Victory Motorcycles

About Victory

Victory Motorcycles is an American motorcycle manufacturer based in Spirit Lake, Iowa. It began production of its vehicles in 1998.

Its parent company, Polaris Industries, created the firm following the modern success of Harley-Davidson. Victory's motorcycles are 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. In 2011 Polaris bought the Indian motorcycle brand.

The first model, the V92C, was debuted at Planet Hollywood in the Mall of America by Al Unser in 1997. Production began in late 1998, and the first official model year was 1999. At 92 cu in (1,510 cc), the V92C was the largest production engine available at the time. 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 92 cubic inch Victory engine carries 6 US qt (5,700 ml) 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 oil in tanks. The sheer volume of oil can also impede engine performance in a racing environment. Top speed is about 120 mph (190 km/h) 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 developed by Vincent Racing in the late 1950s.

The V92C weighed about the same as a Harley, approximately 650 lb (290 kg). The original V92C engine produced about 55 hp (41 kW) at the wheel; with high-performance cams and pistons, this could be boosted to 83 hp (62 kW) and torque of 86 lb·ft (117 N·m).

In 2002 company introduced its Freedom 92/5 V-Twin, a 92 cubic inch engine mated to a five speed transmission. The new Freedom Engine had rounded cylinders and a smaller oil cooler and provided greater power output than the previous mill.

Victory continued to expand its model lineup in 2005 with the introduction of its Hammer, a muscular power cruiser with a 250mm rear tire and the Freedom 100/6 engine. It also began offering its cruiser motorcycles with the blacked-out treatment, using the styling scheme on its Vegas 8-Ball.

In 2006, both Arlen and his son Cory Ness selected the Vegas Jackpot to customize for the Ness Signature Series. The custom-inspired motorcycle was equipped with the same Freedom V-Twin powerplant and gearbox as the Hammer.

Victory would again demonstrate its forward-thinking in 2008 with the release of its radically-styled, luxury touring motorcycle, the 2008 Victory Vision. With a chassis composed of three big castings and an integrated 11-liter airbox incorporated into its design, it also featured the company’s proprietary Air Victory Brakes. Designed by Lead Industrial Designer, Michael Song, the aerodynamic, futuristic-looking luxo-tourer created plenty of ripples when it hit the market.

For 2009, Victory offered a 10th Anniversary Victory Vision. With an Antares Red and Black paint scheme that pays tribute to its first motorcycle, the V92C, the limited edition Vision includes a reverse gear and tons of luxury touring amenities like heated grips and seats. Only 100 were made.

Victory has also made a point of offering various models in Low versions, with seat heights and controls better suited to smaller riders.

Moto blog

Isle of Man TT 2013: Sure Sidecar Race 2 Results

Brothers Ben and Tom Birchall rebounded from a disappointing finish to the first Sure Sidecar race with a solid victory in their second race of the 2013 Isle of Man TT. The Birchall brothers had the early lead in the first race but were forced to retire on the first lap after puncturing a tire. Their second race went much better however, as they led from start to finish for their first ever win at the Isle of Man.

Isle of Man TT 2013: Monster Energy Supersport Race 2 Results

The Michael Dunlop Show continues with the 24-year-old Northern Irish racer winning his fourth race of the 2013 Isle of Man TT. His latest triumph was a victory in the second Monster Energy Supersport race, making Dunlop just the third rider to ever record four wins in a single TT week. Like his win in the Royal London 360 Superstock race, Dunlop ran most of the race in second place before setting a blazing final lap time for a come-from-behind win.

Isle of Man TT 2013: Royal London 360 Superstock Results

We’re only three days into the racing action for the Isle of Man TT and one rider has already established himself as the star of this TT. Michael Dunlop, of the famous Dunlop racing family, took the victory at the Royal London 360 Superstock race, giving him his third win of the 2013 Isle of Man TT. The latest win gives Dunlop six in his career on the Mountain Course, tying him with such noted names as Geoff Duke, Jimmie Guthrie, Jim Redman and John Surtees.

Isle of Man TT 2013: Monster Energy Supersport Race 1 Results

Michael Dunlop captured his second victory in the 2013 Isle of Man TT, winning the first Supersport race a day after doing the same in the Superbike race. But it was a different Dunlop that led early on the first lap. Older brother William Dunlop on the Milwaukee Yamaha R6 had the fastest time through Glen Helen, between the ninth and tenth milestones of the Isle of Man’s Mountain course.

Corbin Rider Appreciation Day July 5 & 6 In Conjunction With Rebirth Of Hollister Rally

Corbin has announced that all vendor spaces on the lot are filled for their 4th Annual Rider Appreciation Day, held this year on July 5 and 6. Last year, Corbin had thousands of riders show up to help celebrate our country’s birthday and take part in the festivities and expects a much bigger crowd this year, since the city has approved the Hollister Rally and the event covers two days. Mike Corbin reported that the city is feverishly working on the final details in order to make this year’s Hollister Rally one to remember.

Arlen Ness B-Day Bash At Petersen Museum

On July 12 the Petersen Automotive Museum is throwing a birthday party for one of motorcycling’s customizing icons, Arlen Ness. The B-day celebration will be followed by a V-Twin Cruise-In on July 13 and punctuated by a summer-long exhibit entitled Arlen Ness: Art on Two Wheels. The July 12th birthday party is open to the public and the $95 ticket price puts you in the company of Arlen and other customizing aristocrats and also includes cocktails and dinner.

Mission Motorcycles To Produce Street-Legal Electric Sportbike, Mission RS

Mission Motorcycles’ president Mark Seeger revealed today the company will produce a limited number of the Mission RS, a street-legal version of the Mission R, which won the 2011 TTXGP race at Laguna Seca by 40 seconds. In fact only 40 RS’ will be built, in commemoration of the historic victory. Mission Motorcycles is the result of a partnership between Mission Motors, developer of the record-setting prototype, and Mark Seeger, known for creating successful, innovation-focused businesses.

At-Risk Teens Off Streets And Into Shop, Building Land Speed Racer

Helping with Horsepower is a non-profit organization helping at-risk teens find purpose and clean up their act. Its founder, Laura Klock also has a love for speed, specifically on two wheels. The holder of multiple land speed records, this August she’ll attempt another run down the Bonneville Salt Flats, on a Victory motorcycle built by the same teens HwH helps support, as described in the above video by Lou Young and CBSNewYork.

WSBK 2013: Donington Park Race Report

Tom Sykes had an outstanding weekend in front of his home fans, scoring a pair of wins at the World Superbike Championship round at the United Kingdom’s Donington Park. The Kawasaki racer led every session from first qualifying onwards, before leading all 23 laps in both races for the double. The double victory brings Sykes to within 4 points of series leader Sylvain Guintoli who had a decent weekend himself with a pair of podium finishes.

Winner Of Allstate 2012 Victory Motorcycle Sweepstakes Announced

David Rosie is one lucky man. He was announced as the winner of Allstate’s 2012 Victory Motorcycle Sweepstakes, winning the grand prize, a 2012 Victory Cross Country customized by none other than Arlen Ness. The most obvious change to the Arlen Ness Cross Country is the custom paint job, but other Ness goodies include billet wheels (23 inches up front), modular billet and steel handlebars, fusion grips and pegs, deep cut floorboards, stainless steel cables and front fender.