I ride a 2008 Victory Vision... It is not until you ride one that you begin to appreciate it. Low center of Gravity, great cornering, torquey motor, lots of creature comforts without 2000 buttons... For two-up riding, it is hard to beat. More comfortable for the passenger than Ultra's, more fun to drive than a Goldwing, cheaper than a K series, and skinnier than the new Yamaha. Love the videos! (FYI: Heated Seat controls are on the side of the seat)
I work in the industry and my manager worked for Polaris for 10 years. She said they discontinued them because the bikes ran too well for too long. Dealerships weren't getting return business from service or trade ins for newer models. You bought a victory and got a bike for life
Also since Polaris also owns Indian Motorcycles they were running into the problem of the bikes fighting each other for sales. One had to go and Polaris made an unfortunate but logical choice to kill Victory and keep Indian, I am still upset I love my Vision (same year and color as this video) and I doubt I will be getting rid of it anytime soon.
@@claytonsimper5953 I worked for Arlen Ness for a while, and while the reliability thing is true, I heard another contributing factor was freeing up money for a recall that may involve lawsuits.
Went from an 04 HD Road King to an 08 Vision. Love this bike! I'm 6'-5" and have plenty of room. Vision is a foot longer. For those who are not so tall, the foot controls are mounted in a track and are adjustable. Lower center of gravity. Floats through the turns and handles a good lean through them. Many features that are practical and well thought out. Put some nice touring cams in, a PC-V, dyno tuned, and putting out 121hp and 123 torque. Polaris made a big mistake dropping the victory line.
I've had an 09 Vision for a couple of years. I didn't know that about the foot controls. Thanks. The bike feels massive to me but I ride my 150 and 250 scooters a good bit so of course it feels heavy lol. Such a comfortable bike though. It has a PC-V so I should do cams one day. I love the look without the tour pack but my little girl rides with me and hates it when I take it off. Looks so fast sitting still with it off though.
Agreed. I demoed one on a group ride for 20 minutes and it didn’t do it for me. This year I bought an Indian chieftain after demo for 5 hours, including the challenger......the hours long demo showed me this was something that would work for me. That said after watching some Vision Tour videos I’d like to take one out for a few hours. Had the chieftain now for 4 months and 5000+ miles and am happy with it.
I ride an ‘08 and LOVE it!!! It handles amazingly with 2-up and loaded with gear! But the most amazing thing about the bike (that I hope you never need) is the anti rollover bars! We were riding in Allegheny National Forest and a large buck ran out of the woods and we T-boned the deer! We were doing 50 mph, that bike went down and stopped abruptly allowing us to roll away! I’ve ridden 45 years with no incident until the other day. My brother was riding behind us and said there was nothing I could have done to avoid it, it happened that quick. This bike saved my life (and my wife). Be safe out there! Jesus saves your soul and Victory Vision saves your legs!
I had to stop the video early because of it. I was thinking, "just blow off so we can see everything!"😵😵😵 It's like "I tried. To pull the f-ing trunk and the light's supposed to come on."
I'm 63 and been riding about 1/2 a century. I swore off bike when I busted my kneecap on my Harley 10 yrs ago...THEN my buddy let me ride his Victory and told me he was selling for eight K: so I bought the Cross Country. Then I kept looking at the Vision...I said: "WTF??" But, it grew on me and I eventually found a 2015 Vision for $12,000 at Arlen Ness' shop by Oakland...I rode up from LA and bought it: I rode it down the Pacific Coast Highway and the VISION handles like a top...I absolutely love my Vision. I upgraded the sound system (only thing). It has 30k and can go 200...great bike and they are out there for great prices...
The Indians are cool, but Polaris made the wrong move killing off Victory. Every model looked like a high-end custom bike, and could be had at a low cost compared to other “American” motorcycles.
Not really a wrong move in stopping production as there were quite a few factors involved in the whole decision however, the biggest reasons were the fact that Victory was 100 million in the red and the 106 motor would not pass the new Euro specs so, they would have to had produce a new motor which was not economically viable when the company was already so far in the red.
They would’ve closed the doors either way. They were one conglomerate operating two competing brands, so I get it was financially advantageous for them. I just think Victory had more to offer the end consumer in the long run. 1731cc bikes for 12k brand new is better than either Harley or Indian offers currently, and IMHO Victory had a lot better styling than either brand as well, though some of the newer Indians are sharp.
WoodyOn2Wheels And there are 2 big reasons they were not selling like hot cakes. 1) Victory failed at marketing 101. If people don't know about your product then you won't be able to sell it. Word of mouth will only get you so far. 2) Is a catch 22 situation. They made a bloody damn reliable product and therefore, no reason for existing customers to up date to a newer model since, the one they have is going to last very long time! I don't hate Harley's and I don't love them either however, they have build in redundancies so you will eventually need to buy a newer model at some stage. Yes it is a shame they are gone as a brand but, the bikes will be around for quite some time and will eventually become very desirable.
We've had ours on both coasts, into Canada and about 20 miles from the Mexico border. We were at the Grand Canyon and a busload of tourists from Japan pulled into the parking lot. Most of the men came to the bike for a closer look while everyone else went to the rim of the Canyon. Love the bike, hated to see Polaris change direction.
Used to work at the plant. I always called it the Jetsons bike lol. It’s strange looking but everyone that’s rode them tells me they’re the most comfortable bike they’ve been on. It was a shock when they stopped making them, Victory was a brand Polaris started back in 98? They were definitely different from all the rest.
I was leery of your title on this, but the review shows you are almost as much fan of the Vision as I am. You mentioned the heated grips, but neglected to provided the info on the heated seats, great for rider and passenger when it’s cold. I first saw a Vision in 2009, thought it the best looking bike I’d ever seen. Finally bought a 2016 when it became a buy now or new ones will never be available again. Great decision in getting one. The 5000 mile oil change interval, the lack of need for constant service or repair, the almost bullet proof v-twin engine and similarly bullet proof(figuratively speaking) transmission all add to your review comments making the Vision still a great choice. IMO, best American bike ever made.
With all due respect sir. Anything under 2600 rpms on a 106 engine is lugging it. A 106 likes to be at 2800 or higher and shifted at around 3400-3500 rpms for normal riding. Love your videos.
Check into the Vision's design history and you'll see Arlen Ness' fingerprints--he had one and his kids had Victorys too. The rear suspension is patented; and in winter you can flip those little clear upper winglets out and they knock off air, reverse in summer. Yes, dual seat heat for driver and passenger--hi-low, on the left hand side of the seat. Look at photos of the naked frame to see saddle gas tanks and a rectangular frame with the air intake (cold air) just behind the front finder. The styling between the street and tour (with trunk) is totally different. The trunk panels are bolted to a cast aluminum frame and the trunk weighs about 45 pounds itself. I have the '14 nuclear sunset (metallic orange) model and love it. I've only had it up to 95, but it was a smooth as glass. I believe it takes crosswinds very well, too, with not too much push around for as much area being pushed against.
I rode one of these when I was visiting my brother in the USA. Rented in Manchester NH and toured for 2 weeks on it with my wife on the back. Absolutely loved the comfort and the curvaceous lines - such a smooth powerful and sexy big bike Such a shame they don’t make them anymore If I could find one this side of the Atlantic (I live in the UK) I’d buy it in a heartbeat. This bike may not be as refined as a Goldwing but it has bags more soul and sex appeal
I have a friend who bought one a few years ago and it’s his every day transportation as well as a long distance mount. He’s put over sixty thousand miles on it with zero problems, just normal maintenance. He’s tall, 6’3” and one of the reasons he purchased it is that he fits on it. Every Victory owner I know loves their bike and were pissed when Polaris pulled the plug in order to focus on Indian.
Heated Seats toggle switch is located on left side of seat. close to passenger grab rail. 2 switches one closest to the rider is for the rider the one closest to the passenger is for the passenger. they have high/low settings
Ah the American version of BMW's Luxury tourer.... I have an old 1200 KLT ( I'm 69 years old, 5'9" and LOVE my 2005 Beemer.....PS also have a Vegas 8 ball)
I never owned one but in videos I’ve seen when them lay it over they picked it up easier than compared to a Harley . The plate on it I thought kept it from falling over as far as other bikes with crash bars it’s all I can do to pick up a big tour Harley an about the same for a kaw big tour voyager but I’m 77 so guess it good I can still do it if I have too
Victory made incredible motorcycles. This was the ultimate Geezer Glide for its time. And the damned things went through the twisties like sport bikes.
I rode both when the victory fuel it tour came through town. I liked the cross country but I loved the vision. Fit me like a glove. Still debating buying one now that Polaris is no longer making them. Although used are getting really affordable.
i hated the vision when they came out like everyone else, test rode the cross country and went home with it. then rode my friends vision and felt a little regret about not test riding one when i was looking to buy. i got a deal on my CC though, both are amazing machines
What's the difference between a old dog and Harley Davidson? The Old Dog can get into the back of a pickup by itself!! I have a Victory Hammer best bike I've owned I replaced the clutch so posted the part# and special tools required if there's any Victory owners needing a manual its in my description too!
This is the weirdest most comfortable bike you can ride. The 08 had standard light bars in the rear light up badges . Lots of power makes the average rider take turns with ease. Front cowling Round front wheel is the gas tank. Victor designed equal amounts of gas to be drawn off each side of forks for balance.
Man that thing is beast ....reminds me old land yacht those old school Cadillacs comfortable as hell to ride though good video man...the atom looking forwerd that video part2 .mabe get some good hrs get bike from u guys love the videos keep up good work...👍👍👏
They maybe should have called the bikes Indian Victory instead of ceasing Vic production.Talking with Indian riders they would not be surprised if they quit Indians too.The Freedom Engine is quite adequate and they could have saved themselves money developing the new Indian engine.
I am considering the purchase of a used Victory Vision touring bike. My wife and I together equal 400 pounds. Can the Victory Vision handle that weight AND full luggage, or will it bottom out with each bump?
This site belongs to my wife my mane is Tom and I have an09 vision tour and if you are familiar with the msg mc training course there is a (S) turn in a24’ sq area Ana I was able to do this doing less than 10mph very easily the vision is the most balanced bike I have ever ridden
@@Srkcycles Funny enough, I just saw someone riding one of these on my ride to work today, about 45 minutes ago. I've never seen one, or knew of their existence, until this video -- and then I see one on the street.
I splited with my Vision 8 Ball from Malibu to Oceanside around 5pm when I 1st got it. Not as easy my sportbike but definitely doable and it has gotten easier over time.
You can't say it's a bike designed for current year when it's still powered by an air cooled V-twin from a company that has access to a ton of different engines.
Very nice looking, but I wonder if he even notices the odd squeaking noise, and wonder if he even noticed he cut the corner into the center of opposing lane at minute 8:35
Henrry Mejia Heated seats are kinda nice as well. There was about 3 weeks this winter I just left both on the entire time.warm and toasty makes for a much more relaxed ride.
