Victory demo

[bigsid1]

I went for a demo ride on a cross country and cross roads. Nice bikes but.... The transmission clunks really loud when shifting. I rode three different bikes and all were the same. Lots of engine noise compared to my nomad. Buffeting is real bad but with lowers and a different shield is fixable. In general it is a comfortable ride. The big factor for not buying was having a payment of 250-350 dollars. I haven't ridden a voyager yet and would like to compare the two for future purchase.

[Loafer]

How was the suspension and the power? Was the seat a keeper?

[ponch]

The Voyager is a bit pokey and definitely behind the Victory in terms of performance. You will also find the the Voyager is a lot more like a HD than it is like your 2008. They are different bikes altogether. If I was into getting a new cruiser type bike and money wasn't an object, I'd put it in this order: Cross Country, Voyager, Ultra. If money mattered, then the Victory and Voyager would swap spots. Considering you can get one for a lot less than the MSRP, it's a good value, but objectively, it's too much of a HD inspired bike for me, but ergonomically, it's better than the EG. My advice is to test ride all sorts of bikes at least once. You may get surprised.

Originally Posted by bigsid1

I went for a demo ride on a cross country and cross roads. Nice bikes but.... The transmission clunks really loud when shifting. I rode three different bikes and all were the same. Lots of engine noise compared to my nomad. Buffeting is real bad but with lowers and a different shield is fixable. In general it is a comfortable ride. The big factor for not buying was having a payment of 250-350 dollars. I haven't ridden a voyager yet and would like to compare the two for future purchase.

[bigsid1]

Seat was very comfortable. Lots of power compared to my 1600. Suspension felt different on all three bike probably because they were set up different. The one CC was very plush riding the other two were stiffer.

[Idaho]

I took a victory for a test drive when I bought the Nomad. Engine noise turned me off. Also really liked the extras on the Nomad in the base price.

[Loafer]

Originally Posted by Idaho (High Plains Drifter)

I took a victory for a test drive when I bought the Nomad. Engine noise turned me off. Also really liked the extras on the Nomad in the base price.

I was interested in owning the Vic and a VTX 1800 before I tried the Nomad, I liked the setup and ride of the Nomad. I don't regret buying the Nomad.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I am very happy with my Nomad. For the money you can't beat what we have. It has all the power I need. When I need to pass or climb a mountain it always does it effortlessly. I live on a mountain so to the north and the south if I ride in those directions I have to descend and ascend Sand Mountain. Fifth gear and 65 to 70 mph is no problem.

[ponch]

As far as passing goes, you need to try some other bikes. ;)

Originally Posted by AlabamaNomadRider

I am very happy with my Nomad. For the money you can't beat what we have. It has all the power I need. When I need to pass or climb a mountain it always does it effortlessly. I live on a mountain so to the north and the south if I ride in those directions I have to descend and ascend Sand Mountain. Fifth gear and 65 to 70 mph is no problem.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Idaho (High Plains Drifter)

I took a victory for a test drive when I bought the Nomad. Engine noise turned me off. Also really liked the extras on the Nomad in the base price.

I don't recall the Victory being any noisier than the nomad, which has it's own unique set of sounds, but the Kawasaki 1600 shifts smoother for sure. Better than the 1700 and a HD any day of the week.

[lonewolf]

Test rode the cross country out in sturgis last year. my take on in was, had all the power i wanted, didnt like the buffeting (fixable), yes the tranny clunks into gear. but i guess my biggest complaint/problem with it was, i felt i sat on top of it, not in it !

[ponch]

Originally Posted by lonewolf

Test rode the cross country out in sturgis last year. my take on in was, had all the power i wanted, didnt like the buffeting (fixable), yes the tranny clunks into gear. but i guess my biggest complaint/problem with it was, i felt i sat on top of it, not in it !

Well, traditionally, bikes have been sat on and not in, like a horse. YMMV.

Check out this awesome video. Don't forget to click on the full-screen option. That's the box with the four outward pointing arrows on the lower right hand corner of the video box.

Also, I saw on another video that the victory has hydraulic cam chain adjusters something that both Nomads and Harleys lack. If I can find it I'll post it.

http://www.thevog.net/Andy/video/vic...ider-review-3/

[fish]

very interesting video, thanks

[ponch]

The R series BMWs have that too and it has a check valve to hold pressure even when the engine isn't running.

The spring-loaded tensioners have been around for a long time. I had a KZ1000 and it wasn't really self-adjusting if I recall. They'd probably have to do some redesign on the 1700 to allow hydraulic tensioners, but it is something they could have engineered into the bikes. I have to wonder if it's a non-issue to some manufacturers as they may believe riders on those bikes don't put enough mileage on them to make it a necessity and most likely if they do, it'll be after the warranty runs out. Cynical, but it saves money in the short run and makes it in the long run.

Originally Posted by xgringo

Check out this awesome video. Don't forget to click on the full-screen option. That's the box with the four outward pointing arrows on the lower right hand corner of the video box.

Also, I saw on another video that the victory has hydraulic cam chain adjusters something that both Nomads and Harleys lack. If I can find it I'll post it.

http://www.thevog.net/Andy/video/vic...ider-review-3/

[nomadbehappy]

I looked at the Cross Country when I was at the motorcycle show yesterday and I have to say I was very impressed with it. It fit me beautifully 5"9" and short legs (30" inseam). The saddlebags and floorboards are massive! The only thing I didn't like was the windscreen (too short) when you live in an area where the June bugs and black flies are the same size!! They had one that was all white and IMHO it was beautiful. I checked out the new nomad and voyageur and I thought it would fit me better than my '08 Nomad, but I found it very cramped. It may just be that I am used to my Nomad. Conclusion, love my '08 and always have the urge for a new bike when my is stored for the winter, but after checking a bunch out, I am very happy with mine. Guess that means I get to spend the winter finding new ways to make a great bike even better :-)