Victory Cross Country Demo Ride

I rode both the Xcountry and the Xroads yesterday . I was very impressed with both bikes. I will start with the XC

Off the kickstand the bikes felt much lighter than my Roadstar. It started effortlessly and was extremely smooth at idle. The mirrors were barely vibrating, if at all. The seat was ver...y comfy and the riding position perfect for me at 5'9" 160 lbs. Shifting into first I felt a little clunky compared to the Yamaha. It could be that the XC was ideling a little high. I stalled the bike immediately upon feathering the clutch. I am not used to having to apply any throttle when dumping the clutch, as the Yamaha is very solid at low RPM's. Once underway I took a few trips arounf the parking lot to feel out the XC.
I was doing turns and circles that I would never attempt on my Roadstar almost immediately. This bike handles far and above better than my last 3 bikes. Twisting the throttle was also satisfying. Great acceleration!
Out on the road now, I miss the shift from first to second, the shift lever is a little to low to the floorboard to get the toe of my boot under. Easily fixed with an adjustment I am sure. My feet are more forward on the XC and this is something I like a LOT ! I have always felt a little cramped on the Roadstar. I also like the shape of the XC'x tank. It is narrow at the back and doesnt make me spread my legs nearly as far as the Roadstar does. Another plus for the XC.
Now I am on the road and taking the XC thru the gears. It shifts smoothly with a very noticeable difference in the transmission noise when going from 4th to 5th and beyond. I am assuming 5th and 6th are helical gears and the rest are square cut. THis is just an assumption, and you Vic veterans may have more info on that. I really want to get this bike into 6th and feel the OD . I am doing 70-75 in 5th and the bike is loving it, as am I, except for one thing... MY helmet is moving around on my head and my face is being blasted by focused wind. The helmet buffeting is really bad with this stock fairing windshield. I then move into 6th and feel the RPM's settle way down and I am cruising at 75 feeling with my left hand to see where the torrents of wind are coming from. I check for wind from below, to see if lowers will help... there doesn't seem to be any noticeable wind from below. I put my hand just over the top of the windshield and feel it. Almost all of the funneled air is screaming over the top of the windshield and hitting me smack in the face! I duck down and feel the difference. It's huge. I am now hoping a taller windshield on the fairing is the answer, and I know one is offered.
The buffeting makes it hard for me to hear anything, including the stereo. They used a wind tunnel to design this fairing and windshield combo, I am thinking they must have used a really short model for the rider. OK, enough about that for now... back to the ride.
I want to check the brakes so I do a few controlled hard braking full stops. The brakes are really good. They stop the bike fast and have a great "feel". I can stop fast with no locking. I then turn my attention to the turning aspects of the bike, first starting a turn by leaning.. this bike is so well balanced it responds like we are mated. Then I push the handlebars for a counter steering turn.. again great.. then I push the handlebars quickly from each side to zig zag the bike... again, absolutely incredible handeling. They really aced the geometry on this scoot.
One note on the braking... when I was downshifting quickly I found the gears to fight me a little. I think this can be attributed to two things... first time riding the bike, and the idle may indeed be a bit high. THis is something I am confident will become second nature quickly.

The controls and instrumentation are easy to access and well placed. I could check RPM's and what gear I was in with barely changing my eye position. When I reached for brakes or turn signals, they were right there. The mirrors also were perfectly placed.
You cant really review this bike without mentioning the huge hard bags and the comfort of the seat. This is a bike that is made to go places.... It is a great touring cruiser!!!

I really want to ride one with the larger windshield and see if the buffeting issue is fixed, because that is really the only thing I could find lacking in this fine ride.

Yes, the XC has moved to the top of my list for my next bike. I would have bought one on the spot if we could have reached a deal on my trade. I am sure in a few months, or this spring , there will be more incentives and I am comfortable waiting until then. I also want to read from more riders who have ridden the XC and hear what they have to say .

That's it friends, ridden and reviewed.

Rick Means
Essex, Ma. 01929
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Awesome bike!

I just traded my 08 Vision and my 08 Jackpot in for the new Cross Country. This bike really is the best of both worlds! The saddlebags are bigger than any other bagger out there and the fairing has analog gauges that are easy to see and read. The controls are all very easy to reach and operate witho...ut taking your eyes off the road and the blue back-lit display adds a nice touch to your evening ride. Of course the 106 cu inch power plant delivers more than enough hp and torque. Outside of the Screaming Eagle, HD doesn't have anything that will touch it. The floorboards are more than generous and the shifter and brake lever are adjustable for a variety of rider sizes. I've been told that Victory is in the development stage of adding a quick-release tour pak to the Cross bikes. Wow...it just can't get any better! I got the heated tour seat and grips for my bike as well as the sissybar and luggage rack. Don't hurt your neck as I go by. lol Read Full Review

My NEW Cross Country !

Coming out of a Kawasaki Nomad this bike is awesome! Love the lines, and shape of the fairing, solid black is a head turner. Ordered the taller windshield and it does great(no head buffeting)! Got the toe/heel shifter makes a big difference from the stock toe shift. Seems to have a lower center ...of gravity and plenty of pep, great handling, suspension is terrific hardly feel major bumps in rear even with a passenger. Noticeable "clang" in tranny in 1 thru 4, might be because it's new, hopefully will calm down...Wish Victory would make lower wind deflectors and more accessories. Read Full Review

The good, the bad & the not ugly of the Cross Country

Traded in my Yamaha Tour DeLuxe on the Cross Country a month ago. Had dealer kick in free taller windshield & sissybar for wife's comfort, but has been on back order for over a month??

The good: gas mileage is outstanding, going against strong wind on 320 mile trip still averaged 39mph, co...ming back on with wind at my back got 49.5mph @ average of 65mph. 5th great is breat for around town driving but 6th gear is way to high go use unless your on open road at 70mpg. Just added passanger grab-bars & lower wind deflector to cut down on the " dirty air" that really hits the driver, it is not bad around town but on longer trips it is to much & seem to come over tank to catch your in chest. The ride over all is veru confortable & controls are very good .. would like a "cancel" button on cruise control instead of having to hit brake or doing a twist of gas?? Takes a little getting used to. Radio is very good but should come set up for IPod instead of having to spend $200.oo for set up. The overall handling is super, fells so much lighter then the Yamaha & the leg room is so much better, difference is like going from VW to Jag.
The bad: any add ons are way over priced & hard to find. Not wild about the plastic side govers & the "pop in/off" covers & right handle wedge .. not sure how long they will last?? Shifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd is very LOUD and hard to get used to, have learned to start engine in 1st gear instead to avoid the loud clunk to get to first.
The scheduled oil changes @ every 2000 miles is over kill & just another way to get into your money.
This is by far ones of the best looking bike on the road, if your really using this bike for touring .. get the taller windshield, sissybar, lower wind deflectors & enjoy the open road .. I find it to be great for my 45 mile round trip to work also.
So overall very pleased with the Cross Country will know more after longer trip later this spring. Read Full Review

What a bike

I purchased my black cross country, about 7 weeks ago. I have never ridden a bike that handles like this one, for 800 lbs it seems to handles like it's 500. I had a stage one installed, runs even better. the best thing is my wife loves it. Hats off to Victory. Read Full Review