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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| I just traded my '06 KP in for an '11 Vision, and I'm not sure if some of it's character traits are "normal". It seems, for lack of a better word, more "twitchy" on the highway than my Kingpin did. If there's any wind, or I'm in moderate to heavy traffic, and especially any rain grooves, it just seems to bounce around from side to side, from the ground up. They are not huge movements, just enough to feel strange.... my KP never did that. It's almost like constantly running along rain grooves. Is this a normal result of all that body work?
Edited by Turk 2011-08-12 7:52 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
Fort Walton Beach, FL | I have found it to be "normal for that bike"...LOL That said, because that is the official stance that must be stated whenever addressing Polaris products, my thoughts are thus... 1. The front tires width is too small for this bike. 2. The front tire sidewalls are too soft for the weight. 3. Radial MC tires on a motorcycle are not necessarily the cat's meow. Best advice that I can give is trade out the tires as soon as you can... Darkside on the rear is good option with a rear MC bias ply tire on the front... I prefer having more control over the steering and do not mind "feeling" the road as I venture down it. Pretty soon there will be air ride seats for the candy ass riders. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Turk, the vision is "different" in ride, at least in my experience, from any other bike I've ridden. It takes getting accustomed to, some quickly, others, it takes time for the body to ride the bike, and not let it ride you.
Okay, though, seeing what you're saying, get that steering head bearing torque checked ASAP, make the dealer check it and touch it. It may be a little too tight or too lose. |
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Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | The E3 Dunlop tires are a very hard riding tire but they will soften up with some use. Finding the right front and rear tire pressure will make a difference and getting the rear shock pressure set right will also help. Although other than being a bit noisy (front tire) as they wear I think the E3's are acceptable I would at least try a different tire up front when the time comes. I do agree with Cap'n about letting yourself get used to the bike. There will be a time down the road that you relize that you don't think about riding the bike at all, the bike is very responsive to input, don't try to override it and just relax. The Vision is very predictable in windy conditions and the tendency is to want to white knuckle it to hold on to control instead of just finding the correct balance and allowing the bike it head and just maintaining the correct heading. Kind of like a sailboat, if that make sense. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | Wind is a player with all the body that the Vision has, but as the others have said, the Vision is very predictable and soon you won't even notice. That said, the one thing I can never predict with the Vision is it's reaction to 'tar snakes'. At least for me, I can go over one set and the Vision doesn't seem to notice, and the very next one can be like the Vision is on ice. There just doesn't seem to be a constant that I have noticed. 
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | Deleted
Edited by glighto11 2011-08-12 9:48 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 160
Camas Washington | Interesting what you state. I traded my 08 KP for 2011 VV. I live in the Columbia Gorge area where the wind blows strong all the time. My KP would get pushed around both single and 2 up, the Vision cuts through the wind with no issues. As for the ride over all, though I loved my KP there is no comparison to the ride, the VV is by far the superior bike in handling, confort and over all road perfomance. This week I just added the 21" jurlock windshield and it rally cuts out the wind flow / turbulance to the head for both myself and the wife. Ride it some more and you will be very satisifed you traded the KP in. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| I had just replaced my own neck bearings and races in my '06 KP before I traded it, having worn a "notch" in the center after 86,500 miles, so I know what both good and bad bearings feel like. My Vision is perfectly stable on side roads and well paved highways.... UNTIL I get surrounded by traffic... cars, trucks, buses, etc, and any amount of cross or head wind. At that point, it just feels squirrely. Hard to describe. And it doesn't seem like it's from the top down, as my KP would feel in turbulence and wind, it's more from the bottom up. Guess I need to jump on some other Visions and see if it's normal.
Edited by Turk 2011-08-12 11:44 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Its a shame we add air to the front and rear tire 40 psi so we can get a longer life out of the tire. Now with the more air we move around in the wind and from the semis.
I do believe a 140 front tire would be better and as soon as the E3 goes I will look for a 140 |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Turk, I have had similar issues from day one with my Vision, coming from a bike similar to the KP. It is definitely from the bottom up and to me it feels like the front end just moves around the slightest bit, almost as if the front tire is imperceptably bouncing around, causing the front end to go this way or that. Granted they are very, very small moves, hence the "twitchy" feeling. For me it happened beginning about 80 mph. I think it's the huge ass front fairing. And when I put my flip windshield on it helped and now the bike doesn't get twitchy (I like that word!) until about 85, then it arrives and disappears at about 90 or so. As if the little bit of down pressure provided by the flip has helped keep the front tire in it's place.
I now have almost 5,000 miles on my VV and sometimes I notice the twitch and sometimes it's just not there. I just try to ignore it. I've talked to others and have heard it is not unusual with so much fairing. I have even thought of perhaps placing a hidden "spoiler" somewhere to push more wind upwards in hopes the additional down-force will solve the issue.
Edited by MaddMAx2u 2011-08-12 3:03 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| I went for my first day long 10 hour ride yesterday on my 2011 Vision..Having been a Kingpin Tour rider for over 3 years prior, I feel that the Vision is night and day difference on the super-slab and winding 2 lanes in backroad Michigan lakes area.. I did notice some heavy duty turbulence coming from large 18-wheeler trash and dirt hauler type trucks coming at me in the other lane..One almost knocked me over onto the right shoulder of the road..Otherwise the bike is very stable and handles like a dream..I agree that it is a very different ride than the Pin but IMHO, outhandles it in everyway, except tight parking lot manuevers, the Vision..Probably due to heavier bike....I have also felt the "twitchy" front end issue at slower speeds, not so much at higher speeds..As stated above, I think sometimes we fill the tires to much to prevent wear and as they heat up they over-inflate and might cause this feeling...But after all is said and done my Vision is the most stable and comfortable bike on the road I have owned and I have had a boat load over the years.......
Edited by opas ride 2011-08-12 3:50 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | I find differences in the tar snakes from county to county on my Vision. When I leave the parking lot where I live going out on the Vision is a stable event, where the 03 TCD seems to have a snap when I steer to the right leaving. I think most counties here in WI are using different grades of tar snake material. I just do my best to stay off the tar snakes in the corners and otherwise. Last but not least the Vision has never seemed "twitchy" to me, ride into a wind gust and give it it's head and don't panic and you will be alright, it tends to keep itself upright. It will always keep itself upright unless you riding in a tornado. The difference between riding the TCD and the Vision is like "wells fargo stage coach" to a "George Jetson" ride.
Ride hard, ride fast, but above all, ride safe and free....
8-ball/wildman |
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | 2011 Vision with nearly 14,000 miles on her.
No problem with grooved pavement, hydroplaning, or wind turbulence.
"Scream" doesn't get twitchy until I hit 100 MPH and 107 MPH is the fastest I've had her because of the unsettled handling at that speed.
Tar snakes are the bane of motorcycles.
The worst ones are when they go in the same direction as traffic and are 30 or more feet long.
I've encountered some tar snakes that felt just like I was on black ice.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Dear Abby, Dear Abby,
My handlebars shake!
The tarsnakes are vicious, it gives me the quakes.
My Vision seems squirrelly and it makes no sense;
every road that I ride on needs maintenance...
Signed, Control Freak
Control Freak, Control Freak
You have no complaint!
It is what it is, and it ain't what it ain't.
Relax, loosen up and she'll run straight and true,
the bikes not at fault boy, the problem is you!
Signed, Dear Abby
 I love John Prine.
Edited by Tarpits99 2011-08-12 9:46 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
Fort Walton Beach, FL | Tarpits99 - 2011-08-12 9:30 PM
Dear Abby, Dear Abby,
My handlebars shake!
The tarsnakes are vicious, it gives me the quakes.
My Vision seems squirrelly and it makes no sense;
every road that I ride on needs maintenance...
Signed, Control Freak
Control Freak, Control Freak
You have no complaint!
It is what it is, and it ain't what it ain't.
Relax, loosen up and she'll run straight and true,
the bikes not at fault boy, the problem is you!
Signed, Dear Abby
I love John Prine.
What an asinine approach to the differences that riders experience on their individual bikes. I sometimes feel the bike "twitch" for various reasons... doesn't mean that it scares me or that I'm not relaxed... it just means that the Vision handles differently on different occasions. There is no need to cast dispersion on the riders on this forum for their concerns and experiences riding their bikes on their highways and experiencing what they experience. Start your own thread and say what you want... no one is requiring you to participate on this thread with your schoolyard taunt. In plain English so that you don't have to look up the words... DONT BE SUCH AN ASS... |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| I agree with Handy, what a stupid and childish response to some of us that have experienced different sensations while riding the Vision...I have been riding for over 50 years and consider myself a fairly decent rider....My post did not imply anything about fears or issues with the bike...I just stated my personal situations hoping to help any others that may have noticed this minor issue.....C'mon man give it a rest....... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Fargo, ND | Wow, you guys don't have a sense of humor! I don't think he was trying to put anyone down. Although his post wasn't helpful, I certainly didn't take it in the same light as you guys apparently did. Lighten up!  |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| It makes one wonder if the twitch is cause the front neck bearings should have more load on them. Or a tire with more of a tread pattern would sure help beat the tar snakes. The vision has good air flow threw it but side winds catch the bike very easy and moves us with out any problem. Every bike I have ridden or owned has moved when semis come by they do push a lot of air being so boxy. I do think the front end sits to high. Matter of fact if the hole bike was lower we wouldn't move around as much. But then you couldn't do some dirt roads or ride off curbs or do wheelies.
I'm sure were not a lone with these feeling. The Wings the baggers and so on. If we wanted a great ride we would be in our cages leading a boring life.
It would be interesting to have two scales to put the bike on to see how heavy the front is compared to the rear. |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| nohawg....I do have a great sense of humor, the post in my opinion was not putting anyone down..it was just not the time or place for the humor...Most of us that ride know roads vary from state to state and do riding conditions....Yes, it was funny, but still maintain my position that it was in poor taste for the issue being addressed....... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Over the last 3 years, there have been literally hundreds of posts on the issue of Vision handling in wind, truck wash, over tar snakes, etc.
Many people who were new to the Vision (myself included) experienced "problems" only to discover that the easiest way to eliminate the issue is to "loosen up" and let the bike do what it was designed to do.
The Vision is very responsive to rider input (even unintentional input) . At almost 6'5" I am the biggest sail on my bike and when I notice the bike doing odd things on the highway I take one hand off the bars and inevitably the issue goes away because i am no longer hanging on the bars and transferring every movement of my body to the front wheel.
I also know that when I first started riding the Vision the effect of buffeting from airblasts from high profile vehicles caused me to tighten up and try and "control" the bike more which only seems to exacerbate the problem.
So before you start "wishin' for bad luck", try the "relax" idea and see how it works, then go looking for a mechanical problem if you need to.
Sorry some of y'all didn't like my attempt at humor.
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | loved it! Don't let this turn into a Gold Wing forum. Lighten up..... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 40
Kansas | I have also found that when I first started the wonderful relationship with my Mistress, I tended to be a little heavy handed with her. Exspecialy when I was behind a semi. Found that if I would literally relax my hands she would find the line through the airstream she liked and would cut right threw it. When I didn't she felt like she was bobbing, squirming, "twitching" under me. I believe the airedynamics are so good with these motorcycles our inputs are disrupting them. Don't know if a new wheel would help, I'll trust the engineers worked that out before they went into production. I will say that relaxing my grip made all the difference in the world. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Tarpits99 - 2011-08-13 10:11 AM
Over the last 3 years, there have been literally hundreds of posts on the issue of Vision handling in wind, truck wash, over tar snakes, etc.
Many people who were new to the Vision (myself included) experienced "problems" only to discover that the easiest way to eliminate the issue is to "loosen up" and let the bike do what it was designed to do.
The Vision is very responsive to rider input (even unintentional input) . At almost 6'5" I am the biggest sail on my bike and when I notice the bike doing odd things on the highway I take one hand off the bars and inevitably the issue goes away because i am no longer hanging on the bars and transferring every movement of my body to the front wheel.
I also know that when I first started riding the Vision the effect of buffeting from airblasts from high profile vehicles caused me to tighten up and try and "control" the bike more which only seems to exacerbate the problem.
So before you start "wishin' for bad luck", try the "relax" idea and see how it works, then go looking for a mechanical problem if you need to.
Sorry some of y'all didn't like my attempt at humor.
+1
The little batwings below the turn signals being turned in also help with wind issues. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Twitchy got to me this morning so when I got to the garage I look at the bike and yes it sits to high in front.
So out came the tools and down the front end went just short of the handlebars. I then threw my leg over it and head out. Its a good 15 mph wind to day and in the low 70's. Found a couple semi's and motor homes going the other way no twitchy. Was be hind some trucks puling boats no twitchy. Road a really nice ribbon road and the hoped on a hwy. Cruising into the wind doing 75 I came upon a semi he must have been doing a good 70 him self. I mover over one lane and gave it gas. I'm now doing 85 along side him and the wind was strong and the bike barley twitched. Yes it had some movement but not like it use to.
Front end is staying down. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| john frey - 2011-08-13 5:29 PM
Twitchy got to me this morning so when I got to the garage I look at the bike and yes it sits to high in front.
So out came the tools and down the front end went just short of the handlebars. I then threw my leg over it and head out. Its a good 15 mph wind to day and in the low 70's. Found a couple semi's and motor homes going the other way no twitchy. Was be hind some trucks puling boats no twitchy. Road a really nice ribbon road and the hoped on a hwy. Cruising into the wind doing 75 I came upon a semi he must have been doing a good 70 him self. I mover over one lane and gave it gas. I'm now doing 85 along side him and the wind was strong and the bike barley twitched. Yes it had some movement but not like it use to.
Front end is staying down.
How did you drop the front end down?
And I do not put a death grip on the handlebars.... to the contrary, even with hands completely off the handlebars, you can feel the wind turbulence from trucks and cars (going the same direction) pushing the bike around underneath you. I think the feeling is amplified due to the cocoon effect of the body work....insulating the rider from the turbulence. So, while I don't feel the turbulence, the bike does... whereas with my old pin, the turbulence pushed me around more than it did the bike.
Edited by Turk 2011-08-13 5:58 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 492
Indianapolis, IN | Tarpits99 - 2011-08-13 1:11 PM Over the last 3 years, there have been literally hundreds of posts on the issue of Vision handling in wind, truck wash, over tar snakes, etc. Many people who were new to the Vision (myself included) experienced "problems" only to discover that the easiest way to eliminate the issue is to "loosen up" and let the bike do what it was designed to do. The Vision is very responsive to rider input (even unintentional input) . At almost 6'5" I am the biggest sail on my bike and when I notice the bike doing odd things on the highway I take one hand off the bars and inevitably the issue goes away because i am no longer hanging on the bars and transferring every movement of my body to the front wheel. I also know that when I first started riding the Vision the effect of buffeting from airblasts from high profile vehicles caused me to tighten up and try and "control" the bike more which only seems to exacerbate the problem. So before you start "wishin' for bad luck", try the "relax" idea and see how it works, then go looking for a mechanical problem if you need to. Sorry some of y'all didn't like my attempt at humor. +2 When I test rode my first vision it was unsettling because it was a spring day and there was a lot of wind gusting about. A year later I bought flash and the ride home from the dealer was again a little unsettling, mostly because I wasn't used to the shear size, and therefore nervous and strung a little like a banjo string. I don't exactly know when I settled down, but 17 months later I can't understand what made me so nervous or feel like the bike was in control of me. Just the other day I made a comment in the middle of a conversation about this same topic as it applies to bikes in general that I have never been more at ease on a bike than I am on my vision. I told him I don't think I've ever ridden a more stable bike in my life. As a matter of fact when I want to feel at ease going down the interstate with my wife on the back I just lean back against her just a little, set the cruise and lay my right elbow on top of her right leg. The bike just sails down the highway utterly smooth without effort, and this includes passing or being passed by semis. Hang in there guys, soon enough you too will be at ease and one with your two wheeled lady and she will carry you securely down the road. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Tarpits, loved the humor, sorry it offended a few. And thanks for reminding me to lighten up on the grip. You are correct in that every movement we make transfers to the bike whether intended or not. Thanks for a good post. |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | Turk - 2011-08-13 5:53 PM
john frey - 2011-08-13 5:29 PM
I think the feeling is amplified due to the cocoon effect of the body work....insulating the rider from the turbulence. So, while I don't feel the turbulence, the bike does... whereas with my old pin, the turbulence pushed me around more than it did the bike.
I think that's a good point, and I never thought of it. When riding, our bodies act as a sensor to external forces like wind. After riding for a while, we automatically make minute corrections based on that input with very little concious thought or effort.
Eliminate or reduce that sensory input and you lose the ability to make those automatic adjustments.
Interesting insight.
And my vote is that the Dear Abby poem is funny and not meant as a slam, for what it's worth. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
Fort Walton Beach, FL | MaddMAx2u - 2011-08-13 10:54 PM
Tarpits, loved the humor, sorry it offended a few. And thanks for reminding me to lighten up on the grip. You are correct in that every movement we make transfers to the bike whether intended or not. Thanks for a good post.
Tarpit's "humor" was meant as an insult, not constructive in any way whatsoever... the discussion as it were was about the bikes not the persons riding the bikes. He made it personal with his inferences... if you wish to further the personal aspect, buy a Vision Tour bike (which is the bike addressed in this thread) and experience the ride on this model for yourself before showing your ignorance and chiming in on something you have no personal experience with... your bike is NOT a Vision Tour and has very different handling characteristics.
Secondly, the "humor" is projected in such a way as to discourage open discussion among owners and riders of the VISION TOUR bike. It has the implication to shut down the less brave poster lest he be ridiculed further. THERE'S JUST NO NEED FOR IT IN OUR OPEN DISCUSSION... WE CANNOT KEEP YOU FROM POSTING, BUT WE CAN TELL YOU THAT YOUR POST TO "DEAR ABBY" IS NOT WELCOME AND IF YOU HAVE NO BENEFICIAL IDEAS OR COMMENTS... STAY OUT OF IT. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Have to ask if those who are experiencing the twitchy sensation are riding with the tour pack? The design of the curb coming into my driveway is mandated by the county and quite frankly it sucks. Ruins spoilers on low riding cars and scrapes my tailpipes. To compensate I go in and out at a 30 to 45 degree angle. When I'm pulling in at that angle there is always a pretty good shake in the handlebars, but it comes as the rear tire hits the curb. I wonder if in the same way air turbulence around the trunk is being transferred to the front end? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | Handy, I experience what you describe on a regular basis. Similar to you, I came off a KP and noticed this right away. Buying my Vision Tour new, I was disturbed by how easily the Vision was pushed around by wind, how it tracked on uneven pavement and gets caught in tire ruts on the road. Like you, my KP NEVER did this. Not having the time to ride this year like the past few, It felt worse than ever lately. To the point I checked the torque on the steering nut, checked my wheel alignment and made sure the tire pressure was up. I can tell you; you will get used to the feeling. I am sure there is nothing wrong with your bike.
I remember meeting my wife for dinner one night. I met her at the restaurant, she was in her car and I rode the Vision. I asked her to watch me from behind on the way home for movement and she told me the bike wasn't moving at all. I think this movement is only enough for us to feel and not enough to be seen.
When folks ask me how the bike goes feels on the highway, I tell them it is like trying to push a piece of plywood thru the wind.
Edited by ScoreBo 2011-08-14 10:48 AM
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Twitchy Vision ?