[dsmitty]

So a member of our church is the owner of Spirit Motorcycles in San Jose - Victory/Indian dealer. He rides in our group and always invites us to do the escorts when he has demo days and today I got to ride several different models. An added plus was I got to meet a fellow VR Member - MikeDaDrummer.

Here is my take on the bikes I rode:

Cross Country 8 Ball and Magnum

Pros - ergonomics are awesome, bikes are very well balanced and sit low, extremely comfortable ride.

Cons - clunky transmission, throttle response was not very good which surprised me (even on the model I rode with a stage 1 kit). Engine heat was surprising as well - very hot. On the ride home my Street Glide seemed cool by comparison.

Vegas 8 Ball and Gunner

Pros - same as above, great ergonomics and balance. Stock saddle was very comfortable on the 8 Ball. Throttle response was awesome - which I would expect with the 106 engine and not much bike. Very fun bikes to ride. I was concerned a little about the big back tire on the Gunner but it was a snap to ride.

Cons - Engine heat and clunky transmission. The Gunner has more plastic and a tighter suspension which translated into lots of vibration through the seat above 2800 RPM. Also the pipes on the Gunner were burning mt leg so this bike was a no-go for me but fun to ride (once).

Overall - would not give up my bike for the Cross Country. Nice bikes but my seven year old Street Glide with a 96 CI Stage 1 motor had the same if not better throttle response and pull as the light weight Vegas with a Stage 1 kit. For $20K I expected more. However - I LOVED the Vegas 8 Ball - if I ever get the $$ for a second bike this might be the one - $12.5 list with TONS of power and a great ride.

Although - he will be having a test ride day for the Indians coming up soon.....

 

[beezer]

Yup, those Harley Street Glides are really nice bikes.

 

[Loudpipe_m50]

The throttle response should be the same between the two bikes. It just feels like a slouch because you didn't twist the throttle enough. There is a throttle ring you can buy that makes it so you don't have to twist as far to get to wot. The hammer has the big tire, not the gunner.

 

[duglaura]

Yup, those Harley Street Glides are really nice bikes.

Don't jump the gun.....baby steps ......Indian Chieftains are really nice.

 

[Lightwield]

I test rode the Street Glide. It was my first time on a Harley. I hated how it felt like it was going to stall out when you pulled in the clutch. But that's just a Harley I guess.
I really loved the Cross Country. I felt no difference in the throttle compared to the Street Glide. The Victory has the same sewing machine sound to it that the C50 has though. Not a bad thing though.

 

[dsmitty]

The hammer has the big tire, not the gunner.

Whatever - it was a kick to ride.


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[dsmitty]

The throttle response should be the same between the two bikes. It just feels like a slouch because you didn't twist the throttle enough.

Not what I found comparing two stage 1 bikes - and I do know how to twist a throttle



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[Sprocket]

dsmitty...I don't believe Loudpipe response was aimed at you personally. This is a know issue (if you want to call it that) with the Vic's X bike's throttle. You just have to twist the throttle more to get it wide-open...there are after-market fixes if you like a link.

 

[dsmitty]

dsmitty...I don't believe Loudpipe response was aimed at you personally. This is a know issue (if you want to call it that) with the Vic's X bike's throttle. You just have to twist the throttle more to get it wide-open...there are after-market fixes if you like a link.

I didn't take it personally - just at face value (did you see the smiley face?). Although I do find it interesting that you need to buy an aftermarket item in order to 'fix' the throttle.

The bike wasn't a dog by any means - I just expected the larger motor on a newer bike to be at least the same as mine if not better.

 

[Capt Cruiser]

First I've ever heard of throttle issues with a XC - nothing in the Victory forum I belong to.

I never felt a need for more throttle - but I don't beat on the bike either.

 

[dsmitty]

First I've ever heard of throttle issues with a XC - nothing in the Victory forum I belong to.

I never felt a need for more throttle - but I don't beat on the bike either.

I absolutely loved the ergonomics of the bike - fit me very well and was easy to maneuver. Did you keep the stock seat or get an aftermarket? Just curious. Seems like they put a really nice saddle on these bikes from the factory.

 

[Capt Cruiser]

I opted for the heated low seat, but yes the stock seat was very comfortable. I was going from a Heritage Soft Tail to a bagger. I actually looked at a 2007 Street Glide but another member here was signing papers on it when I called the dealer to come look at it.....he was waiting at the door when they opened.

I didn't have luck with my Heritage, could never get comfortable for rides over 150 miles and when I was getting ready to pull the trigger on a new bike decided to give the Victory a try. It was a hard choice between a new Street Glide or a Victory - liked the both. Opted to go with a little more room that the Victory offered and have been happy so far.

 

[Sprocket]

Did not notice the smiley face....sorry about that.

Here you go Capt. Quarter-turn Throttle Ring

 

[472viper]

There is always something to make any bike better/different.

Heck I got $1650 into pipes, mufflers, air and tuner and the bike ain't even here yet. :biglaugh:

Not to mention 6 hours on a dyno at $80 an hour.

I don't know about a 1/4 turn throttle, just don't seem like much from idle to WOT.

 

[Capt Cruiser]

Here you go Capt. Quarter-turn Throttle Ring

Never heard of it before, or heard anyone on the forum talk about it. I'm fine the way it is. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Sprocket]

Wow...lots of money there Viper. Hope its working out for you.

Capt-I did not think there was an issue with the throttle when I test rode the Victory CC. At least, no worse than the C50. But there must be something to the claim to generate a market.

Dsmitty-The trasmission "clunky-ness" you discribe earlier is one of the pitfalls of this bike. While it's not overly loud during shifts, I would have expected it to be a little more smoother for that price-point. I test rode the Startoliner, and that thing was buttery smooth.

 

[Newgramps]

I've seen talk of quarter-turn throttle rings for 1700 Vulcan series Kawls on their sites also. Seem to be popular item.