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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 33
Between Rockford and Sterling Illinois | I have looked at 3 different Visions and noticed a small dent on the exhaust shielding. If you look right through the tip over protection you may see the same indent on yours. I think that it is from over torqueing the shield clamp on assembly or install of stage 1 or 2 mufflers. It may also be caused by spot welding. More noticable on some than others. Mine is enough that it the dealer and I will probably replace it. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | May I reply to this post. To share an experience with you. Contrary to all the belief that Victory will resolve every blemish on your Vision, I have yet to see it.
I stopped in another dealership one day and the manager comes running out to talk with me since so few ride the Vision at this point. He beelines to the right side and says "Ahh-haa, you have it too!" "What-what?? I know about the saddle bag dents but what now?" He points to the dimple and says, "Have your dealer replace those, I've done that with two of mine so far." So I go back to my dealer and point out the other flaw, and they so no problem, on order. They order about three of them knowing the others were the same. They come in and what do you know, they all have it. It seems to occur when they welded to the back. So they called Victory and they said that the saddle bag dimples and the pipe dimples are not warranty claim items, end of story.
I've still have yet to do my letter to Victory, but it is coming.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | I'm curious as to what you guys/gals thought you were going to get when you ordered/purchased a Vision from Victory. A perfect piece of machinery w/o any flaws whatsoever? It's a man-made vehicle.A bunch of parts put together by well-trained but never perfect human beings. These bikes were not built by robots, if they had been,then maybe you could complain about the less than perfect condition. No vehicle that I've ever bought was perfect, w/o any flaws or discrepancies. IMHO you are too picky about your bikes. I bought mine to ride, not to look at. Luke
Yes the rant is over but if you don't like what I said, go take a hike. 
Edited by CoolHandLuke 2008-02-28 10:25 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | No problem here Luke, as mentioned a few other post I have made, my real problem is when it cuts out on me unexpectantly and there is no solution to the problem. As it is with the cosmetics of this fine machine, these forums fuel the expectations of those with these imperfections. I seen or heard directly that all flaws have been corrected by replacement parts and so forth. However, it seems that others are stonedwalled with no explanation. I fully expected some cosmetic problems, just like with my wife's new Jeep Liberty, however, all have been rectified gleefully by the dealer. However, I paid just as much for my Vision and yes the dealer has tried to gleefully rectify, but Victory says, not covered. As you can see I ride mine everyday dispite the possibility of shutting down coming to a stop at a moment, yet predictable, at a time when I might need it the most, but hey, even a perfect machine will do that, it's a machine. So though it sounds like a complaint, or I don't like my imperfect bike, some things posted here is to grab a different venue or point of vue, just like you do.
So with all that being said, I fully enjoy my Vision more than any other vehicle I have ever driven or riden, and it is definitely one purchase I'm glad I made even though it was one I normally would not make at a drop of a hat as I did. I would gladly and I am gladly to be a spokesperson for Victory and the Vision, so much so my friends who ride other machines are less prone to talk to me now. I'm glad I have met up with Bill and Randy who now ride a Vision and understand when I talk about how great this bike is. In fact, I look forward to the remote possibility to move to S.C. where I can get in more favorable riding time. I ride year round without exception, minus pouring rain and ice, and I just took up riding again just a scant two years ago. I've logged more miles on my bikes than I have on any of my jeeps. I even rode the Vision to Florida while everyone else rode in the jeep and enjoyed every second.
So I do appreciate you telling me to sit down and be quiet about these little imperfections and I will respectfully do so. One more note, when I took my bike down to the shop to get the stalling checked, I told my other bike buddies, truthfully I might add, that it was getting its XXXX mile service. I never breathed a word of the stall. When I first rode it to work and someone said, "Oh look, there's a dent in your saddle bag." I respectfully replied, "Who cares, it rides and looks too good to worry about something as little as that." and that was the first time I had noticed. Just as when the other dealer himself pointed it out and had his replaced before selling, I never saw the dimple before then.
So I ranted on again, but I'll say one thing, when I head back to Fla. I'll look you up Luke and we'll ride the back country on our fine machines together. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 293
Arkansas | I have MCPT delivered on12/6/07. No exhaust dent that I can find, and no saddlebag dent either.
Lovin' this machine!!! | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 150
Las Vegas, Nevada USA baby! | Mine was mfg on 12/21/2008 and there is only a tiny little ding on the r/h exhaust. Barely, barely, noticeable, and none on saddlebags. And I can't see any waves in my windshield. It is very clear, and I haven't any polarized shades to look thru, but if I find a problem I'll post! | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 904
29 Palms California | Yeah ha....jiggety. I haven't stalled in a while, know ones gonna tell me why it does it, and although I have changed my riding style, it's not a matter of if, but when. I only hope it's not going to cause my death, but hey, I will look cool. jiggety, jigggety. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Ihave to put my reading glasses on and hold my head a certain way and I can see an imperfection in the shield. It looks like a spot weld that wasnt prepped before chroming. The dent in the bag varies depending on temp. Cant see either one from the drivers seat. Plan on changing the pipes as soon as parts are available. If the dents bother me too much I'll pay someone to fix them. So far getting off this fine machine to handle these problems seems to be the hardest part. It has stalled twice, no problem. The computer youre typing on farts once in a while. Remember carburetors? Chokes and fast idle? Nothings perfect, the Vision come close, we're just spoiled. | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 904
29 Palms California | nah, over fed, over paid. not complaining? not happy! I think we should all take a prozac and let our kids boss us around some. Oh, got that backwards, we should give our young creative minds zoloft for their active imaginations to make them zombies so the day care provider won't have to correct them as much. How's that for sarcasm? What is ADD/ADHD? Never heard of it before 1990. | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | Chris (varyder), that rant was NOT aimed at you. I just get tired of Visioneers whining about this and that as far as cosmetics go. Now the mechanical problems that could possibly cause us to crash & burn,that's a different ballgame and Victory should "step up" and make sure these issues are addressed & corrected immediately. I don't ever want to read a post about one of my Visioneer buddies taking a fall because of some issue that should have been corrected by Victory/dealer. I just hope your dealers have wrenches that are as good as mine. Rick is a long-time rider & Victory rider (has an '07 KP) and a good man besides.He & his wife Sharon are raising their granddaughter.Don't know the details of that but admire them for taking the responsibility for her.
BTW My SO Laura joined the VMC yesterday. Her user name is great - Iride2up4now Makes me think she'll have her own bike one in the future! 
Edited by CoolHandLuke 2008-02-29 7:36 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 904
29 Palms California | huh? coolhandluke,,,,tap, tap, tap...you in there? Did you have your coffee yet? I DID !!! JIGGETY, JIGGETY | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | Buckeye, I'm @ my Vic dealer having the PIAA fog lights installed & the regular headlight bulbs replaced w/ PIAA H4's in Super White. Just drinkin' coffee & cruising the web. Luke | |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 33
Between Rockford and Sterling Illinois | Well I expect a $20K+ bike to have fewer "imperfections" than my 12K other bike with 46,000 miles. The dent on my heatshield is quite a bit more than the others I looked at. Obvious enough that others will notice it and these non Victory riders may have a higher standard for the dollar they spend than some. The only other negative I have about my bike was the clutch pull. It really should be chrome on your premier, top of the line flagship bike. I wonder if any non "Mouseketeers" I mean non Visioneers looking at these bikes and considering the line as whole may have similiar thoughts.
Victory has the BEST factory stock looking cruiser line. Now it has a leading edge touring/cruiser. It's looks and forward thinking will carry it well but the little things like fit and finish of the panels may be more than cosmetic to some. This is a discussion forum and the Victory is what we are discussing. Before we all go off to Harley Church and fall down and worship what the "Motor Company" gives us no matter what it is, I'd like to think we could talk about our bikes and see the line go from where it is now to an even higher more exceptional standard from our feedbacks.
If this winter doesn't end soon I am going to go freaking nuts. No jabs meant or directed at anyone. We obviously all lov eto ride or we wouldn't of dropped the cash on another bike. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I think it's hilarious that we have the most unique looking and well thought out motorcycle to be released in recent history and people are homing in on a couple of dents. It's like seeing Cindy Crawford's first modeling photo shoot and saying "Yeah, but, what's up with that mole on her lip?" You're losing sight of the big picture. If you're waiting for the perfect motorcycle, you may as well move on. If it hadn't been the dents it would have been something else. Those of you thinking that the '09 models will have everything fixed, you are kidding yourselves. It will get better but it will always have issues.
It's a supermodel. Enjoy the ride. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 293
Arkansas | CoolHand, I know Rick and Sharon- nice folks! Bought a bike from him a few years back.
Jim | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 293
Arkansas | Well put, Songfan! | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 619
Southeast Iowa | Songfan and others...............
First of all you should know that I'm about as Pro Victory as anyone on this site. The Vision is my 5th Victory since 2001. Between me and my wife we have damn near every article of Victory clothing, jackets and so on. My garage is a Victory shrine with signs, posters and so on. I have purchased about every option that Victory (or others) have ever made for the bikes I have owned. I have let strangers ride my bikes to help them understand why they should own a Victory, and have converted 5 riders to Victory. There is no one that knows me that does not know I ride a Victory and always will. I have been to several Victory functions such as the Victory Homecoming and the Power Tour and occasionally help my dealer out when they have Victory promotions and such. I know more about the product than 90% of the people that sell them and can identify every Victory bike by model and year. There is a Victory motorcycle on my mailbox, back window of my truck, and a Victory flag flying underneath Old Glory in my front yard. I think you get the picture. With that said I disagree about the dents and here's why.
First off all it is a well known fact that the dents on the saddlebags differ from bike to bike. I doubt that you would be so impressed by mine.
2nd the dents are not directly related to this being a new bike. Fit and finish is something that Victory must be aware of on every bike they produce, especially the Vision their flagship bike. There is absolutly no way that the dents were not noticed in Manufacturing. Whoever painted, assembled, and QC'd my bike saw the dents. Having been in production supervision and involved with new product launches for 20 years, I know that there had to be discussions about the dents between Production, Sales and Marketing. Assembly line workers would not pass this defect on to the next operation unless told to do so. Apparently the call was made that "it's good enough" After Victory heard enough complaints they decided to fix it which is why the newer bikes don't have the problem. In other words, they realized that they made a bad call. This problem could have been easily been fixed prior to paint with spot filler, my guess is that's what they are doing now. I don't think the general public is impressed with dents on a bike that sells for over 20K. Some of you may be ok with this beauty mark, but I doubt that most of you are. I have proudly shown my new bike to all of my buddies and their overall reaction is "WOW, Nice Bike" I have yet to have 1 person not point out and comment about the dents on the saddlebag. How do I defend Victory in this situation? Should I just smile and say "It's no big deal, most high end bikes have dents in them somewhere" WRONG!!! Not true! I have never had a bike (or a lawnmower for that matter) with dents that came from the factory. I agree that us loyal Victory owners love our bikes and are so impressed with all the great features and performance that we don't really care about the dents that much.............but try to sell your HD buddy on Victory while he's frowning and rubbing your dent.
I know the Vision is new and expect it to have bugs that need to be worked out. Right now my stereo controls don't work because the wire was ran wrong. My XM radio also does not work because of an antenna issue. I found a tear in my seat hidden by the saddlebag lid, I have also been waiting for my chrome Grilles and Access Panel since Dec 5th (even though Victory is showing them available online) None of this bothers me, crap happens! But to knowingly send out your flagship model with dents in the most obvious place pisses me off!
Yesterday I spoke to a guy named Josh in customer service and should hear a response within 2 working days.
Just my point of view.............
Big Vic | |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Thanks Big Vic, I'm trying to be patient knowing that Victory will some compensate for this minor infractions. The Vision is a beautiful machine and I know Victory is trying to find a logical way to recover and not brush this under the rug. I mentioned earlier about the dealer taking care of my wife's Liberty, and that is before we drove it off the lot. It was a very unnoticeable flaw unless standing in the right light. I took 3 attempts to make it "perfect" but they eventually did. That flaw was much less inconspecious than the one on my machine that actually has cost more than my wife's Libery, so why not the same level of attention? Victory has a repetation to maintain, so why would they want to hide in this moment of glory. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Big Vic,
Great response. Point taken. The early dents must be really awful. I have a tiny crease on mine and out of the hundreds of people I have shown mine to only one person has pointed it out. The right saddlebag is by far the most high profile part of the bike and I hope they make it right for you guys. | |
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Right side exhast shield?