Considering Jumping Ship
Well I have owned a BSA, a Triumph, and many Hondas including three GWings. But, that was back in the AMF days. If I were going to jump ship today, I'd have to look hard at an Indian. But, they (reportedly) are still working out the kinks in many quality issues, and the company ownership is still kinda shaky. So, looks like I'm stuck with this Road King.
Do what you like. Nobody really cares. But, when you drop a post in here about "jumping ship", it's offensive, and we don't deserve that. So, just quietly go away.
Mike
Do what you like. Nobody really cares. But, when you drop a post in here about "jumping ship", it's offensive, and we don't deserve that. So, just quietly go away.
Mike
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 26
I've demoed them 5 times now. I personally really like the bike itself, looks included. Really like the low seat, really like the handling.
What kills it for me, as far as the bike itself, is as others have stated, is that under any kind of power, at any speed, in any gear, is that they BUZZ like a hornets nest in the bars, floorboards, and seat. The engine is a solid mounted stressed frame member, and even though it's counter balanced, it BUZZES under acceleration. When I Took the wife on the tour version, she said the trunk backrest and her floorboards would have her back, butt, and feet falling asleep from the vibration within 15 mins.
Dealer tried to tell me nobody had ever told them that before, and I must be shifting it wrong. I told him to get two cups of water. We put one on the Vic's floorboards, one on my street glides, I told him to fire the Vic up and rev the throttle and watch what happens. (he was trying to play the Harley shakes at idle card)
You should of seen the look on his face.
Go back and test ride again, and immediately hop back on your Harley, paying attention to the vibration coming through the floorboards, seat, and bars under acceleration.
That right there killed it for me. I might be able to live with it, wife said she probably would not want to ride with me much if I bought the Vic.
That's my issue with the bike itself. Other issues are **** resale, lack of accessories ( they have a chrome brake lever, but no shift lever etc)
I really like the bike, it's power (though I prefer the lower biased powerband of the Harley) and I see the styling more as an old 40s car with big swooping fenders more than futuristic. but the lack of smoothness under power kills it for me.
What kills it for me, as far as the bike itself, is as others have stated, is that under any kind of power, at any speed, in any gear, is that they BUZZ like a hornets nest in the bars, floorboards, and seat. The engine is a solid mounted stressed frame member, and even though it's counter balanced, it BUZZES under acceleration. When I Took the wife on the tour version, she said the trunk backrest and her floorboards would have her back, butt, and feet falling asleep from the vibration within 15 mins.
Dealer tried to tell me nobody had ever told them that before, and I must be shifting it wrong. I told him to get two cups of water. We put one on the Vic's floorboards, one on my street glides, I told him to fire the Vic up and rev the throttle and watch what happens. (he was trying to play the Harley shakes at idle card)
You should of seen the look on his face.
Go back and test ride again, and immediately hop back on your Harley, paying attention to the vibration coming through the floorboards, seat, and bars under acceleration.
That right there killed it for me. I might be able to live with it, wife said she probably would not want to ride with me much if I bought the Vic.
That's my issue with the bike itself. Other issues are **** resale, lack of accessories ( they have a chrome brake lever, but no shift lever etc)
I really like the bike, it's power (though I prefer the lower biased powerband of the Harley) and I see the styling more as an old 40s car with big swooping fenders more than futuristic. but the lack of smoothness under power kills it for me.
I was considering a CC before I bought my SG. I never took it for a ride because the dealer wouldn't let me - told me to come back during dealer days nearly 4 months later; he said my other alternative was to ride it after i bought it. Bad business IMO. I took my anti-HD wife to the dealer to look at it, she even hated it. HD let me take out the SG and that was that... Even the HD hating wife is a believer now.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 7
From: Shaconage
Harley is the best motorcycle brand, but it is not necessarily the best motorcycle. Before I bought my new Ultra, I rode metric bikes for 30 years and loved most of them. I would have no problem going back to a non-Harley bike someday. Buy whatever feels right to you.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 26
By the way, my comment about resale, is not meant from a "bike as an investment" angle. It's from a "I changed my mind and want to go back to a Harley and now I'm boned financially" angle.
Theres a lot of things victory did right IMHO, ergonomicly, I loved it. Fit me like a glove. Handled like a dream, rock solid. Can change the oil without making a mess, and a final belt can be replaced without tearing the primary drive apart. Power is ok, more biased towards mid and upper range than the harley (more passing power on the highway) and IMHO, not as powerful as Vic's. Numbers want you to believe, but still good.
But that damn buzzing vibration sucks. It made me really appreciate Harley's rubber mounted motor, floorboards, and the way the tourpak backrest is mounted to the thing (floating).
I loved the vision from a functional standpoint (It still buzzed, but not as bad) but that thing is just way too out there as far as looks. And the saddlebags are a joke as far as space.
Theres a lot of things victory did right IMHO, ergonomicly, I loved it. Fit me like a glove. Handled like a dream, rock solid. Can change the oil without making a mess, and a final belt can be replaced without tearing the primary drive apart. Power is ok, more biased towards mid and upper range than the harley (more passing power on the highway) and IMHO, not as powerful as Vic's. Numbers want you to believe, but still good.
But that damn buzzing vibration sucks. It made me really appreciate Harley's rubber mounted motor, floorboards, and the way the tourpak backrest is mounted to the thing (floating).
I loved the vision from a functional standpoint (It still buzzed, but not as bad) but that thing is just way too out there as far as looks. And the saddlebags are a joke as far as space.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 26
Sorry for the multiple posts. On my phone and can't go back and edit/add to prev posts.
I also thought my Harley's brakes were much better (abs brembo) more powerful, better feel. And twice I had the Vic's saddlebag pop open after hitting a bump going down the road. (I was looking for potholes to test the suspension) Harley's bags may be a pain in the ***, but they stay shut.
For the record, my 5 demo rides have been over a 2 year time frame, 5 different bikes, including the original version, and the updated tranny version recently released. 4 of the bikes were essentially new, one had 8000 miles on it. (well broken in) had each of them for about 45 mins (my local dealer is really good about test rides) except for one in Vegas that they only let me take for about 5 mins. (Arlen ness victory in Vegas)
I did multiple rides on multiple bikes over time to see if it's the individual bike, or simply the design.
I also thought my Harley's brakes were much better (abs brembo) more powerful, better feel. And twice I had the Vic's saddlebag pop open after hitting a bump going down the road. (I was looking for potholes to test the suspension) Harley's bags may be a pain in the ***, but they stay shut.
For the record, my 5 demo rides have been over a 2 year time frame, 5 different bikes, including the original version, and the updated tranny version recently released. 4 of the bikes were essentially new, one had 8000 miles on it. (well broken in) had each of them for about 45 mins (my local dealer is really good about test rides) except for one in Vegas that they only let me take for about 5 mins. (Arlen ness victory in Vegas)
I did multiple rides on multiple bikes over time to see if it's the individual bike, or simply the design.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 614
Likes: 1
From: Houston
I'd love to see a youtube video of this!!!
[quote=flyingace;10042292
dealer tried to tell me nobody had ever told them that before, and i must be shifting it wrong. I told him to get two cups of water. We put one on the vic's floorboards, one on my street glides, i told him to fire the vic up and rev the throttle and watch what happens. (he was trying to play the harley shakes at idle card)
you should of seen the look on his face.
[/quote]
[quote=flyingace;10042292
dealer tried to tell me nobody had ever told them that before, and i must be shifting it wrong. I told him to get two cups of water. We put one on the vic's floorboards, one on my street glides, i told him to fire the vic up and rev the throttle and watch what happens. (he was trying to play the harley shakes at idle card)
you should of seen the look on his face.
[/quote]