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Cruiser
Posts: 111
Prairie Dog Heaven, CO | Hello All,
after taking some 2years off from touring two-up my wife and I are ready for another touring bike. We had two BMW K1200LTs over the last 10 years or so and I've been riding for 35 odd years.
I was intrigued by the Vision the moment I read about it in Cycleworld a few years back. Have been to the dealer today and sat on a black 2010 premium model. heated seats and grips as well as the electric windscreen are a must. So is communication with my wife but the dealer could not tell me much about the available comm system.
I'm sorry if I could possibly have found the answers by searching but several hours of reading have not revealed answers to what I was looking for.
Who makes the commsystem and how hard is it to install? I have J&M components installed in our helmets from the beemer times, will they be compatible?
I read about fairing deflectors? There was a used Arlen Ness model in the parking lot with little plastic spoilers under the mirrors, is that what they are? There are aluminum ones for $260? Not sure these are the same ones people on the board are talking about but they seem to be necessary to make hot temp riding bearable.
Is the rear suspension adjustable to riding with passenger and luggage? We are not heavy people but we like to travel
is there a luggage rack and is there some kind of tank bag for smaller things, wallet etc? I also like to look at maps rather than a GPS (yeah I know I'm old school).
The dealer also could not tell me whether the bike has hydraulic valve lifters so there are no adjustments?
How hard is it to strip the tupperware off to get to the air filter / headlight / install farkles such as power outlets / etc.? Used to do it all the time on my LT, took 1.5 hours the first time and got faster every time after that.
Thanks much for your help!
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Cruiser
Posts: 152
Litchfield Park, AZ | I'll try and give you some answers to your questions. As for the tank bag-good luck but I think you are gonna be out of luck because there is nothing metal to attach it to magnetically. I gave my old one away to a friend. Maybe you can find one that straps down.
The wind deflectors you hear everyone talking about are not the triangular ones located directly below the mirrors, but rather there is an option for "lower" wind deflectors mount below those "triangles". These rectangular set of deflectors work GREAT to both keep rain and cold away from you, or when you turn them in they do a fantastic job of blowing the engine heat away from you. Those deflectors as a set from Victory come with plastic deflectors and the mounting hardware. There is also an aftermarket supplier that sell high quality replacement deflectors when the plastic ones break, BUT you cannot get the mounting hardware assembly from anyone but Victory.
As for pulling off the plastic parts, it depends on how much you want to take apart. If you just want to take off the windshield access panel, center console, seat......you can do those in about 5 minutes. If you want to completely strip the bike down, then you are probably looking at about 3 hours.
Hope this helps. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | You've not been riding for two years....man don't worry about all those questions, get down to the nearest Victory dealer and get yourself a VV. WOW, two years off with out riding, I go stir crazy when my bike is in the shop for two weeks. Good luck on your new ride.  Oh, and they are hydraulic. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 77
Virginia Beach, Virginia | Well, I guess I am probablythe right member to respond to your question. I have a 2002 LT as well as a 2007 GT and a 2008 Vision Tour Premium. I will try to answer your questions in order.
1. I will be honest, I don't know much about the comm system, and from what I have seen it is expensive and comes with a cb radio. I believe you would do better with an Autocom or comparable third party unit, easy to install under the top box and easy to get parts for...sort of. They are supposed to be getting over their takeover woes, so parts should be ramping back up.
2. The air deflectors that everyone talks about are actually called lowers, and work differently from the winglets we are used to on the LT. The lowers are ESSENTIAL for pushing air around your legs to keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The 2 cylinder air cooled design is 3x as hot as the 4 cylinder water cooled LT and in hot weather you definitely feel it. The aluminum lowers are more durable, I believe, but either kind works.
3. The rear suspension has an air adjustable rear shock that can accommodate up to 72 psi, and about 520 pounds of people and cargo. My wife and I max that out and then some, and we have yet to bottom out. I just bought a trailer ton tow behind the bike, so we shall see. I have not seen any mods like the Ohlins I have on my LT, but I think the air shock takes care of it.
4. Yes to the lifters according to my dealer- first adjustment is 15000 miles.
5. Yes to the luggage rack, though it is expensive
6. Don't know of any tank bag, but there is a built in glove box on the left side, so it could hold the map. I am sure there is a bag out there.
7. The seat and the top box come off fairly easily, the rest is more difficult. Access overall is pretty easy as more of the insides are more open than the LT, though the headlight is notoriously hard to change. Hid is already installed and lighting is good, so farkelization of the Victory (btw, they don't use lingo like that on this site. I think that may be BMW specific).
Let me know if there is anything I did not answer. The vision is a great, maybe only, v-twin alternative to the LT, with a much lower center of gravity, a more interesting design and satisfying exhaust note, and just the right amount of vibration and bad-ass intrigue. Good luck on your quest. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 111
Prairie Dog Heaven, CO | No, not two years without riding two years without touring with the wife. I ride my wee strom and my dirt bike all the time. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 111
Prairie Dog Heaven, CO | Birdneckrider - 2010-08-05 8:49 PM
2. The air deflectors that everyone talks about are actually called lowers, and work differently from the winglets we are used to on the LT. The lowers are ESSENTIAL for pushing air around your legs to keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The 2 cylinder air cooled design is 3x as hot as the 4 cylinder water cooled LT and in hot weather you definitely feel it. The aluminum lowers are more durable, I believe, but either kind works.
Sounds like this is mandatory so needs to be ordered. Expensive?
3. The rear suspension has an air adjustable rear shock that can accommodate up to 72 psi, and about 520 pounds of people and cargo. My wife and I max that out and then some, and we have yet to bottom out. I just bought a trailer ton tow behind the bike, so we shall see. I have not seen any mods like the Ohlins I have on my LT, but I think the air shock takes care of it.
Sounds great. What I wanted to hear. I upgraded the shock on my LTs also.
4. Yes to the lifters according to my dealer- first adjustment is 15000 miles.
Adjustment? Thought hydraulics were maint free?
5. Yes to the luggage rack, though it is expensive
OK will ask around about this. Does it mount on to of the top box? Dealer said there wasn't one.
6. Don't know of any tank bag, but there is a built in glove box on the left side, so it could hold the map. I am sure there is a bag out there.
Thanks. can't look at a map that's in a box :-( Had the little Wunderlich bag on my LT. Nice 8.5x11 transparent map pocket.
7. The seat and the top box come off fairly easily, the rest is more difficult. Access overall is pretty easy as more of the insides are more open than the LT, though the headlight is notoriously hard to change. Hid is already installed and lighting is good, so farkelization of the Victory (btw, they don't use lingo like that on this site. I think that may be BMW specific).
Did not look like the 2010 Premium I looked at was HID - need to look closer. They looked like halogens to me...
Let me know if there is anything I did not answer. The vision is a great, maybe only, v-twin alternative to the LT, with a much lower center of gravity, a more interesting design and satisfying exhaust note, and just the right amount of vibration and bad-ass intrigue. Good luck on your quest.
Thanks much so far!
Some additonal questions - range compared to the LT? Which bike does your wife like better?
:-)
Thanks!!!!
Edited by picard 2010-08-05 10:35 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 152
Litchfield Park, AZ | Picard,
Yes, there is a rack that goes onto the top of the Vision Tour pack that is sold by Victory and there a couple aftermarket places making them as well.....I don't know who your dealer is but that guy needs to learn the damn product line. Seems he is not that educated.
As far as I'm concerned, the lower wind deflectors are a must have.....they cost around $230, but some Vic dealers will sell at a discount on the internet.
The Vision PREMIUM comes with an HID light located at the bottom of the headlight grouping. The main light is Halogen and that is what you were seeing but look at the round light at the bottom......it lights up the road like a runway. Best stock lighting I have seen.
Range-I would put the fuel range between 210 miles and 250 miles......so you are looking at 3 to 3.5 hours of ride time from full to empty.....which, even with a bike as comfortable as the Vision, I'm ready for a stretch and a Gatorade after 3 hours.
For me, the "must have" options were the driver's back rest, the lower wind deflectors, an IPOD conversion cable, better pipes,.......and the MOST important on was the "filler plate" to take the tour pack off. I also have the passenger backrest and luggage rack as I never have the tour pack on my bike. Trust me, as good as the bike handles fully loaded with the tour pack on, you would not believe how different it is with it off.
Edited by phoenix9 2010-08-06 1:56 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 77
Virginia Beach, Virginia | Everything that Phoenix said was spot on, especially about the dealer. I would say that he cannot be trusted from what you have stated so far. The wife prefers the look and coolness factor of the vision, though is pissed I did not get abs. Cannot emphasize enough how close the bikes are for daily riding, though the vic is more fun to ride for shorter rides. The center of gravity was a huge selling point for me- I am 5'11 and yet the difference for low mph maneuvering is remarkable. The LT still is better in the mountains, don't let anyone tell you differently, and is a little smoother overall. For the map, try White Horse Press as they seem to have more bags and accessories than anyone. I would imagine a stand alone map pocket with some discreet Velcro spots is your best bet. There would probably be very little airflow over that spot so you should not need anything huge to keep it fastened, even stickem gum would do (some call it "adhesive snot". You have to give the bike a real 50 mile test ride to see what all the fuss is abouT. Once you ride it, it won't leave your brain until you own it! |
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Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | I had a LT for a few years and I never could get used to the low speed handling. Even had front and year Wilbers suspension. The suspension and lighting are much better than the LT, at least my 2005 LT. You can get the CB-Intercomm and it fits in a comp in the trunk, call J&M to see if your headsets can be modified to work with the Vic unit.
You can buy a trunk rack from Victory but I saw a post awhile back where someone fit a Goldwing rack and it fit very well and of it is easier to strap thinks to. I have the VV rack and found a Helen Two Wheels expandable sack works well for us for tennis shoes and the bulky stuff, use her straps also and they are the best. I saw a post where someone had a Kuryakyn gag that seemed stiff enough to work and not rub on the paint. The Vision is a great touring companion for two people. It is a very relaxed ride.
The air filter is a snap to replace, the headlamps are not.
Edited by wroman 2010-08-06 7:20 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 669
Peachtree City, GA | I have had my Vision a little over a year and my wife has had hers for about 6 months now. I personally do not care for the looks of the lowers and did not want them.
I have ridden in temps ranging from 17 to 109 without the lowers and it has been fine. Well, as we found out... My wife can not handle the heat that we are having this summer as well as I have and we ended up putting lowers on her Vision. They do not look as bad as I thought. BUT MAN, I was surprised how functional they are... Do I want some on my I am thinking so... Going to hold off for a while but they are in the plans.
As for the lifters - they are hydraulic. The maintenance on them is the chain tension adjustment check... Maybe one of the wrenches will chime in...
As for other items... I have the Anniversary which can with the CB and Intercom system - they are one in the same. If your J&M headsets have the adapter pig tail... That is all you would need to change out. However the CB system IMO is over priced...
I have also purchased the filler panel and pulled my trunk off - man does it handle better. Now I do still put my trunk on for longer trips. Other wise I am running around with the optional backrest and luggage rack. Another thing I have noticed is how and better the bike handles when riding two up.
Most dealers will let you demo the bike - try it out.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | I got a good deal on my OEM trunk rack from these guys http://www.victoryindianmaine.com/aboutus.htm. Many dealers who advertise on this site offer discounts.
http://www.cycleopsusa.com These guys make aftermarket billet racks that offer different styling and can be color matched to your vision if chrome is not your thing.
While the OEM rack is expensive it now comes with a set of bumpers that you install to reduce the trunk rattle to an acceptable level. The installation is easy, but you have to take the trunk apart (lots of screws , wires etc to remove) a little time consuming; while you're at it, this is the time to install the MOABL (Mother Of All Brake Lights).
www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4824&posts=1&start=1
I view this as one of the essential safety modifications. Some of the guys have enhanced this mod by reducing the length of the red string and adding amber LEDs on either side for turn signals.
The Victory HID lamp is a great system and a vast improvement over the stock low beam. Add a set of Clearwater driving lamps and you are good to go in any conditions.
http://www.Vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4881&pos...
Your first Vision farkles !? 
Tank bags / map bags are not a functional option on the Vision; I've tried to find something that works and given up. Magnetic mounts are out. Strap on bags tend to run afoul of the glove box the gas tank access panel or the radio contols; and because of the huge expanse of relatively flat plastic there are no tie down points that will hold the bag in place firmly without it moving around unacceptably (enough to scrub the paint off pretty quickly).
The only spot where a small bag or map case can mount successfully is over the "triangular" access panel right in front of the seat. But its in the wrong spot to read a map while you're riding. And severely limits the size of the case. It might be a good place for a custom made bag.
Best advice, get a GPS that can be integrated (lots of threads about various models on this site) and keep the maps in the trunk where you can get to them at stops when you need them. You still want to have an idea of where you're going and who trusts GPS (or mapquest for that matter) completely anyway?
If you are going to install the com/cb system it's a good idea to do so when you purchase the bike. The radio and com/cb unit have been through many firmware changes and have to be flashed to work together. Some of the guys with older (2008) equipment have had compatibility issues getting the radio to integrate with the com/cb system properly if the latter is "newer" than the radio. Let that be the dealers problem not yours.
I don't own the lowers and often ride in high temps, but I have long legs, can move around to find a cool spot and always wear my boots with padded tops (Chippewa Rally). The Vision will throw out some heat and shorter legged riders often complain vociferously.
Hope this helps, welcome to the group. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I can't really add much to the mix so far, but I know some BMW riders 1100 and 1200, and as far as the perks and all the Vision stands toe to toe, as far as the ride goes the Vision is head and shoulders above, that's what matters to me. Everyone talks on and on about how to make their bikes more comfortable and not have to stop so often. One says he has to stop because of the heat on his foot since the only place to put your feet is behind the cylinder head. Albeit, the BMW is a finely crafted machine, but it sucks for the rider in my opinion, based off all those comments by those who ride one.
The comm system on the Vision is okay, the headsets could use some improvements.
I won't dispute the dispersion of heat using the lowers, but I honestly don't see the need for them, but if you get them, get the metal type and color match.
I had a dash bag made for the space below the windshield, custom made and a little pricey, but I can't live without it.
In the scheme of things the Vision is not hard to work on, though the headlight is rather difficult. I've got it figured out and my hands are small enough that I can replace the left one, the hardest one, in under an hour. The right one, in about 30 minutes, and that with only removing the air filter.
Edited by varyder 2010-08-06 12:24 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Who makes the commsystem and how hard is it to install? I have J&M components installed in our helmets from the beemer times, will they be compatible? Can't remember who makes them, but I use J&M in my helmets. Just need the lower cord to adapt it. The comm system isn't really particularly difficult to install. Mostly plug and play, but you need to drill a couple of holes to install the comm outlets. See my post on this installation: http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=338&posts=3&mid=3375&highlight=&highlightmode=1&action=search#M3375 I read about fairing deflectors? There was a used Arlen Ness model in the parking lot with little plastic spoilers under the mirrors, is that what they are? There are aluminum ones for $260? As has been said before, the winglets are standard. Lowers are below them. The aftermarket ones are sturdier, but you have to use the mounting hardware that come with the Victory ones (too expensive to manufacture the hardware for the aftermarket dealer) - and Victory doesn't sell the mounts separately. I went for three years before I added the lowers. Nice to have, but not necessary, IMO. Varyder doesn't use them, and he has 70,000 miles on his Vision. Is the rear suspension adjustable to riding with passenger and luggage? Yes. I understand that you will want to use the optional Victory air pump - don't use compressed air, as it has moisture in it. Is there a luggage rack and is there some kind of tank bag for smaller things, wallet etc? As before, Vic makes a rack and there are aftermarket ones. Varyder has had a friend develop a windshield bag for his. Nice, but pricy. Contact him for details. How hard is it to strip the tupperware off to get to the air filter / headlight / install farkles such as power outlets / etc.? Front tupperware I can't tell you about. It is a bugger to change the headlight, though. You can change the headlight and air filter without taking anything off, though. Easy to take stuff off the console to work with power outlets, etc. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 111
Prairie Dog Heaven, CO | Thanks very much folks for all your most helpful replies. I will try and get a test ride of an hour or so tomorrow. Will report back.
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Cruiser
Posts: 111
Prairie Dog Heaven, CO | Lone Ranger - 2010-08-06 11:46 AM
Can't remember who makes them, but I use J&M in my helmets.? Just need the lower cord to adapt it. The comm system isn't really particularly difficult to install. Mostly plug and play, but you need to drill a couple of holes to install the comm outlets. [\QUOTE]
Thanks for this Lone Ranger. Do you happen to have the info on the adapter cables or did the folks at J&M know what was needed? Their web site does not have anything other than speakers on the Vision specific site.
Edited by picard 2010-08-06 11:15 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | They'll know what you need. Call J&M and talk to John Lazzeroni. Great people. |
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ready to pull the trigger but have some questions
