I recently enjoyed the latest Victory press Party ( complements of Bikernet ), where Victory motorcycles showed off their new line for '05.
I flew out from Houston on an extreeeeemly short fight to Austin. So, why not just run out for the Victory trip? The response is just as strange as taking such a short flight. I had the bike builders blues, tons of time in the shop building cool customs but no time to relax with my thoughts of chrome and welding beads, or basically, I don't have a personal bike currently. Don't tell anyone.
Once I arrived in Austin, the Victory guy's were kind enough to have a shuttle waiting to cart me and another writer out to the function. It was comforting to have someone to talk bikes with along the way and help pass the time. The press function was held at a country club with a full size golf course, (no bike riding on the course is the only complaint I had ). The facility was second to none, with tennis courts, pool tables , pool and spa area including a fully equipped gym ( where I got a much needed work out in the morning before the day's events ). Also on hand were plenty of Victory staff (such as engineers and development techs ), to discuss the models in detail. They had a incredible spread prepared for dinner and further discussions of my favorite topic–Motorcycles.
When I arrived, Monday evening, they had the full '05 line on hand for review. The Austin Country Club housed a manicured round patio at the rear of the facility overlooking the golf course, where they had the bikes arranged around the area with tables and chairs set up in the middle. The table were decorated with Victory information and souvenirs to help familiarize the moto-journalistic crowd with the new Hammer as well as the other 05 model: Vegas, 8 Ball, Ness Vegas, Kingpin , Ness Kingpin , Kingpin Deluxe , Touring Cruiser, and last but not least the all new 100-inch sporty Victory Hammer. there were several variations of the different models from bone stock to models dressed up with their custom order options and new accessories.
The first time I gazed at the Victory Performance model, Hammer, I was impressed with the cosmetic appearance. It snagged an semblance combination between a sport bike and an FXR. I was also impressed with the seat pocket in the tank and the bottom curve of the tank. I have chopped- up stretched and molded many factory tanks in the past to get this shape. To witness that you can grab a bike right off the shelf with the same cool lines is an eye-opener.
After reviewing the new models along with technical discussions, they let me in on the best part: We'd get to ride these bastards! They laid out a hot route that took us through the hill country surrounding Austin (if you haven't been for a ride there you need to). I'm new to this, my first assignment. I stood in the lavish lobby looking at all this sparkling chrome, with camera, pin, and pad, but I wasn't ready to ride.
I looked around quickly and figured out that there were not enough Hammers for everyone. Bandit's dispatch info clearly stated that I was to look at the Hammer specifically since it was a new model and there was no way I was coming back empty handed! Everyone else had obviously been tipped off on the departure time (or they were regulars to these press gigs).
I knew there was no time to get to my room and back before the Hammers were all gone. Some of the guys (and Gals) were heading out already.
Then I quietly walked up to my room to put my crap away and get my lid on (my buddy Bradley, Da Polisher, just went down the day before and helped me remember why I choose to wear a helmet ). When I returned to the launch site, almost everyone hit the road, but as I expected someone had their eye on my ride and was in search of the key. I didn't want them to waste any more time looking for the key, so I slid the key from my pocket and kindly pointed out that this one was reserved for Bikernet.
I don't think there were any hard feelings but with the Title of the “Devil” I might not have noticed anyway. Needless to say I rode the 50 degree v twin with electronic fuel injection, by myself after that, which was fine with me, since I wanted to see if it was worthy of the Lucky Devil 100 mph stamp of approval. The Hammer, not only did well on the top end, where I played around for a while, but took turns just as well. I started speeding up and slowing down taking quick turns and just getting to know the beast. Then I took some time to check out the bottom end. I had fun with the strong torque off the line and handling at lower speeds was light and agile.
We all met up at the lunch stop, they had planned for us, and scarfed good ol' Texas BBQ. Then we pulled out to research hot photographic locations of us testing out the bikes. At this time we traded bikes around, blasted the new models back and forth on some backroads, conducted interviews and visited for a while. Then they cut us loose with the request to return the bikes after we were done.
They did give us a map with some suggested return routes, (naturally I got my hands back on my selected bike of the day). At first I thought I might go along with the crowd, but it wasn't long before I slipped out in front and wandered off on my own. Never been a follower, but I gave it my best shot, (okay, so I kinda got lost).
On my trip back to the Hotel I tested every aspect of the Hammer, my first experience on a Victory. I felt the brakes, tested my grip on the controls, sensed the motion of the throttle and clutch. I leaned harsh into corners, grabbed big handfuls of throttle, nailed the brakes and slid to a stop more than once. I checked the idiot lights for position and readability, and inspected the gauges and speedometer. Since I build bikes at Lucky Devil Customs, in Houston, I kept a keen ear and all senses alive for temperamental aspects, wild vibrations, controls that snagged or rattled, pegs that were awkward to reach or navigate. For someone who doesn't like anything over a 200 tire ( for my personal riding taste, when I have a ride ), I had a very good time.
When you build wild unruly choppers for a living, it's strange to test a stock bike. I immediately looked for aspects that could be chopped, lightened, trimmed or discarded. The Victory is a tight OEM bike with Arlen and Cory touches that take this stock bike from an awkward factory construction to a more detailed, artistic, Ferrari finish. The Stretched tanks contoured to fit the seats, the inlaid taillight, the extra-step finishes on the controls, custom ignition switch housing, styled wheels and headlight take this model beyond the average factory built bike.
The notion of a OEM factory bike pushing a custom builder, challenging his artistic and detail senses was stimulating, to say the least. It's usually other customizers or other custom bike builders who have pushed me in the past.
Victory's new beast, The Hammer, flies off the floor with the new freedom 100/6 power plant. A 99.7-ci ( 1634cc ) air & oil cooled 50 degree v twin with electronic fuel injection, overhead cams, 4-valves-per-cylinder and hydraulic lifters. Bore and stroke is 101x102mm with a 9.8:1 compression ratio.
The new motor was designed and built by Victory engineers and packs 10 % more horsepower and 22% more torque than the Victory 92/5 unit. They even managed to shave the cast aluminum cases down (10mm) to increase cornering clearance.
They also developed a new dual exhaust system specifically for the Hammer.
The primary is a gear drive unit with torque compensator that packs wet multi-plate clutch system. The other plus is that in the freedom 100/6 the 6 is for, you guessed it, a six-speed tranny. The overdrive offers a 13.6% reduction in rpm from a standard 1:1 ratio. The overdrive gear also reduces engine noise and vibration, but in my opinion, with the well balanced motor, it didn't need vibration reduction. Don't get me wrong that extra gear just can't be beat.
Moving back to the rear tire this beast sports the newly designed Dunlop 250/40/R18. This tire has been developed specifically for the Hammer with a little teamwork between Victory and Dunlop to make the most out of the handling and traction.
Now for one of my favorite part, the chassis! The wheelbase is 65.7 inches, 5.8-inch ground clearance, rake is 32.9 degrees and trail 5.57 inches. The rear swingarm has a single gas shock and up front they have 43mm inverted-cartridge telescopic forks. For stopping power the Hammer boosts 300mm floating rotors with a 2-piston caliper in the rear and dual 4-piston calipers up front. The seat height is 26.3 inches with the fat tire and 6-speed tranny. Victory is knocking down a lot of OEM first time goodies right out of the box.
From a styling perspective the Hammer goal was to come up with something that was in-between a sport bike and a cruiser, and I think that being the goal they did a killer job. They are also stepping up to the plate with factory accessories to develop custom bolt on components such as custom wheels, seats, bars and custom goodies and apparel. All custom goodies have the Ness blessing. These Items and more can be purchased from your local dealer or on line at http://www.purepolaris.com>www.purepolaris.com.
They have also been working on Victory performance components such as performance exhaust systems and 100-inch big boar kits for Vegas, Kingpin, and TC.
Hammer accessories are inspirational. With this accessory, if you pick up a passenger, you can attach the seat cover to this wind screen. I know this seems insignificant but just try stuffing one of these down your shirt, yea it's cool when you think of it like that.
Here is an example of one of the custom seats they are working on for the Hammer.
There's another goodie, this is a bolt on replacement for the passengers seat. not to good for riding on but if you are going solo you can stash your crap in there.
Victory also has a custom order program that runs 3 months of the year where you can pre order your bike with custom components and paint options. then when your bike hits the assembly line they build it with all the right stuff the first time and deliver it to your local Victory Dealer ready to ride. Currently the program runs August 1 – October 22, 2004 for more info you may check: http://www.victorymotorcycles.com>www.victorymotorcycles.com.
With increased production of accessories, apparel and model line improvements, Victory Motorcycles made serious steps to provide their customers with a solid product with as much factory custom styling as possible. For their 7th production year, they're only picking up speed.
From a customizer and custom builder stand point, I think Victory offers a sharp platform to work with. The peg mounts offer a good foundation for some good lucky devil style foot controls. As usual the front ends are just not long enough for me, but we can fix that with a saws-all and a welding machine. Maybe a new Hammer?
Okay, it's back to the grind, we have tons of custom metal work to put out and I am in the middle of doing the final assembly of Lucky Devil 001 ( I'll send some more info on that later ).
–Take care, The Devil
I also have some good info for our buddy, Jeff, in sunny Baghdad, regarding custom Victorys. The bad news is the tolerances are too tight to install a bigger tire with the early stock models. BUT there's good news: I did grab a good custom contact from the guys at Victory. It seems there's a custom shop in their area that produces fat tire kits and other custom production components for Victory Motorcycles.
They have an exchange program for most Victory models to reduce the wait time. I checked out their web site http://www.northstarcustomcycle.com, and they have some good looking stuff on their web site. I also gave them a call and spoke with Mr. Peterson over the phone. They seem to be on the ball.
–The Devil
