Victory Motorcycles, anyone?

TrooperFarva · #1 08-13-2009, 12:57 PM

I haven't owned a bike in a few years, and I'm thinking about picking one up. I'm looking for a cruiser. I'm looking for something with a clean look and reasonable performance, at a good price. I won't be getting a new bike, something a few years old will suffice. I like Harleys, but they cost too much.

The Honda Shadow and Yamaha V Star Classic look pretty good, but I really dig the looks of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball, and I could probably score a used one for around $7000.

Anyone have any experience with Victory motorcycles? Good idea? Bad idea?

xtorrak · #2 08-13-2009, 12:59 PM

Looks nice, always thoroughly test ride before you purchase. Also, don't be afraid to drive home empty handed, even if it took you 6 hours to get there. Ask me why I say that

.

OrionManMatt · #3 08-13-2009, 01:25 PM

Their reliability has improved a lot in the last few years, I hear. My roommate ended up picking a Yamaha Raider S over a Victory in the end, though.

Fantastic engines as I recall.

daystcity · #4 08-13-2009, 02:13 PM

Ok, why do you say that?

LilRay · #5 08-13-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daystcity

Ok, why do you say that?

+1

Spill It !!!!

God Bless, Ray

joegeezer · #6 08-13-2009, 02:38 PM

Attachment 136403

Attachment 136404The make them up around here. Skuttlebutt has it that the office memo's have said things about, "catoustrophic early engine failure". I'd stay away from them. If your looking for a bike that will last, and looks really sweet, and will have the power needed for the job, look at the new Honda "Fury". Really looks like the new one to buy!! Especially, if you want something you don't need to work on. If you like to tinker, buy a Sportster. I love Sportster's, but they do need a wrench, now and then.

TrooperFarva · #7 08-13-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtorrak

Looks nice, always thoroughly test ride before you purchase. Also, don't be afraid to drive home empty handed, even if it took you 6 hours to get there. Ask me why I say that

.

What's the story?

I have a similar story from a guitar player friend of mine. Back in high school, he idolized Steve Vai's guitar playing, and wanted his signature guitar, but he couldn't afford it new. He eventually found one used, but it was a 7 hour drive away.

The story, exactly as he told me, was "So I drove up, and met the guy selling the guitar. I tried out the guitar, and it was all wrong for me. I didn't like it, and the neck felt terrible, it was way too thin for me. But I drove 7 hours to try it out, I wasn't coming back empty-handed, so I got it. Worst guitar I've ever owned."

TrooperFarva · #8 08-13-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joegeezer

The make them up around here. Skuttlebutt has it that the office memo's have said things about, "catoustrophic early engine failure". I'd stay away from them. If your looking for a bike that will last, and looks really sweet, and will have the power needed for the job, look at the new Honda "Fury". Really looks like the new one to buy!! Especially, if you want something you don't need to work on. If you like to tinker, buy a Sportster. I love Sportster's, but they do need a wrench, now and then.

But if I'm targeting used bikes, with a few thousand miles on them, wouldn't that already weed out any potential 'early engine failures'?

The Honda Fury is nice, but since I'm targeting used bikes, it's not really an option yet.

And I don't mind taking a wrench to something, but the sportster is more than I'd like to spend.

joegeezer · #9 08-13-2009, 02:54 PM

Harleys have been going down in price. Keep your eyes peeled on Craigs list, and you could pull off a deal. All the yuppies that bought them, are losing interest, or have found out about the wrench thing, and are giving them up.

As per example, a freind of mine just picked up a really sweet 1969, 900cc Sportster for 2300.00. It needs some small stuff, but it's a strong runner, and will last another 40 years.

xtorrak · #10 08-13-2009, 02:55 PM

Enter pieceofitalianpoop:

Pretty right?

2005 Ducati Monster s2r...4313 miles on it.

Bent output shaft, causes the bike to surge at higher rpm; feels like it's running out of gas.

Story:
Saturday morning I go on ebay looking for my next bike. I've been looking at m900's but I saw this one. Price was right, looked great, called the seller and asked all kinds of questions. Burn #1, there's no red key. I didn't understand the full concept of the red key - in short, if the immobilizer trips ... the bike is completely 100% dead. There's no way in the world to get that key again, I'd have to order a new ECU, ignition, and gauge cluster.

Of course, he didn't mention that the red key was missing until I was in Ohio. He's an *******.

Second burn...

I leave at 3pm, get there around 9:30PM. He tells me there's not a lot of gas in the bike; this is a pretty standard practice for test ride. That way I can't run very far if I decide to "not come back." The ride out of his neighborhood is fine, the road is fine, I didn't get to go too high in the rpm range because this is all residential. I turn around and head back. The bike starts to shake back and forth like it's running out of gas...my assumption "the bikes fine, it's just running out of gas." Well.. I was wrong.

I paid the guy, loaded it in the bed of my truck and drove home. Sunday I take it out for a spin, there's a strong jerking feeling at higher rpm. I freak out, tried all kinds of things like changing the spark plugs thinking one is miss-firing. Nope, that wasn't it. The bike had been down (seller lied) and has a bent output shaft. The shop wants $1862 to replace it. That's 4.25hrs to drop the motor, 4.25 hours to open the motor, 4.25 hours to put the motor back in. All for a $300 part.

Be very careful with your test rides. If it doesn't feel right, absolutely don't buy it!

Now I have a $4500 pieceofitalianpoop that is either getting a new motor or I'm going to try and replace the output shaft myself. I expect much pain in the future

rcarraher · #11 08-13-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrooperFarva

I haven't owned a bike in a few years, and I'm thinking about picking one up. I'm looking for a cruiser. I'm looking for something with a clean look and reasonable performance, at a good price. I won't be getting a new bike, something a few years old will suffice. I like Harleys, but they cost too much.

The Honda Shadow and Yamaha V Star Classic look pretty good, but I really dig the looks of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball, and I could probably score a used one for around $7000.

Anyone have any experience with Victory motorcycles? Good idea? Bad idea?

I test drove one a couple years ago (when I had a license) and they were/are sweet!

LilRay · #12 08-13-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtorrak

Enter pieceofitalianpoop:

Pretty right?

2005 Ducati Monster s2r...4313 miles on it.

Bent output shaft, causes the bike to surge at higher rpm; feels like it's running out of gas.

Story:
Saturday morning I go on ebay looking for my next bike. I've been looking at m900's but I saw this one. Price was right, looked great, called the seller and asked all kinds of questions. Burn #1, there's no red key. I didn't understand the full concept of the red key - in short, if the immobilizer trips ... the bike is completely 100% dead. There's no way in the world to get that key again, I'd have to order a new ECU, ignition, and gauge cluster.

Of course, he didn't mention that the red key was missing until I was in Ohio. He's an *******.

Second burn...

I leave at 3pm, get there around 9:30PM. He tells me there's not a lot of gas in the bike; this is a pretty standard practice for test ride. That way I can't run very far if I decide to "not come back." The ride out of his neighborhood is fine, the road is fine, I didn't get to go too high in the rpm range because this is all residential. I turn around and head back. The bike starts to shake back and forth like it's running out of gas...my assumption "the bikes fine, it's just running out of gas." Well.. I was wrong.

I paid the guy, loaded it in the bed of my truck and drove home. Sunday I take it out for a spin, there's a strong jerking feeling at higher rpm. I freak out, tried all kinds of things like changing the spark plugs thinking one is miss-firing. Nope, that wasn't it. The bike had been down (seller lied) and has a bent output shaft. The shop wants $1862 to replace it. That's 4.25hrs to drop the motor, 4.25 hours to open the motor, 4.25 hours to put the motor back in. All for a $300 part.

Be very careful with your test rides. If it doesn't feel right, absolutely don't buy it!

Now I have a $4500 pieceofitalianpoop that is either getting a new motor or I'm going to try and replace the output shaft myself. I expect much pain in the future

Sorry there are so many asshats in the world.

God Bless, Ray

BillyRay · #13 08-13-2009, 04:02 PM

Yeah, be careful when buyign used bikes and walk away from anything that is not A! unless you're getting something special and are planning restoration. My Virago had all the symptoms of a gunky carburetor (sputtering, RPM surges, hard to turn over) and the seller was even so kind as to take it apart and show to me that it was gunky, he just needed to clean it.

I buy the bike, clean the carbs and the problem is still there. The day after, the bike doesn't want to turn over. Fried electrical system. Had to change alternator, rectifier and other electrical parts. 1k in repairs for a 1.5k bike.