Victory's Goldwing Killer

[patentcad]

http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Victory/Vision/Experience/

The Vision. V-Twin power in a laid back Goldwing type package.

Very interesting. Check it out. Due in dealers in the Fall as a 2008 model...

[dduelin]

Doesn't it look like something Batman and Robin would ride down the streets of Gotham?

[mayner]

Goldwing Killer?

Hardly.

I do think they'll sell a few. I also think the folks that will be buying them will be coming off Harleys, not Goldwings.

YMMV

[GRN]

Those three hard luggage areas have less usable capacity than the pans on my Sprint, which are smaller than the pans on my ST13... no way no how is that wing killer potential. It's sharp no doubt, but it plays a short game on the touring field.

[beatlejuice]

Doesn't it look like something Batman and Robin would ride down the streets of Gotham?

i was kind of thinking Flash Gordon. now i wonder how many here know who im talking about?:eek:

[Herleman]

Maybe Full Dresser ElectraGlide Killer but the Gold Wing is safe IMHO.

[mshihrer]

OWWWWW! Shoulda warned me to turn my speakers down! No way is that thing ever going to compete with a wing.

[al-n-di]

Only a mother could love that ugly puppy! Which is why it will appeal to a few Harley owners who want something a bit more aerodynamic for the winter!

Al

[alphafang]

Morning al-n di
If my dog produced that puppy I would be booking it a one way visit to the vets....sorry but I dont like that bike one bit.
Paul

[BigD]

It screams Arlen Ness. I'm sure he had something to do with the design.
I respect Arlens talent but I will stick with my ST.

[STunRunner]

It screams Arlen Ness. I'm sure he had something to do with the design.
I respect Arlens talent but I will stick with my ST.
I've read quite a bit about the Vision and it's actually nothing by Ness. Micheal Song, the lead Victory designer is the brains behind it all and a bit of interview with him on one site, he comes across irked about Ness getting credit (good, bad or otherwise) about his brainchild.
And just for the record... Song's personal choice of ride..the ST1300 :D

[tccox]

Hmmmm, last time I was in the local Victory dealer there were customers complaining about parts falling off their Victorys as they rode them to Myrtle Beach. No thanks, believe I'd take a faster, better handling, better looking, better built Wing any day of the week.

[Sink]

Is it a wing killer? Probably not... Is it a work of art??? I think so! Nice job Micheal Song!! Would I own one? NO! Do I like to look at it?? YES! Victory has some really great stuff out. They have been on the tail of Harley with their innovative ideas (read changes that Harley is afraid to do). Just remember the maintenance schedule.... ride 100 miles..... check oil and tighten EVERYTHING! JMHO

[storm]

It's different but then again so was the Rune - which nobody bought. Now looking at the Rune I kinda like it however the front end is still backwards. The Victory is also different but at least it's not the HD concept of building the same bike year after year with no vision whatsoever. In time the Victory may be accepted - or not. Still not in the GL league, no Vtwin can ever be compaired to a boxer 6

[Earache]

Saw this thing at the Dealer SHow in Indy last week. Hard to believe how big it is until you see it in person. I think it's even uglier in person as well.

I just can't imagine ever wanting a bike like this...

[Maximo]

I kinda like it. The feet forward position is a deal killer for me. though. My spine can't take that kind of abuse anymore. IMO, feet belong under tooshie, where they are functional, not just a statement.

[FL-STRIDER]

I like the free flowing design but IMHO it's a far cry from a Gold Wing Killer. Perhaps a Harley killer....I'll give you that much. CAD design is really having a positive impact on motorcycle shapes.

[John Anthony]

I'll bet people who buy those bikes flip them faster than pancake cooks at a firehouse fund raiser. Those bikes are just plain goofy looking.

John

[Brad Felmey]

The styling doesn't bother me, but I HATE V-twins, of any kind.

[STPaulK]

Saw this thing at the Dealer SHow in Indy last week. Hard to believe how big it is until you see it in person. I think it's even uglier in person as well.

I agree with you. I was first intrigued by the pictures but when I saw it first hand at the show I was put off by the sheer mass of this thing. But what really put me off the most was all the wasted space within the fairing. There was at least 10 inches from the engine to the outside of the lower fairing. It looked to me like they could have narrowed the fairing six inches in on either side and shortened the length by 8 inches and they would have had a "normal-sized" yet stylish looking bike. To place some perspective, the big v-twin motor actually looked "small" buried in the middle of that boat.

I told one of the Polaris guys that the bags looked inefficient. He sort of chortled and said "it's all about the looks baby". I told him good luck with that. :confused:

[Highrider]

Stylish, Yes -Technically and mechanically the Victory is not up to par with a Wing.

[MGDaversa]

Saw the Victory Vision firsthand at the IMS in Rosemont, IL this month and I have to admit, I kinda' liked her looks -- er, in a big-finned Cadillac sort of way. In that regard, it looks like I may be a minority in this group. I do give them credit for trying to build something other than a Harley wannabe.

Goldwing killer? Doubtful. Steal some more sales from the Motor Company? Probably. Sign people up for a free test ride? They didn't have to twist my arm too much. I'm very curious to see how this two-wheeled land yacht handles.

-- MGD

[ligito]

The styling doesn't bother me, but I HATE V-twins, of any kind.



What do you have against the V-Strom?

[dagnabitboy]

I am surprised at the so strong negative reaction from most of you guys, you sound just like Harley guys spouting off about sport bikes. I personally am glad to see a new bike with advanced styling, it's about time something different came along. And like many things that look "out there" at first, they grow on you with time. When I first saw the Valkyrie, I laughed and said you'll never get me on that thing, it looks like a tank. Well, there's been a Valk in my garage for 6 years now, I love it!!

I think the new Victory will be more of a Harley killer than anything. Harley has done little to change or improve their styling over the years, and they charge way to much for their product.

Just my 2 cents worth!

[Brad Felmey]

What do you have against the V-Strom?

It's a V-twin. It's otherwise a nice bike. Too bad the only thing they could scrounge up for it was a leftover SV650 engine.

[storm]

It's like the VTX1800 - bigger is just bigger.

[spd2918]

If look closely at the front, especially the shape and relationship of the of headlights to the mirrors it almost looks like a wild, cartoonish extention of the st1300 nose.

I personally don't like it, but at least it's different.

[storm]

What do you have against the V-Strom?

They spelled my name wrong

[Computer Nerd]

I'm stunned beyond the capacity for rational thought.

Is that the effect they were after?

Here's more pics of it...

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=4209&Page=1

[Mellow]

The styling doesn't bother me, but I HATE V-twins, of any kind.


RC51 ? Come on Brad... ya gotta like that one...

[Mellow]

I am surprised at the so strong negative reaction from most of you guys, you sound just like Harley guys spouting off about sport bikes. I personally am glad to see a new bike with advanced styling, it's about time something different came along. And like many things that look "out there" at first, they grow on you with time. When I first saw the Valkyrie, I laughed and said you'll never get me on that thing, it looks like a tank. Well, there's been a Valk in my garage for 6 years now, I love it!!

I think the new Victory will be more of a Harley killer than anything. Harley has done little to change or improve their styling over the years, and they charge way to much for their product.

Just my 2 cents worth!

Yeah, I'm not crazy about the Vision, I think it would have looked better without the cyclops projector headlamp.

There isn't much out there that would really impact goldwing sales other than what BMW has. Harley has a full dresser bike but I just don't see the same person looking at both bikes seriously. You're either seriously looking at the full dresser harley or you're seriously looking at the wing and LT. At least that's my opinion which doesn't count for much or I'd be selling bikes myself.

Honda is pricing wings in an area that is making them less attractive for me, new anyway, so if anything can kill Goldwing sales, it's Honda.

I'm not sure if I actually made a point, had a point or just drank the first cup of coffee too fast but, well... that's it.. LOL

Oh, I'd like to ride one of these though.. you never know.. it might be a goldwing killer .. :o4:

[sherob]

There are a couple of GW guys that are raving about it... and they are going to shelve the GW for it. The bike itself isn't going to kill GW sales, like Joe said, Honda will. There are alot of unhappy riders with Honda's pricing scheme... options you have to have to get ABS is the biggest... also unhappy about the way Honda took care of the frame issue :rolleyes:

If anything, it'll attract some HD sales... some GW guys will get it because it's different. If it has the engine that is rumored to be installed in it, it will be a nice ride.

It looks like a ST and Ultra offspring ;) It does grow on you after a while... I think it's sharp looking :cool:

[BigTom]

Quote by Beetlejuice
i was kind of thinking Flash Gordon. now i wonder how many here know who im talking about?

I not only remember Flash Gordon, I remember Flesh Gordon:)

I agree with Mellow 100%. The only thing that can kill the 'wing is Honda.

You think we STocs have brand loyalty? Try telling a 'winger that he rides junk. ATGATT, and then some..

:chrfl1: :bump

[George]

I know personally one long time gold wing rider who gave up on Honda COMPLETELY when they couldn't rectify all the problems he had with his 1800. He now rides a Suzuki wee-strom and LOVES it.

[STeve1300]

Hmmm..... I find that I like alot of things that I can not afford. This falls into that list.

[UNTMatt]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

The v-twin will not be as smooth as the GW's engine and everyone will have to wait to see where reliability and performance fall as well.

I agree with everyone that said that the GW and LT were in one market and the Vision and Harley will be in another. At least for a while. Sure, there will be a few to jump ship but not too many.

Honda may kill GW sales with their pricing scheme but I doubt it. If you don't like their price, just buy a slightly used one (I don't agree with it either).

[George]

All gold wing, no ST in that design. They're working hard to kill Harley. Wish'em luck. No threat to Honda (my opinion.)

BTW, they have a large ad in the most recent MotorCyclist rag.

Surprised I haven't seen one, they do test rides in the AZ desert all the time.

[MNwing]

I saw one at First Thursday in May, one of the local dealers had one there and started laughing when I saw it. Its BIG and Ugly from my view point. Lots of people were looking at it, and many seemed to leave smiliing, not sure if they were smiling because they liked or that it's butt ugly.

[loving it]

1 word - (ugly )

[Piveteau]

Naaah, another poser, seating position is the key. Sits like a cruiser, no sport there. Might lure some of the V-twin crowd, but its no ST and certainly not a Wing.

New models always take some gettin used to , but i agree with the cartoon character's ride comments.

[BigTom]

Well, I still haven't seen one "in the wild", just the protos at a couple of shows. The thing has some thought to it, though...

Like tip over bars. Bygdawg isn't going to make a set for the Vison.
Wiring harness. Plug and play for a lot of stuff. You want sound? Harness is there. GPS? Yep. etc.

I have set on one, it is a whole lot prettier from the seat than from the ground. Not that I have any interest, at least until I get a bunch more mature:) It does look like they have taken dead aim on the Ultra guys, the ones that actually put over 1000mi per year on their HD...

[Bones]

The bike isn't my cup of tea, but I give Victory's ad agency points for one of the better headlines in the motorcycle business:

"We're not rewriting American history. We're writing its future."



(Ooooh....that stings a little.)

[EJ's 97ST]

Goldwing killer....I think not. Honda's had a pretty good handle on their design for some time now, but like Joe say's they are gonna price them so high that folk's will be lookin' at trikes or smaller units and hang a side car :rolleyes:. This "V" thing is to much as someone wrote a "boat".The cockpit look's pretty slick but WIDE and it has alot of styling that'll be the catch for the HD group. That thing gets any wider you're gonna have to get door guard trim put on. I still don't understand hanging with belt drive? No thanks, I was, when I found my 1100, looking for a 1500GW.....could'nt pass on the price and the feel of the 1100...sure glad I made one good decision in 95 :cool:

EJ :D

[randyrees]

Arlin Ness needs to be drug tested. Butt Ugly!!!!

[CrashTestDanny]

Not for me...

[Rolling Thunder]

i was kind of thinking Flash Gordon. now i wonder how many here know who im talking about?:eek:

I know.......I even had a Flash Gordon outfit.........:biker:

[Motomem]

Reckon how Victory will keep the engine heat from roasting your legs?

[naturally wired]

i was kind of thinking Flash Gordon. now i wonder how many here know who im talking about?:eek:

Yes I know what your talking about! It was also one of my all time favorite Pins..... http://www.audiovisualizers.com/arcade/pix/flshgor1.jpg



only pic I could find is here....almost on the bottom....I think your talking about a Hawkman Rocket Cycle.......
http://www.coolcinematrash.com/movies/flashgordon.htm


I'm thinking from the front its more like the head of one of the monsters from Pitch Black.....
http://www.pitcherblacker.com/pb/caps/0113.jpg

[Skywriter]

THIIIIIISSSssss......
Is an UGLY bike....
Just my humble...

[CarSalesman]

I don't think Victory's target market is Goldwing owners. The target would be HD Glide owners who are tired of the same old thing, looking for a change. The V-twin is what they like, but the look is new. I think it will do well.

[dpage9040]

I have to agree that the new victory will probably draw more HD owners than Honda. Reliability and performance are hard to give up for a new look..........yet to be proven. Let's see how it shakes out once the newness wears off and there are some on the road.

[thumperjdm]

I can't see that seating position being comfortable for long rides. And looking at that profile shot, I bet it becomes a sail in crosswinds!

[cmguerrero]

I've read quite a bit about the Vision and it's actually nothing by Ness. Micheal Song, the lead Victory designer is the brains behind it all and a bit of interview with him on one site, he comes across irked about Ness getting credit (good, bad or otherwise) about his brainchild.
And just for the record... Song's personal choice of ride..the ST1300 :D

Well, maybe that explains why Michael Song incorporated the exagerrated ST frontal design. There's actually two(2) versions of the Vision, the second version does not have a top case and I think it looks rather sleek. Has anyone seen a GoldWing without it's rear top case? I LOVE IT!!! Would I buy a Vision? Problably not. Would I like to test ride one? Sure I would. I also feel, like many before me in this thread, that Victory is after the HD dresser market. In conclusion, I do give Victory credit for designing something "new & different?. Only the free market will decide if this will be a dud or not, just like the free market decided the fate of that "cruiser type"-(Montauk) from BMW...

[PAYogi]

I'm on the fence on this thing. I applaud Victory for trying. I think the front is a little too wide. I agree the 106 cu in motor looks a little small compared to the mass of the fairing. I don't think it's a GoldWing killer, it will definately not have the performance. but if your looking for a state to state super slab cruiser /traveler. This would be on my short list. It has things like Electric Windshield, (Wing?? NOPE!) Electrically adjustable lowers. (Wing??? Nope)

What ticks me off about the Wing and Honda is that they charge 22K for a bike that Doesn't have some of the technology that my ST or comparably priced BMW's have. I agree Honda is killing the Wing all on it's own.