Thoughts on buying a used Victory motorcycle

[inditx]

I had a Kingpin and enjoyed it except for rear shocks bottoming out on 2 up rides, stop laughing!
Anyway, sold it to my buddy who still rides it and loves it. (he’s skinnier than me)

Almost bought a V92 Touring but passed due to a title issue.

If I bought one today it’d be the Sport Cruiser, post tranny issues, like this one.....




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inditx

[tazio]

Was always impressed by the Vic Vision frame.

[Luap McKeever]

I'm riding a new Victory Cross County (aka Indian Challenger). I love it and our local Indian dealer still services lots of Victories. If you want it, get it. They're not hard to work on either so if you're inclined, they're pretty easy. They did their homework and it appears to me their QC department is probably the top tier in the industry today. Just my $.02

[TN Mark]

Having owned four Victory motorcycles.... the aftermarket parts selection is thin and sometimes hard to get.  And expensive.

There are no more Victory dealers, and of the three former dealers that I know of, they no longer work on Victory motorcycles.  There are probably independent shops that will.

One example is my 2013 Boardwalk.  Wanting a rear rack, and seeing one listed in the parts catalog.... but I discovered that Victory never made such a rack, and so I had to fabricate one.  And getting parts is sometimes very frustrating.

I vote no.  Just because.

What a beautiful motorcycle. Congratulations to you sir.

[TN Mark]

I had a Kingpin and enjoyed it except for rear shocks bottoming out on 2 up rides, stop laughing!
Anyway, sold it to my buddy who still rides it and loves it. (he’s skinnier than me)

Almost bought a V92 Touring but passed due to a title issue.

If I bought one today it’d be the Sport Cruiser, post tranny issues, like this one.....




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inditx

I test rode the V92SC when they first came out. I was on a 1999 black Moto Guzzi Bassa at the time. I loved that Victory, a lot and likely would have made the trade but the local Victory dealer at the time in Houghton, MI wouldn't have known what to do with the Guzzi. I totaled that Bassa and replaced it with a 2000 blue/silver Bassa. 

[inditx]

I too had a Bassa, nice bike.
Wonder if you’d still have the V92 if you coulda made a deal.
These V92’s are getting hard to find in good condition and without the tranny issues.
inditx

[twowheeladdict]

I'm riding a new Victory Cross County (aka Indian Challenger). I love it and our local Indian dealer still services lots of Victories. If you want it, get it. They're not hard to work on either so if you're inclined, they're pretty easy. They did their homework and it appears to me their QC department is probably the top tier in the industry today. Just my $.02

I know the Challenger rides well, but do you ever get used to the look?  Or is it like a GS, rides so well you just don't bother looking at it? 

Even the Indian dealer complemented the looks of my road Glide over the Challenger.







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[MarkPell]

I had a Kingpin and enjoyed it except for rear shocks bottoming out on 2 up rides, stop laughing!
Anyway, sold it to my buddy who still rides it and loves it. (he’s skinnier than me)

Almost bought a V92 Touring but passed due to a title issue.

If I bought one today it’d be the Sport Cruiser, post tranny issues, like this one.....






picture of a post

inditx

I had a 2000 SC which I absolutely loved. They truly invented the sport cruiser. Had a D&D pipe and was tuned perfectly. A tech that serviced it said it was the best running Vic he ever rode. Good looking bike from the right side but on the left......
I guess the idea of a sport cruiser wasn't what the market was looking for.

[LowRyter]

I know the Challenger rides well, but do you ever get used to the look?  Or is it like a GS, rides so well you just don't bother looking at it? 

Even the Indian dealer complemented the looks of my road Glide over the Challenger.







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So you're positing that your Harley has superior styling vs Luap's bike?   Because? 

Owning a couple of Guzzis, a Ducati and a Suzuki, I can't see a huge difference one way or the other.  I will say that if one of those bikes "rides well" that would be the deal maker. 

I'm one of those guys that says ride what you want to ride, whether I ride it, doesn't matter.

[SIR REAL ED]

Thanks to one and all for the excellent advice!  Good to know I can count on WGer's to assist with rationalization when needed.  I learned a lot about Victory motorcycles!

I know two people who own Victory Visions and they both love them.

Long story short, the CL ad has been taken down, so I assume the Hammer has dropped (been sold)!

If the bike had been 300 lbs lighter, better suited to the local roads I ride, and I had more garage space, I would have jumped on it day one.  Fun bike no doubt, but how often I would have fired it up, was a huge factor.

Oh well, on the the next round of daydreaming......

[kballowe]

LOL - I cruise the motorcycle section of Craigslist much too often.

[twowheeladdict]

LOL - I cruise the motorcycle section of Craigslist much too often.

 

[Aaron D.]

Surprised at the idea Victory died-they just changed the branding.I think only the Chief is a clean sheet Indian design.

[Luap McKeever]

I know the Challenger rides well, but do you ever get used to the look?  Or is it like a GS, rides so well you just don't bother looking at it? 

Even the Indian dealer complemented the looks of my road Glide over the Challenger.







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Get use to the look? Personally, I think it's a great looking bike. But then again I also think the MGX is a great looking bike. And it's technology, power and handling (which not a single bagger out there can touch) is what really sets it apart from the rest of the pack.

[twowheeladdict]

Get use to the look? Personally, I think it's a great looking bike. But then again I also think the MGX is a great looking bike. And it's technology, power and handling (which not a single bagger out there can touch) is what really sets it apart from the rest of the pack.

I really enjoyed the test ride. They let us just go. Be back in an hour or so. I was hoping for a bike with more classic lines like a Chieftain with an aerodynamic frame mounted fairing. The LED running lights are too much for me though. Like they were looking at the ugly F150 LEDs when they designed the nose instead of looking to Mercedes for inspiration.

I will say though that if I didn’t already own my Road Glide the Challenger would be high on the list for touring bikes, but I would have to try the New RT or Wing to compare.

Out of the box the Challenger beats Harley in suspension comfort, adjustable windshield, stereo volume, and placement of the speedo and tach.   Harley wins on aerodynamic profile which gives me fuel economy in the 50s, and the paint depth.

Are you still running the stock bars?

[SemperVee]

  I am original owner of 2012 CCT and after 9 years still look and ride it lovingly as nothing else I have ever owned, including 14 HD's,  Norge, 3 BMW's and 3 Goldwings.  9 years later I am still on my honeymoon with my CCT, even as medical issues have slowed my wind therapy sessions down, there is no other MC I have been more comfortable on, reliable and easy to work on.   There are a few good Victory  parts suppliers that are hugely supported.  New victory owners are coming on board for many reasons including the less expensive buy in.
I can afford any MC I want price wise but truthfully nothing has awe struck me like my Sunset Red CCT.  :

[jackthebiker]

  I am original owner of 2012 CCT and after 9 years still look and ride it lovingly as nothing else I have ever owned, including 14 HD's,  Norge, 3 BMW's and 3 Goldwings.  9 years later I am still on my honeymoon with my CCT, even as medical issues have slowed my wind therapy sessions down, there is no other MC I have been more comfortable on, reliable and easy to work on.   There are a few good Victory  parts suppliers that are hugely supported.  New victory owners are coming on board for many reasons including the less expensive buy in.
I can afford any MC I want price wise but truthfully nothing has floats m boat like my Sunset Red CCT.  :

I had 4 Victories and 2 Indians, the Victories were better bikes in some ways. This is my 2013 Cross Country Tour that I loved and traded for a 2014 Indian Vintage.

[Luap McKeever]

Are you still running the stock bars?

Yep. They're fine for me. I did rotate them up about 2" though.