'09 H-D CVO Fat Bob
Base Price/MSRP: $25,299
Colors: Yellow/Platinum (shown), Black/Quartz, Granite/Blue
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Type: 1803cc, air cooled, 45-degree V-twin
Bore And Stroke: 102x111mm
Valve Train: pushrod OHV, 2 valves/cylinder
Compression Ratio: 9.15:1
Horsepower: 77.1hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque: 98.4 lbs.-ft. @ 3000 rpm
Fuel Capacity: 5 gal.
Fuel System: EFI, 44mm throttle body
Transmission/Final Drive: 6-speed, belt final drive
Chassis
Rake/Trail: 29-degrees/ 5.53 in.
Front Tire: 130/90x16
Rear Tire: 180/70x16
Front Brake: dual four-piston w/floating 11.8 in. discs
Rear Brake: four-piston caliper w/floating 11.5 in. disc,
Front Suspension: 49mm telescopic fork, 4.33 in. travel, non-adjustable
Rear Suspension: single shock, 2.13 in. travel, preload adjustable
Wheelbase: 63.66 in.
Seat Height: 26.9 in.
Weight: 730 lbs.
2009 Victory Ness Signature Series Jackpot Takes On Harley's CVOs
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, you might say that Victory has served up one hell of a compliment to The Motor Company. The kudos come courtesy of the Ness Signature Series-Victory's line of glittering production customs that, on the face, mimic Harley's CVO formula. They're limited edition machines, tricked out and completely high-end, but Victory has added its own personal twist on the exclusivity angle. Instead of employing a CVO design 'crew' to craft the metalwork like Harley does, the Ness bikes are concepted by Victory's in-house custom kings, father and son duo Arlen and Cory Ness.
The Ness bikes grew out of the family's openness to experimenting with Victory's "New American Motorcycle" concept; the first creations out of the studio were the Arlen Ness Editions in 2004, with the Cory bikes debuting in 2005.
Whereas both Nesses got a crack at the 'Pot for last year's Sig Series bikes, this year it's just Cory with the 2009 Cory Ness Signature Series Vegas Jackpot. The younger Ness has taken full advantage of the bike's headline change for 2009, a wider rear end. You can see it in the way he stretches sleek, flowing bodywork around that new, chunky 250 series rear tire-the same meat found on the 2009 Hammer, Hammer S and the standard Vegas Jackpot. And that LED taillight frenched into the trailing edge of the rear fender nicely punctuates the clean lines without ignoring DOT rules.
Of course, there's more lurking beneath the surface. Like Harley's CVO series, the Ness bikes get premium performance upgrades-things like the new 97hp Freedom 106/6 mill that was specially calibrated for the rip-snorting Hammer S (Harley stuffs the 110ci Screaming Eagle motor in all its 2009 CVOs) and a reengineered six-speed overdrive tranny. The Ness Jackpot's cylinders and heads don't look like your garden-variety steel lumps either-they're diamond-cut pieces with a unique, refined shimmer that betray the bike's upmarket status.
Those razor-sharp Landshark billet wheels also tie in nicely with the motorcycle's refined menace, but the '09 Ness Jackpot features a host of other top-shelf goodies as well. We're talking custom Pearl White and Metallic Purple paint with pinstripe graphics (designed by Cory himself), a chrome fork and swingarm, Ness handgrips, teardrop mirrors and engine covers, and a plush, one-piece hand-stitched leather seat-all pieces that are sure to appeal the high-end custom customer.
All those trick bits and limited edition exclusivity add up, though; both Victory Ness Signature Series rides are priced just below $25,000 (the Arlen Ness Vision retails for $24,999). Nevertheless, a Victory spokesman told us the Ness Editions are consistent sellers for the company and are considered to be the crown jewels in its custom cruiser lineup.
It makes sense when you look at the combination of refinement, technology and design the Ness bikes offer-especially when you consider what most custom-bike shops have available for under $40K. (Hint: Not much.)
In that context, these almost-one-offs seem like a pretty good deal.-Andrew Cherney
'09 Victory Cory Ness Vegas Jackpot
Base Price/MSRP: $24,499
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Type: Air/Oil cooled 50 deg. V-Twin
Displacement: 106 ci/1731cc
Bore x Stroke: 101x108mm
Valve Train: SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, hydraulic lifters
Compression Ratio: 9.4:1
Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection, 45mm throttle bodies
Transmission: Wet multiplate clutch, six speeds
Final drive: carbon fiber-reinforced belt
Chassis
GVWR: 1171 lbs.
Dry weight: 649 lbs.
Overall length: 96 in.
Wheelbase: 66.3 in.
Seat height: 25.7 in.
Rake/trail: 32.9 deg./4.9 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Front tire: 21 in. wheel, 90/90-21 Dunlop Elite 3 tire
Rear tire: 18 in. wheel, 250/40R18 Dunlop Elite rear tire
Front brake: 300mm disc, 4-piston caliper
Rear brake: 300mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Front suspension: 43mm telescopic fork, 5.1 in. travel
Rear suspension: Single damper, 3.0 in. travel, preload adjustable
Riding Positions
Evan Kay
5' 4", 162 Lb, 29" Inseam, Age 44
Are you responsible? Wear a navy blue suit to work? (that question is also for the male readers...) Go to sleep early? Obey the speed limits? Yes? Then this is not your motorcycle. Ignoring the looks for a moment-and they are not to be ignored-H-D did not slot a 110ci engine into this bike's frame for esthetic purposes. The max 114 lb-ft of torque is to GO! and to go in a hurry, rear tire squealing, engine racing, mothers covering their childrens' eyes and fathers looking at the ground in embarrassment at their shortcomings. You, the rider, just laugh your head off because you get it. Seriously-just look at this thing! Screaming paint work (unless you opt for the "safe" granite and blue finish) and blinding chrome from the axels to the mirrors, the CVO Fat Bob is saying, "Look at me-if you can turn your head fast enough as I streak down the road." Abundant, controllable power. Suspension that suspends and absorbs bumps. Stable, smooth handling. I love this thing. Really. Well, if you've got less than a 32 inch inseam (like me), it is a stretch to the footpegs. Maybe I could tie blocks to my feet like that kid in the Indiana Jones movie?