At the exclusive world launch in Minnesota and Iowa, USA we made this film. Onboard and walk around. The Victory Vision Tour and Street is bigger than life with some innovative American styling. Long and low, comfortable as few other motorcycles and built to last many miles on the open roads. Cruise control, big stereo with iPod connection, king and queen seat, big storage capacity and one of the most comprehensive fairings ever built. Then add a 1731cc V-twin engine and the road is yours. Read parts of our test here. Will Harley-Davidson take notice? We will know in mid July when we ride the 08 Harley models in New York.
We just thought you would like to have another look at the concept bike Victory launched last year. It is a Vision for the future, where this particular concept features an 800cc parallel twin and some visionary Street design. Will we see more road bikes from Victory with fairing and all in the future? Well, that's the Vision 800 anyway. Next about Victory: The 2008 Luxury Tour bike. Look at the concept sketches below and we guarantee you that the real thing is worth waiting for. Enjoy the reviews of the 2007/08 bikes we tested in California in the meantime: 2007 Victory Hammer S, Kingpin, Kingpin Tour
Victory motorcycles to launch groundbreaking Luxury Tourer!
Soon we will jet over to the US to look at the brand new Luxury Tourer from Polaris backed Victory Motorcycles. The event is top secret and exclusive. Could be Area 51 in the Nevada desert. And we're going to play Jack Bauer and find out everything for you! It will be the first time anyone outside of the US firm gets to see the new design. A few months ago we showed you the four concept sketches that formed the base for the new American V-twin tourer. Final design was chosen quite a while ago and we believe Victory already might have a production ready design to show us. We believe so because we will ride the bike sometime next year.
Here are some quotes from the Victory team: "When people first see this motorcycle, they're going to be blown away. I think it's going to be way beyond what most people expect." (Gary Laskin, Product Manager) "It's a groundbreaker - I would say very significant in the history of motorcycles." (Michael Song - Victory Lead Industrial Designer) "This will set a new standard in styling, set a new standard in comfort, it has all the features people want, and it will be a bike that gives each rider the ability to touch all of the senses." (Steve Smith, Product Manager) "When it comes out, it's going to change the way people perceive touring motorcycles." (Greg Brew, Director of Polaris / Victory Industrial Design) "I think it's going to fulfil the dreams of people looking to tour on an American Luxury Touring Motorcycle." (Greg Brew, Director of Polaris / Victory Industrial Design). Also see our road tests of the 2007 Victory Hammer S, Kingpin, Kingpin Tour and Ness Signature series. October Blog from the Victory 2007 launch. By Tor Sagen/Photo: Victory & Kevin Wing
2007 Victory motorcycles-Futuristic luxury tourer and Hammer S
Victory motorcycles have in the last 9 years established itself as the American alternative to the motor company. In 2007 Victory are launching two new models based on the Kingpin and Hammer platforms-but more interestingly a big luxury tourer concept to rival Harley-Davidson Ultra Glide Classic Electra, BMW K1200LT, Triumph Rocket III Classic (or the unconfirmed GT) and even Honda Gold Wing.
By: Tor Sagen/Pictures: Victory
The big tourer is still in its concept stages and Victory asked its engineers and designers to come up with different ideas to the concept. It goes from conservative to very futuristic. Looking at the four concept drawings (particularly concept 3) it is evident that some elements at Victory want to rock the world with a futuristic design. It follows up on the out-of-this world Vision 800 concept shown last autumn in the US. Victory is measuring the response on their concepts carefully and do not be too surprised if the most conservative design becomes the real thing. One thing that is crucial for Victory is that its big air-cooled 1634cc 50 degree V-twin is visible at all times. Victory quotes: “Victory will aggressively enter the luxury touring segment” Tony Meirovitz, External relations specialist Polaris industries about the luxury tourer: “Truly - a very complex machine to build - no doubt.” “I can't really say much on the status of development - however - the sketches will be going up on the Victory Motorcycles Website for riders to comment on.” “Voice of the customer is something that is really important to Victory and their opinions count.” Victory promises that the new tourer will be long, low and stretched with smooth flowing lines. Being a big tourer it will also get ample storage capacity for long-distance touring.
Two new models and updates to the range
Hammer S gets a new limited-edition styling package and a new custom headlight (from Vegas Jackpot). The new swingarm is now cast and not forged and that makes it lighter and stronger. The Hammer features one of the fattest rear tyres in the business in a 250mm Dunlop rear tyre that was developed specially for the Hammer to stomp its oomph on. The new wheels are red powder-coated ones from Performance Machines. S stands for sport and the styling is based on American muscle cars. The sports bit is due to the big powerful engine, USD fork and double four pot Brembo brakes. The engine is a blacked-out 1634cc Freedom twin with overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, fuel injection and six gears where sixth is overdrive. The V-handlebars, mirrors and many other parts also get the black paint treatment. -Can be compared to other performance cruisers such as Harley-Davidson Night Rod and Suzuki M1800R Intruder.
Kingpin Tour is the other “new” model based on Victory’s best selling Kingpin. It is a classic cruiser with touring ability basically. New for 2007 is the addition of a top-box that matches the saddle bags with a leather-like finish. The new kingpin Tour also gets the custom headlight and cast swingarm as well as a new range of accessories from Pure Victory. Windshield, top-box, saddle bags, touring pillion seat with backrest and footboards for both are standard on the Tour. The new top-box can take one full-faced helmet and one half-faced.
New Ness signature series models with diamond-cut cooling fins!
Arlen and Cory Ness have once again gone creative on one of the Victory models. For 2007 they have done so on the already extreme Vegas Jackpot. Apart from two new limited edition paint-schemes the cylinders and cylinder head cooling fins are diamond-cut. This process can improve cooling by 10%, but sounds awfully expensive! Mike Pedler, Victory European Sales Manager commented that these Ness signature series for the first time will be available in the UK from next year. Pedler also stated that all the 2007 models will be introduced in Europe for the first time at the EICMA 2006 in Milan and NEC in Birmingham this autumn. Victory will also add three new dealerships in England to make it 9 in total.
2007 Vegas, Hammer and Kingpin also gets the forged swingarm and the custom-inspired headlight from Vegas Jackpot. The emission decal on the swingarm has now found a new and better home on the battery box out of sight for a cleaner more enhanced appearance. Vegas Jackpot gets new colours and cast swingarm. Vegas 8-Ball gets more engine-black paint on swingarm and strut covers. Black wheels as standard. Still 5-gears for the entry-level big twin from Victory.
Polaris (owner of Victory motorcycles) is in a strategic partnership with KTM until June 2007. KTM have recently taken over distribution for Polaris in Germany and Polaris is helping with distribution for KTM in the US. By June next year we will know more about further cooperation’s such as an extension to roadbikes as well as the ATV sector. Or they might decide not to be in bed with each other anymore. Time will tell.
In October we rode all the new bikes at the world launch in California. Full 2007/2008 Victory coverage on this site.
Victory Vision 800 update and new direction for Polaris and perhaps KTM
This is our Q & A session with our Victory spokesman below.
R&R:-Did you design that parallel motor in house? Have you got a running 800cc parallel twin?
V: The engine is (conceptually speaking) a slightly modified version of an 800cc engine that Polaris already produces. It's "cousin" resides in the current Polaris Sportsman 800EFI ATV - and quadricycles....
R&R: -Why go parallel and not V?
V: The biggest reason is that the parallel allows the engine to lay quite flat - thereby creating a lower centre of gravity and freeing up space above it for the storage bay which can hold two full face helmets.
R&R: -Is it Polaris or Victory that makes the decisions on new models?
V: Both. It's very much of a collaborative effort. Victory is Polaris' motorcycle division.
R&R: -Now that BMW launched the F800S with Rotax parallel twin, can we expect to see something similar from Victory? As in a roadster.
V: That F800S looks like a great bike. As for a similar offering from Victory - it's not out of the question. As you can see with this concept, Victory (and Polaris) is thinking about much more down the road than just V-Twin Cruisers.
R&R: -You must have loads of technology available from high performance snow mobiles. How much of this can you transfer to a motorcycle?
V: Definitely, that is one of the benefits of being a diversified powersports company. Technologies and concepts are constantly shared between the different product divisions. In the end, it makes for better vehicles - and - if we can use the same part on a sled as we can on a bike or ATV - it also saves money - which is ultimately good news and a better value for the consumer (and the servicing dealer).
Victory Vision 800
Updated: 15/12. American motorcycle manufacturer Victory has in Long Beach, California now launched a concept bike just as outrageous as the stuff from Japan. Vision 800 has got many similarities with Honda's concept bike DN-01 launched at Tokyo Motor Show earlier this year. Here are the specs: 800cc parallel twin engine, automatic constant variable transmission (completely without foot operated controls and clutch), storage large enough to accommodate 2 full face helmets, shaft final drive with aluminium single sided swingarm, bladder fuel tank behind the front wheel and a 250/40-18 rear wheel. The idea is a aim and shoot bike with the same storage capacity as a big tourer. The problem with a concept bike like this is that it's very difficult to foresee this in the Victory line-up in any near future. It comes from a company that purely builds cruisers and customs today. But it is also promising for people that want their bike to be American as this also tells us Victory has designed a 800cc parallel twin. Hopefully Victory will launch a entry level cruiser with that very parallel twin motor next year. Or even different platforms such as a roadster Buell style or maybe even a sports tourer. The 790cc parallel twin comes from the Sportsman 800 EFI ATV. Victory also admitted they are tempted to manufacture something that could enter the market in the same segment as the new BMW F800S. A sporty roadster type bike in other words. Read our full interview with our Victory spokesman right here next week along with some high resolution close ups of Vision 800.TS Tokyo Motor Show
From the Victory press release: "An Eye on The Future. With its Victory Motorcycle division continuing to outpace industry growth, an ongoing strategic partnership with leading European motorcycle manufacturer KTM and a recent organizational expansion of its motorcycle and international businesses, Polaris’ commitment to its motorcycle business has gone global - and has never been greater. Driven by zealot-like passion to deliver on Victory’s positioning as “The New American Motorcycle”, the award-winning Polaris / Victory Industrial Design Team never pauses in it’s exploration of both form and function. “We constantly study global design trends, as well as today’s motorcycle consumers to better understand, and deliver on, their expectations of the future,” says Greg Brew, Director of Polaris Industrial Design. “Polaris has assembled a best-of-the-best team from around the world, and our mandate for Victory is to drive the future of custom-inspired American motorcycle design. The Vision 800 is but one example of the type of exploration our team pursues in order to continue to deliver the type of innovative design that fuels people’s passion for motorcycles.”
US 2006, Victory Vision 800, Polaris Revolver and Harley has to go liquid-cooled by 2010
Updated : 08/12/06. On December 9 Victory will reveal a brand new 800cc concept bike at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show Presented by Toyota Trucks in Long Beach USA. Greg Brew, director of Victory/Polaris industrial design and Alan Hurd, General manager of Victory motorcycles will present the new bike. It is not much information we have at the moment. Whether the bike is a cruiser, Ness custom or a roadster is unknown. As soon as we get pictures and more info we will present it right here. It is also believed that the old V92 finally will be replaced by a new tourer for the 2007 model year. Expect that to feature the 100c.i. motor. Pictures of Vision 800 looming. We asked for comments on Victory 2006/07 plans last week, but have not heard back yet.
Speaking of Polaris here is the Revolver Quad that was presented at the Paris international motorcycle show earlier this year. We have presented the concept drawings from KTM of a road biased sporty quad previously and this is the Polaris version also with a 500cc four stroke engine. Check out the Ipod.
Due to new EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulations in California that will go into force in the rest of the US by 2010 it is rumoured that Harley-Davidson's classic air-cooled engine configuration will die forever. This means that in the current model range only V-Rod based models can cope with the new environment friendly regulations. More in depth and comments when the EPA and Harley-Davidson gets back to us.
