Just the other night, Victory Motorcycles revealed its 2011 line-up of motorcycles to its dealer body at the annual Polaris Industries dealer meeting near Orlando, Florida. Included in the introduction of 2011 year model motorcycles is the announcement of a 106 C.I. engine for all models, the addition of a new "100,000 mile" transmission to all models, and the unveiling of the new Cross Roads Custom, a highly configurable model that's designed to be easily customized to the individual owner. Seemingly following in Harley's footsteps (is there a mole hidden somewhere in the company?), Victory also announced the addition of a touring top case specifically designed for the Cross Roads and Cross Country, as well as new accessories and exhaust systems. The highlights for 2011 Victorys follow:
Engine Upgrades
Victory says the Freedom 106/6 Stage 2 V-Twin with a special Stage 2 cam package unleashes 97 horsepower and 113 ft.-lb. of torque. This engine will now power all cruiser models, including the three 8-Ball cruisers.
- Vegas Jackpot
- Hammer
- Hammer S
- Vegas
- Kingpin
- Hammer 8-Ball, Vegas 8-Ball and Kingpin 8-Ball
- Zach Ness Signature Series Vegas 8-Ball
Meanwhile, the Freedom 106/6 Stage 1 V-Twin will power all 2011 touring bikes. It's said to produce an impressive 92 horsepower and 109 ft.-lb. of torque.
- Victory Vision Tour
- Victory Cross Country
- Victory Cross Roads
- Cory Ness Signature Series Cross Country
- Arlen Ness Signature Series Victory Vision Tour
Tranny Smoothed
Also retooled for 2011 is the drivetrain. Victory says it fine-tuned the designs and and approximately 40% of the drivetrain is new for 2011, with the transmission receiving so many improvements it is virtually new. The changes include improved manufacturing efficiency and quality assurance; enhanced reliability; improved engine performance; and, for riders, improved ridability and a more appealing-sounding transmission - gear whine and driveline lash have been reduced.
New Custom Program
Victory also introduces a new customization program, called the Cross Roads CORE Custom Program.
It allows a rider to select the bike color, saddlebag style and highway bar style, and add a windshield, if desired. There are 48 different possible combinations, and a display at Victory Dealerships will allow riders to see how their selections look.
Colors: Solid Crimson, Solid Black.
• Saddlebags: A rider can select hard bags such as those standard on the Victory Cross Country, or new soft saddlebags, which have a formed interior and are covered by a grained vinyl and leather. The new soft bags feature a classic look with rivet trim and large leather straps.
• Highway Bars: The two styles available are the styled Forged Chrome Highway Bars and the Tube Chrome Highway Bars. Both styles bolt on easily, and if a rider chooses to ride without tip- over protection, covers are available to cover the mounting points on the frame.
• Windshields: A rider can add a protective Mid-Height Windshield that has drop-down "sideburns" that block air that would otherwise flow toward the rider's mid-section. For further airflow management, Pure Victory offers Lower Wind Deflectors and Highway Bar Close-Outs as accessories.
New Trunk
Touring riders can put away their tools. The new Lock & Ride®
Trunk from Pure Victory can be installed on a Cross Country or Cross Roads in seconds, and removed just as quickly - without tools.
Stay tuned for more update announcements to the 2011 line; we'll post them here in the next few days. Also look for ride impressions in the December issue of Motorcycle Cruiser.