Victory Vegas
VICTORY VEGAS
Long-Term Wrap-Up
THE NO-NEWS SPECIAL
YOU REMEMBER THE FAMOUS OLD backhanded Chinese curse, May You Live in Interesting Times? Well, going by that yardstick, the Victory Vegas has been absolutely the most blessed bike to take up residence in Cycle World's long-term fleet.
During its two years and 10,311 miles with us, the Vegas has required nothing other than oil changes and one new set of tires. No leaks, no dead battery, no burnt-out bulbs, no jettisoned hardware. In fact, we don’t even know where the nearest Victory dealer is-the first major service called for comes at 12,000 miles and we’ve had no reason to visit the shop. Our Vegas loaner has been only minusculy less reliable than an anvil.
We were impressed by the new bike from the start. It replaced the slab-sided V92C, around since 1998 and never a hot seller. The Vegas’ distinctive good looks, spotlighted by a ridgeline running down the center of the gas tank and rear fender, immediately set it apart from the usual cookie-cutter customs. By that time, too, the V92C’s underachiever engine had been treated to a host of upgrades-im :~~Pr0\'~ oil-cooling sys tem, more power, slicker gearbox-and was now fully up to the task.
“What the Vegas is, is a classic American cruiser, a road-bumer with plenty of lazy power to pull from low speed to high in top gear. It’s a machine designed with passion from people who understand that the most important things about a cruiser are not objective measures of performance, but its look and feel, and how it makes you feel riding it,” we enthused in the ’03 road test.
CW reader and Vegas owner Craig Perkins may have put it best when he noted, “Victory went an ugly duckling to homecoming queen when they introduced the Vegas.” We named the Vegas “Best Cruiser” that year, and others agreed. Motorcyclist, V-Twin and Cruising Rider also gave the bike top marks in their annual awards issues.
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We had originally wanted to tailor our long-term Victory through the company’s innovative Custom Order Program (log on to www.victorymotorcycles.com, and build your own on screen), but the October deadline had passed. Our standard Solar Red model came with a blackedout engine and a couple of factory' options, though, a bright HID headlight ($350) and a set of billet wheels ($ 1800). The latter were a little too “Cuisinait” for some tastes, but getting rid of the stock spoked rims meant that a flat tire could be plugged and reinflated on the road if need be, rather than having to remove the offending wheel assembly, break out the tire irons and patch a tube. Midway through its tenure with us, the Vegas also got a small flyscreen ($100) and a mini-sissybar ($180) from Victory’s online catalog. Both upped the bike’s long-haul abilities, which contributing photographer Barry Hathaway put to immediate good use on a 2500-mile tour to New Mexico.
“Happiness is a big V-Twin,” said the shooter. “The overall experience and feel of riding the Vegas is just plain top-notch. Simply put, it makes you want to ride.”
Apparently Barry has an iron ass, because he made no mention of the seat, which could use some improvement. Fine for short hops, its biggest crime is that it locks you in one position. Many owners who wrote in have fitted flatter accessory seats, either from Victory or the aftermarket.
The only other complaint lodged against the Victory came from the staff speedboys, who didn’t like the braking power provided by the single front caliper and skinny 21-inch tire-the Hammer model, with twin discs and an 18-incher, was more to their liking. We suspect it was the same individuals who ground away a good portion of the bike’s forward footpeg mounts...
A careless editor imparted the only other cosmetic damage the Vegas suffered during its stay with us when he threw on a set of soft saddlebags for a two-up weekend ride without first taping off the contact areas. Result? A scuffed rear fender. Arrrggghhh!
Didn’t affect the bike’s considerable appeal, though. As it neared 10,000 miles, the Vegas became somewhat of a hot commodity around here. One CW staffer’s brother asked if he could purchase the bike when our long-term test was complete; likewise, an editor at Road & Track, our sister magazine, made similar inquiries.
Where shall we start the bidding? □
Quotes from the logbook
Allan GirdlerFor a bog-standard showroom model, I m amazed at the attention the Vegas draws. People really like the way this thing looks.
Brian CattersonI know the low-rider look is hot, but another inch of rear-wheel travel would go a long way toward making this a more usable motorcycle. Otherwise, I like the way it goes down the road; you can feel each piston going up and down, like a built, big-inch Harley-only this bike is stock!
David EdwardsAfter the Excelsior fiasco and Indian biting the dust (again), it’s good to see a successful American start-up. Still small potatoes compared to Harley, but Victory is now a viable alternative. Credit the Vegas for that.
PHOTOS BY JEFF ALLEN
$14.999
SPECIFICATIONS List price (2003)..... ...........$14,999 Current Blue Book value. ...........$11,675 Warranty........... .. 12 mo./unlimited mi. Engine...... Air/oil-cooled, four-stroke V-Twin Bore & stroke....... ..... 97.0 x 102.0mm Displacement....... ........... 15Û7CC Valve train.......sohc, four valves per cylinder, hydraulic adjustment Carburetion......... ....... fuel-injection Weight: Tank empty......... ........... 640 lbs. Tank full........... ........... 667 lbs. Fuel capacity ....... ........... 4.5 gal. Wheelbase......... ........... 66.7 in. Rake/trail.......... ........ 33.175.3 in. Total miles......... ........... 10,311 Miles since last report.. .............1584 Average fuel mileage... ...........39 mpg Repair costs........ .............. $0 Maintenance costs (incl. tires).........$310
