Considering the Vision’s size and heft, turning the bike comes
easily, and the chassis tends to feel at once reassuringly solid and
surprisingly compliant. Rear suspension stiffness can be adjusted via a
Schroeder valve and compressed air, compensating for passenger and cargo
loads.
 At speed, the Vision Street’s cockpit is a relatively peaceful
(though not entirely sheltered or silent) place, depending on the position of
the adjustable windshield, with optional electric control. The stereo is
available with XM Satellite Radio and iPod connectivity, and provides an
adequate distraction from the diegetic sounds of the highway. Small, folding
Lexan winglets are cutely low-tech ways to deflect air from rider knees, while
optional heated grips and seat surfaces (including the passenger’s backrest)
enable comfort in cooler climates. (Click image to enlarge)
In spite of its oversized proportions, the Vision copes well
with curvy roads when ridden spiritedly. With sufficient lean angle and
forethought, the Vision turns with surefootedness and stability. The bike’s
stopping ability is strong, and a linked action activates when rear brakes are
applied (though the most effective stops come when the front brakes are manually
applied as well). Pedal effort is a bit high, presumably in order to avoid brake
lockup, but one glaring omission is the lack of an anti-lock system, even as an
option. The decision to omit ABS is a paradoxical one, at best. The Vision,
after all, pushes design boundaries with its striking exterior, but acquiesces
to the perceived hesitance of consumers by omitting state of the art brakes. On the road the Vision is, of course, no match for more
sprightly sport touring bikes, but it holds its own on rough surfaces, twisting
pavement, and rollercoaster roads that challenge the chassis, suspension and
brakes. And while Vision riders are generally insulated from extreme jostling,
wind noise, and stomach tightening g-forces, they are not exempt from the
visceral roots of two-wheeled transport. After all, the throbbing V-twin that
sits between the rider’s lower legs feels very much alive as it pulses, heats up
the insides of the calves, and single handedly prevents the Vision from feeling
numb, or worse, boring.
So, if there is one element of the Vision’s personality that
rises to prominence, one aspect that screams louder than practical aspects like
storage space, cruising range, or ride comfort, it is that big American V-twin,
the one that defined another manufacturer’s style and identity, and paved the
way for more modern takes on long distance cruisers. It is not the Vision’s only
defining feature, but it is certainly one of its most visible. The exposed
V-twin takes an otherwise swoopy bike and adds a bit of spirit, a charming spark
that makes the Vision more entertaining, dynamic, and alive than most other
tourers.
In this age of engineering ad nauseam and relentless
technological perfection, the combination of character and originality make the
Victory Vision attractive to anyone who itches for a ride off the beaten
path.
www.victorymotorcycles.com
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