Motorcycle USA comparison test.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
Interesting - kinda echoes reviews of previous year's models. The general consensus always seems to be:
Kawasaki Voyager - pretty good, usual Japanese quality (lots of features, but feels made down to a price rather than up to a standard).
Victory Cross-Country - terrific bike overall, couple of rough edges, love-it or loathe-it styling, engine slightly larger than Harley's but not enough for anyone to really notice.
Harley - very good indeed, always something you could improve but the standard by which others are judged.
Kawasaki Voyager - pretty good, usual Japanese quality (lots of features, but feels made down to a price rather than up to a standard).
Victory Cross-Country - terrific bike overall, couple of rough edges, love-it or loathe-it styling, engine slightly larger than Harley's but not enough for anyone to really notice.
Harley - very good indeed, always something you could improve but the standard by which others are judged.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,613
Likes: 7,087
From: SoCal / AZ
Bringing up an old thread here, but a friend just bought a Victory Cross Country and we went for a ride yesterday. This article seems spot on. The Victory seems to handle well, and being a new rider he was able to push it through the turns pretty good.
That said, as I looked the bike over and sat on it several things stood out. Compared to my HD's the victory seemed cheap in some areas. Lot's of plastic, lot's of areas of the bike that just seemed cheap and unfinished. It reminded me of some cheaper Japanese bikes that other friends own.
I think it would be a decent bike if it was cheaper. My friend searched all over SoCal, and all the dealers he talked to were at 18k before all other costs and were not willing to deal. He found a 2014 with less that 100 miles on it for 14k, so I think he did pretty good. I think 18k is too close in price to the HD for what you get . My .02.
That said, as I looked the bike over and sat on it several things stood out. Compared to my HD's the victory seemed cheap in some areas. Lot's of plastic, lot's of areas of the bike that just seemed cheap and unfinished. It reminded me of some cheaper Japanese bikes that other friends own.
I think it would be a decent bike if it was cheaper. My friend searched all over SoCal, and all the dealers he talked to were at 18k before all other costs and were not willing to deal. He found a 2014 with less that 100 miles on it for 14k, so I think he did pretty good. I think 18k is too close in price to the HD for what you get . My .02.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
I'm sure the Victory is a nice bike in its own right, but I just can't get past the styling, it's not for me. I agree with the article's assessment of the Ultra Limited, after a full season in the saddle I have no complaints. Enjoyed the article, thanks for sharing.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
If I were in the market, I wouldn't even consider the Voyager or Vision. I know it's a V-twin comparison, but I'd look at the BMW K1600GTL and Honda Goldwing. I think the Harley has tougher competition with the BMW and Honda than it does with the Kawasaki and Victory.
