MCN test: Victory Vision, Electraglide, K1200LT and Goldwing

Victory's all new Vision brings a new rival to the full-dress tourers from Honda, BMW, and Harley. But can it compete against the already established competition? Road tester Adam Child embarks on a mammoth journey from London, to Edinburgh, via Cardiff, Dublin and Belfast to find out.
Check out the road trip as the Vision, Electraglide, Goldwing and K1200LT tour the UK and Ireland in freezing conditions. Will the all new Victory be up for the 1000 mile challenge?
Satisfy all your biking needs at www.motorcyclen...
Love this video? Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel: bit.ly/2dMl0sx
Get the best of biking EVERY day...
Stay up to date with the latest from MCN:
Latest motorcycle news: www.motorcyclen...
Facebook: / motorcyclenews
Follow @MCNnews on Twitter: / mcnnews
Follow @MCNsport on Twitter: / mcnsport
Welcome to the official KZbin channel of the world’s biggest print and online motorcycle publication. All the greatest motorcycle video content from the world’s
most respected motorcycling media brand. Since 1955 MCN is available weekly in
both print and digital editions and 24/7 on motorcyclenews.com

[@jgalliher9]

For those complaining about the price, The Vic is the cheapest of the bunch as well as the cheapest/easiest to maintain. I don't know where they get 130 miles to a tank. My Vision gets 42-44 mpg in mixed riding and has a 6 gallon tank. You do the math........

[@AMEAGLE199]

The Victory is beautiful! AWESOME BIKE!

[@MrHPT3]

The Victory Vision is one of those bikes that is either gorgeous or it's the ugliest thing you've ever seen. There is no middle ground. The more I learn about the Victory line of motorcycles, the more I want one. This coming from a Harley guy. The Harley technology hasn't changed in decades. The statement at the end when he said that the Victory hasn't got a track record yet is completely false. Victorys have been very reliable from day one. They have been well thought out and engineered. I have heard some horror stories about every manufacture. Now as far as Harleys are concerned, they are a high maintenance bike. They always have been. I think you'll agree that the Victory line of bike wins hands down when stack up against any bike, if you take the time to look at the specifications and dyno testings. With that said, buy what you like man. It's your money. It's your bike. Live for you. Ride for you. Ride on and ride safe.

[@AikinutNY]

Is there an English version? Maybe subtitles would help.

[@pgingras01]

I have a 2012 Victory Vision Tour and my riding buddy has a 2009; we get 260 MPG tank to tank at a minimum! I've gotten as much as 55 MPG depending on the roads and riding style.

[@geneseesolorider]

Actually, not trusting the reliability just cuz it's a new bike (well, it was when the video was uploaded) is a crap argument. Victory has proven they are one of the most reliable bikes on the road.

[@wingzofsteel]

I guess it all comes down to personal taste. I would choose the Goldwing. However, the Vic Crossroad looks very promising, but to get it configured like an unboxed Wing, you pay more.

[@ababbit7461]

wingzofsteel, it is a Victory Vision...

[@FourFingersofDeath]

Check this KZbin 5 segment series out if you think the Victory is not going to be as reliable as the Harley. KZbin won't allow a link (even to another of their videos!). Victory vs. Harley Segment - 1

[@Stevens_Images]

2014 VICTORY Has a track record of reliable bikes. So would you now go for the Victory? I would!

[@DolleHengst]

resges77 Maybe he means a European track record? European riders are generally harder on their bikes. European riders have a more sporty and active style of riding, no matter what kind of bike they're on. And most European riders ride all year long, even if it rains, snows etc. And in a country like England, the backroads and weather are tougher on a bike than those in the US

[@Gohma1234]

that odd because the victory engine is fairly fuel efficient from all the storys ive heard a friend of mine uses his victory to Edmonton and back thats 500 km 300 mile with a vegas 8-ball i know the engine is only the 100CI but still i doubt that theres that much differenece in the gas millage

[@ninesticks]

this is a great vid - i was thinking that this is what life is about pr should be anyway...i love road trips like this....as for the bikes...i have the cross country and it is tops and completely reliable (24k)...but for irish roads..my only experience over there....i would probably get a beamer too...

[@reconnaisancesapper]

My LT does 450km on a tank full. It's been around the globe with my wife and I on it originally having been bought in New Zealand and now in Latvia. It's powerful, purposeful and after all the bikes I have had and test ridden, it's only the BMW K1200LT for me......in this class of motorcycle of course.

[@jeff2all]

You have to be a banker to own the victory. The Harley's size is ideal but it has just enough power for passing 2up. The Wing is my vehicle of choice, comfort, power, good looks and price.

[@bonnevillebagger9147]

The Vic was cheaper than the others

[@really2ugly]

I rented a GL1800 because I always thought I wanted a Gold Wing when I retired. After not being on a bike for 10 years, I was really unnerved by its weight, but what a great handler on the straight highways! I tried a K1200LT, but found it top and front heavy. It felt as heavy as the Gold Wing despite being about 200 lbs. lighter. I ended up buying a BMW R1200RT, and I love it! It's a great balance between luxury and sportiness.

[@uncfester2001]

I am looking at buying a new tour bike in a few months, so I liked this video.... I have ridden the BMW, was too top heavy for me at slow speed, Victory was too small in the saddle for the wife and I two up, so it is out, shame too, really liked it, Honda GL1800 scared the sh*t out of me on maint costs! $520.00 parts and labor for oil and air filter change? YIKES! It looks to me like it will be the H-D Electra-Glide Classic or maybe the YAMAHA Venture, still got to test ride it.

[@AMPATL]

Right, we're here. Now we're going there. The bikes? Oh. Er, they're fine. Anyway, here's 5 seconds of amateurish riding footage and some repetitive music. Repeat. ---- These guys got paid to do this???

[@mikul93]

No. I just finished doing that. I'm on lettuce duty now! :)

[@pgingras01]

It's too bad you passed on the Victory due to the saddle. Custom saddles are available or your can have the stock saddle trimmed and reshaped for short money.

[@onfireforJESUS75]

Could careless where your riding want to simply know about the bikes. In my honest opinion the Victory is gorgeous modern design and technology. The rest of them are simply dated and old school. Seriously you got a V-Twin putting out more power than Honda's 6 cylinder they need to rectify this make a V-Twin GW. The reality is most of Hondas bells and whistles you will only use on a long trip, Harleys tend to be unreliable and expensive to maintain the BMW is the same realm everyone knows this. I do not even have a bike right now but have done enough research to know that Victory is by far the best motorcycle manufacturer on the market in my opinion. Also one of the reasons you do not see many used Victories up for sale people keep them not like Harley's.

[@duMariano_]

Wow beautiful bikes! I want a Victory Vision XD Non-related note: what song is that?

[@KevinNaegele]

what are some custom options??

[@elmerkemp5316]

they are huge so is the new Indian I went and looked at them and it amazed me how big they are.

[@skydaddy2426]

That Vision will last just as long as the BMW or the Honda the HD.

[@ababbit7461]

Final drive failures, clutch slave cylinder leaks, rear main seal leaks. Well, if you chose the BMW, you would be advised to get towing service!!! Wing for reliability, Victory for VTwin all around performance, Harley for its song producing engine (potato, potato) and last but not least the BMW (Bring More Wallet)..

[@hannieal]

great

[@FryRealtyCollective]

he needs to talk more about the bikes and less about his itenerary IMO

[@poska2008]

look "goldwing gl 1800 alpine"

[@bordone]

im sorry im having a hard time understanding this guy.

[@jgalliher9]

Let me guess. The one you haven't ridden is the Victory.

[@DJFireUSA]

Not happy with the lack of updates during the trip. I have ridden 3 of the 4 bikes you are reporting on and I rank them as follows, worst to best Victory Harley BMW Goldwing There are a ton of advantages to the Wing that you just are not going to find with the BMW, least of which is the lack of BMW Dealers. You can get work done on Honda almost anywhere. I have logged over 74,ooo miles in 16.5 months on my goldwing and I am still very happy with it, but I have modified the bike's suspension.

[@usart2008]

BMW all the way!

[@UltrasabersVideos]

130 miles to a tank is PATHETIC. America needs to get it together. You can't call the Vision or Ultra Classic "Touring Bikes" with such a low range.

[@TheScottBike]

Victory and ElectraGlide is WINNER

[@DolleHengst]

BMW K1600 GTL any day!

[@kayhandincmen]

The winner is LT

[@Genstafa]

Who cares? No, really. Who?

[@pmay222]

eye oop...massive jainorrmousse... the victreh the victreh.....a plastic monstrositeh.. hideous looking piece of 2 wheel crap...id rather be stuck in a car than bother with an eyesore like the victreh..eye oop...theres plenty o room fer me whippet..! an if it were maay moneh....id rather keep it in mee pockeet...eye oop

[@wintersnot]

"gynormous size and ugliness" he said it for me.

[@hunmanusa]

@emriaco "the bmw looks like crap?" You got your taste in your shooes. The BMW LT has the most graceful lines of all the big bikes, it is the Victory that leaves me confused. It looks like it was thrown together with lots of afterthought. It may be a very good bike, but it looks ridiculous.

[@mkII.]

That Victory is just fucking butt ugly, i normally love all bikes of every type but that thing is just atrocious looking.

[@jonathanseitz8644]

there is no better bike on the road Honda Goldwing is the king of long distance touring

[@yosam5184]

After owning all the other touring bikes I ended up with a Vision after Victory went under. What a great riding motorcycle and like you say quite a surprise!

[@AikinutNY]

@moosey62 Either someone can't speak very clearly or there is a serious problem with the sound system! Or that is just an obscure dialect. I am interested in the three bikes, too bad I can't understand what the old chap is talk'n bout.

[@mikul93]

You seem a little threatened by Victory. Why is that?

[@denniswilha1]

I have riden all of these bikes, i hated the BMW mainly because I'm not into the sport bike thing, its got great power and OK handling just was uncomfortable for me to ride, I am 6 ft 250 lbs so im not a small guy, LOL. The Harley handled well didnt have any power and the brakes sucked, the goldwing was great power, comfort, speed, and good brakes. I road the Victory at a local dealership very nice bike, after comparing prices i ended up buying a new Goldwing and i am really pleased.

[@thejudgehasjudged]

You should stick to writing newspapers. MCN are truly the worst video producers. That was awful.

[@badolan]

Thanks for this great video. I currently have a Harley but have had Moto Guzzi, BMW and Japanese bikes as well. I'm very impressed with the Victory bikes. They are now making a better looking touring bike, the Crossroads and another model. Worth looking into. Thanks again.

[@fofalooza]

I'm sorry but I could not understand what he was saying about the Vision's brakes at the end. I tried, really :) Definitely not in the market for any of these, but I'm curious. Great vid all the same

[@denniswilha1]

I very non-biased reveiw of all he bikes, and after test riding the bikes this video is right on. I ended up buying the Goldwing for touring and I hank you guys for helping me in my selection. Doesn't matter what you ride, as long as your riding.

[@kiwijewel007]

nice analysis and review. I agree, the bm is the one to own of this group. good handling, all day riding in comfort, fantastic brakes and good looks.

[@71distrito]

one of the best road review tests that i have seen. broke it down simple and gave us the information that was important, and non biased. thanks

[@mikul93]

No. I hate Linkin Park!!!! I spread my message! :)

[@TigerSupercatE1]

'sit at 90 mph'... dont you mean 77?

[@vaidotas86]

this is filmed with potato

[@hunmanusa]

Great report--thank you all!

[@mikul93]

Muah!

[@cynic150]

@AikinutNY He is from the North of England, I'm afraid. Could be a Yorkshire accent. I'm not sure. I didn't find him difficult to understand, on the whole. But recording audio out doors is not that easy.

[@ridgewatcher]

With all the Money you saving buying the Goldwing, You could put better brakes on it... I still never got the 1800 Harley to stop as fast as my Goldwing though.

[@raywagman]

They are driving on the wrong side of the road!!!also that Victory is one ugly bike.

[@retepyam5858]

When all is said and done the Victory caught the ugly stick, who wants to ride a bike that looks that bad! Their marketing manager and style directors must work for HD lmfao