Background
Polaris, a Medina, Minnesota company with annual sales in 2015 of $4.7 billion, is one of the earliest manufacturers ofModels
V92C
The first model, the V92C, was debuted at Planet Hollywood in the Mall of America by Al Unser Jr. in 1997. Production began starting on 4 July 1998 for the 1999 model that was the first official model year. At , the V92C was the second largest production motorcycle engine available at the time, and sparked a race among motorcycle manufacturers to build bigger and bigger engines. All components for the V92C were manufactured in Minnesota and Iowa, except the ItalianV92SC SportCruiser
Offered in 2000 and 2001, the V92SC SportCruiser offered higher ground clearance, adjustable via a simple 2-position bolt setup on the frame under the seat. It met a weaker than expected market, and did not sell well.V92TC Touring Cruiser
Offered from 2002 through 2006, the TC featured a longer swingarm, large hard saddlebags, a re-designed seat, and sometimes the new Freedom Engine. The relatively tall seat height and roomy ergonomics made the bike ideal for larger riders. The Freedom Engine displaced , but put out significantly more power and torque than the original engine. The 2002 model and later TC also accepted the big-bore kit, which increased torque further with the addition of upgraded exhaust. Later models featured rubber mounted handlebars and revised suspension settings. Deluxe versions (V92TCD) were also available with extra features popular at the time. With the deletion of the Touring Cruiser at the end of the 2006 model year, the last of the original V92 motorcycles was retired from the lineup.Vegas
In 2003, Victory introduced the Vegas. The Vegas was designed by Victory designer Michael Song, and offered a totally new chassis design. The Freedom engine carried forward from the TC, but the rest of the bike incorporated new features. The Vegas debuted with the engine and 5-speed transmission, but was upgraded to a engine and 6-speed transmission for the 2006 model year. The Vegas Low has a lower seat, repositioned foot pegs, and handlebars further back than the regular Vegas model. The Vegas is considered part of Victory's Custom Cruisers. :2010 Vegas Specs : engine produces and torque :Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin :Fuel capacity: :Fuel System: Electronic fuel injection with dual 45 mm throttle body :Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator :Transmission: six-speed constant mesh :Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced BeltVegas 8-Ball
The Vegas 8-Ball was powdercoated in black where the Vegas had been chromed. It debuted with the engine, and was upgraded to in 2006. Beginning with the 2011 model year, the Vegas 8-Ball received the 6 speed transmission from the standard Vegas. The Vegas 8-Ball is considered part of Victory's 8-Ball Cruisers. :2010 Vegas 8-Ball Specs : engine produces and torque :Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin :Fuel capacity: :Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45 mm throttle body :Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator :Transmission: five-speed constant mesh :Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced BeltHigh Ball
First introduced in 2012, is reminiscent of a bobber. It features apehanger handlebars, wire wheels and suede black & white paintwork with painted on logos rather than badges. For 2014 two options became available. The aforementioned paint scheme came with Judge cast alloy wheels. And a new paint scheme of suede black with red flames appeared, keeping the wire wheels. Both versions feature a Judge headlight, replacing the previous headlight, which many people felt looked out of place on this style of bike.Gunner
Introduced in February 2014 as a traditional "bobber" style of bike. With more muscle, (106 cubic inches) pound for pound the " Victory Gunner " leads the competition in the latest lineup of Cruiser style motorcycles currently on the market.Kingpin/Kingpin Deluxe/Kingpin Tour
Following on the success of the Vegas, the Kingpin was released in 2004. Victory took advantage of the greater tuning capacity of cartridge forks, and revised both front and rear spring rates and damping to improve ride quality. The Kingpin Deluxe added luxury items to attract riders looking for more comfort. The Kingpin and Kingpin Deluxe began with the engine and five-speed transmission, but were upgraded to the engine and 6-speed transmission for the 2006 model year. For 2007 the Kingpin Tour was added, which was a Deluxe outfitted with an integrated tour pack or trunk. The Kingpin Tour was added when the Touring Cruiser was dropped. The Kingpin is considered part of Victory's Custom Cruisers. :2010 Kingpin Specs : engine produces and torque :Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin :Fuel capacity: , Fuel Capacity on 8-Ball: :Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45mm throttle body :Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator :Transmission: six-speed constant mesh :Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced BeltKingpin 8-Ball
The Kingpin 8-Ball is based upon the Kingpin platform, and like the Vegas 8-Ball is black, with black highlights in place of the chrome highlights of the standard Kingpin Model. It carries the motor, and has a 5 speed gearbox. It is considered to be a "blank canvas" and thus is popular with motorcycle customizers. The Kingpin 8-Ball is considered part of Victory's 8-Ball Cruisers. :2010 Kingpin 8-Ball Specs : engine produces and of torque :Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin :Fuel capacity: :Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45mm throttle body :Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator :Transmission: five-speed constant mesh :Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced BeltHammer
Introduced in 2005, The Hammer is considered part of Victory's Muscle Cruisers. The rear tire spec of 250/40R18 was meant to minimize wheel spin, but it has caused preposterous low-speed handling on occasion due to its squared-off profile causing an on/off-ish bike lean :2010 Hammer/Hammer Sl Specs : engine produces and torque :Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin :Fuel capacity: :Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45mm throttle body :Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator :Transmission: six-speed constant mesh :Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced BeltHammer 8-Ball
Vegas Jackpot
Debuting in 2006, the Jackpot is, in Victory's own words, an "extreme custom." It features the Freedom V-Twin engine and 6-speed transmission (later bikes feature the 106 cu in), a 250 mm rear tire, a color-matched frame and extensive custom styling with bold paint schemes. It is designed to be Victory's top-of-the-line custom.Ness Signature Series
Motorcycle customizer Arlen Ness and his son Cory Ness teamed with Victory in 2003 to create a limited-edition model based on the Vegas. The bikes they developed used many Ness aftermarket billet aluminum accessories, custom paint schemes and their signatures on the side panels. In 2005, they added the Kingpin to the lineup. In 2006, the Jackpot was the basis for the Ness Signature Series. It featured many chrome accessories, a custom seat built by Danny Gray, custom billet aluminum wheels, and the signatures of Arlen and Cory Ness on the side panels. For 2007, the Ness Signature Series is based on the Jackpot. The styling featured swept back cowls with matching cargo covers with a flame or fluorescent paint scheme, that left old, stodgy cruiser riders aghast, riding with the "cruiser face" usually found on Harley riders. In 2010 Arlen Ness and Cory Ness created two more limited-edition Victorys; The Arlen Ness Vision and the Cory Ness Jackpot. Created as limited editions the bikes have custom paint & wheels, Ness chrome, diamond-cut engine heads, and are numbered and signed. Aside from the custom work the two bikes have the same specs as their non-limited edition cousins.Vision Street and Vision Tour
Vision 8-Ball
The Kingpin 8-Ball is considered part of Victory's 8-Ball Cruisers. :2010 Vision 8-Ball Specs : engine produces and torque :Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin :Fuel capacity: :Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45 mm throttle body :Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator :Transmission: six-speed constant mesh :Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced BeltCross Country
New for 2010, the Victory Cross Country Motorcycle is a hard-bagger cruiser with a handlebar mounted fairing. It has a Freedom V-Twin Engine, 21 gallons of cargo capacity, 4.7 inches of suspension travel, floorboards, cruise control and an MP3-compatible sound system. :Specs : engine produces and torque :Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin :Fuel capacity: :Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45 mm throttle body :Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator :Transmission: six-speed constant mesh :Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced BeltCross Roads
The ''Victory Cross Roads'' motorcycle, also new for 2010, shares the most horsepower and cargo capacity in its class with the Cross Country. Its 106-cubic-inch Freedom V-Twin Engine and 21 gallons of cargo capacity, cruiser styling, comfortable seating, a wind-blocking windshield - were designed to give the rider "an appetite for the open road." :Specs : engine produces and torque :Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin :Fuel capacity: :Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45mm throttle body :Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator :Transmission: six-speed constant mesh :Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced BeltJudge
New for 2013, the Victory Judge Motorcycle is sport cruiser with a 106-cubic-inch Freedom V-Twin Engine, muscle car inspired styling and mid mounted controls. :Specs : engine produces torque :Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin how many mfc. in 2015 :Fuel capacity: :Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45mm throttle body :Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator :Transmission: six-speed overdrive constant mesh :Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Belt : : : : : : :Octane
New for the 2017 model year. The Octane is a completely new Victory design that was said to be inspired from Project 156 Pikes Peak racer. The Octane also shares 35% of its parts with the Indian Scout. Featuring a liquid cooled V-twin engine with @ 8,000 rpm and @ 6,000 rpm with a claimed dry weight of and a tested 1/4-mile time of 12.0 seconds at . They were only made with a single seat and also can be customized with the two-in-one exhaust to provide additional power for the bike. Spare parts for this bike are available for the next 10 years as per advised by local dealers and Polaris. Approximately 4000 Octane bikes were produced and shipped worldwide.8-Ball versions
There are five bikes that come in 8-Ball versions: Hammer, Vegas, Kingpin, Vision, and Cross Country. 8-Balls come in one color and have a lower retail price tag. The bikes are basically the same as their counterparts but generally come with fewer add-ons. Example: The Vision 8-Ball does not come with the passenger backrest/trunk. The 8-Ball versions of the bikes are also lower or have a lower seat.Marketing contest
In 2010 Victory marketing manager Josh Kurcinka announced a contest in which ten people won a lease on one of the two new Victory touring bikes: Cross Country or Cross Roads. The entrants had submitted a 90-second video explaining why they deserved a lease on a new bike and what they had planned for the summer. Contestants were asked to outline four different and do-able road trips. Victory judged the entries based on plausibility of trips, content and originality. Submissions were taken online and at Industry Trade Shows like the New York International Motorcycle Show. Beginning in May 2010, winning riders began taking a series of road trips each month through August 2010 from two to five days each. Riders documented their experiences through blogs, videos and photos sharing both their reviews of the bikes and the sites they visit along the way.Owners clubs
The Victory Motorcycle Club is an independent, not-for-profit group of Victory motorcycle owners and enthusiasts that began in 1998 as a Yahoo online chat site by several owners of Victory Motorcycles. The club has grown from a small group of enthusiasts to an international club with more than 2,700 paid members and 11,000 guests in the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Germany. there are 107 local chapters.Winding down
On 9 January 2017, parent company Polaris Industries issued a press release announcing that they would immediately begin winding down operations of Victory Motorcycles due to struggles in establishing market share and limited profitability. The brand itself would also be discontinued. Dealers were to liquidate inventories, while spare parts would be made available for ten years. Dealers were to continue offering service and warranty coverage to owners. With Victory, Polaris objectively created high quality, American-made cruisers, baggers and touring bikes. However, subjectively, Victory could not capture the legacy and emotion Harley-Davidson enjoys from its owners. Polaris solved this problem by purchasing and reviving the Indian Motorcycle brand in 2011. Once it became clear that Indian could better compete with Harley-Davidson on an emotional level, Polaris decided its production capacity and resources would be better devoted to its Indian brand.References
External links
* {{USA motorcycle manufacturers Motorcycles of the United States Motorcycles by brand Motorcycle manufacturers of the United States Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1997 1997 establishments in the United States Defunct manufacturing companies based in Iowa