2009 Victory Hammer S
2009 VICTORY HAMMER S
ROUNDUP
QuickRide
A DECADE AGO, POLARIS Industries gathered the motorcycle press to introduce the fruit of its newly formed motorcycle division. At the time, that amounted to one bike: the Victory V92C in a choice of two colors. This past October, many miles beyond those humble beginnings, Victory proudly rolled out its 15-model 2009 lineup for journalists gathered in Del Mar, California.
I focused my attention on the Hammer S, which gets new cast alloy wheels that provide a 16-pound weight savings. It also includes several other upgrades that were applied to most of the cruiser line-including being pre-wired for easy installation of an accessory cruise control, a new lightweight headlight assembly and a much brighter LED taillight.
As with other models, the Hammer S has moved toward the dark side, adding more blacked-out components-“the new chrome,” as described by a Victory spokesman.
While improved gasket seal and a switch to steel brakeand shift-lever pivots (said to offer greater durability in case of tipover) are well and good, the real news is a harder-hitting Hammer (and Jackpot) model in terms of power and acceleration. That performance gain comes from the same 173 lcc Freedom 106 engine found in the Vision tourer, but here it’s equipped with Stage 2 Cams and calibrated for greater topend zip.
I rode away from the event on a Hammer S and onto the CW
dyno, where we saw that from the engine’s 900-rpm idle to its 88-horsepower peak at 5000 rpm, power builds in a linear fashion. Torque quickly rises to 100 foot-pounds at 2500 rpm and stays virtually flat up to 4500 before tailing off. Compared to the last Hammer S we tested, the ’09 model makes just over 10 more hp and another 10 ft.-lb. of torque from 3500 to 5500 rpm. Useful stuff. On the road, the six-speed VTwin propels the 670-pound (tank empty) Hammer S with healthy gusto anywhere
in its rev range while still maintaining an air of refinement.
Vibration levels are enough to convey that Big Twin character we love, yet they never fatigue the rider. A semi-heavy clutch pull and a hearty click of the shifter work cleanly through the cogs to an overdrive sixth signified by a dash light. That tall top gear provides a relaxed 60-mph cruising speed at just 2000 rpm.
Hammering much past 80 mph in the handsand feet-forward riding position strains the rider far more than it does the machine. Straight-line stability is very good at speed and also while riding on rain-grooved freeway slabs. Overall ride quality is on the firm side (as is the saddle), but it allows the bike to remain agile with that monster 250/40-18 tire out back.
Available in just one color-Boardwalk Blue with white racing stripes-the Hammer S has an MSRP of $18,499.
“The Hammer S is more than just a means of getting to and from the local waterina hole.’’-Don Cane
