At 21, Max Ness is the youngest member of the Ness family, the other son of Cory Ness, and is already involved in custom bike building although he is still attending the University of Arizona where he is studying Retail and Consumer Sciences with a minor in Business administration. When we met in Sturgis, he told me about the bike he rode 2800 miles to the rally. A Victory Vision to which he grafted a Cross Country rear end! Surprised by such a concept, Cory Ness was the first to confirm to me that it looks very good, So, I asked Max to send me a few pictures for review…
In 2011 Max bought a 2011 Victory Vision with some rear end damage. At that time, his grandfather Arlen was already doing some Vision rear end conversions using the Ness Down-N-Out Fender And Stretched Saddlebags Kit. His father Cory had always been talking about doing the Cross Country rear section conversion, but never ended up getting it done. Max liked the idea and decided he wanted to be the first one to try it.
How difficult was it? Max tells me it took only 2 months, including paint and of course some customization using Ness Catalog parts. The build went smoothly, the most challenging part being the relocation of the ABS system and getting it to work and fit correctly with the cross country rear end. So why doing it, you may wonder? Evidently for styling reason, but also because of the advantage provided by the big storage capacity of the Victory Cross Country saddlebags. Max told me he had no difficulty to pack 2 weeks of clothing and of necessities for its 2-week trip and stay in Sturgis.
What’s next? I asked Max. He is not sure yet, but promised that he will ride to the 76th rally a brand new custom. And yes, after school he intends to work full time at Arlen Ness Enterprises. In his words: “It would be an amazing opportunity for me to be able to work with my family and to see them on a daily basis. I have been around motorcycles my whole life and have watched my family dedicate their lives to this company, I would love to be a part of it and contribute in any way possible.”
Looks great! Nice work Max.
first time I’ve seen paint on one of these that works with the design. Very nice and I hate baggers.
Great job! Maybe Ma Victory will see this and start making them as another touring bike option.
Very Nice! This is the first Vision I would consider buying. The lower storage capacity and awkward saddle bags on the production model has been the Achilless heel of what is other wise a great touring bike IMO.
I fell in love with this bike. We road together from the west coast and I could not stop thinking about it. Max has talent, personality and courage. It runs in the family…..
It’s come a long way since I saw it at Corbin Hollister getting fitted with a custom seat. Great work, Max. Gramps I bet it proud.
Very nice, and the paint helps the lines instead of fighting them. Big thumbs up.
Much better
Nice work, Max. The lines of the Vision have never been that appealing to me but your treatment to the tail section has cleaned it right up. Well done.
Fantastic job – this is a beautiful bike that comes together perfectly!
Advice to Victory. Produce one model just like that.
I would buy that. The Vision appeals to me, except for the rear end and saddlebags. Wonderful to ride.
Of course it looks great – real talent understands the measures of a balanced aesthetic design.
HOWEVER – those calling for it to go into production: another V-Twin tourer, naaaaa, will not cut it.
Make this a 200hp V-4 and you will pitch it towards a niche begging for it.
Love the handling on the Vision when I rode one at Americade a few years back but my biggest gripe was the storage space in the bags. Nicely done!
Wow….great job.
I would consider a factory Vision just like that.
Wow! Talk about ugly!
Arlen’s grandson is 21yrs old? …. Man, am I getting old…
Nice work Max. Chip off the old block … or the acorn doesn’t fall far … or however you say …
………… Domino Dave ……….
I think Arlen is now 72.
It looks great, but so does the original Vision!
Funny, I’m big on Vic’s but this does nothing for me. Looks just like the back of one bike stuck on the front of another. The lines just don’t work.
Is there a motor in there some place? Why not just cover everything like a Goldwing or a B.M.W. etc.
How heavy is this bike ?
Very neat design and finish; smoof lines well away from bling or worse baggers… My fondest regards to the Ness Dynasty 🙂
this is the real deal . I have 2 vics 1 for show 1 to ride its a vision .
if vic took this concept added entertainment system, hid the wires on bars like they did on Indian. how could you lose you have several things.
function , cool, dependability, for cruising and touring. this is a winning combo
greg f.
The Ness apples don’t seem to fall far from the proverbial tree.
From one Max to another GREAT JOB !!!!
Victory (Polaris) really need to take a look
at both yours & your grandfather’s design with the “Down & Out” bags.
They address the one big problem with the Vision, storage…
The stock bags SUCK !!!
Worst designed bags, ever !!!!
Graphing a XC rear & bags on should be simple enough for a factory
That would defiantly increase Vision sales, which have gone into the toilet lately
Max you made this bike look really good and you’ve got a great future working with Polaris 🙂
Shut up and take my money!
An innovative design done by an innovative young man from the first family of custom motorcycles. Took a great touring bike, made it better looking and more user friendly. He will continue in the great Ness tradition. Well done….
Convince victory to build it. I love my vision, but this is awesome. At a minimum sell me a kit to do this!
Sweet! Also check out Sykotic Industries in Citrus Heights , Ca. Gino and Mark are doing a Vision conversion using their own bad ass rear end. can’t wait ’till it’s finished (because it’s mine)!
The most ugly front end styling I’ve ever seen,to wide an absolutely pointless
Good job Max…..looks great.
Over & Out,
Jeff
Max,
Looks a bit too busy for my taste but it is smooth. I’m going for stripped, lean and mean but with grace, function and style. My project is under construction on a beautiful 2011 Kingpin as a base.
Gregg
Super nice, well done.