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That is beautiful Wally. Makes me want to get another Venture just so I can have a bib like that. Before they came out with the cover you could buy for the RSV I took a coke bottle (20oz) and cut it down to the bottom and it fit over the gas cap. Eliminated all the glare on the windshield. My friend Chick from New Hampshire had made a cover with a cupholder to hold his coffee cup. loved the RSV but hated the glare on the windshield.

After having two RSVs and then a Wing and now riding a Cross Country I think I am qualified to comment on most of what you all have said about the bike. I imagine your first question to me is why not a third RSV ? Well, I am one of those people that thinks the RSV is the most comfortable and able touring bike on the market but I also thought it was the most outdated. After my crash on the 06 I was sure I wanted some of the new stuff, especially ABS. I was very happy with my 08 airbagger Wing except for the riding position, which I knew about and was getting used to. After I got hit on the Wing I was ready to go back to another Wing but couldn't get the deal I wanted. Then I test rode the Cross country (XC). The XC has the seating position like the RSV but slightly more stretched out. One of the things I always liked about the RSV is that the speedo was up high compared to most other bikes, especially the HDs. The XC is the same way---guages up high and very easy to read. And the digital display for the radio is so much easier to read than the Vision. As for the smoothness, I will say it's as smooth as the RSV at cruising speeds, and mine does NOT buzz or make any noise. And I don't feel any vibration in the bars either. Mirros are clear but I do miss the mirrors on the Wing. On my XC (2011) there is a resounding "clunk" going into first and second gear but that just tells me it's a positive shift---my way of dealing with it. I was told that this has been fixed on the 2012. Power is smooth and ever present right up through the gears. I don't think I have ever had mine over 4 grand. I have the stage one pipes and airbox and mapping and I have never wanted for lack of power. It aint no Wing twsiting the throttle at 70mph but i don't think an RSV will run away from it. One thing it doesn't have is rearend nosie, whining or the jacking effect on acceleration. The belt drive is smooth and quiet. It has a large rear tire and I have over 7k miles and the tire looks new. Engine heat is no worse than the RSV and a lot better than the Wing. I live in Biloxi and it is damn hot here right now and although it gets warm at a long light it's not unbearable. But it's an air/oil cooled engine---it's supposed to get hot. Sit on this bike and your first impression is whoa---this thing is low !! Then pull it off sidestand and you'll immediately feel how light and low the weight is. Run it through the twisties and you'll be even more impressed. I am NOT an aggressive twistie rider---I am not that good. But I have no problem running with others on the XC. On a recent ride with a bunch of RSVs I was actually having fun and had no problems keeping up. The new XC Tour has a couple of things my bike doesn't have, but these are the very things I mentioned I would like to have in my new owner survey from Victory, like ABS, lowers, and heated grips and seat. And it has the quick release trunk wired with a brake light and speakers. By the way you can add the intercom and CB for LESS than a grand. The stereo is top notch. I can't comment on passenger room because I haven't ridden two up but I did add a backrest to mine. If you look at the pictures on the Victory site the passneger looks like she has plenty of room. But then she and the driver are both skinny---could be deceptive. Sorry for the long writeup but I just wanted to set you straight on some of your concerns. My only reget in getting the XC is that I couldn't get the Tour model. I will add the CB and the trunk one of these days, and maybe even the lowers, but I dearly love my XC just as it sits. I did add a taller windshield (stock on the Tour)and the lower fork air deflectors (like on the RSV)to reduce the wind and buffeting, and they do a great job. Victory DID listen to what people like me said about the XC. That's why they made the Tour model. And as far as price it's still cheaper than the Wing. One last thing--about the dealers, I was told by my dealer that I could take my bike to ANY dealer for repair and/or warranty work, in the continental US. Yes, Canada is different but they are also different for the Goldwing. Sorry I won't be able to make Vogel this year. I was really hoping to show off my new bike. But go to the Victory dealer and test ride one. You won't be dissapointed.

Sorry for my ignorance but what is an MKII ??? I know there is a simple answer and I'm going to kick myself after you tell me !!!

To answer your question about LEDs; if you can find a suitable replacement I would use them. They emit NO heat whatsoever. The only problem I ever ran into with LEDs was on my 99; I had to change the flasher so they wouldn't flash too quickly. They draw so much less current that in some cases the flasher won't work unless you add a shunt resistor. I would get them and try them. If they don't work you can always take them back and get the regular bulbs.

Man that brings back memories of when Chuck took me up there in 2001. I wish I could remember his screen name. He rode a silver 99 and lived not too far from Nashua. He later got rid of the bike and bought an SSR and moved to Florida. He passed away a few years ago. It was so beautiful up there !!! Every place he took me was an adventure.

After my last accident I didn't think I would ever get another bike. My wife was really on my case even though the accident wasn't my fault, and was dead set against another bike. We went a year without talking about bikes but then I got the itch real bad. Short story---I bought the Victory Cross Country. Wife quit arguing with me and just said, "if you're dumb enough to do it again, go ahead !" Now I know this isn't close to your situation but my bike stays parked for long periods of time but it IS in my garage for whenever I have time to ride. Most people I've talked to who got rid of a infrequently ridden bike really regret it afterwards. But then they are not in a financial situation to replace it. I can't tell you what to do----only YOU know your financial situation. If the need is great and for the better of the family then maybe it's time to sell it. But if you can get by financially I would try to keep it. If you really like the bike I doubt you will be as happy if you sell it. But again, only you know what your financial situation is. In any case, I wish you the best of luck in your decision, and send prayers your way for a bright future.

Nice Scoot !!!!!! Way to go !!!!!! :cool10::banana:

I agree with everything he said. A daughter of a coworker was in an accident that was not her fault and her vehicle was also brand new. The other persons' insurance paid an accident depreciation to them--the amount the vehicle was depreciated because of the accident. He got a good chunk of change. But whatever you do don't settle under pressure. Fight for what you think is right. I doubt very seriously that they will total your vehicle, but I would make damn sure all is right before I sign off !!!!

Back in March I was on the verge of buying a small motorhome. Wife was pretty much on board with the idea although we were questioning how much we would use it right now. Anyway, son shows up to visit one weekend with a new Dodge hemi pickup. He took me for a ride and we went to look at the motorhome I wanted. Long story short, I decided we wouldn't use the motorhome enough to make it worthwhile right now and wound up buying a new Dodge pickup that same day. I think wife is a lot happier with the new truck. In your case, if Mama is happy everyone is happy and you WILL get the new bike !!

If you like the Cross Roads you should look at the Cross Country. Same engine and frame with a fairing, cruise control and a great stereo. You can add an ipod connection to the stereo also. i've had my cross country now for almost a year and i love it. I had an airbagger Wing before the CC and wanted something a little simpler. The Victory has great power, torque and is really smooth. The saddlebags are large and you can add a luggage rack or if you want to spend the bucks there is a trunk with passenger backrest, speakers and a brake light built in. The riding position on the CC is very comfortable with large floorboards, eye level guages, and stretched out handlebars. The seat is fairly comfortable and you can add a backrest although I haven't really missed it. The belt drive is quiet and smooth and almost maintenance free. I do miss the linked brakes on the Wing but the Cross Roads and Cross Country have super brakes. ABS and linked brakes are not available--yet. I test rode a Stratoliner and although it is very powerful and torquey, and feels very light it just didn't fit ME. The other thing I didn't like was the small fuel tank. Last week I took a test ride on a 2012 Wing, and although I really like the Wings I did not like the 2012. Didn't fit me like my 2008 did. And after riding the Victory where you sit low I wasn't comfortable with the high, upright seating on the Wing. Anyway, whatever you choose, all the best to you. But I think it would be worth your time to test ride the Cross country !!

What he said !! Up until last year I barely used a GPS, especially driving charter bus. But the more I use it the more I rely on it. Just got back from a trip to Houston and had to travel to various locations around the city. And I do NOT know Houston. With the addresses of the destinations placed in the GPS I followed it like a bloodhound, and it always got me to where I wanted to go. But I just can't get out of the habit of carrying my free State Farm Atlas. Haven't put a GPS on the Victory yet, but soon !!

Glad you were not more seriously injured. And yes, it's good you weren't on a scoot. my first reaction was to tell you to hire a really good lawyer and make her work for YOU for the rest of her life but if she didn't have insurance she probably doesn't even have a job. That happened to me more than once----getting hit by uninsured I mean. Guess who pays in the end !!!!!!! If you really want a kick get a new Ram truck with the Hemi. I have one and it will flat out zhit and git !!! But I also like the new Mustang and the Challenger, although the Challenger doesn't handle all that great in the twisties. Good luck !!!!

I didn't look at your post good and I thought you were talking about gas, and I was going to say free is free !! But NO, we definitely don't need anymore laywers. They are already running over each other chasing ambulances and the drug companies down here.

I like your picture Lou, especially since it's a 1st gen in that trailer. :rotf: No, I don't think I'll make it from Biloxi !!!!

"Now where did I put my glasses?"