Full Review- Victory Vision

[PalmBeachRider]

As stated on this forum, I picked up a Victory Vision. I now have 500 miles on the bike and have kept a detailed daily diary (blog) on every aspect of my experience. It's too long and detailed to post here, so I've placed it on my personal website. I'm not trying to steer people away from here and my personal website has zero advertising, so there's no profit motive for me. The purpose of the blog was not just for personal satisfaction, but to let others considering a V-Twin bike to read a first hand accounting of the Vision.

If you want to check it out go to http://www.gadgetguru.com and click on the Victory Vision link. It's not a message board, so if you have any input or questions, please post your responses on this thread.

Happy Reading and Riding...Remember, Rubber Side Down!

http://www.gadgetguru.com

[mikevr007]

If you're a happy 'Vision'ary then that's great!

I just can't get past the ugly factor....

[Greglal]

Originally Posted by PalmBeachRider

As stated on this forum, I picked up a Victory Vision. I now have 500 miles on the bike and have kept a detailed daily diary (blog) on every aspect of my experience. It's too long and detailed to post here, so I've placed it on my personal website. I'm not trying to steer people away from here and my personal website has zero advertising, so there's no profit motive for me. The purpose of the blog was not just for personal satisfaction, but to let others considering a V-Twin bike to read a first hand accounting of the Vision.

If you want to check it out go to http://www.gadgetguru.com and click on the Victory Vision link. It's not a message board, so if you have any input or questions, please post your responses on this thread.

Happy Reading and Riding...Remember, Rubber Side Down!

http://www.gadgetguru.com

Well I'm at work and bored today so I decided to check out your site and reviews.

First, I started to read your report on how a Blu Ray DVDs don't offer a significant improvement in quality compared to standard DVDs. Do you have a 1080P capable TV? I can't imagine anyone making that statement unless they don't have the proper equipment to see the advantage. The difference is clearer than night and day!

I also started to read you report on the Vision and was amazed you you keep comparing it to you other bikes and how much better it is. You compare it to your previous Harley RK, considering you were making that statement on the 1st day of your new bike when you admit you haven't ridden in 6 years. BTW.. what year Road King are you comparing this to? Obviously is is an 02 or older.

I'm just making a couple observations about the validity of your reviews IMHO. I Didn't even get far into either one before your statements caused me to stop reading. Sorry.

[PalmBeachRider]

Thanks for the input.

In terms of the Blu-ray story, yes, I have viewed them side-by-side to an inexpensive 1080i upscaling DVD player on a 1080p set. The difference it negligible at best. The user who will see the largest improvement is the gamer, not the home movie watcher.

For my comparison of the Vision to the Road King, we all have different riding styles and that's why there are so many different bikes to choose from. From the first test drive of the Vision I could immediately feel the differences from other bikes I've owned. This is personal preference, but before you jump and criticize, a test drive might answer the questions for you. I've never owned one of the larger Harley tour bikes, so I cannot give an honest comparison.

Nonetheless, your input is appreciated.

[PalmBeachRider]

Thanks for the input.

In terms of the Blu-ray story, yes, I have viewed them side-by-side to an inexpensive 1080i upscaling DVD player on a 1080p set. The difference it negligible at best. The user who will see the largest improvement is the gamer, not the home movie watcher.

For my comparison of the Vision to the Road King, we all have different riding styles and that's why there are so many different bikes to choose from. From the first test drive of the Vision I could immediately feel the differences from other bikes I've owned. Is it better or is it different? This is personal preference, but before you jump and criticize, a test drive might answer the questions for you. I've never owned one of the larger Harley tour bikes, so I cannot give an honest comparison. I can tell you that as a highway tour bike, it's a dream on the road and is best described as a cross between a Goldwing and a Harley tour bike with many of the best attributes of both.

Another aspect to take into consideration is that the Vision was built from the ground up on a new platform. While I'm far from an expert, other than the V-Rod, when was the last time Harley rebuilt its base platform? Technology and materials have changed over the years, so is it wrong to like something that is using newer methods and is trying to think differently? Remember when Harley introduced the V-Rod, even Harley riders trashed it as it broke the mold and stereotype what a Harley should look like. Innovation is a good thing, so don't be surprised if other manufactures, including Harley, start bringing new, more modern designs to market.

If I was a betting man, I'd place a wager that there are some Visions in Japan and Milwaukee being disassembled and analyzed as we speak.

Nonetheless, your input is appreciated.

[langner91]

I used to really enjoy your features on "the Today Show" back in the day.

Going from iPods to Motorcycles is a big step!

Glad to see you have all your troubles behind you. Enjoy that bike!

[zoo]

Off topic, I know but I think you start noticing the big difference between standard DVD and 1080i when you get beyond a 45" screen or so.

[mark_bert]

Man that is an ugly bike. Interesting that you make note of the Arlen Ness influences. I've always thought that his stuff was generally hideous.

Glad you're enjoying it.

[Greglal]

Originally Posted by PalmBeachRider

From the first test drive of the Vision I could immediately feel the differences from other bikes I've owned...

And my point was that information might be relevant if we knew what you are comparing it to.

For instance; saying the bike is much smoother than your RK, If the reader (me) knew what year, engine type/size, fuel delivery type, etc. of your previous RK that you were making comparisons to, it would make a pretty big difference in the value of the statement and the review in general.

[Greglal]

Originally Posted by zoo

Off topic, I know but I think you start noticing the big difference between standard DVD and 1080i when you get beyond a 45" screen or so.

Whole heartedly agree!
An up-converting DVD player, while looking better than non-up-converting, still has lower resolution which translates into much less sharpness and much less clarity, and the SD DVD compression artifacts are unmistakable on larger screens.

I'm sorry but I find the following statement from the review on Andy's site inaccurate, misleading, and potentially harmful to the consumer.

Let's face it, you'll be hard pressed, in a side by side demonstration to tell the difference between a movie playing on a basic DVD player to the images displayed on a Blu-ray player. I consider the differences nuances, not noteworthy improvements.

But then again, the only thing I spend more money on than my home theater is my Harley

[Lefty]

Originally Posted by Greglal

And my point was that information might be relevant if we knew what you are comparing it to.

For instance; saying the bike is much smoother than your RK, If the reader (me) knew what year, engine type/size, fuel delivery type, etc. of your previous RK that you were making comparisons to, it would make a pretty big difference in the value of the statement and the review in general.

Wonder if he'll respond to this after your second post asking for the year of the comparison model?

BTW, the Arlen Ness influence translates to pure ugly to me too as mentioned by an earlier poster.


Lefty

[PalmBeachRider]

Sorry, I was away from the computer. The Road King I had for two years was the first year that was fuel injected. Excuse me if I have the year incorrect, but it was a '97 or '98...(I'm on my 12th bike and three of them were Harleys). The color was that maroon/purple. Don't get me wrong, it was a great bike. As stated, the dealer had a difficult time with the exhaust system and blamed it on being fuel injected. I didn't make this up, that's what he told me. It took numerous times in the shop for modifications. When I compare the ride of the Vision to the RK which I put a few thousand miles on, they are two different bikes. My riding today is more tour than street and what I was looking for in a new bike was comfortable, not sterile, ride and strong technology. I'll never knock Harleys as they are great bikes, but as I stated, there's a reason there's such a good selection of bikes on the market...not all riders want the same thing. I like the V-Twin feel and sound, but I can log more seat time on the Vision than I could my RK.

Does that clear things up?

On the Blu-ray subject...do a side by side and you'll see what I mean. Yes, it delivers a higher resolution, but few if any can truly see a difference that will justify the cost of the player and the higher cost of the discs. I will still stand by my prediction that Blu-ray is not the long term solution to watching movies at home or while on the go. It's an interim format. The principal of Moore's Law comes into play at this stage of the digital video arena.

[zoo]

Originally Posted by PalmBeachRider

Sorry, I was away from the computer. The Road King I had for two years was the first year that was fuel injected. Excuse me if I have the year incorrect, but it was a '97 or '98...(I'm on my 12th bike and three of them were Harleys). The color was that maroon/purple. Don't get me wrong, it was a great bike. As stated, the dealer had a difficult time with the exhaust system and blamed it on being fuel injected. I didn't make this up, that's what he told me. It took numerous times in the shop for modifications. When I compare the ride of the Vision to the RK which I put a few thousand miles on, they are two different bikes. My riding today is more tour than street and what I was looking for in a new bike was comfortable, not sterile, ride and strong technology. I'll never knock Harleys as they are great bikes, but as I stated, there's a reason there's such a good selection of bikes on the market...not all riders want the same thing. I like the V-Twin feel and sound, but I can log more seat time on the Vision than I could my RK.

Does that clear things up?

On the Blu-ray subject...do a side by side and you'll see what I mean. Yes, it delivers a higher resolution, but few if any can truly see a difference that will justify the cost of the player and the higher cost of the discs. I will still stand by my prediction that Blu-ray is not the long term solution to watching movies at home or while on the go. It's an interim format. The principal of Moore's Law comes into play at this stage of the digital video arena.

You're comparing a 97 or 98 RK to a 2008 Vic Vision? My God, man. Pass me that pipe. As it relates to the high def, I can only assume (and I mean no offense by this) that you're distance from the sreen is substantial for you not to notice the difference.

[Luckydave]

Saw one of these at UK National bike show,thought it was a concept bike(also thought it was too ugly to be produced)I also cosidered a Victory Kingpin as a possible purchase and roadtested one,nice but not as nice as the Heritage Classic I ended up buying,we don't have many Victory dealers over here so don't expect to see a Vision around these parts of the world

[PalmBeachRider]

I wonder if anyone here will take ten minutes to test drive a Vision before trashing it?

Would it be upsetting if you happened to Like it?