| Author | Message | ||
     Pkforbes87 |
Anyone here ridden both? How do they compare? I'd love to demo the Victory myself to compare, but the only local dealer doesn't seem willing to let the bike leave the showroom floor. I'm guessing they'd be more flexible if I was 20 years older. I recently rode a new road glide ultra, and can't get that bike out of my head. Looking for opinions from open-minded motorcyclists, not "FUHD". | ||
| Ratbuell |
I love the FLTR. Haven't ridden the U, but the only difference is the tour pak. Fixed fairing rocks, and the newest generation frame is quite competent. Parking lot maneuvers or serious riding (such as the Dragon), and you'll be shaving material off the floorboards...but all in all a VERY competent cruiser. Don't get me wrong...it's no sport-tourer...but for highway distance, I'd take it in a heartbeat over a batwing bike (Electraglide). Fixed fairing, all the way. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Havent ridden a V, but have taken an Ultra cross country (NC to Cali and back) as well as shorter distances, like NC to Texas) - awesome. Comfy. Easy to ride (when I took the NC/CA/NC trip I was 18 and had only put about 2000 miles on a motorcycle before doing 6k or so...). | ||
| Court |
FLHTC San Fran to Milwaukee . . . it was tremendous. I'd do it again. | ||
| Americanmadexb |
I haven't done any research on this, but just based on looks. Shouldn't the Cross Country be more compared to the Street Glide? I always thought the two where competing against each other! | ||
| Brettx1 |
Yep, any rag I've read about the cross country, it's been compared to the street glide. The cross has more storage space, 106cu vs 96cu motor, and a 6sp tranny vs 5 on the Harley . Oh, and the vic has an aux port for your mp3! That's all I can remember off the top of my head. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
The road glide ultra comes standard with a 103 and a 6 speed. Even with the different fairing, that makes it closer competition for the cross country in my eyes. The trouble is, the victory doesn't come with the the touring pack standard. add the rear trunk case and passenger backrest to the cross country, and the harley isn't any more expensive. | ||
| Xbniner |
My uncle just replaced his 05 ultra with a '10 ultra. Big improvement. The new one is smoother and has slightly more power. Nice comfortable bike. That said, My dad has a cross country and it seriously blows the ultra out of the water. More storage, loads more power, better handling, better feel, and at least the same if not better fit and finish. I would say the only drawback to the vic is semi-loud shifting, but anybody who rides a buell should be used to that. Do yourself a favor, don't make your choice till you've driven both. Tell the victory dealer your decision is contingent on riding the bike. If he doesn't comply ask him where the next closest dealer is. | ||
| Sifo |
What happened to the $100 test ride challenge that Victory had where you get $100 for buying a competitors bike after test riding a Victory. Great promotion, but it's meaningless if the dealer won't let you do a test ride. I had the same issue back when I bought my WideGlide. I wanted to compare to what Victory had, but couldn't get a test ride. I went with the evil that I knew. Of course the WideGlide fell withing my expectations and I was never unhappy with my choice. To this day I wonder about Victory just because it has been the forbidden fruit. | ||
| Jb2 |
Just bought a new Cross Country. Really like the bike. I have ridden several Road Glides in the past and in my mind they don't compare. But, you have to remember I was coming off a Victory Vegas so my opinion may be slanted towards the non-Mother Company offering. That and I don't like seeing myself coming at going everywhere motorcycles gather. If Harleys weren't so popular I might have chosen the Road Glide. The reality is they are both good bikes. Comparing dollar for dollar you get more for your money with the Victory. It's hard to say anything about resale in today's environment. You won't go wrong no matter what bike you choose, IMO. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Thanks for the input everyone. I won't be making a purchase one way or the other in the near future. I just like to do as much research as possible before making a big purchase. Heck, I waited a year and a half after falling in love with a uly demo before finally buying my XT. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Brett - "Oh, and the vic has an aux port for your mp3!" As do HDs with radios, at least the ones in the past 3 years or so | ||
| Strokizator |
I believe the Victory is not available with ABS. The ABS on an HD is sweet. I had an '08 RG with a quick-detach top box and loved it. The standard Road Glide has since been lowered (why?) but the Ultra retains the better suspension and the Brembo brakes are top notch. | ||
| Americanmadexb |
My buddy with an 01' or 03' Ultra Classic also has aux input for mp3.. It only took HD 100 years to do what Victory has done in 12 years.. | ||
| Dynasport |
I test rode the Cross Country in Daytona this year. It was ok. I don't know if it was just the bike I rode or if they are all like this, but the shifter felt like it was about to fall off. I really wanted to like it more than I did. I have had a very negative attitude toward HD since the Buell closure and wanted to like the Victory better. I didn't really. Seat of the pants, I couldn't tell that the Victory had any better acceleration. I think magazines say that it does, but I couldn't tell. On my limited demo ride I couldn't tell that it handled any better. To me, the HD fit and finish is better. Now, don't get me wrong. The Victory was a fine bike, but I didn't find anything compelling about it that would make me buy it over a HD. I also rode the Kawasaki Vacquero. I liked it better than the Victory, honestly, but I still don't believe that I'd buy one. As much as I hate to say it, If I was in the market for a v-twin bagger, I'd probably buy a HD. I don't have to worry about it though, as I am not in the market at the moment. | ||
| Jb2 |
Strokizator - You are right on the ABS but the brakes are so good on this bike that I wouldn't want it. Pkforbes87 - I researched the Cross Country almost a full year before I pulled the trigger and ordered one last December. I will say one thing... it was an emotional purchase. I really dig the bike. All the research we did prior to the purchase confirmed my desire to own one. I would have prolly bought it anyway regardless of what the critics had to say. (Message edited by jb2 on May 23, 2011) | ||
| Xbniner |
Dynasport- I see your point and I'm also very far from being in this market, but I don't see how you couldn't notice a difference in acceleration. Granted neither one of these bikes is "fast" but I've ridden two separate harley ultras, 1 cross roads, and 1 cross country. In each case the harley feels like pushing a shopping cart thru mud compared to the victory. Not even close. Are you sure you don't mean you couldn't HEAR the victory accelerate any faster? The stock pipes they are equipped with are pretty quiet and that could give the illusion that it isnt that fast, since the harley makes all sorts of noise while accelerating. | ||
| Dynasport |
I don't know. Maybe my seat dyno is not well calibrated. I had just gotten off a Suzuki GSXF1250 though, and I can promise you that bike is faster than the Harley or the Victory. Maybe it just made them both feel slow. Also, I didn't ride the Victory and the Harley back to back. I can say though, that to me there wasn't the substantial difference you describe. I think I'll just get a 'Busa and be done with it.  Actually, riding my Buell makes my Super Glide feel really slow. I don't think I better test ride a 'Busa. | ||
| Kyrocket |
I can't really pipe in because I've not ridden either one but I'm glad someone threw in the Vaquero. I think it's a good looking bike but I'm probably biased since I already ride a 2000. Like said before, don't choose one over the other until you've ridden them both. Unless of course you just get a smokin' deal on one or the other that you just can't pass up. | ||
| Danger_dave |
I've done heaps of saddle time on both. Lucky me. :-) | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
It only took HD 100 years to do what Victory has done in 12 years.." Such as? | ||
| Xbniner |
I don't know. Maybe my seat dyno is not well calibrated. Have you corrected for SAE?  | ||
| Ezblast |
Hybrid - answer - a decent cruiser motorcycle - period - but even if HD where the last motorcycle maker on the face of the Earth - all it would do is convince me to make my own - they suck, always have, always will. EZ | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
It may be fashionably late, but there's the ever-present "FUHD". Thanks EZ, for your informed and unbiased input.  | ||
| Ezblast |
Family tradition - lol - just following in my cousin's saying - "...You can make a world of money on HD bikes, but don't bother riding them unless your wrenching and like to!" That's why Chopper Guide was about custom HD builds, and Cycle Guide was all about everything but HD. My God man - they didn't update from paper gaskets till 03, and there is still a world of other things as well. I'd love to see them produce a modern bike, even a cruiser, but they are too busy living off their past. I really wasn't looking to nail them, but when such a silly question arises - that was the only answer that made sense. Victory, though troubled with its own teething problems, has stepped up quickly and resolved any issues found with their bikes, and they produce a quality product. HD - the same can not be said of them. If the shoe fits, then they need to wear it, or change their style to incorporate that attitude with it. I could go on, but there is no need - HD speaks for itself. Now back to your regular programing! EZ | ||
| Crusty |
Just for the record; I bought a 1988 FLHS brand new in 1988. I put 125,000 miles on it over the next 8 years, then sold it for $400.00 less than I paid for it. It was reliable, comfortable and fun to ride. It also shifted better than every Victory I've ridden. I won't buy a Harley as long as Wandell is the head Buttwipe, but the bikes are actually pretty damned good. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
uhhh Crusty - didnt you read EZs post? They are junk............... | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - Crusty - I know and am friends with a world of HD fans, and that 88 goes against the odds for an HD of that year, we both know that's a f**king miracle with paper gaskets, or did you just add a quart every ten miles - lol - geez - I wouldn't have even looked at an HD pre 03 - I'd say that makes you very pro HD - lol EZ | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
EZ.. Just out of curiosity.. Have you ever owned an HD? I see comments from some here with specific personal experiences listed as proof, then I see "they're junk - paper gaskets". My X1 started life with paper gaskets and a fair list of other mechanical weaknesses. Doesn't mean it's not a freakin amazing bike. | ||
| Ezblast |
True, the X-1 would be an amazing bike with wood as break pads, it is an awesome bike. I've family and friends with HDs, my brother-in-law sent his kids all the way through collage with his own shop, now retired, but an active minister - it's not the paper gaskets but the attitude behind being so late in changing from them, I think they changed from them because no one was using their gaskets any more - lol - why would I want to own one. My old parish priest in SF has a 80' that I've had to wrench on - originally - bought in Japan, and brought to America, when offered a Parish here - Bishop wanted a brilliant Theologian - he goes everywhere on it, and God just keeps holding it together. Amazes me. EZ |
