RSV vs Victory Cross Country Tour

[XV1100SE]

I've seen some posts saying that they would be looking at the Victory Cross Country Tour and being bored at work today thought I'd go thru a comparison of the two. I hate the look of the Victory but a comparison is attached. I've highlighted in red what I think is important in a touring bike. One thing I think is interesting is how much Victory lists a Garmin Zumo 660 and wiring harness for, in comparison to a retail Zumo 660 and Buddy Rich cable.

 

What I found interesting in particular is :

Peak hp/torque - Venture 97hp@6000rpm, 89 ft-lb@4750, Victory 88hp@4740 105ft-lbs@2750rpm

Rev limit - Venture 6250rpm (if I recall correctly), Victory 5400rpm

Suspension - Venture air front/rear, Victory rear only

Fuel - Venture is 86 octane, Victory 91 octane (at the pump it costs you 7 cents/litre -about 28 cents/U.S. gal - which increases your cost to run the bike)

Warranty - Venture 5 years, Victory 1 year

 

Specification reasons I wouldn't consider the Victory :

- belt drive

- liquid cooled (and per reviews runs almost as hot as a Harley)

- luggage is bigger (particularly the trunk) but to get bigger trunk but that "look", no thanks. Plus from reviews the trunk and saddle bags rattle

- cb is optional or an add on. I like using the cb in group riding - so much easier to communicate. I'm not clear on whether a built in intercom is included or optional

 

Notice what a Garmin Zumo 660 and wiring harness costs from Victory ? $1,222 vs $700. PLUS the Venture is $4,500 less !

 

To me, overall... even though the Venture hasn't changed in 14 years... it still has what is important to me.

[AngryAmish]

The only thing I like about the bike is the heated grips and seat , and seat is lower (26 in from the ground) , but that is it ! I find it ugly, looks like it belongs to Batman !

[pmelah]

i agree with your comparison but that is just my opinion i too think the Victory looks ugly i dont know if i could ever get use to it but thats me

[SilvrT]

The only thing I like about the bike is the heated grips and seat , and seat is lower (26 in from the ground) , but that is it ! I find it ugly, looks like it belongs to Batman !

 

i agree with your comparison but that is just my opinion i too think the Victory looks ugly i dont know if i could ever get use to it but thats me

 

Are y'all thinkin about the Vision?

 

The CCT isn't any uglier than a Harley electra or a RSV IMO

[SilvrT]

What I found interesting in particular is :

Peak hp/torque - Venture 97hp@6000rpm, 89 ft-lb@4750, Victory 88hp@4740 105ft-lbs@2750rpm

 

So all that is saying is, The Victory can get going quicker at a lower rpm but can't go as fast as the RSV ....

 

Based on some research I just did, it seems your stats are incorrect for the Victory...

 

" Its maximum output is rated at 97 hp @ 5000 rpm and 113 lb.ft of torque achieved at 4300 rpm"

 

EDIT: I found those same specs as you posted elsewhere so, some sites say 97hp/113 torque and then there's 88/105 ... could that be at the wheel maybe?

 

All I can say is I rode one and they haul a$$ pretty good.

Edited April 29, 2013 by SilvrT

[MikeWa]

I test rode Several of the Victories. They are nice and I can see why people like them. But I would not trade my Venture for one.

 

Mike

[Wade 2000]

Correct the hp is the same but torque is more plus a sixth gear plus fuel injection plus heated driver and passenger seats plus heated grips plus better sound system plus more luggage capacity( a lot ) and the trunk is quick release as are the side bags

I too think you guys are thinking of the Vision the CCT in my opinion looks like what an updated Venture should look like. And I'd I mention a better headlight and all LEDs for brake and turn signals. So add up what you would spend to bring an RSV up to a comparable bike then compare $$$

[XV1100SE]

Are y'all thinkin about the Vision?

 

The CCT isn't any uglier than a Harley electra or a RSV IMO

 

I was behind a Victory CCT the other day and had to pass because the view from behind was positively ugly !

 

I like the style of the Venture/H.D/Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager - to me they look like motorcycles.

[SilvrT]

Victory Vision (Batman bike)

 

[ATTACH]76108[/ATTACH]

 

 

Victory CCT (clean looking, uncluttered lines)

 

[ATTACH]76109[/ATTACH]

[SilvrT]

I was behind a Victory CCT the other day and had to pass because the view from behind was positively ugly !

 

I like the style of the Venture/H.D/Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager - to me they look like motorcycles.

 

oh well ... I guess at least ONE person doesn't like it ...

 

(just razzin ya) 'tis true tho, not everyone is going to like the looks of any specific whatever. Personally, I like not just the looks of the CCT but also it's features, performance, handling, ... the list goes on ... wish the heck I could afford one and that's the ONLY thing I can honestly say I don't like about them LOL

[Wade 2000]

Your price difference is a little off Yamaha lists a new RSVS for $20,590 and the Victory CCT lists for $22,499 by my calculation that is a $1909.00 price difference. With all the pluses listed that sounds like a bargain. I think you are talking me into it:stirthepot:

[abusive throttle cranker]

I gotta laugh when people talk about a 6th gear like its such a great thing. I'm a retired truck driver- ya know 10 speeds, 13 speeds, 15 speeds etc. The manufacturer sets the top gear and the rpms they want the machine to run at. From there down to a beginning having a 6th gear only means there is a slightly closer gap between the gears. Great for quarter milers and crotch rockets I guess- but a tourer? Whats the point? I don't mind the larger gaps. I mean- I've got 1.3 liters moving 800 lbs! How fast is fast enough? A 6th gear makes the bike heavier and costlier.

[AngryAmish]

 

I like the style of the Venture/H.D/Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager - to me they look like motorcycles.

 

 

I agree

[djh3]

I kind of had the George Jetson bike (vision) grow on me. Enough I had one spied for a good price. So good it was gone before I could get the paperwork together at the bank. But the luggage is smaller and you would have to work at packing it as it has odd angles. The CCT no worse than what we have or a HD. Plus the bags take about 30 seconds to take off to clean or service the back of the bike. I agree the price on the Zumo is outragous. But I think the price of a Zumo is crazy anyways. As far as heat, not near the issues the Kawi Voyager has and they have an oil cooler on them vs nothing on the HD. You look around you can find new ones for around 20K

[XV1100SE]

Your price difference is a little off Yamaha lists a new RSVS for $20,590 and the Victory CCT lists for $22,499 by my calculation that is a $1909.00 price difference. With all the pluses listed that sounds like a bargain. I think you are talking me into it:stirthepot:

 

I used Canadian prices.

[Wade 2000]

I used Canadian prices.

 

Ahh yes I didn't check your location. I do agree with your post on the other thread that no other manufacturer has a forum like this. Even if I buy before Yamaha is done manually inspecting their colon I will remain a member here:thumbsup2:

[BradT]

Victory is well built and the 100 ci engine moves it quite good. But I found it a bit dead off the line for a Vtwin but it dont hesitate for long. It pulls better than the venture with ease but find the tranny a little clunky.

 

It is well designed and built. Definetly quality built but I think some of the dealers do not know much about the bikes.

 

Brad

[XV1100SE]

..... Definetly quality built but I think some of the dealers do not know much about the bikes.

 

Brad

 

 

Even though the 2nd Gen has been the same since '99... can say the same thing about Yamaha dealers and Ventures. All because Yamaha doesn't market the Venture very well.

[Wade 2000]

Even though the 2nd Gen has been the same since '99... can say the same thing about Yamaha dealers and Ventures. All because Yamaha doesn't market the Venture very well.

 

I agree the Venture is a quality machine and I trust it to carry the wife and I anywhere. That said, it is outdated and to spend new bike money on old technology doesn't get it with me. I'm always looking for the next one even if I'm perfectly happy with the current one. Truck, bike, tools, tv, computer...... Everything but the wife. She'd be way too expensive to trade and the newer models haven't worked out all the bugs yet.

[djh3]

I was in Leesburg at a bike ralley this last weekend. Star had demo bikes there. So I looked around and they had the usual 12 different kinds of crotch rockets, and a few cruiser types and whatever the "new" sportster knock off type bike is. So I asks the more "seasoned" fellow of the group. "So what have ya got for a touring bike here?" He points to one of the cruiser types and says "just add bags, windshield yada yada Star makes them all". :rotf:So I said "you all didnt bring any Ventures?" He says naw they aint updated in since 99 and probably wont until they run out of motors in storage. Probably 2015. He told me he has had 3 Ventures and all have been the same except paint color. If it aint broke dont fix it is what Yamaha is probably thinking. He said there may be some "audio upgrades" in the works for the next year. I said "whay they run out of cassette decks?" He just laughed and said "probably".

[Kirby]

I have stated in the past that I liked the looks of the Victory CCT and would probably be looking at it pretty hard for my next bike. Well, recently I had the opportunity to ride one at Victory demo days and came away unimpressed. The first thing I noticed was the tranny always "clunked". I mean loud!! The rep said they all did it and if it ever stop "clunking" there was something wrong with the bike. I think if I'm gonna pay 20,000 for a new up to date bike, it's not gonna have that much of a "clunk" in it!! The bike handled good, but it felt a little anemic to me. I told my wife, who went along on the ride with me, that the RSV could blow the doors off this thing! Sure, it had plenty of torque, but it seemed to me to run out of breath before it got through the gears.

Final analysis, I wouldn't trade my 09 RSV for a new CCT or a Vision, which rode way yonder better than the CCT, but it's just but ugly!! The only thing that really impressed me about the Vision was the power adjustable windshield.

In the end, my 15 year old design will still rate higher to me than the new CCT or Vision. After that demo ride I won't be looking for a Victory any time soon, especially if they all "clunk" when you change gears!

[rickardracing]

My brother in-law who is a member here, traded in his Midnight for a Victory. Personally, if you like the spaceship looking bikes, Victory, Goldwing and such, go for it. Me....I like the more traditional style. Personally, in my humble opinion, which is no reflection of anyone else's.........I think the Victory looks like crap. I looked at them at the International Bike Show for less than a minute. It was soooo ugly it hurt my eyes. I had to look away. I would buy a Harley before a Victory. Just my opinion.

[XV1100SE]

....That said, it is outdated and to spend new bike money on old technology doesn't get it with me. ....

 

I know you aren't putting down the Venture, but....

 

I'll grant that a cassette player is outdated... but what is wrong with the rest of the bike?

 

Fuel Injection vs carbs? Lot of positive reasons for having carbs. Does FI make the bike run differently? No... so what's wrong with carbs? Easier to maintain, less "overhead", less complicated.

 

ABS ? Not all bikes have ABS. Mine stop me fine.

 

Motor ? Give me a 4 cylinder over a twin any day. This motor is tried and true. Belt drive is probably "newer" than shaft drive, but I'll stick with shaft drive.

 

Lights ? Incandescent bulbs work.... easy to personalize with LEDs or HID if you choose.

 

Audio system ? AM/FM is still broadcast isn't it? CB is great for group rides. Has input for mp3 players, plus the interface for the iPhone/iPod works thru the controller, interfaces with my gps. It works fine... what is there to update other than the cassette?

 

More lights and guages on the dash ? Don't really need 'em.

 

As far as I know, all other bikes on the market have the same type of wheels, seats, exhaust.... nothing there to upgrade.

 

So... only thing outdated is the cassette deck. Hmmmm....

[XV1100SE]

.... and with the number of people here that still ride 1st Gen's... think this group likes stable machinery rather than the latest "fad" or bells and whistles.

 

If you want "up-to-date".... then wouldn't an e-bike be "current"?

[CaptainJoe]

comparing an air cooled two cylinder to a liquid cooled 4 cylinder

 

the Ventures standard intercom and CB

 

or the $5000 more for the victory...

 

Are you serious?