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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Ok guys someone has had to have had a chance to shake down their new 2011 by now. My dealer ased me what it was going to take to get me off a Harley again and asked me which Vic I'd be looking to go to. OBVIOUSLY after owning a Vision that question becomes a no brainer.
I rode a couple 2010's this summer at the Roar On the Shore Victory demo ride ( I was playing lead and tail for the Demo's). Noticed the 2010 I was riding didn't hit the rev limiter like my 08 did, I'm assuming that was raised. Otherwise I didn't notice any real updates or improvements.
So besides the new motor improvements which extends oil change interval, the loss of the saddlebag dampers and the usual Victory site listings, what can you guys tell us about th 2011???
Has the shifting noise been reduced? Radio reception improved? What about the pesky belt noise issue? Still need to be just right on tension?
Contrary to what some thought, I didn't hate my Vision, just the opposite, loved it. Sure I had every issue in the book and a few extra's nobody else had but it was still a great bike. So what are your thoughts, improved since 08, or just cosmetics??????
Thanks in advance......... T |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Still delighted with my '08 Teach !
Might consider a '11 if Victory kicked a couple of gees back to me as compensation .... |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | luckly my 08 doesnt have that belt noise! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Hahaha, I know you die hards are still lovin the 08's, but since I parted with mine I'll be needing to pick up something a little newer, lol... Glad to see you guys still posting here. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Here are some threads on the 2011's
http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=7180
and mine
http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=7322
Ride Safe |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I still pity the guy who picked up Teach's '08 Vision and thinks that's what they are really like. Ugh.... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
Tifton, GA | I test rode a 2010 Vision 4 days before I bought my 2011 Vision. The transmission noise is a great deal less on the 2011 and shifting is better too. My radio does OK better than my Harley did with a hidden antenna, but not as good as it did with the regular antenna. The power of the 106 engine is great. To get close to the Vision I would have had to buy a 2011 Road Glide Ultra and spend at least $2,000 on changes probably much more. |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | I would like to know if the 2nd gear is still too tall on the 2011.
I still love the looks of our 2008 Super Steel Gray, but that whould
be a trade in temptation.
Herb |
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Tourer
Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | Don't think they quite fixed that tar snake problem...  |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Comet, getting rid of my 08 took care of that tar snake issue, lol... Seriously I believe something was going or gone that was causing the issue given it didn't have that problem the first year of ownership. Wouldn't really be a surprize with all the other crap that broke in the two years. The 2010's I rode had no issue with the tar snakes, so my guess is probably pretty good.
Liandra, so the radio reception issue still hasn't been addressed. You'd think that Victory would have taken a lesson from Honda and Harley with regards to hidden antenna's, they don't work.... Rode a 2011 RGlide Ultra as soon as they hit the dealer floor. Can't imagine needing to do more than add some hwy pegs, clearview ws, and of course the adjustable passenger board arms to keep the Mrs happy. Still puts one way under the msrp of the Vision with those mods to the HD and I run a tall ws on the Vision so I'd still be adding a few bucks there as well... With the HD of course you wouldn't have the pwr ws, heated seats/grips, so to add those would run you $900 but the RG is a very fine machine without them. I guess what I'm getting at is I couldn't care less what a HD does or doesn't do, I've owned plenty and know. What I'm really interested in is the improvements or lack there of to the new Vision. But thanks as you have filled in a couple blanks. |
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Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | I was able to test ride a new 2011 Vision Tour Premium this week. I currently have a 2008 Vision Tour Premium and I have 57,600 miles on it. I love this bike!! I was not able to ride the bike long enough to check out everything like the stereo but I was able to test the most important things. Transmission: The new redone transmission is awesome. All the gears are now as quite as 5th gear was on the 2008. Everything shifts smoothly and drive slash is greatly reduced. I really like this aspect as it improves slow speed maneuvering as you have almost no jerking when getting on and off of the throttle. The neutral finder is the best I have ever experienced on a motorcycle. It is much better than even the long time praised and patented system used by Kawasaki. When you are stopped and shift up you will get neutral every time but you will never get neutral when moving and shifting up or down. ABS Brakes: I really like the ABS brakes and I agree with some others that the ABS brakes on the 2011 are better than the ones on the 2010. I have also been told by Victory factory people that they made some improvements on the ABS brakes for 2011. I did some real hard braking and the brakes stopped the bike quickly and with confidence. Fit and finish is much better than the 2008 especially with the saddle bag doors. I also like the improved seat that was changed in 2010. I also like that they replaced the brushed aluminum pieces with painted ones. There are some things they changed that I do not like. I don’t like the new handlebars as well as the original ones. The new round bars will allow you to mount round mounting brackets easier but they don’t look as nice and since they are smaller the wiring that runs alongside the bars is much more noticeable. I also don’t like that they went to black painted parts around the handlebars switched instead of the chrome parts. I think it look funky with the black painted parts and then the chrome switches for the cruise control, stereo and optional CB and intercom. I also do not like that fact they got rid of the shock struts on the side bag doors. I think I will wait to see if they do the 116ci engine on the 2012 models as well as other changes. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Spock, thanks thats the type of info I was looking for, good shakedown. My understanding is the round bars are an option? I never liked the saddlebag struts, so those I wouldn't miss. Thanks again...... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 95
Alberta, Canada | Also one difference that wasn't mentioned is the "Brushed aluminum" is replced with plastic!!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | Teach - 2010-12-12 9:56 AM Spock, thanks thats the type of info I was looking for, good shakedown. My understanding is the round bars are an option? I never liked the saddlebag struts, so those I wouldn't miss. Thanks again...... You are most welcome Teach. It is my understanding that the only handlebars that ship on the new Visions are the round ones. I don't see where there is an option to order one with the older style bars. Another interesting thing to note is by law all motorcycles of a certain CC and weight will have to have ABS brakes as standard equipment by 2015 I'm told. That is why Victory, HD, Honda, BMW and others are starting to make them standard equipment now on certain models. |
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Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | Plumley - 2010-12-12 10:33 AM Also one difference that wasn't mentioned is the "Brushed aluminum" is replced with plastic!!! I think those pieces are still aluminum but are just painted instead of being brushed. I'll check to make sure in the next couple of days. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 284
mansfield, MA United States | They are Aluminum. I drilled out my dash for my GPS. I thought it was plastic but it is Aluminum. |
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2011 shakedown
