While off on a tangent,It appears that I was bashing R Lee Ermey.It was not my intention at all. He did serve this great country and is retired from the Marine corp.I'm not sure why he would let them promote him to honorary Gunnery Sergeant after he had already retired but I guess it's not important.I am biased on my opinion about victory. They are about everything what Harley-Davidson is.The jetson era looking motorcycles weren't being labeled as an American bike in the eyes of the public so they went out and bought Indian, trying to promote it as first American made motorcycles.Pretty lame thinking...

No need to apologize for anything. My opinion on forums and bikers is that you should speak as you would if we were sitting together at a saloon. I'd rather have you tell me something in passionate disagreement if it's true rather than hide behind a computer or sit on the fence.

I like Ermey. But please realize that he is "two guys." As you say, he's a patriot and actually served his country. But he has also created a character which he laces with large amounts of self-effacing humor. I admire that also. At the day's end he's a gun guy, a knife guy (he has his own Q&A section in a knife magazine) and he rides.

I'd like to shake the hands of two guys. One is Ermey. The other is Sonny Barger. They have the same common denominator. No matter what their views, they show you what freedom and tenacity look like. I was fourteen when I began to read about the exploits of Barger. Without that, I might have become just another pasty faced 'boomer. I feel about Ermey the same way.



In their early inception I might have agreed with you. America was struggling with a creating a new bike. Indian had failed a bunch of times. The new Viper Motorcycle is the real deal, but can they sustain? Given the choice between the two, I'd pick the Viper.

However, there is a real shift in American motorcycle theory right now. I think places like S&S or TP build better engines. That new X-Wedge is available right now, and my choice for a "ground up" custom build. MoCo is just sitting on their laurels.

But the OP and I share the same overall idea. MoCo doesn't seem interested in building what we want. Heck, the new 10th Anniversary V-Rod is both the best and ugliest bike Harley ever built. I'm irritated that we aren't celebrating its 30th Anniversary. Having said that, many of us feel that stock Harleys are only raw material, and in that guise, there are lots of better rides from other companies.

The OP wants a certain dresser, present Glides aren't it. I want a slightly bigger Sportster with a better suspension, a present Super Glide ain't it, either. His question is simply what many of us are thinking, and it's valid. He might not be fulfilled with a Harley. I know I'm not, I had to buy two bikes to satisfy my whims.

Harley came out with the switchback.It's a dyna based bagger,I'm not sure you can get it blackened Motor parts or not.Victory just came out with the Hard Ball which is the same concept if your hepped up on owning a victory. I've seen where people turned a V Rods into a baggers.I see bikes as a canvass in which you create your own with.In my opinion,it's not really your bike until you modify it or personalize it in some way.

I agree.

The problem with the Switchback is that I don't need/want a garbage wagon. I don't like glass, and if I need to take that much junk with me to enjoy the time I might as well stay home. The whole point of motorcycling is to enhance the traveling experience, not insulate you from it.

Now, there are "long distance" touring riders. The farthest I've ever gone in one 'sitting' is 750 miles. I did that on a naked GoldWing. I would characterize a cross-country vacation in that category or something dramatic like the Hoka Hey. For my riding it's smoother highways, 100 miles and a piss and fuel and then back onto some smoother highway. After 200K over the years guys like me have nothing to prove.

Yes, I customize. I have more money in my suspensions than in the engines. This is why I offered the OP a differing slant. Sometimes we start off with too narrow a view. Like, "It's got to be Harley and I like blue." From what he said, I surmised he really wanted an American V-twin that was blacked out. Truth be told, that's a Victory Hardball.

You don't get the fact that victory motorcycles really do suck.You need to do yourself a favor and test ride one.I recommend you go and inspect one closely.Know that your most likely going to be left stranded somewhere along the road during your ride when the stator fails.That is a common problem with them, although it is an easy fix once you source a stator.The dealerships are far and few in between, most have folded up with the economy. The transmission is on the weak side compared to Harley-Davidson and the fit and finish is not up to par with Harley-Davidson. Why in the world would you recommend a victory ? Because they have a blackened out motor.

For that to be true a Victory would have to suck worse than a leaky kick-start XLCH with a magneto.

+1

I struggle with being polite to other choices of motorcycles, I try to be but since Cranebird brought it up its what I heard about Victories too.

Harley has a couple blackened out models to chose from and the fit and finish for the most part is 2nd to none.

Not a fair comparrison...1960's sportster to a 2000+ Victory..or did I miss something..HD coming out with factory magneto kick start only bike?

You're just cranky cause they put shit shocks on your Sportster 48 and thge bikes are tuned hot from the factory to comply with the EPA. Truth be told Harley has really done a great job no outstanding job in the style and performance department over the years. Look at the choices today as compared to yesteryear...phenominal. My at the time 10 my year old 2001 Ultra rode flawlessly to San Diego and back in 2010, then to Arkansas, Pigeon Forge,TN and outer banks,NC in 2011.

And on a side note...If'n you ever got the notion for long distance riding the only thing you'd regret owning an Ultra was not having one sooner...I quarantee that.

Well, a 1960s XLCH is a modern bike, to me. I mean, it's not a knuckle, a pan or a flattie. I rode one new. I have a history with ill starting Harley kickers, and frankly, they do make a Victory look good.

But hey, I though Harley boots with both laces and zippers was ground breaking. I mean, adjust the laces and never tie them again. Wow! To me that's as fantastic as a solid aluminum primary cover that didn't leak.

Seriously, give Polaris some time. At this rate they'll have the X-Wedge in bikes before Harley ever designs the proper rear motor mount...