"American Muscle Never Died, It Just Needed Handlebars" - New Victory...

[Gary B.]

At least it ain't ugly.


It just looks like way too many others.

I agree, meh...

[atadaskew]

What a let down

All the hoopla and I couldn't pick it out of their current line up.

Lame.

[stromgal]

It's *closer* to sporty than anything else they've made yet.  But:

Shocks are too short; lean angle is limited.

As mentioned, the 'mid-controls' are rather forward.

Low seat height with forward-ish controls means not being able to get in the right position for really railing curves.


That said, I've found the Vic engine to be highly entertaining, and at least THIS time they didn't put a beach ball on the back rim; it's a reasonable 150.  (The raised-white-letter Elites made me laugh, but they *are* radials.) With shocks and a taller seat it could be a hoot.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Should read some of the comments on the facebook page  

One guy insists they are branching into another section of the cruiser market cause they didn't have a bike that had low bars and "mid controls" before  

I'm gonna go put clip ons on my FZ6 and higher rear sets so it can go into the supersport market  

[ConPilot1]

I'm gonna go put clip ons on my FZ6 and higher rear sets so it can go into the supersport market  

I'd be more impressed if you put ape hangers and fwd controls and chrome running boards on your FJR and go into the "real bike" market.

[atadaskew]

Harley again beat Victory to the punch by several years with their version:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/fat-bob.html#/c/overview

Fat bars, decent suspension (for a cruiser), ok riding position.  Looks better too.

[Justin]

Oh good - Victory made another cruiser.

[Baz]

My wife loved that name when she 1st saw it.

Fat BOB.

Fat Battery Operated Boyfriend.

[TwoWhldTerror]

Harley again beat Victory to the punch by several years with their version:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/fat-bob.html#/c/overview

Fat bars, decent suspension (for a cruiser), ok riding position.  Looks better too.

True...my wife is in love with the Fat Bob look and that is what she is considering as her next bike.

[SSLT1KID]

Looks like a bunch of fucking windmills.

Thats Tehachapi, CA

[R Doug]

I'd still rather have this with a set of Hogslayers on it.  

[Rincewind]

A pic from the Judge's debut in NYC.  I liked the matte paint, but otherwise it looked like the same old Victory to me.

Harley again beat Victory to the punch by several years with their version:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/fat-bob.html#/c/overview

Fat bars, decent suspension (for a cruiser), ok riding position.  Looks better too.

Maybe so, but I believe the Vic have more punch in the terms of torque.

[atadaskew]

Maybe so, but I believe the Vic have more punch in the terms of torque.

The Vics may have more powerful motors, but for the design brief, Harleys have enough power as these are all cruisers (no matter how Victory spins it).
But where Harley is much better, and this makes for a better feel going down the road, is their engines are smoother (the isolating mounts basically make the vibes disappear once you move off), and the gear boxes are much better with more positive shifting and no gear whine.

What is that round thing under the seat meant to be?  An oil tank? Looks, um, not good.

[Gary B.]

I thought it kinda looked like a number plate.

[Justin]

Victory has everything in place to unseat Harley except they are not a Harley.

ftfy

"Harley" riders don't buy motorcycles, they buy Harleys.

[stromgal]

I thought it kinda looked like a number plate.

Yep, I have a 'Fuel Cafe' sticker that would look plenty good there.  

My .02-  the Vic powerplant just feels 'stronger' to me.  That said, a lot of folks in this market buy for the intangibles like 'who's looking at me' and 'do I gain entrance to the inner circle'.  Despite good design, Victory has trouble competing in these areas.

[atadaskew]

My .02-  the Vic powerplant just feels 'stronger' to me.  

It is stronger.  But it is also vibier and has much more whine.
I'd pick a smoother, slightly weaker motor everytime over that.

Cruising up Pacific Coast Hwy, past Cambria, watching the scenery all I want to experience is the sights, the sounds and the road.  Not the buzzing in the grips and the whine from the gears.

[Rattlehead]

ftfy

"Harley" riders don't buy motorcycles, they buy Harleys.

I used to own a Harley and spent a decent amount of time on the Harley boards. Your statement is dead on the money. To them, there are "Harleys" and then there's everyone elses "motorcycles". I can't count the number of times I heard/read "If there were no Harley, I wouldn't ride" or "I'd give up riding if I couldn't have a Harley". I never understood that. If there were no Suzuki I'd gladly buy another brand (lots of good bikes out there to choose from). If there were no "real motorcycles" I'd ride a scooter just so I could be on 2 wheels.


As far as the Vic goes, I say meh.....
I like Victory and if I were going to buy a cruiser they would be my first stop. I REALLY like the crossroads   and I could see myself putting some serious miles on that thing. The "Judge" though is just OK. I don't see it as anything new and quite frankly, it just furthers my opinion that Victory is in a rut. If the Judge had 6" less wheelbase, sat 2" higher and were 150lb lighter (Sportster sized) I would have a COMPLETELY different opinion of it.