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Cruiser
Posts: 69
AZ | Remember, you asked....
- At 7,300 miles my foot brake went to the floorboards for the 3rd time (have appt to really troubleshoot it this time and not just "bleed" the line).
- On my second battery in under 3 years of ownership.
- Changing a light bulb is 90 "plus minutes of front end disassembly/reassembly with new scratches added no matter how careful I am.
- For a premium bike it has a very weak speaker system.
- Having to add a performance cam from Lloyds so as the engine doesn't "choke out" above 3500 rpm and it is "quicker" under partial-throttle acceleration.
- Having access to two dealers but always traveling to the one 90 minutes away (instead of the closer one) because the distant dealer has the better service department.
Should have taken my wife on the test ride...she misses the Goldwing I owned for 6 years and reminds me of it almost every ride
Every rider is different in what they want/expect from their bike. My Vision is a nice bike in many other areas/aspects, but I won't be buying another one. YMMV
regards,
PS. Sorry for the separate thread...I selected the wrong function. Moderator please move to the proper thread.
Edited by RCS 2012-12-03 10:18 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | I haven't had any of those problems. Still have the original battery in mine, original light bulbs at 38k miles so that is coming soon. Up did upgrade the sound, but I'm hard of hearing to begin with and refuse hearing aids for now. I added a top air filter and didn't quit though cause horsepower is and addiction and I feed it! There is no better bike with the relatively inexpensive modifications I have done like cams. I love my vision |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Wichita, KS | Ditto everything baadawg said. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | If you think you made a mistake in the beginning - you will invent/find reasons that you will use to do something else. Human nature.
I agree with baadawg and Bodacious - I have NOT had the problems RCS talks of. I did replace speakers and add cams - because they made a great bike - better.
It's all in the 'attitude' - RCS really wants another Wing. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | -If I lose any sort of braking at 7k miles, they'll be doing a LOT more than just bleeding the brakes. If you don't introduce air into the system, you shouldn't have to bleed the brakes so obviously something else was wrong.
-Sometimes, it's the fault of the battery, not the bike.
-You can change the headlights in 20 minutes without removing the entire front end of the bike. I've seen multiple threads regarding this. Do a search.
-Speaker system is fine. Nothing that can't be improved but still fine compared to similar bikes from other makers.
-You don't have to add anything (including cams) to make the bike a good performer. It's a 900# touring bike. Don't expect it to run like a ZX10. The cost of the Lloydz treatment (cams, filters, ECM, processor, etc) is less than $2k. Try putting that money in a Harley and the Vic will still run away from it. Same with the Gold Wing, etc.
-I feel your pain on the dealer thing. My local dealer is 5 minutes away and at this point, I won't go back to them unless it's an emergency and I have no other choice. There are a 1/2 dozen other dealers within a 2 hour ride. I'm starting to scope them out for future service. Dealer network is one of Victorys weaker points.
-Get a new wife. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 69
AZ | WOW, everything from a comment on my perceived "attitude" to "get a new wife"...yep, I can feel the love coming thru 
- Having owned a BMW 1150RT, BMW 1200LT, Honda GL1800, HD 88 Road King, 96 Electric Glide, and now a 103 Road Glide Ultra over the years I'm well aware of how a heavy touring bike can perform. I'm more interested in handling coupled with partial-throttle "quickness" (under 4k) for street riding vs "top end" or 1/4 mile performance. The Vision (stock) outshines the 88 RK and 96 EG, but falls behind the others listed above in my riding experience/style.
- My large arthritic hands will never accomplish a 20 minute bulb change...I know, I tried.
- The only "mistake" I made was thinking the "grass was greener" in every bike/riding category that the Vision could offer. Again, just my riding experience/style.
- New wife is not a option.
Now I'll go back to keeping my opinions to myself no matter why or who asks for input.
Good riding everyone and I'll still wave to you all on the road.
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Cruiser
Posts: 65
| Wow, 3 years 7300 miles! Your bike must be in the shop a lot. I am close to 8000 on my Vision in 3 1/2 months but I don't have any of those problems. Actually I have no problems at all. I am used to a little more speed (not quite the same as the Hyabusa, B-King and K1200S I had) but have gotten used to letting the torque do the work. It runs like a top and at this juncture I am happy with the stock pipes, cams and fuel management. I used to spend thousands to get a Harley to run this good. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | RCS - 2012-12-03 5:15 PM
WOW, everything from a comment on my perceived "attitude" to "get a new wife"...yep, I can feel the love coming thru
- Having owned a BMW 1150RT, BMW 1200LT, Honda GL1800, HD 88 Road King, 96 Electric Glide, and now a 103 Road Glide Ultra over the years I'm well aware of how a heavy touring bike can perform. I'm more interested in handling coupled with partial-throttle "quickness" (under 4k) for street riding vs "top end" or 1/4 mile performance. The Vision (stock) outshines the 88 RK and 96 EG, but falls behind the others listed above in my riding experience/style.
- My large arthritic hands will never accomplish a 20 minute bulb change...I know, I tried.
- The only "mistake" I made was thinking the "grass was greener" in every bike/riding category that the Vision could offer. Again, just my riding experience/style.
- New wife is not a option.
Now I'll go back to keeping my opinions to myself no matter why or who asks for input.
Good riding everyone and I'll still wave to you all on the road.
I like opinions and you can find a kid with small hands to change out the bulb(s) while you sip a beer and provide instruction.
So RCS... pick yerself off of the ground and quit feeling sorry for yerself..... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 69
AZ | -
"I like opinions and you can find a kid with small hands to change out the bulb(s) while you sip a beer and provide instruction.
So RCS... pick yerself off of the ground and quit feeling sorry for yerself...."
First,Thank you for your service to our country.
Answering a forum asked question based on my own riding style/owner experience that specifically asked for "any regrets", and now I'm advised to quit feeling sorry for myself just because I did indeed post a few non-positive experiences with the brand/model....
Just like getting a big internet "hug"
Edited by RCS 2012-12-03 8:09 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 69
AZ | 1951vbs - 2012-12-03 3:15 PM
"Wow, 3 years 7300 miles! Your bike must be in the shop a lot."
Well, my 2011 Road Glide Ultra (@ 10,000k miles) is at the dealership for a warranty issue with the rear air shocks (doesn't retain air and they are being replaced with their premium CVO shocks on HD's nickle). So it is just my 2009 Vision (@ 7300k miles) and 2003 RT (@ 44,000K miles) under the carport right now.
Sold my 2003 LT w/23k, my 2006 GL1800 w/26k, totaled my 2004 RK (well the driver that crossed over into my lane in a curve running me off the road totalled it) w/8k, and traded in my 2007 EG w/19k for my RGU. Not even going to count my 2 Honda standard bikes (250cc and 450cc) and one Yamaha 650cc I owned in the late 60's and early 70's before I took a 28 year haitus from riding (career related).
So while I havent owned 28 bikes or rode 800k miles, I have worn out a few tires over the years.
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Cruiser
Posts: 65
| RCS - 2012-12-03 9:50 PM
1951vbs - 2012-12-03 3:15 PM
"Wow, 3 years 7300 miles! Your bike must be in the shop a lot."
Well, my 2011 Road Glide Ultra (@ 10,000k miles) is at the dealership for a warranty issue with the rear air shocks (doesn't retain air and they are being replaced with their premium CVO shocks on HD's nickle). So it is just my 2009 Vision (@ 7300k miles) and 2003 RT (@ 44,000K miles) under the carport right now.
Sold my 2003 LT w/23k, my 2006 GL1800 w/26k, totaled my 2004 RK (well the driver that crossed over into my lane in a curve running me off the road totalled it) w/8k, and traded in my 2007 EG w/19k for my RGU. Not even going to count my 2 Honda standard bikes (250cc and 450cc) and one Yamaha 650cc I owned in the late 60's and early 70's before I took a 28 year haitus from riding (career related).
So while I havent owned 28 bikes or rode 800k miles, I have worn out a few tires over the years.
I do hope you can get the brake situation fixed, it does not sound like they have found the problem. It is not uncommon to replace motorcycle batteries every year if they are used intermittantly and I can't figure out why you need a headlight bulb with such low mileage but I guess it is just bad luck. Hopefully your next experience will be better. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Tucson , AZ | Your brake problem is one that alot of Early models have. Somehow when the bike sits.. it sucks air into the rear brake line. Simple fix .. replace the rear brake line. Yes its a defect, but you wont get Victory to agree.
AS for batteries.. stock ones are junk. You need to keep it charged ... and go with a good aftermarket.. NOT A Victory.
The bulbs have always been an issue..
As for the sound system... its no better or worse than the rest.. simple update the system with an amp and speakers.
The dealer problem is just that here in AZ... some are good and some are not. Atleast you have a choice.
Your Vision takes very little maintence for the performance it delivers.. you HD is not in the same catagory.. you must atleast agree with that. Wings are great bikes on the open highway. But in town its a brick and it hard to manuever at slow speeds.. not like the Vision.
As for the wife.. well thats a problem you will have to deal with yourself. LOl maybe she should ride her own bike.
I hope you find what bike YOU will be happy with. Atleast you are riding.. thats whats important.
Good luck |
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Cruiser
Posts: 69
AZ | "I can't figure out why you need a headlight bulb with such low mileage but I guess it is just bad luck. Hopefully your next experience will be better.
Changed out the OEM bulbs for Philips bright white bulbs...I dont like the "yellow cast" of standard bulbs. 18 months later one of those burnt out. So Ive disassembled/reassembled my front end twice in 3 years.
resp, |
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Tourer
Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | 2009, 44,000 miles. No real problems. Yeah I have had the spongy rear brake pedal.... But probably my fault for not maintaining the brakes like I should have. Just ride the thing...oh wait you got an HD.... I see the problem now. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 69
AZ | hmd520,
-Thanks for the info regarding the rear brake line, it will be brought up at my appt.
- The OEM and aftermarket batteries were/are on a tender when parked.
- J&M replacement speakers improved the sound even without a new amp.
- My stage one 103 RGU is partial-throttle "quicker" in/around traffic then my stage 2 Vision unless I really roll-on the throttle, then they are comparable. I think the difference is in their respective gearing.
- Coming off my top heavy BMW LT, the lower center of gravity GL1800 handled like a dream commuting and at parking lot speeds.
- In the begining many an argument with the misses started off with the words "well then ride your own bike"...I don't say that anymore
- There are numerous things I like about the Vision...but that is not what the OP asked for in their "any regrets" thread/question.
regards, |
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Cruiser
Posts: 69
AZ | Cometman - 2012-12-03 9:00 PM
" Just ride the thing...oh wait you got an HD.... I see the problem now."
Ah yes, the "other brand" problem....
regards,
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Cruiser
Posts: 161
Albuquerque NM | All I can say is that I'm sorry to hear that you have had so many problems with your bike, so many of us here are so enamored with our bikes that it's hard to hear any negative comments. But it sounds like you have had a great variety of motorcycles in your history, and I'm sure you can find some fault with each of them.
If you want to stick with your vision there are some really intelligent people here who really understand these machines, and have never been shy about offering advice and assistance. If you choose to send it on to the next owner, I can't fault you for that particularly if it keeps the misses happy.
Whatever you do I'm sure you'll keep riding, and I hope you enjoy whatever you ride. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | It's not the first time I've heard the passenger prefers the GW over the VV. Gotta keep MaMa happy. You can add the passenger hwy pegs and arm rest, but not much you can do with the shorter seat. Some like sitting higher up than the front rider, others prefer staying out of the wind. Sometimes it's just a matter of remembering to raise the windshield up when a passenger is on.
The GW is a great bike, but I couldn't handle the loss of feet positions. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | RCS is FULL OF SHIT
Re: RCS - Just go back and read his stuff - he's from another biker world. We have a mechanism to block these guys - I have just instituted my BLOCK - as I have on a few other abusers of this site.
Click on his link - then click on ADD/REMOVE THIS USER TO YOUR IGNORE LIST
None of his blather will be available to me in the future. I don't need any more BS in my life - how about the rest of you ???
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | Wow, Don! You forget to take your happy pill today? The dude posted his regrets then replied to the other posts. Not sure what part of his "blather" upset you so much. Did I miss a post? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | donetracey - 2012-12-04 2:08 AM
RCS is FULL OF SHIT
Re: RCS - Just go back and read his stuff - he's from another biker world. We have a mechanism to block these guys - I have just instituted my BLOCK - as I have on a few other abusers of this site.
Click on his link - then click on ADD/REMOVE THIS USER TO YOUR IGNORE LIST
None of his blather will be available to me in the future. I don't need any more BS in my life - how about the rest of you ???
Don, you keep up with that self righteous "blather" and some of us are gonna block YOU!  |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 48
huntington In. | Well said willtill! Thought this site was a place to find help with problems, not be criticzed for having them. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 15
| This guy is full of BS ,He must be a harley rider.Put cams in so moter does not choke out,The guy does not know what he is talking about.The vision is the best bike out their. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| RCS, good luck with your |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 48
huntington In. | I agree the Vision is the best bike out, but not everyone will agree with that. Just because doesn't is no reason to jump down his throat. The queation was asked. He told his peoblems and opinon, which he has every right to. Again for the record I think the VISION IS THE BEST BIKE PERIOD. |
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Regrets...
