Victory Motorcycles

suzuki2000

suzuki2000

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Anybody have any thoughts on them? Are they a quality bike? Do they have longevity?
Are they reliable?

I know there are typically 2 camps when it comes to big v twins HD's and Japanese, where would the fit it?
 
My buddy rides one and loves it. He said he never feels like it is not powerful enough and he rides it hard. He has forward controls and had write down the feelers and the pegs.
 
I'm happy with mine so far. Just made 23k and only had to replace the clutch cable last month. Not sure if it had anything to do with running into the back of a minivan but 3200 Km's later and no other issues. Just finished a long ride to N Quebec and Ontario last week in some pretty intense heat. Even air cooled its ok when hot. City mileage is not so good but highway gets about 5 liters/ 100 Kms. It's a 1634cc engine.

Nearest service was in Burlington but ready powersports sells them now so I'm going to give them a shot. Peak powersports is a great dealer though. Excellent service.
 
They have some really nice machines, built well and look good. I think along with the economy, Victory is one of the primary reasons HD pricing has fallen a little more in line.


There are so many different machines I want before I would get to seriously consider a Victory though. I'm really thinking a V-Rod is in my near future. If not, maybe something British or Italian.

Depends on the weather.
 
Going back 3 years ago, i had no M, and no desire to even get one, let alone a bike. Then a friend who rides invited me to go to the supershow with him in January, and seeing the big Victory cruisers was what made me want to ride. They were so gorgeous looking to me. I knew right then i wanted to learn and get one. My plan was to get my m2, then get an old beater and ride it for 1 or 2 years first, and then get a Victory when i had some experience. But.. funny thing is, since then my tastes have changed, i still love the Victory's and their look, but i found i don't like the cruiser riding position with the legs way up front. I bought a Magna which has standard seating position, and now that i've got 2 seasons under my belt on it i want another standard bike when i upgrade to something newer. I still love the look of the Victory's though and if i ever did get a cruiser that would be it, i have them to thank for giving me that goal and the urge to get into riding. :)
 
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I know what you mean. I had an 84 Maxim and was really comfortable with the riding position. But it was hard to maintain it living in a condo so I started looking for something new in a cruiser. I was really depressed by what I saw. All the bikes had enormous, fat gas tanks, beach bars, and we're made for short riders! Then a friend bought a cross roads and it looked beautiful. I wasn't looking for such a big bike but it did get me researching the victory line up. I went to the showroom and knew right away the Vegas was what I wanted. Loved the lines!
 
Their parent company is Polaris and I assume they use lots of Polaris components (engines, etc). Polaris is pretty big, no idea about quality but they do manufacture ATVs and stuff
 
mongol777 said:
Their parent company is Polaris and I assume they use lots of Polaris components (engines, etc). Polaris is pretty big, no idea about quality but they do manufacture ATVs and stuff
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Polaris makes some very good products. They also purchased Indian which is also a very high quality and expensive motorcycle brand.
 
I like the Cross Country and love the Hard Ball. What I would change is the rounds front of the bags.
 
suzuki2000 said:
Anybody have any thoughts on them? Are they a quality bike? Do they have longevity?
Are they reliable?

I know there are typically 2 camps when it comes to big v twins HD's and Japanese, where would the fit it?
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I have been looking at Victory and went on a demo ride earlier this season. Been itching to get one since and have been doing as much research as I can. Here is what I have learned so far as it relates to your question.

- Quality and Reliability...Vics are a quality bike. They have been around for over 10 years now. There were a few reliability issues in the first 5 years, but I cannot find any common thread on the Net in the last 3 years about any consistent issue.
- Longevity.... 10+ year company and owned by Polaris. They seem to be in it for the long haul, but 10 years is still the youngest main stream manufacturer out there. Only time will tell on this front. But this one isn't too much of a concern to me. Hummer and Saab didn't stop working the day those brands folded up. They're still just motorcycles and the engines aren't too different than the norm.
- Jap vs. HD...They are considered American bikes, but the bolts and fasteners are in metric (not SAE). But if someone can please explain to me why this matters???

Here is some additional information...

All their engines and transmissions are exactly the same. This makes for a more efficient manufacturing process and perfection of the components. The bikes are belt driven so reliability and maintenance is a little easier. 1,730 cc engines and the cheapest bike is $13,000 so there is value for the $$ available. In comparison there is quite a premium for the Harley's.

Some thoughts from my test ride (Vegas 8-ball)...

The engine has enough power and torque to make launches exciting. The engine is very smooth and buttery and almost vibration free. The throttle is also smooth and linear throughout the power band. I didn't notice any flat spots. The transmission is positive in the shifts and not mushy. There is a positive neutral finder which can cause getting into Neutral at slow speed. The 6 speed overdrive transmission was excellent. The transmission alone is a reason to get the Vic. The handling on the Vegas was steady and spot on (in comparison to the Honda Stateline which I found a little twitchy). The Hammer 8-Ball (which I also tested) was a little harder to lean due to the 250mm rear tire, but you can get used to it.

For full disclosure: I am looking at the Victory Vegas 8-Ball, Kawi Vulcan 1700, and Triumph Rocket III.
 
Cruisers are not my thing but I like what I see and hear about Victory bikes.
But I have to say - their website absolutely sucks.
 
I rode my buddies vegas 8ball and I loved every minute of it.
 
I'm seriously considering the Victory Hammer 8 ball...the bikes at the show looked pretty cool. Even the baggers ....I was considering a 2012/13 Night rod....now 12 Hammer might fit the bill.

ClickHandler.ashx
 
So here's a question, if it's so well known that HD's are an overpriced heap, and there are other North American companies producing similar bikes, why do the police services still use HD's?
 
The Victory sounds so promising. Shame they don't make a standard type motorcycle. Probably wouldn't sell. Probably same reason most dealerships don't stock normal function first form second riding gear. I guess the new normal is outlandish. Pity.
 
I love the look of the Hammer, but it's just not in the budget right now.
 
Renboy said:
So here's a question, if it's so well known that HD's are an overpriced heap, and there are other North American companies producing similar bikes, why do the police services still use HD's?
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Ren,

I'd say in the last 3 to 5 years, HD is right in line with their pricing against competitors. Same with maintence and parts and accessories.

And police vehicles do consider the total operating cost and do run BMW, Kawi and other brands to keep them honest. Law enforcement loyality does run long and deep though.

BNKN said:
The Victory sounds so promising. Shame they don't make a standard type motorcycle. Probably wouldn't sell. Probably same reason most dealerships don't stock normal function first form second riding gear. I guess the new normal is outlandish. Pity.
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Check out the Victory Judge. Mid set foot controls and standard handle bar height and rake.
 
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Ya the Judge is as standard as a Victory gets....just a lil too cramped for me..trying to get away from that. Want to go 4 -5 hrs without getting off every 1 1/2hrs...lol.

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