BigLenny

I have several friends and relatives that have gotten rid of their cable/satellite TV services and went with a combination of: Sling TV, Roku (or Apple TV), and Netflix or Hulu, and they love it. For $25.00 per month, Sling TV gives you a bunch of the cable channels and sports channels, or you can add $5.00 and get more sports channels. Then you get Hulu or Netflix for $10.00-$11.00 per month, and that gives you options for network shows and movies. Then the Apple TV, Roku, or Chromecast gives you other apps you can use. Finally, hook a high def antenna to the TV and you can get your local stations for free. Just remember, since all of this runs off of Wifi, a very strong/fast internet service is needed to get the optimum performance. Having said all of this, I haven't went this route yet. I'm still using AT&T UVerse and cussing everytime i get my bill each month. Two things have caused me to not make the change yet: 1. My wife and I LOVE our DVR and the ability to tape everything and watch it on our own schedule. 2. I'm being lazy and haven't generated enough gumption in myself to get it all changed. Lol. But, my friends and relatives sure are loving it though.

THis is just me. So, please don't go crazy and jump on me for saying this: I have never understood why old looking styles are loved by so many people in the cruiser/tourer motorcycle world, and when somebody comes out with a fresh new look and design, ie: Victory, these such people chastise it and such. This thought pattern doesn't hold true in almost 100% of rest of our lives. You don't hear people saying, "that 50" flat panel high def sony tv is just plain ugly! Give me an old 1980 style Sony 36" tube tv, now that is beautiful, and it looks like a real TV". Or, you don't hear folks ranting and raving that that new GMC, Ford, Dodge crew cab truck with all the cool angles and features they have nowadays are just plain atrocious! Give me an old 1977 single cab pickup with no air and drum brakes. Now thats beautiful, and it looks like a truck! Our houses look and function way better today. We don't wear bell bottom pants and leisure suites today because, they were once cool, but looking back now, theyre kinda silly and old looking. I haven't ran across anybody recently (or ever) that thinks the looks and functions of our phones today are worse than the old rotary dials with 20' phone cords we used to have. Etc, etc, etc. People in general want advancement and sleeker, new looking stuff in all of their other possessions, except for the cruiser/touring motorcycle world. Man, I gotta tell ya, there are some serious style stuck in the mud folk among our biker brethren. I think Victory offered an extremely cool, fresh alternative to the same old crap that has been forced down our throats for years. But, in the end, Victory way underestimated how style unconscious, and stuck in their ways guys are in general. It's very common for products to be brought to the market "before their time". Victory is probably one of those products. They were far more advanced and forward thinking than the average cruiser/tourer rider is. I think it is both sad and hilarious that Polaris is having to change their focus to a bike that is a blast from the past to be able to stay alive in the market. With that reasoning in mind, Polaris oughta get into the kitchen remodeling business. They could sell a ton of our cruiser buddys a bunch of formica counters, linolium floors, and avocado colored non stainless steel appliances.

This is some sad stuff in my humble opinion. The few times I've test ridden Victory's, and especially the CCT and Visions, they turned me on. I was highly impressed with their smoothness and nimble handling. I coveted the CCT and was severely jealous of SilverT for quite some time. Lol. As far as their styling, well, thats what mad them appealing to me. They weren't the same ole design that the other bikes are. I'm still kind of stunned while I'm typing this. The only thing we can hope is Polaris will now double their efforts at making the Indian line a world class bike. They're nice, but nowhere near on the level of what Harley is offering when you compare all the technology stuff and such. Maybe Indian will now come out with bikes that don't have fender skirts, studded seats, and leather strings hanging off of it for folks that don't want that kind of stuff. I don't know. I'm just babbling because I'm stunned. Sad.

Danno, I gotta ask; what have you been pissed at the world about? Big Lenny

Pucmeister, Been prayin for ya Buddy. I know you're tougher n boot leather, and stubborn as a pack mule, so hang in there. We got yer back. Ain't no prayers like Venturerider prayers. Love ya, Big Lenny

And, this brings up another point. Not all technology will survive. If it really isn't easier to use, and time productive for the customer, it won't stay. I've used one of these "Kaosks", lol, and I agree with what has been said. They're hard to understand, and cumbersome to use. It's not at all faster and more convenient for the customer. I predict it will slowly go away. Or, it'll be a relic that will be in Mcdonalds restaurants, but will be bypassed by going to the counter. On the other hand, self checkouts at Lowes, HD, Walmarts and such, have been wildly successful because it sometimes is an asset for the customer. I regularly use them if I only have a few items to check out, and it drastically speeds up the process for me. That's the way these new technologies are. If its good, it'll stay, if it's bad, it'll go by the wayside. But, in the mean time, it sure can be painful for us to learn while we're trying to figure out if it's good/bad.

It's kind of a catch 22, I guess. I remember when an automobile was seriously needing a rebuild at 75K miles. Now, they don't even ask for a spark plug change until 100K. Technology has done that. These robots that have been implemented into the manufacturing process have allowed for products to be made with such precision and consistency, it has drastically improved our lifestyles in many ways. I know it has cost actual humans their jobs, but the good side is; it has increased the quality in the everyday products we use. And, yes, it has helped the profits of the companies that use them. I'm 54yrs old. Not considered old yet by a lot of peoples standards, but certainly not young anymore either. But, it seems to me that I am at an age that is smack dab in the middle of accepting or denying the technologies of today. I know a lot of folks in their 50's that have a bah humbug attitude toward computers, smart phones, and technology in general, but, I also know a lot folks in their 50's that are truly amazed by what technology has brought to the forefront of todays everyday lifestyle, and they embrace it. It's probably half and half, and then it tails off drastically after the mid 50's. I encourage everybody to embrace technology and have an attitude of true amazement of what is being invented today. Yes, some of it is down right annoying, and stupid to many of us, but it aint going away. Thats why schools are adapting and starting to push the young people to learn in new technological ways. But that just me yapping.

Here here!

Big Auggie, Are you guys gonna be riding down, or trailering down?

The first night my wife and I got into the hill country, we stayed in Marble Falls. That night, we rode the bike to an Italian restaurant and ate dinner. As we were leaving the parking lot after dinner, 2 deer ran across the parking lot right in front of us. Then, on the ride back to the hotel 5 deer ran across the hwy in front of us. This was right in the middle of town. The next day, we rode down through Kerrville and to Medina, Tx, then from Medina, we rode the 3 twisted sisters, which took us west through Leakey. We saw, and this is no joke, over 100 deer that day. We stopped counting at 80. It just became so commonplace to see deer, we got bored with counting how many we saw. We saw 35 in one location. We were sitting at a 4 way stop sign in Medina, and a doe and her fawn came prancing across right in the middle of the intersection. It was crazy. So, yes, keep your head on a swivel, and don't ride at night out in the country.

I only feels top heavy at parking lot speeds. That's when I really have to pay close attention. I actually, it does amazingly well otherwise. But it sure does look gaudy. LOL.

What the????? Surely to God you folks have pictures of this stuff.

My wife and I rode the "Hill Country" about a month ago. Absolutely loved it!!! Make sure you: Ride the 3 twisted sisters. Eat at the Salt Lick BBQ just outside of Driftwood. Go to Luckenbach. Ride through Marble Falls. Check out downtown Fredericksburg. Go to New Braunfel and Gruene, Tx. Ride Ride Ride. The hill country was fun to just ride and experience the Texas feeling. Big Lenny

Thank You Thank You Thank You!!! You Veteran guys and gals are all studs.........and stud-ettes.

Kretz, I'm with ya on the silly little luggage rack. But, as you can see from the pic, it hasn't stopped my wife and I from piling stuff on it for our long trips. LOL. I also wish my bike had a 6th gear. Big Lenny

Baylensman, That is hilarious! But very true! The worst at this crap is the car business. Ads like "Sales Tax Paid". The sales tax are never paid by anybody but you. EVER! I spent 10 years in the car business, so trust me when I say that. The sales tax are preloaded into the cost for the dealership so they will have enough clearance in the deal to pay your taxes. If they don't preload the tax cost they can't pay your taxes. Other ads they say "Free 10 Year Warranty" or even "Lifetime Warranty". These are never free!!!!!! You are paying for the warranty in your deal. The dealer buys extended warranties from various extended warranty companies, and then they add the cost of that warranty to their cost line on the car. What this means is; they can't discount the car as much because their cost is higher because they've added the warranty and taxes or whatever into the cost for that vehicle. I could go on and on about the car business lying in their ads. Because I've been in the business, my wife and I laugh heartily whenever we hear one the bogus ads on the radio or TV. The hard truth is, a vast majority of us Americans are suckers.

TnTviper, Do not hang around in the town of Pigeon Forge. Its a bis tourist trap. Get in you car or on your bike and get the heck out on the road!!! THIS IS PRIME TIME OF THE YEAR FOR THE FALL COLORS! From Pigeon Forge, go south on Hwy 441 down through Gatlinburg. Dont' take the bypass around Gatlinburg, stay on 441 right through the town. Kind of a cool looking place. Then, from Gatlinburg, keep heading south on Hwy 441 to Cherokee, NC. 441 is a nice drive, but, because it is the fall colors time of the year, the traffic is going to be heavy. The colors are going to be beautiful. From Cherokee, go west Hwy 74 to Hwy 28. Go northwest on 28 all the way to Hwy 129. This is where the Deals Gap motorcycle resort is that Cowpuc speaks of. Then go north on Hwy 129 (this is the Tail of the Dragon) until you see Foothills Parkway on your right. Go east on Foothills Parkway and follow it to Hwy 321. Go right on 321 and follow back to Pigeon Forge. When you're on Hwy 28, go up the hill to Fontana Dam. Really pretty view of the Fontana Lake. This used to be the highest dam east of the Mississippi.

I like Bongo's suggestion. You could call it TnT for short.

Glad to hear that Big Tom! Considering the average age of the members on this site, it's not a bad idea to check in every now and again and let folks know ones alive or dead status.

Speaking of ankle biters, reminds me of a story: My brother in law (my wife's twin) is a cool cat that I have been friends with for longer than I have been married to my wife (34 years). All the years I have known him, he has been a mans man type of guy. Chop wood, build his own house, fix his own stuff, sports fanatic. Well, about 6 years ago, he met, dated for a while, and married a gal that is smokin hot and 15 years younger than him. I was happy for him and a tad jealous. LOL. Anywho, she brought into the relationship 2 little hideous looking creatures called Yorkies. One named Ollie, and the others name is Snickers. She even has a stroller that she used to push them around in. Keeps bows in their hair. Well, she convinced him to start liking these little rat chasers (she hates it when I call them that). He has to get up in the middle of the night and take them out for a walk. Always has them riding in the car with them. Even saw them at Home Depot one time with them in the basket while they shopped. And get this, they wear doggy diapers so they won't pee on anything. I have been threatening to yank my brother in laws man card. These little suckers have attitudes too. When we go to their house, they are always barking and acting like they want to nip at your heels. I informed his wife that I would drop kick one of those ugly suckers if they ever bit me or my wife. And they always take them to peoples houses like theyre human kids. One hilarious thing that happened a couple years ago: They came over to our house for a family Christmas dinner. Well, they of course decided to bring they're mutts without asking. When they walked into our house, these little bad a$$ attitude ankle biters took a beeline at our 190lb Great Dane (Samson) who was laying half asleep in the living room. AS they ran at Samson barking like they wanted some, he jumped up and scooped up Snickers in his mouth and shook him back and forth like he was shaking a rag doll, and then ran down the hallway with him in his mouth before dropping him and letting him go. That mutt screamed and screamed and whimpered as he ran away and got under the couch. Sounded like he had been killed. Everybody in the family was dying laughing except for my sister and brother in law. She was crying and making a scene. She was so distraught she decided not to eat dinner with us and instead sat in the living room petting her rat chasers. That was the night I had to finally inform my brother in law that he just got a lesson in the type of dogs real men have. LOL.

We do! Every year for the past 13 years I have dressed up as Frankenstein and I sit on our porch and I scare the crap outta the kids. And a lotta adults too. My wife dresses up as a serious looking witch, and she stirs a big pot of witches brew (big black kettle with dry ice in it). My 73 year old mother sits at the front door dressed up as some kind of scary looking old woman and holds the bowl of candy to hand out to the kids. A lot of them are so scared they won't come up to the door. I built a coffin and my brother in law gets in it and is dressed up like a zombie looking thing, and at the right moment he swings open the lid and jumps out and chases kids (and grownups). I have scary music playing from the upstairs dormer windows of our house that includes screaming and chains and such. We turn of all the lights in our house except for the red porch light and the blacklight in the front foyer where my mom sits. I have a cemetery with old tombstones and skeletons set up in my yard. I have of course cobwebs everywhere. We have a fog machine. Over the years, so many people have spread the word about our house, that its gotten ridiculous. Last year we went through 22 bags of candy, and saw over 600 kids. And probably another 100 ran away and wouldn't come to our door. LOL. Oh wait. I just looked back at your post. You're having a party and want decorating suggestions. Oops, sorry about missing that detail. Nah, can't help ya there. We're into scaring the heck out of folks. Parties are for amateurs. LOL. Just joking. Welcome to our site. Big Lenny

Thanks! But that dang faring on yours makes me jealous. LOL.

I like the Victory Vision. Wouldve already had one a long time ago, but the storage room in the saddlebags is anemic for a full dresser touring bike. The discussions i've had at the Victory dealerships say that is the most common complaint they hear about the Vision. Not sure why Victory hasn't corrected that.

Know what you mean Darrin by loading it up and riding 2 up. Its a lotta weight.

Ace, Thanks so much for that review. Sounds like you really like your bike, and thats a good thing. Coming from a former Venture owner, your opinion carry's a lot of weight. And, your final statement about it having a better ride than the Venture is pretty impressive, because that has certainly been one of the Ventures strong points. Big Lenny