BigLenny - Info on Victory

[SilvrT]

@BigLenny

 

Starting a new thread on this so we're not hijacking Freebird's thread on the Indian.

 

SilerT,

 

It's good to know there are things that can be done to reduce the heat. Thanks for being candid.

 

Let me ask you; how is your bike's fit and finish holding up? Are there rattles where there shouldn't be rattles? Or, have you had issues with nit pick things that shouldn't happen? Hows the paint quality?

 

I changed out the windshield to a Fergusson Flip. To do that you remove the stock shield brackets and the new shield screws to the stock bracket bases. I did that the first year (3rd summer ago). There is a plastic cover that goes over top of those braces. Just this spring that plastic cover started to vibrate under certain engine load conditions. Simple fix .... thin strip of black weatherstrip between the shield and the plastic covers.

 

The lower side covers can pop loose if your passenger bumps them with their heel. My wife's feet get in my way when I stop and put my feet down so she has to turn her toes outward a bit ... in so doing, she bumps the side cover with her heel and that causes the top front pin to pop out. No biggie as with additional "training", she rarely does that anymore LOL

 

Initially it seemed that the paint had not yet fully cured as it would be easy to marr it but now it's good. I have no marrs or scratches except for one on the lower side cover. Any marrs that I got were easy to polish out. Due to the color, you'd have to be looking for them. Not the same as on my RSMV when I had it ... I was constantly polishing out marrs in the paint on that bike! I haven't done any polishing on my Vic for ages and the paint looks great! Heck, I don't even wash it that often compared to the RSMV!

 

The right saddlebag latch's fitment is "off" a bit and causes some wear where it shouldn't. An easy fix.

 

There is some "leakage" on one of the saddlebags weather stripping but it's not enough for a concern (for me). If I was doing a lot of riding in dirt, then it would be. The dealer was willing to replace the whole saddlebag on warranty if I wanted.

 

I am really upset about the fact that I can't scrape the floorboards in the twisties .... LOL I tell ya, this thing can really handle the twisties and I've had it over so far a few times I thought for sure I'd go down ... but I didn't ... even with a CT on the back. I do have a gremlin bell hanging at the bottom of the front crash bar and I've heard it jingling several times.

 

The engine is noisy (or at least you can hear it more) ... noisier than my RSMV was ... I believe it's because it's an integral part of the frame so any sounds it produces reverberate within the hollows of the frame. No biggie... you get used to it, just like you get used to various sounds on any other bike... except of course that friggin clutch basket whine on the Venture LOL. I added a pair of D&D performance mufflers and they pretty much take care of any engine sounds. I really like them. Now when I'm cruisin all I can hear is the purring rumble of the pipes and when I get on it, she barks nicely.

 

I pulled my Leesur-Lite tent trailer with it the first summer. We were loaded pretty heavy and it had no problems ... keep in mind we ride mostly in the mountains here so a lot of pulling hills.

 

You've made me really think about all this ... and that's really all I can come up with.

 

I have 25,000 kilometers on it now. I've changed the oil regularly, maybe even more often than needed as I've been experimenting with different oils. Pretty much settled now on Amsoil 20w40. I changed the rear tire this spring and mounted a CT. There was still maybe 2000 kms of tread left at that time. So that was appx 22,000 kms. Still lots of tread on the front.

[SilvrT]

Oh, another thing ... a lot of owners complain about the noisy shifting ... yes, it does go *clunk* when you put it in first and yes, there's a bit less of a *clunk* when you shift to second but after that, nothing really. The trick is to "pre-load" the shifter a bit before you pull the clutch in.

 

Also, they have a stalling issue if you blip the throttle as if you're ridin an old Harley and sittin at a stop light tryin to impress everyone LOL It's got something to do with how the ECM is programmed, lack of vacuum, etc. That said, I have no problems rev-matching as I down shift.

 

Did you know that the shifter mechanism and the foot brake mechanism can be adjusted forward or reverse with 3 different settings?

 

Do you know about the tip over protection?

 

Do you know about the kickstand safety?

 

 

EDIT:

FWIW, mine hasn't stalled since a few times the first year ... and that was probably due to the fact it was bone stock, not fully broken in yet, and I didn't know about the blipping ... which seemed to occur then when you rev matched when downshifting to 2nd or 1st.

 

No problems since I've done some "tuning" on it although I still won't blip when stopped at a light.

Edited June 8, 2015 by SilvrT

[SilvrT]

Just came across this link ...

 

[BigLenny]

Great info!! I can tell you are really excited about your bike and like the heck out of it. That encourages me about looking at a CCT. I once heard a saying; "If after you have gotten off of your bike and started to walk away, if you don't turn around and take a look at it, then you have bought the wrong bike". I bet you do that.

 

I noticed the noisy shifting whenever I test rode it. I could get used to it.

I did not know about the tip over protection. I thought that was only on the Vision?

Don't know about the kickstand safety. What is that?

I'd have to get used to the non blipping. I have been guilty of blipping. LOL.

[SilvrT]

Great info!! I can tell you are really excited about your bike and like the heck out of it. That encourages me about looking at a CCT. I once heard a saying; "If after you have gotten off of your bike and started to walk away, if you don't turn around and take a look at it, then you have bought the wrong bike". I bet you do that.

 

When I get off the bike I always turn around and look at it ... and I like what I see and how I feel.

 

I noticed the noisy shifting whenever I test rode it. I could get used to it.

 

It gets less clunky over time.

I did not know about the tip over protection. I thought that was only on the Vision?

Don't know about the kickstand safety. What is that?

 

If you forget the side stand is down and do a left turn, it will just pop back up when it comes in contact with the road.

 

Watch the vid ... it's demonstrated appx mid way.

[BigLenny]

Checked out the video. Crazy impressive. I didn't know until right as he was doing the tipover protection trick that he was the one doing all of the talking. I thought it was some announcer standing on the side. That dude is gifted. LOL

 

Victory bikes are drawing me.

[YamahaLarry]

Ok, need a mod to my RSV to replicate tip over protection. I'm impressed.