Harley versus Victory

The Big American Motorcycles

Let me start this discussion by getting to the bottom line. Harley is Harley. Only Harley is Harley. Victory is not Harley. Victory will never be Harley.

The other bottom line: Victory's Vision is a darn good motorcycle, with modern handling and great reliability, and a lot of Vision buyer's would be Harley buyers if Victory did not exist.

What's cool about Harleys is the classic design, the incredible low speed maneuverability, the fact that most things can be fixed in a parking lot with minimal tools, the ability to get help and usually parts almost anywhere, and, of course, the patented sound.

What's cool about Victory is that it's American built, has a fresh modern design, great handling, comfort like crazy, electric everything imaginable, and it seems to be reliable.

I spent the weekend with a group of riders on both bikes. They both have that big American V-Twin sound, although the Harley sound remains unique. The advantages of each are what you would surmise, especially if you have read reviews and test rides in the motorcycling press.

Personally, I believe that this is a great new addition to the American motorcycle genre, and that it will not only provide an alternative, but also spur Harley to new and better things, as well.  

Obviously you are looking for someone to tell you which one you look coolest on. On either you will look just like every other big v-twin poser...silly.

I was so disappointed that Victory turned out to be just another Harley wannabee. Why does every new motorcycle start up in this country want to do the EXPENSIVE rich boy toy thing?  

About the only similarity between the Vision and the Ultra is that they are American-made.  The Vision looks like something out of Battlestar Galactica.  A better comparison would be the Vision vs the Goldwing. And you're right; only a Harley is a Harley.  Ness and Sands have brought an influence to Victory that WIllie G. would never do.  And by the way, Harley didn't build the Ultra as a posser's Big-Boy Toy.  It's the flagship of Harley's line; has been for years.  So go ahead and catch bugs with your arm-pits, I'll cruise my Ultra coast-to-coast with comfort and respect.  

Look at Harley and Victory prices....you don't pay that kind of money to save gas on 2 wheels. You can get cars that are cheaper and get equal mileage (Honda Civic for example) and are usable 24/7 year round. You pay that kind of money for penthouse hookers and ego strokers. HARLEY AND VICTORY ARE RICH BOY TOYS.  But then it seams most people that are attracted to those kinds of bikes are not too concerned with money, and judging by their attire they are not to concerned with reality ether. But when you don't have bottomless pockets or a vacuous mind reality is what you have to deal with all the time. I would dearly love to buy an American bike if an American bike maker would build a real motorcyle at a real price. Not everyone wants to ride around on a cruiser boy poser pillion or $20,000 800 lb 2 wheel cars. The American bike market is heavily biased towards wealthy celebrities and rich and or desperate exhibitionists 'cause it's easy to get them to spend lots of money.