2 month follow up comparision of my Vision and Road Glide

[joeschmoe]

A guy sent me a PM from here asking my opinion since getting my Vision 2 1/2 months ago...Kind of a follow up opinion question. I can't bvelieve I wrote such a long review for such a short period of time.
Here it is:

I will try to be as honest as possible as I do not want to convey any misconceptions about the Vision compared to the Road Glide! My Vision is the $hiT!!! (Pardon my French), I drool over it each time I ride and see it....

I love every aspect of the bike, I have added a couple of things getting ready for winter and safety. As far as comparing the RG to the Vision for the intangibles riding, handling, vibration, ease of operation, visibility, wind buffeting, riding comfort, etc....EVERYTHING on the Vision beats the RG by miles, even after all the after market studff I put on the RG. The dash instrumentation lighting is complete across the entire display, no shadows or dull areas, RG had all the corners almost impossible to see at night due to poor lighting and fogged over all the time, handling is a DREAM, corners, highway miles, truck turbulence, etc is less with the Vision compared to the RG...The power windshield is great too, when it's raining you can raise it and hide, when it's cool (40 degrees) you can raise it and keep the cold air off of you...but when it's hot out, just drop it to the low position and fresh air in the face, but doesn't bother my helmet...NO DIRTY AIR coming from under the fairing like the RG has.

For headlights I ALWAYS rode with my high beams on with the RG, as well as adding Motolights for more light, I thought they were not bright enough for me to be seen, day or night, well with the Vision, I have only used my high beams a few times when out I the country when no one is around, these lights are BRIGHT day or night, I honestly see my headlight illuminate street signs during the day when the sun is out, not always but sometimes. I have done several trips now that were 500 miles or better, I was NOT tired when I got to my destination and I wanted to do MORE, I cannot say that about my RG as after 200 to 300 miles on it I was worn out and sweaty in the crouch!

One thing I do like better on the RG than the Vision is the CB/radio handlebar controls, wearing winter gloves it is hard to hit the correct button on the CB controls (PTT, volume, channel) the RG had a better button configuration.

I have ridden Cherohala Skyway a few times since getting my Vision, live about 45 minutes away and I have noticed I can take turns twisties easier and faster (not trying to be a speed demon, just less effort and more grace) on the RG I would "average" about 35 to 40 MPH riding Cherohala, now I notice I can on the Vision without effort do 55 to 60 MPH....I haven't ridden the Dragon YET, because every time I get there; it is either raining on the way there or starts raining once I get on the Dragon...NOT FUN, and I WON'T DO IT!!! I might be crazy but I'm not STUPID! My Vision is great on twisties, I have only drug my floorboard once and that was on a round about near my house, haven't even come close on Cherohala Skyway, US 421 (The Snake), or Hwy 360 (good twisty)...Got a little carried away going through the round about as I took it about 50 MPH

I added a power outlet on the console to plug my heated gear into, yes I ride all year round, I bought the power outlet from Victory for $49 bucks, got home and did the install (they provided instructions that covered EVERY possible location (tour pack or console) even a template to center the outlet on the console) only part I needed that wasn't in the kit was a 11/16" hole saw, anyway, did the install and thought I would have to rob the factory power outlet from inside the console and wire it up to the new power outlet or parallel the connection. Well turns out the bike is already PRE-WIRED for this connection...Now that's forward thinking!!! Also while doing the safety project below I saw where the tour pack is pre-wired for a power outlet for the passenger.

I had cams and fuel controller installed a month ago, not that I needed the power but everyone was talking about how the cams gave the bike, SOUL!! Brother let me tell you, it gave it a SOUL a heartbeat and some wicked power, I am now turning 109 HP and 113 ft-lbs of torque!!! Stock it was +/- 82 HP and +/-102 ft-lb torque (not positive on stock torque)... My Vision will NOW SCREAM and that's not why I did it but it does...I hit 100 MPH getting on the Interstate this morning going to work in 4th gear BY ACCIDENT!! The MAIN reason I did the cams and this is TRULY the only complaint I have regarding my Vision, is the stupid back fire when decelerating. Before the cams it would backfire almost every single time I got off the gas. I talked to the wrench that did my cams and all the people on the Victory forums and they all say about the same thing. It is the IAC programming that Victory has set for the IAC, when you get off the gas, the software shuts down the fuel to ZERO not even a small tinkle is left so when the engine decels cold air comes into the pipes and you get a backfire, or something like that. The cams and fuel controller have all but eliminated the back fire issue, it happens occasionally but not every time now...

The item I added for safety was a Kuryakyn 4710 brake-run-signal module, the tour pack on the Vision has static lights, what the module does is allows a single filament bulb to work as a dual filament bulb, so originally when I applied the brakes only 2 lower lights came on indicating I was stopping, and when blinkers were applied only the appropriate blinker light would illuminate down low. With this mod my tour pack lights NOW, blink 3 times when the brakes are applied, the lights also, blink with the appropriate lower blinker, and I now have 4 lights in the rear for the hazards not just the two lower lights...Well worth $60 and 3 hours to install....Very straight forward...

So in conclusion, I LOVE MY VISION, I do not regret selling my HD RG and getting "Jane" (Yes everyone calls it a Jetson bike)...There is only ONE issue I don't like and that is the backfiring issue, I have reduced it and can control it with proper throttle responses but I shouldn't have to. The only things I miss about my RG are two little things, the fuel pump light, with my Vision I have to listen for the fuel system to pressurize, no biggie but still, I like idiot lights. Secondly the CB/radio buttons...Other than that I am SO GLAD I got RID of my Road Glide!!

Hope this helps and is not to long winded, I can't believe I wrote this much in an e-mail...but hey I love my Vision.

Take care and ride safe!!

[Rmohd]

Glad you are happy,, I just cant get past the looks.. and I own a roadglide so one would think that wouldnt be the case..

Ride safe. and thanks for the info

[jerry34208]

Nice write up. Thanks.

[navyman]

I am glad you are happy with your decision. I hope HD is feeling some heat to improve their product and quality. Otherwise, they are in danger of going the way of GM. Nice review.

[arealinvestor]

It's a nice bike,with nice numbers,but they are really not that appeasing to the eye!!!have fun & enjoy it!!!

[Road Glider]

Interesting read. Glad you are enjoying your new ride. Would be interested to hear you update your comments as you put on the miles. Ride safe.

[DavidT]

Nice review! I'm still undecided between the Vision, the new Cross Country, or a Road Glide (since I already have a Victory, one of each in the garage would be nice).

[JOKENightTrain]

Good review - I too am considering a Road Glide or somethin...nah, I still want to stay with a Harley. Glad you enjoy your ride.

[honorsdaddy]

That was EXACTLY what I needed to hear.

We rode a Vision for the first time this weekend, and to say we are not looking at our Road Glide the same way anymore would be an understatement. Been curious what it would be like over time, and you've answered my question.

[Pikeslayer]

Wonder how it compares to a goldwing.

[JOKENightTrain]

Your review got me to look at the Vision specs - looks like a better ride than the Road Glide for the same money. Might have to test one out.

[joeschmoe]

Originally Posted by JOKENightTrain

Your review got me to look at the Vision specs - looks like a better ride than the Road Glide for the same money. Might have to test one out.

But be aware...the price tag is the same for the Vision Tour Premium compared to a Road Glide but be AWARE, with the Vision Tour Premium you get the following items (and I always forget some) Ipod interface with handle bar controls, lighted (interior and exterior) tour pack, steel braided hoses, oil cooler, electric windshield, Crusie control (2010 RG it is a $1000 option), linked braking, heated grips, heated seat, 106 CI motor, chrome billet wheels, chrome forks, floating brake rotors, power outlet in the "glovebox", HID headlight, and some other things I can't remember...

So a Vision will set you back MSRP around $24,699 out the door, a 2010 Road Glide starts at $18,999 (according to HD web site), but then you would have to ADD all the stuff listed above for a price tag of......................WAIT FOR IT................OVER $15,500 to get the RG to the level of the Vision, so the RG would cost you OVER $34,000 to get it close to comparable but soemthings are not offered by HD: Power windshield, Ipod interface, etc....

[Pikeslayer]

How is there dealer network, in case you have trouble on the road? How many dealers?

[joeschmoe]

Originally Posted by Pikeslayer

How is there dealer network, in case you have trouble on the road? How many dealers?

They don't have one on every corner like HD, but in my state(Tennessee) there is one within 150 miles in any direction (GA, KY, TN). The closest one is 6 miles away. So if I break down and from all my research that is VERY unlikely to happen, the dealers are close.

P.S. LOVE Your signature line....

[Diamondrmp]

Dealer network is the thorn in the Victory owners side. There aren't that many. You have to remember that Victory is only 11 years old. Yes, there are Polaris dealers all over the place BUT they are not in the correct geographical area or square footage equipped to take on Victory.