Victory Vision Tour test

Menus

• She gives the berlue
• No way to go unnoticed. If for you, riding a motorcycle is above all that, no need to read more … Go straight into the emerging network of Victory dealers.
• Saddlebags a little sparse
• Sound system, i-pod and MP3
• A perfectible box
• A twin but 8 valves
• Wrap-around protection
• ABS and coupled braking as standard
• Lugs to ward off falls
• Conclusion

She gives the berlue

No way to go unnoticed. If for you, riding a motorcycle is above all that, no need to read more … Go straight into the emerging network of Victory dealers.

A brand that appeared in 1998 on the other side of the Atlantic and which has been trying to break through on French soil since the fall of 2010. Far from being a far-fetched idea of ​​a small manufacturer who assembles his machines in his living room, the brand which is based in Spirit Lake in Iowa, is solidly backed by Polaris, the North American snowmobile giant. A reference and a pledge of seriousness which first developed its network in the United States and now wants to extend to the Old Continent.

Saddlebags a little sparse

For the brand’s image and know-how, it is the Vision that is put forward. A machine unlike any other and which immediately places Victory’s creativity at the center of the discussion. Curved, fluid and taut lines, it is on the side of the best of American design that the aesthetics of the Vision have drawn, sometimes to the detriment of the practical side. This can be seen in the roominess of the side bags. A little sparse in volume, they blend in perfectly with the line as a major element of the Vision’s silhouette. And although they are not very welcoming (110 liters all the same with the top case), they are therefore perfectly waterproof and maintained when opened by jacks rather than straps. Finishing detail that bodes well for the rest.

Sound system, i-pod and MP3

The rest, we discover it while driving. The cockpit can be appreciated at night or in a tunnel with the bluish backlighting. A brushed metal-look plate traces the central console which leads to traditional information. A large counter to display a graduation of the speed whose figures are crushed on top of each other beyond 120 km / h indicates the claims and use of the machine: rather cruising.

What indicates neither more nor less the plate which falls like a drop of water of the right handle of the accelerator. A chrome element and buttons to operate and manage the cruise control which sometimes hiccups on hills. The symmetrical of the wide handlebars like chrome zebu horns is used to manage the sound system. Here again Victory does not follow suit. Just the radio and no bulky CD changer. This is because a socket housed in a hatch on the dashboard allows you to connect an MP3 player or an i-pod. If it had to be recharged, a cigarette lighter socket perfects the ingenious equipment.

A perfectible box

But we are especially eager to know what this machine, born of a chimera, is worth on the tar. So we turn the key and activate the starter. Very metallic, the sound delivered by the twin cylinder resonates in the fairing and is not the most rewarding thing..

Behind, on the side of the exhaust pipes perfectly integrated into the line, it is however more acceptable.

We imagine that the sound across the Atlantic must be a little nicer. Speculation in view of the technical sheet which only awards 89 hp the Europe model against 95 hp US version for 140 Nm of torque on both shores of the Atlantic. Klonck old behemian style, the selection is made on a lever arm with high travel. And reveals a mechanic that seems to be tight in the bowels of the beast. On our test model, which showed 6.800 km on the odometer at the start of the journey, an additional 850 km did not change the situation. Neutral is often difficult to find.

On the way, however, no problem to lock the intermediates, the reports shift effortlessly beyond 1,750 rpm, which is difficult to avoid out of respect for the mechanics..

A twin but 8 valves

Some vibrations accompany the climbs of the twin open at 50 °, but nothing to do with the presence of the Harley big-twin. The technology is not the same. Here, no rocker arms to feed the V-twin, but four valves per cylinder which moderately force-feed the boiler which is as sober as its Milwaukee cousins. 5.8 l / 100 km, or almost 400 km of autonomy thanks to the 22.7 liters of tank capacity, this is what we ask of a long-distance traveler whose mechanics are cooled by air and oil . Ultimate attention to detail, the fins of each cylinder use the V of Victory in their machining. Wink to say the least licked.

Wrap-around protection

Pilot side, we start to enjoy the comfort after having feared the template to cross the first hectometers. Well wedged in the saddle, the bulges of which enclose the lumbar region, it is completely necessary to tighten the legs or to move them away from the machine as space is a part of life on board. We will realize it a little later, but this ease also allows to move away or to approach the heat given off by the 1.731 cm3 of the beautiful. Because when it comes to protection, Vision left nothing to chance.

Lucky Luke could roll his cigarettes while taking advantage of cruise control. He could even smoke them without risking burning his lips by raising the electric bubble, the optical quality of which suffers no reproach. But we prefer to ride with the windshield down to better read the road, to feel a little air all the same on the top of the helmet, or even to refresh our ideas through the gills on the top of the helmet. If that was not enough, the side deflectors are adjustable and orientable towards the pilot, just to take a little air.

ABS and coupled braking as standard

Stalled on the sixth and last report, at 2,750 rpm at 120 km / h, the freedom V-twin, as written on the casings, cruises at the right pace. Discreet what it takes to let the sound system occupy the sound volume and enough in the towers to allow any sudden overtaking if necessary. At the bend of small roads, we will appreciate to give the hand to drop a few reports and gauge the times and the chassis. The whole is balanced, homogeneous and surprises especially by a very good ground clearance. The agility is that of a machine of 395 kg which relies on the lever arms of the handlebars and the engagement of the pilot, even of the assistance of the couple to the go-around, to be balanced of a curve to another. On the braking side, the front element does not distill very fine information feedback. Efficient but not transcendent, it is much more powerful if it is supported by the rear element which, in addition to seating the machine, allows the machine to be put back on line. Once again, Victory has chosen a coupled device to equip its machine which has, in addition, ABS.

Lugs to ward off falls

Far from long journeys and winding departmental roads, the Vision finds its place in the city with regard to its surname. It is indeed the opportunity for onlookers to linger on this new object of desire. On the other hand, it will be necessary to wait to master the beautiful to venture into the urban jungle and not risk being intimidated by so many looks and risk being pushed to make a mistake. Because, even if the center of gravity seems low, even if the seat is also closer to the floor of the cows (the saddle rises to 673 mm), the Vision is nonetheless cumbersome. Of course, Victory has provided its "premium" model with side lugs to ward off any fall at low speed like BMW on the former K 1200 LT. But you will have to look in the options to equip your machine with a reverse gear. A detail because side price, the Vision is exchanged against 22,490 € against 27,990 € for its equivalent at Harley, 28,990 € for the Goldwing of Honda. Halfway between these two divas of the long journeys that it buries on the price side, the Victory will find on its road the very well placed K 1600 GTL. And there, she will have to bet everything on her plastic to win the votes.

Conclusion

With its refreshing line, the Victory Vision stands out as a credible alternative to many long haul routes made in Japan, USA or Germany. Serious workmanship, finishing detail and aesthetic exoticism are like so many arguments that can ultimately guide the prospect’s choice. To whom it only remains to find a local reseller to definitely crack.

What the brand is working on.

Strong points

• The incomparable look
• Manufacturing quality
• Neutral behavior

Weak points

• The network not yet expanded
• Reverse gear optional
• Mechanical resonance in the fairing

The Victory Vision Tour technical sheet

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