HD Road Glide vs Victory Cross Country review

[atadaskew]

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2010-harleydavidson-road-glide-vs-2010-victory-cross-country-89044.html

They give it to the Victory.
Having ridden bikes with that motor, I'd pick the Harley for several reasons:
1/ The engine is much smoother in the Harley. Victory's is buzzier which defeats the visceral purpose of having a big thumpin' V-twin as you roll in the miles. (Doesn't matter that the Victory is 'faster' cuz quite frankly these bikes aren't about fast.  They're about cruisin'.  Ya want fast? Buy the Kawi C14)
2/ Victory has great fit/finish, but it looks like it was styled by someone who did the Yam Raider.

Anyone know if the Victory motor has hydraulic valves like the Harley?  Maintenance as easy?

Still, the Cross Roads is the nail in the Vision's coffin.

[chornbe]

Vision = BKing

"Hi.

I'm new and big and honkin' and most people consider me fugly. Love me while you can. I'm outta here tomorrow.

Lovingly,

The Latest Attempt...."

[2DFlyer]

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2010-harleydavidson-road-glide-vs-2010-victory-cross-country-89044.html

Anyone know if the Victory motor has hydraulic valves like the Harley?  Maintenance as easy?

Valve Train     Single overhead camshafts with 4 valves per cylinder, self-adjusting cam chains, hydraulic lifters

I'd take the FLH any day.

[Playinthestreet]

Peter Egan rides a Road Glide.  That's all I need to know.

[SpitfireTriple]

I've ridden neither.  But I'd take the Victory.  There's too much BS attached to the HD "brand". The Victory is "just" a motorcycle.  Which is how it should be.  The Harley sounds better though.  And I'm gradually coming round to the realisation that the sound is an important part of the riding experience. On that point, there's too much music on the video.  It stops you hearing the sound.

[15dollar]

I like the Street Glide over either of Victory's two new touring bikes.  Victory has done a good job of offering options to the cruiser/touring market, but their styling is a bit too much for me.  Also, HD has dealerships everywhere and a ton of small shops that specialize in HD service.  Food for thought; Sonny Barger rode a Road Glide, until he bought a Victory Vision.

[atadaskew]

  Food for thought; Sonny Barger rode a Road Glide, until he bought a Victory Vision.

Why would anyone care what a convicted felon rides?

[atadaskew]

Peter Egan rides a Road Glide.  That's all I need to know.

Lezzbe honest here, Egan changes bikes like the rest of us change socks.
One time I wuz all happy that he bought a Duc like mine, look, Egan's got my bike!  Then he traded it for the next thing a short while later.  Rinse and repeat..
 

Where I was disappointed with him was when he was involved in Cycle World's big bagger test, and said the Guzzi Vintage was maybe the best bike.  Thought he would step up to the plate...

Out of Harley's current tourers, my pick would be the standard Road King (prefer the hard over the soft bags of the Classic) or the Road Glide.  Thing I like about the RK is that the shield comes off in seconds, so for those round town rides you don't need that in front of you.

[atadaskew]

I've ridden neither.  But I'd take the Victory.  There's too much BS attached to the HD "brand". The Victory is "just" a motorcycle.  Which is how it should be.  The Harley sounds better though.  And I'm gradually coming round to the realisation that the sound is an important part of the riding experience. On that point, there's too much music on the video.  It stops you hearing the sound.

I was angling that way a while back until I rode a Victory.  The motors are not as smooth or nice sounding (too much gear whine drowning out everything else) as the Harleys.  So I'm glad I never made that statement!
I agree that there is too much BS around the HD brand, but that's marketing for you and one reason why HD is dominant in it's class.
I disagree about a bike needing to be 'just' a motorcycle.  If that was the case then we either  would be all riding scooters (shaddup up my Vespa!) or really really bland bikes.  Ducati, Moto Guzzi, KTM  etc wouldn't exist (let alone Harley or even Victory) if it was 'just' a motorcycle.
You can imagine what we'd all be riding...
 

[broncoblue399]

 cuz quite frankly these bikes aren't about fast.  They're about cruisin'.  Ya want fast? Buy the Kawi C14)
.

Thanks so much for the terrific insight and fresh perspective

[atadaskew]

Thanks so much for the terrific insight and fresh perspective

Why are you here?

[broncoblue399]

Why are you here?

to bask in your specialness

[atadaskew]

to bask in your specialness

Make sure to have at least spf (specialness protection factor) 30 on, cuz it's real strong.  Don't want you to burn on the first day.

[chornbe]

Thanks so much for the terrific insight and fresh perspective

What's wrong with his statement. It's rather accurate. More people should get a clue when it comes to design and clarity of purpose.

$.02

[SpitfireTriple]

I disagree about a bike needing to be 'just' a motorcycle.  If that was the case then we either  would be all riding scooters (shaddup up my Vespa!) or really really bland bikes.  Ducati, Moto Guzzi, KTM  etc wouldn't exist (let alone Harley or even Victory) if it was 'just' a motorcycle.
You can imagine what we'd all be riding...
 

Know what you mean. I'm going to tie myself in knots here, but a motorcycle can be "just" a motorcycle yet still have a soul.  And a soulful motorcycle doesn't have to be a twin either.  I reckon my Thunderbird 900 and Daytona 900 both have more soul than my Aprilia Futura 1000 twin - which is a better motorcycle than either of them - better brakes, suspension, comfort, etc.  A Laverda Jota on the other hand, has more soul than my two Triumphs, but even worse brakes, handling etc. I'm not necessarily saying that there is a correlation here: "Worse motorcycle = more soul". That's sometimes true and sometimes not.

But the "If it ain't Harley it ain't shit"(!), the "Ride One"TM, the "Genuine Accessories"TM etc etc just makes me puke.  When the brand becomes more powerful than the machine, the machine becomes less than a motorcycle.  Harley executives don't talk about motorcycles, they talk about the brand. They don't talk about making motorcycles, they talk about shifting "Product".  It may make for a profitable corporation, but it doesn't appeal to me.  If a Harley didn't have all the marketing guff attached, I'd consider one.  Even though, objectively, it is not a very good motorcycle.

[chornbe]

... for sport riding. There is more to motorcycling.

Sorry, but it's an exemplary motorcycle for touring when a casual pace and hauling lots of stuff factors in... as is evidenced by the fact that nearly *every* other marquee builds a copy. If there is any question at all in that, simply look at the new $17+K complete and utter rip off of Harleys by Kawasaki.

LOTS of people seem to agree that it's a good, purpose-built machine because there are LOTS of Harleys (speaking specifically of the touring frame bikes) on the road, serving exactly that purpose - long distance touring, often 2-up, with weeks of provisions onboard.



I wouldn't take a Street Glide on the track. I wouldn't tour 10k miles around the country on a CBR/RR and I wouldn't take either of them on the trails.

It's ok that there are different bikes for different purposes.

[kendenton]

You know, I don't think we've covered this ground in any other thread.  Maybe we should sticky this one?  

[black hills]

I thought the vision was better than any HD I've ever ridden, but what do I know

[2006FJR]

I would prefer to ride the HD but all BS around the lifestyle is a big turn off. In the end I would get the Vision.  

[SpitfireTriple]

objectively, it is not a very good motorcycle.

... for sport riding. There is more to motorcycling.

We are in complete agreement

Sorry, but it's an exemplary motorcycle for touring when a casual pace and hauling lots of stuff factors in... as is evidenced by the fact that nearly *every* other marquee builds a copy. If there is any question at all in that, simply look at the new $17+K complete and utter rip off of Harleys by Kawasaki.

Disagree with your analysis. Yes, Kawasaki et al are copying the style.  Kawasaki & co are hungry for the buyers who will pay a premium price for something that actually requires less engineering excellence (=effort and cost) to develop than a sports bike. But demonstrating that Harleys are desirable machines to many people is a long way from demonstrating that they are good machines by any objective measure.
  

LOTS of people seem to agree that it's a good, purpose-built machine because there are LOTS of Harleys (speaking specifically of the touring frame bikes) on the road, serving exactly that purpose - long distance touring, often 2-up, with weeks of provisions onboard.

Sorry, can't agree.  The fact that there are lots of Harleys on the road does not prove that it's a good long distance touring machine.  (Nor does it prove the contrary).  It simply proves that plenty of people were happy to pony up the purchase price.  Those customers will have had a variety of reasons for making their purchase.  But it has to be true to say that a high proportion of them will be at least partially motivated by the BS that goes with Harleys - a motive largely absent from buyers of other manufacturers, jap ones in particular.  To many/most Harley buyers, the Harley BS is a plus.  To me, it's a minus.

I wouldn't take a Street Glide on the track. I wouldn't tour 10k miles around the country on a CBR/RR and I wouldn't take either of them on the trails.

It's ok that there are different bikes for different purposes.

Good!  We end in agreement!

You know, I don't think we've covered this ground in any other thread.  Maybe we should sticky this one?  

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.  But it is, of courser, better than none at all.

I would prefer to ride the HD but all BS around the lifestyle is a big turn off.

He said it so much more succinctly than me.

[Papa Lazarou]

Sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit but it can be a bit of a laugh.... (sorry, wrong thread).

[chornbe]

 Disagree with your analysis. Yes, Kawasaki et al are copying the style.  Kawasaki & co are hungry for the buyers who will pay a premium price for something that actually requires less engineering excellence (=effort and cost) to develop than a sports bike. But demonstrating that Harleys are desirable machines to many people is a long way from demonstrating that they are good machines by any objective measure.

And we continue to disagree on this. It's my opinion that in a free-market society where a diverse market place can thrive, a "better" product will "bubble up" and will sell in greater numbers than a "lesser" product. There are many factors to "better"; quality, value, price, convenience, TCO, aesthetic and others.

Having owned other MFG's cruisers and having owned Harleys, I can say that from my experience, the Harleys were an absolutely fine product who did their intended job better than the competing products that I owned for the purpose.

Now, that's a fairly layered statement and there's room aplenty for caveats in there. I rather dislike absolutes especially when they are used in opinion-based discussion.

Having said that, the quality - including initial quality, fit-n-finish, reliability and after 2 years of some rather hard use, the Harleys I own(ed) are hands down better than the competing products I owned... in every regard except one: the Honda Shadow Sabre had far more lean-angle clearance than the Street Glide (which was a huge factor when I purchased it). That bike had lean angle capabilities that would put many of the touring and sport-touring bikes to shame. But it was not a universally better bike.

The Harleys I own(ed) (the Street Glide was recently sent on to a new home) have been excellent in quality, performance and reliability - in short - a great value.

Yes... they are "better" than many competing products. And many competing products fall short when they copy them.

I don't think the Harleys are excellent because I own(ed) them (ie... I'm not just "justifying my purchase")... I own(ed) them because they were the best choice for me in all the factors I considered.

Yes... objectively.





caveat: the Vision was not a viable choice when I purchased my Street Glide. I don't do first-year of anything.

[st ryder]

"The New American Motorcycle"

"A touring motorcycle that turns heads as it turns miles."

"... just plain Raw American Muscle."

" ... Its style and performance can't be matched,..."

"Its style & performance are awesome.."

"...comfortable ergonomics, smooth handling & a long, low, more alluring profile."

"... godfather of classic cruiser motorcycle style. From city streets to the open road, the smartly styled Victory *** conquers it all."

Victory Motorcycles are just as much about creating an image/"lifestyle" as any other motorcycle. All the above quotes come from their website. You'll notice the importance given to mentioning the "American" connection. I think it's  pretty  clear what they're trying to be, and that's not to be "just" a motorcycle that doesn't make any brand statements, but an alternative to*the* American motorcycle by offering a "style first", powerfull V-twin, American style, American buillt bike like their #1 competition, hoping to ride HD's coat tails to success.

Nice bikes, but, not the "real deal", and there's something to be said about the value in that.   I like Victory bikes, but I'd have to be *blown away* by the difference between them and a HD before I'd buy what in the end amounts to yet another clone, regardless of where it's built.

[SpitfireTriple]

And we continue to disagree on this. It's my opinion that in a free-market society where a diverse market place can thrive, a "better" product will "bubble up" and will sell in greater numbers than a "lesser" product. There are many factors to "better"; quality, value, price, convenience, TCO, aesthetic and others.

Having owned other MFG's cruisers and having owned Harleys, I can say that from my experience, the Harleys were an absolutely fine product who did their intended job better than the competing products that I owned for the purpose.

Now, that's a fairly layered statement and there's room aplenty for caveats in there. I rather dislike absolutes especially when they are used in opinion-based discussion.

That's such a reasoned, reasonable post...You've swayed me.  I'll try one one day, and try to keep an open mind, marketing BS or no marketing BS.

Though, whilst I am a complete believer in the market, there are many purchasers for whom BS image is worth a couple of grand on the price.  I'm not one of them.

"The New American Motorcycle"...
Victory Motorcycles are just as much about creating an image/"lifestyle" as any other motorcycle.

Another well-argued post.  Okay, I'll concede that Victory do try some of the HD BS.  Maybe they're just not as pushy with it as HD - or maybe it's just that their customers don't go for it in such droves.

[chornbe]

Don't get me wrong... the whole Harley Guy (c) (r) (tm) "lifestyle" is

They (Harley) saw a marketing niche and built it, and the people ate it up like kids in a candy store. I'm not a lifestyler by any means... I just like (some of) their bikes.

And there are plenty of things that irk me, or just leave me scratching my head about some of the choices they've made in some of the bikes. For instance, the V-Rod engine in the touring bike frame (with the '09 updates, mind you) would be THE bike to own for touring. Some of the touring frame bikes have the good forks while others don't...? Abs is only offered on one frame model...? STILL with the TC96 engine rather than the FAR smoother TC96B...? Bias ply oddball sized tires - STILL??? - on the Dynas and Sportsters...?

There's room for improvement - important and much needed improvements - no argument.

[Geoff]

Harley's Lifestyle campaign worked so well that it was the message for Yamaha's Star brand of Harley-clones. Remember the print ads? And who can blame Victory for the Cross Country and Cross Roads. Taking aim at Harley with similar products is good strategy. On the other hand, as they say, imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

[st ryder]

Harley's Lifestyle campaign worked so well that it was the message for Yamaha's Star brand of Harley-clones. Remember the print ads? And who can blame Victory for the Cross Country and Cross Roads. Taking aim at Harley with similar products is good strategy. On the other hand, as they say, imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

"'Often imitated, but never duplicated" is another axiom about imitation.

I remember those "real deal" Star ads; what a scream.   I also remember Victory's TV ad, where two greasy, lard ass bikers are sitting at a restaurant counter, and a "racer dude" wearing lightening bolt leathers comes in and sits bewteen them, and they scowl at him so harshly that "crotch rocket" rider gets the drift and moves on; then, a laconic, cool, mysterious dude sits between them wearing a Victory jacket, and they give him the nod of acceptance. Message? Buy a Victory and be accepted by fat greasy bikers.  

 

[Geoff]

I also remember Victory's TV ad, where two greasy, lard ass bikers are sitting at a restaurant counter, and a "racer dude" wearing lightening bolt leathers comes in and sits bewteen them, and they scowl at him so harshly that "crotch rocket" rider gets the drift and moves on; then, a laconic, cool, mysterious dude sits between them wearing a Victory jacket, and they give him the nod of acceptance. Message? Buy a Victory and be accepted by fat greasy bikers.

That's right. Social acceptance is the underlying message being sold in these ads. Perhaps the best example of this approach was Honda's 1962 campaign with the slogan, "You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda."  

Victory should sell the strength of its bikes. The lifestyle approach is passé. At the same time, Harley better watch its back. Victory is getting better and the Harley faithful are starting to take notice.

[atadaskew]

All the cruiser mfgs try to push the bad boy/independence etc angle.  It's not only Harley associated with that marketing BS. The others wish they could associate with it as well as Harley has.
Here's Honda's take:

[chornbe]

I have no idea how that VTX/Custom could take a turn with that rake.  

And frankly I'm getting sick of the word "custom" being used in a factory bike.

[county]

Face it, they're all good.  Only difference is can you take being considered a RUB/Pirate/Wanna be bad ass that comes with the Harley?

[Playinthestreet]

Face it, they're all good.  Only difference is can you take being considered a RUB/Pirate/Wanna be bad ass that comes with the Harley?

Yes

[Tpoppa]

I've never actually ridden a Vic, but I've been meaning to.  The X Country looks like a solid contender.

[atadaskew]

Face it, they're all good.  Only difference is can you take being considered a RUB/Pirate/Wanna be bad ass that comes with the Harley?

That's what they all want to be. See above.

[Geoff]

And frankly I'm getting sick of the word "custom" being used in a factory bike.

I agree.

The word "Anniversary" is overused, too. Harley offers them about every 3 years. The last ones were affectionately called "Duracells" because they sported an ugly black/copper paint scheme.  

[atadaskew]

That's like when car mfgs call some of their models "Limited".

[st ryder]

I agree.

The word "Anniversary" is overused, too. Harley offers them about every 3 years. The last ones were affectionately called "Duracells" because they sported an ugly black/copper paint scheme.  

  I like the 105 years annivesary colours; they keep going and going, oh...wait....

[st ryder]

Face it, they're all good.  Only difference is can you take being considered a RUB/Pirate/Wanna be bad ass that comes with the Harley?

And could you take what comes with a Victory, or any other HD "clone"?

[DCLXVI]

I think the Victory is a sharp looking bike and I guess I would consider one but I've lusted after a Road Glide since my neighbor brought one home and I took it for a spin. I've also owned 3 Harleys and enjoyed all of them without any complications. Based on that I'm pretty sure I would get the Glide.

[maddjack]

personally I think Victory is making FUGLY motorcycles.Yeah I understand they don't want to be look alikes to HD but geeze,the art deco,pointy thing is way outta jand over there. Make some thing that doesn't look like a 2 wheeled wannabe death glider and maybe I'l buy.
 as far as this comparo,I would like to ride both ,back to back over a couple of days myself to give an honest opinion. i have owned HD machines,I have owned metric machines in this class,its about a draw overall for me

[Gar]

For me it's about dealer locations and touring comfort on long ass days.  Victory just doesn't have the dealer network. (It may be better then BMW though). I wouldn't buy anything with fewer dealers than KTM, which effectively knocks out Victory, BMW, Ducati, Aprillia - everyone but the big 4 Japanese, KTM and H-D. I still consider Triumph(I love Triumph) for new bikes, but they don't make what I want right now. As for the Road Glide, it is an excellent LD mount. Most comfortable bike I've owned.

[Geoff]

For me it's about dealer locations and touring comfort on long ass days.  Victory just doesn't have the dealer network. (It may be better then BMW though). I wouldn't buy anything with fewer dealers than KTM, which effectively knocks out Victory, BMW, Ducati, Aprillia - everyone but the big 4 Japanese, KTM and H-D. I still consider Triumph(I love Triumph) for new bikes, but they don't make what I want right now. As for the Road Glide, it is an excellent LD mount. Most comfortable bike I've owned.

I'm not aware of a single KTM dealer in the Chicago area. I seldom see the bikes on the road.

[MadMax96]

I'm not aware of a single KTM dealer in the Chicago area. I seldom see the bikes on the road.

Team MCC in Villa Park is a KTM dealer.

http://www.teammcc.com/

I agree with Gar about the dealer network.  I have a friend who really likes the HD and the Victory - but the closest Victory dealership to him is like a 48 mile drive.  In the Chicago burbs that's a long way!  I know they'd be even more scarce outside of a populated area.  I think there are a half dozen HD dealers within a 30 min drive of him.

I bet a lot of people do want a HD alternative, but when you add it all up there's almost too hassle and inconvenience when it comes to a smaller company like Victory.

[chornbe]

I always considered the dealer network as part of the ownership experience and it was a factor drew me TO Harley rather than simply settling due to viable alternatives.

[maddjack]

I agree ,dealer network is important,there are machines I would love to own,but if I need to go to some obscure location to buy any OEM part,forget it.

[wvrider]

I agree ,dealer network is important,there are machines I would love to own,but if I need to go to some obscure location to buy any OEM part,forget it.

Recently I wanted another bike with touring amenities meaning ABS, Radio, Communications, comfort, luggage all basically together in the package. I've owned BMW in the past and certainly would have considered a new RT (or gently used) but the closest dealer is now over 2 hours away through heavy traffic for some of the route (3 dealers) making it a non choice for me in the end. I didnt want the bland "non motorcycleness" of the Wing after riding it several times (love the motor but also found no real joy there). The Victory was right up there as there is a dealer nearby but no ABS unless I buy the new $24k Vision model...no thanks. Found riding the Harley touring bikes perfectly comfortable and the local dealer sane (not over the top "pirate") and so ended up buying a used Glide. I do many things on my bikes myself but I dont want to cross the country with a bike on a trailer just to get something taken care of.
I LOVED the Cross Country when I sat on it at the show, most comfortable saddle to sit on if a little low behind the windshield....too bad Victory doesnt see it necessary to offer ABS on it and too bad they found it necessary to go too far form over function with the style of the Vision (plus the dealer wouldnt let me ride one and there is no way I buy a $20k plus bike without riding it).

Phil

[atadaskew]

 Victory doesnt see it necessary to offer ABS on it and too bad they found it necessary to go too far form over function with the style of the Vision (plus the dealer wouldnt let me ride one and there is no way I buy a $20k plus bike without riding it).

Phil

Smart move.  I've ridden a few Visions and some may not like their tiller like handlebars which make slow speed handling a bit 'awkward'.
Also the dominating aural characteristic is not a pleasant v-twin thump like on Harleys, but gear whine and mechanical clatter.

Crazy comfy bike though.

[gritsngravy]

Crazy comfy bike though.
[/quote]





There is a point on every tour where mile deep chrome, belching exhaust and the "right" vibes just don't mean a thing.  Comfort is everything on a touring bike.

[atadaskew]

Crazy comfy bike though.






There is a point on every tour where mile deep chrome, belching exhaust and the "right" vibes just don't mean a thing.  Comfort is everything on a touring bike.

The E-glides are crazy comfy too.  Their bonus is they have the mile deep chrome, 'right' vibes, and belching  exhaust to go with it.
Comfort AND luggage capacity is everything.  The rest is a bonus.  The Harleys give you that bonus.  The Vision does not.  And has lousy luggage capacity with its tiny saddle bags.

[chornbe]

The E-glides are crazy comfy too.  Their bonus is they have the mile deep chrome, 'right' vibes, and belching  exhaust to go with it.
Comfort AND luggage capacity is everything.  The rest is a bonus.  The Harleys give you that bonus.  The Vision does not.  And has lousy luggage capacity with its tiny saddle bags.

I did 6600 miles across this great country in an 18-day contiguous run on my e-glide, with stock luggage. I wished and wanted for nothing. The bike was super comfy, handled wonderfully in the mountains, loped along beautifully on the highways, strafed the sweepers with aplomb and at the end of each day, I was very comfy and regretted packing the bike away each night.

It's one of the few bikes that completely and wholly nails its purpose-built design... while still coloring outside the lines a bit and letting you do stuff that most people don't consider "touring" bikes for. I ran twisties, I did 100-miles of dirt roads. I ran through snow  . I chased sport bikes. It's a great machine. I have nothing but good to say about it.

[gritsngravy]

The E-glides are crazy comfy too.  Their bonus is they have the mile deep chrome, 'right' vibes, and belching  exhaust to go with it.
Comfort AND luggage capacity is everything.  The rest is a bonus.  The Harleys give you that bonus.  The Vision does not.  And has lousy luggage capacity with its tiny saddle bags.

I guess it all depends on how much crap you need to carry and what kinda vibes get you off.  

[atadaskew]

I guess it all depends on how much crap you need to carry and what kinda vibes get you off.  

Yup.  Thing is if you don't need to carry that much crap then the bike should be smaller.  The Vision is just as large as an Eglide yet carries less crap.  So what's the point?

This actually also applies to other touring/St bikes.  My Duc with it's hard luggage (same thing with your VFR) can carry just as much crap as an FJR, C14, ST13 etc yet weighs less.  Which is why I don't get bikes like the FJR, C14 etc.  IMO they are bigger just because the are bigger.  Butt that's another thread!
 

[wvrider]

Yep, I thought my ST2 with bags and top box had plenty of space for any trip for two...and reasonable comfy but not much amenities.

Phil

[gritsngravy]

Yup.  Thing is if you don't need to carry that much crap then the bike should be smaller.  The Vision is just as large as an Eglide yet carries less crap.  So what's the point?

This actually also applies to other touring/St bikes.  My Duc with it's hard luggage (same thing with your VFR) can carry just as much crap as an FJR, C14, ST13 etc yet weighs less.  Which is why I don't get bikes like the FJR, C14 etc.  IMO they are bigger just because the are bigger.  Butt that's another thread!
 

I don't see a problem with the physical size of the Vision or any hard bagged cruiser/tourer.    For me, and I suspect a lot of long distance riders feel this way, the bigger the better when traveling, especially two up.  The piece of mind and stability afforded by a long wheel base is a Good Thing.   I just don't think folks riding cruiser tourers expect gsxr handling qualities, its all about the comfort.    

[atadaskew]

I don't see a problem with the physical size of the Vision or any hard bagged cruiser/tourer.    For me, and I suspect a lot of long distance riders feel this way, the bigger the better when traveling, especially two up.  The piece of mind and stability afforded by a long wheel base is a Good Thing.   I just don't think folks riding cruiser tourers expect gsxr handling qualities, its all about the comfort.    

I understand what you are saying. My point about the Vision is that if it is that big it had better also be able to carry a lot of stuff.  But it can't because it's side cases are tiny.
This is an issue Victory has fixed with the X country and X roads bikes.

I owned a Wing 1800 and while it was a better 2-up bike than my Duc St4s that I replaced it with (for passenger comfort), the Duc actually is far more stable and rides better.  Stability is not just a result of size, but other things like suspension quality where the Honda suffered in comparison.
Weird thing, my older Wing 1200 had a much better ride quality than the 1800.
Anyway, now I'm digressing.

[rauchman]

I found myself looking at this type of bike quite a bit at the IMS show.  Aesthetically, I liked the Victory Cross Bones the best.  When picking it up off the stand, I liked it the least.  I didn't like the weight distribution or where my feet landed.  The HD was what I expected.  Solid, comfy and what not.  I sat on the Kawi version (forget the name) and while it was nice, it felt ..... like a copy with nothing startling about it.  The surprise was the Yami Stratoliner Deluxe.  Pulling it up off the stand, it felt the lightest of the bunch.  I wish Yami had moved the gauges to the handlebars though.  

If I were going out to look at one of these bikes today, it would be between the HD and the Yami.

[chornbe]

I found myself looking at this type of bike quite a bit at the IMS show.  Aesthetically, I liked the Victory Cross Bones the best.  When picking it up off the stand, I liked it the least.  I didn't like the weight distribution or where my feet landed.  The HD was what I expected.  Solid, comfy and what not.  I sat on the Kawi version (forget the name) and while it was nice, it felt ..... like a copy with nothing startling about it.  The surprise was the Yami Stratoliner Deluxe.  Pulling it up off the stand, it felt the lightest of the bunch.  I wish Yami had moved the gauges to the handlebars though.  

If I were going out to look at one of these bikes today, it would be between the HD and the Yami.

FWIW, the Yami's engine in Harley's frame would be the absolute winning combination. Their engine is just amazing.

[rauchman]

FWIW, the Yami's engine in Harley's frame would be the absolute winning combination. Their engine is just amazing.

While I haven't ridden any of the 1800+cc Yami cruisers, I used to own a Yam Road Star.  After the HD, I think Yamaha has the best cruisers out there.  Although, the Triumph TBird looks promising as well.  From everything I've read about the 1800cc Yami cruisers, the engine in that thing is "IT".  The only niggle I have about the Roadliner/Stratoliner is non standard sizes on the tires and the gauges being on the tank.  Past that, I think they are beautiful bikes that, from what I've read, are really great bikes.  I used to be a bigger fan of the Victory's, but for some reason, they've lost their luster on me.

[wvrider]

THat Yamaha 1800 is a great motor. It should be at 1800 cc. The Liner Deluxe did seem real nice to sit on but it was just a regular liner with some aftermarket looking fairing on it...the key location, guages everything were in stock locations...very unfinished. The Victory Cross Country just seemed so much more completed in comparison for the same money.

Phil