The only experience I've had with Victories, I was stopped for gas after riding the Dragon. A guy came up and asked if I had any tools with me. I said yes and offered to help him. He had a bad tail light bulb he was going to replace. I remember thinking while helping him, this is nothing but a plastic POS. He had already borken two parts in the tail light lens trying to remove it. As said before, Try them both and decide. Good Luck!!!

 

If you like doing burnouts, you don't have to pull the primary to switch out a Victory drive belt!

 

Buy the Victory and see how it is.

 

That, alone, would be the deal-killer for me. One nice thing about H-D's is that there's a dealer just about everywhere you go.

 

I own both, a SG dressed as an Ultra and a Hammer. The Vic power plant is hands down ten times better, runs cooler and makes more power, can blow the back tire off in first and second gear with stage 1. The dealer network is very slim but I have never needed the dealer for anything. The SG is set up for long hauls with the old lady and the dealer network is everywhere and have had it in twice for warranty work. If the cross road or country were out when I bought my SG ot would have been a hard decision. Ride them both.

 

heard the same thing several times

 

I am pretty sure Harley Davidson didn't invent the motorcycle.

http://www.virginiawind.com/byways/history_01.asp

Turns out the FRENCH invented the first production motorcycle.

http://www.motorcycle.com/events/the...cle-45982.html

And Indian invented the V-twin, I think.

 

I checked the Vics out at a bike show awhile back & my impressions were similar to some others here- lots of plastic & cheaply made. Dealer network practically non-existent as compared to other brands, and biggest turn off for me is the 'George Jetson meets Arlen Ness' styling.

 

As far as the machines themselves, the Victorys are better bikes. The XC has over 1-1/2" more rear suspension travel, and it's a monoshock rather than a dual setup. The bags are huge and can be opened and shut with one hand. The motors are nice and powerful, and don't run nearly as hot as the Harleys.

 

I think Victory bikes look like Harleys would if designed by aliens on acid...just my opinion. Get what you like.