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8K views 105 replies 14 participants last post by  THOM9SRBA 
#1 · (Edited)
I've been on here for a couple of months, but this is my first post. I currently ride an M109R but looking at an XCT for a second bike. I want the XCT for my wife and I to take longer, weekend trips. I'm looking at the XCT over the XC mainly because it is the only way I can get black and chrome. The trunk should come in handy when the wife is with me. (can never have enough storage for that! :grin ) I'll probably pull the trunk off when I'm riding solo tho.

I've been test riding several touring bikes. I've ruled out everything I've ridden so far. They are all either uncomfortable, don't fit me, or are complete dogs in the performance department.

I haven't gotten a test ride on a XC or XCT yet, but the XCT at my local dealership fits me and seems very comfortable in stock form. I can't believe how much leg room there is with those floorboards! I have an out of state friend who has an XCT and has done the Lloyds cams, timing wheel, intake, D&D slip on exhaust, programmer, and a dyno tune. He is a former M109R rider and said his XCT will hang with an M109R. I'm planning to follow his lead with the performance mods.

Hopefully, I won't get too carried away with the mods the way I did with my M109R! Here is a picture of it.

 
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#6 ·
If you get that Victory, your M109R will collect dust. Might as well use it for trading stock. :)
 
#10 ·
stunning 109. i have seen a couple locally and that is bar-none the best i have seen.. absolutely gorgeous!!
 
#12 ·
Thanks! thumb up

Noticed you are Navy. Hospital Corpsman 91-95 here.


Not the best video, but here is a walk around and a demo of the remote controlled air ride at the end. I still had air in the rebound side so it didn't go up as fast as it normally does.

 
#15 ·
You must have spent $150 on modding that bike. :)
 
#20 ·
My guess Posie, is you are younger than 50 years. It was somewhere in the mid 60s that they stopped teaching humor in the schools, along with civics, history and economics and you are a product of that. So I'm gonna let you squirm and hate some more. Tee Hee.
 
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#21 ·
I didn't realize I was in the presence of greatness! :not worthy:

I guess they didn't teach spelling way back then... Unless you are trying to say something else. :rolleyes:

There is no need to guess on my age, just click my profile if you haven't already. My age has been posted since I signed up back in July. No big mystery there.

Just want to thank you for such a warm welcome! thumb up
 
#22 · (Edited)
Take a dig at - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

Take a chill pill - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Get+Used+to+It

Women in the Wind Motorcycle Riders Group (Woodbridge, VA) | Meetup

:grin

PS. If your local dealer has no bikes to take out on a good test ride, hit the Victory website and go through them. By the way, there is a test ride scheduled for Woodbridge VA this weekend. Also Chesapeake VA in October.
http://www.victorymotorcycles.com/en-us/events/demo-rides
 
#23 ·
Take a dig at - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

Take a chill pill - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

Get Used to It | encyclopedia article by TheFreeDictionary

Women in the Wind Motorcycle Riders Group (Woodbridge, VA) | Meetup

:grin

PS. If your local dealer has no bikes to take out on a good test ride, hit the Victory website and go through them. By the way, there is a test ride scheduled for Woodbridge VA this weekend. Also Chesapeake VA in October.
demo rides | Victory Motorcycles
Thanks for posting the demo day info! I checked it a month or two ago and there was nothing listed anywhere close to me. Both of those are a couple hours away, but that's not too bad. I'll definitely be at one of them!

As for the other links, I'm just having some fun with the old coot... :grin
 
#24 ·
Welcome Poseidon, nice ride mate ?? I understand you don't wanna get rid of that bike ... and a good decision to get a second bike for touring and long rides ...

note this site is a good one, and quite a bit of humour , ha ha ha

Andre
@
TaPaTaLk
 
#27 ·
Thanks!

thats affirmative. Elec Tech Bubblehead from 94-2002. One of the last graduating companies out of Orlando. Then stationed out of King's Bay for the rest of my sentence. lol thumb up
Sounds like they don't move folks around like they used to. I had the following duty stations:
Great Lakes - Boot Camp and Corps School
Naval Hospital Millington, TN
Fort Sam Houston - Phase 1 C-School
Naval Hospital San Diego - Phase 2 C-School
Naval Hospital Okinawa Japan
Separated from Portsmouth, VA

That is a lot of moving in just shy of 5 years!

OP, it you are sure you're going to one of the demo rides, call ahead of time and see if you have to put your name on a list. The last time they were here many people who showed up on the Saturday were SOL because all the available slots for the entire day had been already reserved over the phone.
Thanks! Glad you posted that. All of the ones I've been to here in the Richmond area have had a lot of openings. Never would have thought to call and reserve a spot.
 
#26 ·
OP, it you are sure you're going to one of the demo rides, call ahead of time and see if you have to put your name on a list. The last time they were here many people who showed up on the Saturday were SOL because all the available slots for the entire day had been already reserved over the phone.
 
#28 ·
The 106 doesn't produce the shoulder-dislocating grunt of the Zook's 109", but you won't be disappointed. Especially not when you figure in the premium-sport-sedan-quality handling and basically nonexistent maintenance schedule. A few reasonably low-dollar mods and you'll close to the power gap too...not all the way, but respectably.

Dig your Zook. I like M109s, but I definitely knew I wanted a bagger when I traded my Vulcan.
 
#29 ·
Thanks!

My friend told me the same thing. He said it would take about $3k in mods and a trip to Lloyds to be close to M109 performance. That is exactly what I'm looking for. It doesn't have to have as much grunt as my M109, but I want it to be in same ball park. Everything I test rode has been a disappointment so far. The sport touring bikes have been the closest so far, but the RPM's have to be really high before you feel any power. There is absolutely nothing down low in the RPM range. I did a test ride on a street glide this past spring. Do I even have to say what a disappointment that was?!?! It was a really nice bike, but it felt like it was designed for someone 5'2" that could care less about performance. I'm 6'2" and felt like I was 7'2" riding a Vespa with a light rumble to it. Hahaha!

Since my wife has started riding with me, something with some storage is a must. Passenger comfort is high on the list too. Fewer stops that way. I'm also looking forward to the handling, as most of our longer trips are up in the mountains on the twisty roads. thumb up
 
#30 ·
I had to spend most of my Navy enlistment at a tiny CT radio station in the mountains of Oahu, Hawaii. Damn, that was tough duty. :) (That last sentence was in jest, Posie)
Then, for the last few months, I was a Flag's communicator on the Big T, the USS Ticonderoga CVA-14, a WWII carrier that took Kamikaze hits in the Pacific war.
I fly two flags at my house: a 50 star and a 48 star as that's the one I served under and also the guys who made sure we continue to speak and write American.
I'm the Old Navy.
 
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#31 ·
"The Old Navy" is a relative statement. Even if you compare when I was in to the present day, a LOT has changed!

Okinawa was pretty tough duty too! Had about the same climate as the Florida keys. Spent a good portion of my time off out in the ocean free diving.
 
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#36 ·
What are the HM and FMS ratings? Inquiring minds want to know. :)
 
#38 ·
An owie fixer you were, eh Posie? :)
 
#47 ·
I have seen your 109 over the years on the 109 site. You do realize that there is no know cure for MOD Disease and buying a different bike only makes it worse.
 
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#53 ·
Good luck Posie--hope you get to do a test on more than one if you like. Report back with your impressions.
 
#56 ·
If these were demo bikes that came off the demo semi. You'll have to keep in mind a 1000 other guys have rodes these bike with maybe no maintenance down to them. Probably had low tire pressure and loose fitting parts.
As for your wobbling I'm guessing your just use to the bike and would be fine after a few days with it.
Most all bikes create heat your sitting on a oven sort of speaking.
Yes windshields with flips are not made to look threw. Either over or under.
You should go for another test ride even ride one with out wife. I rode 5 vision before I bought one.
 
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#57 ·
These were all 2017's with 1000 - 1500 miles, but I do understand what your saying. I saw one dropped right in front of me after all.

I might get used to the wobbling, but why? Especially when the Magnum is so better balanced. I'm not sure if it is because it is lowered, bigger front wheel, lighter, or all of the above. There is definitely a difference in the balance of the two bikes tho.

The heat was only an issue on the Touring models with the lowers on them. Heat wasn't an issue on the Magnums I rode.
 
#58 ·
Thanks for that very well detailed review Posie. Back in 2010 when my XR was new, I got hit by a cell phone distracted 18 year old girl in daddy's Mercedes and good insurance. Still working on the slush fund those scrapes and bruises got me. But I digress.
I came into Victory by way of cancer that made riding a tall, heavy, top heavy Yammy Venture Royale too intimidating and I needed a lower seat height, lower CofG and (due to my weakness at the time) a bike that's easy to lift off the stand. The XR won that contest way ahead of all the others I checked out and I checked out a ton of 'em. The XR isn't made anymore, but unless you really want the fairing that a XC has, there are used ones out there. Just a suggestion from one who is very happy with his light on its feet XR.
About engine performance: Vics take about 3K miles to fully break in. If the demos had less, they are still tight. Re wobble; the only bikes I rode that did that had low tire pressures. Loose steering head bearings will do that too. I also wonder how well the rear shocks were aired up.
 
#61 ·
Sounds like you have had a tough road over the last few years. Glad you persevered!

I do like the fairing, but I still like some wind therapy too. I think that is why the shorter screen appealed to me better. The stereo is a nice feature. I wouldn't use it all the time, but certain routes need a sound track to go with them. Other times, I prefer to let the motor do the singing. thumb up

None of the demo bikes had over 3000 miles. I think the X1 was the highest mileage I saw and it was right at 2000 miles.

Tire pressure could have been the issue, but it definitely wasn't just me that noticed it. I spoke to 5 other guys that rode one or both of the XCT's and they all said the exact same thing about the slow speed balance. Shocks felt fine on the XCT's. If anything, I would say the shock rode firmer than the Magnums did. I have nothing to compare it to, other than the 4 bikes I rode yesterday.
 
#59 ·
have to agree that the Vision is by far the best balanced bike I ever "borrowed" .... felt like a kid riding my bicycle ... I love the handling of the Vision ....

I enjoyed reading the write-up very much, my 2 cent's, from the American Vtwin then Victory is by far the winner, handling, power, mods, LOOKS ....

but by world choices & standards & handling .... it's a air cooled Vtwin, you can't compare a Kawasaki 1200cc touring bike, or Vmax, with our bikes ... sad to say Victory & Harleys could learn a lot from other bikes all over the world, so my point of view is only compare Vic's & HD, leave the other bikes out of the ballpark ??

Andre
@
TaPaTaLk
 
#62 ·
I didn't ride the Vision. Never have really liked the look of them. It looks a little better with the tour pack off, but then you are limited to those tinny bags that look like they should be 3 times bigger than they really are. (when viewed from the outside)

I definitely agree with you on the American V-twin when it comes to HD and Victory. I haven't riden an Indian, so I can't say anything there. Never have been into the 50's retro styling of the Indian or a lot of the HD's for that matter. The only American option I would pick would be Victory. I would love to have the performance of a V-Max with the tank size, comfort, and styling of a Victory! Hot Rod Bagger!!! :grin thumb up

With the direction Polaris is taking Victory, something similar to that may not be that much of a stretch in the not so distant future!
 
#65 ·
I'm not surprised about low air in dealer/demo bikes. Whenever I'm going to rent a bike, such as in Hawaii, I take with me an accurate air gauge and check the tires and suspension. Tires are ALWAYS low and the suspensions usually have no air. So much for those rental agencies' concern for customer safety. These days, you're on your own folks.
 
#66 ·
nice write-up @Poseidon

I've never ridden the XCT, but I have had my XR's luggage rack heavily packed. I didn't really notice excessive top-heaviness, and like others have noted low tire pressure would surely make it wallow at low speed. I had a rear flat on mine just a few weeks back, and lemme tell ya, that created a marked difference in handling. :ltr:

Magnum is also lowered, so consider that when comparing the low-speed handling. The same parts fit on the XC and XCT and some guys like that arrangement better. I'm personally not willing to give any ground clearance in the trade though.
 
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