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Cruiser
Posts: 64
St. Louis, MO United States | Earlier today I read this post and it has irritated me all day.
I purchased my Vision Tour Premium in the spring and have been praising it ever since to anyone that would listen, especially HD riders. While I have not had any major issues I am very concerened with what I have read here. I have a company in the electronics industry and a number of our manufacturers actually ask certain customers what they think. I happen to be one of them because I will truly give them an honest review of what is good and what is bad with their products and/or services. With that being said and with time on my hands because I am out of town on business I hope someone from Victory (Polaris) reads what "Teach" has stated in his thread and takes it to someone that can address this customers problems.
My other observations from traveling to dealerships in Florida, Missouri, and Illinois.
Your dealers... Victory is "just another brand" of motorcycle they have. They have no special knowledge of your product over anything else they sell and in my actual case are usually educated by the consumer.
This is not true of HD. These people LOVE their product and live it. A HD mechanic does it because he loves HD, not because that is what the dealership is selling this week.
An D salesman kows the difference between models.
I do not speak for other Vision riders but I particular was attracted to the Vision because it was unique and not the status quo. I am VERY concerned now about my American made investment and truly hope I do not nor anyone else have the problems or be treated the way "Teach" has.
"Teach" I hope you find satisfaction and find another bike manufacturere that makes you happy.
Keep the rubber side down.
I still like mine and wish I was home to ride it, but this definetly brings an unecessary clouds into view.
In no way am I trying to insult anyone or organization in this. I am simply posting my opinion. Others may agree or disagree, that is the right you have in this great country of ours.
I would sincerly like to see someone from management in Victory/Polars to address this gentleman in this forum to let this customer know that you do care what we think and we are valued customers.
Business Rule #1
Customer is always right.
Business Rule #2
Refer to rule #1
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
St. Louis, MO United States | Earlier today I read this post and it has irritated me all day.
I purchased my Vision Tour Premium in the spring and have been praising it ever since to anyone that would listen, especially HD riders. While I have not had any major issues I am very concerened with what I have read here. I have a company in the electronics industry and a number of our manufacturers actually ask certain customers what they think. I happen to be one of them because I will truly give them an honest review of what is good and what is bad with their products and/or services. With that being said and with time on my hands because I am out of town on business I hope someone from Victory (Polaris) reads what "Teach" has stated in his thread and takes it to someone that can address this customers problems.
My other observations from traveling to dealerships in Florida, Missouri, and Illinois.
Your dealers... Victory is "just another brand" of motorcycle they have. They have no special knowledge of your product over anything else they sell and in my actual case are usually educated by the consumer.
This is not true of HD. These people LOVE their product and live it. A HD mechanic does it because he loves HD, not because that is what the dealership is selling this week.
An D salesman kows the difference between models.
I do not speak for other Vision riders but I particular was attracted to the Vision because it was unique and not the status quo. I am VERY concerned now about my American made investment and truly hope I do not nor anyone else have the problems or be treated the way "Teach" has.
"Teach" I hope you find satisfaction and find another bike manufacturere that makes you happy.
Keep the rubber side down.
I still like mine and wish I was home to ride it, but this definetly brings an unecessary clouds into view.
In no way am I trying to insult anyone or organization in this. I am simply posting my opinion. Others may agree or disagree, that is the right you have in this great country of ours.
I would sincerly like to see someone from management in Victory/Polars to address this gentleman in this forum to let this customer know that you do care what we think and we are valued customers.
Business Rule #1
Customer is always right.
Business Rule #2
Refer to rule #1
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Cruiser
Posts: 205
| While I agree with you, I also know that HD has endless horror stories just like this. There is no guarantee of good service at HD. However, with the small amount of Vision owners in the world, Victory could really make a name for themselves by catering to owners in every possible way. Word would spread quickly of the Rolls Royce service for the Rolls Royce bike.
This should be a teaching moment for Victory. They should shower the new owners of this a-typical bike with a-typical support. Everyone wins in the long run. I am still trying to discern if the real issue is support from the factory or support from the after-market warranty. That really makes a difference in this complaint. No less frustrating for Teach, but a difference in the universal applicability of the situation.
VICTORY: Fix Teach's bike, you owe it to him.
Teach: Hang in there, persevere, and enjoy the things you can. We do empathize. |
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Tourer
Posts: 411
Dallas, Texas | Teach - 2009-10-06 3:56 PM
The headlite for those asking are BROKE on ALL Visions, they come that way from the supplier. So if you have a Vision you have a defective headlite.
For those who are fence sitting about purchasing a Vision; My Vision has had more junk go wrong with it than ANYONE else on this site. It is just pure bad luck and there are many here who have NEVER had a claim of any type. The bad luck I can live with, the way it has been handled is crap. With all the bad luck the Vision has been a great machine in handling and general ridability, you won't find a more comfortable bike right out of the box, BUT Victory needs to get their act together when it comes to customer service. Far too many fingers in the pie. The Customer Service Hotline? What a joke, they can't/won't do a thing. If a dealers mechanic says its broke why do they need to convince Victory and get an authorization number? They shouldn't need to. Let the dealers fix the damn bike and quit the run around crap. It is micro-management of this sort that have created all the problems. Well that and the extended warranty isn't run by Victory. You made the bike warranty the damn thing. Parts changed under the factory warranty should be covered by Victory for a period of at least 6 months. Passing the buck to the extended warranty provider is bull.
Well now I am going to take a hard look at my headlight.
Anyway, I feel you, Teach. My bike issues weren't as severe, but the "Victory attitude" bugged me to no end as well.
http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4364&pos...
Give 'em he11, Teach.
And I still think ANY company that relies on consumer purchases and/or satisfaction needs to be as vigilant as possible to find feedback from their customers. Whether it be websites like these, Dealer feedback, or direct consumer contact. That is what sets a great company apart from the rest.
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Cruiser
Posts: 271
Belding Michigan | OK I know I am going to get bashed but I have found victory to be a good company to do business with and my dealer not only understand the product but he and both his sons ride the victorys they sell.
I ran into the regional Victory Rep at my dealer and talked to him for a while. He knows the bikes and cares about peoples needs he put me onto the forward set pegs that Victory put out for those of us who have long legs.
I am not sure what can be done to help the people with issues but I have a fairly new Chysler 300 and a 2009 Ford truck when I look at the boards for them I find some people are happy with what they have and some dissappointed. Some car and bikes are good some are bad but from what I have seen here and the poll voting shows most of us would do it again. Someone asked me last week when I was out for a ride what I would ride if price were no object. With my size and legs I would go out today and buy another Vision because it fits me like no other bike ever has. Archie |
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Cruiser
Posts: 143
Sparta, WI | Teach, Maybe you should do what my uncle Ted did a few years back. Wrap the bike with some lemon designed exterior wrap and then go back and talk to them. Uncle Ted got the dealers attention and some serious results. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
| Teach - 2009-10-06 3:56 PM
For those who are fence sitting about purchasing a Vision; My Vision has had more junk go wrong with it than ANYONE else on this site.
I have you beat!!!!
I can't recall all the things that have gone wrong but here is most of them:
Stereo problem as well, the ipod cord (I am on my sixth), fried Ipod, frozen stereo, no reception at all, oil pressure sensor failed and leaked oil, headlight full of water, cruise not working, heated grips broke, windscreen crooked, windscreen defected, misaligned everything, breather tube cut by jagged edge rubbing, frayed brake line, trip computer resets itself, surging when the cruise works, clattering trunk lid, belt squeak, paint issues, heat issues, rain issues.....
I still love the bike and feel it is better than any alternative bike. 
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Golfer, no you don't my friend, lol..... ADD to your list two oil sending units, the bar mounted radio control, shock bushing, cracked windshield, chipping muffler end caps due to corrosion from UNDER the paint, defective seat (was actually missing foam in the center), broken trunk armrest pins and I'm sure some other stuff I've forgotten. Most defects have reoccured at least twice.... oh and a rear tire because the shock bushings were bad, lol. You gotta laugh as it beats crying. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | ONE of all of the above..... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | I almost don't see the point in exerting the energy honestly. I've been on this site for over year and have seen several posts come and go with subjects similar to "attention victory", "Victory:" ,"Polaris Industries", etc. and I have never seen any of them addressed. It's like screaming at a brick wall. If we can't get them to even give us the simple curtesy of a call back, why would we expect them to scan online forums for complaints? Call me idiotic but I don't believe a word about how this company is "watching for feedback", "listening to their customers", "taking ques from their consumer base" or any other catch phrase that comes from Polaris' marketing, designers or management. The interviews you read in the bike mags are loaded with complete bull shit. These sales were made and it's a done deal. Me personally, I've taken to the bike as a hobby in and of itself. I've been stuck waiting for painted parts for over six months because they were not being produced due to vendor problems. Then they showed up broke because they ship thier stuff like it's inexpensive ATV crap. I've been dealing with a couple issues since day one and it's been a year and a half since I got the bike. She's not perfect but she's what I've got. They're more focused on taking their bikes over seas and expansion than fixing what they've put out. I would personally not be surprised to see class action against Victory/Polaris. It is what it is I guess. I'll be finally getting my warrantied rear pulley hopefully within the month. I've pretty much decided that I won't be messing around with Vic when I'm ready for my next bike. That's going to be a long time from now. In the mean time I've already saved a couple of friends/family from making the Victory mistake. My cousin now does not have to worry about a bike with a garbage transmission (early V92C) and my buddy doesn't have to worry about Vision that needs flashing, pulleys, radios, cheap plastic work including headlights and body panels, etc. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 125
Kerrville Texas ( now a homeowner on six acres) | Regarding the comment about dealers across three states including Missouri.
Jones powersports in Columbia missouri EDUCATE their employees on the Victory MC's and all their products.They have a DYNOMITE service dept. and can teach a bunch of dealers how it is done.
They are located south on US hwy 63 about 4miles south of I-70. Been selling victory mc's since Vic. started.
They sell ONLY Polaris prod's plus KTM Dirtbikes and Ducati MC's
They can tell you everything about all those products. Also were the HD dealers for 14 years, sold it when Vic's came out.
We baught a Kingpin in 05 and the Vision in 07. We have been on the road for almost a couple of years and have had the Vision serviced in 11 or 12 dealers across the country. All have been fair to good but, not to the calibre of Jones.
Stop and see them if you travel that way. (about 1/2 way between St.Louis and Kansas city)
SMADGE |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| I don't know how it always ends up being a discourse on how good this or that "dealership" is, that is NOT even a question here. My dealer has got to be as frustrated as I, after all they have to deal with me, lol....
Nope this is about "Victory" aka Polaris that don't do the right things. Placing BAD oil sending units back in stock when they KNOW they were improperly stamped is their fault. Not correcting the headlite defect is their fault. Not correcting the radio problems are again their fault. Dragging out warranty claims with repairs they KNOW will not fix the problem so they can then pass the warranty repair to the extended is not only their fault, but its down right dishonorable. Making their dealers get authorization before repairs can be made is their fault. This is a VICTORY problem NOT a DEALER problem.
Don't get me wrong other manufacturers can be a pain to deal with, but Victory has been the worst I've ever encountered. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | I don't get it either. This is exactly what happened to the other threads. They got hijacked and went OT about "MY dealership is GREAT" and "MY dealerships sucks". I'd like to keep this thread on topic too. I personally don't care about how good your dealership is. It means nothing when Vic. won't step up to back them. If you wanna plug your dealership, do it in the appropriate thread. We already know there are good and bad ones. I've plugged 2 or 3 in the appropriate threads. I'm right here with you Teach. I wanna hash this $hit out. I'd love to see at least 1 rep step up and address anything on this site. Dragging out warranty claims! That is exactly the way I felt I was being dragged with this rear pulley BS. I bought the ext. warranty because I was afraid I'd get boned if I didn't. I figured "what the hell, its only about $200 more for the warranty than buying a new pulley outright". But honestly, if I had known how much BS it would have turned into and how long it would take, I would have just ponied up the money up front for the replacement parts and got on with it. Now it's about making them honor their end of the bargain. After the pulley shows up, I still have to persue 2 other issues but I think I'm just going to pay the $ and buy replacements outright. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | bigwill5150 - 2009-10-08 7:59 AM I wanna hash this $hit out. I'd love to see at least 1 rep step up and address anything on this site. Knowing I'll get blasted, this forum or any other cyperspace open forum is not the forum you address these issues. At best you are giving Polaris a little bad press and venting your frustration. No corporation would go to a forum and take this at face value, as there is no face. It is a bunch of words in cyperspace that may or may not be true. I'll whine a little while I'm here about Victory. I go to the dealer yesterday to get a fuel filter, recommended by the book to be changed at 30,000 miles. I'm on 55,000 miles now and figured it is as good as time as any. I stood there and waited for about 20 minutes while they looked through manuals and parts listings and could not find the filter part number. So what am I to replace it with? They're going to call Victory today and see what'd up. They're in tank filters and require pulling the pump to change, not necessarily my idea of a replaceable service item, but it is what it is. But I would like to call or write Victory and ask them a lot of questions as they are not going to answer them here no matter what you say or how bad you say it. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 600
Linwood, MI | varyder - 2009-10-08 7:16 AM
...this forum or any other cyperspace open forum is not the forum you address these issues. At best you are giving Polaris a little bad press and venting your frustration.
Isn't it, though. I mean, he's frustrated and more than a little pissed off. We're the community that can best "feel his pain." I'm sure he's probably not looking for pats on the back and "awww, there there, it'll be alright," but where else is he going to find a group of people that can understand what he's going through and even benefit from the knowledge of his experience?
Frankly, I think this is an excellent place for him to vent his frustration. Maybe Polaris/Victory never reads here and most likely nothing will come of his words posted here for all to see. But maybe, just maybe, it will make him feel a tad better about he's going through by hollerin' here for us to read. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Rebel, in context, the forum is best to do just that, vent your frustration, and I applaud that effort overall. Maybe it is understood across the spectrum of readers, that is all this is, venting the frustration and banter. But I hope no one goes to sleep tonight expecting a phone call from Victory because this post...but... just maybe.... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Hey guys, I just got off the phone with Mark, you know, the guy from Victory...him and I, well we know each other, he signed my hat one day. Anyway he said, everything is going to be just fine! Now I can sleep better, how about you? 
SF, it was a great day today...thanks! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | varyder - 2009-10-08 5:16 AM
bigwill5150 - 2009-10-08 7:59 AM I wanna hash this $hit out. I'd love to see at least 1 rep step up and address anything on this site. Knowing I'll get blasted, this forum or any other cyperspace open forum is not the forum you address these issues. At best you are giving Polaris a little bad press and venting your frustration. No corporation would go to a forum and take this at face value, as there is no face. It is a bunch of words in cyperspace that may or may not be true. I'll whine a little while I'm here about Victory. I go to the dealer yesterday to get a fuel filter, recommended by the book to be changed at 30,000 miles. I'm on 55,000 miles now and figured it is as good as time as any. I stood there and waited for about 20 minutes while they looked through manuals and parts listings and could not find the filter part number. So what am I to replace it with? They're going to call Victory today and see what'd up. They're in tank filters and require pulling the pump to change, not necessarily my idea of a replaceable service item, but it is what it is. But I would like to call or write Victory and ask them a lot of questions as they are not going to answer them here no matter what you say or how bad you say it.
I have called AND written Polaris with no response from Victory. When I write they send me a survey. When I call they tell me to talk to my dealer. Dealers always want to keep my bike for at least a week. I ride daily, the Vision is my second car. If techs are Victory trained why doesnt Victory trust their judgment? My last issue I fixed myself, just seemed cheaper than wasting gas going to the dealer. I have used both factory and extended warrantys on two of my HD's with no problems.
I'm with Teach, as nice as the bike is, it will be my last Victory. If I had the issues Teach has I would have talked to a lawyer a long time ago.
Wether your state has a lemon law or not, they do have laws to protect consumers.
Talk to a law student at the local college.
There's always the class action suit. Not something I'm fond of because the lawyers are the only ones that make out. But it would get Victorys attention. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | 
Edited by varyder 2009-10-08 9:05 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 400
| It's unfortunate that people are so unhappy with their Vision that they are telling others not to buy Victory. Both for the consumer and the line workers at Spirit Lake that enjoy seeing us each year at the AVR. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | believe me, any intelligent reader of forums will find much more positive comments then the few negative comments. that's why there has never been a class action suit against Victory - most of the satisified riders never even mess with a forum, or know they exist. They're too busy riding with a big smile on their face. Ride on, ride safe! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 79
Memphis,Tn. | Slightly off topic but it's not just Victory. About 8 years ago there were tens of thousands of Dodge Cummins pickup owners with lift pumps (fuel pumps) that were garbage. Hundreds of (TDR) owner forum threads and pleas to Dodge/Cummins and no one ever made a peep or post there from the manufacturers about this. We were "invisible" and didn't seem to exist. This went on for over two years while the aftermarket vendors became rich selling fuel pump relocation kits. There were hundreds of "Cummins/Dodge are you listening" threads.
Never any response, and I do mean never.
Then one day, a member scanned and posted a factory parts manual to PDF format. No big deal right??
WITHIN 2 HOURS of it's posting the manufacturer's legal department logged on and posted that this was COPYRIGHTED material AND that everyone that had downloaded it would be SHOT at sunrise - and then sent to a prison in Bolivia!!!
Victory knows... they're silent, but trust me, they know....
Edited by TopFuel 2009-10-09 1:02 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | on the subject of slightly off topic, jeep cherokee family owners, at least a good portion of them, have experienced the "death wobble" literally for decades, something that Chrysler has never acknowledged nor anyone has found an absolute cure for. Ask me how I know being the owner of 3 cherokees, 89, 93, '01. as for the copyrighted material, there are watchdogs for that type of information and it can be quickly substantiated, thus the response. when you have a problem with your vehicle, do take it to the fixer, or do you call them on the phone and ask them to fix it over the phone... I'm just saying...
Edited by varyder 2009-10-09 4:44 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | TopFuel - 2009-10-09 12:59 AM
Slightly off topic but it's not just Victory. About 8 years ago there were tens of thousands of Dodge Cummins pickup owners with lift pumps (fuel pumps) that were garbage. Hundreds of (TDR) owner forum threads and pleas to Dodge/Cummins and no one ever made a peep or post there from the manufacturers about this. We were "invisible" and didn't seem to exist. This went on for over two years while the aftermarket vendors became rich selling fuel pump relocation kits. There were hundreds of "Cummins/Dodge are you listening" threads.
Never any response, and I do mean never.
Then one day, a member scanned and posted a factory parts manual to PDF format. No big deal right??
WITHIN 2 HOURS of it's posting the manufacturer's legal department logged on and posted that this was COPYRIGHTED material AND that everyone that had downloaded it would be SHOT at sunrise - and then sent to a prison in Bolivia!!!
Victory knows... they're silent, but trust me, they know....
Wow. Thank you for that. I am a member of many MC boards, and we always wonder. If you don't mind, I am going to copy & paste your story.
Thank you.
Herb |
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Cruiser
Posts: 79
Memphis,Tn. | No problem. It was Cummins that went nuts about the online parts manual, not Dodge.
BTW, I'm on my third Dodge/Cummins dually. I like how they drive. |
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