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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Well, a condensed version anyway. I've got 80,500 on the clock right after a little trip to Leesburg and back today. I was in the saddle for a total of 8 hours for two, 200 miles sessions. Hmmm, interesting description, sessions, I think that is what I'll call it for now on when I ride.
I've had my Vision 33 months as of the 17th of August and still this bike amazes me. I've taken a 1,500 mile trip a month after I got it, a year later a 3,600 mile trip, and then the recent run to California and back for a total of 6,500 miles. None of these trips were strolls along the way, but rather get to the destination as quick as possible and return. The Vision holds up very well under pressure. I feel this bike performs just as well as it did when I rolled it off the show room floor. I'm not afraid to give it what it needs for the situation and refrain from any details so as not to increminate myself. However, if my wife knew she would pull my keys and make me sell the bike.
I've pulled the Rockys at full steam in high gear and still there was plenty more to give, amazing in my mind, but I've started off simple and the Vision is classiest thing I've ever owned. All my thingys on the bike still works well. The radio, the cb, the dash, all the lights, the only thing that I've had replaced electrical, besides the light bulbs, is the fuel pump. That was the one and only major item that has failed that I recall. Fortunately, it happened within miles of my house a few months before my trip to Cali, and not while on the trip in the middle of the Nevada desert on the loneliest road in America.
I've mentioned before that I need to replace the bushing in rear as I feel that there is a little wandering going on, but it is hard to put my finger on it. I did just replace, listen to me, more like 20,000 miles ago, the steering tree bearings, lower and upper. That all seem to be well, it is just feels like it is in the seat. It doesn't concern me except that it needs replacing before it gives out entirely.
I could use a new rear pulley and I would like to do a complete brake overhaul, for no other reason than the miles of use. They work fine, and still have the original fluid, shame on me. I did change the clutch fluid a few months ago, before Cali and I'm glad I did, I do feel a difference. It is also needs a new exhaust and I plan on picking up some stock ones from someone who has had an upgrade, I need to do that soon. There are little holes in the right side and it rumbles as well as sings to me a little. Inspection time is just around the corner, but I don't think they'll check that.
My thing is about saddle time and the Vision is perfect, being able to go between gas stops without any discomfort, and spend more than 12 hours in the saddle and getting off fresh is a definite plus. There is nothing I can tell you about upgrades as I have zero, again, it is about the ride. As I would say "I've got a GO bike, not a SHOW bike!" But everyone has their own twist and reason for owning and/or riding a bike. One thing I really like about the Vision is the rider response that gives me a feeling of surefooting and leaves me to concentrate on the traffic and surroundings. There has only been about 3 occassions that has caused me to suck up the seat, one was a very near miss when an ederly woman ran a redlight and almost t-boned me. The other two I won't describe them here, but they made me rethink how I ride and were a least a year ago. It wasn't the fact of what almost happened, but my response to a situation better left alone and I found myself refusing to back down. But it also highlighted the fact to me of how much confidence that I have in the Vision to respond the way I want it to and it complies without giving an uneasy feeling.
I find at times, especially inclement weather or poor visibility, telling myself that riding at perfect condition speed and style is not a wise idea, slow down. However, in short order I'm back at it again, and I mention this to hightlight the agility of this bike and the oneness that I experience in riding. This may sound hokie to some, but that is why I love to ride this bike. My trip to Leesburg was for my company picnic 200 miles away. I got there at 3:30pm, met a few folks I've only spoken to on the phone, hobknobbed with the bosses, ate and then gone again at 4:00pm. Uh, yeah, that's right, and it didn't bother me a bit because I got to ride, 8 hours saddle time, and I got to eat. Sounds like a typical Saturday, eh.
Well, I wanted to make this brief, I don't know if this qualifies for a review, but to me it does. Happy riding to one and all. Feel free to ask any questions if you are inclined to do so.
Edited by varyder 2010-08-21 9:57 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | Thanks for the update Chris. I am trying to catch you at 52,400 miles. I totally agree with you Chris. The Vision is by far the best bike I have ridden and I have spent a good amount of time on all the major touring bikes. Every mile just gets better and continues to put a smile on your face. I must say the Vision is the best purchase I have made in my life time. I have never owned anything that I have enjoyed as much. The Vision is reliable and just about bullet proof. I’d recommend the Vision for anyone for anytime of highway riding but I don’t want everyone to own one. I would hate to one in a million like the Harley owners. I just got back from an 8 day 4,000 mile trip to NM, AZ, UT, CO and back to TX and the Vision runs as smooth and good as it did new. The only thing that is not as tight as it was new is the performance on the front forks. The dampening and rebound is not as good as new and I am looking at getting them custom rebuilt to make them much better than new. I have ridden the Vision 8,000 miles in 15 days and have done 1,438 miles in 24 hours and was still comfortable. If there was a better touring bike made no matter what it cost I would buy it but this is the best money can buy for now. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Northern NJ | Nice write-up and congratulations on reaching the 80K mark.
That's very impressive for the rider as well as the machine.
Good luck on your next 80K! | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Nice. I'm 100 miles short of 30K in just over two years. Haven't done a long trip yet. So far the most is 400 miles in a day. Sepember I take my first real road trip. Heading to Deal's Gap. It's 628 mile one way. Going to ride up in one day. I figure I'll stop every 210 for fuel and food. I've hear there are alot of other nice places to ride up there, but already have this planned. Only bad thing is there is a smart car convention there that weekend. Good thing the Vision is bigger. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 554
2 mi from Jim Beam n KY | Nice review. I really enjoyed it! Fine by me if it had been longer!
Edited by DannyB 2010-08-22 3:46 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 388
Salisbury, NC | Chris, Congrats on the 80,000 mile mark. If only the mono had not kicked my a$$ last year, I would be close to you mileage wise. ET | |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I think you could surpass me considering all the trips you get to take for work. I'm a 25,000 mile a year driver anyways when it came to my cars, the Vision makes a much better substitute and I'm willing to take trips I would never think about in a car. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 52
San Jose, CA | awesome write up! After I got my Vision my riding miles came down (not on purpose just where work takes me etc and other life things). I'm glad to know it will last a long time.
Edited by ROBSMST 2010-08-23 1:52 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | STOCK MUFFLERS I've still got mine from when I upgraded to S1L1. SENT YOU A PM AND EMAIL | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Varyder, nice write up on the 80k's. Just wanted to mention to you that I talked one on one with one of the engineers at the AVR about the rear suspension bushings and bearings. I was concerned about what all you have to take apart to get at the top bushings and bearings and to service. So we walked over to the Vision bike that doesn't have the body panels or bags. He explained to me about the upper pivot and the shock and strut joints. In the end he said there is no need to service the upper pivot and shock and strut mounts. The lower mounts to the swing arm and be checked easily and if you do, you can lube those. He said those might at a set, but if they did it sure wouldn't be much. He said this rear suspension was put on the test sled and that test was for 300,000 miles. When they took it apart there was no wear. Hope this helps on your decision on rear suspension maintenance. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 226
on the edge of Los Angeles | Chris,
You are a personal insurance policy that our bikes will make it to your point and most likely well beyond on the odometer. I hope mine is not worn out by the time I have it payed off.
If it is, Oh well I too will have enjoyed the miles spent in the saddle...
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Thanks, and I don't mind a bit. I'm a real slacker in a lot of things and do not like something I have to work on all the time to keep it running. I've learned that "basic maintenance" goes a long way, but using something also keeps it going as well. I believe the reason folks have the problems that they do with any of their machines is because they sit so much. I'm happy to burn up 100,000 miles in 4 years or less and change oil and tires often, then to let it sit and everytime I go ride something gives out and have to pay to be able to ride once in a while.
I never thought about resale value when I bought the Vision as my plan from day one is to wear it out. I still got quite a few months before it is paid for and don't have a lot of dollars to throw at my bike just for bling, bling. I'm more conservative in a lot of things and though it is enjoyable to look at, I can't find myself having something fancy just to say "Wow". My Vision, as is, makes me say wow enough, even when it is dirty and well worn looking. I certify this bike, new off the shelf, as bullet proof and take KevinX's assessment to heart enough to say I'll drop a few dollars when I got them to put some vroom, vroom in and not be afraid of going another 100,000 miles on the bike. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
MN. | Holy crap, 80,000 miles. You passed me (78,000) and I'm on a '02 TCD! | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 79
Memphis,Tn. | That was an excellent write up. Thanks.
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80,000 mile review