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Tourer
Posts: 320
Savannah, GA -Year round riding!! Yay! | So, I get the call this morning at 10:15 that my bike is finally ready. I make arrangements with hubby to leave work early to come and get me and take me to the dealer that afternoon. We get to the dealer at about 4:00, I go in and pay for the high beam bulb replacement ($137, btw! $5.95 for the bulb, but 2 hours labor removing the front fairing and air filter. Look in the Owner's Manual at the directions for it... :shock: ). They were nice enough to wipe by bike down before returning him to me. I double checked that they did the reflash recall, and warranty work on the clutch, they state they did, and that my bike is good as new...  So, hubby & I go to leave, I flick on the lights really quick, everything lights up. Off we go, hubby pulls out, then me. We get not even a 1/4 mile down the road, and hubby pulls back to talk to me to tell me to pull off. We pull into the next parking lot, and we checks my lights. The left high beam (the one that went out) is aimed straight up in the air. So, back to the dealer we go.... Pull up to the shop door and one of the older techs that my hubby knows from Bike Night, is sitting outside on a smoke break (he didn't work on my bike this time, a newbie did), and he looks at the front of my bike, and calls the newbie to get out there. Apparantly the newbie checked that the bulb worked, but not how it was aimed. Off my bike, and back on the back of hubby's I go.... (I've ridden bee-yatch more since getting this Vision than I have in the prior two years...). It was 4:00, I was told it should be finished by closing time at 6:00. So, hubby and I ride up to the watering hole, and have a cold drink (didn't want to spend 2 hours in the dealer....). We get back there at about 5:30, and see my bike parked out by the service door. I see the Sr. tech and ask him if it was done and if he double checked it for me. He said yes, and rolled his eyes. The Jr. tech comes up, and is complaining about "what a bitch these things are to work on". I think the Vision is over his head... So, then I took the creative way home(hubby took direct route, long day at work...), to see how the bike rode. All I can say about this reflash is "Wow!!!" The throttle response is great, smooth as glass. The clutch shifts smoothly now, after the warranty clutch repair, it even goes into Neutral when warm.... I could love this bike, if only I can get trust back in it, and my dealer....
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Some of the smartest people have made a bunch of mistakes. That's how most of us learn. Hopfully this newbie tech learned something and is on his way to being one of us (thinkers), if not he will be living under a bridge somewhere soon. Oooh to be young and stupid again!!!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 320
Savannah, GA -Year round riding!! Yay! | You're right, CJ. When I saw this kid, and look of "AWW, crap" in his eyes when he realized the simple mistake with aiming, I felt bad for him. I certainly hope he learns to double check every aspect of a job he works on, before sending it out the door as completed. I am sure he was the tech who forgot to check for a primary gasket in stock before starting on my bike. The service writer told me that they are not allowed, by Victory/Polaris, to order parts for a warranty repair, unless the bike is physically in the shop. I don't know if that's BS or not.... We are 3 days ground shipping out from the parts warehouse. I'm just sick of this whole comedy of errors being on my bike. Now, my decision is, "Do I buy the extended warranty or take the risk with out?" I have a good tech in my store that can work on the bike, but getting parts and technical support from Victory on a few Vic's that we have had come through our shop has been a PITA.... But, getting my bike serviced through the dealer has been a PITA, too... Soooo... I guess I gotta decide where I want my spanking....
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Cruiser
Posts: 235
Evergreen, CO | You seem to have a bit of a kinky streak to you Trixie!! Really though, I hope the bulk of your Vision problems are behind you, and you can once again enjoy this great ride without further interruption and frustration!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 354
20 miles west of Chicago. | I've had both saddlebag lids, leaky headlight, and oil pressure sending unit replaced under warranty, each at a different time. In all three cases my dealer ordered the parts first, then called me when they came into the shop to bring the bike in for "while you wait" repair. In the case of the bag lids he did have to take photos of the defect and e-mail them to Victory when ordering the lids, and in the the case of the headlight I took and e-mailed to the dealer a couple of photos of the mineral residue left by the evaporated rainwater on the inside of the headlight lens. You might make your dealer aware of this as using this method for warranty work might save him and his customers down time and grief. I don't know ( and hope to never have to find out..) if this holds true for internal parts like a clutch or shift ratchet where the primary would have to be opened up to inspect and diagnose the problem prior to ordering the a repalcement for the faulty part. |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | Glad it worked out and hope it stays that way. It sure is frustrating even to be on the sidelines and see that as popular as Victory has become, and seemingly dedicated to motorcycles as they have become, that they don't see the importance of supporting their dealers, and have consistent process for their dealers. Some dealers can order parts without the bike on hand, some can't. Some dealers have accessories, some don't. Some have to order XX $'s before they get free shipping, while others have a UPS truck pulling up every day with parts. For the most part, a Victory Dealer is just another customer with a corporate account.
The big dealers, if they do happen to have at least one good tech, are swamped with work. The small dealers probably only have one good tech, he's swamped, they are on the bottom of the food chain for parts, service and support of the mothership.
Not making excuses, just whining out loud. It's been this way since day one. I know a dealer that spent significant $'s to add the floorspace that was required, display, and accessories, all set to go and didn't have his first bikes to sell for nearly a year. That was back in 1999.
I guess the good news is they make a great bike. If you do have issues, and have the patience to get through it, chances are it could easily be the last bike you'll ever need. And, I guess if they did ramp up their dealer support, and do a few of the other things that we "expect" we'd be paying a LOT more for our bikes, so I guess, other than frustration, the ends justify the means.
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Tourer
Posts: 301
Buffalo Grove,Ill | Most people dont get the extended warranties for things, not because they have the ultimate faith in something, but because they dont want to spend,or dont have the coin at the time. Considering the issues you have had , and can afford the warranty id get it. Just my 2 c
Edited by clubford00 2008-10-17 12:57 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 37
SE Florida | Glad things worked out but can't help but comment on how differently we act when the Bike is in the shop from when it is the Car. When it's the Car we treat it as an inconvenience that we work around, but when it's the Bike we act as if the world has come to an end and all fun has left the world. I guess is shows how much more we care about the Bike than the Car. |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | GAgirlTrixie - 2008-10-17 9:33 AM
Now, my decision is, "Do I buy the extended warranty or take the risk with out?"
You need it for resale value. I paid one one about 1 Month ago. I haven't seen any paperwork
yet, except on my VISA. 
Herb
Edited by g1nomad 2008-10-17 1:28 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | Travler - 2008-10-17 12:57 PM
When it's the Car we treat it as an inconvenience that we work around, but when it's the Bike we act as if the world has come to an end.
LOL Speak for yourself. Car or bike, if it has to go to a shop, I make an appointment and stand there until it's finished. If I have to leave it, I ride (or drive) home in/on a loaner.
Having said this, I feel it is also part of the inconsistency I was referring to above. For many, a motorcycle is a recreational vehicle, or more succinctly put, it's NOT their primary mode of transportation. For others like myself, motorcycle is the PRIMARY mode of transportation.
Now combine this that many dealers are of the "recreational vehicle" mindset, and the result is a fundamental support issue.
I apologize, but the thought of "dropping the bike off" for an Oil Change, light bulb, or any other minor work for more than a long lunch hour is not acceptable in my world and never has been.
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Tourer
Posts: 320
Savannah, GA -Year round riding!! Yay! | I did about 150 miles today running errands. It's amazing the difference in the reflash made. Bike only stalled once, and I believe that was operator error....
(Herb, I stopped by HHMS to pick up parts for the shop. Talked to Walt, we talked about you and your Vision. Were your ears burning?)I was complaining about storage space, as I was assured by hubby that all parts I need to pick up would fit on my bike. I had to do some creative repacking of other things I had picked up on errands, and remove shipping and packing materials from the parts, but they fit. (As consolation, I had to pick up a left hand switch for a GL1500 that is in our shop being worked on. Their parts guy ordered a right hand switch for some other kind of bike. At least I know it's not just the Vic dealer that can mess up a parts order...)
Was thinking as I was going down the road (I do my best thinking on the bike...), the warranty is a necessity. It's been little, piddlin' things going out, that would have amounted to big $$$$, so far. All I need is a big thing to go out.....
Now, I think I have the whistle that was mentioned in another thread. I'm going to go check body panel alignment, after th bike cools down. Also, I had a "hummmm" through the speakers, from the mp3 cable, that I never noticed before, even when nothing was playing through the mp3 player (it seemed to go away on FM). Could the mp3 cable have gotten too close to something and be causing interference? I'm hoping that's all it is...
Edited by GAgirlTrixie 2008-10-17 4:31 PM
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Jacksonville Florida | Ga. Girl was that tech. a Victory Certified Technician. That could be a problem. Miles, if you ever need your headlight bulb replaced you will have to take an extended lunch because it is one hell of a job and the Tech usually ends up with a gash in his hand. headlight assymbly should be designed to come out as an entire unit and just change bulbs as necessary. I just rode mine to Plymouth Mn. then over to Spirit Lake for the party. Then Vision Bob and I went to Deadwood, S.D. Bob went on to Palm Springs but I returned to Jacksonville, Florida. Had to ride through part of hurricane Fay but the Vision did not whistle, chirp, squeal or whine, just a steady level 2 rumble. Im a happy Vision Rider. Note, there were more Harley Riders at the Victory trailer in Daytona Thursday than there were at the H.D. trailer. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 41
| Have not purchased my Vision yet. I have narrowed it down to Vision or HD Ultra. I want to go from cruiser to touring bike. Dealer network is a concern to me. I see/hear stories of how HD dealers treat guys so well who are on a trip. They have stuff in stock and really go outta their way to help. The Victory dealer network gives me a bit of concern.
Based on your experience, should I be concerned or am I blowing things out of proportion here?
Thanks.
Randy
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | My 5000 mile trip in August, visted one dealer to change oil. Appointment at 10:30 AM, I was on the road at 11:30 AM.
2000 mile trip in October, riding with friends Road Kings, and Ultra. Shift rod on one of the RKs fell off, I was the service dept on the road.......zip ties and duct tape........priceless when they have to ask.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 247
| haven't had experience on the road wth vision. service on the road from hd has been excellent including a complete tear down in about 1 hour when i lost the main bearing 150 miles from home. unfortunately i lost the main bearing 1500 miles from home on a 50,000 mile engine which was supposed to be a 100,00 mile engine. so youhave ot balance excellent service on the road with your perception of reliability of the bike you are buying. |
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Jacksonville Florida | I carry a spare set of plugs and ignition leads. I also carry a tire repair kit and today I ordered a spare belt which is a high dollar item. $263. Even though H.D. has a bigger dealer base If you are doing cross country or Canada even going to the Panama Canal there will be dealer gaps. I'll put the new belt on at 30,000 and keep the old one for the spare. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 129
Leander,Texas | I recommend the warranty i recently just got my new headlight replaced due to stress fracture that continue to grow and grow till i had a cracked headlight assembly i showed it to them and they said no pproblem and order the part 3 hours labor and a new headlight assembly and i was good. The warranty paid for itself in one fail swoop. Get it i recommend it! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 235
Evergreen, CO | Wife and I did a 5400 mile trip from CO to WA to BS to MT and home this summer. Vision needed NOTHING, but had a real bald rear tire when we arrived back home. ALL motorcycles are improving in their reliability, but as in the car industry, each flavor has a couple of rotten ones. My recommendation is to ride a new one enough to get all the "new bike" bugs that will leave you stranded along the rode worked out, then ride ride ride!!!! I haven't heard of too many folks on here that have had a problem with their Vision that leaves them stranded, mostly "accessory" nuisances. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | akabubba42,
Dealers, some are good, some are bad and some are so-so. Both Victory and HD have the same issues. I recommend that you go with your instinct on finding a dealer. |
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Tourer
Posts: 320
Savannah, GA -Year round riding!! Yay! | Ok, now, I don't want to shock anyone here. But, the local stealer has lost the Victory dealership. (sounds of *Gasp!*, "What?!", "No way!!!" from the peanut gallery.) I, for one, am shocked.... 
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i read "on here" i think that victory actually cancelled a dealership. what i mean is stop supplying the dealership with their product due to a extreme amount of complaints from owners to victory? does anyone remember that? i rmembered reading about that when i first joined up here.. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | is any Victory "dealership" a dealership in the normal sense or just a sponsored jobber by Victory? |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | GAgirlTrixie,
Any odds that a new dealer will show up? When my stealer went Out of Business a new dealer showed up five months later. The new owners are much better then the old owners.
Take care, |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | GAgirlTrixie - 2010-04-13 7:54 AM
Ok, now, I don't want to shock anyone here. But, the local stealer has lost the Victory dealership. (sounds of *Gasp!*, "What?!", "No way!!!" from the peanut gallery.) I, for one, am shocked....
Furry Reel??? Hey, that might be good news? Beasley Kawasaki originally had Victory, then Low Country Customs, now who?? I am playing the Lottery, so maybe me. To make a million in the motorcycle business, you got to spend 2 million I hear. 
It was nice to see you again a few weeks back. We liked your shop. Keep us posted on anything you hear.
Herb (o:
Edited by g1nomad 2010-04-14 4:55 PM
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UPDATE------->" #@%$^ stealer...."
