Tried a Victory Cross Country

[stickbowhunter]

I'v had my 9 for 5yrs and started thinking a little about a touring bike, not being a Harley guy I stopped by a Victory dealer yesterday and tried out a Cross Country Touring bike. First off this bike is big and has more bells and whistles than I could take in at first glance so I fired it up and took off. Right out the driveway I noticed it was a little heavy and almost had to put my foot down when I turned onto the main road.Once I got going it was pretty smooth and laid back and comfortable, I opened it up a little and shifted through the gears, definitely not the nine as far as acceleration but handled good in the curves, going uphill in a few areas I was downshifting into 4th. I'd read about engine noise and guess the article were right, the engine could be heard above the exhaust and the tranny was pretty clunky, more so than the 9. I put about 20+miles on it and wind protection was really good and I could have gone all day on it in comfort. The dealer asked my opinion when I returned it, had to be honest, I guess I'm not ready for a full touring rig, a little louder exhaust would cover up engine and tranny noise but I think I'd miss the 9's torque and HP. I guess I'll be lookin for a better windshield for my 9.

[rockey]

One of the local dealers here had a Victory Test Ride Weekend. They had at least 1 of everything Victory offers. I rode several including #001 Ness edition Vision. After riding the 9, most of them seemed rather under powered. The baggers did ride smooth. Seemed fairly easy to ride & handle. Not ready to purchase one yet but will definitely be on the list when I want a real bagger.

One thing I did figure out is, I'd rather have no windshield as opposed to 1 of those short ones. I'm 6'4 with a long torso. On a couple of the bikes with the short shields, the turbulance managed to hit the helmet right around mid face shield to right above it. Felt a little like a bobble head. LOL.

The most fun one I rode was the High-Ball. it seemed to have a little more punch than all the oter ones I rode. Now, I'm thinking about putting risers on mine.

[g9r]

"I'd read about engine noise and guess the article were right, the engine could be heard above the exhaust and the tranny was pretty clunky, more so than the 9."

Wow, more clunky than the 9? Interesting. They are nice looking bikes for sure.

[Phantomx2k]

I want to try the Vision as a possible change from the GoldWing. I get antsy every year and start looking. I love my Wing but it looks dated they haven't really changed it much in almost 12 years. The Vision looks awesome and very futuristic. Gonna test ride one and see...

[Bujee1]

You need both. Nothing pulls like the 9. it's a "in your face" hot rod. My Victory is for long rides or commuting with a lot of stuff,( like a sport coat and regular shoes).

When the weather is good, I ride 6-7 days a week. I love my Cross Country but I can't go a week without my 9.

[Mr Sandman]

I want to try the Vision as a possible change from the GoldWing. I get antsy every year and start looking. I love my Wing but it looks dated they haven't really changed it much in almost 12 years. The Vision looks awesome and very futuristic. Gonna test ride one and see...

I bought a used Vision toward the end of last year. I enjoy the bike in the cooler/cold weather/rain. I got it primarily for my Fiance because she doesn't find the speed or comfort of the M109 very enjoyable. She love the Vision. The vision handles very well for it size. I find myself going a lot faster through curves and turns with it. Downside.......SLOW. You can't pull out in traffic and take off like you can with the 9. I like having both bike...its a nice mix but the 9 is the king of the castle.

[Phantomx2k]

I bought a used Vision toward the end of last year. I enjoy the bike in the cooler/cold weather/rain. I got it primarily for my Fiance because she doesn't find the speed or comfort of the M109 very enjoyable. She love the Vision. The vision handles very well for it size. I find myself going a lot faster through curves and turns with it. Downside.......SLOW. You can't pull out in traffic and take off like you can with the 9. I like having both bike...its a nice mix but the 9 is the king of the castle.

yea I have a GoldWing currently but the Wing does have a good bit of power, not as quick as the 9 but it's no slouch and comes with 125lbs of tq so it moves it's weight well. The Vision has I think about 115lbs of tq or close to that. If I want to go fast I ride the 9 but many days i just like the storage and silky smooth of the Wing. Also the wife does like to ride as to my kids and since I purposely sold the pillion seat the Wing is the only one they can go on. I'm hoping the Vision isn't smooth, comfy or really enjoyable to ride because if it is... well...

[Mr Sandman]

yea I have a GoldWing currently but the Wing does have a good bit of power, not as quick as the 9 but it's no slouch and comes with 125lbs of tq so it moves it's weight well. The Vision has I think about 115lbs of tq or close to that. If I want to go fast I ride the 9 but many days i just like the storage and silky smooth of the Wing. Also the wife does like to ride as to my kids and since I purposely sold the pillion seat the Wing is the only one they can go on. I'm hoping the Vision isn't smooth, comfy or really enjoyable to ride because if it is... well...

Smooth.....not bad
Comfy....like driving a lazyboy
Enjoyable....... when your feeling laid back its great. It handles amazingly well.

[ghostm109]

I bought a used Vision toward the end of last year. I enjoy the bike in the cooler/cold weather/rain. I got it primarily for my Fiance because she doesn't find the speed or comfort of the M109 very enjoyable. She love the Vision. The vision handles very well for it size. I find myself going a lot faster through curves and turns with it. Downside.......SLOW. You can't pull out in traffic and take off like you can with the 9. I like having both bike...its a nice mix but the 9 is the king of the castle.

I some day want to buy a Vision. But, I'm not trading my 9 for it though. The 9 STAYS. I have never seen a used Vision at the dealer. The few Victory dealers in my area usually only have one in stock.

[HALO9]

Man I agree with you 100%. I test rode the Cross Country in Daytona and was soooo disappointed. I really want to buy a real bagger for those long trips but after having a 9 everything else is going to feel like you are going backwards. They are really nice looking bikes. Now I'm looking at ways to covers my 9 into a bagger and have the best of both worlds.

[grampi]

There must've been something wrong with the tranny on the one you rode because the one I rode had a butter smooth shifting tranny....

[bpoisson55]

I have tried the same cross country twice. The first time it was bone stock. The second time it had Big Honker Slip-ons. With the stock exhaust, all you heard was the engine. It was loud enough to be annoying. With the Big Honkers, it had a really nice sound and it drowned out the engine. It even gave it a little more get up and go. The transmission was silky smooth. However, I was smart enough and traded my 90 for a 9 instead!

[DRIVEN]

One of the local dealers here had a Victory Test Ride Weekend. They had at least 1 of everything Victory offers. I rode several including #001 Ness edition Vision. After riding the 9, most of them seemed rather under powered. The baggers did ride smooth. Seemed fairly easy to ride & handle. Not ready to purchase one yet but will definitely be on the list when I want a real bagger.

One thing I did figure out is, I'd rather have no windshield as opposed to 1 of those short ones. I'm 6'4 with a long torso. On a couple of the bikes with the short shields, the turbulance managed to hit the helmet right around mid face shield to right above it. Felt a little like a bobble head. LOL.

The most fun one I rode was the High-Ball. it seemed to have a little more punch than all the oter ones I rode. Now, I'm thinking about putting risers on mine.

I put 2 - 2" risers (4" rise total) on mine and love the position I ride in.
Along with the Corbin seat, I can ride on it all day.
Both sport and comfort keeps me loving my 9.

[Stavros]

I put 2 - 2" risers (4" rise total) on mine and love the position I ride in.
Along with the Corbin seat, I can ride on it all day.
Both sport and comfort keeps me loving my 9.

You sure that's a Corbin ,or a Lazyboy recliner

[grampi]

I have tried the same cross country twice. The first time it was bone stock. The second time it had Big Honker Slip-ons. With the stock exhaust, all you heard was the engine. It was loud enough to be annoying. With the Big Honkers, it had a really nice sound and it drowned out the engine. It even gave it a little more get up and go. The transmission was silky smooth. However, I was smart enough and traded my 90 for a 9 instead!

That's a little funny...Kdog90 traded his 90 for a Cross Country...

[grampi]

I put 2 - 2" risers (4" rise total) on mine and love the position I ride in.
Along with the Corbin seat, I can ride on it all day.
Both sport and comfort keeps me loving my 9.

I think I need to go with the 2" risers as well...did you have to go with longer cables?