did the same thing. Test drove the Vision, GW and Ultra-Classic. Let me correct that....I tried to test ride the UC, but couldn't get a single sales rep to talk to me. I guess my lack of a shave and ratty clothes told them 'this guy can't afford it.' Oops....a big mistake on their part (I do this on purpose by the way to see how they REALLY will treat you after the sale).
Anyhow I picked the Vision. The dealer was soooo cool they let me have the bike for an entire day without an escort. Is that classy or what?
Take the Vision! |
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Tourer
Posts: 537
, FL United States | +1 on testing both. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | Since you came onto a Vision site asking this question, I'm guessing you've already decided. 
Let us know how much you love it after you pick up your new baby and we'll tell you the best brand of OTC painkiller to help alleviate the pain from the constant, excessive smiling.  |
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Tourer
Posts: 394
Tucson, AZ | Let me put in my two cents. I had a 2000 Valkyrie for eight and one half years. Loved it, but my knees got so bad with arthritis I had to have something with more leg room. I've had my "V" since November and 5400 miles, and wouldn't trade her for anything out there. Very roomy and comfortable. Don't worry about the seat height. I have a 27 inch inseam and have no trouble standing the bike up. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 154
Cabot Arkansas | I have a Jackpot that I made many 2000-3000 mile trips on . My friend has a Gold Wing that I rode many times and I let him talk me into buying one ,he convinced me it was the best long distance bike out there.While it was more comfortable than my Jackpot I found the seating position and CRAMPED foot room very annoying after about 300 miles so I sold it and got the Vision and I can honestly say the Vision is absolutley THE MOST COMFORTABLE MOTORCYCLE I have ever ridden. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 212
Tavares, Fl | The Vision is by far the most comfortable riding, best handling of the big bikes. But check this forum for other issues: engine noise, belt adjustment,dealer problems, radio problems, headlights cracking, soft paint, cheap chrome on tipovers and lugage rack, cost of CB and wiring just to get the intercom, cost of accessories, the list goes on and on before you buy....
Edited by rlreed 2009-04-28 3:37 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | I would like to expand on the issues rlreed posted above.
Engine noise. The fairing works well and blocks most wind noise that covers the sounds from other engines that other bikes have. The holes right above the engine for the triple tree channel the sound of the engine toward the riders head. There is no traditional gas tank between you and the engine pushing the sound of the engine out to the sides and away from the rider like on a traditional cruiser. Add that up and the rider can hear the engine. It an American V-Twin that you can reach down and touch not a flat six cylinder at ankle level.
No one has said that the noise is a mechanical concern. Parts are not flying out of the engine.
Belt adjustment: The spec for the belt adjustment has changed and finding techs that will do it by the book to the new spec is a trial at some dealerships.
Dealers: Some dealers suck, others are great. This is a problem across all brands and no matter what you ride. Oh yea, my dealer sucked. They are gone and another dealer has taken their place. The new dealer is much better.
Radio reception: I went to Pep Boys and spent less then $30 for an active antenna that I mounted under my dash. It really improved my FM radio reception but causes noise on AM. Oh well, I listen to the iPod most of the time. The bottom line is that the stock radio and antenna could have and should have been more sensitive. Besides the iPod, you can buy the XM radio module from Victory or get an after market Sirius or XM install. Plus some use their GPS as a music player.
Headlight cracking at the top: I know this is an issue. If you show it is not caused by a rock impact Victory will replace the headlight under warranty. Many have had it done.
Soft Paint: Yup, the clear coat is soft. Some have had success using Liquid Glass to toughen the top coat.
Chrome: I do not have these issues but I have heard about them. No opinion here.
CB/Intercom: What can I say. I bought the Vision and I paid for the CB/Intercom and cable harness at the same time. It works for me. It worked even better when the dealer flashed the software to 5.12a on the Radio and CB. The dealer took care of any issues I had when I bought the Vision.
Cost of accessories: The accessories cost as much as the market will bear. I paid for them. HD and Honda do not give them away either. Find out what you want in a ride and try your best to price apples to apples from brand to brand. I did and found that the total I paid for the Victory Vision was less then what I would have received from the other brands. Adding the heated seats and grips to the other bikes jumped the others up quite a bit.
I ride almost every day. The last two days I rode in the rain. I would rather spit out rain water that splashed in face then drive a cage.
rlreed makes some good points so please keep them in mind. Test ride all the big touring bikes and let us know what you pick. I feel everyone should ride the bike that they are most comfortable with.
Ride Safe.
Edited by radioteacher 2009-04-28 4:53 PM
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New user
Posts: 4
Southern California | Thanks guys, that's the kind of stuff I was looking for. All bikes have issues, the Wings have had the frame cracks and neck bearing thing, the Valks have the starter switch and final drive spline thing, the VTX's have the flange bearings and so on. People say the 1800X's are too top heavy and clunky, the Valk doesn't get good gas mileage and runs out of gear, and so on with all bikes. I know there is no one perfect all up ride, but it looks like, for me, the Vision is as close as it gets. I can't believe the Vision is louder than the Valk when you stand on it but reflected noise is just that. I am scheduled to ride one on May 16th so we shall see. Already found that Corbin makes a seat that is supposed to be at least 1" taller and they are Utopia driver backrests for the stock setup. I have a choice of several dealers in my area, so I'll sort that out also. Anyone here over 50,000 miles? or over 100,000 miles? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 212
Tavares, Fl | It depends a lot on how you ride also. During the summer we do a lot of traveling on the bike towing a Bunkhouse camper. This winter we put 10000 miles just putting around central Florida. We have several trips planned, out west, up the east coast and finally to Alaska. Finding dealers on the road is a major concern of mine. The comfort of the bike would be nice but three or four hundred miles of this engine noise I am not looking forward to....Premium TOURING bike it is not, bar hopping its great...... |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | highlander, does 40,000 miles count? If not I'll reply in about 3 months.  |
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New user
Posts: 4
Southern California | 40K counts! Any issues? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Well, here goes. The issues I did have were fixed under warranty. Dimples in the bag doors, and a few other little things I done forgot. I had the CB replaced to the newer one, but I don't think that would be an issue for you unless you are getting an early '08. I have the popping issue but I think when I get some time, I'll get that fixed. When that intially started, they finally came out with the flash recall and that was suppose to be a fix. However, I found my exhaust clamps were loose and tightened that up and it was gone...for a while. I still think I've got a leak, intake or exhaust somewhere that may be quickly resolved by tightening a nut. That is just my assessment as it is very characteristic. To me this is not a "problem" like bent fuel filler necks. Other than, I have nothing but great things to say about the bike and count it a priviledge to be one of the early "risk" takers as I have not been disappointed, nor looked back. The Vision came just in time for me as I was getting ready to, gasp, go with a Wing at the time I got the Vision. I do not believe my back, knees or legs could have tolerated it, but I would have been able to ride. Thankfully the Vision is my perfect fit in ride and proved this to myself being in the saddle with no problem, so far, for 19 hours. I can easily ride 10, 12 hours and still be fresh as when I got on. I only wish that a leather seat was standard, but I will resolve that myself, hopefully soon. I hope I've answered your question, if not feel free to ask specific ones. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 5
South Cal | I was wondering where you had a test ride coming up? I live in la county and am driving to arizona to rent a vision for a day to get the feel and info I need before buying. |
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New user
Posts: 4
Southern California | upsjn
The test ride is supposed to be with the Corona dealer, but they have'nt actually set a time yet. |
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Should my next cruiser be a Vision?