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Cruiser
Posts: 50
Virginia Beach, VA | varyder, you were in Prince George, Virginia. My buddy on his XCT and I were up there this past friday from Va Beach having our tires changed. I know what you mean about the details of the Visions. Mine is the same way, I have to keep tweaking things to stop squeaks and to line up panels and stop rubbing, etc... But, the ride is so good that I find it easy to overlook those things. Just put a Lloyds timing gear on it last week, low end is outstanding compared to original gear. The Harley dealer down the street has it going on, too bad these Victory dealers can't do the same. I love the looks of the Harley's but the mechanics of them puts me off. I like being able to change my own oil. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 15
Lovettsville, VA United States | H-D of Frederick= 337.00 for 5k service. They said it was to check and or adjust an awful lot of points on the bike and retorque many more items than I can remember. As the miles are added to the bike ,the service prices go up as well. Could be a safety issue or a wear issue . When asked for specifics I got what seemed like the runaround or the standard canned answers from the service manager. The Vision we now have has not incurred as much in service expenses yet, however we have yet to log a lot of miles because of the mid atlantic weather. We are looking forward to the riding season and are planning many long rides. Only time will tell how long the honeymoon will last with our Vision. P.S. We bought our bike in mid Oct.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 106
Clinton, CT | I can say from cross-shopping the touring HD offerings with everything else on the market, I chose the Vision because it won fair-and-square. That is for me who did multiple HD bikes along with more performance based bikes; I still have and LOVE my Kawasaki Concours so my priorities tend to be more functional.
The new HD line (including the 2014 bikes) are beautiful. The accessories are sublime, the controls just "work" and are perfectly integrated into the bike- nothing seems like an afterthought or like and add-on. The fit of the pieces and panels are great from what I've seen and there is a reason HD is the industry standard. It really pisses me off that companies like Victory can take an arguably superior design in many respects and drop the ball with the details. I understand the laws of diminishing returns but "good enough" is a crappy way of doing business and kills brand loyalty; something HD has LOCKED for most.
Victory (Polaris) loses quite a bit in final fit and finish and is decimated with support and dealers, both in service and the network. For me, it came down to the riding experience with the Vision (went in initially to look at the Cross bikes). I have to say that the individualism of the Vision has become icing on the cake. I love my Vision but I will admit that I wish there was more aftermarket support and that that there were fewer flimsy plastic tabs BUT I these are niggles that I can work with.
If, and that is a big if HD improves the handling and powerplant with their touring bikes (Road Glide) then I may reconsider. The frame redesign a few years ago was a positive step but it was needed changes to a poor design.
With that, HD makes beautiful and classic bikes that I still love and would not slight anyone that opts for them. I just enjoy the ride and performance Victory offers and really like that my Vision stands out in the crowd.
I really wish Victory would step up their game in support and attention to detail. If they would, I would consider replacing my '13 Vision with an improved version in a couple of years but I just see them half-assing it for the foreseeable future when they could hit it out of the park...
/r
Allen |
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Cruiser
Posts: 119
CASTRO VALLEY, CA United States | Allen, I totally agree with you about Victory's fit and finish, but maybe Ma Vic doesn't want to put the money into Vic because that's what Indian is for. Indian is the brand to be known for their fit and finish and attention to details. As comfortable as the Vision is, it doesn't have the power of a sports tourer, and I've been looking into getting a Kawi Concours. How do you like yours? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 77
Bainville, & Mesa, AZ, MT | Allen B, you hit it out of the park. |
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Glendale, AZ United States | Allen_B - 2014-01-28 4:08 PM
I can say from cross-shopping the touring HD offerings with everything else on the market, I chose the Vision because it won fair-and-square. That is for me who did multiple HD bikes along with more performance based bikes; I still have and LOVE my Kawasaki Concours so my priorities tend to be more functional.
The new HD line (including the 2014 bikes) are beautiful. The accessories are sublime, the controls just "work" and are perfectly integrated into the bike- nothing seems like an afterthought or like and add-on. The fit of the pieces and panels are great from what I've seen and there is a reason HD is the industry standard. It really pisses me off that companies like Victory can take an arguably superior design in many respects and drop the ball with the details. I understand the laws of diminishing returns but "good enough" is a crappy way of doing business and kills brand loyalty; something HD has LOCKED for most.
Victory (Polaris) loses quite a bit in final fit and finish and is decimated with support and dealers, both in service and the network. For me, it came down to the riding experience with the Vision (went in initially to look at the Cross bikes). I have to say that the individualism of the Vision has become icing on the cake. I love my Vision but I will admit that I wish there was more aftermarket support and that that there were fewer flimsy plastic tabs BUT I these are niggles that I can work with.
If, and that is a big if HD improves the handling and powerplant with their touring bikes (Road Glide) then I may reconsider. The frame redesign a few years ago was a positive step but it was needed changes to a poor design.
With that, HD makes beautiful and classic bikes that I still love and would not slight anyone that opts for them. I just enjoy the ride and performance Victory offers and really like that my Vision stands out in the crowd.
I really wish Victory would step up their game in support and attention to detail. If they would, I would consider replacing my '13 Vision with an improved version in a couple of years but I just see them half-assing it for the foreseeable future when they could hit it out of the park...
/r
Allen
I agree with you. A few friends and I just did the Phoenix International Motorcycle show this past weekend. You could seriously get lost in the big blue sea stadium parking lot full of HD street glides with the majority of them being in vivid black of course and I'm not even talking about what it's like here during Arizona bike week. Needless to say I didn't have a problem finding my bike in that ocean. To each his own, but I will most likely not purchase another Vision due to Victory not picking it up across the board with fit/finish for starters in my opinion. Since the Vision would be the only bike I would own in the Victory lineup that only leaves one thing and that's to go elsewhere with my next purchase down the road. Brand loyalty is a biaach. Its like going to the same and only restaurant for years only to figure out they had better food and at a cheaper price down the road, but you were too pig-headed to check it out. Since I don't ride the "BRAND" for fear of pigeon holding myself I will be looking elsewhere. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 106
Clinton, CT | YENRABSRIDE - 2014-01-29 4:02 AM
Allen, I totally agree with you about Victory's fit and finish, but maybe Ma Vic doesn't want to put the money into Vic because that's what Indian is for. Indian is the brand to be known for their fit and finish and attention to details. As comfortable as the Vision is, it doesn't have the power of a sports tourer, and I've been looking into getting a Kawi Concours. How do you like yours?
That speaks to my point- making a product "good enough" is BS at these price points. They may want to take Indian to a new level (and price point) compared to Victory but that is speculation. They are two distinctly different markets and when (not if) they half-ass Indian with quality and poor dealer support both will suffer forget succeed.
As for the Concours, mine is a 2009- the only year for the Candy Diamond red and the last year before the refresh. I absolutly love it! Comfortable, descent range and runs like a banshee!
The mild redesign in 2010 did bring some improvements (especially heat management) but I am not a fan of the current styling. Add to that the minor heat issues on the 08-09 bikes are very easliy remidied and they have a very useful storage compartment on top of the tank. The newer ones shifted that to the side and added heated grips- the storage compartment is smaller and pretty useless and I added my own heated grips!
If I was forced to choose between the Concours and the Vision, it would be a very tough choice- both do what they do VERY well, they just do them differently. The Vision handles well and is a large comfortable tourer. We went with it as the best performing touring bike with all the bells and whistles for 2-up riding and I love the fact that I can pull the trunk, slick it down and make for a very comfortable bar-hopper or day rider.
The Concours is a functional ROCKET with exceptional storage in the removable side bags, a great riding position and makes for a formitable canyon carver and an interstate assault vehicle! It is not the choice for touring (no radio, no installed trunk, more upright euro-style riding position) 2-up specifically for my wife. If I am riding alone and with no other bikes, I love the Concours especially on the back roads. For commuting, it can get you in trouble- my commute is about 30 miles a day and mainly interstate. The problem with the Concours is it is quite content effortly cruising in triple digits if you are not careful! 
/r
Allen
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Cruiser
Posts: 119
CASTRO VALLEY, CA United States | ALLEN B - Supernice! Me like! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | That Vision is gorgeous! Victory will prosper and Indian will prosper and so will their respective riders  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 106
Clinton, CT | I need some new pics with the D&D exhaust- subtle change with the reverse slash but changes the girl's tail-end for the better!
Thanks again!
/r
Allen |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | While I like all bikes basically, the vision doesn't seem toyious as others do. I love the clean smooth lines and have been complemented many times of the same. Some have tougher it was a custom. My point of the post is pointing out that many are engrained with what a motorcycle is supposed to look like and then the subtle details matter. And if you're blinded by details, function loses meaning. Add details and function, then people will notice. The Vision has it in styling, comfort, function, and ride, but lacks in detail and tradition. Even lacking the details, I can't see me riding anything else but a Vision or another Victory. |
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Looking at the new Harleys.
