Comments on: MD Comparo: 2011 H-D Road Glide Ultra vs. 2011 Victory Cross Country (Bike Reports) (News)

By: dthorny

dthorny — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:21:13 +0000

Nice to hear Victory is out with a great ride for 2011, The Victory Cross Country regardless what the reviewer claims, is the better ride. Harley is not as plush a ride, less comfort, less MPG, more staid in appearance and yet Harley is considered the winner? More competition equals better products for us, the consumer.
Take off the rose colored, Milwaukee glasses and be honest on the comparisions please. You owe it to your readers and to the Motor company. If all they hear is “we are the best because we have a bar and shield” then nothing changes.

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By: MGNorge

MGNorge — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 12:56:22 +0000

It’s been the same for me as I mentioned before. Most all Harleys look too much alike simply because the focal point of most bikes is their engine. It’s not that the Harley isn’t a nice looking engine but it’s become too commonplace. Harley should have built some variants, perhaps variants on the V-twin theme so as to not alienate those loyal to the brand but to attract new riders? For that very reason I do not shop Harley. There are just too many other great bikes out there..and for a lot less coin.

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By: R'L

R'L — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:48:55 +0000

Definitely agree with kokaneeslim. Started riding 32 years ago – Honda, Suzuki, Norton, and now I’m on a Victory Ness Kingpin. However, I am a bit tired of reading articles that start out weighing the pros and cons of a Victory vs. a Harley – then seem to ignore the bulk of what they just said and come off some variation of, “…the Harley wins out” – with the only real justification being that ‘it’s a Harley.’
Don’t get me wrong; I’m sure I’d love to own many of the models Harley makes these days and I’m VERY happy to hear about the advances they’ve made to improve their bikes, it’s just that when I went to spend MY money, ‘it’s a Harley’ wasn’t enough to make me spend more money on less motorcycle. I also like the styling of most Vics… I really appreciate a more cohesive, flowing design.
Choice is good, and having Victory and Indian around to give us more options – and Harley even more reason to keep improving – is also good. I hope they (and I) are all around long enough for me to experience owning a motorcycle from each of them.

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By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 10:30:15 +0000

I’ve owned more Yamaha motorcycles than any other brand over the last 37 years. The Strats are surely nice bikes as well, but the Deluxe missed the mark badly on fairing and hard bags compared to either of these bikes.
Now if Yamaha would give the Venture fuel injection, hydraulic valves, more of the VMax’s horsepower, and an electronics upgrade they’d have a bike I’d really love to own. Unfortunately for Yamaha most folks would still opt for a Harley simply because if the name. That mentality is what let Harley get away with making junk (comparatively speaking) for so many years, and selling the junk for $3500.00 over MSRP.
Don’t get me wrong, Harley is building some great bikes these days. Shopping for one is much better as well because the dealers have to treat prospective buyers with courtesy now that the waiting lists are gone, and left overs are sitting in their showrooms.
If I was a little feller, looking for some attention, lacking in “character”, or in need of help “picking up chicks” I might even consider owning a Harley myself….

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By: Cranky Bob

Cranky Bob — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:30:30 +0000

Victory motorcycles are the most bland machines in the motorcycling world. I don’t know how Victory is still surviving in the market with such boring bikes. A lot of the posters here confess that the only reason they like Victory is because it’s different, or because it’s not a Harley…a very poor reason to choose a bike IMHO.
Polaris would do well to drop the entire Victory line and start producing world-class dual sports, sport tourers and sportbikes. It would be great to see an AMERICAN company competing in those categories. We have enough cruisers already!!!

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By: kokaneeslim

kokaneeslim — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:15:24 +0000

I’ve been riding bikes for over 45 years. Started on a Honda trail bike………….loved it. Rode Triumph, Kawis, Hondas and Yamis, own a Harley now….love’em all. Do you get it? Did you buy your bike for pleasure or to impress someone? Grow up, go for a ride and enjoy.

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By: Stratman

Stratman — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:22:47 +0000

Everyone is talking about HD and Victory when they should be talking about the Yamaha Stratoliner the finest bike on the planet. Easily maintained, great handling, a very large bike compared to HD and Victory and it will beats the pants off both of them.

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By: Cyclemotorist

Cyclemotorist — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:06:39 +0000

This is a great discussion.

Where I live nearly every motorcycle I see is a Harley Davidson or Japanese cruiser. When I see a dual sport, or unusual motorcycle of any brand, around here, I just have to check them out. I find ‘different’ compelling. Compelling enough that I would go for the Victory if I was to make a choice of the two. One reason I find HDs uninteresting is they all have that same 45º air cooled powerplant. And I fully understand the motor company has refined it many times over the years. I guess I’m just tired of seeing the same old thing.

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By: MikeD

MikeD — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:56:22 +0000

“Better Ride” is pretty subjective…is all about your taste.
I for one CAN’T SWALLOW the RoadLiner and StratoLiner’s Steam Locomotive StreamLining Styling…specially that Cigar Pipe(We could argue thats an easy fix ALBEIT XPENSIVE but thats not the point here).
Yes, they do have plenty of positives(aluminium frame,belt drives,1900cc air cooled Mill,etc) but IT don’t make up for it’s look on MY eyes. Call it shallow but is the way it works for some folks, like me. See? all is relative. lol.

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By: Stratplayer

Stratplayer — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:18:45 +0000

All this todo about nothing. The Yamaha Stratoliner is by far a better ride in all categories than the two bikes tested here besides being able to blow the doors of both. Someone mentioned earlier about “lemmings” which is what most HD riders are. Seen more of it than I want to but the times are a changing.

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