Vision Tour
With the addition of the two Cross models to the lineup, Victory decided to drop the Vision Street and the other offshoots of the Vision line (e.g., Premium) and focus on the Vision Tour. The Vision Tour is Victory's full-featured luxury-touring bike that eats up the miles like very few other motorcycles. The full front fairing attaches to the frame for increased stability and is filled with audio and instrumentation that is similar to the CC. The hard saddlebags flow with the rest of the machine and additional storage is found in the quite massive rear trunk as well as two storage compartments up front above the faux gastank (fuel is stored in two pannier-style tanks flanking the front of the cast frame/airbox assembly).
Amenities are abundant on the Vision from the electrically adjustable windscreen, independent adjustable heated seats for the rider and passenger, as well as heated grips. As with the Cross models cruise control is standard equipment. Perhaps the biggest news for the Vision Tour is the addition of standard anti-lock brakes (ABS) that works through a linked braking system that on moderate to heavy braking with rear brake pedal, a portion of the front calipers is activated hydraulically to enhance overall braking whereas a light braking with the rear brake pedal activates only the rear caliper. This has been used for many years on other brands and helps to keep the bike settled while increasing braking efficiency.
The Vision gets the long floorboards and newly designed shifter arm for increased leg room with an accessory heel shifter an option. A chromed tubular handlebar replaces the more rectangular version of the past; this helps with using bolt-on handlebar accessories for such things as GPS units or cellphone cradles.
Vision 8-Ball
Victory unleashed the 8-Ball series as the blackest and most affordable bikes they produce and this year the sinister-looking Vision 8-Ball returns to the lineup. The Vision 8-Ball shares many of the features of the Vision Tour such as the 106/6 combo and general bodywork style. However the 8-Ball comes without the trunk or the bells and whistles such as an audio system, ABS, or cruise control. What you do get is pure attitude with almost everything imaginable blacked out, from the motor, to the handlebars, to the wheels. In addition the seat height is an extremely low 24 1/2 inches with a nice seat pocket that cradles your body. A low windshield gives the Vision 8-Ball a clean and sporty look; higher windscreens are available separately. Passenger footpegs replace the floorboards for a sleeker look. The Vision 8-Ball is for the rider that wants a no extra frills touring bike; it's raw, mean, and low, yet still capable of making the long run.
Cory Ness Signature Series Cross Country
Once again the father and son Ness team, of Arlen and Cory respectively, have lent their design talents to two limited edition touring bikes (Zach Ness, Cory's son has a non-touring Signature Series model too). Cory had free reign to bling out the Cross Country and turn it into a traffic-stopping custom. The basis of the bike has all of the features of the standard CC but has tons of glistening chrome combined with a special Sunset Red paint scheme and Cory-designed graphics only found on Cory's Signature Series bike. Some of the many Ness accessories include chrome grips, mirrors, billet passenger pegs, chrome foot controls, oil line and engine covers, as well as a Ness radio display and custom billet wheels. The engine gets additional shine from Diamond-cut cylinders and heads. A numbered badge atop the transmission area has Cory's signature and edition number. A very comfortable suede-leather seat comes standard on Cory's bike although it does tend to retain moisture after a rainstorm.
This is the bike we put the most seat time on (Serial #1) and eventually rode this bike to Sturgis. We'll be bringing a full road test review of this machine in an upcoming issue. We also procured the optional trunk for the Ness CC and with its painted to match hue it looked as if the bike rolled out of the factory with it on.