Victory TC Motorcycle with High Miles- reliable?

My husband is wanting to upgrade to a "big boy" bike. He's been riding a 96 honda shadow VLX 600 and wants a bigger bike now. We're looking to spend under $5000. I found a few different bikes I like. One is absolutely GORGEOUS- It's a 2005 Victory TC Touring Cruiser for just under $5,000. It's pristine condition. BUT has very high miles... 52,900. I've read some places where people report having Victory's get over 100K miles and are very reliable bikes. Given how young the bike is, I think the assumption would be these are largely highway miles. I don't know much else yet- haven't seen the bike as it's a good 2-3 hour drive away. I want to get some input... would a Victory bike with that many miles likely be a good bike for a few more years to come? Could we reasonably hope to put 100K miles with regular care?





Hoping to hear from those who own or have owned Victory motorcycles. Thanks.|||I work on a lot of different brands since I work at a used motorcycle dealer. You can read service bulitins from manufacturers to tell you how to correct common problems that certain bikes tend to have. You should be happy to hear that the belt drive used on all victory motorcycles do last 100,000 miles. That is their first recomended replacement and I haven't seen any with broken belts. That could also be due to the fact that people that own cruisers will avoid dirt roads like the plague. So, they are not operated in harsh conditions like what you would see with a dual sport. You can expect minimal maintenance until it reaches 100,000 miles. But, I have been surprised. I have worked on Harley's that have suffered from blown gaskets and worn out seals right around 100,000 miles. But, I haven't seen that on any victory's. Polaris, the parent company, wanted to make the best quality american made bike. I think they have succeeded. BMW's will typically run more than 200,000 miles before spending any noticable time with a mechanic. I have done routine maintenance on Victory's with as much as 180,000 miles and no problems noted that needed special attention. I am waiting to see if one comes in with 200,000 miles. I won't be surprised when I see one. Just waiting till someone racks that many miles on one in the area I live in.|||The first engines of the Victory's did have some problems and they revamped their entire engine line.





That being said, even the first Victory engines are at least as reliable as Harley's - whatever that is worth.





If you can get the bike for under 5K and the remainder of the bike is in good shape and the maintenance has been done, then I see no reason you can't get another 30 or 40K out of the bike before you have to start doing some long term maintenance.|||Here's my personal take:



Yes, good bikes.



But?



You both sound relatively newer to riding. I would not suggest this bike simply because of the mileage involved. I think you need more experience in regards to bikes overall. Not riding. It's a lot of miles for any bike. I like and prefer the King Pin models that replaced these much more. The TC is bulky and tanky compared also top heavy and I don't like it's balance, doesn't handle or perform as well, the TC has a heavier feel. I don't think you will be happy, maybe at first but after a while the knowledge your bike has this much mileage will have you wanting.



Soon there will be much newer King Pins with far less miles on them for a little more. In reality it is way more bike.



Buyers remorse will set in eventually, consider this strongly.



Also consider:



You have no idea of what or how this was treated for 52k in miles or almost 7 years. You are basically judging a book by its cover. Research the model and year completely and thoroughly.



I rode a 2010 Vision with 4k on it for $11,000 at Jones Motorsports in Columbia, Missouri. I currently own an 00 Harley FLHR, 05 Vulcan 1600 Classic, and 00 Honda Valkyrie Interstate. I actually had thoughts of just keep going and never comeback on the Vision. Sure it needs USS Enterprise labeled on the side. But man, what a ride and I can't describe the feeling of it all. It's a bike you can go miles and miles on but can still daytrip with or enjoy the backroads. I simply did not want to stop riding and that's the feeling I can best describe, it is a true coast to coast bike you can still enjoy around the town or neighborhood. I used to think Gold Wings were the ultimate ride (BMW 1200 is too crammed for two up).



The King Pin is just a more motrorcycle looking without Star Trek Arlen Ness design bike. You can take off the travel packs easy enough or leave them on.



I recommend a low mileage King Pin or Vision. Enjoy your investment and remove thoughts that high mileage creates - it is a thought or you would have never asked to begin with. It is an issue now and it will be an issue that grows.



IF you like Victory spend a little more, it's worth it, and you won't be sorry. You will remove the obvious question in mind with less miles. That 6 speed is awesome, btw but the 5 speed is great too.

Think 2008 or newer..... I urge you.



Otherwise look for a Kawasaki Nomad with less miles you can score those for $6000 or less frequently.



BTW - Victory is outsourcing heavily through Mexico so they are no longer American made. Engines are though.



Funny how Harley increased sales 10% last report when all other manufactures are reporting continued sales drops. Harley is this bench mark poster child for people who don't own them as being unreliable or needing repair. Yet when production is ceased or limited by all competitors and Harley sales actually rise in a crippled economy to boot?



RE-SALE VALUE OF HARLEY STILL KILLS THEM ALL - VICTORY was selling left-over stock this summer from as far back as 2007 models. Yamaha still had unsold 2008 models. Suzuki ceased production on several models for 2 years straight. Kawasaki had left over models from 2009 and limited production for the last few years overall. BMW does not perform much service on used bikes because the majority of owners are capable of most repairs so stats are skewed on their reliability overall.



REALITY|||Hi UK here never had a Vic not readily available here, but had BMW's for 35 plus years and despite riding hard, ''thrashing the nuts of them'' I have never had a problem with any of them. Annual mileage is typically 30 to 40 k miles UK and EU and I also do all of my own servicing. The new stuff now is not user friendly when it comes to servicing but is not impossible to do. UK/EU laws are changing where it's gonna be impossible to service your own car bike in any way, by the year 2018 so we're all gonna be screwd. But have a look at some Bee Emms you might be surprised haw good they are.


Been all over the UK and most of Europe and had 2 years thrashing around New Zealand, all on Beemers, and never had a problem, so they must be half decent bikes.


Hope you find what your looking for, were off biking bunking and bonking round Europe this month so hope the bikes up to it too!!!