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New user
Posts: 4
| I am 40 plus year rider with multiple bikes owned over the years. Currently ride a BMW RT 1150 most of the time, Aprilia Tuono Factory and Husky TE 610 to "play" on. Thinking I really wanted something different, I rode HD StreetGlide and ElectoGlide. Did not feel comfortable even after 30 minutes, but also knew that it was unreasonable to come to a conclusion after such short time. Thought that renting one for the weekend would give time for more thorough sorting out. Then I rode 08' demo Vision Street last week. What an experience. Literally, within 100 yards of leaving dealer, I felt comfortable and ergonomically at ease. After blast down an interstate, state highway and short back roads, railroad crossings, etc,etc, and came back with my head twisted around, I wondered if I would ever feel "right" back on BMW. Don't read me wrong, the BMW is a great bike and has served me very well, but the Vision offered such a completely different ride, that I feel compelled to give one a whirl and see how it works out. The two things that I had issues with the BMW were: feeling stressed when cruising on interstate at 75 to 80 and if I had to pass, really maxed it out, and also the non ability to move feet around giving my 53 year old knees some flex room. It certainly seemed to me that the Vision solved these issues. I would love some feedback from anyone that may have made the same kind of jump and what they experienced. Am seriously looking at an 09 Ness Vision.
Thanks for any feedback.
John |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Welcome John! I came from an '04 Concours to the Vision and was totally convinced that I would have to tone down my riding style, especially in the twisties. I was absolutely blown away how the Vision carves a dead-on line through a curve. It is unbelievably intuitive. The Connie was very top-heavy with a 7.5 gallon tank and going to the low-cg Vision was euphoric. The only adjustment I had to make was being able to move my feet anywhere I wanted to. I was so used to being locked into one position (I have 51-yr-old knees) that it took me a couple of sessions to really figure out how to best attack the curves. I can drag the floorboards if I want to but it has nothing to do with the limitations of the bike, it's just me looking for the edge of the envelope. I hit the twisties at exactly the same speeds as I used to on the Connie but coming out of them is so fun because I usually stay in one gear the whole time and there is sooo much torque on tap. The engine braking is fantastic. As far as highway passing, 6th gear is just fine but a downshift to 5th will stretch your arms in a hurry. I've never ridden a BMW RT but I'm willing to bet you will be blown away. This is my first big V-twin and I can't believe how smooth it is. The sound adds a whole new dimension also. You've already been spoiled with the power windshield, heated grips and seat. The Ness Vision won't have heated grips. You will be blown away and your BMW buddies will not believe how well you can hang with them or even leave them in the dust under certain conditions. You are not giving up a thing. Your knees will never let you go back.
Edited by SongFan 2009-08-06 10:37 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | Yup your experience and thoughts are very similar to mine when I first road the Vision. I am also 53 and started riding when I was 9. I have ridden just about everything including the BMW 1200 LT, Gold Wing and all the Harley touring bikes and the Vision is in a class all by its self. I have had mine for 15 months and even after 36,400 miles every new mile is as exciting as the first. If someone builds a better bike I will buy it but for now the Vision is King. In comparison the BMW is much more top heavy, not as comfortable or as fun to ride. Oh by the way the Vision is a lot less expensive to maintain than the BWM. You’re going to love the Vision. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | take a gander at the Vision 8-ball, and let me know how you like it. just a thought.... |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | If you would like to see some videos that review the Visions features check out the link below. Some of the videos are better then others but I did learn a few things when I watched them.
http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4022
Ride Safe |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Go with the tour and get the cover panel. Cheaper to buy it loaded now and take things off than to add things you didnt get, but decide you want, later. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | WHAT? are we salespeople?
Any biker who LOOKS at a Vision - then has the brains to drive one - knows that the OVERALL EXPERIENCE of biking is best brought out by the Vision - it sells itself...... it doesn't need a bunch of us to sell it.
I want to keep the mystique up - so I can TRADE my old '08 for a new '22 when they come out - I will only be 85 then..... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | donetracey - 2009-08-06 10:21 PM
WHAT? are we salespeople?
Any biker who LOOKS at a Vision - then has the brains to drive one - knows that the OVERALL EXPERIENCE of biking is best brought out by the Vision - it sells itself...... it doesn't need a bunch of us to sell it.
I want to keep the mystique up - so I can TRADE my old '08 for a new '22 when they come out - I will only be 85 then.....
Victory should be cutting a monthly check (cheque, Canadian ) to everyone on this website. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 619
Southeast Iowa | John
Your short ride on the Vision told you everything you needed to know..........it solved 2 of your major complaints with your BMW in just a few miles of riding it. The more you ride a Vision the more you will love it! Now go down to your local dealer and pull the trigger! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 127
| donetracey - 2009-08-06 10:21 PM
WHAT? are we salespeople?
Victory should be cutting a monthly check (cheque, Canadian) to everyone on this website.
It is funny how us "different" kinda riders seem to get so into these "absurd" machines that we become spokespeople for the maker. I agree that Vic should be subsidizing the site(s) where we all rave about them- but then, we're doing it anyway, for free.
Edited by Dimonback 2009-08-07 8:31 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | Scary how perfecting the bike fits you isn't it.....
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Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | Just like Spock I have owned BMW K1200LT (not RT), GL1800 and Harley ultra in the last 8 years of riding. Also owned an Indian Chief Vintage but would rather choose to forget it. The Vision is the only bike I consider keeping. I love this bike. I wish the luggage space was greater but I will work around that. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | The general consensus here on the board is that the Ness version sometimes isn't worth the extra money. Mainly because the Ness doesn't have the heated seats or heated handgrips. So you pay a lot more and lose some important features. But you do gain some things though like fancy wheels, fancy paint, stitched seat, diamond cut engine fins and so on. So its a matter of personal preference.
And don't forget the wonderfully super-duper totally awesome really fancy engraved custom "siganature" and "numbered" badge....thats stuck on the motor with two-sided tape. |
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Tourer
Posts: 496
Scottsdale AZ | John - All the posts to your question about the Vision are understated and bland!!! -
Go out now --- AND BUY A VISION! YOU HAVE LOST VALUABLE TIME EVEN READING THIS - YOU SHOULD RIDING AND ASKING ABOUT POWER UPGRADES ! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas | John you lucky bastard! With to two play bikes you have there is no reason not to own a Vision, you'd have all the riding needs covered!! I still have my R1150R to play with but for traveling in comfort you can't beat the Vision. Once you realize you're riding a hot rod V twin under that body work, you can tear up some road! I prefer the looks of the Street and being bench-legged, I wanted less weight up high. I would be torn between the Ness (with maybe too much stuff at big dollars)
or a new 8-ball Vision with the essential add-ons. Just my 2 cents. Alan |
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Cruiser
Posts: 294
rhode island | The future is now, You will be assimalated. 
Edited by sandman 2009-08-07 1:31 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 181
Henlow, Bedfordshire, England | John, I will confirm everything said so far. i had an r1200rt for 3 years (22000 miles) and thought it was a great bike. Until i got the vision tour and realised that I had something much better, for instance i went to edinburgh for work a couple of weeks ago, 400 miles each way and both times got off feeling i could jump back on and go another 400 miles or more, with the bm i couldnt do that, i would have to get off very carefully and rest my knees for a long time. the only thing i have noticed and it may be my arses fault but on longer runs i need to wear my leathers, if i wear looser fitting jeans i get a sore arse after 150 miles, not with the leathers though which keep my extra skin together and stop it wobbling around! |
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New user
Posts: 4
| I really, really appreciate everyone that has taken the time to reply! Any question about whether the Vision would offer a "new, great, different" experience has been answered and then some. It is obvious from my short ride and the comments, that my two shortcomings on the BMW: leg room and power would be a thing of the past. The Vision should be a "game changer" for me.
As I mentioned in my initial post, I currently have the BMW, Aprillia and Husky; no notes, free and clear. They represent the max I have to invest in "rolling stock". I cannot justify any financing or
"dipping" into any available funds. [ read: my better half & I have an understanding ] So, I would realistically have to part with all 3 to wind up with a Vision, equiped the way I would want it.
I obviously have to do some mental gyrations to convince myself I am using some logic to do this:
I ride the BMW considerably more than the other two. The Husky and Aprillia, really only several hundred miles a year. No, the Vision will not do what the Husky or Aprillia do, but if the majority of my riding is the Vision's forte, life would be simpler with only 1 bike.
I am confident we all have to go through some kind of mental hoops for these kind of pursuits....
I truly wish my psyche would allow the Nike addage: Just Do It! ( I'm working on it, though!! )
I appreciate this site and forum being here to allow me to put my thoughts in writing, that helps the process tremendously.
John |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | As you can tell by the posts...We are here for you!
Ride Safe |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | my taint was wanting a GL1800 since that is the mother of all motherships, but I can say now, for me, WAS. Since getting the Vision, there is no other bike. I would like to own an Indian, not to trade out my Vision, but out right own one because I have always admired the styling. I would even forsake the Vision only to do a trip around the country on an Indian, just to say I did it. But nothing will ever replace the Vision.... I think I said that already.
By the way, I shared this on another post, but one of the guys at work rides a BMW. He said he gave up his Harley for a more luxurious bike, the Beemer. His complaint on the BMW was the feet position and the heat radiating off the heads, and I just pointed to the V-twin and the floor boards.
He then asks if mine had heated seats and grips. yep. Then he asked about a cd player and I told him iPod intergrated. He quipped he had the weather channel, no problem here. And then he wanted to know if it had cruiise, yes sir. He then said he didn't want to keep me any longer since I was leaving. I left him thinking....
Edited by varyder 2009-08-08 6:03 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Stockton, Ca. | John, I also owned a BMW 1150RT when I purchased my Vision Tour. The comfort of the Tour was so much better that the BMW began gathering dust until I finally sold it. I sometimes miss the handling of the Beemer but the comfort far outweighs the difference. Once on the Vision for awhile the handling differences are not an issue any more. The Vision can lay pretty low in the twisties and keeps up with most sport touring bikes out there. |
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BMW 1150rt rider to Vision Street??