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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
Tampa, FL | I bought a new Wing in 02, and put over 60K miles on it. But, the seating/foot position started giving me problems. My left shin would start to hurt shortly after starting a ride. I had road pegs and could stretch out a little, but it was only temporary. As soon as I returned my feet to the pegs the pain returned. The Wing is a fantastic bike, but the seating position ruined it for me.
I rode the Vision on a Friday for about 20 minutes, returned on Saturday and rode it for 30-40 minutes, returned to the dealer and took the Vision home. I have never been sorry. My leg has never hurt on Vision, it sits lower, handles far better, and has nicer features (electric windshield, heated grips and seat, etc).
One final thought. On the Vision I feel like I'm riding a motorcycle, which was never the case on the Wing. The Wing is like an RV, comfortable with all the gadgets, but it ain't a lot of fun. The Vision also has great gadgets, but is a ball to ride.
On the other hand, my wife had a lot more room on the Wing and was more comfortable. With the Wing her legs were straight down, on the Vision they are forward quite a bit.
Ride both, and enjoy whichever you choose, they are both fantastic bikes.
Mike |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. |
After reading the threads on this topic,I have to admit that the Vision is by far the most comfortable. The seat/floorboard on the Vision far surpasses the seat/peg on the almighty (right?) GW
and the BMW on the basis of comfort.Having said that,there are certainly other variables with these
bikes,so there will be biases with each group of owners.But,for my money,after riding the GW and BIG BAD HARLEY, I'm taking the Vision.
There currently are not as many dealers,but depending where you live,that may not be an issue.
Reliability wise,it's too early to tell but you can bet the early years of the other bikes, had their share of issues and quite possibly even now.
I will say and many will agree,for being a new model,the Vision is more than a threat to all the other
big tourers. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Madison, AL | I test drove all the "Dressers" HD (rented one more than once), GW, BMW, and the VV. All had their pros and cons but in the end I took home a Victory. I like the HD but the local stealership and constant maintenance was more then I could handle and previous HDs I owned were more for running with the crowd than amazing performance. The HD noise was cool when I was younger but now is just anoying, yep I'm getting old. I couldn't get over the GWs pegs, I mean I wanted a cruiser to relax on and GWs are sweet and have everything but those pegs were something I couldn't get over. I know there are kits but come on. The GW was smooth and powerful and you can get as much aftermarket stuff for it as you can a HD. The BMW was almost the winner, it had all the gadgets, power, and was just about my pick. However, I drove a Vision since they were offering test rides. It still took me around a month to decide on which bike to pick, however, after riding the Vision the other rides were more to confirm my choice to buy a Vision rather than more comparison. They HD was the first scratched, followed by the GW, then the BMW (pegs on the BMW didn't bother me as much GT or LT felt more like a sport touring bike I suppose) . Actually I made two more trips to the BMW place but they kept running up the price when I started adding extras that the Victory was comming with as standard. I love the bike and wouldn't trade it for any other bike ATM, however a SSG Vision with ABS would be something for me to ponder. Everyone has their own riding style and reason for doing so.
I find most HD riders are not long distance riders and like the thrill they get when they hear those loud pipes, and the classic bike styling that is easy to customize with all the after market parts. And with all that chrome you can spend a lot of time just cleaning and polishing. Lots of group events that don't take weeks to complete. Rides are farily short but there is always a party afterwards. After all it is a Harley and it does have quite an alure. (I was one).
Most Gold Wing riders are Hard Core Bikers, maybe not in the image department but they sure do rack up the miles. And they take everything but he Kitchen sink with them, so much so that I am suprised that a trailer hitch isn't standard equipment. And they like their CBs and Radios. Their events are usually ride, ride, and lets go ride some more. I never was a Winger but do have a lot of respect for them and their machines.
BMW riders are like well almost like spotting a rare bird. They are around but not a common sight. At least not around here. They are powerful and well built machines. I almost feel I'm not smart enough or skilled enought to ride one but I was almost ready to give it a go. Dealerships are sparse and expensive. It was a nice ride but the price, dealership distance, seat height, and yep pegs were a deciding factor.
I rode the Vision and I like it's combination of Motorcycle and Touring Machine. I can only afford one bike but feel I'm getting the best of both worlds. I have had it for 4 months and have almost 7K miles (one month it was in the shop getting reparied after I wrecked it), and really haven't gone on any trips yet, I just take the long way home, and for lunch often just go for a ride. The seating is very comfortable, and he floor boards are very nice. The cruise control is excellent, and since this is the first bike I've owned with tunes I'm loving it. The engine is very solid and the maintenance farily easy and inexpensive. My HDs had to go into service every 2,500 miles or so and you could really tell a difference in feel of the machine and lightening of the wallet. My vision has yet to feel the need for service. I have had to tighten the exhaust bolts, add a few washers to the align the bags, and etc. but nothing major. I had one coworker go through three HD engines before they got one that worked right. I ride short trips, long trips, everyday, wash, shine, polish, get the looks, and asked the questions, and have a smooth ride, with all the bells and whistles you could ask for. So, if you don't fit nicely into the HD, GW, or BMW world you can have the best of all and ride a Vision.
Edited by david.terry 2008-10-24 11:21 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | Like everyone else has said, ride them both, a LOT, and I mean run out a tank of gas in one direction, then fill up and head back. That will be around 500 miles in one sitting. Buy the one that suits you the best. You can't go wrong with either one. They are both fantastic machines that are meant to be ridden long distances. The on-road power is very similar between the bikes, although the Goldwing "feels" more powerful than the Vision. In 4th or 5th gear passing situations, the bikes are evenly matched. In a drag-race, the Goldwing is about 3/10ths of a second quicker than a Vision. The Vision has a 6 speed tranny and feels much more relaxed than the Goldwing, at least to me. My Vision consistently gets around 2 or 3 mpg better fuel economy than my buddy's GL1800 when riding side-by-side. The range on a tank of fuel is nearly identical between the two bikes, even though the Goldwing has 6.7 gallons capacity versus 6 gallons on the Vision. The Goldwing has more storage space in the saddlebags than the Vision, while trunk storage will hold two full-face helmets on both. The seat height is 26.5 inches on the Vision versus 29.1 inches on the Goldwing. For a short legged guy like me, that is a major selling point. Those long floorboards on the Vision REALLY make a difference in all day comfort. You can put highway pegs on the Goldwing, but you will look like a woman with her feet in the stirrups on the exam table. Even with the highway pegs on the Wing, you are still stuck with the choice of having your feet behind the cylinders, or having your legs splayed wide around the fairing, no choices in between. Wind and weather protection on either bike is very good. Handling is also very good on either bike, although the Goldwing will touch down before the Vision. You will be running the curves pretty hard before that happens, with either, though. The ride on the Vision feels a little smoother than the Goldwing to me. My buddy, who owns the Goldwing, agrees. The Vision has the soul and character of a V-twin, albeit a very smooth V-twin. I like that. The Goldwing is silky smooth and characterless. My buddy likes that. Common wear items including the battery, tires, and oil filters are exactly the same on both bikes, so getting these items replaced on the road can be done at Honda on either machine, if need be. The aftermarket is currently much better for the Goldwing, but I really think that the Vision will be widely supported soon. As has already been stated, if you do a lot of two-up riding, put a LOT of miles on both bikes with your passenger along. If Mama ain't happy, then nobody's happy.
If you like lots of attention, get the Vision. I'm not one who likes lots of attention, and if fact usually avoid it, but my Vision gets attention from everybody, bikers and non-bikers alike. My buddy's Goldwing is a very nice bike with a few nice additions, but it seems to be invisible to everyone when it is parked next to my Vision. Ironically, he likes lots of attention. It kind of irks him.  Still, he tells everyone who asks that the Vision is a great riding, handling, and running bike. We get asked those questions a lot everywhere we go, mostly by Goldwing riders. I suspect that a lot of the more open-minded Goldwing riders will be moving to a Vision in the future, mostly because of the superior comfort of the Vision.
Ronnie
Edited by rdbudd 2008-10-25 1:34 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 10
| I have to say I did like the Goldwing also but there were 2 major factors that influenced my decision,first the foot controls,forward controls are more comfy,second the fact that the Vision is unique. There is not one day that I ride & stop at gas station or convenience store that I don't get approached about my bike. I ride a lot & have ridden 500 miles in one day with no problem so it is definetly a comfortable bike. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder & I think my Vision is beautiful. Hope that helps.  |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | I have owned only the Vision but I took a gander at the Goldwing. Sat on it and discussed it quite in depth with a guy at work. He is around 15 years older than I and he can't get enough of the Goldwing. Thought he couldn't swing the money for a goldwing, so he bough a Yamaha Stratoliner. Even after taking him over to the Victory dealer and letting him ride the Kingpin. He thought the Victory bikes looked good, but that Stratoliner had something in the hooks for him. I don't think the engine are of the Stratoliner looks as good as the Victory but he did. He still would rather have the Goldwing. Just his mindset I suppose. The are both purty bikes, I just really like the style of the Vision better. Power for both is awesome. Don't plan on racing it so either one is awesomely quick, I doubt my butt could tell the difference. I could care less about having a dealer close. Gives me a reason to go on a road trip if its far. I don't worry about support wherever I'm going because I will probably just haul it back to the person I trust.
good luck and happy motoring! You really have to respond to why your name is Fluffy. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 21
Plano, TX | Gotta chime in here.
I was looking to upgrade to a more year-round bike. It was between GW and Vision (Harley was out! I can't stand the cliche...)
I test rode both, spent 2 weeks looking at each bike and doing a side by side comparison: storage, engine, gas tank, peg position, features, additions, you name it, I compared it. They were pretty much equals; if one outweighed the other in this category, the other gained points in a second category.
My hubby bought the GW but I still wasn't convinced. I waffled, himmed and hawed, did the girl thing and just couldn't decide. It finally boiled down to the look. The GW looks like a woody station wagon; boxy and stiff. The Vision has curves and flow; if the look of the bike from the back doesn't convince you... Ooo-la-la!
My hubby loves his GW; I just happen to be the lucky one with the really good looking bike...
Good Luck with your decision. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Nothing like a good A$$ staring at you, I second the Ooo-la-la. Toast of Dr Pepper to ya! |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 37
Kewaskum, WI | If you are looking for "character", go with the Vision. If you are looking for performance, refinement, and reliability, go with the Goldwing.
If you do choose to go for "character", contact me. I have a Vision that is just dripping with "character" that I would consider parting with.  |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | raynman - it appears that you are in favor for the Goldwing. What's the selling price on the bike with "character"? If you sell, would you be going to get the Goldwing. Just trolling for info. I don't remember what flavor you had or any other info, like where at in the North American continent you would be located. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | Po... Think it might be a lost cause here. Judging by two of Raynman's seven posts I'm thinking he has pretty much decided he no longer enjoys the relationship he has with his Vision..... http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1339&posts=13&highlight=a&highlightmode=1 http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1715&posts=25&highlight=a&highlightmode=1 |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Lotzainoccenttypingfun your right, its a lost cause, but I thought that if he is really, really, really disgusted, I could pick one up on the cheapo! Since my bike is black and his is too, I'd have a replacement for when the other one goes in the shop. No days missed. TADA!@
Then I could have double VIsiON in my garage! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | raynman - 2008-10-28 10:28 AM If you are looking for "character", go with the Vision. If you are looking for performance, refinement, and reliability, go with the Goldwing. If you do choose to go for "character", contact me. I have a Vision that is just dripping with "character" that I would consider parting with. Raynman, on the way out would you write a big long letter to Polaris and tell them why you left. I have seen as others have this is a Polaris issue of build them, build them good, get them out the door and disconnect the phones. I've got a letter still brewing in my brain and one day I'll take the time and write it. But I'm very happy with my motor and hope to put well over 200K on 'er, it is the support that stinks. I'm going for the 5 year warranty and at the end of that I should have a good 100K at that time. With that being said, if Honda had built the Goldwing to sit low like the Vision, have a V-Twin like the Vision to narrow the straddle, had footboards and forward controls like the Vision and had lines like the Vision, I would have gone with the Goldwing also. Mine Airborne knees and hips made the decision for me. Maybe with them moving production back to Japan they'll pay attention to the competition and come out with even a better bike. We'll see.
Edited by varyder 2008-10-28 12:35 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 37
Kewaskum, WI | pollolittle - 2008-10-28 10:29 AM
raynman - it appears that you are in favor for the Goldwing. What's the selling price on the bike with "character"? If you sell, would you be going to get the Goldwing. Just trolling for info. I don't remember what flavor you had or any other info, like where at in the North American continent you would be located.
Given the choice again, I probably would not have purchased a Vision OR a GW this year. In hindsight, maybe I should have waited a year or two until Victory "enhanced" the Vision (notice I didn't use the word "fix", because that implies that Victory admits fault). This would also have enabled me to check out Kawasaki's new Voyager, and see if Honda has anything up their sleeve for a next generation GW. Bottom line, I made the decision to purchase a first year bike and will likely live with it for a while, as I have no intention of taking a huge financial hit simply to dump the Vision. Now if someone made me a reasonable offer, that's a different story....
Also, I want to clarify that the Vision is a nice bike, but not without it's share of "character" flaws. While I do have a gripe with these flaws being present on a $21k bike, the bigger issue is how Victory addresses them. I have the extended 5 year warranty, and all I can do it keep pressing until I get the issues resolved. Until then, I will just continue to ride and bitch.  |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | AAAHHHHHH!!! I have no reasonable offer, I have a ludicrous offer, so I'll defer for a few years before you trade it in. Haven't heard about Kawi's new Voyager, it should be good. How have some of these guys been able to talk right up the food chain. Well, it is almost ice and snow weather up there, so not much riding, but a whole lot of b!tch!ing ahead. So frowny face and all, ride and bitch on. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | The Vision definitely brings out the best, and the worst of people. I'm not a "New" person for me, for the wife yes, me no. In the scheme of things I was probably foolish to buy the Vision and when I did. I won't go into details, but I don't want to imply I regret getting the Vision either. Given all the dyanmics of ME, buying the Vision was one of the smarter things I've done in my life. I focused on the saddle of the ride, and that is what Victory got right. I could not see myself riding anything else, waiting for Vision to "correct" character flaws or hoping things would change for the better for the other manufacturers. As I mentioned before, I've graduated, I no longer look at other bikes in a way that I used to. I'm fasinated by them, enjoy the looks and what people do to them, and I'm ready to compliment them on their ride even if they say nothing of the Vision. But as far as looking at a bike and wishing that one was mine, I do that everytime I walk up to the Vision, and happy I have the key to it. The only other bike I really, really want to own and ride, when I get the money for it, is an old Indian Chief with all the leather tassles and white walls. Like this.... |
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deciding between the Goldwing and the Vision
