| Author | Message | ||
     Swordsman |
I've seen several people say that they'd consider a Victory instead of a H-D since the split. I've looked at Vic before, and sorta kinda' like the Hammer, and the Vision just because of the sheer strangeness of it, but have you looked at the prices?! Holy crapola, their cheapest bike is ~50% more than you can nab a Sportster! I'd have to be really, REALLY pissed at H-D to take it that far. So, for those of you claiming to be Victory converts, which bikes are you into? Not that I'd ever pay it, but the Hammer S has my vote. ~SM | ||
| Jaimec |
Victory really doesn't have anything in the Sportster class. Compare their prices to the BIG twins, not the Sportsters. | ||
| Swordsman |
Ah, wasn't looking at engines and weight. Guess that could be like comparing an entry-level Chevy to an entry-level Buick, huh? ~SM | ||
| S1wmike |
Vegas 8-Ball was always good looking. I test rode several a couple of years ago Hammer, Vegas and Vision. Handling was fine down on power and the transmissions and vibrations left something to be desired. The Vision reminded me of a 63 VW Micro Bus clunky trans, no power, slow. | ||
| Rex |
I think I would buy a victory over a HD. much better looking. a great bike. good quality, the bike fits perfect, and seems to handle much better than a hd does. rex with what they are doing to buell, it would definitely be a victory or triumph. not a hd. | ||
| Sleez |
been lusting after a vision for awhile now! | ||
| Squirett |
Are they really American?? aren't they Polaris'?? | ||
| Svh |
Made in Iowa and developed in Wisconsin. Engineered in Minnesota. | ||
| Carbonsteel |
I too looked at Victory prices and pound for pound they are comparable to Harley. Just wait for your local dealer to get the new 2010 models. I've heard they have some price reductions that puts some of their bikes just under Harley's MSRP for bikes of the same class (Not Sportsters). | ||
| Teddagreek |
My Father in law got one after he wrecked the Beemer in SD... Good Bike... His is the touring model the vision replaced.. Solid bike... Nice controls, brembo brakes and a very noticeable all around quality... I'm not a Ness fan and some of the models have a lot of that influence.. For yeas people bitched that HD didn't do a 6 speed... HD response it wasn't needed, yada yada... Victory drops the hammer and goes with with 6-Speeds... Harley follow a year later.. I never understood why HD wasn't more proactive to the market demand... They play way too safe...Kinda the reason this crap went down... | ||
| Danger_dave |
Six speed gearboxes in cruiser motorcycles with engines the same size as cars always gets me. Keep the top and bottom ratios the same, sure - and most could get away with three. Four easy. I liked the 8-ball because in only has 5. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
a smaller, lighter displacement, a shorter wheel base a set of rear sets a decent seat (not one of wood) I would be in for it as a cafe, or street fighter.  | ||
| Davefla |
From the December issue of Cycle World, inside front cover:  Popular t-shirts won't pay for too many $1000 off MSRP price wars. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
 Love that ad! I've never seen that model before but it looks good IMO. Before now, the only Victory model I could ever have seen myself on was the Vision. Hmm.. might have to go look at one of those Cross Country's in person. | ||
| Svh |
Brand new model for 2010. Added some baggers like above and also one with a detachable windshield instead of fairing. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Check out the videos "106 Engine" and "Handling & Suspension" shown on victory's Cross Country page. The frame doubles as an airbox, their rear shock design appears to be function over form, and they've gone with an air-cooled 4-valve OHC design. It appears that this motorcycle company isn't afraid of technology and change. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
T test rode a Hammer and with the wide back tire and forward pegs it was just awful for me. It just couldn't turn without a great deal of effort and when I forced it over it scraped at what I thought were very mild lean angles. It was a good looking bike but I would personally never want one. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Early in their history Victory had a "sport cruiser" (the V92C) with mid-mount pegs that was cool, in concept at least. Their engines and trannies had big problems back then and the bike went by the wayside.  Something similar with the hardware & styling they have now would be cool. | ||
| Trojan |
I had a Victory Sport cruiser on test for a few weeks when they first came out. Build quality was far better than most H-D's even then, and apparently it is even better now. If I was in the market for a cruiser I would be very tempted by a Victory now. | ||
| Jb2 |
Swordsman, 'Bout missed your post. I bought a Vic two years ago. I was a little uncomfortable with the peg position but have resolved that with a set of brackets from the Vegas Low. I sold my VFR and bought a ST1300 sight-unseen. Five months later I offed the ST cause I just didn't like it. I bought the Vic because they gave me a killer deal and I liked the styling. I have since fallen in love with the bike and been all over the country on it. It has a clunky 5 speed, it's hard to get into neutral and the rake causes you to relearn your riding habits or you'll grind off the pegs. (I have a Vegas, BTW) After the initial shock of being on a cruiser I have developed a real relationship with this bike and have another Victory purchase in my sights. They say the new 6 speed is a lot better and as Danger Dave said the 8-Ball is still a 5 speed but is much improved. The absolute best bike I ever owned was my S2 but this bike rivals it. It certainly doesn't handle as well but I am a long distance touring guy. I've rode over a 1000 miles on this bike in one day and I wasn't in pain when I got off. It's quirky enough to have a likable personality and refined enough to outshine a Harley. After owning this first Vic I am convinced I'll never own another Harley. JB2 (Message edited by jb2 on October 22, 2009) | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
This was a Victory prototype I think.  | ||
| Lovedabueller |
 would kill for that bike right there. | ||
| Gohot |
I guess alot of us are just aggrivated with Harley's attitude twards us over and a feeling of being a red headed stepchild. Harley big twins have seldom if ever impressed me, nor the "Lifestyle" they catered to. The 'I'v got a black Harley T- shirt on, so I'm bad', are Mostly clowns that I ever saw, with the vest and zillion badges on them look. come on... I'm supposed to fear you? As far as Victory, well if I was buying a big dollar item in a bike its likely that Victory would be the brand for me. If Harley is all about the 'LOOK' then, well they may just as well kept to the ironheads. I'd think that Victory's tech group that is responsable for inovative upgrading of the motor and trans, would be putting alot more hours than Harley any day. When Harley decided to drop Buell, they basically said to the owners, "YOUR NOT WORTH OUR TIME" You can give all kinds of excuses Harley, but all your PR MouthBoogie will NOT change the fact. Now if I were M V Agusta, I'd be looking high and low to find anyone OTHER THAN HARLEY to be the partner with. As we speak, I believe this is in the works anyway or has come about with another buyer. Harley......you just don't get it ! Seems as far as the LOOKS thing goes, Harleys are Sears Wingtips and Victory are Custom Italian leather shoes. | ||
| Swordsman |
Oh, forgot to mention that I looked at some Vics a few years back at the Intl' Bike Show in Atlanta. I don't remember which model it was, but one of the show guys was giving me the tour, and lifted it off the kickstand with one hand. And let go. There on the carpet, it balanced all by itself! Needless to say, I thought that was pretty freakin' cool. ~SM | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
I believe that would have been the Vision. I saw a victory owner once pick the bike off the kickstand, raise the kickstand, and then let go of the bike to show that in a driveway tipover situation, the floorboards are positioned correctly and rigid enough to prevent the bike from falling all the way over. I'm sure that feature means a severe limit of ground clearance for cornering, but pretty cool nonetheless. | ||
| Triumph900 |
I owned a Victory Sport Cruiser. 2001 model. I would bet only 50 or so 2001 SC's were ever sold. I sold the bike in 2005. It was already getting difficult to find parts, and there was no accessories. It was an OK bike, a bit quirky, and not the best handling bike I've ever owned, but still, OK. When the Freedom engines and the Vegas line started, Polaris kind of forgot about the original bikes. Now, the current bike line is fine, but it's really just two bikes. The Vegas/Kingpin and their spawn, and the Vision and the two bikes based on the Vision they released this year. I think they're kind of long in the tooth now (first Vegas in 2003), and not much variety. I will say this; the Victory engine is a really nice piece. A friend of mine used to sell Victory. He dropped them last year, and he's happy he did. One thing to consider. Victory sales have been very weak. Polaris is a publicly traded company. It wouldn't surprise me if Victory was on it's last legs. Why do I say that? Because one year after I bought a Polaris PWC, they pulled the plug on the line. Left a bad taste in my mouth. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
That XYZ is so close Mids and a 180 rear wheel.... | ||
| Americanmadexb |
yup, that new Victory Cross Country is on of the bikes i have been looking at since they came out..... Then all hell broke loose a week ago and now i don't know what im going to do! | ||
| Paw |
Victory is so far ahead of H-D as in technology...Their smallest motor is a 100 cu. in. with a true 6 speed over drive tranny. I like the looks of their bikes too. Very cool. There air boxes are hidden not hanging on the side of the motor makes it look real clean. The Hammer S in the bike i want with the big bore kit. Drops 120+ ft/lbs and close to 100 H.P. Va-room Va-room!!! | ||
| T9r |
I've got the 2007 Hammer S and I LOVE IT! The bike is FAST, stops amazingly well for such a long cruiser and it only has the 100in motor (stock) plus the usual K&N air filter, Lloydz fuel controller and custom pipe. I picked it up used for a good bit off, only way to go. It is the best cross-over coming from a Buell. The bike corners well, although I have to lean off just as much as the Buell w/o scraping a peg. The Victory enthusiasts are very similar to Buell, which is great, I fit in well. Check us out at http://thevmc.com. Some mods installed since this original photo  |
