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Researching Victory's...

2K views 17 replies 12 participants last post by  sheets 
#1 ·
Hello there. Not currently a Victory owner, but here to research for purchase. Recently bought a new '14 Yamaha VStar 950 for wife and I. Price was right and thought we would just do around town riding. Well, even that required upgrades to make enjoyable for the wife. And now we want to do more road trips and the 950 just not cutting it, even with upgrades (seat, passenger floorboards, backrest, bags, etc).

So, instead of putting more money in this bike we are looking for more. We don't find ourselves as HD riders, Yamaha doesn't have a bike with options we want and the Victory seems to have everything in the XCT.

Have a friend with one and he and his wife really like it. Just met another guy today on one and he loves his. Plus we have The Vic Shop close to us!

So, that is what we are thinking and wanted to introduce myself. So, if there anything to watch out for or think about looking at the XCT's?

Thanks,


Sent from space on my com link.
 
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#2 ·
I have a 14 cross country, I moved up from a victory cross roads. I should of down it right the first time and bought the cross country. The tour does have everything on it. Go and test ride one with your wife. They ride great and handle well at slow speed. Victory does have some good rebates going on now. My dealer told me from October 24-31 their hero rebate is for those who are or were in the military, law, or fire or rescue goes fro $1000 to $1500 during that time. I also believe the XCT base rebate is now $1500. Something to check out.
Good Luck and ride safe..
 
#3 ·
great bikes

my 13 Hammer is my first Vic + i love it! you may want to look into preowned models for some nice savings, but trading in is far easier than selling outright. there is a breakdown by years somewhere but generally newer models are said to be better. read + learn although most posts on most forums deal with issues, tips on upgrading + happy owners seldom comment.
 
#4 ·
That is one thing we decided with the tour. It has all the basics we want instead of starting with say the XC, then adding top box, passenger floorboards, etc. plus heated grips and seat would be nice, especially for the wife. Definitely researching this purchase more than we did the last one. Get some stuff from start instead of adding later when we know we want it.

And, of course, my friend with the XCT said take it straight to The Vic Shop for exhaust, intake, cams, and tune! Sounds good to me!


Sent from space on my com link.
 
#5 ·
If you are looking for a two-up bike, look no farther than the Cross Country Tour. For fewer $, the regular Cross Country with the Lock & Ride backrest. This isn't anything nit to like, except the horn. But that's easy to cure.
 
#6 ·
First and foremost: RIDE ONE! :D
To set the stage, I really wanted an Ultra Classic.


XCT Pros:
- Much more room for me. I'm just over 6' and 360lbs. Plenty of room for me. I was kind of cramped on the Harley

- Reliablity. Cam chain tensioners that run almost the entire length of the chain, unlike Harley's tiny tensioner

- Handling. Handles even better than my 2002 GoldWing 1800. Very crisp, accurate handling.

- Unique. Not everyone has one.

- Easy to work on.

- Three (3) 12v accessory plugs! One in the fairing, one in the trunk, and one in the left-side lower.

XCT Cons:
- Overhead valve engine is "ticky". If you aren't used to it, you might think something is wrong. There isn't.

- ECM doesn't like "blipping" - bike may stall. Easily improved with a fuel controller and ATS (adjustable timing wheel)

- Aftermarket Parts. This is one area that is starting to get a great following of aftermarket stuff but it is only recently so.

- Resale Value (or lack thereof). Not an issue for me; I bought it to ride, not to invest.

- Rattles. Some of the saddlebag or trunk lids may rattle after a while. Mine does if I hit a bump. No big deal for me.

- Saddle bag latch. Right-side saddle bag latches wear out prematurely. There is a recall for this issue.

- Horn. Stock horn sucks. Sounds like a wimpy 'meep meep' horn. Easily fixed :)

- Dealer support. Dealers seem hit-or-miss for service issues. Mine has only been there 2 times; once when it was delivered new, and once for the 500-mile check up. I have almost 25,000 on it now with no issues.

Yep, I listed more Cons than Pros. Don't worry about it; the scale is totally leaning in the Pros direction :)
 
#7 ·
To that I add almost 5 inches of suspension travel front AND rear that provides for a comfortable ride and great handling in the twistys. Power, lots of it and cheap and easy to obtain more.
 
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#8 ·
Room and ergonomics are something else very high on my list. I want a bike that lets me relax and not feel cramped. Don't want my feet right under me or straight down. And will let me stretch out without having to add all kinds of aftermarket stuff.

With the XC (have not ridden, but have sat on some), I like how you sit in the bike, not on it; handle bar reach seems just right, and I love the huge, forward, up angled driver's floorboards with controls where they should be. I want to feel part of the bike, not just sitting on the bike.

I am 6' 1", 34" inseam - much more upper body and arm length than legs. And weigh in about 250 lbs currently. I want room, I don't want to feel like I am bigger than the bike, and even more so when we are riding two up.

And as long as we have the basics we want to start with along with the "regular" upgrades (exhaust, cams, tuner, windshields, etc), then I am happy. And I have read about the saddle bags rattle. Not real hip on that, but don't think that or the left leg heat should be turn offs.

Plus, I think it is the most beautiful bagger/tourer out there right now. Puts anything HD, Honda, Kawasaki, etc have - at least in my eye...
 
#10 ·
I am essentially the same size as you, just 2" taller and i have no issues with space and "breathing room". I love the bike and even when 2 up it still feels stable even though I assumed it would feel top heavy. Go ride the XCT and take your wallet, you will need it I promise you will buy it.
 
#12 ·
Y'all are a good 3 inches taller than I am and I'm looking at a CCT as well so will I feel lost in it? The nearest dealer didn't have one for me to test so waiting to do that as he is building up one now but you tall dudes have me concerned. I did sit on a Vision and it DID feel huge. But I'll be testing both when the CCT is ready.
 
#13 ·
Undertall

Viccowboy, As an "under tall" rider, (5' 6"), the CCT fits me like a comfy pair of jeans. I did put a 2 in drop link in her and went with the Heli bars to bring them close enough for max comfort. My HD riding pals were amazed at how well my scoot fits me.
 
#16 ·
45º says I should be fine then. But I was more worried about placement on the seat in relation to the bars. I'm short waist'ed but long legged so seat to ground normally isn't a problem but reach sometimes is.

I'm sure there's something that can be done if it is a problem. It's not like these just hit the market. It's just taken some of us time to warm to the idea of something other than a Harley.

I've never been that beholding to that company though but I can't just jump up and buy a new bike at the drop of a hat either. I'm looking forward to my test rides to help put some of these concerns to rest.
 
#18 ·
After a year of reading the forums and other reviews - with nary a negative word, I purchased my XCT - sans test ride. I knew I did good before I made it a half-mile out of the parking lot of the shop. Slow speed maneuvering is amazing. Ergos fit me like a tailor made glove. Styling is uber cool. Have done 400 mile days on the stock seat with no issues. The bike is beautiful, and overall comfort defies description. With only 7200 miles on the clock the oem tires look to be about 50%. Plenty of engine performance to suit me. The wifeunit is 100% happy on her end as well. After riding a thirsty Valkyrie I'm quite pleased with the fuel economy as well. Can't say enough about it. Ride one - you'll buy one. If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand. Yrmv, sheets
 
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