[conan48]

Hey guys,

I've narrowed my choice down to the Stryker or Victory Vegas. Both are very close in price in Canada and I'm not finding much in comparisons using google.

I know this is a Stryker forum but I would appreciate some honest feedback from those who have either owned an Victory or have some kind of experience with them.

Looks wise, I think I like the Stryker more, but the Vegas 8 ball has a pretty nice blacked out look also.

The main thing that has me considering the Victory is the power. I believe the victory is 106ci while the Stryker is 80ci. 1700cc vs 1300cc. I'm not worried about too much power but am worried about getting bored or outgrowing the Stryker.

Anyone have any opinion on handling, comfort (long distance), sound (exhaust), and overall reliability?

I really like the fat bob but at 20 000 (with security package) it's crazy overpriced. IMHO.

The Vegas and Stryker seem to be the overall best bang for the buck cruisers out there and hopefully someone here has tried them both and has an opinion. A lot of the dealers in Ontario are reluctant to do test rides and ask yo to show up to their lame demo days where you ride around the block and don't even get past 70 kmph. LOL.

I'm generally more concerned with performance, and comfort rather then looks. A good looking bike is great, but if it rides like **** and breaks down all the time.....

Thanks.

 

[strykenshane]

I actually own a Victory Cross Country but I did test ride the Vegas before buying my Stryker, biggest difference is in the handling, the Stryker you sit more down in the bike as opposed to sitting on top of the bike

 

[usmarinedelta]

The major flaw of the victory is that it's American made= trouble and problems. It costs more and is air cooled.

 

[conan48]

I test rode a Harley fat boy lo and street bob on the same day and I felt like I was "inside" the bike on the fat boy lo. I really liked the fat boy lo and the forward controls but the handling was **** compared to the street bob. The street bob was more on top of the bike feeling and had a much less aggresive rake angle.

How would the stryker fit me. I'm 6.0 and 190 pounds. Is the lack of a sixth gear noticeable on the highway and how is the general highway comfort level? Does the Stryker have enough power to keep you guys satisfied or are you thinking of a bigger bike like the Raider?

 

[mikoloe]

I test rode a Harley fat boy lo and street bob on the same day and I felt like I was "inside" the bike on the fat boy lo. I really liked the fat boy lo and the forward controls but the handling was **** compared to the street bob. The street bob was more on top of the bike feeling and had a much less aggressive rake angle.

How would the Stryker fit me. I'm 6.0 and 190 pounds. Is the lack of a sixth gear noticeable on the highway and how is the general highway comfort level? Does the Stryker have enough power to keep you guys satisfied or are you thinking of a bigger bike like the Raider?

I smoked a guy on a street glide twice last week. The Stryker is ok on power. The choice is all yours my friend, take your time. I like the high ball or the hard ball myself. I just don't like the spoke rims.

 

[sicontex]

Stryker is faster

 

[mikey76]

Opinion

Hey guys,

I've narrowed my choice down to the Stryker or Victory Vegas. Both are very close in price in Canada and I'm not finding much in comparisons using google.

I know this is a Stryker forum but I would appreciate some honest feedback from those who have either owned an Victory or have some kind of experience with them.

Looks wise, I think I like the Stryker more, but the Vegas 8 ball has a pretty nice blacked out look also.

The main thing that has me considering the Victory is the power. I believe the victory is 106ci while the Stryker is 80ci. 1700cc vs 1300cc. I'm not worried about too much power but am worried about getting bored or outgrowing the Stryker.

Anyone have any opinion on handling, comfort (long distance), sound (exhaust), and overall reliability?

I really like the fat bob but at 20 000 (with security package) it's crazy overpriced. IMHO.

The Vegas and Stryker seem to be the overall best bang for the buck cruisers out there and hopefully someone here has tried them both and has an opinion. A lot of the dealers in Ontario are reluctant to do test rides and ask yo to show up to their lame demo days where you ride around the block and don't even get past 70 kmph. LOL.

I'm generally more concerned with performance, and comfort rather then looks. A good looking bike is great, but if it rides like **** and breaks down all the time.....

Thanks.

I too was interested in the victory prior to getting my stryker. A few things that i didn't like about the victory was the lack of refinement on some of the castings for the rear swingarm. They looked rough and thrown together. I didnt like that there was no sidestand switch to kill the engine in the event the stand was down or went down while in gear. The floorboards on the other hand are nice and roomy. The sitting position was comfortable. There is a nice feature that if you stall out in traffic you can restart the bike without the clutch being pulled in. Overall i choose the stryker due to build quality refinements and i didnt like the way the rear swingarm looked on the left side. I was concerned about power with my stryker, especially being the victory is a larger displacement. I have no issues riding 2 up on trips with the stryker. I have yet to be dissatisfied with my choose in the stryker. Whatever you choose, enjoy.

 

[conan48]

I actually own a Victory Cross Country but I did test ride the Vegas before buying my Stryker, biggest difference is in the handling, the Stryker you sit more down in the bike as opposed to sitting on top of the bike

So I assume you prefer the more in the bike position? Also, how would you compare the overall handling between the two? Supposedly from what I've read, the stryker handles pretty good for a 40 degree rake.

I did sit on both and they both fit me well. I think the Vegas is a little more aggressive seating position and not as relaxed. Maybe I don't need aggressive as I'm coming from a sport bike and wan't something that doesn't get me into "turbo" mode so often. I literally find it impossible to drive the speed limit on a sports bike. I tell myself I won't twist that throttle, but...........it's like crack to me. LOL.

 

[conan48]

Stryker is faster

explain

 

[conan48]

I too was interested in the victory prior to getting my stryker. A few things that i didn't like about the victory was the lack of refinement on some of the castings for the rear swingarm. They looked rough and thrown together. I didnt like that there was no sidestand switch to kill the engine in the event the stand was down or went down while in gear. The floorboards on the other hand are nice and roomy. The sitting position was comfortable. There is a nice feature that if you stall out in traffic you can restart the bike without the clutch being pulled in. Overall i choose the stryker due to build quality refinements and i didnt like the way the rear swingarm looked on the left side. I was concerned about power with my stryker, especially being the victory is a larger displacement. I have no issues riding 2 up on trips with the stryker. I have yet to be dissatisfied with my choose in the stryker. Whatever you choose, enjoy.

You ride 2 up on the highway on long trips with no issue? Any vibes that will be noticeable at highway speeds?

 

[cambridge]

If you can afford the Victory Vegas Jackpot, then buy it. Better bike then our Stryker. I would have bought one if I could afford it. But I'm very happy with my Stryker. But I still think "what If".

 

[kakarot]

Bang for buck I would say the stryker.... on long rides and our crappy Manitoba roads... you do notice vibration, in the hands eventually... the bike is fast and smooth across the entire power band...

It is a 1300cc cruiser.... I do not know what your speed limits are, but I had my bike doing 190kms... it seems to have enough jam, I even lifted the front wheel once off an aggressive start. I like the low nature of the bike, the looks, performance.... it just looks like a more expensive custom chopper/cruiser IMO.

Then I spent 3000$ in making it a better bike all around, by choice... it was not needed

 

[Strykeback]

Test drove both at the international motorcycle show. The victory in my opinion was a bit smoother ( engine vibration) and the 6th is always nice. I would say the Victory was quicker and had more torque but that what one hopes 400 more CCs. But my lower back hurt after the 15 minute demo ride so it's riding position was not for me. I felt the egronomics on the Stryker were better for me. There are no close Victory Dealers but there was a Yamaha shop 4 miles away.

 

[BillyD66]

So I assume you prefer the more in the bike position? Also, how would you compare the overall handling between the two? Supposedly from what I've read, the stryker handles pretty good for a 40 degree rake.

I did sit on both and they both fit me well. I think the Vegas is a little more aggressive seating position and not as relaxed. Maybe I don't need aggressive as I'm coming from a sport bike and wan't something that doesn't get me into "turbo" mode so often. I literally find it impossible to drive the speed limit on a sports bike. I tell myself I won't twist that throttle, but...........it's like crack to me. LOL.

Keep in mind the 40 degree rake is compensated for by Yamaha moving the triple trees back I think 4 degrees. No "chopper flop" and I can do some pretty decent slow speed maneuvers. Find some of the reviews and they can explain the rake thing much better than me. All I know is that it works.

Haven't ridden a Victory(on my summer to-do list) but I would consider them next time. But I'd consider all models including the HD lines. The cream will rise to the top at a given price point if you do your due diligence.

Was out yesterday and we had the bikes moving plenty fast all day. Smooth at 70+. The power to me is fine but coming from the sport bike side you're probably going to have an adjustment no matter what you get. The machines are just designed to excel at different tasks.

As for 6th gear sure I'd like that as well as ABS and TPS etc. to be options. I could be totally wrong here but check the gear ratios on the bikes offering a 6th gear. It may be setup to work like over drive. If that is the case and you are on the highway and want to pass you'll need to downshift most likely. And you also might not use the gear as much as you'd think. On the Stryker I shift into 5th less often than I would have thought but I'm not a highway rider.

Price/value was important to me because this is a toy not a daily driver for me.
I think you'd be happy with the Stryker but everyone is different. I'm 5'11" 180 and fit it good but the 2-3" forward controls are on my want to mod list. Regardless you are doing your research which will end up being time well spent.

 

[cambridge]

Stryker is faster

ound:ound:ound:ound:

**** that is funny.

 

[dreadly]

Stryker is faster

explain

I don't think it is ...

 

[mikey76]

None

You ride 2 up on the highway on long trips with no issue? Any vibes that will be noticeable at highway speeds?

To date i havent had vibration or power problems riding 2 up on long trips. I will say that i wish the gearing/trans was differant. A 6th gear would be nice. The closer ratio would smooth out the trans shift, i only use 5th after 55 mph.

 

[mikoloe]

I don't think it is ...

Faster than a streetglide!

 

[dreadly]

Faster than a streetglide!

possibly ... never ran one, you?

I don't get out often on the wife's bike ...

 

[conan48]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I've eliminated the Victory and now I'm just either gonna get a street bob or Stryker. Stryker to save money and have liquid cooling, etc. or Harley to look cool and sound cool.....I found out HD offers extended warranty up to 7 years for 1000.00 might be worth it.

What do you guys think of the street bob? I added the 103 engine on the custom build. How do you think the street compares overall to the Stryker? I did REALLY like the low end torque on the street bob when I rode it. How does it compare to the Stryker?

I was checking out the Harley site and built my own street bob. What you guys think of it? I did ride the street bob and really liked it. Love the mini apes and I also really like the black denim look. That build would cost me 17 000, and not liquid cooled but I think it looks sexy. Maybe I should rob a bank......or finance. LOL.