Today a local Victory Dealer had an open house type event with the Victory Demo Truck full of bikes and even some hot sausages, hot dogs, chips and iced tea/lemonade to help attract some of us hungry riders. A group of us went down to check em out, and in addition to the hot sausage, dog, chips and ice tea, I got to take a few rides on four kinda different models.... Cross Country, Cross Country Tourer, Vegas Jackpot and finally the Vision, in that order.
While I was in line to sign up, I noticed there were a few gawkers walking towards, pointing at and checking out my Valkyrie. A few of em did a full walk around... and one might have been having a "wishful moment". The Ole Girl still has it in a room full of others much younger.
The Cross Country was ok, a fine bike for the most part, but I was not impressed. The Cross Country Tourer was a little better and had more amenities and such, but still wasn't as smooth as I have been used to. I liked how it has flaps to open or close on the lower fairing or "pod" areas". I made a comment that it didn't even have a heel/toe shifter... and my buddy reminded me that my Valkyrie I/S didn't come with one either (point noted). My other buddy told me to try the Vegas Jackpot, and get on it. Since the Vision was spoken for on that ride, I gave it a spin and wished I had my tighter helmet.... that little Jackpot sounded great, had more pep than the first two and was really a fun sporty ride... but without a shield, the wind was grabbing my helmet. My buddy said I looked 10 years younger and possibly even lighter on the Jackpot...
. Next was the Vision, and it was full of amenities and comfort factors. I wasn't a fan of the fairing/headlight looks on that Vision, but I will say that it had the most visible headlight area in the group as I looked back ... like a triple light bar... I got over the "clown" look soon enough I guess.s While I was riding the Vision... my buddy wanted another ride on the Jackpot. Engine aside, the bike was a smoother, more comfortable and refined ride than the others.... but it was the same engine as the others in a larger package. Very nice for a V twin... and it, like the others had a larger feel (feet forward) to it. When I got off the Vision my friends asked what I thought of it, and I said it was a nice ride and that I would trade my Valkyrie in for a Vision.... and a Jackpot, even up (for both). As nice as those bikes were, I still prefer the comfort, torque and ride of my Valkyrie, and it's sexier/classier styling too (to me at least). IMO It would take those two bikes to replace the Valkyrie, one is sporty and quick the other is creature comforts and a pretty smooth ride... but my Valkyrie is both of those in one.
Getting back on the Valkyrie was not a problem at all, (ok, I had to adjust the feet position thing) and we were getting looks as we rode off. And, even at Bike Night later this evening, the Valk was still getting it's share of admirers. There were 3 Valks at bike night.... mine, a black standard and my friend with a Red/Black Triked Interstate which I took for a spin as well.
