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Buell Forum » Balancing Allegiance with Rebellion, the H-D Way » Anyone else like cruisers and move to Victory after HD killed Buell? » Archive through March 26, 2011 « Previous Next »

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Rightpecial
Posted on Monday, October 04, 2010 - 02:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Personally, I prefer sporty standards like the Uly, Cyclone, or a lot of other Buell bikes...but I do miss having a cruiser in the stable for various reasons. I never really had anything against HD bikes and was going to pick up a Road Glide in a couple of years, but after seeing how HD treated Buell, as it is the only brand I ever really identified with, I just don't think I'll be able to give them more money. Victory's big touring line looks impressive. Anyone else go this route?
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Doz
Posted on Monday, October 04, 2010 - 06:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm not in the market for another harley just yet but the victory bikes have come a long way in a short amount of time (unlike HD), If I'm buying new, I'd definatly go for a vic...but there are plenty of used low mileage harleys out there and probably always will be.
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Court
Posted on Monday, October 04, 2010 - 06:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

>>>Victory's big touring line looks impressive. Anyone else go this route?

Be certain to visit with Elf Jim Bantz (JB2). He is a "Rider's Rider", made the leap to light speed years ago and can give you a great deal of information.

Based solely on the things he's said . . . . were I (and I dearly loved my last FLHTC) I'd go with the Victory in a heartbeat. Has nearly nothing to do with the Buell & HD goings on . . . simply a matter that I was to ride, relax, enjoy myself and not have the hassles that come with a Harley-Davidson.
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Trojan
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 10:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Victory have come on in leaps and bounds since their shakey start and initial model range. The product quality is far better than anything H-D produces and in my view the model range is nicer too (apart from the huge star trek inspired touring vision thingy!). I had a Victory on test for a couple of weeks and was reallty impressed with the motor and build quality : )
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Jb2
Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 11:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

As a Victory owner I have to say I am really impressed with the machine. I "settled" for a Vegas because HD wouldn't come off their list price for a new Super Glide. Now that I've been in the saddle and logged many high mileage trips I can attest to the quality of the bikes and their dependability. The Vegas had a few quirks that are the nature of the bike... namely the 21" front wheel but this would inherent to any bike with that hoop. The other annoying thing was hitting neutral after the bike was warmed up. I have had no problem working around that but the new 106/6speed addressed that problem as well. Kim and I have been looking at the new Cross Country and are sold. We'll be taking delivery on a 2011 sometime in March. Harley who?

OOOOPS, I almost forgot, I had to adjust the clutch cable once on the Vegas. ; )
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Reepicheep
Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 12:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I spent an early morning with a camera studying JB's victory, Henriks S2, and Ferris Road King, and I can tell you that all three bikes are things you can just sit and stare at for an hour and enjoy.


vic



S2



king
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Prior
Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 02:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Reep,
What a great weekend that was. Too bad I wasn't able to ride MY bike there.

Can't say I've logged a ton of time on bikes other than Buells, but the very day the pictures above were taken, Jim was kind enough to toss me the keys to his Vic to go out for the day and romp around some of WNC's finest roads. It took a bit to get used to the forward controls, but overall I really did like the bike. Not necessarily my cup of tea, but a good kind of different.

Soo... What color of Cross Country are you getting?
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Jb2
Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 02:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Blue, Cyclone Blue, or about the same color as your old Cyclone. It might be a hair darker but at least it ain't black with skulls! : ) I would have taken straight black but it's been many moons since I owned a blue bike and the color they offer for '11 is real pleasing.
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Jb2
Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 02:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

+2 Reep. Great weekend. Great friends, cool bikes... well except for a malnourished KLR250. ; ) But in the end it was even cool. Tearing down a single, in a rainstorm, in the parking lot of a motel with all your buddies watching... priceless. : )
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Reepicheep
Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 03:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My new single is a 250cc dual sport (1971 Kawasaki Bison F8), but is now a proper dual sport, and is a two stroke.

I won't be spinning a cam in this one! : ) And if I do break it, we can probably fix it with a chisel and ball peen hammer.

With some sticky trials tires though, it could be no end of fun on the gap! Nothing like riding visibly bored right behind a GSXR-1000 on a 1971 dual sport. : )

That was an excellent day!
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Buelldawg
Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 07:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Greetings,

Just thought I'd add my .02. I picked up a Cross Country in May and love it. The ergos,handling,ride and power are better than the Electraglide.
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Road_thing
Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2010 - 10:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Cross Country looks good to me, too. If my Road Pig ever dies, that bike is at the top of the list to replace it.

rt
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Shellyo
Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2010 - 10:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I road my '04 Road King to work yesterday (it's a nice ride on 2 lane black-top) and I was thinking how much I love this bike.
I have no plans to replace it as it is now set up exactly how I want it and runs like a train.
If I were looking towards adding to the stable Harley would certainly be in the running!
I like some of the bikes and don't hate the company, I just hate current management. If the company survives (and I hope it does!) new management will ultimately come forward and it's gotta be better than the current band of clowns.
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Jb2
Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2010 - 03:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks for the report Buelldawg! Although we've committed to the purchase of one I have yet to ride it. Kim and I sat on one together. The feeling of just bringing it up off the stand was surprisingly light and balanced. Very similar to the Vegas but with a ton more bodywork so I certainly wasn't expecting the lightness. Very anxious to have a bike that's both comfortable for Kim and roomy enough to pack all of our stuff while still offering great handling.

Shellyo, Couldn't agree more. Don't own a Harley at this point and vowed to never own another but I wish only the best for them. It will take new management and reconnecting with riders as opposed to connecting with a fad.
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Rightpecial
Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2010 - 06:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A bunch of good responses here. I've already made up my mind to start saving for a Cross Country, but it's always good to hear what others think of the bike. For the record, I actually like most HD bikes but I won't push money towards an incompetent management scheme which would only tell them that the way they are currently operating is right...that and the Cross Country intrigues me slightly more than my next favorite, the road glide.

By the way, I will absolutely not be selling the Uly to pick this up, or ever for that matter...and I will likely buy my old Cyclone back from my buddy at some point....Now to justify to myself that it's okay to own three bikes.
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Shellyo
Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2010 - 07:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Rightpecial... believe me, no justification is required to own three bikes.
In fact it should be mandatory!
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Zane
Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2010 - 11:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Rightpecial,

You're asking about justification for owning three bikes...

I don't understand the question.
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Electraglider_1997
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2010 - 11:14 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Polaris bikes are way to cookie cutter for my tastes. Victory engines look like a lump with no soul. Given a choice I'd stay with Harley any day of the year. Love my Buell ULY.
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Electraglider_1997
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2010 - 11:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

People that quibble over the price difference of a Hog vs Polaris aren't thinking it through in my opinion. Resale on a Victory is probably very low in comparison price-wise. I'm glad Polaris is giving Harley some good ole American competition because it keeps them Harleys improving year after year.
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Greenflash
Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2010 - 03:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm on my second Victory. The first was the original V92, and it gave me over 20K trouble-free miles, including a 7500 mile loop from S FL past Sturgis and an Ironbutt 1000 on the way back.

Now I own a Kingpin Tour, with stock orange/pearl/silver tribal paint and billet wheels (kind of a custom bike that I could ride coast to coast too). The Vic custom order program lets you pick the paint and accessories at a discount, then they build your bike and it's delivered to your dealer in a few months. The bike has the 100ci 6 speed motor and it's been bulletproof, with no valve adjustments and a pretty modern design (for an air-cooled overhead cam V-twin that is!) I just change my oil and ride it, nothing else.

Also, the 100 gets a pretty consistent 85 RWHP bone stock, compared to 65 HP stock for the H-D 96 pushrod twin. I test ride the new H-Ds each year in Daytona - they just don't excite me for the prices. The new 106ci motors across the Victory line are even stronger. 20% more HP and torque is not a trivial difference.

Oh yeah, the CEO of Victory - Mark Blackwell- was the 1971 Open national motocross champ on a Husky 360. You won't hear Mark saying "racing is stupid" like H-D's CEO Keith Wandell. Wandell can probably beat Mark and Erik on a golf course, but that's the extent of it.

If you want to research the bikes, look at the Victory Motorcycle Club website. www.thevmc.com. It's not affiliated with Polaris, just an independent owner's group. The club organization is strong, with about 64 local chaapters across the US, not counting Canada and Europe. There's a database of riders with tools and trailers to help out members on the road. There are forums with info on every model, as well as classifieds and event calendars. You can join for $15 as a support member before you actually own a Vic, then convert to Full membership. Just like BADWEB, if you want to try an accessory or want info on an issue, you will get great feedback from other owners.
OK, I may be a little biased as pres. of the S Florida VMC chapter, but I've been a HOG member too and I don't think you are giving up anything with the very active Vic owners groups!

I also own two Ducatis and 3 Buells to compare to the Victory and it really holds its own (for a cruiser!). If I didn't live in FL, I might only own sportbikes, but cruisers make sense for the completely straight and flat roads there.
My 2 cents!
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Usmoto
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2010 - 04:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've never really liked the air cooled HD's or the attitude that comes with the folks that ride them. The V Rod on the other hand is a very well built machine. The Revolution engine is rock solid. Victory is a very nice bike as well.
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Curve_carver
Posted on Friday, February 04, 2011 - 05:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If I was in the market for a cruiser Victory would have my cash. They make well crafted machines at a decent price. Can't say the same for any Harley made.
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Court
Posted on Friday, February 04, 2011 - 08:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I absolutely agree and, although I'm not sure I can honestly make this claim, would like to think it's not colored by the way I feel about some of the things that Harley-Davidson did to people and their jobs.

Jim Bantz, perhaps one of the savviest motorcyclists I know, rides one and swears by it. That's what swayed me long before HD dispatched Buell.

The term "bulletproof reliability" seems appropriate from what I've heard.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Friday, February 04, 2011 - 10:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ditto. Feature for feature, the Vic's seem to be a better bike. And looking at JB's up close, it's a beautiful piece of machinery (as is Ferri's Road King).
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Prior
Posted on Friday, February 04, 2011 - 11:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I spent a day romping along the back roads of Franklin, NC, Tellico Plains, TN, and a number of other towns aboard a 'borrowed' Vic from a good friend of mine. It was a great bike to ride, first time I'd ever logged any miles on a bike with forward controls and also the first time I'd spent any time on the back mountain roads of NC.

The Vic had great power, the ergos took a bit to get used to, as did the corner clearance, but man what a sweet ride, and very cool to get to put some miles on her over a special weekend. Thanks JB2!
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Hybridmomentspass
Posted on Wednesday, February 09, 2011 - 06:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

just read through this thread

"I like some of the bikes and don't hate the company, I just hate current management. If the company survives (and I hope it does!) new management will ultimately come forward and it's gotta be better than the current band of clowns."

I completely agree with this
One day Wandell will be gone and then hopefully an actual rider will get back into the drivers seat of the company.

"I've never really liked the air cooled HD's or the attitude that comes with the folks that ride them"
The attitude is quite rare, or at least the people I've met/know
Some want that, want to try to be a badass or whatever. But Im betting you'd find more people that own them and DONT have that sort of attitude.

"Oh yeah, the CEO of Victory - Mark Blackwell- was the 1971 Open national motocross champ on a Husky 360. You won't hear Mark saying "racing is stupid" like H-D's CEO Keith Wandell"
This goes to the root problem, I feel, with HD currently - the CEO is a guy that never rode bikes until after he got the position.
Bike companies should be ran by people who actually know the customers, not guys from a completely different arena who didnt get a bike til after they started with a company.

Thatd be like having (using your post) Erik Buell head up Ping golf supplies, or a company like nike etc Sure he may have some knowledge of what they make, but its just not his passion and area of knowledge.
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Skinstains
Posted on Wednesday, February 09, 2011 - 10:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

VICTORY...the new AMERICAN motorbike. I will one day have a Vision (of the Victory type) and ride the piss out of it.
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Xbniner
Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2011 - 03:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My dad just traded his old Victory on a new Cross Country and it is nice! Way more power and better overall fit and finish than any Harley I've seen. Even before Harley dumped us I was a fan of Vics.

Oh and the resale is rising on victory bikes too. My dad got more for trade on his 05 victory than he paid for it 2 years ago. Oh and he put 34000 miles on it since then...

I don't have anything against people who like Harleys and I'm not ready for a cruiser yet regardless of who makes it.
I would urge anybody who does like that kind of bike to ride one before they pass judgment. His top of the line Cross country cost about the same as a used Harley- but has more power, storage, warranty, reliability, and (in my opinion) looks.
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Jerry_haughton
Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2011 - 01:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

and better overall fit and finish than any Harley I've seen...

Eric, current Harleys are world-class in terms of fit and finish. You're welcome to come down and check out my Road King some time for proof.

His top of the line Cross country...has more...reliability...

Really? Based on what evidence??

I like what Victory is doing, and the competition should be a good thing for Harley-Davidson and, ultimately, their customers, but you make it sound like Harleys are still glorified farm implements like my first one ('76 FLH) was. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Take care,
FB
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Patches
Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2011 - 04:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"glorified farm implements"

I guess my old 1975 Police Special counts as one of them....Harley-Davidson Still Number One!
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