As a motorcycle vlogger with a passion for sharing the highs and lows of the riding experience, I want to take a moment to discuss a topic that many riders may find useful: The not so shortcomings of my 2015 Victory Vision Tour. I use the term ‘not so’ strongly for a reason, which will be discussed later in this post. While this bike has its merits—such as comfort, style, and a robust touring capability—there are some significant issues that have arisen. Let’s dive into the details.
Before you start with the ‘I told you so’s’ understand that this bike currently has over 83,000 miles on the odometer 50,000 of which those miles I added with hard core, relentless, long distance, 15 to 24 hour stint rides across the United States and Mexico.
The kind of riding I subjected my bike to is not your normal weekend warrior, fair weather, sometimey riding. This bike has endured stop and go traffic in triple digit heat in Las Vegas–The kind of heat that will cause a smartphone to shut down. I’ve also ridden in temps as low as 23 degrees with a -30 motorcycle wind chill through the middle of Texas–Cold enough to almost lose my left thumb to frostbite even with wearing leather gauntlet gloves with cloth inserts.
Hydraulic Clutch Lever Conversion Challenges
One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced with my 2015 Victory Vision Tour is the hydraulic clutch lever system. Initially, the smooth and responsive feel of the hydraulic clutch was impressive. However, when the clutch slave cylinder began to fail and I began my Google search for a replacement, I quickly realized the scarcity of this crucial component. When I say scarcity I mean nonexistent in the entire world at least as far as brand new, OEM parts. At some point I may consider buying a donor bike and scavenge the parts. There are still plenty Victory Vision motorcycles out there on the used market that can be snagged very cheaply.
Given this predicament, I was forced to convert to a standard cable clutch. This transition involves removing the original clutch lever and brake fluid reservoir and replacing it with a standard clutch lever assembly–Easy peezy. If you’re considering the Victory Vision for your next tour, be aware that OEM parts are still readily available from JP Cycles, Witchdoctors, Victory Only, and the main Victory Motorcycles website–Yes in 2026! Additionally, there are independent motorcycle shops that will happily work on a Victory motorcycle like my go-to guy, Greg at Norse Cycles in Oneonta, Alabama, Steve’s Motorcycle Shop in Cocoa, Florida, and Tech46 right here in Birmingham just to name a few.
Clutch Basket Rivets Failure
Another major issue I’ve encountered is the failure of the rivets on the clutch basket (shown above). At about the 80,000 mark, I began to hear unusual metal to metal noises coming from the primary case. also, slowly over time it was becoming harder and harder to upshift as I had to completely depress the clutch lever in order to upshift and downshift. Eventually, the clutch completely gave out. Fortunately, I was only a few blocks from home and nursed the bike back to the garage.
My go-to mechanic at Norse Cycles discovered that several rivets had been ripped out of the basket. Fortunately, there was no damage to surrounding components. I was also fortunate in that the clutch basket failed as I pulled off from a green light. If the clutch basket had failed while I was on the interstate there more than likely may have been catastrophic damage.
Replacing the clutch basket is a labor-intensive process, especially if you’re not mechanically inclined. I’m fairly skilled but not so much that I can perform something as intense as changing out clutch plates and clutch basket. Riders in areas like Texas or New York may face higher costs due to labor rates at local repair shops. This isn’t an isolated problem; a few Victory owners across the country have experienced similar issues, underscoring the need for awareness. Nevertheless, a new clutch basket and Scorpion clutch kit was ordered and installed.
Fearing that metal shards would be circulating in the engine after such an ordeal I ordered a magnetic dipstick to collect any metal fragments that would be suspended in the oil. 100% success as the dipstick collected a substantial amount of metal fragments over time.
The Dreaded C-Clip Issue: Transmission Troubles
Perhaps the most notorious problem associated with the 2015 Victory Vision Tour or any other Victory motorcycle is the C-clip issue, which can cause serious transmission problems. This small but essential C-clip is only a $2 part but can cause catastrophic damage by dislodging and allowing the gears to slap against each other, leading to damage in the 4th gear of the transmission. The consequences can range from rattling noises to complete transmission failure.
The rattling noise occurred somewhere in Atlanta when I was returning from my trip to Morada Bay in Islamorada, nestled in the Florida Keys. A tale, tale sign is a rattling noise when the bike is in neutral and leaned to the right. I suspect this issue occurred because my clutch cable broke as I was merging onto I-95 South toward Melbourne, and I had to match shift my bike to get it to somewhere where I could safely park.
Many online sources will lead you to believe that C-clip failure will result in the V-twin turning into a grenade. However, that wasn’t the case with me as I rode my bike from Atlanta, when the rattling occurred, to Birmingham with no issues other than just having to put a little more effort into shifting out of 4th gear.
The bike is parked for now and I will find out at a later point the extent of the damage when I trailer it to the shop. The bike is completely operable as I’ve ridden it since the Atlanta incident numerous times with no lag in performance. However, it is more than necessary to simply park it so as not to cause any further damage.
Repairing the Issues: A Personal Journey
Despite these challenges, I am determined to restore my Victory Vision to its prime. After sourcing new parts, I successfully completed the repairs. The upgraded clutch basket promised increased durability, while the compatible cable clutch cable system allowed for the same smooth operation as the original hydraulic system.
As for the transmission, I’ve located an independent mechanic who is known for being an intensive Victory specialist in Pittsburgh, PA. If my mechanic here in Alabama is not successful at tackling the issue I’m certain that my guy in Pittsburgh will knock it out with ease as he has posted detailed YouTube videos of his past successful works.
Conclusion: Is the 2015 Victory Vision Tour Right for You?
Owning a 2015 Victory Vision Tour motorcycle has its undeniable perks, but it’s essential to be aware of the potential shortcomings. If you’re a casual rider even a cross country rider this is the perfect bike for you. If you’re a hard riding kind of person, then be prepared for the aforementioned. 95% of the Victory motorcycles on the road today are very reliable especially if you’re not the hard charging kind of biker like me.
Even if you are the hard charging type you’re still going to come out on top saving money as you’ll be purchasing a used bike for pennies on the dollar in comparison to many modern touring bikes and you’ll have practically the same features as modern touring bikes: Cruise control, comparable storage space, multifunctional stereo system with bluetooth capability, inverted forks and rear mono link air suspension, heated grips and heated front and rear seat, and dual headlights backed up by a xenon headlamp.
The shortcomings are not so short in that parts can easily be acquired and knowledgable independent motorcycle mechanics are out there that will work on Victory motorcycles. Not to mention there are many metric Powersports dealerships out there that will perform minor maintenance work on Victory motorcycles such as changing tires, oil changes, battery replacement, cables etc. Do you need an extensive dealer network like Harley Davidson has? No. Not when there are Powersports dealerships and independent motorcycle shops all over the United States that can help you with the most common roadside issues such as a broken cable or a flat tire.
Most importantly, The cost of the repairs are relatively similar if not inexpensive in comparison to a comparably equipped Harley Davidson. The bike that is comparable to the 2015 Victory Vision Tour is the 2015 Road Glide standard. In comparison the Road Glide of the time had a twin cam 103 engine that put out somewhere along 70 to 73 horsepower and 92 to 104 ft pounds of torque. The Vision has a Freedom 106 engine that puts out 92 horsepower and 108 ft pounds of torque.
With a proactive approach to maintenance and a willingness to tackle repairs, which wouldn’t be any different and in many ways better than owning an older Harley, it’s possible to keep this motorcycle performing optimally. If you’re considering adding a Victory Vision Tour to your collection, particularly in regions like Arizona or Oregon, ensure you’re prepared for the challenges that may arise. After all, the journey of motorcycle ownership is not just about the rides; it’s also about overcoming the obstacles along the way.
Happy riding, and may your adventures be as thrilling as they are safe!
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