Wade 2000 Posted February 10, 2014 #1 Posted February 10, 2014 I'm getting that itch for a new bike. I've been looking at all the newest models and I can't get excited about any of them. I guess if I had to decide tomorrow it would be between the new HD Ultra Limited, BMW GTL, Victory CCT, or the Indian Chieftain. All these bikes have thing I like and points I'm not crazy about. Just curious what the rest of you guys and gals have been considering. To be clear, I love my Venture but I'm always looking ahead and Yamaha is falling behind. Also I am cheap so chances are my next bike will probably not be new but for arguments sake lets keep it to new models, 2014..
Peder_y2k Posted February 10, 2014 #2 Posted February 10, 2014 Honda R6B in red with optional high windscreen. -Pete, in Tacoma WA USA
Guest tx2sturgis Posted February 10, 2014 #3 Posted February 10, 2014 Keep the Venture for touring duty, and get a new Ural for in-town running around and snow donuts! Thats what I did. And I would do it again.
Capt-D Posted February 10, 2014 #4 Posted February 10, 2014 BMW 1600 GTL, fast, smooth, and great handling.(took one for a spin) Also has heated grips, good gauge pkg, and great lighting up front, BUT for what you pay, has crap for rear lighting, even told the dealer that, for a tour bike you would expect better.
kantornado Posted February 10, 2014 #5 Posted February 10, 2014 If I was to buy I think it would be a toss up between the 2014 Yamaha Stratoliner Deluxe or 2014 Victory Vision Touring. The people I know who own them just love them. I have ridden both and like the fit. So these are my choices, not much, but better then none. H-D's are out have owned um and know and ride with people who regret buying theirs. People who I know who own the Goldwing love it but it just does not fit me right. I like the bike but its uncomfortable to me.
bj66 Posted February 10, 2014 #6 Posted February 10, 2014 I am not familiar with the BMW, and the HD's have been talked about alot. Of all the bikes you mentioned I probly would still go with the HD (I own one). I will tell you of my initial impressions of going through the Indian/Victory tent at Sturgis. I am sure both the Indian and Victory bikes are good bikes. But there are some things in the styling of each bike that I dont like, enough to make me not want one. They are probobly minor too. But it is hard for me to get past them. The Victory saddlebag lids. I dont like how they sit on top, and they look flimsy. I know they arent, but I just dont like how they sit. As far as the Victory goes, for me they look like a younger guys cruiser. I dont like how they look any more than I like the HD baggers that are customized with a bigger front wheel and a different front fender. The Indian has kind of the same thing going with the lids. But the old school styling of the bag helps it out somewhat. What I dont like on the Indian is the LED's in the fairing. When I walked into the tent at Sturgis there was a Chieftain smack dab in front of me. My first thought was with the old school front fender and Indian head mouted on it. Why would you put the Modern LED's right above it? To me it just doesnt go together. I am sure it is a good bike, with a great engine. But between the bags and the leds, It just seems a tad off to me. Enough to where I wouldnt buy one. Now if they were to redesign a few things, I may look harder.
bj66 Posted February 10, 2014 #7 Posted February 10, 2014 Now if I were to go away from a full fairing, the Chief Vintage would be high on my list. I did like that bike.......ALOT. See I am not totally HD biased , I just like the older styled bikes. And with the Chieftain, I think Indian was trying to appeal to everybody. In my opinion its hard to throw new and old styling side by side. They tried it and I applaud them for it. But for me it just didnt work in this instance. I would rather see chrome styled whiskers like the venture fairing has than the LEDs. Indian just threw that old fender on there to give the nostalga of the old Indian, whereas the Chief Vintage went all the way.
ragtop69gs Posted February 10, 2014 #8 Posted February 10, 2014 #1 Victory CCT #2 HD Ultra Most of the rest are too tall in the saddle for me.
cowpuc Posted February 10, 2014 #9 Posted February 10, 2014 I would buy the freshest, lowest mileage, cleanest, newest 1st gen Venture I could find and be a VERY happy camper,,, but you said it has to be new.. Hmmmmm.. We are talking about a new long distance touring bike that the wife and I are gonna be spending all summer touring on,, right?? At this time I would have to say I would buy a Venture (only because I know em, these old 1st Gens have proven themselves over and over and over again to me - I trust em).. However, having never ridden one of the Gen 2's I would want to ride one first, test it with the wife on the back and take it from there.. I would also want to test a Wing (never rode the 1800) and the GTL too.. One of the things that I really have to have is shaft drive, I am to hard on belt/chain drive systems. That rules a lot of bikes out for the above usage.. Now,, if we were talking a rally going, town rippin, back street show bike,,, my choice would be totally different..
Raider58 Posted February 10, 2014 #10 Posted February 10, 2014 Get a Raider you will love yourself for it!!
Wade 2000 Posted February 10, 2014 Author #11 Posted February 10, 2014 Keep the Venture for touring duty, and get a new Ural for in-town running around and snow donuts! Thats what I did. And I would do it again. This has got me thinking... Especially this winter I could have racked up some major snow miles.
Ventureless Posted February 10, 2014 #12 Posted February 10, 2014 I am a big guy so the Harelys are out for me. I haven’t found one yet that I feel like I fit on. I am cramped on their “big” touring bikes. It depends on what style bike I would buy. Chances are I would keep the Venture, but if not, I would go with the Victory CCT. It is very roomy for someone my size and comes standard with a lot of would be options on other bikes. If I kept the Venture, I would buy and adventure style bike. Still pretty roomy for a tall guy and loads of fun. I rode a Triumph Explorer ( I think that is the big one) a few weeks ago and loved it. But not the price of $22K. I am pretty cheap so I would probably look for a leftover new 2012 Suzuki Vstrom 1000. You can find them close by for around $7K. Not bad for a brand new leftover bike. Plenty of power. Comfortable (for me). And I just can’t overlook the price. It almost justifies me buying a second bike.
SilvrT Posted February 10, 2014 #13 Posted February 10, 2014 I've had my Victory CCT for almost a year now. Right from the beginning I found it to be the most comfortable and best balanced bike I've ever owned. I've put in several long days on it and have never been butt-sore or tired. Every bike has their "quirks" and some a guy can live with, some not. The Vic is no different. Engine sounds noisy. That is because of it's design and the fact that it is solid mounted and is actually part of the frame. I modded the mufflers for more sound and the engine sounds no longer bother me. Shifting is clunky, especially 1st, 2nd, 3rd up or down. This quietens out after you get a few thousand miles on it and you learn how to best shift it. Power wise, they seem lacking in the lower rpm's, especially during breakin. Add a high-flow air filter and an Adjustable timing Wheel and it's a different bike. For me, this Vic is by far the best bike I've owned. [ATTACH]82019[/ATTACH]
Wade 2000 Posted February 10, 2014 Author #14 Posted February 10, 2014 BMW 1600 GTL, fast, smooth, and great handling.(took one for a spin) Also has heated grips, good gauge pkg, and great lighting up front, BUT for what you pay, has crap for rear lighting, even told the dealer that, for a tour bike you would expect better. I really like the GtL's amenities and comfort. I just can't get excited about the styling. The same goes for the Goldwing and I feel bunched up on the Honda. The downside to the HD for me would be the fact that the twin cooling is new to HD and I'd like to see the bugs worked out first and they quit production on the Road Glide Ultra which would have been my first pick. I have considered keeping the RSV and getting a second bike. If I did this it would be a tough choice but would be between a Super Tenere or a FJR. In these categories I still prefer Yamaha
bongobobny Posted February 10, 2014 #15 Posted February 10, 2014 You mentioned inexpensive, so how about Kawasaki's touring bike? You get a lot of features for the price. My vote would be for the Victory CCT myself...
djh3 Posted February 10, 2014 #16 Posted February 10, 2014 I would probably go with a Victory. CCT would be first choice, Maybe a cross roads (clear windshiled same bike as CC) Or a Vision. If they had the heat thing figured out maybe the Kawasaki voyager/Vaquero
motorcycletom Posted February 10, 2014 #17 Posted February 10, 2014 Victory CCT. We have test rode the CCT and the vision. Love the CCT the vision is too top heavy.
aharbi Posted February 10, 2014 #19 Posted February 10, 2014 (edited) What is it about bikes? You can have a garage full and still go out and look at the new ones. I rode a Victory CCT, nice bike, but somehow I expected more. Wasn't enough of a WOW factor to get rid of my Venture. Didn't think it had any more power, definitely didn't run nor shift as nice as the Venture. It did carry its weight well, had cable clutch, cable throttle, and a large gap between the side case lid and case, (correction it does have ABS). If getting a new bike I would want the "new stuff" throttle by wire, ABS, traction control, hydraulic clutch etc. It would be hard to convince my wife on another bike. The Venture is "hers" I just steer it. Planning to test ride an Indian Chieftain in the near future. Edited February 11, 2014 by aharbi
djh3 Posted February 10, 2014 #20 Posted February 10, 2014 Love the CCT the vision is too top heavy. This posted on a RSV fourm. :rotf:Actually I didnt think the Vision was as top heavy as my RSV. Seemed more managable at lower speeds, it heavy dont get me wrong but it seems managable. Well to some extent, I'm sure at 46 deg tipping over your had but.....
SilvrT Posted February 10, 2014 #21 Posted February 10, 2014 (edited) What is it about bikes? You can have a garage full and still go out and look at the new ones. I rode a Victory CCT, nice bike, but somehow I expected more. Wasn't enough of a WOW factor to get rid of my Venture. Didn't think it had any more power, definitely didn't run nor shift as nice as the Venture. It did carry its weight well, had cable clutch, cable throttle, and a large gap between the side case lid and case, no ABS. If getting a new bike I would want the "new stuff" throttle by wire, ABS, traction control, hydrolic clutch etc. It would be hard to convince my wife on another bike. The Venture is "hers" I just steer it. Planning to test ride an Indian Chieftain in the near future. Corrections: It does have ABS There is a kit available to replace the cable clutch to hydraulic. It takes 3-5000 miles to break these engines in. They are more powerful than a Venture (bhp=88.6, Tq-105.5 @ 4750 rpm). Add appx $300 worth in high-flow air filter and timing wheel and they'll leave a Venture far behind. Throttle by wire isn't such a great thing IMO. The lid gap isn't on all and is a warranty fix. Edited February 10, 2014 by SilvrT
DragonRider Posted February 10, 2014 #22 Posted February 10, 2014 I would go with the Victory CrossCountry or the CrossTour, much better looking than the Vison. Now just need the cash to do it. Good luck with your choice.
Guest tx2sturgis Posted February 10, 2014 #23 Posted February 10, 2014 Add appx $300 worth in high-flow air filter and timing wheel and they'll leave a Venture far behind. Maybe up to about 100 mph...then the fun begins when the Victory's big pistons and rev limiter start to limit warp speed, and the Venture's V4 motor is just then reaching its power band... :stickpoke:back!
Guest tx2sturgis Posted February 10, 2014 #24 Posted February 10, 2014 This has got me thinking... Especially this winter I could have racked up some major snow miles. The new 2014 Urals are fuel injected and have a number of other upgrades. They are still a retro bike, but all kinds of fun. Check out some of my threads on the Urals in the 'Trike and Sidecar' forum, or go to youtube and search for Ural motorcycle. They make a great second bike...and some owners have sold off their Goldwings, Harleys, and cruisers after buying one...they are THAT much fun! I still have my Venture...at least...for now....
Wade 2000 Posted February 11, 2014 Author #25 Posted February 11, 2014 The new 2014 Urals are fuel injected and have a number of other upgrades. They are still a retro bike, but all kinds of fun. Check out some of my threads on the Urals in the 'Trike and Sidecar' forum, or go to youtube and search for Ural motorcycle. They make a great second bike...and some owners have sold off their Goldwings, Harleys, and cruisers after buying one...they are THAT much fun! I still have my Venture...at least...for now.... Oh I've been following your threads. I even had a pic of your Ural in the snow in front of a Taco Bell as a screen saver for a while. The nearest dealer is almost 100 miles away but I'm going to check them out. They look like a blast
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