HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEUCE
Highs: Strong all-around performance; Impressive comfort -- in style; Great aftermarket support.
Lows: How about a tool kit? High-effort controls; You're part of the herd.
First Changes: Aftermarket suspension for greater control; Almost anything visual to help you identify yours in the parking lot.
VICTORY VEGAS
Highs: Victory proves it can make pretty bikes; Great power without vibration; Smooth shifting; Can an ultra-low saddle be a High?
Lows: Low saddle doesn't work for medium to large riders; Distracting drivetrain lash; Somewhat harsh ride; Conspicuous wires and cables; Droopy turn signals
First Changes: Bigger riders need a different seat. Add the optional tach. Clean up wires and cables.
Cherney: We've bitched and moaned incessantly about the quirks on Victory motorcycles, and with the Vegas, it looks like the big boys finally listened. Gone is the truckish steering, the Frankensteinian shifts and the goofy cylinders -- and good riddance to 'em. Two-finger clutch and brake operation on the Vegas had me strafing into corners much later than usual; the brakes are top notch. Most importantly, the Vegas nails the heart of a cruiser: style. That ridged fender is sweet, and a sleek stretched tank and flush seat make for some tasty eye candy. It all fits me like a glove, too. Lose the butt-busting seat, and you're in business.
That's why I was bummed out riding the Deuce afterward -- even with superior ground clearance, a plusher saddle and stable handling, it felt like a tractor by comparison. 'Twas a bitter pill, because the Deuce has been a perennial fave of mine over the years. After struggling with the Popeye brake and unmanageable clutch, though, and factoring in the price, I had to admit the Deuce was looking a bit long in the tooth -- in all situations I just craved the immediate accessibility of the Vegas. Who woulda thunk it?
Friedman: The deciding question for me concerns the Victory's saddle. Is someone going to make a seat for the Vegas that I can live with? As much as I like the bike, I just wouldn't ride it much with a seat that becomes painful in so few miles. I can ride for hours on the Deuce in comfort and would be more than pleased if that was where I ended up.
However, I'd prefer to ride the Victory because you don't see one at every light, because I prefer its looks (once you clean up that rat's nest of wires and cables at the triple clamps -- did anyone at Victory bother to check how Harley handles this? -- and replace the dime-store rubber turn-signal stalks with something worthy of the rest of the bike), because the price is easier to swallow and you can skip the DCF (dealer convenience fee), and because of that potent engine. I am hoping that we'll get to keep a Vegas for a while to try some of Victory's interesting accessory menu and to see if we can fix that damn seat. Without a saddle swap, I'd have a Deuce of a time deciding between these two.
Maybe I can swing both...
Designation: FXSTDI
Suggested base price: $16,965 ($17,255 California prices)
Standard colors: Pearl red, pearl blue
Extra cost colors: Black (with additional 100th-anniversay graphics), add $85; gunmetal, add $235; anniversary black/silver, add $905
Standard warranty: 12 mos., unlimited miles
Recommended service interval: 5000 miles
www.harley-davidson.com
ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN
Type: Air-cooled 45-degree tandem V-twin
Valve arrangement: OHV, 1 intake valve, 1 exhaust valve operated by pushrods, hydraulic adjusters
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1450cc, 95 x 102mm
Compression ratio: 8.9:1
Carburetion: Electronic fuel injection
Lubrication: Dry sump, 3.5 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 92 octane
Transmission: wet clutch, 5 speeds
Final drive: Belt, 70/32
CHASSIS
Wet weight: 682 lbs.
GVWR: 1125 lbs.
Wheelbase: 66.6 in.
Overall length: 95.9 in.
Rake/trail: 34 degrees / 5.0 in.
Seat height: 28.3 in.
Wheels: 21 x 2.15 wire-spoke front, 17 x 4.5 cast-alloy rear
Front tire: MH90-21 Dunlop D402 tube-type
Rear tire: 160/70VB17 Dunlop K591 tubeless
Front brake: Double-action, four-piston caliper, 11.5-in. disc
Rear brake: Double-action, four-piston caliper, 11.5-in. disc
Front suspension: 39mm stanchions, 5.6 in. travel
Rear suspension: Harley Softail, 2 dampers, 4.0 in. travel
Fuel capacity: 4.9 gal.
Handlebar width: 33.0 in., 1.0 in. diameter
ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATION
Charging output: 416 watts
Battery: 12v, 19 AH, sealed
Forward lighting: 6.0-in 55/60-watt headlight, position lights
Taillight: Single bulb
Instruments: Speedometer, LCD odometer/tripmeter, fuel gauge; warning lights for high beam, turn signals, neutral, oil pressure, engine malfunction, low fuel
PERFORMANCE
Fuel mileage: 32 to 51 mpg, 43.2 mpg average
Average range: 212 miles
200 yard, top-gear-acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 74.3 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 13.14 sec., 97.2 mph
Designation: V92
Suggested base price: $14,999
Extra cost colors: Blue, silver, yellow, red
Standard warranty: 12 mos., unlimited miles
Recommended service interval: 5000 miles
www.victory-usa.com
ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN
Type: Air/oil-cooled 50-degree tandem V-twin
Valve arrangement: SOHC, 2 intake valves, 2 exhaust valves operated by hydraulic adjusters
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1507cc, 97 x 102mm
Compression ratio: 9.2:1
Carburetion: Electronic fuel injection
Lubrication: Wet sump, 6.0 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 92 octane
Transmission: wet clutch, 5 speeds
Final drive: Belt, 70/32
CHASSIS
Wet weight: 668 lbs.
GVWR: 1135 lbs.
Wheelbase: 66.5 in.
Overall length: 95.9 in.
Rake/trail: 33.1 degrees / 5.28 in.
Seat height: 26.5 in.
Wheels: Wire-spoke, 21 x 2.15 front, 18 x 4.5 rear
Front tire: MH90-21 Dunlop D402 tube-type
Rear tire: 160/70VB17 Dunlop K591 tubeless
Front brake: Four-piston caliper, 11.8-in. disc
Rear brake: Four-piston caliper, 11.8-in. disc
Front suspension: 43mm stanchions, 5.1 in. travel, preload adjustable
Rear suspension: Single damper, 3.9 in. travel, preload adjustable
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Handlebar width: 33.0 in., 1.0 in. diameter
ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATION
Charging output: 532 watts
Battery: 12v, 19 AH, sealed
Forward lighting: 7.0-in 55/60-watt dual-bulb headlight
Taillight: LCD
Instruments: Speedometer, LCD odometer/tripmeter; warning lights for neutral, high beam, turn signals, oil pressure engine malfunction, low fuel
PERFORMANCE
Fuel mileage: 32 to 47 mpg, 39.3 mpg average
Average range: 177 miles
Quarter-mile acceleration: 12.99 sec., sec, 101.0 mph
You can find an individual test of the Deuce and a First Ride report on the Vegas in the Road Tests section.