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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
| Hello, felt I like I had to make a post.
First off, I really wanted to like the Vision Tourer (Pearl White 11), still do even after the issues we have with the bike.
The dealer was great actually, he let both my wife and I ride the bike (most dealers around will not allow that to happen).
From what I have read, the 2011 was supposed to have the new tranny, but on this bike the tranny during shifting banged (clunked) whatever noise you want to call it, but this did not feel or sound right from what everyone was saying about the new tranny. Once we got on the open roads, huge vibrations at all mph and in any gear, NOT what I expected to have happen on this bike.
Told dealer about the issues, mechanic came out and said nature of the beast. Dealer let me test ride the VV 8 Ball (2011). Came back and told dealer, DAY and Night difference in the tranny and no vibration like I felt with the VV Tourer (2011). Dealer told me he agreed with my assessment, they are going to have the Victory Tech take a look at the bike.
But we did not buy based on the above and the wife had no room.
We currently have an 08 Yamaha Venture, and even the dealer was impressed with the amount of room the Venture has for the passenger. She was fidgeting the whole 75 mile test ride.
But for the rider loved the ergonomics of the bike, just to many issues with the mechanics and passenger area. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | Sorry you had a bad experience. It is unfortunate that some dealers hire a wrench that really has no clue about a Vision. As for the passenger confinement, I have read that before. That is why some remove the trunk and go with a backrest. Mostly a personal taste thing and what you are used to. If I were you I would try another dealer and another Vision. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Fargo, ND | On the other hand, my wife doesn't like riding the VV WITHOUT the trunk. She likes the feeling of being in the "pod" so she can't fall off if she dozes on the long, smooth, comfortable ride we get on the Vision. She'll ride with the trunk removed and the backrest added, but really doesn't like it very much. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 95
Alberta, Canada | Must have been a problematic bike because my 08 VV runs super smooth!!!! Hardy any vibes at any speed!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| I surely don't understand a lack of room for the passenger, but I guess my little 120 lb wife would fit "IN" the trunk if need be, lol.... I wasn't aware of any full blown Tour that has more driver/passenger compartment than the Vision? Guess I was mistaken. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
| Teach - 2010-12-12 11:00 AM
I surely don't understand a lack of room for the passenger, but I guess my little 120 lb wife would fit "IN" the trunk if need be, lol.... I wasn't aware of any full blown Tour that has more driver/passenger compartment than the Vision? Guess I was mistaken.
The Vision has tons more room for the rider, but they sacrificed in the passenger by almost 3 inches.
Even I felt like she was sitting on my back. She rides with me 95% of the time, so if she is not happy, I will not be getting the Vision. 
Also, my wife is 5'9 and about 160, not telling her that I posted this. 
Edited by sleeperhawk 2010-12-12 10:16 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 95
Alberta, Canada | I'd keep the VV and trade in the wife!!! lol |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
| Not this, the other ex-wives would not even let me have a bike.
At least this one likes to ride. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 188
Tifton, GA | Bought a Harley in 07 and the wife did not like it. She took the rider course and now rides her own Suzuki C50T. Now I have the Vision all to myself |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Sleeperhawk, there are two things I would do before making a final decision. Find another dealership to test ride a tour Vision, and ask for them to put on the passenger risers and then beg your wife for another chance. I know you've done your homework but I think your wife will like the bike a little better with her feet a little higher so she can set better in the saddle, it did for my wife. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
| Cap'n Nemo - 2010-12-12 5:05 PM
Sleeperhawk, there are two things I would do before making a final decision. Find another dealership to test ride a tour Vision, and ask for them to put on the passenger risers and then beg your wife for another chance. I know you've done your homework but I think your wife will like the bike a little better with her feet a little higher so she can set better in the saddle, it did for my wife.
Actually, she would like to have them lowered a little, not raised, she is 5'9"
For her the issue was not the seat itself nor the position of the foot boards, but the issue of basically sitting on my back. On long rides she usually hangs her feet over the front edge of the floor boards just so she can stretch out. On the Venture her knees just barely were parallel with my sides, but on the Vision Tourer, her knees were parallel to the front of my stomach. That is how much closer she is to me on the Vision Tourer and does not like the feel of her legs bending back towards her. I know I did not like that feeling on crotch rockets.
Edited by sleeperhawk 2010-12-12 8:05 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| Sleeperhawk, one other thing I could recommend would be to try another model of Victory, say the Cross Country with the accessory trunk installed. I have had the same vibration issues with my Vision since day one (new with 0 miles on 4/5/08). I seems from my own experiences with riding different Victorys during the demo tour that the vibration issue is a hit or miss thing which makes you wonder about Victory's quality control procedures during their engine building process. If you decide to go with the Venture I think you will be happy with the smoothness of the engine and tranny as that basic layout has been around without any mechanical changes since 1986 when the original Venture was bumped up from 1200cc to 1300cc. Many in the Yamaha/Star community believe that Yamaha/Star is going to surprise the motorcycle world shortly with a completely redesigned Venture based on the engine and trans that is in the new V-Max. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 119
| sleeperhawk - 2010-12-12 9:49 AM Hello, felt I like I had to make a post. First off, I really wanted to like the Vision Tourer (Pearl White 11), still do even after the issues we have with the bike. The dealer was great actually, he let both my wife and I ride the bike (most dealers around will not allow that to happen). From what I have read, the 2011 was supposed to have the new tranny, but on this bike the tranny during shifting banged (clunked) whatever noise you want to call it, but this did not feel or sound right from what everyone was saying about the new tranny. Once we got on the open roads, huge vibrations at all mph and in any gear, NOT what I expected to have happen on this bike. Told dealer about the issues, mechanic came out and said nature of the beast. Dealer let me test ride the VV 8 Ball (2011). Came back and told dealer, DAY and Night difference in the tranny and no vibration like I felt with the VV Tourer (2011). Dealer told me he agreed with my assessment, they are going to have the Victory Tech take a look at the bike. But we did not buy based on the above and the wife had no room. We currently have an 08 Yamaha Venture, and even the dealer was impressed with the amount of room the Venture has for the passenger. She was fidgeting the whole 75 mile test ride. But for the rider loved the ergonomics of the bike, just to many issues with the mechanics and passenger area. Just me here maybe....but the Yamaha Venture does do some things better than the Vision in my view. Handling, communication set and acceleration come to mind. Sure this can be debated but not too bad for a bike introduced in the mid 1980s or so. A friend of mine has one and likes it alot and we have traded rides often. I always thought of the Venture as a tour/tour/tour/sport bike. As far as the Vision transmission goes in our 2008 we knew that going in based on test rides and yes it could be improved but this was the only minus for an amazing tour bike in my view. Big plus was how well the Vision fit us physically and was superior in most other respects compared to other makes we took test rides esp passenger comfort and ergonomics. Last year I rode a Cross County on a Victory Factory Demo ride and this bike had the worst vibration of any multi-cylinder motorcycle I have ridden and the transmission was a disaster in all respects........my view on this and maybe for the one you test rode is there are always exceptions and I think the one you test rode and this one I test rode might be jsut that. This is one reason I always test ride the bike I buy before taking ownership. You want to test ride a Victory......Motorvation will let you. Near Harrisburg, PA. Mike |
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Tourer
Posts: 444
Bay of Gigs, WA | I rode Ventures (wore out two) for 21 years, both '83's, more like a Goldwing than the newer Harleyesque ones. The earlier version was a freakin' bullet because Mr. Max wasn't out yet. It was also smoother than the Vision, but then, so is an electric motor, which is what the Venture felt like at 90. With enough air in the shocks, the Venture handled as good as my Norton, the sidebags were bigger than the Visions', and the stereo was also superior. So why did I sell the last one? Beats me. Oh, yeah, the Vicky is made in the US, it's newer, it looks avante garde', and the heated seats and grips equal or exceed the other things on the Yamaha. Oh, and the front shocks aren't the problematic air jobs like the Venture, which bled down every three days and would blow out seals if you drank too much and over aired them.
It's hard to be smoother than no vibes at all, so the Vic does have a bit of shake in comparison to the Venture, but according to a book I read about the founding of Victory, the original balance shafts were TOO good, so they dialed them back a bit in order to give a sense of life to the Vics. I kind of groove on the low freq vibes, as does my bride :0>, and while rolling down a mountain pass at 75 the thing is, indeed, dead smooth. One other thing, My wife agreed with yours, [she's 5'7"] about the room on the Tour, but the backrest on the Street model is different and further back. It also hits her lower than the trunk cushion on the Tour version, which allows her to stretch upright more and be less cramped, in her words. We have a rack and a pack of bungee cords to strap extra luggage on if we need to, and actually, the rack allows more options for carrying oddly shaped items than a trunk, and when nothing is on the back, sidewind shear troubles melt away. Also, I find the legroom for the pilot to be exemplary, I'm 6'2" and able to splay out like a teenager on the telephone and still keep my feet dry, a major accomplishment here in the Great Northwest.
The front of the sidebags seem to get abraded somewhat along the front, due to their width, I guess, or maybe a softish clear coat formula, but they buff right out, so far. Also, one would think the bags would be a lot bigger than they are because of their shape, which disappointed me initially, but I overcame it after awhile. The Vicky could use some helmet locking devices, also, since helmets cost an arm and a leg nowadays.
Nonetheless, the Venture carried more beer. Good luck in whichever you choose. For me, the exclusivity of the Vision just tips the scale in its' favor enough to enjoy owning one immensely.
Oh, and the tranny is somewhat unsophisticated to me, but is clunking less with more miles, and according to the book is apparently purposely so, to provide a feeling of robustness. Whatever. I need to be a bit more deliberate in my shifting than some other bikes, but now that I'm used to it, it's no real bother, just part of the personality of the bike. If I keep that in mind I don't ever miss a shift. And besides, if all those little niggles were eliminated, we'd all be on here complaining about the Visions lack of soul, right?
Edited by rainryder 2010-12-13 5:41 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
| Guys, I currently own an 08 Venture, wanted to really like the VV Tourer, and the fit was great for me, but not the wife.
Then the test ride just soured me on the VV Tourer. I expect to have a little vibration due to it being a big VTwin, but as some of you stated it smooths out. This bike vibrated through every gear and speed combination and the vibration was constant, not easying up at all.
Hopefully, they will do something about the passenger room in future models, that was the big minus for us. The mechanics can be fixed or just bring in another bike altogether. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 62
Jacksonville, Florida | The V-twin experience is not for everyone. The Venture is not a V-twin. It is a 4 cylinder, 4 carb, Japanese built motorcycle. Yamaha's are ok. I always liked the 1300 V-twin they made, because it comes close to replicating the v-twin experience.
Brakes do not compare to the vision. The vision has a linked braking system, and 2011 models have ABS standard.
Torque doesn't compare. The vision has 113 ftlbs of torque vs the 89 ft/lbs of the Yamaha. Torque is what you feel, the head snapping, heart pounding pull that tells you that what you are riding is bad to the bone.
Hp is close, but without torque, the experience isn't the same.
The 1730 CC's of the Freedom Low Maintenance V-twin is 400 more than the Yamaha. That is equal to the total CC's of my first street bike.
The ride? I don't know what vibration the poster is referring to, but the thump and feel of the v-twin is what seperates the v-twin crowd from the Goldwing/BMW/everybody else crowd. The feel and ruggedness of the v-twin is why we ride them. Those looking for the Buick sound and Chevrolet ride will pick the Goldwing (or equivalent) everytime. To each his own. I wouldn't have one personally (which, incidentally, is why I participate in a Vison-RIDERS forum, and not another one).
95% Customer satisfaction is unheard of and that is what Victory has achieved. That means that the majority of us that own Victorys are satisfied with how they fit, ride, feel and perform. Other motorcycle companies do not refer to customer satisfaction stats because they have not achieved this high of a number.
The Victory Vision is the most advanced, complete, near perfect v-twin motorcycle ever built. I have one in my garage. I ride it every time I get the chance. I know when I'm on it that I am in a group that is a small percentage of the MC riders of this world. I breathe Vision, dream Vision and am consumed with the joy of MY Victory Vision.
My wife experiences the same emotion from the passenger seat. I don't know what the issue could be with passenger comfort, but I don't spend anytime back there so I wouldn't know. My girl likes it so much she falls asleep everytime we ride.
Am I being defensive? You bet. I know what I have. I have wrenched on Harleys and Hondas and there is a big difference in the quality of our American Made motorcyle compared to imports. Victory is not second rate, they are first class and are setting the standard. That is worthy of defense.
I purchased a powerful American motorcycle that turns heads and sets off car alarms everywhere I ride because of the thunderous percussion the freedom engine creates. You will keep me off of my vision when I cross over Jordan and slip into eternity. But while I am breathing the air of this earth, I will ride the Vision.
If the Venture makes you feel like that, enjoy it. But don't expect a bunch of Vision Riders on a Vision forum to agree with you.
Edited by chappellj 2010-12-14 6:00 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 228
| I sold my 01 Venture when I bought my 08 Tour Premium and I can say the Venture pales in comparision to the Vision in all aspects.
I don't know what the problem is with passenger comfort with sleeperhawk's SO but she is the same size as my wife and she has never said she is uncomfortable on the VIsion. Comfort was always a problem for both of us on the Venture, to the extent that we spent $1000 on a Corbin seat but we didn't achieve the comfort of the Vision.
As for as the handling goes, this is the one I really don't get. The Vision handles so much better and easier than the Venture it is unbelievable.
The ONE thing I really, really dislike on the Vision are the linked brakes. The lack of complete individual modulation almost put me down in a panic stop on wet pavement when a cage forced me into the median when she changed lanes without checking her mirrors. The superior handling of the Vision saved my bacon that time.
One point I want to make is I really loved my Venture and rode it almost 50K miles. It is just not in the same league as the Vision.
Edited by savage 2010-12-14 6:29 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | wow CHappelli! That was beautiful! I love the Vision for all the same reasons. I don't own one yet but have test ridden it and the Venture. One more thing I consider is cost of ownership. The Venture has required valve inspections and subsequent adjustments, major $$$. The Vision has maintenence free valve arrangement meaning you do NOTHING , just ride it. The Venture is liquid cooled so you have scheduled coolant change outs, eventual potential thermostat failure, water pump failure (yes , I have had a water pump failure on my liquid cooled Honda), major $$$. Victory Vision is magnificently engineered in a way as to not depend on liquid cooling . again, you do NOTHING, just ride it. Your talking major $$$ in scheduled maintaining the Venture. None of that for the Vision. If you are worried about the longevity of air/oil cooled design. My 1999 Victory has almost 105,000 miles on it. NO MOTOR ISSUES. And fyi, I use the victory oil from day 1. Also , worth mentioning, the Venture seemed heavier to me especially top heavy. I love the Venture button tucked seat, very comfy but the Vision is the single most comfortable bike I ever rode. My wife loved the passenger accomodations too. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 119
| Good points ....everyone. Wonderful reading....thank you. In the end no motorcycle is all bad or totally good......they are machines and that is the way it is. Only humans are capable of thinking we are totally good. On the Vision ....this was my first big tour bike and as such my first reallllly big twin though I did have a tricked out sporterized 75 Goldwing way back. Most of my bikes in the past were sport based and "we" finally came around to the unique concept that wanting to take longer trips on a more comfortable bike would be a good thing for us....so we test rode every big tour bike and the Victory Vision was for us. My wife loves the bike and the comfort and seating. However, there are my friends that after all these years and knowing the bikes I have owned in the past...they are really puzzled by our choice of a big tour bike and especially the Vision. My reply is the Vision is certainly not a Goldwing .......in my view it is more in many respects we felt were important to us. I do go into the reasons for this. but there is still something left I never can explain as well as I would like that is with the cadence, sensations, feeling and connection one gets on the Vision on a great ride and great day. It is somehow a feeling of mental comfort, inner warmth and confidence that no four or six we have ridden has. I never enjoyed the rides and scenery so much before we owned the Vision ......and "before" is a long time and many, many bikes. I told you I could not explain it, but our wallet vote was for the Vision and neither of us has regretted any part of this to date. And there is this with the Vision we never anticipated. At every stop, everytime, everyday..... bikers and non bikers stop over and ask about the Vision. This is not why we bought it.......but it also is not something that happens on most bikes and certainly not most big tour bikes. I have owned some neat bikes over the years, but nothing like this has ever happened before all the time, everytime. People also give us the V sign on the road as we pass them quite often....one guy almost fell out of his RV doing this last summer. Every now and then I look over at people driving cars as we pass them......sometimes the driver will look back ......and often ....smile....and follow this up with nice wave or a modest thumbs up. One time after this happened every child in a van also waved and smiled at us after their father did the same a few moments before......I still wonder what he said to them And finally.......yes.......owning a bike made in America along with the attention the Vision gets at stops all does add a weeee bit to the fact in my view that the Vision is one of the great motorcycles of all time and that is that....the best way I can say it and wish I could have done better, but I am sure most if not all of you feel the same in this respect about owning your Vision. Well about it and again we are all fortunate to have the choice of what bike we own. >>> Now as far as four cylinder bikes.......I will leave all of you with one thing.........you just might forget all of what you know about fours after a test ride the new Aprilia V4.....every other four or six pales in comparison in my view and most importantly this bike realllly has a "soul" which most if any fours have......the Yamaha Venture V4 being one of the few notable exceptions. Soul......something Vision owners know all about when they ride it.....could that be it in just one word....not likely, but maybe. >>> Ohhhh.... the laments of winter here in Pennsylvania where we sadly have far too much time to think about all this and riding our Victory Visions .... >>> By the way, we will be having another all Vision rally here in SE Pennsylvania next June.....see you then. Mike
Edited by team222 2010-12-14 7:52 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 152
Litchfield Park, AZ | LMAO.....apparently some folks are bound and determined to MAKE Sleeperhawk and his bride fall in love with the Vision!!!!! I tip my cap to him for being honest and not jumping at something just because he thinks "they will get used to it". How many people do you know that jump from bike to bike, year after year, searching for that perfect combination of power, storage, handling, comfort.....etc? If I started counting those I know I would run out of fingers and toes in about 5 seconds because I see it all the time.
Folks, the Yamaha/Star Venture is a fantastic bike. You can get all caught up in carbs and HP and torque, but the bike has soooo much going for it....even with a design that is older than most of our kids.
Folks-he WANTED to love the Vision......remember when he said that to begin with? |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i dont knowmuch about the venture, is it the bike that is still carbed and has a cassette player? |
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Tourer
Posts: 307
Columbia, SC | I looked REALLY closely at the Venture. It's literally a la-z-boy on two wheels with all bells and whistles included into it's price. I just wanted something a little different, and I like the high-satisfaction rate and JD Power ratings of Victory. I also like that it's fuel injected and self-adjusted hydraulic lifters. I intend to ride a lot, far and wide, and I don't have to deal with carb issues or expensive valve checks for a while.
Ride what you like. I'm likin' the vision so far, and my wife likes it too.
Alexi |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | Arkainzeye - 2010-12-14 10:46 AM
i dont knowmuch about the venture, is it the bike that is still carbed and has a cassette player?
Yes, isn't that rediculous??? a cassette player! really? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 119
| Arkainzeye - 2010-12-14 12:46 PM i dont knowmuch about the venture, is it the bike that is still carbed and has a cassette player? There were two Yamaha Ventures: One in the mid 80s to mid 90s and the other which is currently in production and the topic of this thread. Both are V4s I missed this in the orignal post that where Sleeperhawk clearly stated "We currently have an 08 Yamaha Venture" and my comments were on the older Venture version. Sorry. I think others might have missed this also. That being said I do not see any reason why people on this forum can not reply in this thread with views on what they like/dislike about their Vision. Mike |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | I'm not sure if any comments beyond the first post by sleeperhawk was even necessary. The first post clearly states that the Vision is not for his wife and him for two reasons, put primarily one, his wife doesn't like the passenger space. It is a statement, not a question even though we offered suggestions in hopes to satisfy what was preceived he was looking for. So it really doesn't matter how good or bad the Vision is, he seems to only want to share that it is not for him because his wife does not have room, something that cannot be changed at this time.
Personally, I hope that sleeperhawk enjoys whatever he rides and hope that he and his wife will have many good miles together.
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2010-12-14 1:15 PM
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Vision Tourer vs Yamaha Venture
