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Cruiser
Posts: 129
Leander,Texas | Is it me or is Victory not really resolving simple issues with the 2008 vision instead of bandaiding them?
1. Heat issue- they offer lower wind deflector instead of resolving how they can cool the bikes engine and oil heat by better engineering!
2. Radio sucks- Its simple make a attenna that can be clipped on the the current connector and hey this time make it span the width of the fron tof the bike underneath the mettal cover below the winshield.
3. They offer reverse?????? who needs reverse my god for 1300.00 you could do so many improvements on a bike. if you cant park it right you dont be riding it sorry, but its true 
Dont get me wrong I love my 2008 Victory Vision but i would like it if they would just resolve the 2008 issues with the 2008 owners not just make another bike that has less issues
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 25
Gilbert, AZ | I'm no engineer, but I think these things take time. I am sure Victory is aware of some consumer complaints regarding heat. I live in Arizona and really don't have any complaints about the heat. Let face it, motorcycles are a machine where you sit inches from the top of an internal combustion engine that produces a lot of heat. I rode my water cooled 07 Kawasaki V2K the other day, and thought huh, this isn't really all that much cooler than my Vision. I have the lower wind deflectors and they seem to be doing a their job pretty well. This bike has only been out for a year... Harley has been building bikes for 105 years and still has a heat problem...  You think the Vision is hot? Try riding a Honda ST1300. Those things will cook yer nuts.
I guess if I listened to the am/fm radio I'd probably be bitching about the reception too...however I have the XM option and listen to great music all the time, static free...
I'm glad to see Victory offer a reverse option for 09. Not that I would pony up the $1300 plus installation for it, but for those that think they need it, they can now have it. At least Victory is introducing new options for this great bike, and we will all benefit from that.
Ride safe...
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Cruiser
Posts: 293
Arkansas | I just noticed on the BMW site that they are offering a BMW badged Garmin Zumo 550 GPS for $969. Now darn it, if Victory thinks they can justify pricing their out-of-production 2720 for $1000, I'd like to hear their sophistry about it. More than that, why continue to offer a has- been unit (albeit a competent one)? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | TexasVision - 2008-08-02 7:13 PM
3. They offer reverse?????? who needs reverse my god for 1300.00 you could do so many improvements on a bike. if you cant park it right you dont be riding it sorry, but its true
OK, first off I'd like to apologize right off the bat for picking on TexasVision with this. It's nothing personal, but...
Statesments like this are really starting to piss me off. This and the people that are bitching about the people who are bitching about the heat of the bike. Do you want to know who "needs reverse my god for 1300.00"? Let me give you a scenario: My wife is is 5'2" and weighs about 150 pounds. I could lower the Vision enough for her to be able ride the bike and she can lift it off the kickstand and get her rollin' just fine and handle the bike. What she can't do very well at all is move the 800-900 pound beast around with her feet while she sits on it or manhandle it from the side while she holds the rear hand rail and one of the handlegrips, like I can. Now, why is this such a big deal? Because I live in town and my driveway is 60 feet long and about 10 feet wide. And I'm not talking about 10 feet of pavement with grass on either side; there's my house on one side and a fence on the other. So, if someone my wife's size wanted to ride a Vision and park it in a garage like mine, he'd probably think a reverse gear is a pretty damn good idea. Me? I can "paddle" it down the driveway backwards with no problem, so I personally don't care one way or the other about reverse gear, but to each his own.
By that same token, I don't have any problems with the heat issues that some folks here are complaining about. But rather than getting on here and berating the people that are complaing about the heat and telling them that if they can't handle the heat they shouldn't be riding, I just figure that I'm glad I'm not having those problems and enjoy my ride.
Bottom line here is that if some folks are having some issues, be they heat or paint or whatever, then we should be glad for ourselves and as sympathetic and helpful as possible to our fellow Pilots. And if some folks here want to see some new options available, like a reverse gear or a cup holder, then we should discuss it respectfully whether we think the idea is good or not.
Just my two cents... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 293
Arkansas | I'm just happy to have a heated bike for 9 months out of the year. When it's 100 degF outside, it's gonna be hot I don't care who ya' are! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 223
Valdosta, GA | It's an air/oil cooled V-Twin. It's going to produce some heat. Want to help make it better? Offer it some fuel to cool things down. Vic can't do that. They are bound by EPA rules to keep things leaned out. Lean = hot. Same problem with the newer HDs.
Throw on a VFC and tweak it a tad rich and you'll have no problems...
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Cruiser
Posts: 293
Arkansas | mike s
I tried that on my bike. It didn't like the VFCIII for some reason- kept stalling on opening the throttle about 50% of the time-deadly! No matter the adjustments; and LLoyd couldn't reproduce the problem on other bikes. Took it off and never stalled since. I may try again someday. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Wow is someone having a bad day, lol.....
1. Heat- The heat issue on the Vision isn't bad and CAN be improved greatly by having your dealer richen up the mix a little. BIG VTwins generate a lot of heat, so if you can't stand the heat you'll may as well sell it now.
2. Victory is working on an external antenna. Your suggestion for a larger "fairing cowl hidden" sounds great except everyone from Honda to Harley has tried the hidden antenna with the same disasterous results as Victory. Perhaps they should have worried more about function and less about looks.
3. I'm not sure I follow your thinking here. Reverse for a full tour is a great option and the price tag is right in line with what you'd pay to have reverse on a HD. There are MANY times when reverse would be HANDY, not necessary but nice to have. I believe however you are suggesting they would be better off spending time to developing what needs fixed rather than designing reverse which isn't necessary? To this all I can say is they are. A new antenna similar to the CB antenna is in work, new radio hand controls to replace the defective or troublesome ones released on the 08's are in the final stage of testing, and other upgrades for the radio.
As for GPS? Well I have a TomTom Rider I paid only $250 for and it is mounted on my Vision where it works great. There is a website that offers a free download that has all victory dealer locations, so who needs a BADGED gps.
It is going to take Victory at least 3 model years to work out all the bugs on the Vision. So long as they are doing RIGHT by the 08 buyers in fixing and/or upgrading defective components I have no complaints. My bike will be getting the first of the new bar mounted radio selectors since according to Victory mine is the worst reported so far (mine is completely inoperative at this point but failed in stages). Dielectric grease helped "improve" radio reception some but I'll be glad to see an external antenna. As for the heat? Well I don't have any issues with it. Yes it can get a little toasty in slower traffic, butI've been riding Vtwins for a very long time and the Vision is by far one of the better and I don't run the optional air deflector wings. I'd seriously suggest if you are the type who likes to wear sneakers, shorts, etc, while riding.... that you trade your Vision in on a Yamaha Venture or Honda Goldwing now. You are NEVER gong to cool the Vision down enough to make this wear-option viable. It isn't a engineering or design flaw, it is the nature of the engine design and it is so with all Vtwins. I'm more concerned with my squeeking belt that requires readjustment every 1000 miles.
Ok I'm babbling, sorry........ T
ps... It is easy to get down on your bike if you focus only on little annoyances. So long as they aren't major items that KEEP you from riding, report it and forget it until the fix is available. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 293
Arkansas | Where are you getting this info, Teach? It doesn't seem to be readily available to even the dealers as far as I can tell. It is encouraging to hear, though. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 36
Tonopah,NV | I think it's you. Victory came out with the best bike on the market and you make it sound like junk. My radio doesn't work either, but I didn't buy it for the radio. I am convinced my dealer
(Arlen Ness in Vegas) will fix the radio when I can get it to them. My problem is with XM.
Internal combustion engines create heat. Air cooled engines create more heat than water cooled engines. I am sure the Vision engine runs as cool or cooler than any other air cooled engine made. Ex Harley pilots say the Vision runs much cooler than their Harley's did. I've been riding 50+ years. I've had Guzzis. Ducati, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Harleys, and Hondas, in all those years, and the Vision is the best by far. Every mile gets better. And the best part is my wife loves it more than I do. I used to talk her into a ride once in a while, now, she is planning a trip for my next day off, and my next vacation. Thank you, Victory.
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Tourer
Posts: 400
| 1. Let's start off with the saddle bag alignment. $22,000 for a bike with major alignment issues? I sent a warrenty claim in on this. If you want to see part of the problem, take your seat off and see how the main cable coming out of the computer runs along the left side of the bike. The cable keeps the seat from nesting correctly and actually pushes the seat over to the right. Check and see where the cable getting pinched from the seat. I sent pictures with my claim explaining how the right side is different that the left. The response, "well that's jus the way it is". The fix, cheap washer placement to shim the bags. How can you charge $22,000 for a bike that is "the future of american motorcycling" for this.
2. Absolutely poor molding plastic parts. Mold flash, bad gate cuts, very noticle gap issues between mating parts. I sent in a claim for mold flash on the passenger handles. The response, its a production bike. Once again, how can you charge $22,000 for a bike that has severe cosmetic issues? I see better parts on a $8,000 Honda. I know I'm right on this. I worked in the mold injection and paint business. Anything that is highly visible is an "A" surface and has tight tolerances on mold and paint defects. These 2008 Visions have such bad molded parts, Honda Goldwing forums have even mentioned it.
3. Absolutely terrible communication from Victory to Dealers. Dealers I talk to a very dissappointed in Victory has handled the release and support for the Vision.
4. Let's talk about that great custom order program from last year. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 129
Leander,Texas |  Me sorry ! me not mean to piss anyone off I just love my bike and wish these issues would get resolved.
1. the heat i can handle i wear jeans anyways and full protective gear. no biggy
2. Radio i cant statnd so i use my ipod and thinking of getting XM anyways even though i dont want to
3. Reverse i can see your point if your wife is little and can ride that beast im impressed and i commend her. sorry i didnt look at that way.
Honestly i just love this bike and would like them to address issues on the 2008 so we can all enjoy it even more!
Edited by TexasVision 2008-08-02 9:47 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| jama, my dealer is the source of my info. I had my bike in for the radio reception & bar control issues and the maintenance super had Victory on speaker-phone so I could hear what was being said. It is still unclear to me and my dealer if Victory will provide the external antenna to customers w/o charge but I've already told them I won't pay for a fix that is warranty related so they know its going to be a battle between them and victory not me and victory on this. My dealer will make this right for me regardless of victories position.
IndyVision, I don't have a seat issue, or any pinched cables so I'd suggest you have your dealer fix this for you. As for the bag alignment issues? I actually removed my hinge (only the rear right) and ground plus fitted flatbar stock to fix the only alignment issue I had there. Yes quality control should have been better and WE should have expected these sorts of issues on a first year bike (regardless of cost). If it makes you feel any better my 07 RoadGlide fairing was cocked to one side, very noticeable. Harleys answer? No adjustment and not severe enough to justify replacement.
Now anything that Victory REFUSES to fix and/or replace that is a manufacturers defect is a breech of the warranty. So ANY or ALL of the issues you mentioned in point 2 are justification to return the bike and a breech of contract on Victories end. I'd start with consumer protection and work your way up "quickly."
My BIGGEST question to you is why are YOU sending in warranty claims? I don't give my dealer a chance to "out" on anything. I say this is bad and it needs replaced, they order it new and replace it under warranty. My seat had a chunk of pad missing in the center of the seat only noticeable when the vinyl sucked down due to cold temps. Told my dealer it needed a new seat and why, they ordered a new one and replaced it under warranty. They wrote it up as lumpy for the warranty and Victory did not question it at all. I think if your dealer is having communication problems with Victory it is probably your dealer. That isn't an insult, mine was the same to start and then I made it known their efforts were not good enough as did a few others. I couldn't be happier with how they turned it around. It is EASY for them to blame Victory if you follow me.
Sounds like you have some issues you and "your dealer" need to get addressed. Regardless of ANYTHING said about/for Victory it is your dealer who needs to handle this for YOU. Don't ask, don't file claims, TELL your dealer to order new passenger handles and anything else that needs relaced or repaired. If they don't procede with legal courses for failure to honor the contract/warranty. JMO |
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Tourer
Posts: 320
Savannah, GA -Year round riding!! Yay! | Ok, "Amen!" to what AZcruiser said about the heat on an ST1300... I did ME to FL and back to GA last summer on one, and had 2nd degree burns on the inside of my thighs by halfway through the trip. I did GA to MI, up to WI, and then the zig zag route back to GA again just a few weeks ago on my Vivi. Yes, I get heat off of the left side, but tall boots or half chaps take care of that well. I'll take the ViVi heat anyday over the ST heat.... except for hitting rush hour traffic and not being able to get out in a major city. (Got stuck in the express lanes in Chicago. 10 mph for 15-20 miles. I think I warped my clutch plates from the heat. ViVi is in the shop now). Anyone know anyone looking to buy an '06 ST1300 with 11,000 miles, heated seats and grips, Throttlemeister, Corbin Smuggler, saddle bag guards, and the rest of the factory warranty 'til mid-January, 2010?
I am having the stereo switch troubles again.... There's another Vivi in the shop with mine with the same troubles.... Mine freaked out on the trip. I had my headset on for the CB, went over a railroad track, and the volume went up full blast, screen locked up, wouldn't respond to volume or power controls, couldn't transmit over the CB, couldn't hear over the CB, so hub by didn't know why I suddenly fell back.. Thankfully, I was listening to my mp3's through my GPS, so I got the volume to turn down on the unit. Found a place to pull off, turned the bike off and back on, and all was well in the world again. But, several times after that, I was turning the speaker volume down with the handlebar controls, and would find out that somehow it switched to turning the CB volume down, and then I wouldn't hear my husband. And, it is SO easy to get to the CB volume adjustment, through the menu button on the dash...... That's my big complaint. The controls were not well thought out on this machine...... Reverse would be nice. I might pay for it... I can generally handle the bike, in any way, as long as I pay attention to where I park. But, I would love to be able to back out of any situation, fully loaded, like my hubby on his '06 Wing. Not a major complaint for me, but I might look into getting it, if they make it retro-fittable to the '08's..... Or not. I like when I impress people by "getting that big bike for a girl" around  ....
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Tourer
Posts: 400
| When I said I sent in claims, I took detailed pictures with callouts showing mold flash, and mis-alignment on how the seat sits on the bike. I sent the photo's to my dealer, who sent it to Victory. My dealer talked with Victory and my dealer told me my claims were rejected. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 273
| IndyVision - 2008-08-03 8:15 AM
When I said I sent in claims, I took detailed pictures with callouts showing mold flash, and mis-alignment on how the seat sits on the bike. I sent the photo's to my dealer, who sent it to Victory. My dealer talked with Victory and my dealer told me my claims were rejected.
Indy, who is your dealer? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Indyvision, bud I'm not trying to tee you off, really. I went down this same road with a Suzuki. Dealer said this and that supposedly from Suzi.... Then I finally called his bluff and said get Suzi on the phone "right now." Well it turns out suzi was completely unaware I was having ANY issues. Not only did all warranty issues get handled but Suzuki sent their technician out to the dealership to handle all repairs on my bike.
Secondly it is very easy to get upset if you focus only on the negatives. I was doing the same thing. I finally decided it wasn't worth riding pissed so I just don't use the stuff that ticks me off until they get the fix available (radio & bar control). The rest of the little stuff is just that. By the time I'm ready for a new ride (5 years usually) the bike will have a hoop of miles and won't be worth squat anyhow. In the mean time it draws a crowd no matter where I go (which is kinda annoying) and yet I'm the only one who knows its flaws. Ride and enjoy..... T |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | I'm in agreement pretty much with everyone so far.
1. The Heat, I'd welcome it. That's actually the only complaint I have on my V92C, is that when it's chilly, I get nothi'n off the engine. I had to go with heated gloves for the first time over 30 years of riding and I grew up in the Northeast. When it's much over 90 I don't ride anyway which is only about two days our here. As far as cooling it off Lloyd said it best.. "If you want to save your legs from degreed burns, smooth out the throttle response and feel, cut down on the misfires and make more power all you need to do is add more fuel".
2. I'm surprised they didn't use the frame for an antenna. When I get a Vision I'll design a good antenna for it. Or, I'll borrow yours? I have several years of experience working with, and designing radio antennas for places and things that had poor reception. Much like live sound for concerts... sometimes it's just a matter of trial and error to get it right, there are just too many variables. Several thought I have are a mesh under the front fairing, using the frame, using the lower portion of the windshield. That central member of the frame would make a good ground plane... a little directional front-to-back, but should still work rather well.
3. Reverse.... much like ABS and hopefully a CVT option. You can't "claim" to build the most state-of-the-art bike and NOT have those things at least as options.
4. Price of the GPS... asked and answered yourself really. It's so easy to and less expensive to purchase an aftermarket one that if you REALLY want one from Victory... well, you'll pay for it. I mean seriously...
Having said all this... If I was in your shoes I'd be ranting my fool head off!! You are entitled to your opinion, and it seems Victory does listen, they just go at their own pace. So hang in there.
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Tourer
Posts: 400
| Teach, you're not teeing my off. This is a forum where Vision owners should be able to freely voice there opinions, good and bad, as long as it's done in good taste. My dealer actually asked me if I had tried to contact Victory. I'm pretty sure my dealer sent in all my request since my dash was fixed under warrenty and I'm getting a new right side saddlebag free. I'll get the reflash and bag alignment next week. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 79
Austin, Texas | The heat is my principle issue. I've had other bikes. I guess the excellent experience I had with my Kingpin spoiled me. That was a really comfortable bike and was never hot, compared to others in the past. I'm just really disappointed that the flagship of the Victory line is not as comfortable as the previous. Also, I live about thirty minutes from TexasVision who has reported the heat on his bike is not oppressive when he wears jeans. Mine is oppressive with jeans and boots. I'm curious if this differs from bike to bike. I can tell you that a local Victory mechanic is having the same heat issue with his bike. Perhaps there is some variability between bikes.
I had not even thought about changing the mixture to reduce heat. It certainly changes the exhaust gas heat in airplanes so it is worth a try. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Well if I get a reply from Victory I'll let you guys know what they had to say (sent an email today). I haven't ridden in a few days again as te bike is ticking me off. Oil light is on again and won't go out completely, the belt is chirping up a storm and I'm still waiting on the radio fix so at least I can drown out the belt noise and have something to focus on except the oil light.
Once I'd like it fixed after having to give it up for a day. The bar control was checked twice before they said they'd replace it, the belt has been adjusted/readjusted every 1k, and the oil sending sensor replaced once already (with another bad one). I'm going to make them order a new rear butt panel as well wherethe trunk and saddlebag door rubbed the paint off.
Ok rant over, lol...... so a QUESTION for anyone who knows:
The 09 Vision has reverse as a option, but I read in the catalog it will not work on the 08. Now being quite capable and knowledgeable on mechanical stuff, I can only think of a few reasons it wouldn't work on the 08, the most likely of which would be Victory altered/changed the belt or pulleys. So has anyone heard or know of any final drive changes??? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Why would you not ride the bike. Is it still under warranty? What is the dealer doing. Why would you send a message to Victory, your dealer is the one who is suppose to support you. Sounds like you have a bad dealer........many of us do. If your mechanically inclined, get the service manual, it may help you with your issues, I have. Hey, the belt makes noise sometimes, the radio (Ipod) doesn't work sometimes, is the bike hot, yes......ok just ride it. Everyone of these things have been hashed, but the biggest issue is the worthless dealers that won't fix the issue.
Victory built one of the nicest motorcycles anyone has built in years, the majority here agree and elsewhere. The one thing that Victory did not do was get the right dealers to sell their bikes. They just handed out Victory dealerships to just about anyone. Now, those dealers cannot handle the issues with an avanced motorcyle like the Vision........they just can't. They are too busy working on 4X4, jet skies, generators, chain saws......or whatever. I have owned two Victorys, Kingpin and Vision, two different dealers and both of them have gone belly up with Victory. This is a major issue with me. The dealer I purchased the Vision from can't even order a part for me, he can't even get updates on the sofware for the radio and then lied to me about putting on the update. So I go to two other Victory dealers in the Houston area last weekend to get an oil change kit and plugs. One had plugs, but no oil change kit, the only filter they had for a Victory was the chrome filter, how in the world do they service motorcycles.  The next dealer had the kit but not plugs, hey, the dealer is selling Visions, told me they get 14 of them, but don't have the spark plugs, WOW. Some of you have great dealers and that is what you deserve, here in Houston area, not good. So "Why is Victory not resolving the issues with the 2008 that are so obvious"? It is because the majority of the dealers don't give a flip about the Vision owners. My Vision is just like yours, so I just ride it and a lot. "Giddy-up"  |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 34
| I live in New England and the heat is not a problem but a benefit. I just don't wear shorts while riding anymore. I am very pleased with the vision. I test drove the Goldwing just prior to purchase and it blew the Gold wing away in comfort and handleing. I prefer to look at the positives because in my oppinion they far out weigh the neg. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Vision Tex, I sent the email to Victory because the issues I have cannot be addressed by the dealer. If the motor company isn't providing th necessary parts to fix the issues cstomers are having, that is on victory, not the dealer. For example they know the bar radio control is defective, crap really. A new one is in testing so there is little the dealer can do in the mean time except to put on another bad part. The same is true for the oil sending sensor. Victory knows they had a production error where the sensor breather hole was improperly placed. Did they remove these sensors from stocks? No... so your odds of getting a bad one are as high as getting a good one. This issue has plagued them since the company started so why are they still having issues? Thats the company not dealers. The belt needing adjustment every 1k is bull, the dealer is adjusting this without charge currently, but at some point the warranty will be out and I'll be adjusting it every 1k. Again thats bull. This is a TOUR bike not some bar hopper. Hell my HD's only needed adjusted at tire change, thats 10-12k. Again this isn't the dealer, this is sub-par parts being put on the bike. So while I think the Vision is a great machine, it appears the company eye was on looks and not functionality. Reliability and maintenance are still a major drawback at this point. Somthing I hope Victory addresses SOON.
I'll admit I wasn't happy with my dealer at first, but working with them the first few months got us to a point of which I trust and know what they are doing. I also know what Victory isn't doing and thats addressing shortfalls with the 08's.
Oh and to address your question as to why not ride. Well its raining and while that normally wouldn't stop me from riding the false oil light is a bit unnerving even though I know its a false light. So why push it......
So back to my question: Does anyone know if they made a belt and/or pulley change for 09? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
Columbia,MO | I am very happy with my Vision. No belt noise, radio reception is ok(use my ipod anyway), heat is ok, Victory replaced dimpled bag in less than a week, bag alinement is fine and I am happy to say I have no issues with anything. Just wanted to add my experience so far. Owned mine for 2 months and have 4,300 miles on it. Best bike I have ever owned so far. |
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why is Victory not resolving issues with 2008 that are so obvious?
