Saturday, December 10, 2011

Why Harley Davidson' are better than Victory Motorcycles?

I am getting a little tired of seeing most of the posts that I mention Victory's as a better alternative of an american bike than Harley being disapproved of. So the question is simple, why, in your opinion, is a Harley Davidson motorcycle better than a comparable Victory motorcycle? I am putting the trolls to the test, and would like answers a little more thought out than Victory sucks Harley rules. I have owned both, but I am curious of other peoples opinions. I am espcially interested in those who have actually ridden both. I look forward to your responses.|||They aren't. When Victory first came out, I was sharing shop space with a Victory development mechanic. In the course of his job, he rode every cruiser on the market, and the Victory handled better than any of them except the Guzzi Californias. I am prepared to buy that, because every Harley I have ridden has been an evil-handling pig, incapable of keeping up a moderately brisk sightseeing pace on typical western Wisconsin coulee roads. Most of them dragged hard parts at moderate cornering speeds. The handling gap alone is enough to tip the scale in favor of Victory.|||This is a toss up in my mind. While both bikes have their qualities, it is hard to say one is better than the other. I think it is in the opinion of the rider. I've had 2 HD's, and I now own a Victory Vegas. While I love my Vegas, I have very fond memories of my Springer. Both win in my book.

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|||Prior to my Victory I owned a Harley Low Rider (AMF POS), Fatboy and a BMW K100LT. My Vic is a V92C Deluxe. It is very fast,I find myself driving like it was the BMW. You just cant lean them over that far without dragging hard parts. I hated the AMF, loved the Fatboy %26amp; V92C. Apples %26amp; oranges.

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|||This might be very general but I prefer Victory because of the technology they put into the bikes and dollar for dollar I think I get a better bike. Thats just me. My opinion is that HD has survived by rider loyality for a long time just because many HD owner/riders are of the mindset it is the best--- period. And thats ok, we all like what we like. For style, price and reliability the Victory does it for me before the HD. I am happy to have a choice though, there are lots of nice bikes out there and something for everyone. If riding a HD makes you happy because that has become the symbol of what motorcycling should be then by all means ride one. Just be happy. I just think being open minded can open up a lot of possibilties that are favorable. I own a Dodge Truck, a Ford Thunderbird and a Chevrolet Corvette. Go figure. :)|||Sorry, I cant answer from the Victory standpoint, I cant afford one.





But I love my HD, bought it used last summer, had absolutely no problems with it and wouldnt trade it for anything.





I dont see anything wrong with Victorys, the local dealer here is an a--hole and it would be a cold day in hell before he gets a $$ from me but that doesnt mean I dislike the bikes he sells.





But . . . . . . I have owned and ridden lots of metric bikes over the last 30 years, they are all good but there is something about Harley Davidson that is indefinable but you know it's real, the sound, the feel, hard to describe.


I will never go back to another Japanese bike.|||Both bikes are top quality, its personal preference, Harley has been around over 100 years. Victory has their own styling, to me and many others their too futuristic, as for Harley they look as they did 20 years ago just more reliable. I have ridden Victory, they make a very nice bike but Im a Harley man its gotta be the sound.|||You can only get a decent opinion from those who have owned both such as yourself.





Of course those who only have rode one or the other will favor it over the one they have never rode. Alot more HD riders out there who never even been on a Victory saying HD is better.





I used to have a HD. I never owned or rode Victory, so I won't give you an opinion which is better other than my Ducati...haha :-)|||The only way to know would be to spend a month or so with both.





In that time you would need to include having a service done (compare service cost) and maybe consider the value of common replacement parts like filters and indicators/leavers.





Then there is insurance/theft risk and later resale value.





Yet all that aside. Who cares. The only persons who's opinion matters is the owner. Providing your happy what does it matter what the HD owners think and say?





Me personally


I sway towards Honda CBRs and VFRs, if that is not to the likings of other riders I am not all that concerned. Its me that I have to please.|||Honestly, I haven't owned either. But without empirical evidence that one is made better than another....





Such as strength testing the alloys it's made out of, etc....





"better" is purely subjective. If people like one over the other, that's their prerogative, and you're just as wrong for calling them trolls about it, as they are for defending their belief about it.|||Victory makes a good bike, but the big difference to me is the HOG community. It's the glue that makes Harley so different and yes, better than any other bike manufacturer. Both make good products, and one can argue the merits of technology, warranty period, hardware and more.|||Most Harley Riders just drink the Kool Aid. It is the only bike they have ever owned or ridden. I was one of those guys until, I actually opened my mind and tried another ride. Damn, i'm still P.O'd it took me so long to see the light. There are so many better rides out there than HD's.|||C'mon, everyone knows that Ducati makes the best air cooled v-twin. Period. As for the best cruisers, that would be the Yamahondakawazuki.|||LOL|||I have owned a Harley and curently own 4 Buells, as well as a Honda and a BMW. Several of my friends ride Victory's. My feeling is that a lot of people get stuck on the "made in America" H-D riff, never take the opportunity to look at anything else, and summarily declare H-D "the best". If one's definition of a motorcycle is a Harley, then obviously nothing will ever out-Harley a Harley! In terms of content, all motorcycle manufacturers outsource parts, and usually from a variety of countries, and that's a good thing: Why re-invent the wheel if someone else already has one? All you will succeed in doing is raising your manufacturing cost in what is a very competitve marketplace, One can not really hold up Victory or H-D as "all-American" motorcycles.


As a motorcycle instructor, I've seen many, many students show up festooned in Harley gear, learn to ride (sort of) in one weekend, and head off to buy their Harley. WTF? There are so many aspects to motorcycling, and yet they have blindly jumped into one narrow iteration.


I think that the Victory brand has reached a level of development which meets H-D quality head-on, with the added benefit of a more modern engine design. This in spite of the fact that they started off badly: The original design team had mainly Diesel engine experience, and the first motor design had serious heat dissipation issues. These were solved by detuning the motor (less power=less heat) to the point that it no longer met the design goal, which was to outperform the H-D big twin. Technology has since become Victory's advantage over H-D. Harley's advantages continue to be: dealer network, customer base, brand recognition, heritage, availability of custom parts (H-D or aftermarket) and the ability to leverage motorcycle sales into sales of barbecues, jewelry, clothes, home decor, etc.. None of these relate to the actual product, but it must be said that the percieved value of a Harley is emotional, not based on function.


The same is true of so many products: Nobody NEEDS a Rolex watch, a Rolls-Royce car, a McIntosh stereo, or a Mont Blanc pen. It's all about how it makes the owner feel, and what he or she thinks it does for his or her image and self-image.


By the way, Sleepy, I'm Canadian, but Victory isn't. Maybe you're thinking of Can-Am.|||It's not the brand of bike but you. I read a whole lot more non Harley riders, bashing Harley's. Than I see Harley riders, bashing non Harley's.





What's wrong with, Victory sucks, Harley rules. It's as good as or better, than a lot of the Harley bashing answer's.





I own a Harley and have ridden a Victory. I didn't like the Victory, as much as the Harley. I didn't like the looks, or the feel of the Victory, as much as the Harley. Off road factors, such as ease of maintenance. Parts, both dealer and after market. Plus the fact, that I can do much of the work myself. All, had to do with my going with a Harley.





The motorcycle culture, had something to due with it also. I grew up around the clubs, both 1% and non 1%. They all ride Harley's, or custom bikes. I rode a Honda for a few years, till I was, "man enough, to ride a Harley."





Is one kind, or brand of motorcycle better than any other. Yes and no. Yes in the fact that, taken as a whole. One kind, or brand, is better for any given person. No as in, the motorcycles themselves. Are all about the same. But if you like to ride, with your hair on fire. Then a Harley, is not for you. If you like a stable bike, with out, more horse power than you need. Then a Harley, maybe for you. My Harley, is just fine for me. I can load both my wife, myself and all our camping gear on it. With out, loosing the handling and still get 40+ mpg, plus top out at over 100mph. Plus I can hook a trailer, to it and still walk at the end of a days ride.





The Victory, didn't do as well under that kind of riding. It did a little better, on a poker run. But still not as well, as the Harley did. That's the kind of riding I do, so I bought the Harley.|||I don't really think the "better" term defines a product. as far as harley vs victory goes I own a harley fatboy. I like the bike. I have to say though that the harley stigma did sway me some. harley just has that going for it. I have never ridden a victory. I like them though. I believe performance wise the victory is a stronger m/c. for being 88ci. the harley is a dog. at least mine is. I've changed a few things on it and it's a little stronger. the harley really has'nt changed that much over the years. although the last ten yrs. have been better for H.D.. as far as the victory goes I think it's bad rap comes from people buying into the harley name. personally I think the victory is a better bike. again I've never rode one. when it's time for me to get another bike I'll probably get another harley. the harley stigma again. I guess it's got me too.|||Speaking only for myself, I love my Ironhead and have had it for over twenty years. I've worked, taken care of, and ridden all sorts of bikes and always just like mine more. It just suits me. The other bikes that I really liked as far as comfort were both Harley's as well. But I find myself looking for a frame because I need a bigger cruiser and don't feel that HD, Kiwi Indian or Victory have my answer, and so I'm leaning towards just building what I need. S%26amp;S flat side Shovelhead, Baker 6sp transmission, PM Brakes and a lot of swap meet parts.


To answer one of your query's, I've heard and read nothing but positives about Victory, however I feel that if I went that route, I'd end up with a lot of work in front of me as well as a lot of unwanted parts because I simply don't like the looks of any of their offerings.


This is not to say I Hate them, they're just not my style, perhaps if they were to offer a real bare bones bike on spokes, I'd reconsider.


I've heard some guys rag on them because they're Canadian or something. Hey, I don't care because of NAFTA, the three North American countries are in this together. But this is another issue. I'm just saying that the Canadian thing is not enough to take Victory off the table for me.|||Not really sure how you decide which bike is the "best". That is a totally subjective question. Victory's smoking Harley's on the drag strip? Does anyone really care about that? Does anyone buy a cruiser because of it's 1/4 mile time? I seriously doubt it. It sounds like your main contention is that Victory is more "American made" than Harley and that may be true. So where is your TV made? Where is your DVD player made, etc.? I am so sick of people ranting about buying an American motorcycle or car when every other damn thing they own is from overseas and these same people that are so proud of their American cars and motorcycles spend half of their paycheck at Wal*Mart. Seriously dude, you're just making a big deal out of something that shouldn't be. People have the right to buy and ride what they want. Riding for enjoyment is not a competition so it doesn't matter what the hell you ride. Victory makes a good bike and a damn nice looking bike, but it seems everyone that owns a Victory spends a large part of their existence trying to convince everyone how much better Victory's are compared to Harley's. Who gives a damn? People are going to buy what they want to regardless of your opinion.|||Well, lets start from the beginning: We all know how long each one has been in production. The reality is Victory (1998) has had more than its share of bugs to get worked out. and hadn't had time to prove itself. Harley's(1903) durability cannot be questioned here.





I do wonder why I've never ever EVER seen any Victory's at the flat track, hill climbs, drag strips, or pike's peak. No, you will not see an y Harleys at Laguna Seca but lets stay in context shall we?


The engineer that came up with Victory's engine is a recruit from Kohler. (industrial and lawn mower engines)


There's got to be a reason why 90% of every motorcycle manufacturer on the planet has copied, emulated, and tried to otherwise duplicate Harley.... Victory's no different.





This is an excerpt from a CNN Manufacturing report:


"Victory Motorcycles is a division of Polaris Industries of Plymouth, Minn., a publicly held company that got its start in 1954 building snowmobiles, and branched into personal watercraft and all-terrain vehicles. Eager to diversify further, Polaris was swayed in the early 1990s when a bunch of dealers said they'd like to have street motorcycles to sell. "We bought a Harley and a Honda cruiser and took them apart," says Matt Parks, Polaris' general manager for motorcycles. "Our assessment showed there was good money to be made." Hmmm.


Harley Davidson motorcycles are made by: Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Co.





The Victory bikes are indeed assembled in the U.S. but from completely outsourced parts. The frames are cut, mandrel bent and welded domestically.... from Chinese steel.


Harley frames are all American steel (According to a Wisconsin Senator) and the engines are completely forged %26amp; machined in the U.S. The percentage of foreign components in Victory is about 90%. Harley: about 18%. (but growing, unfortunately)





In closing, there's the sales numbers: Harley has lost market share, but not to Victory. (The economy has been hard on everyone)





Now,.... I'm all for free enterprise and really have nothing against Victory. I have never owned one but have ridden 3 different bikes for a total of 400 miles, BUT just could not get comfortable on them. Turns were good but I wouldn't want to stuff one in said corner.....


I have ridden 6 or 8 Harleys and owned 2. I've never been on the side of the road, never ever lost a part and never seen a single oil spot.





Conclusion? If Victory could compete with Harley with an ORIGINAL design you wouldn't have to ask this question as it would be a real competition.





Every Victory I ever saw was faster than most Harley's (BUT with overwhelming displacement) -Not including the V-rod. -Performance data does not lie.





For the record: I stand corrected on the whole Canadian thing about Victory. After NAFTA Polaris got a sweet deal to come to Minnesota. Victory's offices are in Plymouth Minn. and bikes are assembled in Spirit lake Iowa.





I'm very tired of the "Victory -The new American Motorcycle" trolls that spout off a bunch of crap without anything to back it up. Victory clearly does not rule.





Harley and its riders have the confidence to share the road with anyone and holds its own quite nicely with distinction and class..... and plays second fiddle to no one.





(ED) Umm, The article referenced is what it is no matter when it came out. Talk to Victory if you have a problem with Matt parks. They didn't take apart a 1903 Harley, they copied a modern bike....and all the Victory's since have looked the same with different frosting. (sound familiar?) You have your percentages, I have mine... out in the driveway. and nowhere and I mean nowhere does it say Made in China. Back up what you say or don't spit it out there. I have been trucking for 25 years... do you wanna know how many containers off the boat I've seen going to Victory??? I've even hauled a few. I've seen the assembly plants... there's no steel made there. I've been on the dock and seen the pre-fab frames, suspensions, and spare parts from Asia....with metric fasteners.


No I'm not playing games, you are. If Victory had a racing team wouldn't we all know it by now? Go ahead and smoke all the harleys out on the street as you please,.... the police and m/c safety groups love that kind of stuff.





Stop talking "at" me and giving every excuse in the book to try and make Victory look somehow superior to Harley, because its not. Deal with it. Have the class to share the road. You ride a fine machine, ride it well, ride it safe, ride it fast if you want, but when you start writing the check I'll ride what you say. -Until then I'll take my Harley that was paid for in cash and head down the road....|||Victory horsepower numbers blow harley away. Victory is more American made. That said it is another lameassed crusier. Awful handling, low horsepower for the size and price. Crusiers are posers bikes and the harley is more the Gucci bag of crusiers so sorry but harley does best what crusiers are for, posing and being a fashion accessory.|||If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand.

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