I visited my local Victory Dealer today and test rode the Kingpin
model. This is one awesome/fun/fast/beautiful cruiser! The new 1500cc
Freedom engine is torquey and very smooth. 1/4 miles times are in the
high 12's and the model I rode had the optional Vitory stage 1 kit so
it had a few more ponies and louder pipes. This was a new bike with
only 600 miles on it, so after it's broken in I suspect it'll feel
even better than it did. Victory's are faster than 99% of new
cruisers - I've read it and now believe it. Yes, it would dust our
VN750. The trans was nice and crisp. The floorboards were comfy. The
clutch pull was about perfect - about half as hard as a HD and take-
up was very smooth with no chatter. Now the icing on the cake were
the brakes! It only has a single front disc so I didn't expect much
but came away thoroughly impressed. Standard components include a
Goodridge Stainless steel braided line, Brembo caliper (the best) and
great pads. I didn't know it was physically possible for a full size
cruiser to stop so fast with so much control while riding on cruiser
tires (Dunlops). I got on that thing hard (80 mph on a local road)
and hauled it down from speed repeatedly. It really felt like there
was a racing slick mounted on that front wheel. The ride was
comfortable and the riding position was perfect for my 5"10" frame -
no backrest needed - but you better hang on when you punch it.
Handling seemed decent for a cruiser, I did scrape a floorboard once
while slaloming between the yellow lines. Can ya tell I enjoyed my
test ride? The fuel injection didn't hiccup once and the off idle
transiton was seemless. Other great standard features were a Tach and
inverted forks. Harley better be watching because you get a lot more
from Victory for a lot less.
Now go visit your local Victory dealer, and if ya ride the Vegas
model remember that it has a skinny 21" tire unlike the Kingpin's fat
18 incher so don't expect the same braking results although I'm sure
you'll still be impressed.

-Bruce
Detroit

Metz ME880
Electrex R/R
WestCo
Coasters
Pro-Tac
Dex-Cool
Jardine Posa bar
Galfer SS lines
Progressive suspension

Did they go to the Digital Instruments??? The company that my wife works at and where i use to work (before the amputations) made the instruments for Victory's for the first two years they were in business. We lost the contract because they said they wanted to go Digital and our Factory didn't want to invest the money in Digital. But we still make them for all the Polaris machines, which is the parent company of Victory. Glad you like the bike, but still too pricey for me. Flemdog

Flemdog,

The guages were good ol analog. White faces on both speedo and Tach. I think the odo in the speedo was digital. Yep, they're pricey but hopefully they'll hold their value better then Jap bikes. I'd love to ride a VN1600 for comparison.

-Bruce
Detroit

Metz ME880
Electrex R/R
WestCo
Coasters
Pro-Tac
Dex-Cool
Jardine Posa bar
Galfer SS lines
Progressive suspension

I looked very closely at the Victory before I bought my VN1600 and like you, was very impressed with the design and quality. It's beautiful and well-made, but missing some of the things I wanted such as water-cooling. Also the price would have put me WAY over my budget. In the end, it was a hands-down choice for the Kaw VN1600 FI. At $10.5K out the door, I think it's the best value in the 1500/1600cc class bikes on the market. That's my opinion, anyway.

If you can come to Ky Lake, I'll let ya ride it! :)