Vision demo ride results

[R-RatedCustoms]

Ok, there are two different threads under two different headings. So I decided to clearly mark one just for us that have ridden these bikes.

Before I say what I experienced I wanted to summarize what the the other two folks wrote.

First, one fellow says that the bike is totally without vibration at idle - true BUT.

The other rider says that the bikes had some tippy issues - I did not see or feel that and I saw some pretty hefty folks and some really small folks out riding these.

Here is what I experienced.

1. there is some really bad very high frequency vibration that pops up around 2.5 on the rpm dial and stays growing to the rev limiter. It is not a buzz because there is nothing quite in sync with it other than the motor. The vibes are felt in the handgrips, handlebars, dash, and rear grab bars. The mirrors were completely blurred from the vibes. After the 30 min ride, my hands felt slightly numb for over 45 minutes.

I asked fellow riders and it was confirmed it was there on all the bikes. I pointed it out and had the engineer, Gus, confirm it was present. He was greatly concerned that the factory needed to know this and asked that I write a summary for him to take back.

2. Wind is an issue both with and without the deflectors deployed or the windshield adjusted, but my wife was more concerned with this.

3. the rear floor boards leave the passenger's foot hanging off and she was not feeling great about that due to the vibes felt from the rear tip over bar.

4. the rear turn signals are not that noticeable. Gus the engineer and I mulled over posssibly the entire side flashing or maybe incorporating yellow LEDs.

5. the kickstand has to be hunted for. It tucks in so close that it is difficult to catch it with your heel to put down. Also, sorry no locking in position like HD.

6. HEAT!!! Oh my goodness, it did not matter how anything to do with wind was adjusted - it only went from stifling to DAMN IT. The engineer and I discussed that the vents that are meant to channel the air may not be working as intended in the real world application.

7. Luggage space was not apparent. Supposedly 9 gallons goes in the saddlebags? I could not visualize it. However you can put 20 lbs per side and 20 in the trunk.

Now for the good points

1. Smooth suspension, it tracked very well even with my wife climbing around to take photos.

2. Nice power (if you can withstand the vibes). If Victory can get those out of the bike, these bikes should haul a55.

3. I clicked through and noticed that the average mpg was 51.4 with 944 miles on the bike. I overhead someone else ask about the mpg and the engineer said that high 40s was not uncommon.


So there you go folks, I would not suggest dropping the cash on site unseen on one. Get out and test ride one for yourself first.

For me, #1 is Goldwing for smooth and #2 is HD for being able to be worked on as well as luggage space.