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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | In the early days of the Vision we talked and talked of how great our bike is, some thing that has not waned in my feelings. Yet we are now given over to taking about ripped seats, filling the tank and car tires.
I was riding in this morning as I do every morning that I possibly can, still as excited as that little boy who remembers the smell of gasoline and leather while riding on my uncle's motorcycle holding on to belt loops. Still as excited as that little boy walking across the parking lot holding his mother's hand as he gets dragged along while trying to get that final glimpse of that guy who just started his bike up. Or just as excited as the car load of kids in the back seat all pressing their faces against the window waving as I ride by.
There is nothing better than the open road, cutting through the wind and looking at the scenery on a windy road or an open plain. Something that can neither be described or explained, only experienced. Like this morning one of my coworkers that works in a different section that knows that I ride, but doesn't know I ride all the time asked me a question. "So when do you start riding for the year?" I told him I ride all year long, it makes every day an adventure. He was just taken back a little that there are folks that don't wait for a warm sunny day to ride a motorcycle, but live the passion all the time.
I guess I'm trying to break the monotony and spawn some stories of passion for riding....
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-03-08 8:06 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 390
| My riding takes me back to that first car with the home installed stereo, windows down rolling through the open roads with my friends. It was an escape from school, work after school and chores at home. My I-Pod is my flux-capacitor for the Vision ,a time machine on the road to a easyer time in life . There are newer tunes to be sure but the older ones bring on euphoria enhanced by the Vision that can not be easly explained to the non-riders. I work from home, so I don't get to commute but the Vision is parked in my shop, ready for spur of the moment rides or bussiness runs when practical. I love this machine and can not fathom a time without it.
Riding ,untill I can not.....,. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 199
Salt Lake City | Passion for riding............How 'bout this.....
I was headed home from Sturgis four years ago, headed thru the mountains on my VTX1800 with four other buddies. We were in a 45 mph zone, running thru twisties about 60 miles from Cody, Wyo.; I attempted to pass a truck and trailer, and had to accelerate pretty hard to get around him. I had no problem getting around at about 60 mph, but ran out of room in the turn. The quick decision was to either try to make the turn and risk hitting the rail(highly likely) and going over the top, or laying the bike down; I laid her down. I tucked my head down, rode it out on my bike, and hit the guardrail with both tires. Did I mention that this was back in my bad-arse days when I didn't wear protective gear, nor a helmet?! The bike got hammered; handlebars were bent, both windshield and lowers shattered, Cobra Fatty highway bar was folded back to the engine, my right rear saddlebag was torn off, and the gas tank was dinged pretty badly. The good news for the bike? No leaks! While my buddies picked it up and assessed the damage, I was lucky enough to have a nurse stop and patch me up. We knew I'd need stitches on a pretty nasty gash on my knee, and there was enough road rash on my right side to keep her busy for a bit. While I was hurting, I was probably more pissed off at my own bravado and stupidity. A highway patrolman showed up, and I told him that I didn't want to be transported back by ambulance; you see, my best buddy and I had hatched a plan.....
He had pulled off the broken crap from my scoot, noticed that the bike was remarkably still in working order, and had even given it a test ride. Now to the PASSION FOR RIDING part:
After strapping my bag back on, I climbed on the bike, fired her up, and rode the 60 miles to Cody, bandages flapping in the wind, and headed to the emergency room. My buddies had a grand time watching the hospital personnel pick rocks out of my wounds(including stitches), and bandage me up. A fun time was had by all! We stayed in Cody that night(painkiller free) and rode home to Salt Lake the next day. There was no way I was gonna let a little crash ruin our trip; not real funny then, but we chuckle about it now!! | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 262
Flowery Branch Ga | I am nearly a year round rider. There is a certain thrill in riding in to work in the middle of the night watching out for the deer and drunks. It is great to walk past the security guards(?) when it's 35 degrees. I can't imagine a better way to spend a hot summer Saturday afternoon than riding around the backroads trying to find those shady spots along the edge of the road. I feel sorry for all those people that I pass on the interstate stuck inside thier cars insulated from all that nature has to offer, even if it's a dead skunk in the middle of the road.
Wayne | |
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Tourer
Posts: 363
Goldsboro, NC | Cap'n Nemo - 2011-03-08 9:04 AM
In the early days of the Vision we talked and talked of how great our bike is, some thing that has not waned in my feelings. Yet we are now given over to taking about ripped seats, filling the tank and car tires.
<<<>>>
I guess I'm trying to break the monotony and spawn some stories of passion for riding....
HEY! My story about the ripped seat was a happy one.  | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | yeah, mine is getting worse, I have to do something with it. My butt is staying wet, even on the dry days. Not sure what is going to happen over the next few days, but when I get good news I'll get it fixed. Right now it's ride, ride, ride.
Everytime I ride up 95 in NC I think about that snow storm night in January, when I almost called you to come and get me, but was still dumb enough to ride on...now that was the ride I think I ripped my seat on...  | |
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Tourer
Posts: 390
| "even if it's a dead skunk in the middle of the road."
"Wayne"
That aroma is intoxicating under the right circumstances...... | |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | wilsondude - 2011-03-08 11:38 AM
Thank you for sharing your story. I know it takes time to type. I like stories that remind me to keep it a little less aggresive.
Herb | |
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Tourer
Posts: 444
Bay of Gigs, WA | So I'm 19. My dad died and left me a little dough, and I go down to the Harley shop and ask this 300 pound dude (with a tattoo for each of 'em) about a hawg. Do I want a Sporty? There's not much legroom there, and those bigger ones over there, I don't know how to figger out the alphabet soup nomenclature you guys use, so which is better-the black one or the brown one and what's this I hear about the bowling ball company that owns you, anyway?
"Boy, you need a lot more educatin' than I got time or inclination to give you today." he snarled. "Fine." I said, "I bet Bob Malley will sell me a Norton up the street." "I bet he will, too." he smirked, and so I left.
On the floor at Bouncin' Bob's, was a black livery 850 Commando Roadster, along with some God-awful metalflake Stingray handlebarred/banana seated things known as Highriders, and a red, white and blue John Player Norton. The racer only had a solo seat, so it wouldn't do. I put a buck down on the black one and asked him if he'd hold it for me for the afternoon. "Yeah. Sure, whatever." came back, and I hopped in my '65 Satellite with the 383 Commando motor (a theme here?) and burned all the way home, got my year old 450 DOHC Honda and zoomed back down to trade her in. Back then you could get your butt whipped on a Jap bike, if you parked in the wrong spot.
When I got back to the dealership, Bob asked me essentially how I wanted it, and he rammed me home something fierce, but despite the hosing, I rode out on my shiny new black Commando and never looked back. Included was a 1973 Guiness Book of Records, which the Dunstall Norton was in, it was as fast as you could go back then. With the exception of a couple two stroke Kawasakis, which didn't count, 'cause, well, they were rice grinders. The 900's weren't out quite yet. Wheeling down to the Harley store, I showed Bubba his commission (he was standing out front, and I didn't actually dismount).
I rode around for a few hours to get the feel of the thing, and then I hot-footed it over to a joint on South Tacoma Way, called "The Cloud Nine" tavern, where the Harleys were lined up like cordwood, and the crowd outside gathered around the Snortin' Norton and questions flew. Some 1%'er bought me a beer and when I went back inside, the beertender never blinked and served up another. I was in. Within a couple hours, this Joan Jett looking chick and I struck up a conversation and would she like to go for a ride? No helmet laws back then and we rode all over the place and back to mine for the night. The next morning I took her home and dropped her off.
It was August 28th, 1974, did I mention I was 19? I swore I would never sell that bike, and it runs today. It's my youth. And that, my friends, was passion.
Now, after that, I badmouthed Harleys for 35 years (What's the difference between a speeding ticket on a Norton vs. a Harley? A police pistol to the back of the head.), and when I felt it was time to go touring for real, my wife said she'd dump my aging butt if I bought an Ultra, so once I sat on the Vision, the legroom hooked me, the Made in USA hooked me, and the exclusive looks hooked me.
So now, when I pull up to the local watering hole, guess what? That's right, the crowd gathers 'round, and it's 1974 all over again, although without the Joan Jett thing. But baby, when I get 10 or 15 miles under the wheels, a shiver of self-actualization runs through me, and like when I'm rolling my ol' Norton, everything's alright with the world, and that, my friends, that's passion too.
Ride on
Cripes. I wrote a novel. Sorry.
Edited by rainryder 2011-03-08 4:52 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | My ride home from the dealer. Handed over the check, finished the paperwork and walked out the front door to take my first ride on the Vision. There was a very light rain coming down so I put on the rain suit stashed some belongings in the trunk and started out for the 70 mile ride home. After a short while my butt was on fire. I learned real fast that the heated seats work, what I didn't know was how to turn it off. Figured that out and got back on the road. Then the real rain came. Before I knew it I could only see a few feet in front of me. I almost ran into the rear end of a cage with the smallest taillights possible. It was a good thing that the edges of the road had painted stripes because literally that was what I had to use to stay on the road. Just before I got home the rain let up and it stopped as I pulled into the driveway. I dismounted grabbed a towel and dried her off. GREAT RIDE!!!
The second best was coming back from the same dealer with my youngest son following me on his first bike. He bought a used Suzuki C50T that the dealer had taken in as a trade. It was the first time we rode together. I should mention that I was the one who had traded the Suzuki in. He decided that he wanted it because it had been mine. VERY SPECIAL!!! | |
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Tourer
Posts: 492
Indianapolis, IN | Great job guys, and I would encourage all others to keep this going! We all have a story to tell let'er rip. And 'Nemo, great thread challenge!!!! I love this! | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 103
Davenport, IA | It's almost been a year to the date when I purchased my 09 Vision Street Premium. I've got to admit, when the Vision first came out, there was no attraction between it and I. So, after riding my Honda VTX 1300R for 5 1/2 years, it was time I needed a new ride. I was wanting something that was smooth, cut through the wind, had all the gadgets & touring essentials, but not wanting a Harley. You see, I have never been a Harley guy, not that they are bad bikes, but I'm one who doesn't follow the crowd and don't need to feel secure riding a bike like all the other gabillion guys ride. I aim to be different and I like it!!! So, one March day a year ago I went to a Victory dealer during my work travels. I really had my heart set on the nw Cross Country, but it didn't fit me like I wanted, but boy, I sure liked that bike. I walked away from that bike only to see a Vision on the other side of the showroom floor. Took one look and told myself...Noooo. But my eye kept going back to the Vision. I told myself...ok, just sit on it. So I did and it felt soooo good! From that point it really grew on me fast! I had to bring by wife back the next weekend for her and I to test ride. Well, it was all over after that. Bought it that weekend and picked it up the next. Since this dealer was 3 hours from the house, I took my trailer to pick it up and haul it back. While driving home on the interstate with the VV behind us on the trailer, cars and SUV's were passing us with their noses pressed to the glass just staring at the bike and many gave us the thumbs up. It was fun just watching their expressions as they passed! From that point on, it has never changed no matter where the bike is. I knew I had a winner, still do! | |
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Tourer
Posts: 554
2 mi from Jim Beam n KY | Well, I don't have the storys ya'll do but I'll share this.
My daughter and son both love tell about "coming home from school and dad had the Harley in mom's dinning room, tearing apart the engine." That was about 1990. The folks in the base housing office would have loved that!!! I sold my last bike in 1991. So its been 20 years since I last rode.
In 2007 I started trying out bikes for size. I'm inseam challenged and nothing seemed to fit and nothing really spoke to me. I was looking at Goldwings and Traxxion to lower the scooter and all that jazz. My bro in law says"Check out Victory. they ahve a new tour bike coming out with a really low seat." So I did some searching and in July of 07 I joined this forum and soaked up everything I could from you all. My dealer got the non riding factory demo for a few days and I "tried it on for size." The wife and I fell in love with the machine. It spoke to us, you might could day. You all were getting the first ones out and I began to foam at the mouth!!! Later, Deb and I rode the demo tour bikes and the deal was sealed.
Finally, after waiting since 2007, on Jan 11, 2011 we bought ours. My dealer went from Ky to nothern PA to get it! The weather finally broke and the snow and ice were gone. I rode it home on Jan 28th. It was a long wait. A very long wait. But it was worth EVERY SECOND of it!!
After 20 years, I'm a little rusty. If these heavy rains and floods ever stop, I'll get some mileage on her and polish off some of that rust. So far only 700 miles. I ride to and from work as often as possible. I work night shift, so I've seen a early morning rides home of 27*. About 50 miles round trip. Guys at work ask me if it isn't too cold to ride. I say "no, it's a Victory Vision!
I got a birthday this weekend. The wife and are planning on taking the Vision out for date night, we're going to see "Red Riding Hood." Where? Thats anyones guess! | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | I shared this on another post recently, but this was really a turning point in justifying riding. There may be other sects of people in this world, but of them all, bikers are truly special to themselves. I grew up with the over protective mom who swore I would kill myself if I ever got on one. I've been riding again for nearly six years and her hair has turned pure white.
But this one incident took my mind from someone who just likes to ride motorcycle to someone who wants to be on the good side of the bike culture. I'm still a lone wolf, but will ride a mile with anyone.
When I first started riding I was riding a Honda 350 as a paratrooper stationed at Fort Bragg. I had pieced the bike together from another 350 that I bought from a guy who had them in a barn. The one that was ridable had a charging problem with the wire constantly coming loose. It would want to sputter and shut down and I would have to pull the cover and tighten the wire. Such was the case when I rolled off of Bragg onto the AA Expressway one evening on the way home. There I was on the shoulder getting out my tools to pull the cover to fix the wire when a Harley pulled up on the freeway and rumbled onto the shoulder behind my bike. The rider was a rather rough looking character, older, long gray hair in a pony tail, and a few scars on his face and tatoos on his arm. Knowing the stero types that exist I was taken back that this guy would even think of stopping to help someone on a little old rice burner. He took off his helmet and limped toward me as we begin to exchange small talk.
He asked me what the problem was and I told him and the next thing I knew he had the tools in his hand fixing the problem in no time. As he worked he shared that he had one of these SOB's a while back that had the same problem. I recall asking him about the scars and limp and wondered if it was from an accident. He told me the scars were from a couple of accidents, but the limp was from a &%$@* kickstart Sportster that he hated. He said it never matter to him what folks rode, as long as they rode we were all the same, needing to look out from one another. That set my baseline of what a real biker is.
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Tourer
Posts: 554
2 mi from Jim Beam n KY | Oh yeah. That bro in law that told me to look at the Victory. We went on a Sunday ride a few weeks ago. About 150 miles. We stoppped at some quaint little hole in the wall place and had lunch. I bought his!! And Nemo's post reminded me. My mom bought me my first bike when I was about 11 yr old. It was a Honda CB110. 50cc on a 90 frame. I rode on a dirt trail about 2 miles long. Mom is 80 and still loves to ride. For her 80th birthday last fall, she wanted motorcycle rides. We had a BIG party for her and my nephew, bro in law and a buddy I work with all took her out for a ride. She loved them all, and especially the hour long ride on the Goldwing! Once the weather warms up, I'll be taking her for a ride on the Vision. And anytime she wants one. When it comes to moms, I have a great one! 
Mom and Eric heading out!
Edited by DannyB 2011-03-09 9:48 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 363
Goldsboro, NC | I am weird. I like it.
I go backpacking.... I use an external frame pack.
I have computers.... they all run Linux.
in High School, everybody played hockey, football, baseball, basketball. I made friends with a rich kid and raced sailboats.
I like to ride my bicycle. It is a recumbent.
My motorcycle is a Victory Vision. | |
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Around one more time....