Baggers: Up front, fore of the frame, is that a stylized oil cooler and shroud?
Victory: The oil cooler and battery are located in the chin shroud. This is to maintain the design line of the motorcycle, and most importantly maintain the overall balance and positive handling of the motorcycles. It's a structural part of the frame. It's made of aluminum, and painted the same color as our frame and engine. It provides mounting for oil cooler, battery, horn, and some electronic components, along with routing wires, brake lines, and oil cooler lines. It also provides structural support for the driver floorboards and lower ends of the highway bars.
Baggers: Do the chrome engine/crash bars up front on the Cross Country replace the tip over extensions present on the Vision? It looks beefy; is it steel? Any other function besides an engine guard?
Victory: Again - this is a unique machine from the Vision. However, cast aluminum and chromed guards do serve to not only protect the motorcycle in the event of a tip-over, but also as mounts for additional accessories such as highway pegs and driving lights. The Cross Country has forged aluminum highway bars that do provide some measure of low-speed tip-over protection, though not at the same level as Vision. It is extremely strong. They are extremely strong when compared to tubular bars. Again, Vision, Cross Roads, and Cross Country offer different levels of lower wind protection and tip over protection to appeal to different riders.
Baggers: On the rear, is there a tip over mechanism? Is there something else that prevents damage from tip-overs, a la the Vision?
Victory: We have an optional rear tip-over assist that will reduce damage in the event the bike falls at parking lot speeds. The Cross Roads and Cross Country have amazingly low centers of gravity and lower seat heights than anyone in their class so the occasional parking lot drop should be less frequent than their competitors.
Baggers: How did the shape of the fairing come to be? Was windtunnel testing involved? Is there an electric windshield provision like Vision?
Victory: There is not an electric windshield like on Vision to differentiate these bikes-however a variety of shield heights are planned through the accessory book. The latest Computational Flow Dynamics helped verify that the designed shape would provide protection for the rider. Wind tunnel tests were also performed to verify the performance of the design.
Baggers: Nice job on the turn signals, any backstory on their development?
Victory: Signature Victory style. Credit Michael Song and the design department for pushing the limits of design within the considerable constraints of governmental regulation. Wait until you see them up close with the super bitchin' LED taillight-best looking backside in the business.
Baggers: Is the fuel tank and front fender metal? What about the rest of the bodywork?
Victory: The fuel tank and fenders are steel, the bodywork is a molded material designed to be compatible with high-quality paint processes, impact resistant, and as lightweight as possible to aid in handling.
Baggers: Is the windscreen removable on the Cross Roads?
Victory: The windscreen is held on by four bolts easily accessed and designed into the triple trees using the tool provided with the bike. It can be removed easily if the rider desires. There are no traditional mounting brackets to clutter the styling.
Baggers: Are the brake calipers linked? We see there are two four-piston units up front compared to Vision's three-piston units. Can you comment on the change and why the decision was made?
Victory: The brakes are not a linked system on the new models. Our research indicated that this feature was not as desirable on this type of motorcycle as it was on the larger touring machines. The split system is lighter, simpler, and more appealing to the more traditional touring rider who wants more control. This is different than luxury touring riders who want more assistance and technology.
Baggers: Is ABS available?
Victory: Not at this time.
Baggers: Does air go under the fairing to get into the frame/airbox?
Victory: The air intake is cast into the frame under the fuel tank so that it can breathe cool air from the front of the bike without directing intake noise back at the rider.