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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC | Hi, my name is Reg. I am a retired Firefighter and have lived for the last 37 years on Vancouver Island, which is off the westcoast of Canada (a wonderful place where you can ride your bike all year round). I first spotted the Vision at the Vancouver Motorcycle Show in February. After sitting on it, I knew that I had found my next bike. After coming home, I did a Google search and found this wonderful site, which I have been monitoring for the last month.
I have had motorcycles on & off for the last 42 years & am blessed to have a Wife who loves being seated behind me (never been interested in having her own). Our present bike is a Suzuki Burgman AN-650, which has to be the best all-round motorcycle for this 280 mile long Island - good in the city & good on the highway (after we had custom Rick Mayer seat made for it). We have done several comfortable tours of Washington State & Northern California with it, & up this point, never felt the need for another motorcycle - that is until I sat on the Vision.
So I have been silently lurking here, gathering all the information I can from people who actually live with the bike on a daily basis, in order to make an informed decision as to when I should actually purchased my Vision. At the moment, I believe that I will wait until next year (as much as I would like to have it now). I am hoping by then that Victory will have rectified the few minor teething problems that I've heard about here, and hopefully will have added ABS brakes by then.
My Wife & I will be heading to the Mainland in April to take one for a test drive. I'm hoping my wife likes the back seat ('cause if she's not comfortable, she won't be happy, & there's nothing worse than an unhappy wife). There are no Victory dealers here on the Island - I have yet to see a Vision driving around the streets, so you guys are the only connection I have to the real world of owning on.
I have really enjoyed reading Andy's blog. It's obvious he likes to write, and I daily stop by his site to see if there is anything new. I also appreciate the fact that everyone seems to get along on this site without all the name calling & flaming that goes on some less mature sites. Hopefully it will stay this way.
Anyways, just wanted to stop by & introduce myself.
Cheers,
Reg | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 175
Colorado | Reg
Welcome to the fold, place a photo and thanks for the consideration and letting us know your out there. Make us jealous and send photos of the area and what is like to ride in the North.
Welcome and Happy Trails....
John and Dee
Edited by badnvegas 2008-03-12 9:17 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
Puyallup, Washington | Welcome Reg. I too, lurked on this site for a couple of weeks after first sitting on a Vision. Now my wife and I are the proud owners of a Midnight Cherry Premium Tour thanks, in part, to the members of this forum. The wife loves the back seat and was very comfortable during our first 250 mile day trip.. She is also the proud owner of a Bergman 400. She operates that herself though. Look forward to hearing your reaction once you take the Vision test drive. I know I was blown away. Maybe we can ride together sometime in the future; we're not so far apart. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | Heya Reg,
I'll be up near Comax in July. The VI MusicFest. I trailered the bike up last year as it was my first year and didn't know what to expect. This year I'll probably just ship the tent and supplies up and ride. We went all over the place. Up to Campbell River, out to Port Hardy, up Mt. Washington.. just great.. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 136
CALGARY ALBERTA | Hey Reg, You and or your wife will not be disappointed with the ride. If you want to wait till next year, don't ride it now. Because you will be disappointed that you didn't buy it now. I want to move out your way so I bought the bike now to avoid the extra taxes. Where is your closest dealer? Cheers Bobby B Calgary | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Lifeisgood - 2008-03-12 7:33 PM
I have had motorcycles on & off for the last 42 years & am blessed to have a Wife who loves being seated behind me (never been interested in having her own). Our present bike is a Suzuki Burgman AN-650, which has to be the best all-round motorcycle for this 280 mile long Island - good in the city & good on the highway (after we had custom Rick Mayer seat made for it). We have done several comfortable tours of Washington State & Northern California with it, & up this point, never felt the need for another motorcycle - that is until I sat on the Vision.
Reg
Lifeisgood, there is no reason to wait, some of the "issues" here are not really big deals compared to the bike. If your Wife likes to ride behind you, and you guys take a test ride, your going to buy now.........my wife said "if you don't buy it, I will". Your coming up on your riding season, my advice is go for it!  Oh, and by the way, thanks for serving your community as a firefighter, you guys are the best!!!!!  | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Welcome Reg. If youre looking for a comfortable back seat for your wife, you wont find any better than the Visions'. The front seat isnt bad either. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
Florida | Hi Reg,
Thanks for the kind words...Happy I could help.
You'll love the bike...I do! I'd love to ride in your neck of the woods one day, so let's stay in touch.
Good Luck and Rubber Side Down!
Andy | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 235
Evergreen, CO | Reg -
Welcome ot the site. I'm looking forward to my first ride on a Vision next month, and from all that I read on here, will probably be sqaying goodbye to my Harley (been riding Harleys for over 25 years) and buying a Vision. My wife & I are planning a trip to Seatlle in early August, will be renting a bike in Seattle, and riding most of Washington state (emphasis on national parks), Vancouver Island, and parts of southern BC. Let me know what your impressions are of the Vision once you ride it, and who knows, maybe our paths will cross sometime in early August.
Ted
space_cwboy
Colorado | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | Greetings Reg,
A big hello from down south a bit. I don't get my Vision for a few weeks yet, (on order), but I've been lurking and asking questions like you have. This is a great site with some wonderful people and great information.
Although, I have to agree with bobbybhp - if you don't want to buy the bike this year DON'T TEST IT. ( I was absolutely, positively, no-way-in-heck going to buy a Vision this year. Then I rode one. ) Ahhh...happiness to us northern riders is a warm seat and heated grips.
Ride safe.
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Cruiser
Posts: 103
| Hi Reg I just got my bike in Feb. and all the things I have been reading that were negitive are not present. Radio is loud, body fit is perfect, no plastic imperfections, engine never stalls. BUY NOW AND RIDE! | |
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Tourer
Posts: 550
Tacoma, WA | Welcome reg, and don't be a stranger. Sounds like you, me, innkeeper, and breaker need to do some riding! Anyone else who wants to come, I am all for it!-----Metalguy | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
Florida | Hi Reg,
While I've never owned a bike with ABS, and I rarely take a passenger, I can say the current linked brake system performs very well. While I'm not an expert in this field, I'm wondering if there's any downsides to ABS, especially when the rear brake is used to assist in slow speed turns and maneuvering. Can anyone address this issue?
I will tell you that I agree with others NOT to take a test ride as you will most likely make the purchase now as opposed to gambling that ABS will be included in the 2009 model. That was the mistake I made. I walked into Victory of South Florida to take a test ride and was hoping not to like the Vision as I was unsure whether or not I wanted to get back into riding. Well, I'm now riding almost daily and every day, I'm still thrilled with my purchase. Yes, the H-D guys can be annoying, but I'm starting to think there's an element of jealousy in the air when they see the Vision. (I'm working on a story about H-D riders reaction to the Vision and will publish it soon).
It's also nice to know that little if any customization is needed as it's pretty good out of the box. That's something new to me.
Andy, aka PBR | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC | Wow, what a great welcome! I did not expect to get so many replies. Thanks!
I live in Victoria (world famous for the Butchart Gardens & Rogers Chocolate), a tourist destination which is at the very bottom of Vancouver Island (& below the 49th Parallel). The weather is similar to Seattle, although we get a lot less rain (we are in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains) and seldom get snow (which never stays more than a few days). I refer to V.I. as the Hawaii of Canada. Reasonably temperate all year around and a great place to own a motorcycle.
Victoria is an active cruise ship port in the summer & last year we had 168 visits by the different Cruise Lines going to & from Alaska, bringing almost 350,000 tourists with them. We are expecting that to increase to 210 visits this year. So if you're going on an Alaskan Cruise, chances are pretty good that you'll be visiting my fair city.
Anyhow, it would take quite awhile for me to describe everything on this Island, so instead I'll give you this link for you to explore at your leisure.
http://www.victoriabc.com/vancisland/
Here is one for Victoria.
http://www.victoriabc.com/vancisland/cityofvictoria.html
Twenty six years ago, while on a month long tour of the West Coast, we were having dinner in a nice restaurant in the Los Angeles area. When we told the waiter where we were from, he couldn't believe that we had travelled that far on a motorcycle, went outside to check the license plate on our bike, and invited the other waiters outside to see for themselves. He asked us what it was like to live in Canada. Did we have dog sleds? Or use Skidoo? Or live in an Igloo?
This went on until we asked him if he knew where Seattle was? Yes, he had a sister there & had recently visited her. So we explained we were only a 45 minutes north by commuter aircraft. Then he understood where we lived. Not all of Canada is the frozen north.  | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Victoria Victory Vision. Has a nice ring to it dosent it? | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Victoria Victory Vision. Has a nice ring to it dosent it? | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC | Miles - 2008-03-12 6:37 PM
Heya Reg,
I'll be up near Comax in July.
We would love to meet up with you when you come to the Island. There are so many wonderful things to explore on this Island, it can take a lifetime. If you have time, you should also head to the west side of the Island to see Tofino & Ucluelet (awesome bike ride on Highway 4).
http://www.britishcolumbia.com/regions/towns/?townID=3985
It's one of those places that you can enjoy summer & winter. Watching the huge waves come in during the winter months is quite the experience. A lot surfers live in the area, so you'll always see them out there trying to catch the next great wave. In winter time we like to stay at the Crystal Cove Resort. Walk the beach & cook fresh crab in our log cabin for dinner. Always a relaxing time.
http://www.crystalcovebeachresort.com/index.htm
Cheers,
Reg
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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC | bobbybhb - 2008-03-12 6:42 PM
Where is your closest dealer? Cheers Bobby B Calgary
We have to take the ferry to the mainland (90 minute sailing time) and then head to Langley. I think the next nearest might be kelowna.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/Victoria+BC/Langley+BC/?
Thankfully there doesn't seem too much maintenance that needs to be done on the Vision because of it's hydraulic lifters (unlike a Harley). 
I've always done all own maintenance once the bike is off warranty. The traveling distance to a dealer was also one of the reasons why I thought it might be prudent to wait until next years model so that Victory could fix the bugs.
Bobby, smart move on buying the Vision in Calgary before you move. Who wants to pay the extra 7% BC sales tax. Where about are you thinking of relocating to?
BTW - I was born & raised in Calgary.
Giddy-up!
Reg | |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 35
El Paso, TX | Hi Reg,
I am 31 years old and have been a fire fighter for ten years in El Paso, TX. I have owed 12 motorcycles in the past 10 years and can attest that the Vision is the best I have ever ridden. I am lucky enough to have a Victory dealer about 2 miles from my house. I have a good relationship with the owner and he let me take his demo Vision for a ride about 3 weeks ago. I had been looking at the Vision for awhile and after the demo ride I was hooked. I traded in my Suzuki V-strom 1000 and couldn't be happier. The bike handles great, sound system is awesome, and my wife loves being on the back. ABS might be a consideration in an area such as yours, but down here in TX it stays dry most of the time and isn't really necessary. The linked brakes w/out abs are great none-the-less. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 251
| Hi Reg, Everyone
I too am new to this site and been lurking a bit. I am very impressed with how well behaved everyone seems to be.
Also, I live on the island as well (Comox). Like you I was at the Vancouver bike show and fell in love. I sat on the goldwing then walked the few steps over to the vision and even though I have always been a huge fan of the goldwing, it was not even close.
Another thing we have in common, I am planning a ride to Langley sometime in May early June, depending on the weather. There is a bunch of us going some from my work (I'm Military) and some the SCRC that I ride with. I have not contacted Sea to Sky yet, however, if we get a good turn out I am going to see what the shop could do for us in the way of a victory presentation including test rides on their different models, of course I will be checking out the Vision. It will no doubt be an over night trip for us. If you are interested, I can keep you informed.
I too was thinking of trying to hold off buying until the 2009 is unveiled. I would have thought this to be spring, at least for the custom orders, however, I have not been able to find any information. I even telephoned Polaris which was no help. My thinking is that I want the best that I can get with as many of the bells and whistles that I can get, because to get dealer upgrades later could be rather inconvenient (4-5 hours including ferry ride).
Anyway, we shall see. You can never anticipate what will happen in the heat of the moment.
Take Care
Gerry
"Keep the rubber to the road and the shiney side up" | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC | Hi Gerry,
Nice to know others on the Island belong to this forum. My sister lives in Courtenay and I visit her as often as I can, so maybe we can meet sometime.
What really impressed me about the Vision at the Vancouver Motorcycle Show was when the saleman dropped the bike onto it's side and then left it there for awhile. Can you imagine doing that to a Harley or a Goldwing. Gasp!!!
I have ridden both Harley's & Goldwings. Was leaning to a Goldwing until I sat on the Vision. I talked to the Sea to Sky & they said they were having a demo ride some time in April or May - can't remember exactly when. Anyhow, it was at a time when I couldn't be there, so they will let me take one out when I do get there in the third week of April. I will load up my Burgman with everything that we take with us when we go touring (including my laptop) to see how much stuff the Vision will actually carry. It should be interesting, as with my GIVI soft saddlebags attached to the Burgman, the GIVI E-52 topbox & the large storage space under the seat, I have more carrying space than my friend's Goldwing.
Cheers,
Reg | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 251
| Hey Reg,
Deffinately let me know when you are heading up this way and maybe we can get together. I too actually live in Courtenay.
Yes I know the feeling, like I mentioned I sat on the goldwiing and then went right over to the ViVi and was extremely impressed.
Like I mentioned, I am planning a trip over to the mainland. I have not contacted Sea to Sky yet however, I have a weekend off the 18 - 21 April 08 that I am looking at. I was originally thinking end Apr early May, however, I don't think that I will be able to wait that long. Of course a lot will depend on what the weather is doing.
Anyway, take care I gotta bolt
Gerry
Edited by Gerica 2008-03-14 1:39 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Victoria, BC | Hi Paul,
I absolutely loved my job as a Firefighter for the City of Victoria. I retired as Battalion Chief at the end of November '05, with 32 years of service. I was fortunate enough to get on when I was young, so I could leave with full pension at age 55. Now it seems all the new guys they are hiring are in their 30's - some BS about wanting recruits that have more life experience (what a crock). It's much easier to mold them when they are in their early 20's. Yes, we were wet behind the years, but we all grew up!
I do miss that special bond that the guys have with each other and the adreneline rush when responding to fires. The best meals I ever had were at the Firehall (& I'm married to a gourmet cook), but it is nice to be home with my wife every night now (she likes it too). We have a group of retired Victoria Firefighters called the "Charcoal Gang" that meet for lunch once a month at a very up-scale golf club, so I get to fellowship with the people that I worked with in the early years & those have left since.
I would love to get down to Texas some time - I've heard so much about it. Maybe once I get the Vision.
Cheers,
Reg | |
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Lurking