I'm on a search for a new sled... I've narrowed my choices down to two similar rides. The Victory Cross Country & the HD Street Glide. Both are comparable and should meet my riding needs. As things stand now I ride a bobbed out Boulevard c50 (w/ c90 final drive), but it simply isn't big enough or powerful enough for the amount of riding that I do. I average around 3k miles per month (up to 5k when I have trips or rallies). Plus I would like something bigger so that the wife will feel more comfortable and actually maybe ride with me (thus allowing me to schedule MORE trips and rallies ;) ;) ). My search for my next ride has been a long one... but as I mentioned, I've narrowed it down to two final contestants.

Now, I know a good deal about HD and the Street Glide (I have numerous friends that ride HDs and several who have Street Glides). So I have some experience with them and have a good knowledge base surrounding them. However, when it comes to Victory, I know very little. Rather than speaking with the dealers and reps (they're going to try to sell me) I'd like to get some info from the actual riders. Not to mention the nearest dealer is over an hour away...

I'm sure that there have been numerous questions like the ones that I'm about to pose, but searching hundreds of threads on numerous forums tends to be daunting and laborious. If you'll allow, I'd like to ask and hopefully get answers all in one place.

Before I begin my litany of questions, permit me to tell you a bit about how I ride... as that will illuminate some of the reasoning behind my questions and possibly allow for more detailed answers.

-- I ride year round (except when the snow is on the ground) all the way down to 15deg... without any kind of heated or fancy gear. Just chaps, gloves, and jacket. Rain, sun, torrential downpours, and even hail included.
-- I put roughly 3k+ miles per month on my bike.
-- Since I live in Northern VA, I tend to spend a bit of time in traffic... Which also means that I need a very nimble bike to dodge the plethora of idiots we have here.
-- I take no less than 2 "real" road trips per year, some times more. Each trip lasts approx 5 - 7 days. So the bike must carry my gear well (kinda tired of stuffing one little roll bag with 7 days of clothes and having to leave the rain gear, etc behind)
-- I ride the twisties with aggression and the regular roads like I'm demon possessed and Michael himself is chasing me.
-- I do ALL of my service work myself. I LOVE being able to wrench on my own bike and take pride in keeping it running myself. Besides, wrench parties are a great excuse for some brews, bbq, and stogies with my buddies.

My questions regarding the Cross Country.

1) How much wind and weather protection does the fairing offer (especially compared to the Street Glide)? Buffetting an issue? Are windshield lowers an option to fix this (not fairing lowers like what you see attached to highway bars)?

2) I've read that the Vics require an oil and filter change every 2500mi... Is this true? (seems awfully low). There are also numerous arguments over various oil types and clutch slip with those types. If I run nothing but Vic oil - what is the cost for enough oil + filter? (Since I put on more than that every month this will be a big deal)

Any other oils to change? The HD has 3. 2 must be changed every 3k... and all 3 every third oil change.

How often does the belt need to be replaced or adjusted? Can this be done by myself?

3) That pesky engine whine - sounds like a hybrid engine - when you twist the throttle... Please tell me this goes away???? I imagine it is annoying!!! How are the aftermarket for pipes (I hate "too quite" bikes).

4) I've read some reviews that state that the CC outhandles the Street Glide - any merit to this? Strengths / weaknesses?

5) Stock seat for long trips... how comfortable and what if any are recommended replacements?

6) How difficult are these things to work on. The HD's are super easy. How complicated are the Vics - i.e. I know the air filter is under the tank (WTF?) what else should I be aware of?

7) Aftermarket stuffs. I took a gander at the pricing for stuff like sissy bar backrests and highway pegs at the Victory site and OMG!!! They are WAY over priced. How is the support coming along (I know there isn't a lot now - that I know of - b/c the CC is so new)?

8) How does the bike handle temps below 20deg F and over 100deg F?

9) What are some of the little quirks or pains that the CC has?

10) I assume that that nasty tranny whine that Vic had a few years ago is fixed, right??

11) The sound system. Just how good is it, really? Any hiccups here - especially when it comes to iPhone hookups?

And finally. What are some of your favorite and least favorite things about this bike and about Victory in general? Especially when compared to the Street Glide. Thanks for letting me take up your time, and I appreciate your responses. This will make my decision that much easier!

Here ya go



My questions regarding the Cross Country.

1) How much wind and weather protection does the fairing offer (especially compared to the Street Glide)? Buffetting an issue? Are windshield lowers an option to fix this (not fairing lowers like what you see attached to highway bars)?
Take one out for a test ride that way you can make an informed decision based on your personal parameteres. Test rides are encouraged by Corporate and the dealers. It is Victory's strongest selling tool!

2) I've read that the Vics require an oil and filter change every 2500mi... Is this true? (seems awfully low). There are also numerous arguments over various oil types and clutch slip with those types. If I run nothing but Vic oil - what is the cost for enough oil + filter? (Since I put on more than that every month this will be a big deal)

Any other oils to change? The HD has 3. 2 must be changed every 3k... and all 3 every third oil change.

How often does the belt need to be replaced or adjusted? Can this be done by myself?
Yes, every 2500 miles. The engine and tranny share the same oil about 4.5 quarts. I have NEVER heard or personally know of any Victory clutch slippage with the Victory oil. I have heard and been mechanic to many bikes that slipped with other brands.
Belt adjustment is recommended about every 30k miles. You can do it yourself easily.

3) That pesky engine whine - sounds like a hybrid engine - when you twist the throttle... Please tell me this goes away???? I imagine it is annoying!!! How are the aftermarket for pipes (I hate "too quite" bikes).
Gear drive is going to whine it is the nature of the beast. There are no belts to break in the Victory engine. Take it or leave it. There are a lot of aftermarket pipes on the market. Type in Victory exhaust in you tube and you will find a LOT of sound bites.


4) I've read some reviews that state that the CC outhandles the Street Glide - any merit to this? Strengths / weaknesses?
Once again this would be based off of your personal preference. Go test ride the bike you want.


5) Stock seat for long trips... how comfortable and what if any are recommended replacements?
Again personal preference. Some love stock some hate it. Almost all seat manufacturers make seats for Victory, Corbin, Mustang etc.


6) How difficult are these things to work on. The HD's are super easy. How complicated are the Vics - i.e. I know the air filter is under the tank (WTF?) what else should I be aware of?
Coming from a person that 4 years ago had NO knowledge of bike maintenance whatsoever. They are extremely easy to work on

7) Aftermarket stuffs. I took a gander at the pricing for stuff like sissy bar backrests and highway pegs at the Victory site and OMG!!! They are WAY over priced. How is the support coming along (I know there isn't a lot now - that I know of - b/c the CC is so new)?
Take a look at my signature.


8) How does the bike handle temps below 20deg F and over 100deg F?
Get out of the HD mindset. :ltr: These are MODERN V-twins that operate in all weather conditions with no problems


9) What are some of the little quirks or pains that the CC has?
Dirt management from under the seat and buffeting. Lowers are already available that all but eliminate buffeting. See Kewlmetal.

10) I assume that that nasty tranny whine that Vic had a few years ago is fixed, right??
You basically already asked this question. The tranny is all gear driven and the whine is the nature of the beast. Take it or leave it.

11) The sound system. Just how good is it, really? Any hiccups here - especially when it comes to iPhone hookups?
Got nothing here for ya BUT again take a test ride with your ipod.

And finally. What are some of your favorite and least favorite things about this bike and about Victory in general? Especially when compared to the Street Glide. Thanks for letting me take up your time, and I appreciate your responses. This will make my decision that much easier!
DEALERSHIP NETWORK!!!! There are far and few in between.

Diamond,

Thanks for the response!

I do plan on taking a test ride when time permits (hopefully sooner rather than later). Unfortunately test rides don't tell everything. They're great indicators but don't give the whole picture especially when it comes to quirks or other things that you just can't tell on a picturesque sunny day. Like how it handles in the rain or cold. That's why I ask the personal preference questions. It helps me to price out the other items (i.e. a Mustang seat & pipes) to figure that into my decision. While people will have differing opinions there is usually some form of consensus that will help me to better inform myself. Even when there isn't it is just something for me to look into when I do test ride and to watch out for. All of which make for a better informed purchase ;).

Once again, thanks for the information! I'll have to look into the whole dirt management thing... that is something that I hadn't heard of before.

Just my .02, I own a CC. Love the way it handles. I've ridden the SG and CC wins hands down in the handliing dept. My buddy owns a SG and I quote " I'm not a leaner, when it comes to corners, but the CC begs you to lean into the corners". Haven't owned it long enoughto know all the little quirks, but they are easy to work on. Very well balanced and so far the seat feels fine to me. As far as cost of the pretty extras, sure they are pricey, but HD sure doesn't give their stuff away either. My buddy is a Harley guy and wouldn't buy anything else, but he sure did like my ride A LOT!

3 K on mine no complaints.. However opinions are just like azzholes.
Find a dealer who rents them and give it a couple day ride it is going to be your bike, you need to make up your own mind.:confused:

Pass, I just re read my response to you and I want to apologize if I came off a bit harsh. It wasn't my intention at all.

Like Wesdalron said, find a dealer that will let you take the bike out for an extended period. I've heard of dealers that will let you take the bike for a day or two for $50.00.

We all have our own riding style, likes and dislikes. Its a matter of personal preference.

I'm a good example. I've heard a lot of people complain about wide tire bikes. I personally don't have a problem with mine. As a matter of fact I went from the stock 250mm on the 8.5 wheel to a 280mm on a 10.5 wheel. No complaints and I have over 25k miles on her and at least half of that on the 280mm. Doesn't sound like a lot of mileage for a 4 year old bike but consider she has been down 20 of those months for customizing.

Another example directly related to your questions. I have the Ness Gunfighter seat. I did an an 800 mile round trip on that seat and had NO problems. I've heard others that can't stand the seat after 20 miles! I guess I have a tuff butt!! LOL :ltr::ltr::ltr::ltr:

Its personal preference!

Thanks for all of the input, guys! I appreciate it!

I didn't realize that Vic dealers renter 'em out. I'll have to give my nearest dealer a call and see about renting one for a day or two. That would definitely let me get in a good test. Hopefully they have Cross Country's for rent. That would rock!!

Not all dealers rent them out. Its actually a test project in a certain area of the US but I forget where.

Not all dealers rent them out. Its actually a test project in a certain area of the US but I forget where.

I did some googling and it looks like AZ is the area that is actually doing it. :(

Arlen Ness in Las Vegas rents them, good excuse to go for a vacation to Vegas and do it. I was down and visited with them a few month's ago. Great people!:)

Anyone seen the cory ness cross country? OMG it is sweet and now my dream bike, not sure on price or if its available yet but i want one.

pass , I traded a rg for my cc and just a test ride with your wife on the back will let you know . Ive got close to 500 miles on her now and still impressed every time I ride .I live in a curvy , hilly
area and still havent touched anything like floorboards or exhaust .
wind management on both bikes are about the same . (need taller shield )
the seat is better on the cc . bags are easier to open (and bigger)
I found that after riding the hd changing the bars was a must !
allot of people use wildone chubby 575 on the sg .the only thing I miss is the sound of the HD .Good luck with whatever you get . Also the stock 96 is even close to the performance of the 106

Actually the pics of the bike were out before the Xbikes hit the showroom.