I've been drooling over Victory bikes now for 6 months. I've been fortunate enough to to the Fuel and Rides and have narrowed my choice to either a XC or a new 2009 Ness Vision.

I got to ride the 2011 Ness Vision and enjoyed it a bunch. The 2009 color scheme just blows me away. Here are my questions:

1) Does the 2009 Ness Vision have the same specs of seat height and ground clearance as the 2011? I've seen countradictory data that the 2009 has the 5.8" ground clearance with a 26.5 seat height but the data also says that the seat sits 1" lower that the standard 2009 vision. The 2011 Ness has the same seat height and ground clearance as the Vision 8 ball. I'm slightly concerned about the lower ground clearance of the V8B. It would be cool if the 2009 Ness sits at 5.8" with an actual seat height of 25.5".

2) Can I put a standard Vision trunk on the 2009 Ness?

Anyone know the facts?

Thanks,

Jeff (JS5owner)

Yes you can put a trunk on the ness bike or the 8 ball.
The seat height on the ness is the same as the 8 ball.
Have fun ridding and when you buy a new one get them to throw in the first 500 mile check up it will save you money

Yes you can put a trunk on the ness bike or the 8 ball.
The seat height on the ness is the same as the 8 ball.
Have fun ridding and when you buy a new one get them to throw in the first 500 mile check up it will save you money

So the ground clearance is 4.8" instead of the standard 5.8"?

A good friend of mine has a '09 Vision premium that he bought new for around $19K. I have found a '09 Ness that I "think" I can buy for $17K. Seems like a no-brainer but I am concerned on actual value. Is there a place that I can go to that shows what this bike might bring in the current market (like a black book)? I do have access to Manheim MMR but no '09 Vision have gone through there so...

A good friend of mine has a '09 Vision premium that he bought new for around $19K. I have found a '09 Ness that I "think" I can buy for $17K. Seems like a no-brainer but I am concerned on actual value. Is there a place that I can go to that shows what this bike might bring in the current market (like a black book)? I do have access to Manheim MMR but no '09 Vision have gone through there so...

NADA Guides: http://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles

Kelly Blue Book: http://www.kbb.com/motorcycle

Thanks. Not as much of a "no-brainer" as I had thought.

FYI - It sold for $17,600 and had a number of additional "options" beyond the standard Ness

So the ground clearance is 4.8" instead of the standard 5.8"?

Kinda reviving this with further data. From the parts list, it seems the 2009 Ness Vision has a rear shock with a part number of 1542903 whereas the 2010/11 Ness and 8ball have a part number of 1542904. So, could it be that the 2009 Ness Vision has the same ground clearance of the 2009 Vision BUT with a 1" lower change in seat design?

The point being, if it uses the same shock as standard, how did they get it lower, different bracket???

Any thoughts?

I know, I'm nuts about data...<grin>

I just got the 2009 Ness Vision that I've been drooling over. What a cool ride... pics will follow.

As it turns out, the 2009 Ness seat is 1" lower than the stock. The bike itself has the same ground clearance as the standard Vision. In 2010, 2011 the Ness is 1" lower on ground clearance as well. The seat height is 25.5 on the 2009 Ness vs 24.5 on 2010, 2011 Ness and the Vision 8 Ball.

BTW, I'm really digging the 2009 leather seat. It is firm and has a really comfortable high back. It reminds me of my mustang seat on my old vstar.