2008 Victory Motorcycles - First Look

The Kingpins do have new handgrips and end caps to go along with new switch housings. The grips are set up so they can be easily converted to Victory's optional heated grips, but changes for 2008 remain isolated to the handlebars. Of course it has the new brake system and updated engine, but on the Kingpins, the song remains the same, which isn't a bad thing when you've already proven your worth in the market with high sales numbers.

And speaking of sales, having the names Cory and Arlen Ness associated with your motorcycles won't hurt in that department. Victory continues to collaborate with the custom building icons as styling consultants for its 2008 Ness Signature Series. The models blend Ness styling with the performance of the Vegas Jackpot. The bikes have the formula for success. Limited edition, numbered bikes with a stainless steel badge that includes the bike's number and Arlen and Cory's signature on it lure in custom fans like trout to hot pink Powerbait.

Aesthetics are high on the Ness Signature Series priority list. From Arlen's Sunset Red graphic-adorned bike with custom Ness "Tri Bar" billet wheels to Cory's Metallic purple and graphic combo and sick-looking Ness "Landshark" wheels, the motorcycles meld the talents of Victory and the Nesses. It is a sweet deal for both. The Nesses benefit financially from having their accessories on the bike, like the new Ness knurled footpegs and handgrips and Ness teardrop mirrors, and Victory benefits in overall sales from having a bike with the Ness name on it. Literally. The Ness Signature Series have custom tank badges, a silver leaf on the Cory-designed model and a gold leaf on the Arlen model. Add to the equation a sharp-looking chrome swingarm and muffler support bracket and you've got a highly marketable package. With a listed MSRP of $23,699, the bikes are priced a lot lower than the Ness originals I saw at Laughlin.

The last member in the 2008 Victory line is its Hammer and Hammer S. The Hammers continue to add muscle to the Victory cruiser line. Fat 250mm rear meats with a high-cut fender to show it add the beef to the back end. The tires have been designed specifically for the Hammer by Victory and Dunlop tire techs. The front end's handling revolves around the performance of its 43mm inverted cartridge-type fork and the bite of dual front disc brakes on its 18-inch wheel.

The Limited Edition'08 Hammer S has received a similar shot of the blacked-out treatment of the Kingpin 8-Ball. The blacked-out list includes the engine, handlebars, switch housings, master cylinder, mirrors, speedo, tach, fuel cap and foot controls. The fork tubes and brake rotors are black anodized and the custom-style headlight has been color-matched to the bodywork. The backside has a color-matched cowl that conceals a passenger pad underneath that converts quickly for 2-up riding. Unlike the Kingpin 8-Ball, the Hammer S does have a splash of color to offset its dark features with Turbo Silver racing stripes that run from the headlight to the tank and down the middle of the cowl.

The spec sheet shows the Hammer and Hammer S's engine, chassis, suspension and brakes are the same. The Hammer has four color options, Solid Black, Midnight Cherry, Supersteel Gray and Boardwalk Blue while the Hammer S has a one-color-suits-all Black and Silver scheme. The biggest difference is the MSRP. The Hammer lists for $16,999 while the Hammer S is bumped up to $19,866.

Other news circulating out of the Victory camp is its expanded apparel and accessories line. The apparel line includes Victory carbon fiber helmets, transition sunglasses with lenses that lighten and darken according to the amount of light, cordura pants, and leather Striker and Duke jackets. The Victory accessory line has greatly improved as well. The Kingpin model family now has over 265 accessories alone that you can find listed in the 146-page 2008 catalog. Hot ticket items include custom-designed billet wheels with a 5-spoke pattern, swept pipes, and a new hydraulic clutch that Victory says takes less effort to control. And, of course, it wouldn't be a Polaris-owned company without the optional heated handgrips for cool autumn rides. Snowmobilers aren't the only ones who like to keep their hands warm.

Motorcyclists attending the 67th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally will be the first riders to get a crack at the 2008 models. Victory will be at Sturgis from Aug. 4-11. Visitors can take advantage of the demo rides that include the Victory Visions in addition to the 2008 cruisers. A Victory Riders Association (VRA) party is scheduled for Aug. 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Spearfish Canyon Lodge. There is also a new location the new Victorys will be displayed at where interested parties can check out the new models. It's at the Top 50 Rally Park between Sturgis and Rapid City. With free rides on new bikes, parties, and chances to pick up the latest Victory swag on tap, the Victory tent will be a worthwhile stop if you're in the area.

Victory Riders attending Sturgis can also take advantage of Lehman Trikes' invitation to tour its Spearfish, SD assembly plant. The tours are exclusive to Victory Riders and will be held Monday, Aug. 6 and Friday, Aug. 10 at 1 p.m. on both days. So why are Victory owners getting the preferential treatment? Because Lehman's Pitboss is powered by Victory's 100 cubic-inch Freedom V-Twin and 6-speed overdrive transmission. Lehman Trikes and Victory have teamed up to develop and market the Pitboss. The trike is built and designed by Lehman, but the initial structural testing was done by Victory. Though the design features were controlled by Lehman, the Pitboss has the same scalloped tank and smooth, round rear fenders that characterize Victory's motorcycles. The tank even has a Victory badge. Lehman is offering demo rides on the Pitboss daily during the rally, starting Aug. 4-11, running out of the Lehman facility every hour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Victory continues to expand its horizons in 2008. It has extended production into a new niche, increased its number of available models, beefed up its engine, developed its own braking system and continues to utilize beneficial relationships between other players in the motorcycle industry. Does it deserve to be recognized as "The New American Motorcycle?" We'll let the 2008 sales figures be the judge of that.