[swack]

Now let me start by saying that I am expecting the majority of you to say go for the Stryker, this is the Stryker forum after all... That being said, I have noticed more Victory love than I was expecting while i was lurking here so I figured I would give this a shot. Try to be as objective as possible

Here is the deal. I am looking to trade in my 09 Kawasaki ER-6n. Although I love the bike, It is not terribly comfortable due to the more standard riding position, and 2 up on that thing is a pipe dream. So that brings me to my search for a cruiser.

Honestly, I prefer the Vegas. I think it looks better, sounds better, has more power, and I much prefer the 6 speed over the 5. Despite all of that, I am nearly set on the Stryker for economic reasons.

I know prices vary by area, but here is what I am looking at:

Victory Vegas 8-Ball
$11,500
+passenger seat ~$500
+backrest ~$400
=$12,400 total
KBB after 2 yrs ~$9,200

Stryker
$9000 (Found a good Deal)
passenger seat included
+Backrest ~$400
=$12,400 total
KBB after 2 yrs ~$8,000

Both are new with identical financing.

I really like the Victory and could afford the difference in price, but the added $1,000 in accessories right up front would be a tough pill to swallow, and I really hate how quickly Vics depreciate.

I think I could be happy on the Stryker, my only real concern is slow speed maneuvers (considering the rake) especially 2-up considering I have very limited experience with a passenger.

Thoughts? Questions?

 

[twanginblues]

I ride two up quite a bit and have never had any slow moving issues. I've also been riding for 20 years so it might not be a fair comparison.

We can't tell you what bike to get, it all comes down to personal preferences and how much dough you're willing to shell out. If it comes down to price not being a "huge" issue and you like the Victory better, I would say to get the 8-ball. You may regret not getting it if that's what you like more.

Just my 2 cents here. Good luck with whatever you decide on. I think they're both excellent bikes!

 

[11Stryker]

Test Ride them both before you buy if you are uncertain!

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

Never ridden the Vic but I would suggest test riding as much as possible, heck make them put a passenger seat on it for you so you can test it with the little woman on it too. (they will if they want to make a sale)

one thing you haven't mentioned is if you prefer air cooled to liquid, I prefer liquid but that's just me!

I took my wife for a putt on my Stryker this weekend and she wasn't happy... with how short the ride was and made me go father! She loves it. :nod:
I haven't been riding anything bigger than a Zuma Scooter for the past 12 years or so until I bought my bike a few weeks back so to say I'm out of practice with a full sized bike is an understatement.
I found the Stryker surprisingly nimble on U-turns and tight, low speed maneuvering. Very surprised.
Using the throttle at a steady position and the rear brake to add drag I just feather the clutch to the point of friction for forward motion and I can maneuver as slowly and tightly as I want to.
I know the long time riders do this all the time but I just learned how and dang that bike does it well with all the unbridled torque!

It was much easier even than it was on my old Suzuki Intruder that I sold 12 years back and that had a similar rake to it but was MUCH smaller in engine and overall weight and size.

I love my ride, I want to ride as much as I can, heck, I want to skip work just to ride now!
I think I'm hooked!:biggrin1:

 

[cambridge]

The Stryker depreciates just as fast as the Victory. The only bike that doesn't depreciate as fast is the HD.

I'd go for the Victory. I still regret not buying one. Will one day.

 

[strykerbiker]

the rake on the stryker is a non issue. you need to test ride these bikes to believe us, but the stryker handles amazingly well. as far as fit an finish, i'd say it's a draw. both are good looking bikes and any preference would be subjective. both are covered in plastic parts if that is an issue for you. go ride em

 

[bekohlko]

I personally can't compare the two bikes, since I've never ridden a Vic. What I can tell you is that my stryker is the first bike I have ever owned. Also, before I bought it, I had only ever been on two other bikes (once each). So to say the least, I was inexperienced as well. Shortly after I bought it, I actually had a good friend of mine ride on the back with me before I let my girlfriend on the back. Now (after some practice), one of my favorite things to do with her on the back, is drive about 5 miles an hour in a parking lot and do figure 8's scraping the pegs on every turn (just to give you an idea of how well this bike handles in tight maneuvers when riding 2 up). She doesn't like it much, but that never stops me...

 

[WOLFStryke]

You cant go wrong with either one, both are great bikes

 

[Strykeback]

Make sure you get a really good long test ride on the Vic. I found my back was aching after 15 minutes. Something about the egronomics of that bike and the Judge did not sit well with my back. I liked the bigger engine and many of us wish we had a 6th gear but the egronomics and handling of the Stryker were an overriding factor for me.

 

[mikoloe]

The Stryker depreciates just as fast as the Victory. The only bike that doesn't depreciate as fast is the HD.

I'd go for the Victory. I still regret not buying one. Will one day.

They all the depreciate the same. Don't believe in smoke in mirrors.

 

[strykenshane]

Both engines are awesome but the victory is more powerful, I have the cc and a Stryker, love them both

 

[swack]

You guys are no help

But seriously thanks for the input.

I am still very torn. I really do like the Victory more both for power and looks, but the 2 factors leaning me towards the Stryker are price and availability of a quick release backrest.

The backrest thing may sound like a insignificant factor, but for me it is huge. I hate the look of the backrest on a bike, and I do a lot of solo riding, but the lady wont get on a bike without one. (I can't really blame her as there is no chance in **** I would get on the back of anyone's bike, even with a backrest)

The depreciation issue is more a factor of finding a much better deal on the Stryker than I was able to on the Vic. If they were both at MSRP it would be nearly the same.

 

[ca-crown]

I love the looks of the Victorys esp the Jackpot custom however I rode several 2 different times @ factory demo days @ 2 dlrshps several mos. ago & I was very disappointed in them- VERY NOISY Transmissions esp 1-2nd, not anywhere the amt of torque I expected from 106 C.I. & don't get one w/a 250 rear tire they don't turn or lean worth a crap! I suggest you Test ride several on different occasions & ride @ least 15 miles each time & afterwards ride the same route on a Stryker immediately after, that will tell you if it is for you or not.

 

[swack]

Well guys, you will all be happy to know, I picked up a Stryker on Saturday.

I got a 2013 Raven.

I am really pleased with my choice. It rides far better than I was expecting. Very pleased with my choice.

I have a quick release backrest on order and now I just need a new helmet...

Thanks for the help guys

 

[Axorr]

Hope you enjoy the ride, Swack! Welcome aboard!

 

[Skwerlee]

Well guys, you will all be happy to know, I picked up a Stryker on Saturday.

I got a 2013 Raven.

I am really pleased with my choice. It rides far better than I was expecting. Very pleased with my choice.

I have a quick release backrest on order and now I just need a new helmet...

Thanks for the help guys

congratulations...i think you'll be very pleased with your decision. I have 15,500 miles on mine without any issues.

 

[Guest]

Pulling up on 11k any minute now.

 

[strykenshane]

Congrats on your new ride


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[11Stryker]

Well guys, you will all be happy to know, I picked up a Stryker on Saturday.

I got a 2013 Raven.

I am really pleased with my choice. It rides far better than I was expecting. Very pleased with my choice.

I have a quick release backrest on order and now I just need a new helmet...

Thanks for the help guys

That's great Swack- Love the tank graphics on the 2013's.

 

[joekool221]

I have a stryker and my buddy has a Vic Vegas 8-ball. I ride both as we like to trade off frequently. I will tell you what I consider the major differences.

The power difference is like night and day; the Vic has crazy balls and the Stryker does not. After riding the Vic my bike feels slow

The rake on the stryker does make a difference in slow speed maneuvering. This is not to say that the stryker is difficult to handle, it just means that there is a noticeable difference between the handling of the bikes. I have about 20,000 miles of experience over about 5 different bikes and I will tell you that a bigger rake changes the dynamic of the handling at slow speeds. When turning out onto another street is where you will notice it the most.

My stryker is lowered with the controls moved forward and this creates a low and comfy sattle position and looks much better (in my opinion) than the higher more upright sattle positon of the Vic. Putting forward controls on the Vic would help with this and is an absolute must-have in my opinion.

I would expect the Vic to hold its value slightly better than the Stryker.

As far as looks are concerned I leave you to your own opinion but I will say that I think my buddy looks way cooler when he is on my Stryker but don't tell him I said that!