Road King Owners!
Novice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Yes I considered the Cross Roads. I test rode one, and have to say it was nice. I am 5'8 and the seat height was perfect for me. the seat is narrow also and the bike picks up off the stand like a honda 125. The handle bars were just a bit our or comfortable reach for me. Extended reach bars are available. Handling is good. I though the power band was a little weak until the speed was up. Articles on this confirmed my feelings. I ended up with a 2011 Ultra Classic. As one post said, resale was a big factor. Things I really liked were the bags are huge, and the ride was excellent. Hate to say it, but smoother then the HD on rough roads. I want to lower my UC, but it rides very well and that would kill the ride. I lowered my other bike an 09 RK classic, and the ride suffered. The Victory needed no lowering. All in all it is a good looking bike, and the warranty is excellent. Also you only have one oil to change. Lots of pluses, but in the end the feel, looks, and sound of the Harley won me over.
Good luck with your decision.
Good luck with your decision.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 933
Likes: 4
I have been on the Cross Roads, it rides fine,plenty of power, it was not as maneuverable in slow turns as my Road King is. But the basic problem I have with it, IT's UGLY! Sorry, but Victory touring bikes are just UGLY! I can appreciate their cruisers but they need something different when it comes to touring models.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 44
Likes: 14
From: Laurel, MD
Yes
I was shopping in July and early August, and I was (for a while) about 50/50 on the Cross Roads w/ hard bags vs the Road King. I test rode the Cross Country (almost the same as the Roads, but w/ fairing), and it was great. I can't compare carefully, since it was my first time on a bike over 650 cc, and the size, power, and unfamiliarity overwhelmed any fine points. It had a nice sound (but not a Harley sound), good suspension, good handling, plenty of power.
CR positives:
huge hard bags, one-handed opening
great looking engine (IMHO)
more reliable (I believe, but can't prove)
heads-up speedometer
much more power (they say, but I believe it) (although I don't really need more power, at all!)
CR negatives:
_really_ loud clunks shifting into first (more than the RK by far)
a bit odd looking overall. Not quite ugly, but surely different
not as high quality cosmetically (e.g., vs. the heavy chrome on a Harley)
poor resale
sparse support and parts
almost as expensive, when you add hard bags, shield, hwy bars
The positives probably outweigh the negatives by far, IMO. But those are all reasons I see with my rational brain. I was close to thinking "I could buy a Victory CR" until I test rode a Road King. The sound. The classic looks. The high quality, heavy duty chrome. I just couldn't go with the Victory. My head said CR, but my heart said RK.
I don't regret my choice to go for the 2011 RK one bit. It has gobs of power (much more than I need), and it has me going out to the garage every night in this rainy week (can't ride) to look and sit. I love the sound it makes when I start it. I love the stock pipes (loud enough for me, easily). Ordered new bars, but that's about the only thing I need to change for now. Love the cruise control and the (untried) safety of the ABS.
Anyway: enough for now. The Victory would have been a nice bike too, but I decided to get the RK, and I'm happy with that.
Jay
CR positives:
huge hard bags, one-handed opening
great looking engine (IMHO)
more reliable (I believe, but can't prove)
heads-up speedometer
much more power (they say, but I believe it) (although I don't really need more power, at all!)
CR negatives:
_really_ loud clunks shifting into first (more than the RK by far)
a bit odd looking overall. Not quite ugly, but surely different
not as high quality cosmetically (e.g., vs. the heavy chrome on a Harley)
poor resale
sparse support and parts
almost as expensive, when you add hard bags, shield, hwy bars
The positives probably outweigh the negatives by far, IMO. But those are all reasons I see with my rational brain. I was close to thinking "I could buy a Victory CR" until I test rode a Road King. The sound. The classic looks. The high quality, heavy duty chrome. I just couldn't go with the Victory. My head said CR, but my heart said RK.
I don't regret my choice to go for the 2011 RK one bit. It has gobs of power (much more than I need), and it has me going out to the garage every night in this rainy week (can't ride) to look and sit. I love the sound it makes when I start it. I love the stock pipes (loud enough for me, easily). Ordered new bars, but that's about the only thing I need to change for now. Love the cruise control and the (untried) safety of the ABS.
Anyway: enough for now. The Victory would have been a nice bike too, but I decided to get the RK, and I'm happy with that.
Jay
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From:
I test rode three Victory models, all new, but then rode a used rental-returned 2009 RK with 15K miles and liked it better. For me the RK fit me better and had that thing Harley owners call soul. Resale value was another thing, dealer support (as I plan to ride across the US), and lack of mods. Plus, I never see Victory product on the road--Oh, well I take that back! Amazingly, just today a guy passed me riding a maroon colored Vision. That's the first Vision I've ever seen in public ... ever.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Spokane
Got back into riding on a wide glide 2 years ago. Never considered anything but a harley since i work a lot and didnt want to settle for less than the best. First group I take it on has
a nice mix of other bikes, including a bandit
(fun bike) and a vision. WTF?! I hope the designer of that bike understands how extremely ugly it is. At least the CR looks ok from the side. Vision is ugly from every angle. Loved the glide but it's a solo bike and the wife likes to ride so I moved on to the King. Never a moment of regret the King rides better solo or 2up.
a nice mix of other bikes, including a bandit
(fun bike) and a vision. WTF?! I hope the designer of that bike understands how extremely ugly it is. At least the CR looks ok from the side. Vision is ugly from every angle. Loved the glide but it's a solo bike and the wife likes to ride so I moved on to the King. Never a moment of regret the King rides better solo or 2up.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Another old thread resurrected. Oh well. My answer is "yes". Not just the Victory, but every other bike out there. Being without a bike so long, I was looking at EVERYTHING! But I never settled for less. I just bit my lip, and waited for the stars to line up. When they did, I pulled the trigger on my RK. And I wasn't even looking at touring bikes during all that time. Just fell into it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,020
Likes: 69
From: Twin Cities, MN
They weren't out when I bought my bike. But being a MN company, and I live in MN, I have looked at them at the dealerships. I wouldn't change my mind from a Harley. But if they were less expensive then they are now I would consider one for my kid.
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