Our local Victory dealer was offering free test rides on their entire product line this past Wed.
I wasn't working so I figured why not take some of them for a spin.
I kind of like the looks of the Cross Country any way.
Just like I figured since it was on a Wed there wasn't much of a crowd.
Which allowed me to pretty much ride one and then get straight onto another one.
My first ride was on a Cross Country with the really short windshield:
I spent the entire ride trying to keep my sunglasses on my face so I can't say that I enjoyed it. But, I will say that it was one pretty bike.
My next ride was on a Cross Country with the full windshield:
This was definately more like it.
I really liked the easy to use handlebar mounted audio controls and the electronic cruise control.
There is just something that I don't like about the sound of the engines in the Victory's.
It reminds me of the mini bikes that I used to ride as a kid.
The Cross Country is OK on power, it vibrates a little too much for my liking though.
The six speed tranny is very "Clunky" and the bike lugs easily.
I felt like I was constantly searching for the "right" gear.
Additionally I found that I had to "push" it over in the turns and the floorboards dragged much too soon and too easily.
Still, it's a good looking bike.
Third I rode a Victory Vision:
I know that it looks like "Bozo" the Clown but I must say that it is a really good riding bike.
It handles much better than the Cross Country and is actually alot of fun to ride.
The engine still sounds like a mini bike and the floorboards still drag too quickly and too easily.
I still found myself searching for the "Right Gear", but it didn't lug as easily as the Cross Country.
The adjustable windshield (on the fly) is SCHWEEEEEEET, But I still can't say that is a good looking bike.
Next I rode a Cross Roads Custom:
This bike is light and easy to ride.
The engine still sounds like a mini bike and the floorboards still drag too quickly and too easily.
And I continued to "Hunt" for the "Right" gear while the engine lugged.
Next I rode a Hammer S:
If I could only use one word to describe this bike that word would be "FUN".
The exhaust note is sweet (no mini bike noises here), the tourque is great and even though it is the same engine as the rest of the product line alot more of the HP makes it to the rear wheel.
After the ride I asked the dealership guys what the difference was but they really couldn't explain it.
I still don't think that it would out run our VALKS, but it feels like it will make sure that you knew you were in a race.
The last one that I rode was a Kingpin:
Another darn pretty bike.
It doesn't have anything on the Hammer but it does have more get up and go than the rest of the bikes that I rode.
I was directly behind another guy on the Hammer S, when he kicked it I couldn't even begin to keep up. He was haulin' while I was into the Rev limiter.
All in all I really enjoyed the day and the opportunity to ride many different bikes.
and I learned a few things:
1) Victory's are OK motorcycles.
2) Some of them look really good but alot of them sound like mini bikes.
3) Victory's have some neat gadgets and really good brakes (almost too good).
4) Victory's get much better fuel mileage that Valkyries.
5) I'll never refer to my Valks tranny as "Clunky" again.
