Ness Signature Victory Vision

Every custom builder “see” how a factory motorcycle can be improved aesthetically  and/or technologically. Arlen & Cory Ness just gave a style makeover to the Polaris Victory Vision, the “revolutionary” touring motorcycle powered by a fuel-injected, air-and-oil cooled, SOHC eight-valve 1731cc ‘Freedom’ V-twin engine producing 92 horsepower. The launch of this Signature Vision happens at the time Victory Motorcycles is celebrating its 10th anniversary.  The Ness Vision gets a series of cosmetic improvements like custom billet wheels and a leather seat, an adjustable electric windshield, a fancy radio/stereo and a custom paintjob. Victory Motorcycles

33 Responses to “Ness Signature Victory Vision”


  1. 1 Tom Maioli Nov 17th, 2008 at 10:20 am

    Thank you Arlen and Cory for giving that bike the facelift it needed!

  2. 2 J Nov 17th, 2008 at 2:13 pm

    Nice to see an interesting choice in touring bikes- cool look!

  3. 3 Keith Nov 17th, 2008 at 4:19 pm

    I dig it.

  4. 4 MD Nov 17th, 2008 at 6:41 pm

    Strokers Dallas has this Signature model on the showroom floor right now for anyone that wants to check it out. The details look awesome in person. http://www.strokersdallas.com

  5. 5 steveb Nov 17th, 2008 at 8:15 pm

    Wow, the tailsection of that bike is a monster

  6. 6 Busfreak Nov 18th, 2008 at 9:01 am

    You can’t polish a turd.

  7. 7 Gar Nov 18th, 2008 at 1:30 pm

    Busfreak,

    You are so correct a polished turd is still a turd !

    The tail of this bike is long enough to install a rumble seat in! Hell, the ass of this bike is big enough it could be used to smuggler illegal Mexicans across the border. The bike should have been named the “Coyote” !!!!!

    This bike is so Arlen Ness in styling, however, this time all I can say is the bike is just not ugly, it is totally BUTT UGLY! Sorry Ness & Company!

    Gar Out

  8. 8 AZ ROB Nov 18th, 2008 at 1:46 pm

    Gar you obviously have not taken the chance to ride one of these bikes yet. I have seen your posts on this website and the fact that you are so close minded is astonishing. I have several diffrent bikes including Harleys and customs. After having the chance to ride a Victory Kingpin I decided that the overpriced underpowered Harleys were a thing of my past. I now am proud to say that I own 3 Victory motorcycles including the Vision. I am proud to say that my bikes all have more american made parts than the other “american made bike” but then again we cant all be onesided and of the opnion that mine is the only one that counts.

  9. 9 Gar Nov 18th, 2008 at 2:38 pm

    AZROB, you moron!

    I have ridden several Victory Motorcycles over the years and that has what to do with the price of tea in China?

    Let me write slowly here so maybe you can keep up with me —– I was not discussing the performance of the Victory Motorcycle (even though a V-Rod that wasn’t running well at the time of the race could spank the hell out of a Victory), nor was I discussing the handling characteristics of the Victory Motorcycle, nor was I discussing how round the tires are on the Victory Motorcycle, I was, however, stating that, in my opinion, the bike is BUTT UGLY and it is and is a turd and it is.

    Further, for your own edification, in my mind my opinion IS the only one that counts. I could care less if you like the bike or not. Your likes or dislikes mean nothing to me, nor should my likes or dislikes mean anything to you. For example, after reading your post I have the formed the following opinion of you: you are a self conscience little man with a severe lack of self esteem and your mother most likely dresses you funny. Now go have a nice day.

    Gar Out

  10. 10 T Nov 18th, 2008 at 6:22 pm

    It’s like having great sex with an ugly woman,
    You know it’s a great ride
    But at the end of the day…………….

  11. 11 JT Nov 18th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

    Hey Gar, I think AZROB is right on his assessment of you. I have read many of your posts & you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. You are consistently stupid! You’re that idiot in the bar that when trying to get his point across talks louder than the others, thinking that will help make his point. I guess what I’m trying to say is that you’re a simpleton. Quit trying to bully people will ya. Now, get back to your job at the Jiffy Lube & stay off the computer, you’re getting the keyboard all oily.

  12. 12 Gar Nov 18th, 2008 at 7:37 pm

    JT,

    After reading your post and admiring your command of the English language, I would be willing to bet that your job (career) requires you to make the following statement(s) no less than several hundred times daily: “Would you like fries with that? How ‘bout a hot apple pie?”

    Keep up the good work and someday you might just be able to actually afford a motorcycle!

    Further, you and I both know that you are way too young to be in a bar so go sit down and finish watching Mr. Rogers. AZROB can defend himself without your feeble attempt at humor or force.

    “T”, How correct you are Sir!

    Gar Out

  13. 13 Mike Greenwald Nov 18th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder here.

    I am glad to see that somebody had the balls to not look like the batwing fairing and the paralellogram bags we have looked at for 50 years.

    Not as generic looking as the Japanese or German renditions of baggers either.

    Whose bagger rendition would you like to see produced?

    What design aspects would you like to see incorporated and which ones discarded?

  14. 14 burnout Nov 18th, 2008 at 9:18 pm

    Victory offers a lot of bike for the money, especially this one. Looks a LOT like a Arlen Ness bike, as intended I’m sure. I personally don’t like the handling of the ones I have ridden BUT the only reason I mention it is because my Victory customers want me to correct such handling issues. ? . I try. peace

  15. 15 Mike Greenwald Nov 18th, 2008 at 10:30 pm

    Burnout,
    What are the handling issues in order of importance?

  16. 16 Rodent Nov 19th, 2008 at 8:08 am

    Tell Sonny Barger that the Victory that that Arlen supplied toreplaced his Harley Davidson is a turd.

  17. 17 annoyed Nov 19th, 2008 at 9:32 am

    I am a woman working in the motorcycle industry and I check this blog daily. I must say that I have never read a comment from Gar that has anything positive to say or lends anything to the conversation. It is all name-calling, opinion-bashing crap. Gar, you are the most negative person I have ever had the pleasure of not meeting. You can have your opinions without having to shout them to the world and put everyone down in the process. We get it. Now just relax and enjoy the ride for a change. (If you do ride, that is). This Victory may not be everyone’s favorite looking custom out there, but it is an Arlen Ness Signature for sure. Good for Victory.

  18. 18 AZ ROB Nov 19th, 2008 at 9:36 am

    All this and we can still get personal attack from a person hidden behind the computer screen.

    Thank Gar for letting me know the feable minds can run a computer.
    better jump back I think the fry machine is beeping….

  19. 19 Wacko Nov 19th, 2008 at 11:16 am

    I like you Gar.

    I will buy you a beer and we can both talk loud to get our point across.

  20. 20 Jeff Nicklus Nov 19th, 2008 at 1:17 pm

    To know Gar is to love him! Some people get it, and some don’t, in either case there is never any doubt on where the man stands on a subject. Gar can and will get a reaction from about anyone on any subject!

    Did you notice how quite it has been for the last couple of weeks while Gar was in the islands and not on this blog. Wonder what that means?

    My position on the Victory ? Personally I don’t like the styling of the Victory Vision, mainly the rear fender, but hey that is me. I have also stated on more than one occasion that Harley Davidson needs to pay close attention to Victory as they could be the company that could over take Harley someday in sales of new motorcycles. Time will tell on that.

    Over & Out,

    Jeff

  21. 21 Gar Nov 19th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

    annoyed,

    Wasn’t I married to you once? If not you must be the sister of Drucilla!

    Gar Out

  22. 22 burnout Nov 20th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    mike, the touring model has a tendency to move around at 30 to to 40 mph especially after a rear tire replacement. I replaced the worn rear radial with a bias-ply tire The radial rear tire was only available from a Victory dealer but the problem remained after replacing with a radial tire. the local Victory dealer told me “put 65 psi in the tire” ??????? Didn’t help much. The Vegas model handles ok but I have noticed other touring models with this same problem. peace

  23. 23 Mike Greenwald Nov 20th, 2008 at 10:41 pm

    Burnout,
    What it sounds like to me is a lateral movement in the swingarm to chassis mount. This area would amplify any sidewall flex that is going on. It also may be enough movement to pulse a whole chassis harmonic affecting the steering. Is this possible? Not looking at these bikes everyday, it is difficult for me to see everything that I need to do so I am relying upon your eyes.
    Mike

  24. 24 burnout Nov 21st, 2008 at 10:32 am

    Mike, it is possible. I checked the mount but could not see any lateral movement. Any movement would be too much. I hope to spend more time on the next bike that has this condition. Just jacking the tire pressure is not fixin it! peace

  25. 25 Rideout Nov 22nd, 2008 at 5:29 pm

    Although it seems Gar is a stupid inconsiderate moron that loves to see his ramblings reproduced he at least keeps things interesting. And oh yes, the vision is ugly .

  26. 26 Mike Greenwald Nov 22nd, 2008 at 7:27 pm

    Burnout,
    Measurement will be easier if you drop the rear wheel assembly and the try to deflect the swingarm. Although this will show much more movement, you will still see that there is deflection. Somewhat different with the stressed member engine mounting, but you will be able to see where this is causing some problem. Get rid of the soft stuff and replace it with something firmer (brass or synthetic). Also check out the rear shock and check the compression/rebound rates. In combination with the deflection, it will magnify the problem exponentially if not spot on.

  27. 27 Mike Greenwald Nov 23rd, 2008 at 9:40 am

    Burnout,
    One more thought, I assume that you have checked the rear wheel to see that it is spinning true with some sort of ride out gauge, and checked the balance of the tire and wheel. Occasionally, and often enough the wheel is not running true and is wobbling or running elliptically. Both of these can be checked quickly and easily and are often overlooked on a new bike.

  28. 28 burnout Nov 24th, 2008 at 1:56 pm

    will do, Mike. Thanks! I have noticed the problem on 3 of the touring bikes. The worst was after a tire replacement and the owner wanted to know what I did to his bike! That was when the dealer told me to run 65psi! On fat tire bikes I am constantly re-aligning the rear wheel/axle to prevent front wobble at certain speeds. It is all about tracking, the rear tire is trying to pass the front! peace

  29. 29 Big D Nov 24th, 2008 at 1:59 pm

    Just FYI, the bike was on disply this last weekend (11/21-11/23) at the International Motorcycle Show in Houston TX. The Show is over and is on it’s way to Long Beach CA next.

  30. 30 Mike Greenwald Nov 24th, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    Burnout,
    I need to make certain that in your pursuit of good tracking that you do understand that the wheels front and rear can be offset and still track correctly. BMW, for example, has proven that with their designs in the K1200 series. In this case, there is a difference between alignment and tracking.

  31. 31 burnout Nov 26th, 2008 at 7:33 pm

    I do, Most of the bikes I deal with have 240mm or larger rear tires and, with a handling problem, I sometimes sacrifice one for the other(alignment/tracking). Not much science, eh? All I’m doing is causing the problem to appear at a different speed. New tires take care of ride problems 95% of the time. Thanks! peace

  32. 32 John Mar 17th, 2009 at 3:38 am

    On a dare I rented one . Thought my friends and I would have a good laugh… Loved the vision so much I purchased one… I am very, very ashamed of the mean spirted things I have said about this motorbike…. It is a real magic carpet ride. My hat is off to you engineers at Victory…. The Vision is a wonderful Machine…. Boy did I ever eat my words on this one boys… Test ride one , before you pass judgment…You will be surprised , indeed Shocked at how well this bike handles, and the comfort ….

  33. 33 John Mar 17th, 2009 at 4:10 am

    Burnout… the vision empolys a 180mm for the rear tire… a 130mm for the front… The combination seems to work very well. I have not noticed any wobbling or high speed wobbling as with other Victory models( as you described )… Hammar and Vegas Jackpot….. Both bad ass street straight line muscle bikes to be sure…. All around handling that is something else … I own the new harley Fatbob … Based on the very good handling Dyna platform… Fatbob is a lean mean handling machine… 180MM/130MM REAR FRONT….. The Hammer /vegas Jackpot 250 mm/120mm front.. A fat rear tire means fast leap off the line , at the expense of handling…

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Cyril Huze