Friday, January 9, 2015

History of Victory Motorcycles

     
Victory Motorcycles has put together some truly historic bikes in its short 17 year existence. When purchasing a Victory you can expect true high performance and high mileage capability. Now, don’t get us wrong,  we love our Harley Davidson’s and everything Harley has provided over the years, but it's nice to know there is another option for baggers, v-twins , touring & cruising bikes made in America.

     Parent company Polaris, created Victory with one thing in mind; to compete with Harley Davidson and make an American Bagger with a different approach than the competition. For over 70 years there had been no alternative to a true American Bagger Motorcycle until1997 when Victory 
introduced the V92C.


     Al Unser Jr. introduces the V92C for the first time at Planet Hollywood in the Mall of America. In 1998 they started production of a 92 cu in (1510 cc) making it the 2nd largest motorcycle engine produced and available at the time. It created a stir and a race to see who could produce bigger and better engines for today's bikes. All of the components for the V92C were manufactured in Minnesota and Iowa, with the exception of Italian Brembo brakes and the British-made electronic fuel injection system. Victory engines debuted with five-speed transmissions, single overhead cams, dual connecting rods, hydraulic lifters, and fuel injection. In designing the engine they made it so it can easily be tuned by the bike owner.

     Since the introduction of the V92C Victory began producing a Sport Cruiser and Touring model. They really wanted to make things different with their Freedom Engine .  It had the same dimensions as the old engine but with higher power output, and with rounded cylinders and smaller oil cooler, it was much more attractive visually.

 

     Victory ended production of the V92C in 2003; however, it's still known as the classic cruiser and a favorite  by Victory enthusiasts everywhere
    .

     The next big thing was the Vegas introduced in 2003. The Vegas was designed by Victory designer Michael Song, and offered a totally new chassis design and using the Freedom engine. The Vegas debuted with the 92 cu in (1,510 cc) engine and 5-speed transmission, but was upgraded to a 100 cu in (1,600 cc) engine and 6-speed transmission for the 2006 model year.

     Some say this is the bike that really made a name for a Victory and really started to make them a profitable and well known American Motorcycle company.

     Over the years Victory has made 15 models of bikes. They have learned to market to all motorcycle enthusiasts and bikers alike. From your basic weekend warrior to your die hard cross country rider. If one thing is for certain Victory plans to get more creative and inventive with their bikes and engines and really want to change the American Motorcycle Market. The question is what will they come up with next?

victory line up.jpg

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