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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
El Paso, TX | I bought an 08 Vision Street in Jan of this year (11). I also got a screaming deal, and the majority of the 42 miles it had were put on by me in two separate test rides.
My problems with this bike started right off the bat. To make this short, I'll sum it all up. In the 6 months I've had the bike, it's been in for 5 separate warranty problems.
1) Bad cruise control
2) Radio problems
3) Leaking fork seals
4) Rear brake switch and line bad
5) Oil pressure switch faulty
And while accelerating to get onto the freeway, a spark plug wire just popped off on it's own.
The dealership here has been awesome through all this. While I still believe in and love Victory, my trust and confidence in my frame is gone. I don't feel comfortable going out very far from the shop. I asked for Victory to trade out bikes with me, but they said that this is what the warranty is for.
Show of hands, how many of you would feel comfortable with this situation?
Right now the dealership is trying to get Polaris to help them out with pricing so they could pay mine off and get me a price on a new bike that will keep me about where I am now.
Since I'm not asking them to give me a free bike, and I'm willing to pay, hopefully Polaris will step up and do the right thing. Even the dealership thinks their initial response of "warranty" isn't right since it's a different issue every time.
Any advise? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Lindale, TX | Sounds like an extremely rare Victory lemon. Get another Vision and ride 100k carefree miles. That's what the rest of us do. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | I would have to consider the fact that it has sat for a very long time and developed problems because of it. Don't know where it has been sitting for 4 years but I believe a lot of problems are from a lack of use. If you are going to get a good deal in a newer model that would make sense, go for it. If not, there is only so much that would need to be replaced and then you'd have a new '08, as long as warranty has the higher priced items at least. I don't think you have a frame issue, but I would check out wheel bearings and bushings that may have corroded or shrunk respectively.
Just my spin on this issue, do what you feel will benefit you. |
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Tourer
Posts: 390
| Yes the 08's were a bit twichy and all the issues you have had are not unusual .....for an 08. But if you notice Cap't Nemo rides one and has over 80,00 miles on his. The fork seals and sparkplug wire were probably from sitting so long. Listen to Cap't he is a good source of what can happen. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| david.halen
You don't say where you live and you really didn't say if this a brand new 08.
I have a 08 and love it I don;t think twice about a five day trip or a good afternooner. I do wounder if it was a demo bike or if it was a rental bike.
The radio does not have good reception. Vic tried turning the aluminum panel into a antenna but it never worked right.
The Leakey fork tubs could be from some one tieing the front end down to far on a trailer.
Oil switches and brake switch are not any ones fault there just bad ones now and then.
Spark plug boots coming off is the mechanics fault didn't take his time to do it right.
Cruise control I have read here many times that a wire came off or a switch went bad. I haven't looked for the cruise box yet but most motorcycles are using a box the all chevy and gmc are running.
As for the bike being trustworthy I would think so go for a long ride we all have cell phones and if we need we can call a tow truck and get home. If what you want is a buy out I hope you get it just so you can have peace of mind. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
El Paso, TX | Sorry, I did fail to mention that I bought it new off the dealership floor in El Paso, TX.
When the first couple issue arose, I didn't think much of it (cruise, radio). Then the fork seal started leaking, and I thought it wasn't an issue because it's probably from sitting on the showroom for a few years. Like I said, I put the majority of the miles on it in test rides before I bought it.
It wasn't until the 4th and 5th problem, followed by the plug boot popping off (it was not off the spark plug itself, but the other end behind the "106 V" plate, so I knew it hadn't caught on anything) that I really felt like I got a "Friday afternoon" bike.
When I said I have no confidence in the frame, I was referring to this bike in general, not the actual frame.
I'm hoping I am able to work something out with Polaris and the dealership. I know this is unusual for Victory, and would really like to get onto a bike I have confidence in. This particular bike just isn't it sadly :-( |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | same here, bike in general is good, check your wheel bearings, bushings, and steering bearing. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | I don't see a real problem here. A couple problems are just '08 problems that would have normally been taken care of years ago. And a couple problems have surfaced that were normal things you would find from sitting 4 years. As for the spark plug wire, I am certain you were not the only one kicking the tires and pulling on things over the past 4 years.
I am quite sure you must have gotten a good deal on a new '08, more than enough to compensate for some inconvenience. Put a few miles on it and get the bugs tweaked out. Then ride on, you'll gain the confidence. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 152
Litchfield Park, AZ | Just being honest and blunt here, but I don't see how this is something that Victory should be stepping up to the plate on. It's a leftover bike and while it has had some problems, they have been incredibly random problems. How much did you save over a brand new bike? Why not take a little of that savings and have the dealership go over the bike with a fine tooth comb.....run it through some extreme riding to push the bike and see if there are any other issues that arise.
I have an '08 and I bought it after the warranty expired. I have had some very very minor issues that were easy fixes....just like you. I would have absolutely no issues hopping on your bike and riding 10,000 miles around the country....that's what the bike was built for. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i doubt the dealer will ever help you get a new vision under some type of "deal" with victory.. and here is why i think that... Its not that they dont care, but if they try and get victory to give you a super deal on a newer year model it will look poorly on their ability to FIX the problems as a Dealership. its almost admitting they can't FIX it.. Which in turn could shake Victorys' faith in how that dealership handles customers problems.. just my 2cents... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 803
Perry Hall, MD | Cruise control and rear brake switch were probably one in the same problem (common on 08). Radio - welcome to the world of every other 08 owner. Never going to be a great radio as is, but it the software should have been updated before you drove away which probably would have prevented your issue. Not so sure, but can guess that the oil pressure switch was caused by sitting so long and condensation building up in the crankcase. Would have thought that they would have changed the oil before you went out the door, and maybe they did. Seals most likely from siting, I would have a little concern about the brake calipers and rear shock as well from sitting and +1 on the bearings. I'm thinking that you're not going to get 3 years out of the battery either.
Anyway, it doesn't sound like you have a lemon. Rather it's just going to take a little extra care and patience until it gets use to having someone in the saddle.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 8
El Paso, TX | Thanks everyone for your input. That's why I posted here, to get other peoples point of view. I wasn't sure if being in the middle of the issues gave me blinders or not. If I bought it brand new in 08, these things would have probably been spread out over time vs. happening all at once.
Great suggestion on what to have the shop focus on checking out, thank you.
I do love riding the bike and have got 4000 miles on it between trips to the shop. I ran almost 400 miles on one day trip without so much as a sore cheek! It sits in the garage longing for the highway.
We'll see what Vic comes back with on Tuesday. They did already say they'd extend my warranty an extra year, so with my 3 years I got as part of the deal, I'll get 4 total.
Thanks again everyone!! Keep the rubber side down.
Dave |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Nothing major, that I can see, as stated above, minor inconveniences, all of which have been seen here. Get them to extend the warranty and ride on. Have the dealer sell you some discounted chrome or install some cams to appease the motorcycle Gods.
Trust it ain't nothin' wrong wit it! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 101
Springfield, TN | I've got 43K on my '08... gotta expect some issues with the first edition of anything... I must say I have long forgotten all the minor tweaks from the first few thousand miles. I wouldn't hesitate to get on mine tomorrow and head anywhere. My wife and I rode from TN to Yellowstone and back by ourselves and the last thought I had was that the bike would ever let me down. I was more worried about the snow being gone on Beartooth Pass than anything else. Ride the bugs out and enjoy! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 277
Apopka, FL | They changed the radios in '10 to improve their performance and dependability. I just had a radio swap-out on my '09 under warranty. They just send the defective one back to the radio manufacturer and you get a "re-certified" one installed. One thing you must to do to improve the radios usability is replace the antenna using an aftermarket radio antenna. See my post below... This was an easy and $22 (eBay) fix. Great radio reception now. If you have a great dealership, you will benefit from their helping you with some of the service and/or loaner while they are doing yours. Maybe they will compensate you by checking over the bike, including the bearings. Another thing to watch out for, the passenger floorboards have a pin and snap-ring fastener. The snap-ring falls off routinely and you can loose your floorboards. Drill the pin and place a small cotter pin through instead. Cheap and easy.
http://forums.thevmc.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=108534&posts=1&start=1 |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Tucson , AZ | When you buy a left over model that sits... you are surely going to have some porblems. the ones you are having are really small. If you check around ... even the later models might have a few problems pop up now and again. I would let the warranty take care of it...since you say you have a great dealer working with you.. let them take care of the problem. Ride the bike... if the problems keep occuring, then yes you might have a lemon.
But so far it does not seem like you have major issues. Im sure you paid a great price for the left over bike.
Give it a try first , before moving on. |
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| Bikes decay when not in use, and if they were storing it outside for a year or 2 then many of the issues you mention would make sense. My guess would be that the dealer had it sitting in a crate exposed to the elements, and the rubber parts dried out and failed. TX is good on metal, but bad on rubber and plastic. The dry air there makes those parts dry out and become brittle. I wouldn't doubt you have more issues, and I would have the dealer look over all the seals, rubber, and plastic working parts.
This is not a Victory issue, but really the common decay of materials in a dry arid environment.
I bought an 08 demo bike that was on the floor and test beaten (I thrashed it a few times), and they sold it to me with 2k on it for a song. After 1 year and 13,000 mi. it is doing great and I trust it.
Edited by sgiacci 2011-06-29 8:37 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | My 08 set for 3 years before I bought it.......short of one of the plastic air deflectors deciding to part way with the bike at freeway speeds - no problems so far in 36K miles.
Personally......Id keep working with them.....maybe for piece of mind Id take it to an independent mechanic, pay him a couple hours of his time and have him go over and check everything, that may have prevented (and may further prevent) some of the small stuff like the plug wire popping off.....loose wires and such. If you dont have a trust worthy local guy then maybe approach the dealership with this request.
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Cruiser
Posts: 172
Prescott, Az | My 08 has had several issues but overall I love the bike. 08 Vic radios suck as does the antenna and speakers. I had mine reflashed a few times but it still sucked. Eventually I went to a CB then to an XM radio and the volume problems were mostly fixed because the radio was fed into my helmet. However, I had almost no volume in the helmet for the CB. After three sets of Vic headsets, I wised up and contacted J&M Electronics in Tucson. They sold me a headset for $190 and it is superb. All of that is a lot of $$ I agree but for me the XM radio is as important as the handlebars. I went on a 6200 mile trip and never was without radio.
My fork seals went at about 20K and were covered by Exended Warranty.
Other problems I had that I understand are bugs no longer present in the newer Visions is:
I had the rear pulley squealed so bad that other bikers were complaining. Vic replaced pulley and belt uner the warranty.
I had a fuel leak that I discovered was due to a bunch of gas tanks Vic made where they made the neck of the tank too thin. Merely twisting on the cap caused it to get misshaped and it spilt gas out the overflow. Vic replaced the gas tanks under warranty.
On another post I told about my gas lid failure and it was covered under Ex Warranty.
I also had the plastic portion of the front fender fall off & lock up my steering. Claim denied under Ex Warr as it's "cosmetic". I was furious but it was only $80 and I'm sure the Vic lawyers had a hand in that. Never admit a problem until someone dies and only then if there is a judgement.
If I had to do it all over again I would NOT buy the Victory luggage rack as it is pure junk. Get one from Cycleops. Also I would not buy the Victory Garmin GPS as it's expensive and outdated. I'd install a Garmin but a nice new modern one that could care less where all the Vic Dealers are in the USA. The first time I needed to go to a Vic dealer in another state it had closed three years earlier. If you have a bad back, try the Vision 8 Ball seat. I love it. Also I highly recommend the lower deflectors and when they crack, and they will, replace them with Cyclops metal ones. I have many Kewlmetal parts to enhance the looks. I love Kewlmetal and Big Joe has become a very good friend.
I have had this bike since Jan 09 and despite the problems I've listed I love this machine. I have over 46K on it and plan to have over 100k someday. I'm 67 so it's a race to see who eats the worm first, me or the bike. So I keep it maintained and realize it is a machine and will break down. As for my aging aching knees, back, and a thousand other defective body parts, Vic denied those claims as well.
Edited by Necktie 2011-07-02 10:10 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| I put 40k on my 08 in two years and the minor issues you have experienced are all very common for the 08's. The radio on mine was finally replaced with the 2010 radio, much improved. The brake line was probably routed too close to the floorboad mount, many were and chaffed through, I went thru 3 oil sending units before they got one that didn't send a false oil lite when damp or leak. I had a BOAT-LOAD more issues, but the Visio NEVER left me stranded.
So what I'm saying is quit worrying and go ride. The engine is bullet proof and will get you where you are going and back every time. You may find yourself without tunes, but you'll get home, lol...... Congats on the new bike |
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08 Vision issues...I need advise or suggestions!