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Tourer
Posts: 446
East TN | A guy send me an e-mail on the V-Twin forums asking my opinion since getting my Vision 2 1/2 months ago...Kind of a follow up opinion question. I can't bvelieve I wrote such a long review for such a short period of time.
Here it is:
I will try to be as honest as possible as I do not want to convey any misconceptions about the Vision compared to the Road Glide! My Vision is the $hiT!!! (Pardon my French), I drool over it each time I ride and see it....
I love every aspect of the bike, I have added a couple of things getting ready for winter and safety. As far as comparing the RG to the Vision for the intangibles riding, handling, vibration, ease of operation, visibility, wind buffeting, riding comfort, etc....EVERYTHING on the Vision beats the RG by miles, even after all the after market studff I put on the RG. The dash instrumentation lighting is complete across the entire display, no shadows or dull areas, RG had all the corners almost impossible to see at night due to poor lighting and fogged over all the time, handling is a DREAM, corners, highway miles, truck turbulence, etc is less with the Vision compared to the RG...The power windshield is great too, when it's raining you can raise it and hide, when it's cool (40 degrees) you can raise it and keep the cold air off of you...but when it's hot out, just drop it to the low position and fresh air in the face, but doesn't bother my helmet...NO DIRTY AIR coming from under the fairing like the RG has.
For headlights I ALWAYS rode with my high beams on with the RG, as well as adding Motolights for more light, I thought they were not bright enough for me to be seen, day or night, well with the Vision, I have only used my high beams a few times when out I the country when no one is around, these lights are BRIGHT day or night, I honestly see my headlight illuminate street signs during the day when the sun is out, not always but sometimes. I have done several trips now that were 500 miles or better, I was NOT tired when I got to my destination and I wanted to do MORE, I cannot say that about my RG as after 200 to 300 miles on it I was worn out and sweaty in the crouch!
One thing I do like better on the RG than the Vision is the CB/radio handlebar controls, wearing winter gloves it is hard to hit the correct button on the CB controls (PTT, volume, channel) the RG had a better button configuration.
I have ridden Cherohala Skyway a few times since getting my Vision, live about 45 minutes away and I have noticed I can take turns twisties easier and faster (not trying to be a speed demon, just less effort and more grace) on the RG I would "average" about 35 to 40 MPH riding Cherohala, now I notice I can without effort do 55 to 60 MPH....I haven't ridden the Dragon YET, because every time I get there; it is either raining on the way there or starts raining once I get on the Dragon...NOT FUN, and I WON'T DO IT!!! I might be crazy but I'm not STUPID! My Vision is great on twisties, I have only drug my floorboard once and that was on a round about near my house, haven't even come close on Cherohala Skyway, US 421 (The Snake), or Hwy 360 (good twisty)...Got a little carried away going through the round about as I took it about 50 MPH
I added a power outlet on the console to plug my heated gear into, yes I ride all year round, I bought the power outlet from Victory for $49 bucks, got home and did the install (they provided instructions that covered EVERY possible location (tour pack or console) even a template to center the outlet on the console) only part I needed that wasn't in the kit was a 11/16" hole saw, anyway, did the install and thought I would have to rob the factory power outlet from inside the console and wire it up to the new power outlet or parallel the connection. Well turns out the bike is already PRE-WIRED for this connection...Now that's forward thinking!!! Also while doing the safety project below I saw where the tour pack is pre-wired for a power outlet for the passenger.
I had cams and fuel controller installed a month ago, not that I needed the power but everyone was talking about how the cams gave the bike, SOUL!! Brother let me tell you, it gave it a SOUL a heartbeat and some wicked power, I am now turning 109 HP and 113 ft-lbs of torque!!! Stock it was +/- 82 HP and +/-102 ft-lb torque (not positive on stock torque)... My Vision will NOW SCREAM and that's not why I did it but it does...I hit 100 MPH getting on the Interstate this morning going to work in 4th gear BY ACCIDENT!! The MAIN reason I did the cams and this is TRULY the only complaint I have regarding my Vision, is the stupid back fire when decelerating. Before the cams it would backfire almost every single time I got off the gas. I talked to the wrench that did my cams and all the people on the Victory forums and they all say about the same thing. It is the IAC programming that Victory has set for the IAC, when you get off the gas, the software shuts down the fuel to ZERO not even a small tinkle is left so when the engine decels cold air comes into the pipes and you get a backfire, or something like that. The cams and fuel controller have all but eliminated the back fire issue, it happens occasionally but not every time now...
The item I added for safety was a Kuryakyn 4710 brake-run-signal module, the tour pack on the Vision has static lights, what the module does is allows a single filament bulb to work as a dual filament bulb, so originally when I applied the brakes only 2 lower lights came on indicating I was stopping, and when blinkers were applied only the appropriate blinker light would illuminate down low. With this mod my tour pack lights NOW, blink 3 times when the brakes are applied, the lights also, blink with the appropriate lower blinker, and I now have 4 lights in the rear for the hazards not just the two lower lights...Well worth $60 and 3 hours to install....Very straight forward...
So in conclusion, I LOVE MY VISION, I do not regret selling my HD RG and getting "Jane" (Yes everyone calls it a Jetson bike)...There is only ONE issue I don't like and that is the backfiring issue, I have reduced it and can control it with proper throttle responses but I shouldn't have to. The only things I miss about my RG are two little things, the fuel pump light, with my Vision I have to listen for the fuel system to pressurize, no biggie but still, I like idiot lights. Secondly the CB/radio buttons...Other than that I am SO GLAD I got RID of my Road Glide!!
Hope this helps and is not to long winded, I can't believe I wrote this much in an e-mail...but hey I love my Vision.
Take care and ride safe!!
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| interesting read. My last two bikes were RG's and my opinion would have varied quite considerably from yours. Mind you my 99 RG was far more comfy than the 07 was had I done a comparison, so I suppose lots of personal taste and such goes into a review.
Like yourself I love the power ws, but didn't experience the buffering as much on my RG's as I do on the Vision. Handling between the Vision and the 07 RG goes to the Vision hands down, but to my 99 RG over the Vision. My 99 was also just as strong running as the Vision but the 07 wasn't even close. I guess you could say that when HD changed the RG frame (Roomier in 99) and front suspension in 2002 they made a great bike just ok. Never had the headlite issues or display problems you wrote about.
Long and short if I did a head to head with the Vision and my 07 RG the Vision blows it away, but if I did the same comparison to the 99 RG, the Vision loses badly in several very important areas. I enjoyed reading your post, thanks........ T
ps... agree the HD hand controls are much better situated. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 446
East TN | P.S. My Road Glide was an '06 | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | HEY! Janes MY Vision's name! But seriously, thanks for the comparison. It's a good reminder that I made the right choice for ME. Had HD not been giving me the run around with test rides, I would ended up with a bright red RG. In retrospect I'm glad I didn't especially since they finally revamped the frame design this year. As for my personal justification; classic styling, heritage, resale etc.... Theres NO substitute for power! My HD buddies like to pat each other on the back alot for buying HD's. As if they belong to some sort of brotherhood. You'd think they'd just patched into the Angels or something. I do have to admit that my buddies new Dyna Wide Glide is light and fun to tear ass around this small town with. It also looks real nice (in my rear-view mirrors). When I took his bike on the highway I remembered why I bought the Vision. Once you get on a bike that's got about 60-70% of the power yours does, you'll never look at it the same way again. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | Thanks for the review. My HD comp ride was my Road King. Good and not so good about both bikes, but for me the Vision is far superior. I to had the cams installed, but unlike you, I have as much popping as I did before the install. Otherwise, I would agree with all of your comments about the Vision.
Ride on! | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 619
Southeast Iowa | As for resale................I just got $10,500 for a 2004 Kinginpin with 42,000 miles on trade for a 2010 Cross Roads. Sticker with Black Cherry paint was $16,499. The rest of the story is it is one nice, loaded, and well cared for Kingpin. I also spent another $4000 on accesories but did get 10% off and free instalation. Non the less I felt I got a good deal and the Victory held it's value as good as any bike (including Harley) in todays market. A few months ago my brother bought a 2008 Screaming Eagle Ultra Classic with less than 10K miles. It had about 3K added in parts bringing the total retail to almost $39,000. He bought the bike for $26,000 outright and had 8 to choose from on ebay. In summery I think Victory is holding their own as far as resale goes. | |
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2 month comparision betwen my Vision and the Road Glide