All I can say is this: my buddy owns an Indian (Victory / Polaris) and he has to drive almost 2 hours to get to the dealer for factory service. I can drive an hour in almost any direction and be at any number of Harley Dealerships (the closest being 20 minutes away).

 

This has a lot to do with where you live. I'm fortunate enough to have many brands within 30 minutes of me. Harley, Indian, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris. You name it, it's close by. But I sure as hell didn't buy a Yamaha based on dealer network. If you have to buy based on factory service proximity you may really want to reconsider what brand you are riding and it's reliability.

 

I rode metric for 40 years and the thought of needing service never crossed my mind when deciding what I wanted to buy/ride.

 

Didn't read all the posts so someone may have said this. The transmissions on the Victory CC that I have ridden were very clunky and sounded like a box of rocks, make HD feel/sound smooth. Go over to some of the Victory forums and you'll see this is a common complaint. And contrary to popular belief they do have their problems.

 

Don't know what to tell you, I do ride a lot with a friend that has a Cross Country and although he seems to like the bike, he keeps saying how much he wants a new Street Glide. Our local dealer has three of them that were traded in on the new Rushmore models, if that is any indication.

 

In my area and most areas I know its really easy to find service for a metric, as well as with Harley.
But you may change your mind, as in my case, when you are thinking about a new or almost new Victory and the only dealer near you looks like they sell bikes as an afterthought to the ATVs etc. You may feel really stuck if a service issue or warranty issue comes up with no place else to go.
Im not knocking Vics at all but in the case for me, I would rather have a metric then a Vic because of that issue.... as a side note ... I NEVER TEST RODE A BIKE I BOUGHT NOR TEST RODE A MODEL OF THE MANUFACTURER of the bike I bought!

 

Yes, they do have their share of issues at times/problems. We dont hear about it as often unless you go to their forums and keep in mind, their are 1000s more Harleys for every Vic so of course you will hear more Harley stories.

Im sure most in here know, Harley sells more cruisers over 600 cc in the USA then ALL other bike makers combined, pretty impressive.

 

Same here.

 

To be honest, i think its funny to come here , a HD site, and ask that question, or really any site, i would think you would have to research, and ride each one your interested in, and make personal, educated decision. No slamming intended, good luck with what ya decide

 

Victory is a great motorcycle. Harley Davidson is a lifestyle and a pretty bad a$$ bike.