duglaura

At the end of the day it's what YOU like.

I bought an 08 Street Glide. I love the damm thing.

My Street Glide is one of the heavier touring bikes out there, and it does not feel like it at all, all the weight is low and the bike is very very well balanced.

But all the "opinions" you read on the internet cannot hold a candle to time on the bike. Quoted by Viper.


I concur with Viperman, Demo ride your choices and feel the bike that fits. I did the same a few years back, ride what you like and feel comfortable and affordable. Good luck and keep us posted ....with PIX of course. Best, D.

Hey Viper, you have more post than Mr. E.......just saying

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live to ride, ride forever! We support our troops! God Bless Them.
Pa/Md/WV ABATE member
2005' C50T (sold)
2004 FLHTI/HD Electra Glide

duglaura

Woodswoman

I must agree -- that's a smokin' price.

My bike is a 2010 Cross Roads. Bought it after 2 years on a Kawi Vulcan 1500 Classic, and before that 1 year on a C50. Despite the fact that it weights about 800 pounds, the 'Roads handles as lightly as the C50 did. Awesome engineering.

As you know, Victory lets you test-ride. Take advantage of that. Try out that 'Pin, and the Vegas, and for grins the Cross Roads or Country (which have the same frame and ride much alike).

Expect a noisier transmission than the Boulevard. Victory bikes are infamous for being loud. It does not mean anything is wrong.

Be prepared to experience a *ton* more power than the Boulevard. My Cross Roads will practically push my rear end off my seat when I roll hard on the throttle.

Take your time, enjoy the experience, and let us know what you think. We members of the "Victory Chapter" of Volusia Riders will help with your questions if we can.

--Chris

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Woodswoman
(a/k/a Mrs. BearBait)

Dum Vivimus, Vivamus!

2010 Victory Cross Roads, "Doctor Pepper"

New_OLD_Rider

Thanks for the post. I also really like the cross country. I was planning on doing some test rides today but other things came up si I'll have to wait until Tuesday. I'm going to test ride the cross country, Kingpin and a few harley's. Without riding any of these bikes I am leaning towards the Victory but that's only because based on the research I've done the Victory seems to be better engineered and more reliable with lower cost of ownership. These are all very important factors to me since I will be using the bike to commute. I'll keep everyone here posted on which bike I get.

R/Greg

TGreene

I bought a 2011 XC in October of 2010, and ride the living **** out of it.. Just yesterday afternoon while on a lunch run up to Michigan, I rolled 40,000 miles on it.

When a friend asked me late last evening (upon returning from the ride), why on earth would we ride all that way for lunch, I replied that I had heard they sell lunches up there. He just laughed and completely understood what I was saying...

-Tim

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2011 Victory Cross Country

ggnutsc

I bought a 2011 Cross Country from a fellow VR member late last winter. I gotta say it was the best decision I've made. As far as the larger displacement bikes go, it is pretty frugal on gas. I routinely got 42-45 mpg this summer on some weekend trips. The stock seat is comfortable enough that unlike many bikes, you really don't need to worry about the need for an aftermarket seat right away.

The 106 engine is a pretty good power-plant without doing anything to it. There are performance upgrades, pipes etc... available if you wish to go that route. Some folks kind of dog on the Vic transmission being clunky, but I test rode a 2009 Ultra HD last fall, and the Vic is certainly no worse in my mind.

The Vics really shine in the maintenance category. I can do a full oil change on mine in less than 15 minutes. The filter is easy to get to and doesn't drip on anything when removed. The same oil is used in the engine, clutch/primary, and the transmission. It holds 5 qt, and has an oil cooler to keep everything cool. The belt tension is easy to adjust, and can be replaced very easily if something happens to it, or if you wear one out. It is my understanding that on an HD the primary drive must be dis-assembled in order to replace the drive belt. Since I do most of my own wrenching, that wasn't a road I wanted to go down, and was a big factor in my decision to go with a Vic. Up until now all I had owned were shaft driven bikes, so ease of belt replacement was a big thing for me, maybe out of fear, but a belt is a consumable item with a defined life, even in the best of conditions, and I don't want to pay a shop to replace it for me...

If I were to complain about any one thing on my bike, it would be the horn!!! The stock Victory horns are wimpy... In fact, my oldest son's C50 and my other son's Yamaha both were louder than my Vic. Before I replaced mine, I could honk it going down the highway and not even hear my own horn. Other than that I really enjoy mine. I put over 8000 miles on it between the beginning of Mar and the end of Sept, and that would have been more if it weren't for some heath issues.

I hope some of this helps you wih your decision...

Greg

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2011 Victory Cross Country (Black)
CeeBailey Windshield (Cee-Dragon)
CeeBailey Cee-flector lowers
2005 C50 (Black)
(Now my son's bike)
V&H Straightshots
Pwr Commander
DJ drive club member, Nebraska chapter

Hi-Vis

Have you checked out Victorys on Y-Tube?
These vids are a few years old.


I missed another victory test ride held in Columbus Ga. Saturday.

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Special Edition 2009 C50 Green/White . 13100 miles. Loaded up and then some!
2006 Honda Big-Ruckus 250 scooter. ~Rare~

If an old man is Laughing at you for no reason, you might want to take a mental inventory because you might have lost something.

ATGATT Sweat, not blood.

NWFungi

After 15K in 15 months on my Kingpin, I have to agree it was the best trade up Ive done. Can do 400 plus a day on the stock seat, good milage, compliments were ever I go. With an adjustment here, a tweak there it fits me well. Buy what fits ya and will make ya smile! Im still grinnin ear to ear.

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Wescalero "Arrogant Bastards" member
04 Victory Kingpin

"Live like u were to die tomorrow
Learn Like u were to live forever"

New_OLD_Rider

Today I did some test riding and decided to pull the trigger on a 2011 Victory Cross Country! It's black with many extras and I'll be picking it up on Thursday.

I did take a road king for a ride and although it was very nice it just wasn't for me. I'll admit that I am very motivated by saving money and the Victory was significantly less than a used road glide or king in the same year. It just so happens that I like the Victory much better and think it will be far more reliable in the long run. I'll post some pics when I get her home.

Officer Dan

You won't be sorry. I wish I had seen this thread sooner. Here's my two pennies....

I rode a Road King @ work (Motors Officer) for two years. During that time I upgraded from an '06 Boulevard, to a Victory Vision. I still re-certify on the Police Motor every year so I can ride escorts and parades on the Road King. To me the Road King has only two advantages over the Victory. It has a smaller turning radius (I ride parade style, grinding the boards in slow turns) and it is owned by the city, so I don't have pay for all the service.

Victory has a lower center of gravity, bigger floor boards, doesn't shake like crazy at stop lights, hasn't ever broke down on me (my PD Harley stranded me twice), has a larger fuel tank, heated grips and seats, and makes me more happy.

I feel that Harley charges a $2000 premium for branding, that is crazy, but they still sell a whole lot of bikes. I like that Victory (for now) is uncommon and my Vision is unusual. I have only had good experience with dealers, although I do wish there was more t-shirts and such available.

If you have any other questions on a side by side comparison feel free to ask, but since your order is placed, I assume you are done with your research... Congrats on the new wheels!!!

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"What's the worst that could happen?"

Proud Original Member of the Arrogant Bast*rds. You don't become one, you either are or you aren't. I thank God for my fellow AB's who aren't easily offended.

New_OLD_Rider

I'm glad you chimed in. Knowing that you ride a RK everyday on the job and still went for the Victory says a lot. I've always owned metrics and wanted to make sure that I purchased a bike that would be as reliable.

My search for a new bike is over and I feel pretty good about my decision. I still see myself owning a Harley in the future but it won't be my daily rider.