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04-06-2015, 11:15 PM
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#1 |
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Sr. Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 1,255
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New Ride and change of status
Thursday morning I will be getting a new red/black 2015 Victory Cross Country Tour. My '08 Nomad has served me well with 48,000 trouble free miles. This also means giving up the Safety/Riding Moderator position I have held for five plus years. Getting older I have been looking for a comfortable ride with some of the extra amenities. Cruise control, heated grips and seats, a nice trunk with plenty of storage, radio, and better weather protection to name a few.
 When I finally talked Norma into riding the scenic areas two years ago I have been looking for something with a little more room in case she ever decides to take a short trip with me. Finding a ride to fit somebody of my size along with a passenger is more difficult than most imagine. The following are my opinions from riding the various demos over the last couple of years and a good many will probably disagree but I have said many times, find a bike that fits or you won't ride. The Kawasaki Voyager is too small even for me as a solo rider. The last demo ride a couple of weeks ago I was actually cramped and a little sore after 30 minutes. For the shorter riders it may work but two up it doesn't make the cut. I am not so sure Kawasaki cares since there was only one Voyager at the demo ride all the others were the sport bikes, etc. Harleys are okay for the individuals that have enough money or wrench their own bikes. This last year I have seen too many do not ride recalls and other potential problems I did not feel I could afford. Could I afford one, maybe, but they did not fit me for the comfort level. The new Indian Roadmaster is a nice machine and not so nice. The demo ride started okay and by the time I got back it was so-so. The display is hard to read in the bright sun and there is less storage than the Victory. Neither Norma or I could pin down specifics except it just didn't feel right to us. The extra several thousand dollars for what appears to be more marketing hype than anything else wasn't justified. Finally the Victory Cross Country Tour was the best of the motorcycles for me. It has more than enough room to stretch out or move things around to fit. I should have plenty of room for my gear on the trips without trying to strap down a tail bag to the rear seat. I have talked to several owners who are very happy and have little or in most cases no problems. Out of all the rides this one was the most comfortable and had everything I wanted. For the locals in the Phoenix area the Scottsdale Victory dealership gave me a deal that was too good to refuse. It does pay to look around and visit the various dealers before buying any motorcycle. I added the hydraulic clutch and the passenger grab rails as part of the initial package, a few other things will be put on later. Not that the bike really needs too much to keep me happy. I plan on staying with the forum and checking in on a regular basis. The information from our members is heads and tails above what I have seen on other forums. I have enjoyed my time as a moderator and hope everybody rides safe with the summer riding approaching.
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Mark Griffin 2021 Manhattan Metallic K1600GTL 2016 Silver K1600GTL - sold 2015 Red/Blk Cross Country Tour - sold 2008 Red/Blk Nomad - sold KE7HG VBA 00176, IBA 65686, MOA 211564  Mesquite '08|Custer '09|Cortez '10|Maggie Valley '11|Kanab '12|Estes Park '13|Red Lodge '16|Custer '18 Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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04-06-2015, 11:33 PM
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#3 |
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Mega-Contributor
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever!
Posts: 21,926
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That's a beauty, Mark. Enjoy!
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Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci  :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08|Custer '09|Cortez '10|Crescent City '11|Kanab '12|Antlers '12|Estes Park '13|Antlers '13|Orofino '14|The Dalles '17 |
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04-06-2015, 11:34 PM
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#4 |
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Sr. Contributor
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Washington City, Utah
Posts: 16,474
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Welcome to the Various Baggers Association Mark!
You will be very pleased as the miles rack up! 
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I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited  There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them.  The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005 |
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04-06-2015, 11:40 PM
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#5 |
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Bancroft,Id.
Posts: 335
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Very nice!
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 Tad "Caribou" JensenVBA #1976 Bancroft,Idaho 2012 Electa Glide Classic 2003 Nomad FI(Past) _______________________________ I ain't never been lost, powerfull confused for a month or two, but never lost. Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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04-07-2015, 03:12 AM
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#8 |
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Sr. Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: St. Pauls, NC
Posts: 2,089
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Sweet looking ride, congrats and enjoy.
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Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager  2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga |
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04-07-2015, 07:13 AM
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#9 |
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Piedmont OK
Posts: 2,207
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Congratulations on your new bike
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 David (Framer) Marang 2018 Harley Davidson Ultra Limited VBA#02245 VROC#35311 2013 Antlers 2014 Mountain View 2014 Antlers 2015 Eureka Springs 2015 Antlers 2016 Salem 2016 Antlers 2017 Eureka Springs 2017 Lake George 2017 Antlers 2018 Custer |
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04-07-2015, 09:33 AM
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#12 |
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Advanced Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: South Florida
Posts: 710
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Congrats. The Cross Country line is my favorite of the Victory motorcycles. The Vision is a little too space shippy for me. Good luck
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2004 Vulcan 1500 Classic "Sasha" (SOLD)  2014 Vulcan Vaquero ABS SE "Candie" On the 1500, too much to list. On the Vaquero: V&H slash cut slip ons Power Commander 5 and Ivan-ized ECU Chuckster's BAK Aux Audio adapter with bluetooth receiver. Mustang 2 up Touring Seat w/ driver and passenger backrest Kuryakyn Longhorn highway pegs. Kawasaki 12 volt charger Longer 1600 meanstreak SE kickstand Full LED Daymaker light mod. |
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04-07-2015, 09:43 AM
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#14 |
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Top Contributor
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: North Wilkesboro, NC
Posts: 6,289
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Nice bike! Now that you've made a deal on a XCT, go ride a Vision. Don't look at it. You're not going to buy it. Just ride it.
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Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 |
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VBA #659
Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email]
Linear Mode
