I know it's a V-Twinkie, but........

[Tony Z]

I traded the Valk for a X-Country and really like the bike. If I was to do it again I would look into the X-Country Tour. All the sharp edges on the XC cause some helmet shake that the lowers on the Tour address. As far as power, it is a low end bike and the Valk came on higher in the RPMs. The XC is alot lighter going slow. With the six speed and design of the engine it will not shake your teeth out. With a Valk it is getting harder to get aftermarket bling, with Victory the aftermarket is not good either, new bike and Victory seems to keep tight controls on who sells their stuff.
As to the Hammer having more power I know Victory puts different cams in some models to step them up a bit, my son's Vegas will outrun the XC I have and I was told it was the cam.

MNBill,  I heard from many XC riders to significantly reduce the buffeting problem install fork lowers & an aftermarket windshield. Or you can buy the complete "hard lower wind management system" ($$$$) from a Vic dealer and eliminate it altogether.

[MNBill]

Tony, on my bling list for spring:
http://www.ceebaileys.com/victory/victory_cee_flectors.html
Klockworks flip already installed

Oh, I traded my Valk for a XC so it is kinda Valk related.

[Hog Killer DS0048]

I've owned a Victory Vision for the past three plus years. Prior to the Vision a owned two Valks the last being a 2000 Tourer for 8 1/2 years with 56,000 miles on it. The Vision will easily pull away from a 1800 GW at a 65 mph kick, the only experience with one I've had. Eats Harleys for breakfast, but would no way stay with the Rocket III. The difference with the Victory engines is that the touring models are rated at 92 hp while the cruisers are rated at 97 hp. Hotter cams in the cruisers.

[olddog1946]

In November I stopped at a Victory dealer and looked at some of those. I liked the idea of the motor's using GM pistons, and other easily available parts. Don't like the looks of the Vision at all but some of the others are nice looking bikes. Was waiting for Chiko to get his eye surgery finished so didn't have time to ride one. Spent an hour chatting with the owner of the place, he says come on back and take one for a spin..claims they'll spank the Valk (he had one of his own) and if I ride one and don't buy it I'll brag it up to all my buddies..once the roads clear up, I'll take him up on that ride.

[Tropic traveler]

Just curious... can the Rocket III keep up with a Hayabusa?  Nearly double the displacement.

I have heard that with a good rider the R3 can actually beat the Busa in the 1/8th mile but any distance longer than that not happening. Probably the good old torque & traction factor at work there.

[Tropic traveler]

I read somewhere one of those spanked a Rocket III. Have no idea how bad, or if actually true....just read it, didn't see any proof. First thing I'd do is lose those stupid mini-apes so I have some good control.

as a former Rocket III owner I can pretty much GUARANTEE THAT DIDNT HAPPEN.. ride one and you'll see WHY

As another former R3 owner I must definitely second or third this motion.
From what I've seen & heard among the V-twin herd of big cruisers only the M109 has a prayer of besting a Rocket 3. This of course is off the showroom floor. The torque of the R3 is beyond belief!
There is this thing called the "Rocket grin".   Twist the throttle on one & you'll understand.  



 

HEY T. t.   you wouldnt by any chance still have a pic. of my RIII would ya? I cant believe I didnt take any of it.. well yeah.. I can.. didnt take any of either of my valks either..

Tom, I found it!!

[hubcapsc]

I've rode one and pushed it hard...50 mph burn-out  ???

I've only ridden the original one, and didn't push it... but there's supposed to be
a big difference between the different ones... The first one (that's what I rode, and
I think what you rode)... the tourer (with factory bags) - detuned... and the Roadster...
the real rocketship.

There was one at HotGlues, it is the only one I have ever seen... I would really like
to ride one...



I imagine it being like the difference between a Valkyrie and a 1500 wing...

-Mike

[Tropic traveler]

The factory bagger from Triumph is detuned, also carried a smaller rear tire. It is a simple matter of changing the program to make the Tourer the same as the others. 

[hubcapsc]

The factory bagger from Triumph is detuned, also carried a smaller rear tire. It is a simple matter of changing the program to make the Tourer the same as the others. 

Some stuff about the Roadster really appeals to me... all the best features of the
different Rockets... pegs (not floorboards) in a position that seems like the Valkyrie... two headlights...
two pipes (instead of three)... I was really bummed when they put one headlight and
a Harleyesqe instrument panel on the tank of the tourer...

-Mike

[Tropic traveler]

The factory bagger from Triumph is detuned, also carried a smaller rear tire. It is a simple matter of changing the program to make the Tourer the same as the others. 

Some stuff about the Roadster really appeals to me... all the best features of the
different Rockets... pegs (not floorboards) in a position that seems like the Valkyrie... two headlights...
two pipes (instead of three)... I was really bummed when they put one headlight and
a Harleyesqe instrument panel on the tank of the tourer...

-Mike

I completely agree!
My next bike could be one of those Roadsters with hardbags & a w/shield. Can't see any V-twink in my future regardless of the brand. Just don't like 'em. 

[RoadKill]

TTS Supercharged Rocket 3	powered by Aeva

[usmc1142]

I love the way the victory's look, BUT they seem to me to be about 9/10th's the scale they should be.  They are just small, but they do look good.  I would take a good hard look at one if I ever got rid of my baby.

[Clark]

I read somewhere one of those spanked a Rocket III. Have no idea how bad, or if actually true....just read it, didn't see any proof. First thing I'd do is lose those stupid mini-apes so I have some good control.

as a former Rocket III owner I can pretty much GUARANTEE THAT DIDNT HAPPEN.. ride one and you'll see WHY

As another former R3 owner I must definitely second or third this motion.
From what I've seen & heard among the V-twin herd of big cruisers only the M109 has a prayer of besting a Rocket 3. This of course is off the showroom floor. The torque of the R3 is beyond belief!
There is this thing called the "Rocket grin".   Twist the throttle on one & you'll understand.  



 

HEY T. t.   you wouldnt by any chance still have a pic. of my RIII would ya? I cant believe I didnt take any of it.. well yeah.. I can.. didnt take any of either of my valks either..

Tom, I found it!!

THANKS brotha.. NOW I am SORRY I asked.. sure miss that lil lady..

[Clark]

I read somewhere one of those spanked a Rocket III. Have no idea how bad, or if actually true....just read it, didn't see any proof. First thing I'd do is lose those stupid mini-apes so I have some good control.

as a former Rocket III owner I can pretty much GUARANTEE THAT DIDNT HAPPEN.. ride one and you'll see WHY

As another former R3 owner I must definitely second or third this motion.
From what I've seen & heard among the V-twin herd of big cruisers only the M109 has a prayer of besting a Rocket 3. This of course is off the showroom floor. The torque of the R3 is beyond belief!
There is this thing called the "Rocket grin".   Twist the throttle on one & you'll understand.  



 

HEY T. t.   you wouldnt by any chance still have a pic. of my RIII would ya? I cant believe I didnt take any of it.. well yeah.. I can.. didnt take any of either of my valks either..

Tom, I found it!!

THANKS brotha.. NOW I am SORRY I asked.. sure miss that lil lady..

my guess is she woulda spanked my blown valk.. even with the 10# boost pulley.. the valk tho did smoke every S&S motor she ran against.

[Wetrudgeon]

Guess this is a thread hijack, but here goes:  Carpenter Racing over in NJ makes an motor kit for the RIII designed to take it up to 270bhp w/o a supercharger.  Called the Silverback.  Saw one up close on display at the DFW motorcycle show in Dec.  Didn't look much different than a stock RIII other than a rather impressive looking stainless steel header on the starboard side.  The nice man at the display assured us, however, that once a rider fires up the motor and sets the Silverback in motion, the difference between it and a stock RIII become readily apparent.  Would love to ride one.

And Joe:  We are compelled to agree that with the tractor motor the RIII will never be as pretty as a Valk (which, by the way, we consider to be the most beautiful motor bike ever to hit the road).  However, we think the RIII has a certain massive "presence" about it that is impressive and not unattractive.  Others will disagree; and they are entitled to their opinion.

We trudge on.

[Jess Tolbirt]

that fairing made all the difference on that R-3

[G-Man]

You say you're 6'4".  Does that bike fit you?

I'm 6'2".  That's one of the major reasons I bought a Valk....because it fit me.  I love Harleys, but I haven't found one that I can sit on without feeling cramped.  

I've been curious about the Victorys, but I've never checked them out or sat on any.  

I have had to do so much to the Valkyrie to make it fit me.  Higher bars, aftermarket seat to put me an extra inch back, peg relocation kit, kickshifter, highway pegs, and she's still a bit tight when I'm on the pegs, riding around town.  The Victory has forward controls and the higher bars which lets my arms and legs stretch out.  The Valkyrie is pretty much the most uncomfortable bike I've ever had (except when I cruising).  But, I wouldn't give it up for anything!

[G-Man]

Great lookin bike for sure and I'll bet she' fun to ride. But if money allowed and I were able to have one more bike,,, it would be an Indian Chief! That has been my fantasy bike since I've been a little kid!

Same parent company....Polaris.  But $30,000 grand?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ?? ??

[G-Man]

I love the way the victory's look, BUT they seem to me to be about 9/10th's the scale they should be.  They are just small, but they do look good.  I would take a good hard look at one if I ever got rid of my baby.

That's exactly how I feel about Harley Davidsons.  I like the Fat Bob, but it jut looks and feels too small.  The High-Ball gives the impression of being larger due to the higher bars and white wall tires.  I think the WW's give the wheels a larger look.  The tank on this is longer that the HD's as well with a stretched look to it.  Also the controls are a little further forward making it feel larger.

[Bigun]

I love the way the victory's look, BUT they seem to me to be about 9/10th's the scale they should be.  They are just small, but they do look good.  I would take a good hard look at one if I ever got rid of my baby.

I'm 6'6" tall and tip the scales at over 3 bills, the Cross Country fit me better than any bike I've ever thrown a leg over. Harleys feel small and cramped to me but I was able to stretch out on the CC no problem and still had more than enough room for the old lady. Still thinking that I may  trade the Valk off on one.