Victory Motorcycles was an American motorcycle brand based in Spirit Lake, Iowa, United States. It began selling its vehicles in 1998, and began winding down operations in January 2017 to be succeeded by the revived traditional American motorcycle brand Indian, both of which were owned by parent company Polaris Industries.

Polaris, an American manufacturer of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles, created Victory following the modern success of Harley-Davidson. Victory's motorcycles were designed to compete directly with Harley-Davidson and similar American-style motorcycle brands, with V-twin engines and touring, sport-touring, and cruiser configurations. The first Victory, the V92C, was announced in 1997 and began selling in 1998. Victory became profitable in 2002 and remained so for a number of years, but it failed to turn a profit three of its last five years, due to a lack of investment in the brand, preferring to release new model years with no changes to successful models other than paint, and unsuccessful investments in electric and three wheeled motorcycles.

Background

Polaris, a Medina, Minnesota company with annual sales in 2015 of $4.7 billion, is one of the earliest manufacturers of snowmobiles. Polaris also manufactures ATVs, side-by-side off-road vehicles, electric vehicles and, until 2004, personal watercraft. Seeking to diversify its product line, and observing the sales enjoyed by Harley-Davidson and similar manufacturers, the company decided to produce a large motorcycle built entirely in the United States.

Victory vehicles follow the traditional American style of a heavier motorcycle that increasingly became associated with the Harley-Davidson brand in economically advanced nations after the Second World War, rather than more modern racing-inspired designs.

Polaris began its research and development of manufacturing a motorcycle in the early 1990s. They completed extensive research that included testing numerous different makes and models of motorcycles. This research provided them with guidance ranging from comfort to braking ability, which became the framework to design a motorcycle that combined the best of each research criteria. Polaris was on a mission to create an American-made, cruiser-style motorcycle. This new creation was branded with the name Victory.

Victory's debut cruiser model, V92C, had a 92 cubic-inch (1,507 cc) counterbalanced, fuel-injected V-twin motor. In its debut in 1998, the V92C became the largest displacement engine offered in the cruiser market. The new Victory motorcycle was unique in its appearance. The fenders and tank profile mimicked the retro-look of sweeping lines from 1930s-era cars.

In 2010, Polaris engaged in a major expansion of production and marketing of the motorcycle. In 2011 Polaris bought the Indian Motorcycle brand.

Models

V92C The first model, the V92C, was debuted at Planet Hollywood in the Mall of America by Al Unser Jr. in 1997. Production began starting on 4 July 1998 for the 1999 model that was the first official model year. At , the V92C was the second largest production motorcycle engine available at the time, and sparked a race among motorcycle manufacturers to build bigger and bigger engines. All components for the V92C were manufactured in Minnesota and Iowa, except the Italian Brembo brakes and the British-made electronic fuel injection system. Victory engines debuted with five-speed transmissions (later six), single overhead cams, dual connecting rods, hydraulic lifters, and fuel injection; most fuel-injection components are standard GM parts. The V92C engine was designed to be easily tuned by the owner.

The Victory engine carries of oil in the sump, about the same as most automobiles. This is intended to minimize risk of low-oil damage, but also makes it dimensionally larger than other motorcycle engines, such as Harley-Davidson, which carry the oil in an external tank. Top speed is about at 5,500 rpm; the ECM contains a rev limiter which can be overridden by reprogramming the EPROM. The Victory engine is air-cooled, and also circulates crankcase oil through a cooler mounted between the front frame downtubes. A section of the rear swingarm can be removed to change the drive belt or the rear wheel.

The motorcycle's designers had approached several European manufacturers, particularly Cosworth, about designing and producing the engine, but ultimately decided to design and build it in Osceola, Wisconsin. Several variations on engine-frame geometry were tried until the best configuration was found, with the crankshaft geometrically aligned with the axles, a concept that had been standard practice for the past 100 years. The V92C weighed about the same as a Harley, approximately . The original V92C engine produced about at the wheel, equivalent to a 1964 Sportster; with high-performance cams and pistons, this could be boosted to and torque of .

In 2002, the Freedom Engine was introduced. It had the same dimensions as the old engine but higher power output, and with rounded cylinders and smaller oil cooler it was much more attractive visually. The V92C became known as the Classic Cruiser, and was phased out of the model lineup after the 2003 model year. There was also a Special Edition version featuring special upgrades in 2000 and 2001 model years, and Deluxe models for several years.

V92SC SportCruiser Offered in 2000 and 2001, the V92SC SportCruiser offered higher ground clearance, adjustable via a simple 2-position bolt setup on the frame under the seat. It met a weaker than expected market, and did not sell well.

V92TC Touring Cruiser Offered from 2002 through 2006, the TC featured a longer swingarm, large hard saddlebags, a re-designed seat, and sometimes the new Freedom Engine. The relatively tall seat height and roomy ergonomics made the bike ideal for larger riders. The Freedom Engine displaced , but put out significantly more power and torque than the original engine. The 2002 model and later TC also accepted the big-bore kit, which increased torque further with the addition of upgraded exhaust. Later models featured rubber mounted handlebars and revised suspension settings. Deluxe versions (V92TCD) were also available with extra features popular at the time. With the deletion of the Touring Cruiser at the end of the 2006 model year, the last of the original V92 motorcycles was retired from the lineup.

Vegas In 2003, Victory introduced the Vegas. The Vegas was designed by Victory designer Michael Song, and offered a totally new chassis design. The Freedom engine carried forward from the TC, but the rest of the bike incorporated new features. The Vegas debuted with the engine and 5-speed transmission, but was upgraded to a engine and 6-speed transmission for the 2006 model year. The Vegas Low has a lower seat, repositioned foot pegs, and handlebars further back than the regular Vegas model.

The Vegas is considered part of Victory's Custom Cruisers. 2010 Vegas Specs engine produces and torque Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin Fuel capacity: Fuel System: Electronic fuel injection with dual 45 mm throttle body Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator Transmission: six-speed constant mesh Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Belt

Vegas 8-Ball The Vegas 8-Ball was powdercoated in black where the Vegas had been chromed. It debuted with the engine, and was upgraded to in 2006. Beginning with the 2011 model year, the Vegas 8-Ball received the 6 speed transmission from the standard Vegas.

The Vegas 8-Ball is considered part of Victory's 8-Ball Cruisers. 2010 Vegas 8-Ball Specs engine produces and torque Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin Fuel capacity: Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45 mm throttle body Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator Transmission: five-speed constant mesh Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Belt

High Ball First introduced in 2012, is reminiscent of a bobber. It features apehanger handlebars, wire wheels and suede black & white paintwork with painted on logos rather than badges. For 2014 two options became available. The aforementioned paint scheme came with Judge cast alloy wheels. And a new paint scheme of suede black with red flames appeared, keeping the wire wheels. Both versions feature a Judge headlight, replacing the previous headlight, which many people felt looked out of place on this style of bike.

Gunner

Introduced in February 2014 as a traditional "bobber" style of bike. With more muscle, (106 cubic inches) pound for pound the " Victory Gunner " leads the competition in the latest lineup of Cruiser style motorcycles currently on the market.

Kingpin/Kingpin Deluxe/Kingpin Tour Following on the success of the Vegas, the Kingpin was released in 2004. Victory took advantage of the greater tuning capacity of cartridge forks, and revised both front and rear spring rates and damping to improve ride quality. The Kingpin Deluxe added luxury items to attract riders looking for more comfort. The Kingpin and Kingpin Deluxe began with the engine and five-speed transmission, but were upgraded to the engine and 6-speed transmission for the 2006 model year. For 2007 the Kingpin Tour was added, which was a Deluxe outfitted with an integrated tour pack or trunk. The Kingpin Tour was added when the Touring Cruiser was dropped.

The Kingpin is considered part of Victory's Custom Cruisers. 2010 Kingpin Specs engine produces and torque Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin Fuel capacity: | Fuel Capacity on 8-Ball: Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45mm throttle body Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator Transmission: six-speed constant mesh Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Belt

Kingpin 8-Ball The Kingpin 8-Ball is based upon the Kingpin platform, and like the Vegas 8-Ball is black, with black highlights in place of the chrome highlights of the standard Kingpin Model. It carries the motor, and has a 5 speed gearbox. It is considered to be a "blank canvas" and thus is popular with motorcycle customizers.

The Kingpin 8-Ball is considered part of Victory's 8-Ball Cruisers. 2010 Kingpin 8-Ball Specs engine produces and of torque Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin Fuel capacity: Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45mm throttle body Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator Transmission: five-speed constant mesh Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Belt

Hammer Introduced in 2005, The Hammer is considered part of Victory's Muscle Cruiser line. The very wide rear tire was both a visual design feature and also intended to reduce wheel spin due to the tremendous engine torque. This very wide tire has caused unusual low-speed handling characteristics due to the tires squared-off profile. 2010 Hammer/Hammer Sl Specs engine produces and torque Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin Fuel capacity: Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45mm throttle body Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator Transmission: six-speed constant mesh Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Belt

Hammer 8-Ball

In 2010, Victory released the Hammer 8-ball. With a lowered seat and smaller engine the bike is marketed as a cheaper and less loaded alternative to the Hammer and the Hammer S. It was one of the few bikes in Victory's lineup that remained a 5-speed. The 2011 model was upgraded to the 106 cu inch engine and 6 speed gearbox2012 hammer-8-ball specifications Victorymotorcycles.com Retrieved 2013-01-07

The Hammer 8-Ball is considered part of Victory's 8-Ball Cruisers. 2010 Hammer 8-Ball Specs engine produces and torque Engine: four-stroke 50° V-Twin Fuel capacity: Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45mm throttle body Primary Drive: Gear drive with torque compensator Transmission: five-speed constant mesh Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Belt

2012 Hammer 8-Ball Specs 106 cu in (1,740 cc) engine produces 97 hp (72 kW) and 113 lb·ft (153 N·m) torque