|
|
Cruiser
Posts: 74
Republic of Texas | Last Friday night my buddy called to say his HD group was going for a ride in the morning and did I want to go. He hesitated and said" you don't have a Harley, I will ask around to see if it is OK." My smart A$$ reply: Sure, I will go. It's OK, put me in the back of the pack. That way ya'll don't have to look at my sexy taillights up ahead." 
At lunch break we were at the 150 mile mark and deciding on a good route home. I did not want freeway time so I suggested a longer route that would add at least 50 miles to the 100+ mile return trip. Only ONE guy thought it was a good idea. All the others were ready to get home. "uh.. I need to be home before dark. Uh.. I think maybe some other time. uh... that's a bit far out of the way. ...."
We took the freeway. 25 miles later it flooded! I was in a good shape until I had to slow down to about 45mph. Then water ran down the tank into my crotch! Boy, was that cold.
A great day!
I love my Vision.
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 65
Halifax, NS | Reading these posts I see and know that the Harley guys brerak down then spend the big bucks to get back on the road.
And then I keep reading about the Victory riders that break down and they wait weeks to get there bike looked at or there bike sits at the dealer for weeks while the rideing season slips away....
Hmmm spooky ether way !!!!!!!!! But weeks to get it looked at or get it back is NOT GOOD ......
Rob
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | That's always been the reason that you can ride a Milwaukee middlebuster and be confident you're never more than 20 miles from a dealers shop 'show us your plastic and have some coffee' |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 188
| Handyhoward - 2011-09-03 8:42 AM
Cap'n Nemo - 2011-09-03 10:19 AM
I don't know a Harley owner that likes their bike beyond it being a Harley. They complain of the comfort on long rides, and the cost to keep it running. Everytime they ride it is an event, and don't understand why I ride everyday. Of course the ones I know are RUBS so they don't count.
Now you know a previous Harley owner who had ZERO complaints about riding his 03 Fatboy 102,561 miles without any warranty work what-so-ever... and after fitting the bike to my size I could ride all day every day.
I miss that bike... it was a good one... but I felt like it was my time to buy my first bagger and I fell for the Vision because of looks alone. When it's running and everything is working properly, it is a great ride... 3 months old with 10,343 miles on it... 2 front tires... 3 rear brake failures... I finally fixed them without the need for a Victory service department or Polaris's, so far for me, worthless warranty.
I say to each their own... Personally I don't care much for the HD attitude. I am tired of hearing things like "If you don't ride a Harley, you don't ride a motorcycle." The closest thing I had to an HD was a Buell Blast, and after my experience with that bike, that was enough of HD for me. The bike needed to be worked on over something stupid every single time I rode it, and I bought to ride my short work commute. Sometimes it didn't start, sometimes it was electrical, ect. What a terrible POS. I know lots of Harley owners who have trouble free bikes, but know even more who have lots of troubles with their bikes.
Before I bought my first Victory, A KP, I road a couple of HD. At my time my impression was, over all low build quality, lots and lots of vibration, poor handling, $$$$, and dealers with shitty attitudes. So far my three Victory's have been rode a combined 60000 plus trouble free miles, dealers are hit or miss, and my only two grips about the vision are fit and finish could be better, and the side bags could be bigger.
Out of the box, the Vision is the best handling, most comfortable, full dresser I have ever been associated with. I still have the stock seat, floor boards, ect. About the only ergometric mod the bike really needed was the lowers. I don't even like the think about the buckets of money I have poured into other bikes to make them comfortable to ride.
But the other thing to consider is there are many of riders here who came to Victory because they were tired of HD. Maybe it was the dealer, or the reliability, maybe it was the attitude of HD riders... Who knows. But I do know a good number of people are here because they were simply tired of HD and everything it represented.
So don't get your panties in a bunch over some joshing, both side do it. I still ride with Harley riders... Well as long as they bringing up the tail... Don't want to run them over.  |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I think that Victory has gotten to a point that it is speaking for itself better than ever, if they can maintain the reputation. A lot of harley riders don't like joshin' and have been very defensive on here, go figure. I've been on the Harley forums where some will run Victory into the ground, but it's all good. Some Harley riders have come here purporting that they bought a Vision and then said it was the worse bike they ever ridden. They had unheard of problems to the extreme, had nothing but bad dealings with the dealers and Victory/Polaris and sold it totally unsatisfied and went back to the best bike ever, Harley. Then to top that off, they claimed to be the expert on everything motorcycle, rode more miles to more places than the "most interesting man in the world" therefore they were a renown expert on everthing. It's these threads that gives me hope that folks still have a passion to do something, even if it is to disagree with someone. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 74
Republic of Texas | Yesterday, I stopped at the HD shop looking at helmets. They have the best selection in the area.
After politely avoiding the sales people, I was getting on my Vision when a HD pulled in beside me.
HD Guy: I bet that is a smooth ride.
Me: Yes sir.
HD Guy: I like that style.
Me: Me too. Its' the other American made bike -- A Victory.
HD Guy: You have the full fairing. Ever ride in the rain?
Me: Uh.. sure. Last weekend, I got caught in a downpour.
HD Guy: I bet that was scary.
Me: (With dumb look) Uh... not really. It gets annoying when it rains so hard I have to slow down and wait on the other drivers. Otherwise, just keep riding.
HD Guy: I don't like the heat. Do you have problems with heat?
Me: (Now, we can discuss something I can relate to.) A bit. I get a lot of engine heat.
HD Guy: No.. I mean, from the rode. It gets hot blowing up inside the windshield.
Now, I am baffled with the conversation.
Me: Only from the engine.
HD Guy: I think I am going to trade this one in and find something that is cooler and has less vibration.
Me: OK. (Fire up and burp the pipes once. ) See Ya. Good Luck!
I think he was riding a Road Glide or something a little smaller. Sometimes HD guys are entertaining.
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 118
Spfld, IL but temp Bay area, CA | When people ask me why I ride a Victory instead of a Harley, I tell them because I like to RIDE motorcycles--not WORK on them. Then I smile.
Pretty much shuts them up. |
|
| |
Did the HD owner question his purchase?
