The Costs of Ownership

[Choirguy]

The other day, RedVic and I were discussing the costs to keep older Victory motorcycles running versus buying newer models that have less inherent issues than the 99 or 00 models.

Steve Stoddard wrote a great post on the VMC regarding his thoughts on this...perhaps he can be convinced to transfer those thoughts here.

Anyway, RedVic and I tend to spend between $600 and $1200 each year on repairs...standard maintenance (oil, tires, brakes) or upgrades. Both of our bikes are paid in full. I believe that RedVic's insurance is lower than mine, but there you go.

Comparatively, a new bike would cost (right out of the box) $280 (at least a month), meaning $3,300 each year--not to mention standard maintenance such as tires and oil changes.

It would seem better to keep the old bikes running, put the extra $2000 or $2500 you'd spend annually into savings, and then walk into a dealership and pay cash in 6 years (with your old bike as a trade-in).

What are your thoughts on the matter?

P.S. The alternator upgrade, although pricey--$325 for all the parts and 2.25 hours of labor-- is WONDERFUL. The bike now idles at 14.6 volts, even with the lightbar on. Thank goodness Victory is making some of the new upgrades retro-compliant!

[Old-timer]

My feelings are, do you have warranty or not? A transmission change can cost a bunch. How about the charging system upgrade? These are all things for the owners of the older models to decide. Myself being the owner of an 02. as far as I know only need to be concerned with the transmission. If my info is right that didn't change until 03? I don't have very many miles on my bike yet, but so far I love it. My harley friends don't have anything bad to say either. When they ask what I paid, they don't say much when they hear that I paid 11.500 for a bike with 5 miles on it that can clean their clocks.

[Swiffer]

Mick, the trans was changed for the best in '02...in '03 they changed vendors, but as far as I'm aware it's still the same design. You're golden on the trans issue!

Chris, I want the Freedom motor BAAAAD. If I could afford it I'd trade tomorrow. Don't get me wrong...I'm plenty happy with my '99, but IMO the Freedom motor's just too good to ignore. On the other hand the '99's do have a few special differences that make them better too. Hmmmm...guess I'd have to have two :)

Steve

[Choirguy]

Mick,

Great question. To date, my Victory has the '03 tranny (available in the fall of '02 as Swiffer said)--as well as the recalled Fox shock (for the '00 model year) and the upgraded fuel pump.

As 99-00 models go, my Victory has all of the "big" warranty issues dealt with. Add the alternator upgrade to that (not a warranty issue), and my 2000 is about as close to a '03 in technology as it is going to get (it also has the mild cams).

My warranty is good until August 7th this year, but there really isn't anything that CAN go wrong on the bike other than standard service.

[sstodvictory]

Here's my post from the VMC board. It was in respons to a poster who was wondering about the same trade up issue. Note that these figures do address the tranny upgrade expenses.
================================

I just went through this same mental anguish. After pitching the emotions and running the numbers, keeping the current ride won hands down.

I have an '00 V92C with stage II hop up and lots of touring extras. I'm 2.75 hours away from the nearest good dealer. The trip was starting to erode my feelings about the Vic in favor of a new VTX 1800R, which can be serviced locally.

Here's the case comparison of my next 3 years of prospective exenses. The touring add-ons figure only into the VTX column, since my Vic already has them. The Vic is paid for so collision insurance doesn't figure for it. With trade in I'd stil have to do a loan for the VTX.


Item Keep '00 C New 2004 VTX1800
Gas for dealer trips, 3/yr 300 24
lic plate renewals 114 114
Regular insurance raise 0 60
Add in collision insurance 0 600
Honda Windshield 0 560
Lightbar/spots 0 138
Freeway bar 0 120
HIghway pegs 0 80
2-piece Mustang seat 0 450
Champion Sport Patriot bags 0 1300
Lowers 0 80
Pipes & K/N filter for Honda 0 500
3-years of depreciation 2000 4000
============================================
Total 3 yr expenses 2,414 8,026 + loan interest

The Vic column could increase to 4,814 in the case that one has to pay full price for a tranny upgrade. That's still 3,212 less than the VTX for the 3-yr window. I think I've been ??????? with Vic depreciation, since the steepest part of the curve has passed.

Now reinsert the emotions......I love my Vic and the VTX could never fully replace it. Trading up to an 03 or 04 TCD wouldn't solve the dealer distance problem, so thats a wash. The TCD comes with the touring goodies but that's offset by its at least 2000 higher price tag than the VTX, and I love the power of my stage II V92C, and the TCD with its longer wheelbase won't handle as crisply as my V92C.

Its a no brainer. I get to keep my current ride. The only real cost is the boredom of the trip to my dealer.

Steve

[Old-timer]

Steve, seems you have it all worked out mathmatically. But I can't help but wonder if a VTX1800 is actually a trade up? I was out riding today and met up with a VTX and couldn't help but notice that the sound of the bike was very Japanese sounding and didn't look as good as my bike. IMO

[sstodvictory]

Steve, seems you have it all worked out mathmatically. But I can't help but wonder if a VTX1800 is actually a trade up?I don't think the Jap bikes have the appeal of the Vics either. I wasn't considering it a trade up as much as a way to bail out of the dealer distance issue. I would think that the Vic trade up question would work out similar for the numbers.

Steve

[Old-timer]

It's true that distance can make a difference. I have a Polaris dealer in my area that Victory will not give dealership to. They have offered to Brainerd Indian, but they have not acted upon the offer. So my nearest dealer is something like 90 miles away. I still chose to buy a Victory rather than a second Yamaha or a Honda or a Suzuki. My choice is for the bike, not convenience.

[v92sc_065]

What is the price of an new Tranny these days?

I need the upgrade and new tires and the like and I am unsure of the cost.

Ballpark?

[sstodvictory]

According to posts at the VMC board it runs about $2400 for parts & labor, or $25 deductible if you still have some warranty left. About $1500 of that is parts

Steve

[Swiffer]

Dan, there have been quite a few cases where Polaris picked up the cost of parts even out of warranty(customer pays labor). Might be worth checking with Dean and see if he has any insight into this.

Steve

[v92sc_065]

The Steves come through! :clap:

I think I will blow off work today and see if I can get the bike running and take her down to see Doctor Dean. I have been saving my pennies and was concerned that I would not be able to cover the cost, but I believe, even without warrenty, I should be back on the road sooner then I thought.

Thanks guys.