Four bikes that couldn't be...
Four bikes that couldn't be more different. Though every one was a V-Twin, each brought a different character and personality to the table. The Victory just manages to be the most photogenic.
New And Old Americans
Case in point: the Victory Kingpin 8-Ball. There are cynics who would deride it as merely a deconstructed Kingpin and therefore not worthy of consideration. Ignore them. It happens to be a very competent motorcycle.
The Vegas 8-Ball first appeared in 2005, but the stripped down version of Victory's Kingpin didn't follow 'til 2008. Victory's 100-cubic-inch Freedom V-Twin got a host of enhancements in '08, including larger 45mm throttle bodies as part of a new, closed-loop fuel-injection system. For '09, the changes are less earthshaking, but the bike is now pre-wired for cruise control, and a brighter LED taillight has been added.
The Kingpin 8-Ball is distinguished from the standard, upmarket 'Pin primarily by its lack of chrome-it gets black body paint, a darkened engine, blacked-out wheels, and blacked-out bars. The only shiny stuff is found on the exhaust, headlamp, instruments and clutch and brake levers. The 8-Ball also does without the Kingpin's sixth gear, swoopy headlight and removable passenger seat, but retains the floorboards and heel-toe gearshift. All of which means you can snag the 8-Ball for $13,799 -$2,500 cheaper than the regular Kingpin.
H-D Dyna Street Bob Even...
H-D Dyna Street Bob
Even though it was down on displacement here, Harley's Twin Cam 96 performed admirably once you spun it up. It felt pretty vibe-y, but the Cruise Drive six-speed was just the ticket for freeway cruising
The FXDB Dyna Street Bob proved less can be more when it hit the streets in 2006, cribbing minimalist styling from the post-World War II "bobber" movement to create a modern motorcycle. The Street Bob shuns components like a passenger seat and pegs, and features a solo seat perched just 25.8 inches off the ground. That, along with mid-mount controls and a 667-lb curb weight, makes this bike user-friendly for just about anyone. Modern touches include electronic fuel injection and a six-speed transmission, but because the Twin Cam 96 engine isn't new to the Dyna family, style is the only thing making a difference here.
The rear fender is chopped higher now and topped with a retro LED tail light. The new laced wheels are reinforced by gloss black rims. Internally wired mini-ape-hanger bars, a full-on Fat Bob fuel tank and wrinkle-black trim complete the street-ready profile, priced a steal at $12,999.
Star Midnight Warrior Seven...
Star Midnight Warrior
Seven years old, 1670cc, pushrods and air-cooling: In Midnight Trim the Warrior packs performance and gobs of attitude. Pure evil, with a conscience.
Suzuki Boulevard M109R LE...
Suzuki Boulevard M109R LE
Suzuki's 1783cc high-compression DOHC twin had the most ponies on tap but you had to use them judiciously. Those beefy cans brought the best exhaust note in the group. White is not a slimming color for the M109R tho...
Victory Kingpin 8-Ball The...
Victory Kingpin 8-Ball
The ubiquitous 1634cc Freedom engine without the 6-speed tranny held its own. Our 8-Ball benefited from an aftermarket Stage 1 kit with new cans and refined EFI mapping.