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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| I sold my '10 to a friend of mine and picked up an '11 Saturday. I put 250 break-in miles on it and came away with the following initial impressions:
1. The '11 is much quieter than the '10. It is very noticeable and a major improvement. 5th gear and the other gears all sound the same now.
2. Shifting is notchier (if that's a word) on the '11 than it was on the '10. Hopefully it will smooth out as the trans breaks in. It takes more effort to shift from one gear to the other. Neutral is easy to find but I never had a problem with the '10.
3. The new bike has quite a bit less backlash in the drive train.
4. The digital gear indicator has been discussed in other threads. The display is now calculated using the engine rpm and road speed. Because of that whenever you pull the clutch in the indicator goes to a ---- display like when rolling up to a stop light.
5. One big disappointment for me is the suspension. It is quite a bit firmer on the new bike. I'm hoping the front will soften up as it breaks in since its real sticky right now. I checked to make sure the lower fork tubes weren't bound up so I can only imagine there's something binding inside which will eventually bed in. I also checked the parts fiche and all of the '10 part numbers are the same as the '11 so the new one eventually should be as plush as the '10.
Not so for the rear. The rear shock is quite a bit firmer than the '10 with the same air pressure and makes for a bumpy ride. You can really feel it just by pushing the back up and down. I checked the parts fiche and they changed the shock part# for '11 and also superseded the '08-'10 part# to the new one. It feels like they went to a stronger spring or gave it more preload. The seat height is slightly higher as well. In any case, the ride has deteriorated in my opinion. I'll get with the dealer this week and see if we can find out what exactly was changed.
6. I have the new silver and black design and it really looks good. I did order a black instrument bezel to replace the cheesy faux chrome one, though.
Otherwise the '11 and the '10 seem pretty much the same.
Marc |
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Cruiser
Posts: 284
mansfield, MA United States | Marc thank you for the observation. I too ordered the silver and I'm just waiting on some mod's to be done before picking it up. I find it interesting that the rear shock was changed. I had a problem with my 08VV. I'm happy they stiffened it up. I was told the seat was lower on the 2011's the same as the 8 balls. They also put a stiffer seat on. Is that true? I'm hoping they have my bike ready this week. |
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | I am awaiting the "build" of the same color as yours.
Maybe 2 weeks more until delivery.
I see that you state you have added "A Pair of REAL Mirrors!"
Why? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 284
mansfield, MA United States | I love the line in the movie the gum ball rally! "What is behind us dose not matter"!!! I'm doing the big bore 116 ,CAM's ..... ill need a pair of Mirrors because that's the only way ill see a Harley!
Edited by Fastfred 2010-10-18 9:50 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Fastfred - 2010-10-18 6:36 AM
Marc thank you for the observation. I too ordered the silver and I'm just waiting on some mod's to be done before picking it up. I find it interesting that the rear shock was changed. I had a problem with my 08VV. I'm happy they stiffened it up. I was told the seat was lower on the 2011's the same as the 8 balls. They also put a stiffer seat on. Is that true? I'm hoping they have my bike ready this week.
I just took a tape measure to the seats and they seem exactly the same. The foam might be a little harder but that could be just because its new. The overall seat height is slightly higher but that's coming from the rear suspension since the bike also lays over on its side stand further than the '10 does.
Where you really feel the stiffer suspension is on our infamous LA freeways. The "hop" is noticeably worse. I missed the plush ride which originally attracted me to the Vision from a Harley in the first place. I may be in the market for a wrecking yard shock at some point 
Marc |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| bigfoot - 2010-10-18 6:38 AM
I see that you state you have added "A Pair of REAL Mirrors!"
Why?
Because the position of the stock mirrors gives you a great view of your hand but not much of the State Trooper closing in on your butt. Seriously, with regular mirrors I can see everything to the sides and behind me. The rear view is really limited with the stockers which I wasn't comfortable with.
Marc |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
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Tourer
Posts: 363
Goldsboro, NC | marcparnes - 2010-10-18 10:58 AM
bigfoot - 2010-10-18 6:38 AM
I see that you state you have added "A Pair of REAL Mirrors!"
Why?
Because the position of the stock mirrors gives you a great view of your hand but not much of the State Trooper closing in on your butt. Seriously, with regular mirrors I can see everything to the sides and behind me. The rear view is really limited with the stockers which I wasn't comfortable with.
Marc
You've GOT to replace the black plastic fillers for the mirror holes with clear plastic, then run a little LED light in there and mount a bobble head hula girl or something. That volume should not be wasted on brickety-blocks. |
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Tourer
Posts: 523
seattle, wa | trailbarge - 2010-10-18 9:08 AM
marcparnes - 2010-10-18 10:58 AM
bigfoot - 2010-10-18 6:38 AM
I see that you state you have added "A Pair of REAL Mirrors!"
Why?
Because the position of the stock mirrors gives you a great view of your hand but not much of the State Trooper closing in on your butt. Seriously, with regular mirrors I can see everything to the sides and behind me. The rear view is really limited with the stockers which I wasn't comfortable with.
Marc
You've GOT to replace the black plastic fillers for the mirror holes with clear plastic, then run a little LED light in there and mount a bobble head hula girl or something. That volume should not be wasted on brickety-blocks.
Goldfish bowls?
I like the bobblehead idea.
Speakers,storage, could even mount some gauges there. There's alot of things you could do with that available space. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Cut the old enclosures off - and fill in the hole. Then it would look more Harley-ish.... or '82 Goldwing. kewl ! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Marc, nice update on the '11. On the front suspension, Victory maybe adding a higher viscosity oil to the forks now. It would be interesting to see what the service interval is now on the fork oil change. I like your mirror change, is that a cover over the old mirrors? I think it would be really cool to have a rear view camera and two video screens where the old mirrors are. Enjoy the new ride. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| VisionTex - 2010-10-18 9:22 AM
Marc, nice update on the '11. On the front suspension, Victory maybe adding a higher viscosity oil to the forks now. It would be interesting to see what the service interval is now on the fork oil change. I like your mirror change, is that a cover over the old mirrors? I think it would be really cool to have a rear view camera and two video screens where the old mirrors are. Enjoy the new ride.
Thank you! Its not symptomatic of heavy oil. It sticks and isn't smooth throughout the stroke. Feels like something is binding. Yes, I had the mirrors covered at the local upholstery shop. I just got back from bringing the '11 mirrors up there. He did a really good job matching the color and finish of the adjoining plastic parts.
Marc |
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'10 vs '11. First 300 miles.