Victory Vision Tourer vs Venture

[Sleeperhawk]

Ok was this close to getting a Vision Tourer yesterday until the following:

 

 

The Victory dealer was a pleasant surprise, he took the time (about 5 hours), he let both my wife and I ride the bike (most dealers around will not allow that to happen) and at the end wanted to know what needed to be done to the bike to make it better.

 

From what I have read, the 2011 was supposed to have the tranny, but on this bike the tranny during shifting banged (clunked) whatever noise you want to call it, but this did not feel or sound right from what everyone was saying about the new tranny. Once we got on the open roads, huge vibrations at all mph and in any gear, NOT what I expected to have happen on this bike.

 

Told dealer about the issues, mechanic came out and said nature of the beast. Dealer let me test ride the Victory Vision 8 Ball (2011). Came back and told dealer, DAY and Night difference in the tranny and no vibration like I felt with the VV Tourer (2011). Dealer told me he agreed with my assessment, they are going to have the Victory Tech take a look at the bike. Later on that night did some more digging, come to find out the VV 8 ball uses cable actuated clutch, not the hydrolic actuated clutch. Other VV Tourer owners are having their bikes converted to the cable version, no clunks or bangs and shifting much smoother.

 

Next was the Mechanic's area (passenger), she said the seat felt great and loved the heated seat (great day yesterday for testing that), but NO ROOM, she was practically sitting on my back. Dealer could not believe the Venture had that much room for the passenger, but he is convinced now. She was fidgeting the whole 75 mile test ride.

 

But for the rider loved the ergonomics of the bike, just to many issues with the mechanics and passenger area. If it was just me, I would have this bike over the Venture due to the ergonomics of the rider area. The clutch and vibration can be fixed, but not the passenger room.

 

But I will be keeping the Venture for now, just hoping Yamaha comes out with a surprise for 2012.

[Sylvester]

But I will be keeping the Venture for now, just hoping Yamaha comes out with a surprise for 2012 {Quote}

 

I think we are all hoping for a Venture surprise from Yamha next year!

 

[SilvrT]

Did you try out the Victory Cross Country??

 

That looks like a sweet ride!

[Sleeperhawk]

Did you try out the Victory Cross Country??

 

That looks like a sweet ride!

 

Just sat on it, not bad but prefer the Visions,

Also for a long legged wife (girl friend), the Cross Country was worse than the Vision, her knees were up to her chest (not that bad but you get the picture). The footing on the Cross Country for the passenger are 1 inch higher from the ground than the Visions (measured from the ground to the under side of the foot peg).

[etcswjoe]

Bobbi says we need to get the girls their own bikes then there would be no concern of passenger room.

[SilvrT]

Just sat on it, not bad but prefer the Visions,

Also for a long legged wife (girl friend), the Cross Country was worse than the Vision, her knees were up to her chest (not that bad but you get the picture). The footing on the Cross Country for the passenger are 1 inch higher from the ground than the Visions (measured from the ground to the under side of the foot peg).

 

Based on what I saw of the Cross Country versus the Vision, you can't re-position the passenger footboards on the Vision whereas you could on the Cross Country. Nina & I rode the Vision a couple years ago and her main complaint was foot/leg position being uncomfortable... yet we both sat the Cross country and she thought it was ok both for foot/leg position and passenger space. Nina is 5' 9" ... not real tall but no shortie either.

[SilvrT]

Bobbi says we need to get the girls their own bikes then there would be no concern of passenger room.

 

now that scares me ... BIG TIME!! .. to let Nina ride her own scoot. Riding a bicycle was even dangerous so for her own safety (and my sanity) we gave her bicycle to the daughter. LOL

[merrride]

Took the Cross Country for a ride this summer and it also banged and clanked when shifting.But the bike handled great.

[Sleeperhawk]

Took the Cross Country for a ride this summer and it also banged and clanked when shifting.But the bike handled great.

 

 

The Vision Tourer and Vision 8 ball, both are handled great in the curves.

Even Bobbie thought the Vision Tourer rode better than the Venture, but until Victory puts more thought into the passenger area, will not buy one for now.

[jer878]

I'm liking the seat height being of short inseam and all. Saw a couple of these on our 4300 mile trip to Sturgis / Yellowstone. May have to investigate further.

[OldBear]

When we rode the Vision I was impressed with the handling, however momma felt like she was "riding the saddlebags". Also, the space in the bags is dinky...Not what I'd expect from a full on tourer.

 

Frankly, I liked the handling, but I couldn't get past the other issues-especially the looks! Just my 2 cents...

[Eck]

Your like most of us Sleeperhawk.. Waiting for Yamaha to come out with a new ride that puts all the other rides to shame..

 

If Yamaha does come out with an 1800 or larger Venture, my GW will be sold immediately and I will go out and buy one.

 

I like my GW, but I really loved the looks of my 05 Venture.

 

The Venture has a lot more room / space for the passenger then the GW has..

 

[rsstar]

I thought long and hard before buying my Cross Country. I've had two Ventures and most recently a 2008 airbag Goldwing which I really liked. I loved both of my Ventures but wanted more from Yamaha and they wouldn't provide it. But after the Goldwing was totaled and my wife finally gave me the go-ahead for another bike (after almost a year) I didn't want to spend the required amount for another GW and I also wanted a more traditional style bike. I ALMOST went back to the Yamaha until I saw the Victory. After I rode a Cross Roads I ordered my Cross Country, which is basically the same bike. And

I haven't looked back since !!

I have also ridden the Vision but again, didn't want a full touring bike. The Cross Country has the seating position of the Venture, has plenty of power, especially down low, and is very nimble for its size. Victory did a great job getting the wieght down low. Did you know the battery is in front of the engine behind the front engine cover ? The Cross Country has a true 6 speed tranny. 6th gear isn't needed until you get above a sustained 60 mph, and then drops the RPMs by at least 500. Likewise, if you want you can drag the speed down to like 30mph in 5th gear, and just roll on and you have plenty of torque to get going again. No, I don't do that regularly but it's possible.

Someone mentioned the "clunking" noise when you shift. Yes, when shifting into first and second there is a "clunk" but have you ridden a Harley lately ? Same clunk ! It just tells me that I am indeed in the desired gear. Not hurting anything down there. And on the 2011 they put in something to make shifting into neutral easier. Big difference between my 2011 and the 2010 Cross Roads I tested.

Speaking of HD the Victory does NOT shake at idle. There is just a slight hint of vibration but it disappears as soon as you get going. At speed the bike is smooth. No, it's not as smooth as a Venture or GW but then again it has these two massive pistons jumping up and down. What do you expect !! The Victory is 106 cu. inch, with more HP and torque of the HD. I love going up through the gears keeping the revs below 3 grand. And it sounds like a motorcycle. The seating position is great, the guages are high and easy to read unlike the HD Ultra (for me !!) I can't comment on passenger room as I haven't had a passenger on the bike yet, but I did add a backrest for the passenger. And lastly the saddlebags are huge, unlike the Vision bags. But there is no trunk although one is available equipped with speakers and tail light and quick disconnect. But at $1400 I won't be adding that anytime soon. If I do a long trip I'll think about it. All in all I am VERY satisfied with the Cross Country. And it was almost 3 grand cheaper than a HD Streetglide and 5 grand less than a GW.

If Yamaha updates the Venture I would consider trading, but it would have to be a complete update !!

[Sleeperhawk]

I thought long and hard before buying my Cross Country. I've had two Ventures and most recently a 2008 airbag Goldwing which I really liked. I loved both of my Ventures but wanted more from Yamaha and they wouldn't provide it. But after the Goldwing was totaled and my wife finally gave me the go-ahead for another bike (after almost a year) I didn't want to spend the required amount for another GW and I also wanted a more traditional style bike. I ALMOST went back to the Yamaha until I saw the Victory. After I rode a Cross Roads I ordered my Cross Country, which is basically the same bike. And

I haven't looked back since !!

I have also ridden the Vision but again, didn't want a full touring bike. The Cross Country has the seating position of the Venture, has plenty of power, especially down low, and is very nimble for its size. Victory did a great job getting the wieght down low. Did you know the battery is in front of the engine behind the front engine cover ? The Cross Country has a true 6 speed tranny. 6th gear isn't needed until you get above a sustained 60 mph, and then drops the RPMs by at least 500. Likewise, if you want you can drag the speed down to like 30mph in 5th gear, and just roll on and you have plenty of torque to get going again. No, I don't do that regularly but it's possible.

Someone mentioned the "clunking" noise when you shift. Yes, when shifting into first and second there is a "clunk" but have you ridden a Harley lately ? Same clunk ! It just tells me that I am indeed in the desired gear. Not hurting anything down there. And on the 2011 they put in something to make shifting into neutral easier. Big difference between my 2011 and the 2010 Cross Roads I tested.

Speaking of HD the Victory does NOT shake at idle. There is just a slight hint of vibration but it disappears as soon as you get going. At speed the bike is smooth. No, it's not as smooth as a Venture or GW but then again it has these two massive pistons jumping up and down. What do you expect !! The Victory is 106 cu. inch, with more HP and torque of the HD. I love going up through the gears keeping the revs below 3 grand. And it sounds like a motorcycle. The seating position is great, the guages are high and easy to read unlike the HD Ultra (for me !!) I can't comment on passenger room as I haven't had a passenger on the bike yet, but I did add a backrest for the passenger. And lastly the saddlebags are huge, unlike the Vision bags. But there is no trunk although one is available equipped with speakers and tail light and quick disconnect. But at $1400 I won't be adding that anytime soon. If I do a long trip I'll think about it. All in all I am VERY satisfied with the Cross Country. And it was almost 3 grand cheaper than a HD Streetglide and 5 grand less than a GW.

If Yamaha updates the Venture I would consider trading, but it would have to be a complete update !!

 

I did test ride the VV 8 Ball too, basically same bike without the trunk

Day and Night difference between the VV Tourer and 8 Ball.

VV 8 Ball had no vibration and the transmission did not clunk and bang like the VV Tourer.

After doing some more research, quite a few VV Tourer are getting rid of the hydrolic clutch and replacing with the VV 8 Ball cable clutch. The cable clutch was way smoother and hardly no clunking.

 

But until Victory adds more room for the passenger, not going to be buying.