2013 Victory Judge

2013 VICTORY JUDGE

What happens in Vegas...stays in the Judge. But it looks like a cool “all-new” bike anyway.

VICTORY’S LATEST IS THE 2013 JUDGE, AVAILABLE IN SUEDE Nuclear Sunset (orange) and wearing five-spoke wheels that actually do conjure up Pontiac’s famed special-edition GTO of the same name. Victory calls it “all-new,” and if a bike that uses the same frame, swingarm, engine and gearbox as Victory’s Vegas (which has been around the block many times) can be considered virginal, then we’ll play along. (Heck, that’s how Harley-Davidson does it.)

Distinctive angular bodywork sets the Judge apart, with a 25.9-inch-high seat behind a flattish standard-style handlebar, and foot controls that have been moved a few inches rearward—a good thing on a bike designed to be ridden aggressively. Oval “numberplate” side panels are interesting and possibly slimming, and a new taillight integrates cleanly into the fender line.

Power-wise, Victory’s standard 106-in. V-Twin, rated at 113 foot-pounds of torque (expect about 85 horsepower and 105 ft.-lb. at the wheel), is backed by the same not-bad-but-notgreat six-speed overdrive gearbox. Blacked-out triple-clamps give the Judge the 6.7-in. trail and 64.8-in. wheelbase of Victory’s other 16-in.-wheeled cruiser, the JJigh-Ball.

Reminiscent of the first sporty Victory—the V92SC (Sport Cruiser) of 2000—right down to its round, black headlight and superbike-ish handlebars, this one looks like a rebirth of that idea 13 years later in a much more evolved package. The $13,999 MSRP for Gloss Black and $400 more for Sunset Red or the Suede Nuclear Sunset closely mirrors the sticker price of the V92SC in 2000.

John Burns

www.cycleworld.com