VIEW FULL VERSION: Link
Title: Finally, I Got Away From The Computer
Keywords: Andy Blog Andy's Blog TheVOG
Blog Entry: Needless to say, I've been swamped getting this site up and running. So, before I get started on this post, allow me to thank those who registered as Members of TheVOG.net. The response was above our expectations and I'm happy to report that even at the highest usage periods, the site held up and never slowed down. During the initial design phase of this site, the VOG team spent a great deal of time focusing on how to make this site run smoothly during peak periods. Since we built it from the ground up, we incorporated as many features as possible to make it work well with the servers so that it could handle the demands of the Membership...and it did so with flying colors! With that said, I finally got to get away from the computer for a couple of hours to take a ride on my Vision. While working on the site, my seat time has been limited. And now that we're in the midst of Summer, riding in South Florida is only comfortable during the early morning hours. So, I got up early this morning, geared up and off I went. While the morning weather report showed temperatures in the mid 70's, the temperature gauge on the bike displayed 82-degrees. But, it was fairly comfortable even while wearing the gear. The humidity for the day hadn't kicked in yet. So, I took off on one of my favorite one-hour routes that gives me both highway cruising and some back road riding. I start on the Florida Turnpike and head up around 10 miles to the next exit, then head West to the back roads. This is what I call, taking the long way home. It grants me the opportunity to experience different types of riding all on the same route. As many Vision owners have learned, the right side of the engine gets hot near the ankles on the right side. While this was not noticable to many riders during the cooler months, many riders are now talking about this engine heat. Comparing it to my old Harley Heritage Softail Special, well, it's a different kind of heat and in a different location. On the H-D, during hot weather months, I would experience the heat between my legs as the rear portion of the engine was directly below me. This would force me to either ride uncomfortably during the hot weather months or to take frequent stops. With the Vision however, since the seat is placed further back on the bike and the engine heat rises upwards, there is little if any heat experienced around the seat area. But near the right floorboard near the area where the pipes exit the engine, the heat can become unbearable if you're not wearing jeans and over the ankle boots. Since I wear protective gear under the jeans, this heat is not an issue. I learned this lesson last month when I attempted to ride without the boots and boy did it get hot around the floorboards. I addressed this issue with an expert, Scott from Conquest Customs and we're considering using his Heat Wraps on the Visions pipes. After a thorough examination of my bike, he feels this could fix the heat issue and even deliver a bit more peformance. While I've never claimed to be an expert in bike mods, it's nice to know others who really know this topic and can come up with the right mod to eliminate specific problems. While I'm considering the purchase of a 10th Anniversary model and trading in my 08 bike, I really like my 08 and sometimes it's better to stick with an old friend than to trade in for a new model. While I truly like that the Anniversary Vision comes fully loaded and includes the reverse gear, I know that I'll want to swap out the pipes for at least the Stage 1, Level 1 as the sound it delivers matches what I'm looking for in a bike. It can be relatively quiet when you want it to be, but when you roll on the throttle, you know it. Also, like with anything that takes fuel, the depreciated price you'll get on a trade-in after just one year is much less than what we would hope it would be worth. And let's face it, the 10th Anniversary Vision is not an inexpensive purchase. So, while I was riding the back roads this morning, I was thinking...Do I keep this bike and have Scott do his stuff with it, maybe even do one of his muscle car paint jobs on it? Or, do I go with an all new model? Since Victory is not even opening the order process for the 10th Anniversary Vision until August 1st, I have time to think about whether or not to spend the money on this purchase. Speaking of Scott, I'm starting the editing process on his Conquest Customs Cobra. I should have this completed over the next few days. I think this is going to be a good one! Getting away this morning, even for a relatively short ride, is a great way to clear out the head and re-energize the body. This is something that riders fully understand and something that non-riders will never grasp.