Victory Arlen Ness Victory Vision reviews

Just over three years ago I purchased a V Star 1300 Tourer. I hadn't ridden a bike for over 20 years and figured the 1300 would be a good place to restart riding, it was. I outgrew it and my wife has been showing interest in riding with me and the 1300 wasn't quite enough. Six to seven months ago I started shopping around comparing features, reliability and prices. Sorry Harley, you can't beat the features for the price. We looked at the Cross Country Tour initially but I kept looking at and going back to check out the Vision. The Vision's only set back that I see is storage. But, the comfort and features and with a few storage options like the rack that mounts on the rear storage trunk, we can get around that. I still have to get used to the slow parking lot manuevers but out on the road it far out performs the 1300. It loves to go. On back roads and twisties it does not hesitate laying into the turns. Out on the highway, adjust the electric powered windscreen, turn on the tunes, hit the cruise control and just go, anywhere. The Vision is a beautiful bike and a lot of fun to ride. Show less

The plan was to stop by two Victory dealers - one in Katy, TX, one in El Campo,TX, then go home. Well I stop in Katy and traded my M109 in on a Vision. I have been looking at the Vision for a time now. I've been looking at Harleys, too. I still like my M109 but wanted mini van options - you know - cruise and a stereo!! The quality is like Japanese bike plastic body parts. The engine is solid, the tranny is solid also once you understand its quirks. The Vision looks big but handles like my 109 did!! The power is smart, not quick, not fast. The gear selector on the infowindow is useless to me but a neat feature. Victory should have saved the $$ on it and put it into other areas. The first weekend I had it I put 800 miles on it!! My biggest whine is the 20/40 oil they say goes into it. Proprietary sales I say. They are the only ones making 20/40. The mpg. is low to mid 30's the way I drive which is semi-aggressive. I think if you look and ride one, you will buy one!!! P.S. I get asked questions everywhere I go and the Harley people just look but stay in their family. That is OK with me, I do not need to fit in. Show less

I finally decided to upgrade from my sportbike to a touring bike because we are doing much less knee dragging and more sight seeing. Unfortunately, I was not able to make the purchase until November and have not been riding quite the way I would like to. I was so excited about my victory ride that I took it to work the first chance I got. I rode the bike to my job in DC, but when I left I did not realize it was only 41 degrees. I was bundled pretty good, but what surprised me is that I got to work almost 50 miles later without even having a runny nose. I was as toasty as could be after an awesome ride in. The bike handled like a dream and cruise worked great on the open highway. Heated seats and grips are a must in this type of weather. The next time I rode the bike, the temperature dropped down to 31 degrees, but being behind all that fairing was like sitting in the cab of a truck. I could never have done this type of riding in this type of weather on my sportbike. I'm glad I came toward the light and I can't wait until the weather gets better so I can do some long trips. Show less

I bought a used 2008 Vision a couple years ago and never looked back, I've put a little over 40 thousand miles on it. With a offer I couldn't turn down, I bought a new model and I'm not disappointed. The only trouble is I can't seem to find enough time in the day to ride. Show less

I have had my bike for almost two weeks now. I have serial #31 of ??? (rumor has it about 200). I am really enjoying the bike. My first mod was putting on an OEM lock and ride windshield. It made a big difference knocking off the wind blast. I have on order a passenger seat and rear peg kit (keep's the wife happy). One of the nice things is that I will not see another one on every corner. So far, great bike, no problems at all. Show less

I have owned a Yamaha V-Star 1300 and then a Yamaha Venture. I loved the Venture or at least I thought I did until I test drove a Vision a week ago. My wife and I went to a demo day and rode home on a 2013 Victory Vision. That was on a Saturday. On the following Monday we headed to the Smoky's. We rode from about 9 a.m. every day until after dark, just going through the mountains and enjoying the view. We left Paducah, KY. late in the afternoon and stayed all night in Cookeville, TN. The next day we rode from Cookeville, to Maryville, TN. and got on HWY 129, also known as the Tail of the Dragon. From there we rode HWY 28 to Cherokee N.C. and then got on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville N.C. and we were never tired!!! We never had the dread of getting back on the bike after a fuel stop or the dread of getting back on it the next morning after an overnight stay. My wife says the passenger seat is like sitting on our couch at home! The Vision has an electric windshield, heated seats and grips and ABS brakes - none of which are offered on the Venture. The bike handled like it was lighter than the 900 lbs. that it weighs. Cornering was awesome, the ride amazing!! The Venture offered as stock a CB and intercom system. I do miss that, but gladly trade that for a more superior ride and comfort. The Venture had a smoother acceleration, but that is due to the V-4 compared to the V-twin. The Venture was also very top heavy. With the Vision having the primary drive and the final drive on opposing sides. the balance of the bike is amazing. My opinion of the Vision is A+++++!!!! Show less

OK, here goes. I got tired of my 2006 Electra Glide - 40,000 miles in five years. The Harley was rock solid and reliable, but the handling always made me a bit unsure. Too much corner speed and it would start dancing. So the wife and I started looking at the Vision. We talked to Arlen Ness in Dublin, CA and he convinced me to try one out. It was love after the first mile. I used to own a BMW 1100 RT - great bike but too tall for me. Well the Victory handles a lot like the RT but much lower seat height and lots more comfort - plenty of power, too. Glad we bit the bullet on this bike. don't ride one unless you are ready to buy, because you'll want one!!! Show less

I have had this bike for three months and have put on over 3,500 miles on her. This bike is amazing and a real head turner!! Often referred to as a Spaceship, it gets the attention. The standard features and the storage are amazing for a stock bike. Gas mileage is awesome, handling is amazing and the rider/passenger comfort is the best!! I have many ladies asking for a ride. I added the XM radio and am very pleased with the quality and ease of use. The design of the bike, the two power ports, WOW...I could go on and on! It is worth every penny! Show less

I have been cross country four times on three different bikes. Some days I'm doing from 400 to 600 miles a day. When you do that many miles your backside gets numb - back gets stiff, hands hurt and you're just overall tired. I bought my 2008 Vision in August of 2010 in Montana after the Gold Wing I was riding broke down. Last year I went from coast to coast riding 7,853 miles by the time I was done. For the first time I did not feel tired, sore or beat up from the ride. The bike was so comfortable I didn't want to get off. They say Vision riders don't want to ride, just local. We want to really ride the long ride. I live in New York and I need to only ride to three more states to do all 50 states by bike - Alaska, Hawaii and Washington. I can't wait!!! Show less

The bike was incredible from the moment I saw it. I tried to convince myself to buy the base model - but the Ness spoke to me. I came home with it and my wife was not mad, just told me my dinner would be cold, we were going riding. 1300 miles in 2 weeks and I enjoy it more each day. Show less