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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Hopefully no one will call the SPCV (society for the prevention of cruelity to Visions) but my Vision takes some abuse. I really don't ride hard or anything like that. But since the spring it has been uncovered even when parked.
I don't have a garage and was using a cover but it seemed to make matters worse with condensation building up under it when it was covered. I have a gravel drive so there is not much protection there either. I ride every day, even when it is raining, and I've taken to just use my helmet to cover the controls on the left handle bar at night. All seems to be in good working order and the bike is running the best it ever has.
So my point is, who else out there treats their Vision the same way? What problems have you felt you've had to deal with because of it? |
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Tourer
Posts: 374
Tucson, AZ | Mines outside most of the time, I ride daily to work, rain or shine. Heat of the sun has pressurized the fuel tank and I have lost about a gallon of fuel when full, now i just unscrew the cap while at work and have had no problems since. Other than getting a wet seat when raining thats about it.....gawd i love this bike.
mike |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | V,
I treat mine almost exactly the same as you describe.
I've had my share of problems, but I don't believe that any of them were related to riding hard, storage, or rain. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | I have a quarter car was near work I put my $3 in no pre soak just soap and the spotless rinse then go for a ride. I work downtown in one of the larger cities in the US and have a bee poop problem. Little yellow dots all over. Why we have bees in the middle of a concrete jungle i have no idea? On a black bike, dirt looks better. In fact mine has both tail lights broken and paint scuffed because the SUV behind me at a stoplight decided to move before me. When I have the left side bage and trunk painted (BIG SUV) I will ride it without the trunk and side bag. I ride every day. If I had to drive? It would take twice as long out here and I would be very tempted to play demo derby with the stupid drivers out here.
I dont have time to shine Im too busy riding!
Edited by cjnoho 2009-07-30 11:27 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | Mine gets rode hard and put away wet most of the time, too. I don't have a gravel drive and I do have a garage to keep it in when the weather gets really bad (my silly wife thinks garages are for cars...), but most of the time it's out in elements. |
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Tourer
Posts: 363
Goldsboro, NC | The guys at my dealer, the other bike riders at work, my neighbors and my Southern Cruisers Riding Club chapter all think so little of me because of how my bike looks.
My reasoning is this: If it is nice enough outside to work on the bike, then it is nice enough to go for a joyride. Hence, my bike looks like crap 90% of the time. I bought the thing to ride. I don't care how many bugs are on the windshield or how many rain spots are on the finish... this bike looks better running down the road than any piece of art sitting in the garage. I'm sure the world will forgive me for riding a dirty bike if they realize that the alternative is to have my buttcrack exposed as I wax the fairing or something.
The only time I wash my bike with intent is when we need rain. Seems like I always get caught in the rain within 72 hours after I wash it. I call it my rain dance.
When I was a kid, I always thought that a Ferrari 308 would look fabulous with a camoflage paint job, and blacked out wheels. Everybody cringed. I think that's the way with my bike.... "that's the way I roll, baby".
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | tb, wish we could have rode a spell on Saturday, especially in the rain I went through after I pulled off the exit at pikeville to check my phone. I hope I had the right number... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 72
Newberry, Mi. | Wow, guess I'm on the other side of the coin. Although My job on Navy ships keeps me overseas more than half the year, I've only got 112,000 miles on my V92C. I spend 10 minutes or so every few days to clean my bike and it looks as new as the day I bought it from the dealership.
When I pick up my 2010 Vision I'll be just as religious about the cleaning and maint. as I am with my current ride. My focus is to ride all I can while I'm home but cleaning the bike and performing the proper maint. IMO helps ensure a safe and happy ride.
As I'm cleaning I'm looking at the lay of wiring, hoses, the belt, tires, fasteners, brake pad thickness and observing for any leaks or anything that appears a little different. I find that a clean bike is easier to inspect for potential problems that may be developing.
My bike takes care of me so I figure the least I can do is take care of my bike. 
Referring to a poster above, keeping a clean bike doesn't mean a person keeps it clean instead of riding. I clean and maintain in addition to riding and my bikes have never been on a trailer.
I've owned at least a dozen street bikes over the past 25 years and this small amount of attention has served me well.
NOTE: I also clean my guns and my teeth well for the same reasons.
Edited by Rob41 2009-07-31 12:05 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 140
| cjnoho - 2009-07-30 10:25 PM
I have a quarter car was near work I put my $3 in no pre soak just soap and the spotless rinse then go for a ride.
Don't the brushes hurt? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | lowtone9 - 2009-07-31 3:07 PM
cjnoho - 2009-07-30 10:25 PM
I have a quarter car was near work I put my $3 in no pre soak just soap and the spotless rinse then go for a ride.
Don't the brushes hurt?
They have brushless out here. Genuine immitation shammies feel great. No nylon brushes on anything I own, puts little scratches in the paint. My paint may be dirty but its scratch free.
Some of the brushless ones out here still have attendents that do a prescrub with a nylon broom.
Makes me cringe just watching.
I always check before I spend my money. Anyone ever takes a nylon brush to my truck will be paying for a complete detail. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 177
| I agree with Rob41, i spent $22000 on this bike and it is cleaned at least once a week and sits in the garage when not riding. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | not a lot of responses but those that have responded are across the spectrum. I don't have the luxury of having a garage or buying a motorcycle for a toy. When I purchased my Vision it was to be my primary mode of transportation. I cringed at the idea of buying a brand new motorcycle and then leaving it outside and letting it get dirty. I do know keeping it clean helps with the life, almost as much as riding it does. I wanted to see how many fell into my same category, but as mentioned, not many has chimed in.
Having been in Army maintenance all my life my observation is that machines are made to use and not sit around and look pretty. It seemed like the more equipment was used the longer it would run with the least about of problems. A general cleaning and maintenance was all that was required.
I see that it applies across the board, and it is only an assumption that I can get more life with less expense on cleaning and maintaining on my "abused" motorcycle than one that is pampered. Only an assumption, and I was curious what others in my situation was facing with their machine.
As with cjnoho, my biggest threat is not the exposure to the elements, but exposure to the idiots. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 127
| I'm what you'd call anal about all my rides. I dust 'em and/or polish before every ride and every weekend they're detailed. I spent too much money on them to let them go to hell. Considering that usually they're parked on a construction site during the day there's a lot of dust and crap that accumulates, and besides, it's my version of down time- relaxing the head muscle. |
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Tourer
Posts: 332
Dale, Indiana | I treat my Vision like the fine lady she is.
She get washed when dirty and blow dried. Wiped down when dusty. Gets to sit in the heated and cooled garage when not being used.
All my wheels get treated nice. My 9 year old pickup truck looks like the day I bought her. But she sits in the cold garage.
Victory Visions always get top spot!
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Cruiser
Posts: 72
Newberry, Mi. | varyder - 2009-08-01 4:30 AM
I see that it applies across the board, and it is only an assumption that I can get more life with less expense on cleaning and maintaining on my "abused" motorcycle than one that is pampered. Only an assumption, and I was curious what others in my situation was facing with their machine.
It's not an assumption. I base that on 25 years of experience, a dozen motorcycles, and sharing the company of many who have many more years of experience than myself.
From MY days of maint. in the Army followed by engineering in the Navy followed by 15 years as an engineer on Govt. owned ships, has proven time and time again that proper cleaning does lead to lowered maint. costs and prevention of small issues that otherwise turn into major problems. This is a basic and sound principle of any mechanical equipment.
With that said, it's your money and totally your choice how you choose to care for your bike.
Regular and thorough cleaning of a motorcycle isn't just cleaning, but rather, an important part of maintining a complex piece of equipment. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'm never sure how folks will take my posts and how I say things. My limitations is I do not have a garage, I'm not using a cover, and my bike is in the elements just about all the time. I ride every day and I do my own maintenance. Cleaning my saddle bags really has nothing to do with how my forks will work. I'll get out and shine 'er up when I can, but sometimes its pointless. I'm not saying I don't take care of the bike, my life depends on it.
What I don't do is ride 200 miles and then tear everything apart to make sure I didn't damage anything. The Vision seems to be one of lowest maintenance machines I've owned. But maybe by the time I put another 50,000 miles on 'er, I'll have a big junk pile because of my cleaning habits.
My experience in Army maintenance is that we wore out a lot of equipment just pulling stuff apart to maintain it and it never went anywhere. That was the stuff that spent the most time in the shop. The trucks that were constantly used didn't need as much work replacing seals, and even engines than the ones that were hardly used. I guess that is where my point is, and yes, keeping things clean helps to keep the maintenance costs down.
I'm glad there are people that are in the habit and keeping things spit shine. I've had two jeep cherokees and working on the third that was way over 100,000 miles, one with nearly 300,000 miles, with minimal problems, and, oh..... never mind.....
Edited by varyder 2009-08-01 9:51 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | I have been wrenching on GM vehicles for over 30 years. I always take pride in the fact that all my vehicles look as good as the possibly can. Unfortunately people around me dont share my veiws. I could park a half mile away in a shopping center, with no one around me, and when I come out there will be at least one person parked right next to me. And you guessed it, another ding in my door! I have been riding my Vision with red tape on the taillamp because the lady behind me could not wait 5 seconds for me to move first. Thanks to my wifes suggestions I bought a black truck. I refuse to wash or wax it. Because when I do, I always find a new blemish that wasnt there before. Its my wifes job to take it to the carwash every two weeks ( it was her idea to buy black), The red tape is gone. I feel better now. But there are things, Im starting to realize, that are beyond my control. I still have two panels that WILL be painted. People I work with tell me to ride it with the scratches. I cant do that. I do ride every day. I could wash it once a week but you wouldnt be able to tell. But i know underneath the dirt, that bike is as perfect as I can make it. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| Varyder, riding in all sorts of weather is par for the course when riding a bike such as the Vision. That said though, storing, even for simple overnight parking, in some form of shelter will greatly enhance the value of your Vision and reduce the environmental wear that occurs due to the elements. Is there no way to even put up a cheap, Home Depot or Lowes metal shed, the kind that most home owners use for storing yard tools and mowers for the purpose of having a "garage" for your Vision? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Victory is part of Polaris, if it cant take the elements, they need to get out of the MC business. Their other products are designed to handle the elements.
Edited by cjnoho 2009-08-01 11:15 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 72
Newberry, Mi. | varyder - 2009-08-01 9:48 PM
Cleaning my saddle bags really has nothing to do with how my forks will work.
What I don't do is ride 200 miles and then tear everything apart to make sure I didn't damage anything.
My experience in Army maintenance is that we wore out a lot of equipment just pulling stuff apart to maintain it and it never went anywhere. That was the stuff that spent the most time in the shop. The trucks that were constantly used didn't need as much work replacing seals, and even engines than the ones that were hardly used. I guess that is where my point is, and yes, keeping things clean helps to keep the maintenance costs down.
I think you may be missing my point a bit varyder. Obviously, cleaning your saddlebags has nothing to do with how your forks will work. But while in the area of the saddlebag you might notice a loose hinge or notice one of the grab handle bolts backing out, or from that angle you might glance at something around the engine or axle that doesn't look right. Cleaning also causes you to look more closely at places you might not otherwise notice.
Yes, I remember all the PM's in the Army that called for a lot of unnecessary removal of components. And yes, an unused vehicle will go through seals far more than one that is regularly used due to becoming dry and brittle. I'm not suggesting that you park your bike and keep it spit polished, or to get in a routine of taking things apart. Just giving the bike a brief cleaning all over especially in the areas that tend to get neglected is just another way to give yourself another layer of assurance that all is well.
I'm not trying to give you a hard time, nor am I judging you. Just trying to express the merits of a brief, but routine cleaning/inspection of a bike.
In the end you only have to please yourself and keep the rubber side down. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | I have always treated everything in life - the way I would like to be treated. Including family, friends, wife - children - everything.
So my vehicles represent me when someone looks at them - i.e. someone who cares about themself.
When I see a poorly cleaned vehicle - it tells me that the owner doesn't care much about their own self - or anyone else. Likely they live in a sty as well. And likely they make up all kinds of reasons why they can't find the time to do something about it.
Things get dirty - that's life. But don't tell me you would rather do this - or that - than take the time to care for them - that tells me you would probably let your kids go dirty because you don't give a shit.
Think about it - how you look (including your house, your face, your clothes, your vehicles, your pets, your family) is a reflection on YOU !
Not to mention everything said here about observing the possibility of needed maintenance - as a reason to care..... don't be such a SLOB!!!!!
And buy your poor bike a cover ! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | some will never change....
once a SLOB, always a slob...
I think it is time to get off this forum and go riding.....
Edited by varyder 2009-08-02 6:11 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 204
guelph ontario | The post was titled Abuse. That says it all. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | Wow. This thread took a turn for the worse.
Is my bike dirty? Yep, and I don't really care. It kills my brother-in-law to ride with me because I won't take a half hour detailing my bike and shining the chrome before we go for a ride. (Well, that and the fact he can't keep up with me in the corners - but that's a different story.) For him he doesn't want to be seen unless his bike is spotless.
And that's the key right there: He doesn't want to be seen.
And that's fine for him. If that's what he's all about then I say take the time and shine that baby up good.
Mine is dirty and bug covered and crusty. But it is inspected before every ride. I check the oil religiously. I check the tire pressure every three rides. I check the lights and the brakes and every other mechanism that I can before I hit the road. I ride in the rain. He hardly ever checks his oil, NEVER checks his tire pressure, and 'his baby' has 'never seen a drop of rain'.
What I'm trying to say is we all ride bikes for different reasons. Me? I'd rather be on the road than working the microfiber.
So you want to look down on me for a dirty bike, go right ahead.
I guess abuse is in the eye of the beholder.
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | A guy asked me one time, when does a truck become a truck and not a pretty, smokin hot, twentysomethinghottie. I told him, the only time my truck just became something to throw something into, instead of setting it in the bed, was when It was already roughed up. I had a hard time putting a scratch on my John Deere bucket. But after the first time it got easier. That tractor never gets washed, except when I hit a lot of mud and I can't see the green. yet the tractor gets maintenanced all the time, oil, grease, radiator fluid, etc. It is something I use for its purpose. It doesn't have a need to be pretty.
VaLongdistanceryder maybe should have used a different title! I don't abuse my tractor, just don't see a reason to wash it. My bike and I enjoy being handsome and debounaire. The bike does stay in the shop at night and I ride almost daily. I also wash it about one a week or at least dust it, etc. However, I don't mind getting out when someone says lets go ride, no matter the condition of the wash job.
Varyder sees it as a tool to satisfy his desire to ride and I'm all about the tools. Kudos to him. I don't really know when he would have time to wash it considering the miles he's put on it. |
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Abuse
