Victory motorcycles

KNOW YOUR VICTORY ?

Okay you may or may not have the faintest idea what a Victory is, or worse still, you might think you do.So, here it is, in brief, the very basic history and types of Victory Motorcycles.

TO START, you need to know this, a 1999 Victory motorcycle was built and released in 1998, a 2001,in 2000 and so on,dont ask why, cos we dont know .So when we say a 2001 92c, it may very well be registered in 2000. Probably best just to think of it as a model rather than a year. So, that being said, you need to know this; In 2002 (that is a 2002 model (first released 2001)) they changed the engine, from what is now called a FIRST GENERATION to the current FREEDOM engine.

So what s that then?

All Vic s are 1507cc(92cubic inch) as standard, the differences between the old and the new (there are some other changes along the way, but they re not really important), essentially, is refinement. They have the same layout (50 degree V-Twin,92ci,fuel injection),they are all OHC (Despite what what some less informed journalists have previously written, oh, and while were on it, Victory didnt go bust in 2000, nor did it go bust in 2003, dont ya just love gossip!), they all perform perfectly well, and there are no serious reliability problems with either engine. So the difference is? Well, the freedom engine IS faster, the gearbox is miles smoother, the oilcooler is loads smalller (which looks better), most importantly the injection system is far more advanced, and, lessons having been learnt before, there have been less recalls on this engine, of course there wasnt that many on the first ones, but better is better and thats that. On the flipside, a first gen with a power commander or similar, will hold its own against a freedom no problem, the gearbox (which is a bit crude) is smooth as a babys bum once youve got it set up right, and done a few thousand miles on it (on the downside, the gearbox never feels japanese.On the upside, the gearbox never feels japanese.). The crux of it is, the freedom is a better motor mechanicly, but the first gen is still a great motor which has a bit more chunky yank character (And a bloody great oilcooler that looks a bit pants til you get used to it.), so, choose your weapon.

To tell the difference is easy, if the engine looks like a lump of wood thats been carved with a bandsaw, then it\s a first gen , if it looks like a piece of wood that\s been carved with some nice fancy tools, then its a freedom . See below.


First gen Motor	Freedom Motor

By the way a freedom is also sometimes called a second gen (Clever innit?).

SO WHAT S A WHAT THEN?

In 1998 Victory launched the 1999 (Stay with me) V92C, and it looked like this.

1998 V92 C.

Footboards were chrome as standard, note the nice wheels (mmmmm), the oil lines were steel braided hoses, and the gearbox really did clunk on this one.

In 1999 they still only made one model, the 2000 V92C.

See! Yes, I know it s the same.Oh and at this point the gearbox still really does clunk.This however marks the end of the really clunky gearbox, next years bike s got a whole new box. I didnt mention these earlier cos outside of the U.S. There are only two that we know of, I ve got one and my mate s got the other so you don t need to worry.

2000, The year Victory came to England, properly that is. If you see a first gen\rquote bike for sale in England or the surrounding lands, then most likely, regardless of when it was registered, It s a 2001 model (youre still with me, right?). Nice new model for this year, to go alongside the 92C, the V92SC (SC thats SPORT CRUISER). Actually these were first made in 1999, but they didnt make very many then, and theres only one in England, so again, dont worry about it. Did I say nice new model? Hmmn, maybe thats not right. Take a Dodge Charger, bolt handlebars on it, fix it to rails, and throw away the exhaust. Now climb on top and go heavy on the gas. And the truth is, once youve ridden it youll love it forever. Crude in its styling, 17"radial tyres, triple brembos, 50mm forks, excellent build quality, and spot on geometry made this one of the most memorable and enjoyable bikes Ive ever ridden. And here she is.

(Also available in black.)

Er, what colours that then? Thats yellow sir.

Meanwhile, The V92C carried on regardless, different paint, different wheels, steel oil lines, alloy replaced the chrome boards, and the giveaway painted forks and yokes. Theres one to remember, the gearbox is now ok so, if its got painted yokes and lowers (as oppose to laquered alloy), then the gearbox will be good as gold with a few thousand miles to settle it in (like a nice pair of boots, a little stiff when new). There was a kind of half addition here, shown below. The V92DC (thats DELUXE CRUISER), appeared, its aV92C with some nice bits on, and if you can get one,its worth about Ł2000 extra second hand, assuming you want those bits. Spoke wheels, skirted seat, very expensive luggage,backrest, screen, lights, the lot. Its got over Ł3500 on it so dont think of it as a standard 92C.

2001 DADADAAA! Late 2001 saw the launch of the 2002 FREEDOM V92C, five of which made it to the UK in 2002 for press use. During 2001/2002 the UK importer/distributor changed hands so not a lot happened over here, and thats why there are only five 2002 bikes in England. The V92SC was dropped from the line, largely due to a lack of interest in cruisers that arent very relaxing, and encourage you to drag race everything in sight, and of course not having roundabouts, its taken until now for the SC to get its proper appreciation. So a few minor changes, a bit of paint, narrower bars, a whole new engine and fuel system, and the 2002 V92C made its way to Blighty in, wait for it, 2002!!!HURRAH!!.

Also in 2001 was this little beauty, one step further than the DC, the TC (thats TOURING CRUISER). All bikes now have the new engine, it doesnt shake, it changes gear from new without a grumble, and it looks nicer. The TC had a longer frame, hard luggage, and frankly was great, but was never imported into the UK, and as far as we know there arent any here.

And that freinds, having lost a year somewhere, leads us to 2003, when we were first graced with the 2003 VEGAS. Hang on, thats not right. Ah, but yes it is, you see somehow, having lost some time, all models now carry the correct tag (and all the village cheered!).So in 2003, we saw the arrival of the 2003 V92C, take a sneaky look, spoke wheels, slightly different seat, but otherwise our old freind is still the same,now available in gloss black, or AAAAAAARRRGH! yellow.

And this of course, is the much written about (so I wont go on about it), VICTORY VEGAS.

And if you want to know more about this one you can get a brochure like anyone else,from any obvious place, like a Victory shop, for .example

Oh, hang on, sorry that s us isn t it,er, right well,ok then:

Staines	POLARIS QUADS	Gifford Motorcycles	VICTORY MOTORCYCLES	Ashford
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