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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | I did a lot of research before buying my 2011 Vision 8 ball March 26, 2011 And I rode all the big cruisers. The Vision 8 Ball was the bike for me.
Now I just want to give it back, get a refund for everything including labor costs, added parts cost, 500 mile service costs, towing costs, etc. and BUY SOMETHING ELSE, ANYTHING ELSE!
Before I picked up my new Vision the dealer added Cruise control, Power Windshield, Rear Tip overs and passenger floorboards and floorboard relocation. Then after the break in period the dealer add an Amp for my iPod, CFR Exhaust. Then I added a Gustafson Flip windshield. It rides nice.......WHEN IT RIDES!!!!
One week after my purchase I try to order a backrest and luggage rack. But seems Victory doesn't make 'em anymore!! WHAT? Are you freaking kidding me? Is this the company support I expected? NO! How dare they abandon their owners?!?! A backrest is prolly the biggest accessory bike owners of all cruiser makes want. And Vic just stops making them? Gee, they have one for the new XC and the CC. Will they abandon those people in a few years?
But I digress from the big issues. My apologies.
One month from purchase I had a power spike and the engine light came on. Bike never "died" and it ran fine. Off to the purchasing dealer (who is 120 miles away!). Of course, it took a week for the dealer to get a voltage regulator and install it. Afterwards, all is good. Everything SEEMED okay. So I added PC 5 with map for stock air kit and CFR exhaust. A week or so later, I noticed my center headlamp was out!! Note made to see the dealer in due time. Bike still runs fine.
Then on my 2 month anniversary (May 26, 2011) the bike just freaking died while I was going 60 down the highway. Yup. Just died. Lost ALL POWER! Engine light on. Thank goodness I was not trying to pass someone!! That could have been FATAL! Tried to re-start. Engine light now off but while it cranked it sounded like the engine was not getting a spark. No luck with several attempts. Called a tow. $135 to the nearest dealer 35 miles away. Of course the "FREE" tow coverage Vic gave me for 12 months will only pay a WHOPPING $50. Gee thanks Victory!!!
So here I sit, Memorial Day Weekend plans gone as my NEW bike is in the shop and will not be fixed until Tuesday at the earliest. (I'm betting it's in the shop at least a week) Gee, I am so glad I bought a Vision! (please note lots of sarcasm)
I have owned many bikes over the years. Mostly Jap bikes. Yamahas, Kawasakis, Hondas, and a Triumph. And in all those years and all those bikes I cannot remember ever having problems in the first year (usually 2 or more years) of ownership. And all those bikes had performance add-on's within 3 months of ownership, and usually immediately after purchase.
So guys, WTF. Is the Vision a POS and I missed it in my research and review? Please, tell me again why I should be "happy" to own a Vision. Yea, it rides nice. Yea, everyone gawks and compliments. But my buddies (many of whom own Harleys) are horrified with the issues I am having in the FIRST TWO MONTHS of ownership.
Thanks for letting me vent. I will let you know how things work out. Feel free to comment if you wish. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 965
New York State | You bought an 8-ball and added a ton of extra's.It will take time to work out your issues. I bought a Tour Premium had very few problem's but all were eventually solved.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Trek, the dealer did all add-on's except the flip windshield. Think the flip shield could be causing my problems? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 669
Peachtree City, GA | Two Vision an 08 (wife's) and my 09 Anniversary - No issues (knock on wood). I would look to your dealer as some wrenches should not be near a bike. Not that I am saying you have a bad one.... There are more that I will not allow to touch my bikes then one's I will.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | THANKS Webhair!! The dealer wrench in question seemed competent and I am still tend to believe that. I had multiple discussions with him and even sat in the shop and watched as he did some of the add's. That being said, I did have the same thought you mentioned. So the bike is at a different dealership. Since this is a warranty issue for me I can't see paying my usual wrench that works on my Kawasaki. He's great but he ain't cheap! LOL So here's hoping the new dealer wrench is really good.
Nice to hear you have 2 Visions and no problems. That's encouraging. I hope mine gets fixed and is my last problem for a long, long time. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | I do hope you get your stuff worked out max, it sucks, but it happens. My biked burned up a month of great riding at the dealer once. The reason: the dealer said they had to HOLD the bike until Victory got back with them on COSMETIC 1st year warrantys. Interestingly enough they gave it back to me WITHOUT hearing back from Victory, the Friday before the Fourth of July weekend, when I kicked up enough sand. I would have felt better had there actually been something WRONG with the bike.
I'm just trying to make you feel better. Adding all the stuff might be the issue so it will take time to get it worked out. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 196
| Dude, you are having some issues. I would be hot too! With the add-ons, and the problems you are having, the wrench would be the first suspect for me....
Have never had these types of issues and problems where I couldn't ride, and I have a bunch of goodies also!
Good Luck! |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | I haven't had any problems with my '08 Vision but I only have 12,000 miles on it. Yours could be a problem bike, I don't know but I know how you feel, In 1988 I bought a brand new brand new Monte Carlo SS that was beautiful but was a lemon and Chevy will never get a dime from me again. Hopefully your problems will get set straight. I have CFR's on my Vision too, they sound good huh ?? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Edmonton Alberta, Canada | I'd say it is the rear passenger floor board relocaters! I used to "snowmobile" with guys that had to have every little tuner gadget on their sled before it left the dealership! I always had a good tow rope as they never and I repeat never made a complete ride! Sorry to say but I have a buddy with a Harley (stock), and a custom, If we are bar hopping we let him ride his hot rod, but if there is any distance, he is on his hog. I do not wrench on the road, I am to ride not wrench! Just my opinion! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Edmonton Alberta, Canada | I'd say it is the rear passenger floor board relocaters! I used to "snowmobile" with guys that had to have every little tuner gadget on their sled before it left the dealership! I always had a good tow rope as they never and I repeat never made a complete ride! Sorry to say but I have a buddy with a Harley (stock), and a custom, If we are bar hopping we let him ride his hot rod, but if there is any distance, he is on his hog. I do not wrench on the road, I am to ride not wrench! Just my opinion! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | The big mistake was taking a new bike right out of the box and trying to transform it into something else. You should have at least put a thousand miles or more first to make sure you had a stable platform from which to start.
All the vision drivers here and I have never heard of so many problems so soon, so I have to go with the previous posts and say the problem lies with the add-ons, or wrench that put them there. However, because they were put on a new, untested bike, you have nowhere to point the blame. Sorry to be so blunt, but your only option is to suck it up and be patient as they sort through the problems.
I might suggest, next time you get it running good, don't run out and through more crap on it. Put some miles on it. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Sorry to hear you are having so many problems. My first 08 tour premium tried to buck be off the first week and wouldn't idle. Bad map sensor. The dealer didn't have one so that took one of a brand new bike on the showroom floor for me. Went 35,000 miles in two and a half years problem free untill I was rear-ended at a light and the bike totaled on 1/8/11. I got my second 08 tour premium on 2/2/11 with 18,200 miles on it. Hit 24,500 this weekend. No Victory problems, just some Ness aftermarket trouble, which Ness took care of for me. |
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Tourer
Posts: 554
2 mi from Jim Beam n KY | Never saw a list like that!!! Wow!! I'd be ticked off, too! Yours is WAY outside the norm for a Vision.
All those mods will take a bit to work out. You'll love it, in the near future! But your dealer has work to do first.
BTW, Cap'n Nemo has about 100K miles on his 08 Tour!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| I was going to buy an 2011 Vision 8-ball, but went with the Silver/Black/Gray Tour instead with all the factory stuff on it cause I too have had some bad experiences with the dealer adding stuff..Not with my two Vics, but with Hondas and others that had dealer people install.....My heart goes out to you and I know you are frustrated, but hopefully Victory will step up and solve these issues.......BTW, I was told last week that you can now order the back rest and rack for the Vision from the mothership web-site????? Good luck...And on a side note, my new Vision sets in the garage day after day since May 10 as it has rained almost everyday since then...Bummer!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 492
Indianapolis, IN | Making multiple changes at the same time is a recipe for disaster. You have no idea which one or combination caused or started the problems. My advise is to systematically go through each add on and try to narrow down the cause.
I think you will find that most vision owners have few if any problems from the get go. I have 21K on my 2010 and haven't touched the bike with a wrench for a repair to date. I have added a couple gadgets but one at a time. I didn't even take the bike in for the 500 mile. These are very well designed and built bikes. They can be a little finicky when it comes to messing with the electronics. Even low battery voltage can make the ecm a little sqirly.
I think you will be able to get the bike right but it may be a little bit of a challenge. Next time if you want a black bike loaded with goodies, buy the black tour premium or paint one black. They come factory tested with all the bells and wistles. Even if you have to paint the plastic black it's hard to mess up the function of the bike doing this. Good luck and keep us posted. BTW if the dealer did the work they owe it to you to get it right! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 262
Flowery Branch Ga | 2010 8Ball Vision bought new on Sept. 8 of 10. Got 6300 miles so far. I ride nearly every day and nearly year round. The only "problem" I've had was a minor squeak in the belt. (Mech fixed with Carmex at service.) I added the factory backrest and luggage rack, cup holder, fairing toe gaurds, and backlit badges. I have made no changes to the running gear and I have no problems. I think you need to be patient and work the bugs out of all the extras. Also --- Put up some pictures. How do you like the windshield?
Wayne |
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Tourer
Posts: 446
East TN | Sorry to hear you're having all these problems...I've got a '09 Tour Premium, only problem I've had is the upper wind deflector falling off, and a weird gas tank issue... Seeing you're in Orlando, FL take it to KevinX he's just up the road in Gainesville...Polaris of Gainesville...He can fix it!!!
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Cruiser
Posts: 81
Salinas, Ca. | Like others have stated, your frustration is understandable! I would be one pissed off dude too. Rest assured that what your experiencing is not normal. I have 35k on my 08 without any issues to speak of and there are countless of others without crazy issues as well . Don't give up on the Vision, it's definitely one of if not the best touring bikes out there. You didn't decide to buy one over all the others for no good reason. You did your research and like the rest of us found it to be the best bike out there (for you). So rest in that and pray that this new dealer can figure out what is wrong. Good luck my friend!!! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 131
Edmond, OK 2012 Vision, 2012 Cross Country | I have a 2011 Vision and had a 2009 Vision which was totalled out (another story). With the 2 bikes the '11 has 10k on it owned it since 11/19/2010 and the '09 had approximately 13k when it was totalled. The only issues have been with the '09 which were water in the headlight, and the deflector under the mirror on the left side fell off, both covered by warranty. Hope you get yours fixed soon your dealer in one way or another should make it good for you. GOOD LUCK! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 154
Danbury, Connecticut | When you say power spike and voltage regulator I'm assuming the regulator failed full on. That usually means you were pumping 16-18 volts to all your electronics. That regulator failure wasn't likely a momentary thing. If that is the case all the onboard delicate electronics could have been overstressed and you may find additional failures coming your way. I'm a professional auto tech and just had a Honda Civic in last week with an internally regulated alternator failure and it was charging 18 volts-by the time he brought it in for repair it blew both headlights. I would plan a long ride near the selling dealer to see if anything else is going to fail in short order. I would think they should warranty the headlight with no problem. You bought a very good bike and I don't think your add-ons are the issue here. If you continue to have electrical problems see if they will buy you out/exchange it with another. You paid a lot of money in a bad economy for a product that should be reliable-it should be on the dealer and the corporation to make that happen if electrical problems persist. Don't give up on Victory unless ultimately they don't make it right in a reasonable time frame. Good luck and keep us posted. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | I really sucks when one simple part can be bad and cause so many others to fail because of it.
Please keep us posted. The mothership had better take care of this, don't settle until ALL elctronics that could be effected by that are checked and cleared or replaced.
All brands have failures. The determination of the quality a company, is in how well it takes care of their failures. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | SteveS - 2011-05-28 8:31 PM
When you say power spike and voltage regulator I'm assuming the regulator failed full on. That usually means you were pumping 16-18 volts to all your electronics. That regulator failure wasn't likely a momentary thing. If that is the case all the onboard delicate electronics could have been overstressed and you may find additional failures coming your way. I'm a professional auto tech and just had a Honda Civic in last week with an internally regulated alternator failure and it was charging 18 volts-by the time he brought it in for repair it blew both headlights. I would plan a long ride near the selling dealer to see if anything else is going to fail in short order. I would think they should warranty the headlight with no problem. You bought a very good bike and I don't think your add-ons are the issue here. If you continue to have electrical problems see if they will buy you out/exchange it with another. You paid a lot of money in a bad economy for a product that should be reliable-it should be on the dealer and the corporation to make that happen if electrical problems persist. Don't give up on Victory unless ultimately they don't make it right in a reasonable time frame. Good luck and keep us posted.
Well said! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 965
New York State | MaddMAx2u - 2011-05-28 12:07 PM
Trek, the dealer did all add-on's except the flip windshield. Think the flip shield could be causing my problems?
Hey if you bought a Tour Premium and had many issues I can sympithize. But you bought a base model and tried to up grade it over night and big surprise your stuff ain't blending together yet.
Don't boo hoo over the general product when you bought yours ass backwards |
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Tourer
Posts: 523
seattle, wa | Sounds like Victory needs to give you a replacement bike. I have never heard of anybody having as much trouble as you have. Don't give up on Victory yet, keep after them until they make it right. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| I also have an '11 and my regulator also failed in the first month at 1000 miles. Exactly the same scenario. The voltage began to slowly increase over an hour or so during a trip from SoCal to Phoenix on the interstate. Finally it got to 16 volts and the check engine light came on so I turned on every piece of electrical equipment possible and kept the engine at very low rpms. I was able to keep it below 16 volts and made it to a motel at about 25 mph. I had it towed to the local dealer who I finally convinced to take one off of a bike on the floor. Turns out the '11 regulator is different than the earlier ones so nobody around had one. I was thinking about carrying one as a spare but I've got 10K on the bike now and the regulator has been fine so hopefully the OP and I just got early run bad ones. Other than that, absolutely nothing else has gone wrong.
In case anyone else ends up with this problem, the trick as I mentioned, is to keep the voltage down below 16 volts in order to keep the check engine light out and from causing any further damage. If you turn on everything including the seats, grips, radio, HID and high beams, emergency flashers, etc and run the engine in higher gears at low rpm you can at least get somewhere safe.
Marc |
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Buyers Remorse. The Vision that couldn't.
