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Old 04-06-2015, 10:15 PM   #1
MarkG   MarkG is offline
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Smile New Ride and change of status

Thursday morning I will be getting a new red/black 2015 Victory Cross Country Tour. My '08 Nomad has served me well with 48,000 trouble free miles. This also means giving up the Safety/Riding Moderator position I have held for five plus years. Getting older I have been looking for a comfortable ride with some of the extra amenities. Cruise control, heated grips and seats, a nice trunk with plenty of storage, radio, and better weather protection to name a few.




When I finally talked Norma into riding the scenic areas two years ago I have been looking for something with a little more room in case she ever decides to take a short trip with me. Finding a ride to fit somebody of my size along with a passenger is more difficult than most imagine. The following are my opinions from riding the various demos over the last couple of years and a good many will probably disagree but I have said many times, find a bike that fits or you won't ride.

The Kawasaki Voyager is too small even for me as a solo rider. The last demo ride a couple of weeks ago I was actually cramped and a little sore after 30 minutes. For the shorter riders it may work but two up it doesn't make the cut. I am not so sure Kawasaki cares since there was only one Voyager at the demo ride all the others were the sport bikes, etc.

Harleys are okay for the individuals that have enough money or wrench their own bikes. This last year I have seen too many do not ride recalls and other potential problems I did not feel I could afford. Could I afford one, maybe, but they did not fit me for the comfort level.

The new Indian Roadmaster is a nice machine and not so nice. The demo ride started okay and by the time I got back it was so-so. The display is hard to read in the bright sun and there is less storage than the Victory. Neither Norma or I could pin down specifics except it just didn't feel right to us. The extra several thousand dollars for what appears to be more marketing hype than anything else wasn't justified.

Finally the Victory Cross Country Tour was the best of the motorcycles for me. It has more than enough room to stretch out or move things around to fit. I should have plenty of room for my gear on the trips without trying to strap down a tail bag to the rear seat. I have talked to several owners who are very happy and have little or in most cases no problems. Out of all the rides this one was the most comfortable and had everything I wanted.

For the locals in the Phoenix area the Scottsdale Victory dealership gave me a deal that was too good to refuse. It does pay to look around and visit the various dealers before buying any motorcycle.

I added the hydraulic clutch and the passenger grab rails as part of the initial package, a few other things will be put on later. Not that the bike really needs too much to keep me happy.

I plan on staying with the forum and checking in on a regular basis. The information from our members is heads and tails above what I have seen on other forums. I have enjoyed my time as a moderator and hope everybody rides safe with the summer riding approaching.
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Mark Griffin
2021 Manhattan Metallic K1600GTL
2016 Silver K1600GTL - sold
2015 Red/Blk Cross Country Tour - sold
2008 Red/Blk Nomad - sold
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Old 04-06-2015, 10:24 PM   #2
schoeney   schoeney is offline
 
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Congrats Mark. Good looking bike!
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Old 04-06-2015, 10:33 PM   #3
cactusjack   cactusjack is offline
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That's a beauty, Mark. Enjoy!
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Old 04-06-2015, 10:34 PM   #4
blowndodge   blowndodge is offline
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Welcome to the Various Baggers Association Mark!

You will be very pleased as the miles rack up!
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I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited

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Old 04-06-2015, 10:40 PM   #5
caribou   caribou is offline
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Very nice!
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Old 04-06-2015, 10:46 PM   #6
OldSchool   OldSchool is offline
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Congratulations Mark. They are real nice road warriors. You will get allot of pleasure out of it for years to come. You tried them all and found the one that fit. Good for you !
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Old 04-06-2015, 11:36 PM   #7
stretch   stretch is offline
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Nice looking ride Mark!
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Old 04-07-2015, 02:12 AM   #8
Bud2rat   Bud2rat is offline
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Sweet looking ride, congrats and enjoy.
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Old 04-07-2015, 06:13 AM   #9
Framer   Framer is offline
 
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Congratulations on your new bike
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Old 04-07-2015, 07:22 AM   #10
HwyRider   HwyRider is offline
 
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That seat looks just like the one that comes on the new Triumph. Looks real comfortable. Enjoy the miles.
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Old 04-07-2015, 07:28 AM   #11
Loafer   Loafer is offline
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Mark, thanks for the years of service to the forum. Many happy miles to you!
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Old 04-07-2015, 08:33 AM   #12
Ken Vega   Ken Vega is offline
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Congrats. The Cross Country line is my favorite of the Victory motorcycles. The Vision is a little too space shippy for me. Good luck
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Old 04-07-2015, 08:38 AM   #13
sly   sly is offline
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Enjoy
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Old 04-07-2015, 08:43 AM   #14
Monkeyman   Monkeyman is offline
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Nice bike! Now that you've made a deal on a XCT, go ride a Vision. Don't look at it. You're not going to buy it. Just ride it.
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Old 04-07-2015, 08:59 AM   #15
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Congrats on the new ride.
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