Battle Of The Basic Big Twins 2000 Victory V92SC SportCruiser

The V92SC SportCruiser gets an overview for the big battle.

The SC has slimmer fenders, a lower handlebar and footpegs that significantly change the bike's profile.Cruiser

This article was originally published in the August 2000 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser.

Victory has two models, the original V92 cruiser and the new V92SC. Both use the same engine, frame and some other major components such as the 5.0-gallon fuel tank. However, the SC has its own exhaust system and revised airbox to improve power, revised ergonomics, and more sporting suspension, brakes, wheels and tires. Slimmer fenders, a lower handlebar and footpegs instead of floorboards significantly change the bike's profile. With its massive 50mm fork stanchions, low-profile radial Dunlop tires on 17-inch wheels, dual four-piston-caliper front brakes, dirttrack-style 2-into-1 upswept exhaust and cut-down saddle, the SC has an aggressive purposefulness that few other cruisers can project.

Though it’s been blacked out, the air/oil-cooled 1507cc 50-degree engine shares the same internals as the original Victory cruiser. Single overhead cams drive four valves per cylinder through fiddle-free hydraulic lifters. From the airbox up under the tank, the electronic fuel injector delivers mixture to the cylinders, each through its own 44mm throat. In the crankcases, a counterbalancer offsets the shaking of the single-pin crankshaft. A torque compensator helps smooth out power delivery.

The chassis is the same single-shock design of the original Victory cruiser, though the SC uses a higher-grade Fox unit which provides a ride-height adjustment. The multi-function LCD window and miniature tachometer are still included in the face of the headlight-mounted speedometer.

Overall, the personality of the SportCruiser impressed us even more than the original V92C, and we wanted it to represent that other American motorcycle builder in our big-twin confrontation.

Victory V92SC
Designation: V92SC
Suggested base price: $13,999 ($14,099 CA)
Standard colors: Black
Extra cost colors: Red, silver, add $400
Standard warranty: 12 mos., unlimited miles
Recommended service interval: 2500 miles
Engine & Drivetrain
Type: Air/oil-cooled, 50-degree tandem V-twin
Valve arrangement: SOHC, 2 intake valves, 2 exhaust valves, hydraulic lifters
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1507cc, 97 x 102mm
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Carburetion: Electronic fuel injection, 44mm throat
Lubrication: Wet multiplate sump, 6.0 qt.
Minimum fuel grade: 87 octane
Transmission: Wet clutch, 5 speeds
Final drive: Belt, 64/30
Chassis
Wheels: Cast-alloy, 17.0 x 3.5 in. front, 17.0 x 5.5 in. rear
Front tire: 120 70ZR/17, Dunlop D205 Sportmax tubeless radial
Rear tire: 180 70ZR/17 Dunlop D205 Sportmax tubeless radial
Front brake: 2, single-action, 4-piston calipers, 11.8-in. discs
Rear brake: Single-action, 2-piston caliper, 11.8-in. disc
Front suspension: 50mm stanchions, 5.1 in. travel
Rear suspension: Single damper, 4.5 in. travel, adjustable for spring preload
Fuel capacity: 5.0 gal.
Handlebar width: 34.0 in., 1.0 in. diameter
Inseam equivalent: 34.5 in.
Electrical & Instrumentation
Charging output: 400 watts
Battery: 12v, 14 AH
Forward lighting: 7.0-in 55/60-watt headlight, position lights
Taillight: Single bulb, license-plate light
Instruments: Speedometer, tachometer, LCD odometer/tripmeter/clock/fuel gauge/voltmeter/engine monitor/instrument light intensity/high-beam indicator intensity; warning lights for high beam, turn signals, neutral, low oil pressure, low fuel
Performance
Fuel mileage: 31 to 37 mpg, 34.9 mpg avg.
Average range: 175 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top-gear: 2350
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 73.2 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 14.11 sec., 86.6 mph