The public had its first viewing of ‘The New American Motorcycle’ in Townsville last week as Victory Motorcycles were unveiled for the first time in Australia at the Ulysses Club Annual General Meeting.
Those in attendance were unanimous in their view that Victory Motorcycles stole the show with its unique range of American-made cruiser and tourer bikes.
While Victory Motorcycles has been a key player in the heavy duty cruiser markets of the United States for the past 10 years, this was the first public appearance of Victory in Australia following last month’s announcement that the brand would be launched into Australia and New Zealand during quarter three of this year.
Over 3,000 Ulysses members were on hand to check out the new Victory range, including the all-new Victory Vision and the Arlen Ness Limited Edition models. Undoubtedly the happiest punter was Ken O’Doherty after taking out the competition to win a Victory model of your choice.
At the heart of the 2008 Victory models (excluding the Visions) is the 100 cubic-inch Freedom V-Twin. Changes to the powertrain include a new airbox that Victory claims enhances air intake to help produce more power. This could be a factor in the Freedom's increase in torque that Victory says has jumped from 103 ft-lb to 106 ft-lb. The 1634cc engine also benefits from new fuel injectors, oxygen sensors and idle air control. The Engine Control Module is also new for 2008, and includes a closed loop fuel injection system. The throttle bodies have been bumped up slightly, from 44mm to 45mm. All these changes were accomplished while simultaneously lowering the compression ratio from last year's mill, down to 8.7:1 from 9.8:1. Changes to the 6-speed trannys, with a lower ratio first gear and taller sixth gear, complete the list of powertrain changes to Victory's 2008 Freedom 100/6 V-Twin.
The Vegas Low's frame skirts one inch closer to the ground than the Vegas as well. The hand controls have been moved in thanks to 2-inch diameter pullback handlebars, placing the grips and hand controls easily within a rider's reach. Victory has made the front brake lever adjustable to enable riders to dial in a comfortable finger reach. Foot positioning has also been brought back 2.25 inches on the '08 Vegas Low and scalloped side covers make the bike 1.5 inches narrower than the standard model. During the press intro for the Vision, a diminutive female motojournalist was gushing over the Vegas Low's dimensions, and I'm convinced the demands of the burgeoning women riders' demographic was high on Victory's list of points to ponder in configuring the bike's ergos.
Even the swingarm and strut covers have engine-black paint. The chrome of the staggered slash-cut dual exhaust and the chrome cruiser headlights put a little shimmer on an otherwise dark exterior. The black looks great on the big classic-styled flared fenders that have become a signature for the Kingpin. The driver floorboards with a heel/toe shift lever also lend classic-cruiser appeal to the '08 Kingpin 8-Ball. Better yet, Victory has worked on a vibration-isolation system to the floorboards to enhance the riding experience.
The ergos are the same as the standard Kingpin except for the noticeable absence of a passenger seat. Like the Vegas Low, this bike is a one-person show. Internally, the Kingpin 8-Ball doesn't have the 6-speed overdrive of the Kingpin and Kingpin Tour models, but runs on a 5-speed constant mesh transmission. And if you don't like black, then don't bother checking out the Kingpin 8-Ball, because that's the only co
Those in attendance were unanimous in their view that Victory Motorcycles stole the show with its unique range of American-made cruiser and tourer bikes.
While Victory Motorcycles has been a key player in the heavy duty cruiser markets of the United States for the past 10 years, this was the first public appearance of Victory in Australia following last month’s announcement that the brand would be launched into Australia and New Zealand during quarter three of this year.
Over 3,000 Ulysses members were on hand to check out the new Victory range, including the all-new Victory Vision and the Arlen Ness Limited Edition models. Undoubtedly the happiest punter was Ken O’Doherty after taking out the competition to win a Victory model of your choice.
The ergos are the same as the standard Kingpin except for the noticeable absence of a passenger seat. Like the Vegas Low, this bike is a one-person show. Internally, the Kingpin 8-Ball doesn't have the 6-speed overdrive of the Kingpin and Kingpin Tour models, but runs on a 5-speed constant mesh transmission. And if you don't like black, then don't bother checking out the Kingpin 8-Ball, because that's the only co
