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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Yesterday was the second time that I test piloted a Victory Vision. The first was at the Houston IMS show. The Houston test ride was great but I was one of a large group. As they say "Unless you are the lead horse, the view never changes".
The San Antonio Victory dealer "Alamo Custom Cycles" is less then four miles from my house. The Victory factory representative was in store and they advertised demonstration rides for the Vision. I was thinking how nice it would be to make another run.
On the way there, I called my brother to see if he would come along to check out this Victory Vision. He said "Give me five minutes to saddle up and I will be there". He rode his new red 2008 HD Ultra Electra Glide.
We got there about the same time and one person was ahead of me for a ride on the Vision. We talked to the guy that just brought it back from his ride and checked out the updated show room.
Finally it was my time to ride. My brother rode behind me on his HD. I was nervous, I hadn't been on a bike since the Vision ride last November in Houston plus my big brother was watching.
I took off in second gear. Just great! At least I did not stall the V-twin. Man, I need to relax. I took the Vision north up Highway 281 about a mile and a half when the traffic stopped. It was some kind of wreck and one lane was blocked. We came to a stop and I shifted into first gear. The cars started moving again slowly. I just picked up my feet and let it idle in first gear. The 850 pound cycle was moving about walking speed. With just small movements I was able to keep my feet on the floorboards and safely follow the car in front of me. I never thought I would have such control at this slow speed. We cleared the wreck in just a minute and I took the next exit.
It sure is nice testing a bike in your own town. I took Thousand Oaks Drive because it has some nice curves and then turned south on Henderson Pass. Henderson Pass is a residential road with mild curves. I was getting very comfortable on the bike. This test run was not about speed but control and comfort. It was great taking in the environment in a way that no other mode of travel can duplicate.
I turned right on Brook Hollow and headed back to 281 then took the access road back Alamo Custom Cycles. By now the Vision was getting very easy to ride. I pulled into the parking lot and backed the bike into a slot.
My brother parked about 40 feet away. As I walked over to him I said "What do you think?" He said "It looks better going down the road then it does sitting in a parking lot". I said that "I was nervous at first but once I relaxed it felt great!" My brother said that after I put about 2000 miles on the Vision that I would be ready for any trip.
I told him that I have four more payments the left on the Trailblazer. Then I will be buying a Vision. He asked me to send him the Dynamometer stats on the bike. I told him, "No problem". We went back inside the dealership for a while and then left in different directions.
Edited by radioteacher 2008-03-17 12:29 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | I am surprised you made it away without one under you. What a lesson in patience! Have you had a chance to ride his HD ultra classic. Compare the two and let us know what you think. Then when you get yours see how long it takes him to trade in his new 2008. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 103
| pollolittle I took the HD Ultra for a test ride and the only positive thing I can tell you is, it sounds better than the Vision (stock) and I liked the tranny better. The HD feels small and not very comfortable. I like Harley's but not for long distance. The Vision is a superior touring bike. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | pollolittle,
Last September, I started looking at HD first. Nothing they had fit me very well. The closest they could come to have a bike fit my 27" inseam was a Sportster Low, Deluxe or a Heritage Special. (and now the Rocker) They did tell me for $$ they could lower these and others. But why mess with the way it was designed. I wanted a touring model but I would have to wear platform shoes for my heals to touch the ground on an Electra Glide.
I went the Victory web site and liked the Kingpin tour. I saw the Vision and thought "That is just too weird of a ride". At the Victory dealer, I saw the Kingpin and sat on the bike flat footed in street shoes. This will work!
I kept researching and looking at Victory on the web and in magazines. The more I read about and looked at the Vision the less weird it got.
In late September, I took a trip to the bay area in California for training and the wife came along. While I was in class the wife would shop. I wanted to shop too. I saw on a map that Arlen Ness's place was about 25 miles north of the hotel.
We arrived about 45 minutes before closing time. The manager showed us around. He took us to the warehouse and we saw all of the Visions that are used for test rides. My wife got on the back of the Vision and she like it. She told me that "This bike is really cool!" That was it. I am getting a Vision. Up close, it no longer looks weird to me at all.
As I have mention here on Vision-Riders before, the manager let me sit on Arlen's Vision and snapped a picture of me. As the elevator doors opened to take us back down to the showroom Cory stepped off of the elevator and said hello.
The last payment of my Trailblazer will be in early August.
Do I wait and get a 2009 on the Custom Order Program or get a 2008 Vision?
Edited by radioteacher 2008-03-19 8:30 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
Florida | Hi Radioteacher, or should I saw welcome to the world of 20/20 Vision!
Our stories are similar and as regular readers know I documented my experience of Vision ownership from day one on my blog. It was originally written for two purposes:
1) As a writer, to allow me to put the emotions and decisions that come into play when purchasing a bike of this price and caliber into words so that I could document the experiences and someday look back at them.
2) To help others read a detailed diary of what it's like, first hand, when faced with the purchasing decision of a yet, virtually unknown, untested bike. My hope is that when someone like you comes along and reads the blog/diary and in some way identifies, then I feel I helped another rider. As riders, we are a unique bunch. More on that later...
Yes, I'm having fun putting together my experiences and committing them to print, but the true thrill for me is when some takes a read and identifies with what I went through and realizes they are going through the same feelings and decisions. I'm not going to promote the blog address here as it's in the proper forum, but when you have a moment, take a read as I'd enjoy learning if we were faced with the same issues prior to the purchase. Yes, we know the Vision is built from the ground and has transformed into the cruiser/sport bike/tourer of the future.
I wish you the best of luck in your future purchase, but if I may make a suggestion, while I'm sure your dealer is great, it appears they have a waiting list and are selling at full price. Here in South Florida, bikes are in inventory. So, what would be better than taking a trip to South Florida, taking another relaxed test ride and seeing if you might be able to get a better deal as the market is slow and inventor is in stock? Then, if you buy it, you can get to know it on the ride home...but you'll have to stop for an oil change after 500 miles at another dealer...unless you cut a deal on a demo bike. I can tell you that I now have 1,600+ miles on my Vision and every day, I learn something new and become more comfortable with the bike.
My weeks now are spent looking for new trips to take..sometimes trips to nowhere. I never did this with my old H-Ds or the Goldwing.
Victory is on to something with the Vision and I still feel that the Vision will do to Victory what the iPod did to Apple....The Vision will put Victory on the map...that's a prediction I honestly feel will come true. Enjoy the ride! | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | To be honest, I dont think the '09's will be much diffrent. Maybe some refinements to the electronics. Things they learned from the '08's. Probably software updates that can be added to current models. On the other hand, the preorder thing, most of us have had nightmares with that. Hopefully it has improved. Although, with the back order of most of the accessories, its a tough call.
either way you go, you'll end up with an acceptional ride. | |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Oh, I know he didn't just ask if he should wait to buy or buy the current year model. No Brainer, if you can swing it buy NOW! I've got over 5000 on my bike and I love it. When the wife thought she could ride it on the perch, even though it wasn't a HD, I told the guy to immediately hand me the papers to sign. My 1977 KZ1000 gave me as big a rush as this one and I love it. Unfortunately the 1977 model cost me $600 along with a $1200 top end rebuild. The new one 22,000 plus. And they were and are worth every penny. Like some guys have stated on here, in motorcycle land you are buying that 1964 1/2 Mustang or that 1969 camaro. There will never be another first year run for the bike. I don't know or care about its increased value later on. I do remember sitting in a 1964 1/2 Mustang and almost bought it for $1500 bucks in stock condition. I loved that car and wouldn't sell it if I owned it, because it was one sweet ride. Just like my 2008 Victory Vision Street Premium, ain't a gonna sell it no matter what Barret Jackson says its worth, because I got one sweet ride.
Edited by pollolittle 2008-03-20 8:27 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
Florida | Very well said Po! | |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I've said this before, but I've never been so confident about a purshase as I have had with my Vision. For an old guy who is still young, this machine fits the bill for me and my wife at this time. I've always enjoyed riding, but didn't do it for many years. When I first started riding again, I know folk can call out mid-life or whatever that want to say, but the bottom line is that I've always loved to ride. I need stability and comfort as well as reliability, because I love to ride. I'm not into show pieces or weekend jaunts, so this is not a toy. This is my daily commute vehicle, my Jeep is my second car.
I'm not one to run and get the coolest thing on the market, just because, to me that is a waste. So this was a very thought out decision and I was able to hit the mark with the Vision. It's cool that it is the first year, and your right pollolittle there will only be one first year. I did not get into the pre-order, though my mine is a pre-order that someone else turned down. All the things came together in time to get this fine ride, when I wasn't expecting it until late spring. Whether it holds it's value is not important to me, dependability is. I've got 8,500 miles on 'er since November, that's over 2k a month and summer is not even here yet. I expect this ride to deleiver over 30k a year for me, with putting on at least 200K before I even consider another purchase, and at the rate I ride that is just 6 - 7 years from now. Who knows what fantastic ride Victory will have by then that will deliever even better than today's Vision, perhaps Vision II, triked.
It's all about the ride... | |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | PBR,
I really enjoy reading your writing and Songfan. Keep up the good work. Last year when I was looking into the Kingpin it was during the time of the Custom Order Program. I put together (on paper) a Kingpin using the COP and saved a bunch on the extras by having the factory put them on.
Why should I buy a replacement exhaust system (S1L1) for my brand new Vision and pay to have it installed? I would rather have the factory put the S1L1 on from the start. The same goes for the CB/Intercom, Ipod cables and other accessories.
I am not into chrome but I might get some paint done locally.
As much as I would like the idea, I will not be traveling to Florida for the Vision, but I did discuss it with the wife.
Let's face facts, this is spring, it is a good time to be a motorcycle dealer. There were two Midnight Cherry Visions being prepped at the dealer Tuesday here in San Antonio. This is not the time to get a great deal on any motorcycle. Six months from now things will be different.
Interest rates are falling but motorcycle rates haven't moved from 7 to 8 percent since September 2007. In August HD was selling bikes using 2.99 percent as incentive. Polaris is selling any left over 2007 bikes at 2.99 percent.
At 6.99 percent someone is getting a good deal and it is not the buyer. Just look at the rates on Certificates of Deposit. You can only get 3.25 percent, if you are lucky, for a Jumbo CD but a $25,000 bike loan is seven percent, what a rip-off!
I have no doubt that I will buy a Vision but as I have said many times in my life in front of pushy sales people (mostly from computer and software companies) "Texas is a right to buy state!" "I will buy what I want, when I want, at the best possible price!" This means that I will have to be patient and strike when the opportunity presents itself.
It is not always about price, I do make some exceptions and try to buy local when I can.
If I have to go out of town or out of state to get the best deal, I will do it. I am sure that I will be just as happy as Buckeye was when he rode back 180 miles from the dealer on his new Vision.
I really do not want to have an extra monthly payment for the next five months nor do I want to pull the money out of investments just to pay off the Trailblazer. It just kills me but I think I will wait.
If I get a call from the dealer that I can get a three percent loan, I will strike and a Vision will be mine! Until then, I will take a lesson form the Zen Master Sensei "Buckeye".
Waiter, more coffee please!
Edited by radioteacher 2008-03-20 11:29 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | pollolittle,
My first real car was a 1980 Chevy Citation bought in June of 1979. Lets call it 1979 1/2. Ah, the wonderful new X-Car in its first year of production. I spent a lot of time with that car.
Fond memories like the endless recalls. I can never forget the power steering valve in the rack that failed at 19,000 miles. Now I had power assist turning to the right but not left. No core exchange since it was a very new part on a very new car. But the car was out of warrantee so good bye $650 hello power steering. When the same part failed again 3 years later it only cost $300.
I put on three Air Conditioning compressors over 120,000 miles or was it four.
The part I really enjoyed replacing was the water pump. Putting in the bolt captured under the pulley was a great exercise in dexterity, strength and patience.
I am sure that Victory has a much better product with the Vision and all of their models but I have learned some hard lessons about a first year model of a car.
Thank God that Victory took the time to put out a great product. From what I read here at Vision-Riders, I feel that I would be safe to buy a 2008 Victory Vision.
Buying my first bike is a matter for another time. The 1982 KZ CSR 650 was a great bike the dealer I bought it from was the scum of the earth.
Edited by radioteacher 2008-03-21 12:04 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | Radioteacher,
Buy a Vision or not, that is totally up to you. Mine's coming in a week or so and I can't wait.
But come on, LOL....you're not seriously comparing a 1980 Chevy Citation to a '64 1/2 Mustang, a '69 Camaro,or an '08 Vision are you?
That would be like comparing apples to....well apples to a 1980 Chevy Citation.  | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Hey! Dont knock the Citation. It was my first new car also. It had the v-6 and the recalls were done before I bought it. Great car. Got a lot of miles out of it. Only one steering rack. Water pump? One a year for 7 years. But when everyone else was stuck in the snow, I was the one they called for a ride. The beginning of FWD for GM. | |
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Demo Ride Yesterday in San Antonio