Victory Reliability

[Steve-O]

How are victory motorcycles rated on reliability? Compared to Honda or Yamaha?

I see a 2005 touring bike with 15k miles that I'd be interested in (not for me). I've heard good things about their reliability, but not sure it's always been good.

[Officer friendly]

One of my bike friends from Halifax NS Canada has a 16 year old son who works at a Victory dealer there,, The young man has a 2011 Victory Cross country (white) and LOVES it....he has over 30 miles on it...(long trips & everyday to work) rides in rain & shine so far NO problems,,,in July 2011 he competed in a Motorcycle rodeo against Police Officers from all over USA & Canada (remember he's only 16) he came in 2nd place...LOL by the time he got off his bike he had 6 job offers (Motor Cop)
I ride with with him & mom & dad all over USA & Canada and so far that bike is great

[John Hopkins]

Originally Posted by Officer friendly

One of my bike friends from Halifax NS Canada has a 16 year old son who works at a Victory dealer there,, The young man has a 2011 Victory Cross country (white) and LOVES it....he has over 30 miles on it...(long trips & everyday to work) rides in rain & shine so far NO problems,,,in July 2011 he competed in a Motorcycle rodeo against Police Officers from all over USA & Canada (remember he's only 16) he came in 2nd place...LOL by the time he got off his bike he had 6 job offers (Motor Cop)
I ride with with him & mom & dad all over USA & Canada and so far that bike is great

Wow!!!

John.

[ZackDaniels]

I assume he meant 30k.

Victory has only been around since the late 90's and so you're not going to get the 70's and 80's clean running examples that Honda can offer.

I've never owned or operated one, but I'd look at them for a ballsy 'MERICAN cruiser well before Harley. They're supposed to have done some serious magic in disguising the weight of the bike, with aces for handling in all reviews I've ever read of their models.

I think all their modern models have hydraulic valves, and are fuel injected, but I'm not sure on the fuel injection for a 2005. Their electrical systems are reasonably straightforward. Translation: no valve adjustments every x many miles, no carbs to mess with, no spark plugs to foul, etc. These and electrical bugs are the bulk of reliability issues when it comes down to it.

I hear they require some special tools to get into the forks for fork oil changes and adjustments. I also hear they don't offer any extension kits for their cables, and so changing handlebars etc. with 3rd party parts can void warranties, but that's not so much an issue when buying used anyway. Some people get bothered by a lack of OEM options though.

Are you looking at a Vision? I can't get over how much it looks like it's trying to eat it's own front tire...



The occasional need for special tools is all I've really heard as far as 'boy this Victory crap is....' If the price is right and your dude digs the UFO look it's certainly worth a test drive.

[CrazyDave]

How can they be reliable? I mean they are running an archaic V Twin design...( oops I did it now didn't I )

[Steve-O]

Looking at a 2005 cross country.
The new ones get stellar reviews. Not sure about the older bikes.
They make some good looking bikes. The Vision is very futuristic. Every biker I've spoken to that owns one loves it. Only knock is the aftermarket parts aren't there yet.

[ejsaenz]

I've been on HD sites that complain about them. They call the bikes names and complain over the plastic bikes... funny, they don't say that about the Corvettes.... hmmm...

They also mention they have no "soul". I think the "soul" they claim to lack is really in the rider and not the ride. You should be able to have a soul lifting moment on any bike. If the bike fits, ride it, if it doesn't, ride it until it does!

I think the Victory bikes are awesome. I'd love to have a Cross Roads or a Boardwalk. They're styling is much more pleasing to my eye than almost all other bikes. I've read reviews about how nice they ride. They would be my first pick over the other American brand. I am a Victory fanboy.

[Merlin02]

Originally Posted by Officer friendly

One of my bike friends from Halifax NS Canada has a 16 year old son who works at a Victory dealer there,, The young man has a 2011 Victory Cross country (white) and LOVES it....he has over 30 miles on it...(long trips & everyday to work) rides in rain & shine so far NO problems,,,in July 2011 he competed in a Motorcycle rodeo against Police Officers from all over USA & Canada (remember he's only 16) he came in 2nd place...LOL by the time he got off his bike he had 6 job offers (Motor Cop)
I ride with with him & mom & dad all over USA & Canada and so far that bike is great

Funny story, but not entirely true. I was a motor officer for 11 years, and a police officer doesn't even get the opportunity to apply for the motor academy until they are hired by a department, pass the basic police academy, pass a one year of probation with a training officer, and then work for a minimum of 5 year in a black and white patrol car. Then, and only, then can an officer even apply to attend the motor academy. The competition is very tight amoung the younger officers. Ususlly a dozen applications are accepted for one slot. He/she must first pass the oral exam, and then a riding skills test. The motor academy will hone your skills, but they will NOT teach you how to ride. In our department, if the officer makes it that far in the testing process, the officer will be sent to the four week motor academy, which claims it has a 50% applicant wash-out rate. It's a high stress academy with daily inspections of your uniform, equipment and motorcycle. All better be spotless. Daily critiques of each student are done by the cadre of instructors. One hour a day in the classroom and 7 hours working the cones patterns in the parking lots. You have to really want the job to put up with the crap the instructions dish out.

[Officer friendly]

30,ooo USA MILES on that bike

[Officer friendly]

Originally Posted by Merlin02

Funny story, but not entirely true. I was a motor officer for 11 years, and a police officer doesn't even get the opportunity to apply for the motor academy until they are hired by a department, pass the basic police academy, pass a one year of probation with a training officer, and then work for a minimum of 5 year in a black and white patrol car. Then, and only, then can an officer even apply to attend the motor academy. The competition is very tight amoung the younger officers. Ususlly a dozen applications are accepted for one slot. He/she must first pass the oral exam, and then a riding skills test. The motor academy will hone your skills, but they will NOT teach you how to ride. In our department, if the officer makes it that far in the testing process, the officer will be sent to the four week motor academy, which claims it has a 50% applicant wash-out rate. It's a high stress academy with daily inspections of your uniform, equipment and motorcycle. All better be spotless. Daily critiques of each student are done by the cadre of instructors. One hour a day in the classroom and 7 hours working the cones patterns in the parking lots. You have to really want the job to put up with the crap the instructions dish out.

He has over 30,000 USA miles on his bike,,,,and I to am a Motor Officer(18years) and know all the hard work that goes into it ,,,so I THINK when this 16 year old BEAT seasoned Motor Officers at their own game they were so impressed they (jokingly offered him jobs on their Dept.)