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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 10
Las Vegas, NV | Finally had an opportunity to do a demo-ride at the Arlan Ness dealer here in Las Vegas. I was also able to test ride an '06 Gold Wing that was accessorized to the hilt. I took the Vision out first. I am somewhat vertically challenged at 5'6 and found the low seat was a real plus. The handeling at interstate speeds was steady and lane switching was no issue. Found myself easily at speeds exceeding the posted speed limit (90+) and the bike rode as smooth as glass. While the engine seemed a little coarser than the 6cylinder Gold Wing, once under way, it seemed to have no trouble accelerating. I was previously a GW rider (02 GL1800 ABS) and would have said previously that the balance of the GW was great, but after riding the Vision I must say the GW really did feel more like I was riding on top of the bike, and it felt like it was far more top heavy than the low-slung feeling of the Vision. While the GW could outpower the Vision, the Vision was supremely more manuverable.
One question, some of you have mentioned being riders of the Kawasaki Nomad 1600. How do the two bikes compare?
I am probably a year out from becoming a Vision owner, but the site has already been very informative. Ride safe! DW |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Very easy to do 80-90 all day on this bike. Im sure most do one top speed run just to see, but not practical on a daily basis. V twins will always have vibrations at higher rpm but comfort & handling is what this bike is all about. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 150
Las Vegas, Nevada USA baby! | Desertwinds,
I traded my 2007 1600 Nomad that I had for 7 months in for my 2008 Vision.
I rode the 'Mad to Phx last fall, and today just got back from the same trip on my Vision. Way better. WAY BETTER.
A bit brisk Sat at 5:30am when I left 'Vegas so I turned the grip heaters on low. Turned 'em off about Wikieup, and took off my jacket. I can't tell you how much more comfortable it is, being able to move the foot position around. I am short legged, 29 inch inseam, so this bike is much better in my opinion. Windy on the way back today, and although I feel the buffeting, I talked to a Harley rider who acted like it (the wind) was a really bad thing. I didn't think it was tooooo bad. The Vision definetly holds it's own.
I had the trunk on because it was an overnighter, and I had to bring some nice clothes to go to church with my mom. I understand it does better as a plain bagger sans trunk in the wind. Don't get me wrong, I really liked my 'Mad, but this is so much more. Of course so is the price, but hey, I deserve it, and so do you I'll guess! Radio picks up 97.1 the point all the way to Kingman, that's 100 miles! I used my iPod, but if I try to skip a song, it freezes up. I don't know what is up with that. After it charges it works again for a while. It doesn't crash the hard drive, it just confuses the software or something. I have the original version of the old 60gb iPod from '06.
The trip display info is time saving for keeping track of mileage, and mpg, hours on the road, instantaneous mpg, avg. speed, etc. I like being able to adjust the windshield to low in town and in heavy traffic. I find myself doing a lot better in corners and curves than I did on the Nomad too.
When I had the Nomad, I remember getting hit by big ol' grasshoppers in the knuckles a few times, and this won't happen now! When I was going south at about 70mph on Sat, a fly got stuck in the still area for a few seconds in front of my body, and then got sucked out. That was kinda trippy man. He got a short ride with me and my Vision!
I had the Nomad seven months, and that was just enough to appreciate it for what it is. A topknotch bagger in the classic style. I can't imagine putting a fairing and a trunk on it and having it come close to the Vision.
The extra amenities that come with the Vision might be able to be added, navigation, stereo, grip heaters, seat heaters, etc. etc. BUT, you could never make it handle, or look like the Vision, but hey you probably already knew that!
Soooo Desertwind. Let me know when you wann go for a putt. I live right here in a cardboard box under the Desert Inn bridge where it goes over Highland near the Spearmint Rhino off the I-15!
EdRadio
Edited by edradio 2008-03-31 12:05 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 10
Las Vegas, NV | Thanks for the response! Really had been looking hard at the Kaw. Guess I will chew on my knuckles a bit longer until I can procure the Vision. DW |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
Puyallup, Washington | Scott, from experience I can tell you, holding out for a year will be difficult. I first saw the Vision in mid January and started researching it. This site was one of my main and most favorite resources. I decided after a couple of weeks of research maybe next fall I would be ready to buy. But, being the impulse buyer that I am, I have been the proud owner of a Midnight Cherry Tour Premium since February 16th. Unlike most of my impulse buys, however, I haven't regretted this one for a minute. Good luck. Ride safe and hope you soon join the ranks of happy Vision riders. Ed, A cardboard box? Wayne
Edited by Innkeepers 2008-03-31 5:45 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 150
Las Vegas, Nevada USA baby! | Well, I live in the back of the radio station where I have been working/living for nearly 7 years. When I first moved in here most of my shelves, and such were cardboard boxes! I call it the EdCave, my cardboard box, my alley, my shade in the desert, and whatever comes to mind at the time! :-) However, it is a blessing! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Desertwinds - 2008-03-30 9:02 PM
One question, some of you have mentioned being riders of the Kawasaki Nomad 1600. How do the two bikes compare?
I am probably a year out from becoming a Vision owner, but the site has already been very informative. Ride safe! DW
Two years ago my son-inlaw had a Kawi 1600, I rode it twice, nice bike, nice look and sound. I had a Kingpin at the time, my feeling was the KP was better bike........I was more comfortable on the KP, it definately had more power. Last year I got my SSGTP and almost kept my KP instead of trading it in.......you can see the KP in my Gallery, but traded it based on too many toys. If I would have kept the Kingpin, I probably would never ride it!!!! Because of the Vision.......grab one!  |
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First Ride
