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Now I dun did it! PLUS...my 1st post!

13K views 48 replies 14 participants last post by  TheMike 
#1 · (Edited)
I just bought a 2012 Ness Vision. The one I wanted and searched long and hard for.

A little back ground. I have had 3 Wings in the past ('82, '94, and an '03). Ended up selling the last one within a year of getting it (late '93) due to expecting our 1st and only child. I loved the Wings and never expected to get another bike as I don't enjoy riding much on my own. If my wife can't enjoy it with me I tend not to do it.

Last year I began considering a bike for my 43 mile one way commute to work. Entirely highway and living in Colorado riding can be most of the year.

I knew for that another wing was over kill so I dropped the idea to my retired father who had a '03 VTX 1800c. He too was always a Wing rider so when he said he liked it more than his Wings, it got me curious.

More looking and searching was proving interesting. To make a long story short, I bought the X off him for a very fair price. Like new, with a few mods, and less than 9k miles on the 8 year old ride.

Since I have had it about a year now, and really love the bike, my wife started showing interest in learning to ride herself. Another long story short, she now rides herself on her own '12 Shadow Spirit 750. Her bike is Orange like my X. I set up my X for towing a matching Bushtec. My daughter rides with me, and my wife rides her own. The bikes have become our family togetherness avenue.

This summer was filed with about 6k miles of traveling as a family on the bikes. I put more miles on the X in less than a year than my dad did with it for 8 years.

The X is more than capable riding two up and hauling the trailer filled to capacity. Quite well actually. I fell in love with the big twin. The power, the sound etc. The only gripe I could find is that for an adult on the back, it's less than comfy for them like it is for me on the front.

My 62 year old Mom enjoying a family trip with my family.


I test drove a new wing and found I was more comfy on the X and nothing beats the 1800 giddy-up and go. That Wing ship has sailed.

I miss the creature comforts of the Wing though. Yes, we have intercoms and all that's available using Sena's BlueTooth headsets. BUT, my X at 75 is cranking out 3500 rpm's and get a little over 30 MPG with a 3 gal tank when traveling loaded. Having to fill it every day I ride it to work gets old (~90 miles round trip).

I like to ride in cooler weather too. 40 degrees is not out of my comfort zone. The X does a pretty good job protecting me but I believe it can be much better.

Somehow I came across a Victory while reading on my favorite VTX sites. It got my attention. Never noticed them.

So over the last couple of weeks I have been looking, reading, researching and asking about the Victorys. The XC was my first burst of my energy. It was like my VTX but with bags and with the electronics I missed. I was smitten.

Then I saw a Vision. "Interesting" I told myself. Like the Wing but in the big twin category I'm in love with now.

After adding up all my desired features and stuff, I realized that I quickly got out of my financial comfort zone. If I was going to spend close to 30k on a bike, I should see what else is out there.

No matter what I looked at, I kept comparing it to the VTX and the VV.

I don't want to get rid of the VTX. They aren't made any more, are rare, and just about bullet proof if maintained. But I still miss my creature comforts. Hmmmmm

Once I decided to narrow down my search, I focused on the Ness VV. I likes the uniqueness of the bike that's for sure and it came with most of the things I would have added to the non Ness VV.

Crap, the 2013 is RED. I don't want RED. My trailer is orange, my wife's bike is orange, I LIKE ORANGE BIKES! Shoot me.

Wait, the '12 Ness VV is orange. I wonder if I can find one. Yea right. Hearing that nice incentives were out there before to encourage their sales for the '13's meant not a chance. I was right.

I called many states asking. Nope. None around. A web search brought me to a dealership in the UK! Yes, the UK. Web was wrong. Nothing available.

Then I thought about Canada. They are sold there. Maybe I'll get lucky considering their season is short. I called BC...nothing in the entire providence. Then I called AB. Nothing in that providence either.

Let's face it, they are all gone! Just about when I was going to hang up the phone with the AB guy, he said, "wait, my system shows there's one in OHIO!". I said a few bad words then called the dealership he pointed me too.

He said, "yep, looking right at it". Holy crap batman!!

The one and only thing that concerned and still concerns me a bit is the fact it's a demo. I've seen how vehicles are demo'd. Gentle doesn't belong in describing how bikes are demo's.

It was a very fair price. Incentives were also available to include the military credit. I couldn't get passed the demo thing though.

Voicing this concern he said it wasn't that kind of demo. They don't demo the Ness's like I was thinking. How in the world can a 2012 have 5900 miles being a demo. He explained that he wasn't sure but he knew of Dyno miles by the company (for various reasons) or even Execs using it. He assured me it's as good as new. No marks, scratches, ware, etc.

Will see next week when I pick it up and ride it home for the 1300 mile trip (2 days).

In addition to the bike as it comes, I talked them into adding the following:

- Reverse Kit
- Driver Backrest
- Saddlebag liners and bags
- Trunk liner and bag
- Street Trunk Kit
- XM Radio
- iPod connect kit
- Bluetooth Dongle setup
- Passenger backrest setep (when trunk is off)
- HID
- Stage 1 setup but with D&D pipes
- and finally a Shoei Neotec helmet

I know some are gonna wonder price.....OK, I'll tell. $26k out the door.

I'm heading there shortly to pick it up. Then I have 1400 miles to ride it home over a little over 2 days. Should prove to be fun trip. Hoping for good weather as the forecast shows mid 50's - 60's along the route with little chance of precip.

I have a Dongle setup question that I'm looking for actual experience with. Since I have so far to ride in a short time, I won't have much extra time to fiddle and experiement so I'll be looking for facts. A quick setup then go type of thing.

I'll post that question HERE.

I know it's not a new thing to you but here are a few pics of it as it sits right now (before upgrades and addons)











I'm new to this forum but not to forums in general. Once I get involved I really get involved. These forums are absolutely the best source for just about anything topic specific.

I really hope the orange matches the trailer. I had the bushtec paint matched at build time. We shall see.

Cheers!
 
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#30 ·
That's a lot of typing on an iPhone! Thanks for the update. Rode my Kingpin into work today, despite the 43 degrees. Layers! Gotta have them to stay warm. Especially with no solar gain at night. I bought a XXL Victory wind jacket once to go over my leather, just to cut the chill. Have a great ride today! May the sun shine brightly on your path!
 
#31 ·
Awesome new bike adventure! As for the mirrors, I find that if I adjust them all the way out, I can see very well behind me AND in my blind spots!
 
#33 · (Edited)
It's been a few days since I got home. It was a very exciting last 2 days ride to Denver.

Friday (day 2) was the longest day. 600 miles. It was great temps and pretty uneventful EXCEPT when I got to within 30 miles of the stop for the night (Junction City KS). I decided to stop and stretch my legs. I was getting tired. I pulled off the highway then back on to the on-ramp to stop. It was pitch black and getting windy. No traffic to speak of. I stopped the bike, turned on the flashers, then put the kick stand down. Then I got off the bike. I didn't realize how steep the on-ramp was because just after I climbed off it started to roll down hill and off the kickstand. Because I was standing on the left side it started to slowly fall onto the tip over bars. No biggie really except my right foot was under the rear bar when it rolled downhill. I tried to stop it but as I tried to lift it, it laid on my foot. Crushing as it slid down hill. No matter how hard I tried, the pain (and the awkward angle i was standing and trapped) was keeping me from lifting it off. Split decision later, I decided to lift it enough to get my foot out then let it lay on the ground instead. Then I put it in gear to keep the forward momentum at bay. Cursed a while as I tried to shake off the pain. Holy crap I think I broke my foot. It laid just aft of the "reinforced toe" on my brand new Tourmaster boots.

30 minutes later I hit the road, throbbing foot and all. Man did it hurt. I got to the hotel and limped to my room. Off the boot went to reveal my 3 right toes and middle of the foot black, blue, and swollen. What did I do.


Day 3, the last stretch.


A long night later, I got up to get ready to hit the last 500 miles. I could barely walk without the boot on. It was pure torture to get the boot on but when I did, it clamped down so as to result in a constant throbbing pain. If I walked so as to not bend the toes it was bearable. Barely.

A quick look at the forecast for the day was the last thing I did. It was still 70 degrees at 8 am there. I couldn't believe it. I was going to have 70's until I would get to within 120 miles of home. Them it would drop fast.

What really surprised me was how windy it was. Nothing unusual for Kansas but this was ridiculous. An extreme wind out of the south made the ride physically difficult. The bike did wonderful though. I'm sure everyone I went by thought I was nuts. The bike was leaning left probably 10-15 degrees all day. Every once in a whole I'd get a gust and it would grab my helmet and push it rearward. It was so bad it reminded me of the movies in the desert during a sand storm. Dirt off the fields were keeping visibility down but when you look up you'd see blue sky. I could taste the dirt inside the helmet. Tumbleweeds galore. I'd hit one on occasion. It made me laugh because it was like the bike was a grinder. The tumbleweed would disappear under the front of the bike only to reappear being spit out up through the handle bar hole in the faring in small pieces up through the hole over my head. My description can't do it justice.

The winds were so bad (didn't slow me down though) that the average MPG went from 42 to 25, all at 75MPH.

Along I went, stopping a little more than before (gas and breaks). This continued for about 380 miles until I crossed the border to Colorado.

The strangest thing happened. I'm no stranger to fronts as I deal with them daily controlling aircraft at DIA but all of a sudden, the winds stopped. The bike stood straight up. Then the temps started to drop then WHAM! The winds turned 180 degrees and were now coming out of the north. When I say the temps started to drop, I say this with ZERO embellishment, it dropped 12 degrees in 2 (TWO) miles. 70 to 58. I immediately stopped and bundled up. I had to!

Now I'm winter riding the rest of the trip. The temps continued to drop to the upper 30's. About 100 miles from home I was getting snowed on. Damn!! I was hoping to beat the snow. That first snow didn't last long and it was 37 with just wet roads.

I called my wife. She said its sticking on the ground at home. Again, DAMN!!

Long story ending short, I made it to within 20 miles of home. I stopped by a friends house. He was going to trailer the bike home for me the rest of the way. Just after I pulled in to his place it started sleeting, snowing hard, and accumulating on the ground. I stopped at the very last minute. I kid you not.

The bike when I stopped.

Vehicle Orange Automotive exterior Automotive lighting Motorcycle


A couple hours later we are on the highway heading to my place with bike in tow. 25 MPH in a 75. Snow probably 4" thick on the ground. What a blessing it was to be able to stop when I did. It was a challenge in and of itself to get the bike on the trailer. Aluminum covered with snow and ice is not an ideal surface to ride a bike onto.

After getting home, putting the bike in its heated garage, and laying back on the couch, my wife noticed my toes. All I have seen is the tops. She commented on the bottom. The whole bottom right side of my foot was black.

Two days later it still hurts but not as bad. Limp is almost gone and the swelling and color is returning to normal.

I haven't touched the bike since I got home. It's filthy with road/rain/snow grime. I have no idea why it didn't occur to me just to leave the bike at my friends house. Oh well.

Now I'm shopping for accessories. My weekend is Fri and Sat so I will clean her up and give her some well deserved TLC after she treated me so well.

Got to get a bigger screen. The Ness is too short even when all the way up.

Some misc chrome pieces, a battery tender, run some wires for my radar detector, mount the phone cradle, and just get to know her is on the docket for the near future. I've order a service manual.
 
#34 · (Edited)
Now, a little feedback. The bike was over all the best ride I've ever done. Loved the seating position.

I need to get the highway pegs. Being a tad over 6'2" I need to stretch out on occasion.

I mentioned wanting to get a bigger windscreen. I think I'm going to get a Cee Bailey one. I did the measurement today and the 18" one will be perfect for me I think. When it's fully down I'd look over it a couple of inches. This way I can get it up enough (keep it clean guys) to look through it if I need to.

I'm very dissapointed in the radio volume at speed. I discovered that when the auto volume is set to HIGH it will turn it up to max by itself. Then turning it up myself does nothing. When I turned the auto volume to off then manual max matched the auto HIGH setting. Cruising around town or in the hills will be ok but touring at highway speeds, it's lacking big time!

Edit: I've since discovered that the radio is perfect. My complaint was due to the Shoei Neotec modular helmet I was wearing. The damn thing is so quiet! I normally wear 3/4 helmets which allows me to hear everything as intended.

The first time I road it day 1 for that 300 miles was entirely at night. Having lit buttons for the audio and Cruise would be nice. I fumbled a lot. I know I'll get used to it and eventually it will be second nature. But still...

Little things really. Again, I absolutely love the bike. My 8 year old daughter can't put her feet on the passenger boards. I thought they are adjustable but I haven't read up or tried to verify. Something will have to be done no matter.

Enough from me. Now to learn about her, modify her, make her mine, and ride!!
 
#35 ·
Glad you made it home before the storm and your foot is healing! They make risers for the rear boards that may help and there is a butt ton of info floating around here on speaker upgrades.
 
#36 ·
I will research the speakers and risers. I assumed the "kicker" speakers in the Ness would be an acceptable upgrade. But, you know what the say about ASSuME...
 
#37 ·
All I can say is WOW; TheMike is "THE MAN"!! thumb up

Quite a ride and adventure getting your new VV home. I'm impressed and relieved that it all worked out considering the challenges you faced on a brand new ride.

I'm getting my new to me Sunset Red Vision this Saturday, the 17th, from Cherokee Victory in Greer, SC, and hope to ride her back home (400 miles) that afternoon/evening. Forecast looks good, 50's to 60's, 30% chance of rain. Nothing like yours for sure!

I'll post a formal intro when "we're" both home. Looking forward to sharing experiences as I learn about Vics, and the Vision. Audio, performance, and "mild bling" are on my list. Bet we'll have a lot in common.

Again, congrats on your beautiful (even when she's "snowbound") new ride.
 
#38 · (Edited)
Good luck on the ride. I know you'll love it as I did mine. You'll be pleasantly surprised how protected you are on her. The temps can be lower than expected while being more comfy than expected.
 
#42 ·
Got her,all good. Late start so I wimped out and took the trailer. Good choice as it was late and I was whipped from a week of business and travel.

Love the bike. Rode only 50 miles on Sunday and it is way more than I expected. More riding this weekend. Will also try to post some pics.
 
#40 ·
It was 27 when I rode my 43 mile commute to work this morning. I put on lower wind deflectors and what a difference they made! So far, that's the biggest/best thing I've done (except clean her up and fine tooth comb inspection). I've also added highway pegs, passenger floor board risers, and chrome engine mount covers. I added the chrome front fender trim but hate it. I saw on YouTube someone that painted that black. It looked great so I'm going that route too.

This week I'm planning on installing HID headlights, removing the truck and installing the passenger backrest.

Got the service manual arriving today. Want to do things right, you know?

Edit: one more thing. I ordered and installed a chrome cross over pipe cover from Stroker Dallas. Nice touch!
 
#41 ·
Nice ride Mike, I'm glad everything turned out okay.

Just for future reference, I always stop my bike in first gear using the kill switch to turn off bike. And parking on a downhill slope I always push the bike forward walking it into gear then putting it on the kickstand so that it can't be pushed a little forward by me or anyone else possibly allowing the kickstand to fold just enough for bike to fall.

Ok, I'm off my soapbox now, ride safe and often.

I absolutely love my new Victory XCT and I know you're going to have many smiles and miles on that bad boy, oh wait it's a girl right?

J/K around, enjoy!
 
#43 ·
I absolutely love my new Victory XCT and I know you're going to have many smiles and miles on that bad boy, oh wait it's a girl right?

J/K around, enjoy!
Of course them Visions are Girls Sixshooter, you ever see CURVES like that on a guy... lol... Im still having a problem with a name for mine.. lol...
 
#45 ·
After reading many comments on how the Vision reminds folks of the Jetson's, mine's now affectionately called GEORGE! I know, not a girls name but what the heck.
 
#47 ·
To many syllables. Need something that rolls off the tongue easily. How about TANG? Short for "Orangutan"? Think about all the similarities and twists of that one.
 
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