Back to bikes...ish

[jeffyjeff]

I’ve always had an attraction to big jugs v-twin cleavage. What is that…a Victory Vision? Good on you! Hope you ride the wheels off of it. If you get too decrepit, a modern sidecar would look stylish and probably improve low-speed stability. Thanks for posting this. Carry on.
____________________
History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[MarJay]

In terms of looks you could use this as a benchmark. At the top I’d say Ducati 916, maybe RC30, my own SC28 foxeye ‘Blade, and at the bottom? Not a scooter, not a Harley (although close) nor even a Kawasaki VN800 drifter (which at least has some heritage from 1930s Indians And the like) but…

This bike.

Sorry it’s my new benchmark for ugly.

However, it does have a point as I’m sure it’s supremely comfortable, it has luggage and wind protection. It has a point and that point is low speed touring. Most Harley’s? Nothing except the way they look which is not a point in and of itself. That’s one of the beauties of the 916, RC30 etc. they are good bikes and did well in bike sport as well as being exceedingly beautiful.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Polarbear]

Oh I know most people will stick their noses up at it, it's actually part of the charm as far as I'm concerned.

Anyway, nothing any of you have said has come close to wifies ridicule. Her best remark, it looks like a bad Dr Who prop. How rude. Ah well, when I take a nubile young lady for a ride (on the back) she'll moan like fuck.

But I love big cruisers and this was cheap as chips compared with a wing so I'll give it a go, and if it proves too heavy for me, I've not mortgaged the house for it and I'm sure I'll find some other deluded fool to buy it.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[WD Forte]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[Polarbear]

[P.addy]

Wow.

I wouldnt, but you enjoy it

[Polarbear]

I wrote a long post last night. Done in what I thought was a humorous style about the bike I didn't buy. This morning I re read it and thought I needed to say something different. Life changes people.

I've ridden bikes since 1972. Everything from mopeds (ss50, puch maxi) to 1800 Goldwings. I've loved every minute of it. But I learned something on Friday, My thoughts and ambitions are wonderful, my body isn't. I thought that that Victory Vision would just be another big motorcycle that I would ride. It wasn't. And it wasn't because it was bad. It was because I couldn't cope with it.

I said that it was top heavy, maybe, but I've ridden way worse bikes. Christ, a Laverda Jota is awfully top heavy, I never complained about that when I had one. Holding up a 300 kg bike is now beyond me, and it hurts, by god it does. Not quite hurting as much as wifie saying 'I told you so' but close.

If any of you read the verbal bollox I wrote last night, no, I haven't bought that bike. I woke up and smelled the roses (which is probably all I'll be doing, certainly not riding anymore). So I phoned them and closed that out at stupid financial cost but what the fuck, moneys just a passing fad.

I can't ride a big bike, my balance has gone. The strength to drag it up after you lay it down, gone. I don't want to go to a super scoot, a light bike etc. It's giving up on everything I ever loved about bikes. So, time to say no more. Time to face the facts that time creeps up on everyone. It could be worse, at least I have my love of boats to provide a hobby until I snuff it.

Im gutted. I feel as if a huge chunk of my life has gone. We have wifies Yam 600 track bike in the garage, it's got to go. It hurts looking at a 26 year old bike that hasn't run for 10 years. How sad is that.

So, I'm saying good bye. Good bye to bikes, probably good bye to BCF although I'll watch from afar for a while.

Love you all.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[jeffyjeff]

Wow, that’s pretty final. After reading this post I feel deflated, and I feel bad for you, but I guess you got to draw the line somewhere. I’ve had several friends who were way better riders than me give it up…walk away from riding and not look back.

I sincerely wish you all the best. Good luck.
____________________
History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[Polarbear]

[WD Forte]

Never say never old boy.
Sorry you took a hit cancelling the Victory but it was a fuckin monstrosity imo.

I thought I'd given up biking when knackered knees and a loss of interest got me flogging off the last of them in 2021
Still wanting something tinker with though, I picked up that 250 Yamaha Majesty scooty for pennies and had lots of fun fltting about on that.

I could have bought a Burgman or similar but don't ride enough to warrant spending that much.
____________________
bikers smell of wee

[stinkwheel]

You do know they make huge trikes that look like a tarts handbag too you know?
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[to v or not to v]

depressing post!
____________________
Moto Guzzi V7.

[A100man]

[P.addy]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Shame, the Victory Vision gets very complimentary reviews from journalists and owners on the Motorcycle News website.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/victory/vision/2008/

Are you sure there wasn’t something wrong with this one? Steering head bearing or something?

After the initial, “WTF!” moment it does evoke a “can’t look away” magnificence. That weight though…? I couldn’t imagine how you'd get it on the boat.


We can’t have you disappearing so you’re gonna have to get (gulp!) a trike if that’s what it takes.

[panrider_uk]

My Pan's been off the road for 10 years and despite me slowly getting it back to roadworthy condition I think the reality is that with painful knees and elbows/shoulders etc.., like you, it's probably too heavy for me now.

What I am finding easy to ride is the Guzzi.

Not too heavy (not a total lightweight though) and more than enough power and torque.

Comfortable enough to ride for hours and an easy on your back upright riding position.

Its also as easy as a CX to work on.

The Travel version has panniers so a good all rounder.

And cheap

Oh and it looks great

Don't give up just yet.

Edit: just bought a "new" Pan - all this fettling malarkey is hard work.
____________________
Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[doggone]

I was looking at Indians in Teasdales yesterday but then I saw the price

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/636542241805922595-indian.leftview01.jpg

[Polarbear]

Right, here's stupidity for you...........

I decided, rightly or wrongly,I wanted to ride a tarts handbag (tm Stinkwheel) and I wasn't going to give in to my old age. so before I actually gave the Victory back I WOULD take it out for a ride.

I wheeled it out of the garage. shut the door and then realised I'd just locked myself out of the house as stupid hadn't put his door keys on the bike keying.

So, wifie was at work in Aylesbury, 20 miles away. Shit, not the first ride I wanted, and it needed fuel so I've got to maneuver in a garage before I've even got used to it.

Bloody petrol station is on a slope. I never noticed it but it is. Anyway, filled up without dropping it and on to Aylesbury. All was OK until I had to stop, holding up 400kg isn't the easiest thing for someone of my age.

Anyway. got to Aylesbury without disasters. Wife came out with the door key. Said the bike wasn;t as ugly as the photos showed. Also said she'd never go on the back. (didn't want to take her anyway).

Anyway, rode home. Theres one horrible corner/junction on the way, steep downhill where you have to stop to turn right, I struggled but kept it upright (ohew)

So, got home, a round trip of 40 miles. Yes, thats nothing. But for me to do, was really hard. At least i can still ride although it's going to take some time to get back into it.

We will see.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[panrider_uk]

Makes the Pan look a lightweight
____________________
Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[stinkwheel]

Ok, here's something you could look at if you decide it really is too big and heavy.

You're after a low riding cruiser type thing and like your bling.

Enfield are doing something called a "Goan Classic 350". It's a cruiser style bike based on their 350 single. They are light, low and narrow. I've ridden other versions of their 350 platform and while it's not particularly powerful, it'll keep up with traffic and is very easy and forgiving to ride. Mainly made for the Indian home market so I'd imagine there's all manner of bling available. With an aftermarket pipe fitted, they give you that thumper sound.

I also suspect with the design and height, you'd probably be able to get on it without even throwing a leg over, you could just walk onto it from the back. With it being a single, it's really narrow so putting a foot down means your leg is very upright and near the cantre of the bike. The 750mm seat height will feel like something WAY lower. Maybe worth a look?

https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Royal-Enfield-Goan350_Master_LHS_F3Q_RaveRed.jpg

https://www.ramp.space/assets/uploads/crops/standard.d7f0066d.goan350_master_lhs_f3q_tripteal.jpg
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[MarJay]

Polarbear...

Wait. You said that you wanted to downsize to buy a bike that you could handle. Loads of us suggested suitable bikes. You then went and bought the ugliest heaviest slug you could find, and now you're complaining that it's too heavy?

Say what you like, but that's a true biker thing to do. It's also stupid. Light is right, and always has been. Buy something that doesn't weigh anything and be happy. Don't worry that it doesn't meet your criteria of 'true biking' or whatever nonsense you're telling yourself. A friend of mine at uni had a saying "A third class ride is better than a first class walk". I don't even think that applies in this case, as there are plenty of ace fun bikes which will have better performance and handling than that Victory, for less money and most importantly don't weigh 300 f'in kilos!
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.