- Low Operating Cost
There are no cons to owning a Victory motorcycle. When you take into consideration the difference between a Victory Vision going for between $6500 to $12,000 and the average cost of new bikes of the same caliber going for $25,000 to $45,000. Whatever you do with a Vic you’re going to be operating well under the price of a new bike.
The elephant in the room so to speak: A couple years ago I suffered the loss of my Honda Shadow Phantom to a collision with an uninsured motorist. Ironically, it was the best thing that could have happened to me. Don’t get me wrong–I put a lot of time and money into my Phantom but after having ridden a cruiser of some type all of my life I felt it was time to transition into the touring motorcycle world.
2. Comparable to Modern Motorcycles
Compared to many other touring motorcycles the Vision offers similar if not better standard features at a fraction of the cost of newer touring bikes. Standard features like heated grips, heated front and rear seats, a retractable windshield, hydraulic clutch, Fox mono shock rear suspension, inverted forks, dual headlights with an HID auxiliary light, linked front and rear Brembo brakes, integrated turn signals, integrated tail lights, and integrated mirrors, cruise control, and a 4 speaker MTX sound system with bluetooth compatibility just to name a few. You would be hard pressed to find a better equipped big V-twin touring bike on today’s market. What sealed the deal was the high level of reliability many Victory owners experienced over the years.
Yes, touring motorcycle technology has advanced considerably since the Vision’s debut but in reality there’s only so much technology you’re going to need or use if you’re looking for an actual biker experience. I can live without a giant infotainment screen glaring in my face especially considering the GPS features of most modern motorcycles requires a subscription to update the software and/or are not particularly reliable.
Other superfluous features like lane detection, lean technology, an all digital instrumentation cluster, and ride modes only serve to remove the sensation of actually learning how to master the motorcycle itself. Besides, familiarity with a standard smartphone is all many riders need. Regardless of how inundated with technology touring bikes are today I’ve seen many riders simply attach their smartphone via some type of mounting device to their handle bars and mostly ignore the infotainment screen.
It was not a half baked effort to purchase a Vision as I had done my research for several years before I bought my first Victory motorcycle. I conducted online research as well as in person test rides with the mindset of focusing on performance, reliability, comfort, and uniqueness. I entertained the thought of everything from a Triumph Rocket III, to a BMW R 1250 RT-P to even a Harley Road King CVO.
I wanted the sound and feel of a big V-twin, the full fairing protection and performance of a sport bike, the comfort and ride of a Goldwing and the ability to carry gear in dedicated, lockable storage. The one bike that stood out to me the most was the Victory Vision. I searched high and low for any common problems Victory motorcycles had. Other than a few minor issues with the 08′ to 2010 like whining 1st gears the later models were pretty much trouble free. The best years for the Vision are 15′ through 17′ as any minor issues were worked out.
Short of totaling the bike you can replace at least 90% of whatever breaks by simply shopping online for new or used parts. Even if you went so far as buying a donor bike to use as parts for your main bike you’re still going to be operating well under the cost of buying a new bike or even a later model used bike. It’s 2025 and you can still buy necessary items like drive belts, cables, levers, and clutches. Parts that would normally wear like any other motorcycle. While I have heard of Victory V-twins having mechanical issues it was few and far between and primarily because the previous owner had dogged the motorcycle into the ground.
4. Versatility
The Vision’s sport bike-like full fairing provides excellent protection against the wind and rain. At interstate speeds I’ve remained almost completely dry in moderate rain storms. The retractable electric windscreen provides enough wind protection that I can even enjoy a cigar while I ride. The retractable windshield serves as two windshields in one. You can either raise it to full height for protection from the elements or lower it to its lowest height for wind in your face and a sportier look. You would have to own two different screens if you had almost any other touring motorcycle, particularly Harley Davidson.
All Vision touring models come standard with a full-sized tour pack that not only provides ample storage for a weekend trip for two, which I have done often with my wife, it also provides a considerable amount of space beneath the top box–Enough to hold a portable air compressor, small tools or any other small items that allows you to use more of the space in the top box to hold more gear.
If you want more of a performance bagger look you can buy a filler panel, take off the tour pack and viola–Though taking off the tour pack requires more time and effort than most quick release tour packs on the Cross Country models and some other bikes you have a sportier look nonethelss. A year and 50,000 miles later I’m still smiling ear to ear as I have criss crossed the entire United States in all types of weather conditions and conquered them all with ease.
People get brainwashed into believing they have to own a bike that has a high resale value because that’s the dogma the Harley community pumps into the motorcycling diaspora. Unless you’re in the business of flipping motorcycles it doesn’t make sense to fall for the dogma. You buy a motorcycle to ride it not to brag about the resale value.
5. Customization
This undoubtedly and undeniably is where the Victory Vision shines. In a day and age where Harley purists are quick to accuse any manufacturer that produces a bike with American cruiser styling of copying Harley Davidson the Vision stands out like a ray of light beaming from a lighthouse cutting through a dense fog in the dead of night.
I speak on customization as being the Vision’s strong suit because it needs no customization–Period. End of story. The Vision is designed with a level of customization that no one in the big touring cruiser diaspora has attempted before Victory’s debut or in years after their demise.
The Vision takes the American touring motorcycle aesthetic above and beyond even their own Cross Country model. It stands out with its striking and futuristic aesthetic that combines bold lines with a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette infusing classic automotive styling with modern engineering reminiscent of former Hot Rod magazine editor Terry Cook’s 1939 Lincoln Zephyr, and Boyd Coddington’s Cadzilla (pictured above).
The full fairing creates a streamlined profile that reduces wind resistance, while the distinctive front end—characterized by its unique headlight design and elongated electric windshield—gives the bike a commanding presence on the road. In a sea of motorcycles that all generally look the same at any bike week event you will undoubtedly be unique free of charge. No need to leave your bike in a custom shop for months on end just to get the same custom features that 20 other bikes will have.
The curves and contours of the bodywork evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of the elegant lines of vintage hot rods, enhanced by the use of high-quality materials, including chrome accents and vibrant color options that amplify its premium appeal.
In addition to its eye-catching lines, the Victory Vision incorporates innovative design elements that prioritize functionality and rider comfort. The motorcycle boasts a spacious, ergonomically designed seat that caters to long-distance travel, with a design that complements its retro-inspired aesthetic.
There isn’t a seat OEM or aftermarket that can beat the saddle. The pillion is not only extremely wide it’s extremely comfortable. On her first long distance ride though my wife was terrified to be on the open interstate on 2 wheels she eventually fell asleep. Head bobbing back and forth. The rider’s seat is not only shaped in the same manner there’s enough back support in the design you really don’t need a backrest. Nevertheless, there is a hole to fit one. Once you get closer to the tank the seat tapers drastically and extends further than any other seat. This provides extra comfort as you can slide forward to give your passenger even more space yet not feel cramped in the front.
The seat tapers up the sides of the tank providing protection even for your knees if you choose to clamp your legs closer to the tank to increase protection from wind and rain behind the full fairing. At no point in time did my wife feel cramped or uncomfortable, which is saying a lot because she is not the biker chick type. The single longest time I was in the saddle was a nonstop 1800 mile ride from Birmingham, AL to Las Vegas. About 28 hours. Not only was the seat comfortable the entire ride the large, elongated design of the bike allows for plenty movement to relieve pressure points. A word of caution: 70 to 80mph is the sweet spot for this bike. Perfect wind management, a buttery smooth 106 V-twin and an adequate sound system creates the perfect environment to fall asleep. Two monsters and a pack of mini crumb doughnuts and a I powered through. My wife took the trip by commercial flight and I actually beat her there by four hours!
The day glow instrument cluster features an array of analog and digital gauges that provide essential information at a glance. The face of the gauges are a bright luminescent white with black digits during the day. At night the face of the gauges turn black and the digits emit an electric blue glow.
The integration of smart storage solutions, such as lockable saddlebags, tour pack and an external device storage bend that blend seamlessly with the bike’s form, and showcases a thoughtful approach to practicality without compromising style. This harmonious balance of classic inspiration and contemporary flair makes the Victory Vision a remarkable example of motorcycle design that pays homage to the past while embracing the future.
The most important part of customization: Engine modifications. In this day and age you can do the bare minimum of a Freedom true duals exhaust and a remote tune from NOEMTZ DESIGNS all the way up to a 117 big bore kit. Even in its stock form the bike can produce 96 horsepower, 109ft pounds of torque and top out at 124mph. After the tune and exhaust the bike tops out at 135+ and that’s without cams. In a day where all other big V-twin touring bikes are governed at 115mph you it’s easy to see where the Victory Vision still runs right up there with modern V-twin touring bikes.
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