Unexpected Ride

Netnorske · 09-16-2011, 10:03 PM

Just for grins I stopped into the local Victory Dealer today to have another close look at the Cross-Country Tour bike. As I was looking at it, a friend from High School who I have not seen in 30 years recognized me and came over for a chat.

Turns out he has a 2008 Victory Vision that was parked out back. He loves it and has had many bikes...HD's included. He told me how much he loved the thing and asked if I had ever ridden one. Having said I was afraid to, he insisted I take his for a spin...so I took him up on it. It was a lot like the Cross bike...so what the heck.

After a short ride up and down the highway...I came away with some impressions....

It had good power....

The gears really clunked....badly IMHO....

The position of the handlebars was foreign and uncomfortable to me...not like the sweet natural 45 degree sweep of my Nomad....

With 15k miles on it....it was not nearly as smooth as my Nomad is with 45k.......

It wasn't nearly as cool as I hoped it would be. Maybe the new Cross bikes are better....but they are awful similar in styles...so the ride must be too.....

After getting back on my Nomad for my ride home, I was even more impressed with it than I ever have been. Comfortable and familiar....like an old recliner... ;).

Of all the new bikes I have ridden or sat on....I actually find the new 1700 Nomad fits me nearly to a tee. If the 2012 model comes out with the older bag style like the Vaquero....and Costco still offers those big discounts....I have a feeling I know which direction I might be heading when the time comes....

.

**schoeney** · 09-17-2011, 02:20 AM

I rode a Vision once as well....for about 20 miles. I agree with every point you made. Plus those bags are sooooooooooooooo small on the inside.

jasperboy · 09-17-2011, 05:16 AM

Agree with your impressions. I have lusted after many bikes over the years, but after a quick test ride have yet to find anything that "fits" me better than my 1600.

Loafer · 09-17-2011, 07:16 AM

Kris, I can relate to how you felt getting back on your Nomad. I have test ridden several of the Victory's over the past 11 or 12 years. I'm always happiest with the feel of my Nomad. I'm not sure about the new Nomad, but I do like the Vaquero.

AlabamaNomadRider · 09-18-2011, 11:49 AM

Thanks for the pointers Kris. I'm not in the market as I do love my Nomad. At my age I don't forsee buying another bike. At least not in this lifetime.

Good thing I love the Nomad so much.

**glwilson** · 09-18-2011, 01:42 PM

I could see you on a Voyager!! Sooner than later in fact!!

unwind2 · 09-18-2011, 02:00 PM

The dealer I always take my Nomad to for service is now also selling the spyder. Took the nomad in for a quick oil/oil filter change the other day....while waiting on the bike I rode the spyder. Different but fun.

aldridgekennedy · 09-18-2011, 02:27 PM

Thanks. I really enjoy reading about these comparisons and opinions. It really does validate why i went with the Nomad. The styling and fit are right for me.

2x18wheeler · 09-18-2011, 03:31 PM

I am also glad I bought a 2010 Nomad. My wife and I rode up to Ashland, Maine today and back home. My wife couldn't stop telling me how much she likes the Nomad compared to our 900LT.

landman · 09-22-2011, 09:16 PM

is the voyager out of the question for you?it seems a better buy then the nomad
that has to be modified the way you like your bikes kris.

Bull Durham · 09-22-2011, 10:35 PM

I do enjoy my Nomad, but I wish the seat sat back a couple more inches further backwards. I've been told with the Mustang seat it slides you up closer to the gas tank, don't know, the Mustang seat was on it when I bought the bike.

Netnorske · 09-22-2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landman

is the voyager out of the question for you?it seems a better buy then the nomad
that has to be modified the way you like your bikes kris.

I haven't ruled anything in or out....but the Nomad seems to fit me a little better than the Voyager...not sure why.

ponch · 09-23-2011, 08:13 AM

Yeah, it does an inch or two. You could try the stocker or I've heard the corbin puts the rider down and back.

Bull Durham · 09-25-2011, 04:35 PM

Only problem with Corbin seats, I've rode many friends bike with them, is they feel good at first, then turn into a rock. Seem to be hard.

I have the stock seat, front and rear, came with the bike, never been used, but no backrest with the stock seat. So I guess it's a trade off. Maybe at the next rally, will check out what other people have on their bikes for seats, see how they like them.

ponch · 09-25-2011, 06:29 PM

I think the best answer is a custom seat. It won't be any more than a Corbin and it will be better, made for that particular rider.

09-16-2011, 10:03 PM	#1
Netnorske Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everett, Washington Posts: 5,709	Unexpected Ride Just for grins I stopped into the local Victory Dealer today to have another close look at the Cross-Country Tour bike. As I was looking at it, a friend from High School who I have not seen in 30 years recognized me and came over for a chat. Turns out he has a 2008 Victory Vision that was parked out back. He loves it and has had many bikes...HD's included. He told me how much he loved the thing and asked if I had ever ridden one. Having said I was afraid to, he insisted I take his for a spin...so I took him up on it. It was a lot like the Cross bike...so what the heck. After a short ride up and down the highway...I came away with some impressions.... It had good power.... The gears really clunked....badly IMHO.... The position of the handlebars was foreign and uncomfortable to me...not like the sweet natural 45 degree sweep of my Nomad.... With 15k miles on it....it was not nearly as smooth as my Nomad is with 45k....... It wasn't nearly as cool as I hoped it would be. Maybe the new Cross bikes are better....but they are awful similar in styles...so the ride must be too..... After getting back on my Nomad for my ride home, I was even more impressed with it than I ever have been. Comfortable and familiar....like an old recliner... ;). Of all the new bikes I have ridden or sat on....I actually find the new 1700 Nomad fits me nearly to a tee. If the 2012 model comes out with the older bag style like the Vaquero....and Costco still offers those big discounts....I have a feeling I know which direction I might be heading when the time comes.... . __________________ *Kris Olsen* VBA #0691 2017 HD Ultra Limited Low 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour 2012 1700 Vulcan Voyager 2008 1600 Vulcan Nomad 1997 Vulcan 800 Classic *"Growing old is mandatory,* *but growing up is optional"* Custer 2009\|Kalispell 2010\|Cortez 2010\|Crescent City 2011\|Kanab 2012\|Canmore 2012\|Estes Park 2013\|Orofino 2014\|Lake Tahoe 2015\|Red Lodge 2016 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-17-2011, 02:20 AM	#2
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Unexpected Ride I rode a Vision once as well....for about 20 miles. I agree with every point you made. Plus those bags are sooooooooooooooo small on the inside. __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
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09-17-2011, 05:16 AM	#3
jasperboy Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wadsworth, OH Posts: 1,238	Unexpected Ride Agree with your impressions. I have lusted after many bikes over the years, but after a quick test ride have yet to find anything that "fits" me better than my 1600. __________________ Current Bike - 2011 Victory Vision Tour Previous Bike: 2006 Nomad Original Nomad: 1999 G/G Nomad VBA #931R VROC #16379R
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09-17-2011, 07:16 AM	#4
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	Unexpected Ride Kris, I can relate to how you felt getting back on your Nomad. I have test ridden several of the Victory's over the past 11 or 12 years. I'm always happiest with the feel of my Nomad. I'm not sure about the new Nomad, but I do like the Vaquero. __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email]
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09-18-2011, 11:49 AM	#5
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Unexpected Ride Thanks for the pointers Kris. I'm not in the market as I do love my Nomad. At my age I don't forsee buying another bike. At least not in this lifetime. Good thing I love the Nomad so much. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-18-2011, 01:42 PM	#6
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Unexpected Ride I could see you on a Voyager!! Sooner than later in fact!! __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
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09-18-2011, 02:00 PM	#7
unwind2 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dyersburg TN Posts: 2,858	Unexpected Ride The dealer I always take my Nomad to for service is now also selling the spyder. Took the nomad in for a quick oil/oil filter change the other day....while waiting on the bike I rode the spyder. Different but fun. __________________ Nancy '05 Nomad Blue/Silver Kawanow Member #23 Hubbie-Ken '10 Metalic Black Goldwing
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09-18-2011, 02:27 PM	#8
aldridgekennedy Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 200	Unexpected Ride Thanks. I really enjoy reading about these comparisons and opinions. It really does validate why i went with the Nomad. The styling and fit are right for me.
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09-18-2011, 03:31 PM	#9
2x18wheeler Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bedell, New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 531	Unexpected Ride I am also glad I bought a 2010 Nomad. My wife and I rode up to Ashland, Maine today and back home. My wife couldn't stop telling me how much she likes the Nomad compared to our 900LT. __________________ VBA#1838 Blue Knights#70718 2009 HD Ultra Classic 2010 Nomad August 2011-July2012 2008 900 Classic LT February 2009-August 2011
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09-22-2011, 09:16 PM	#10
landman Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: wheatland,wy. Posts: 3,642	is the voyager out of the question for you?it seems a better buy then the nomad that has to be modified the way you like your bikes kris. __________________ bob wittman VBA # 745 COG #11621 wheatland,wy. rallies-custer 09,kalispell 10,crescent city 11,kanab 12,estes park 13,orifino 14.,red lodge 16 2015 ninja 1000 abs 2014 concourse 14 2012 concourse 14-sold 2011 vaquero-sold 2008 nomad-sold 2005 classic-sold
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09-22-2011, 10:35 PM	#11
Bull Durham Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA area Posts: 785	I do enjoy my Nomad, but I wish the seat sat back a couple more inches further backwards. I've been told with the Mustang seat it slides you up closer to the gas tank, don't know, the Mustang seat was on it when I bought the bike. __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad VBA #1608 KZR #25622
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09-23-2011, 08:13 AM	#13
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,017	Yeah, it does an inch or two. You could try the stocker or I've heard the corbin puts the rider down and back. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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09-25-2011, 04:35 PM	#14
Bull Durham Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA area Posts: 785	Only problem with Corbin seats, I've rode many friends bike with them, is they feel good at first, then turn into a rock. Seem to be hard. I have the stock seat, front and rear, came with the bike, never been used, but no backrest with the stock seat. So I guess it's a trade off. Maybe at the next rally, will check out what other people have on their bikes for seats, see how they like them. __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad VBA #1608 KZR #25622
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09-25-2011, 06:29 PM	#15
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,017	I think the best answer is a custom seat. It won't be any more than a Corbin and it will be better, made for that particular rider. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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