Each year touring enthusiasts look forward to the unveiling of the newest OEM models from manufacturers both foreign and domestic. But here on American soil, Victory’s become a staple in the annual new model launches over the years.
In its 15th year of production, since first launching the V92C in 1998, whodathunk the new kid on the motorcycle block would have blossomed into the company it is today, which currently offers 14 motorcycles. Plus, its touring motorcycle segment has become increasingly popular since the company cemented its name in the motorcycling world with the launch of the polarizing Vision in late 2007. The hits have continued since that motorcycle’s release and the development of the Cross models (Cross Country and Cross Roads) proved that Victory had much more ammo in its arsenal.
The Victory crew takes pride in thinking outside the box, and for 2013, for you bagger, touring, whatever-the-hell-you’re-calling-yourselves-today folks, Victory’s split that market in two: Baggers and Touring bikes. Victory dubbed one line “Bagger” and the other line “Touring” because it saw a trend in the motorcycle market that a rider interested in a loaded-to-the-gills Vision Tour wouldn’t necessarily be interested in the stripped-down, minimalist aesthetic of say, a Hard-Ball. Because of that, the Victory marketing gurus decided to tailor its bikes to a more specific audience.
Whichever way Victory wants to skin its cats, the 2013 Victory Baggers and Touring bikes include an impressive lineup. Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage of both platforms in future issues of Baggers. Good things are coming in 2013. For more information about Victory Motorcycles, visit victorymotorcycles.com.
Touring
The Victory Touring line consists of four models: Cory Ness Cross Country, Arlen Ness Vision Tour, Vision Tour, and Cross Country Tour. All are made for the long haul and purpose-built with comfort in mind. From the standard ABS braking components to the kickass stereo systems that go past 11 to blast your favorite tunes, Victory has a handle on what its touring clientele want.
The Touring bikes are equipped with the106ci Freedom V-Twin engine featuring a single overhead cam design, self-adjusting cam chain tensioner, hydraulically adjusted valves, and 106 lb-ft of torque. Coupled to the powerplant you’ll find the six-speed transmission with helical-cut gears for a smooth shift and gear engagement.
And in the ride department, the Cross chassis features a two-piece hollow cast aluminum frame for strength and durability, and the engine is rigid mounted so that both work harmoniously to give folks the best ride possible to complement the engine’s performance.
| Arlen Ness Vision Tour |
$25,999 |
| Arlen’s 2013 Vision is draped in Havasu Red with custom Ness flamed graphics, hot-rod Ness billet wheels, flamed Ness engine covers, chrome grips, grip ends, chrome footboards for the driver and passenger, Kicker custom stereo system, a sub-zero refrigerator, and 50-inch LED TV, and much more. Well, actually, those last two things aren’t included but you do get the idea. Being that the Ness Vision Tour is a limited-edition model, its owners are treated to a unique Ness logo and signature. |
| Cory Ness Cross Country Tour |
$28,999 |
| Arlen’s son, Cory, made a slight departure for 2013 by customizing a Cross Country Tour instead of the Cross Country he’d tricked out last year. The 2013 Cory Ness Cross Country Tour features a wicked Gold Digger Pearl paintjob with custom graphics, Ness engine covers, custom mirrors, and other accouterments that Cory designed. |
| Cross Country Tour |
$21,999 |
| Released in 2012, the Cross Country Tour is a spruced-up Cross Country with those looking for options in mind. Options to slap a trunk on and take off for a couple weeks. Options to include fairing lowers with integrated vents for cooling/heating your core when the temps soar/drop. Options to heat the rider’s mitts and bum as well as the passenger’s derriere. And options for the passenger to adjust the footboards if so desired. The Tour is a great motorcycle for road trippin’ or weekend cruising since all the aforementioned can easily be removed on the fly. The Tour is available in Gloss Black, Boardwalk Blue, and Bronze Mist. It also features the largest storage capacity on the market at 41.1 gallons of storage space. |
| Vision Tour |
$20,999 |
| The mack-daddy touring bike made for the long haul can be found with Victory’s Vision Tour. Dubbed a “spaceship” by many motorcyclists around the globe, but the Vision Tour is the crème de la crème of motorcycles when it comes to traveling anywhere long distance. In 2013, the Vision Tour features push-buttom electric windshield height control, heated seats with individual pilot/passenger controls, heated handlebar grips with adjustable settings, iPod cord positioned in the front storage compartment for easy access, fairing integrated stereo system, and much more. |
Baggers
Victory’s Bagger line is built around a two-piece hollow cast aluminum frame for strength and durability without feeling too heavy for traversing around. Mounted in the cradle of all the Bagger models is the 106ci Freedom V-Twin engine, which features a single overhead cam design, self-adjusting cam chain tensioner, hydraulically adjusted valves, and boasts a whopping 106 lb-ft of torque. It is rigid mounted in the frame as a uniformed part of the chassis to provide more torsional rigidity for better handling in the corners at high speed.
And speaking of performance, all Victory Baggers come standard with anti-lock brakes (ABS). Standard ABS is the only way to go in competitive markets these days. And Victory listens to what its customers want. In the comfort department, Victory’s no stranger to providing motorcyclists with all the creature comforts bagger enthusiasts crave without the feeling of owning his or her grampa’s touring bike. Long footboards allow riders to stretch their legs a bit more than a rigid-mounted footpeg position and the seat height on the bagger models is a low 26.25 inches tall. Check out the following Baggers and stay tuned for more in-depth coverage in Baggers.
| Cross Roads Classic |
$17,999 |
| The Classic, formerly available as a limited edition (LE) model, blends the nostalgic styles of a ’57 Chevy with the technology of a performance cruising motorcycle. You get the best of both worlds in 2013: classic muscle car paint scheme with an edgier feel from the studded saddlebags and seat. Dual spoke wheels also come standard on the Classic. |
| Hard-Ball |
$18,999 |
| The Hard-ball’s hot-rod aesthetic (are you seeing a trend here?) is responsible for Victory’s push to fit in more with the cool kids in school. So far it’s succeeding after being launched late in 2012. Adjustable ape hanger–style handlebars come standard along with the flat-black paint scheme with red pinstriping throughout. Speaking of black, it’s pretty much the only color you’re going to find on the bike other than the subtle red hints. From the wheels, to the headlight nacelle, to the tank, down to the engine and drivetrain, all the way back to the rear fender. Its less-is-more appeal is what bagger owners of today crave. |
| Zach Ness Cross Country |
$25,999 |
| The youngest of Ness customizers, Zach Ness, was handed a Cross Country to customize for 2013. Like the 2012 Zach Ness Vegas, the similarities of the custom accents on the 2013 Zach bike are very unique to him as a builder. You can tell he’s really finding himself as a bike builder and defining his style right before our very eyes. The 2013 Zach Ness Cross Country features smooth-as-silk Titanium Metallic Paint with Ness graphics. Also everything that could have been blacked out was. Be on the lookout for the road test of the Zach Ness Cross Country in a Baggers issue soon. |
| Cross Country |
$18,999 |
| If you hadn’t noticed the motorcycle that everyone’s calling the Street Glide equivalent, then you’ve been living under a rock. Victory’s Cross Country is everything you’d want in a bagger and, for 2013, even more thanks in part to its edgier attitude, most notably the blacked out Cross Country with Suede Nuclear Sunset paint (pictured). Obviously the Victory folks liked how that denim orange-ish hue looked on the Judge and decided to give it a go on the Cross Country. It works. Plus, there are even more paint options to choose from that all fans can certainly appreciate. |