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2011 Victory Cross Roads Review
 

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2011 Victory Cross Roads Review

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How would you compare the Kawasaki's engine power and character to the Vic? Seems on paper anyway that the Vic fairly buries the Kawi.

Nice bike. I like the simple and easily removed windshield vs. the Batwing fairing. This would probably be my choice in a bagger. Give me another 10 years though. :)

I'd say the Vic motor outmuscles the Kawi, not "buries." The Vic is a bit more brawny but isn't as smooth as the Kaw.

Thanks Kevin!

That said, for a liquid-cooled, SOHC motor, the V17 lump should deliver a bit more beans, but it does at least deliver more than an H-D.

On the plus side, not that the powerplant in the Vic is in anyway not extremely durable (per a MC tech I know, the Vics are very troublefree) I imagine the understressed low revving water cooled engine in the Kawi will last until the end of time...

What doesn't?

Vic vs HD vs Kawi???
 

So, let me begin by saying that I WANTED to buy a Vic Cross Country, but I bought a Harley Road Glide Custom instead...And before I get rebuffed by all the stats about Vic out-whatevering HD on everything, let me tell you what drove me to buy the Harley, and what NONE of the online or print mags address:

1) Dealer support...The nearest Vic dealer to me (I live in Palm Beach, FL...hardly the middle-of-nowhere), is almost 60 miles away, and the one after that, another hundred or so...Harley dealers are ubiquitous! You can't drive 45 minutes down an interstate in the South without seeing another ad for an HD dealer.

2) Aftermarket support is easily the best in the biz...Better than any auto aftermarket support as well.

3) Resale...What's a 5-6 year old Vic or Kawi gonna get you? Barely enough for a few pieces of Harley chrome.

The motorcycle press acts like the only reasons we buy a cruiser are horsepower, torque, and how much crap you can fit in the bags. I'd LOVE to see a "Cruiser Compro" with some of the "real-world" issues I've mentioned...I'm just sayin'...


SquireJim
Palm Beach, FL

Those are good points, Jim. However, they've all been made over the years on these pages, even if not in this particular one.

Point #3 needs clarification. I just looked up 5-yr-old bikes, a Fat Boy and a Kingpin. KBB says the Harley is worth $13,605, the Victory $10,495. Not exactly apples to apples, but proof at least that you could at least buy a few chrome pieces for the retails on an old Vic!

Also, to many riders, comparing power and luggage capacity are real-world issues.

Cruiser Compro Reply
 

Kevin...
I hear ya bro', but do you really think a Fat Boy and a Kingpin are the right comparison? I mean the Kingpin was more like the Road King...When you google Victory Kingpin and Harley, that's what you end up with. And a 2005 Kingpin Premium (2005 Victory Kingpin Premium Motorcycle Retail Value & Price - Kelley Blue Book) is on KBB at $9395, while a 2005 Road King Classic (2005 Harley-Davidson FLHRCI Road King Classic Motorcycle Retail Value & Price - Kelley Blue Book) is $13365...Now, I don't know how n
Deep,your pockets are, but FOUR GRAND IS FOUR GRAND!!!

And I'm not saying that power and luggage capacity aren't important... I'm just saying that there's more to WHY we buy a ride than power and luggage...There are x-factors that don't turn up in the average review, but ought to. Those factors are what spelled the difference to me.
I'm just sayin'...

Jim