Motorman's Roadtest

2008 Victory Vision

The luxury touring market is big.  I’m not just talking about the size of the motorcycles that fall into this category either.  I’m talking about the amount of motorcycle riders who are willing and able to purchase an all out bagger.  So, what’s going on here?  Is everybody suddenly packing up their belongings and heading for the open road? 

Personally, I think it’s all about comfort and convenience.  We want our CD players, iPods, GPS devices and a place for our “stuff” just as much on a cross town trip as we do on a cross country trip.  Thankfully, Victory feels the same way, and their new Victory Vision Street and Vision Tourer have got your yen for excess covered.  You want an adjustable windshield, heated grips and seats, cruise control, premium audio GPS, and enough chrome to blind you, look no further than this new luxo tourer.

Victory started with a clean sheet of paper when they designed the Vision.  According to Gary Gray, the product manager, “we wanted to create a very polarizing bike that half the people loved and had to have.”  Gray didn’t say anything about the other half, but I’m guessing he’s well aware that with the Vision’s rather unconventional styling, the other half may hate it.

When I first saw pictures of the Vision, I appreciated its futuristic styling, but felt it wasn’t my cup of tea.  Then I saw one in person and my feelings changed.  Yes, its styling is out there on the fringe, but how many Harley look-a-likes do we need?  The Vision is perfectly proportioned.  It doesn’t look like anything else and its fit and finish is absolutely stunning.  The Vision motor is based on the company’s Freedom 100 with some refinements.  Mainly, a longer stroke giving the Vision 106ci or 1731cc.  Victory claims 92 hp at 4500 rpm and 109 lb-ft of torque at 3250 rpms, measured at the crank.  That’s plenty of power for both the street Vision (minus the tour pack) and the Tour model (with the tour pack). 
Victory claims lots of attention was paid to noise, vibration, and harshness.  There’s also a quieter alternator in addition to the Freedom’s primary counter balancer.  Like all Victory’s, the Visions’ SOHC, 4 valve per cylinder V-twin is fuel injected.  The 6-speed with overdrive lets the motor loaf along at just 2650 rpm at 70 mph.  Final drive is by belt.  The suspension on the Vision consists of a conventional telescopic fork up front with 5.1 inches of travel.  Out back, there’s a single mono-tube gas, cast aluminum with rising rate linkage.  You get a generous 4.7 inches of travel with air adjust.

Brakes consist of dual 300mm floating rotor with 4 piston calipers up front and 300mm single disk with 2 piston calipers out back.  No ABS is available, though the rear brake is linked to the front, but only when medium to heavy pressure is applied.   The front brake lever is also adjustable.

In full view of the rider just below the windscreen sits the speedometer on the left and the tach on the right.  Just below on the center console is the radio controls of which are mounted on the left handlebar and operated by the thumb controls the amount of which is determined by the amount of toys added.

There are actually two Vision models.  The Street version has no tour pack while the Tour does.  Each of the two models offers several option packages.  Standard, Comfort and Premium. 

So, how does she ride?  Very comfortably, as a luxury tourer should.  The rider seat is very comfortable yet it’s only 26.5 inches from the ground.  The handlebars have just the right amount of pullback.  The huge floorboards allow any size rider to really stretch out and vary position as needed.  The Tour model I rode had the electrically controlled windshield.  In the highest position, the shield combined with the fairing and integrated lowers provides the rider with a practically wind free environment.  On warmer days, simply lower the shield and turn the wind wings a bit and plenty of fresh air will be available.  The heated grips and seat work great as well, though to be honest, the day I rode the bike, temps were in the upper 50’s.  Not exactly a freezing, cold weather gear stress test.

The ride of the Vision is rather plush though not overly soft.  You can lean the bike over quite a bit before the big floorboards start to scrape.  The Vision holds a line through the curves very nicely.  At high interstate speeds, the long wheelbase keeps the Vision arrow straight with virtually no need for steering corrections.

Power from idle to redline in any gear is quite pleasant.  Though I never loaded the bike down with gear or a passenger, with all the torque the Freedom motor puts out, I can’t imagine the extra weight even being noticeable.  The smooth shifting 6-speed allows for easy cruising even at the 85 to 90 mph speeds you find common on Florida interstates.

Around town, the Vision never felt clumsy or hard to handle.  The low seat height and center of gravity make the Vision quite nimble for its size.  The lockable saddlebags don’t offer tons of room but the tour pack will hold 2 full face helmets.
The bottom line is, if you like the looks of this futuristic luxury tourer, you’ll love the way it rides and handles.  Every conceivable comfort item is either standard or available as an option.  Fit and finish is show quality.  What’s more, Victory’s have proven to be one of the most trouble free motorcycles made. 

MSRP starts at $18,999 for the Street model and goes up to $21,499 for the Premium Tour Vision.  That’s right on par with other bikes in this segment.  If you’re in the market for such a machine, head on down to your nearest Victory dealer.

Ride Safe,
Ride Like a Pro Team