The New Batch | Victory’s New 2011 Models
In the market for a new bike this year? Definitely add the New American Motorcycle to the shopping list. Victory’s 2011 models cover all the bases.
The Victory brass, aka the men in black, invited the two-wheeled press to Gateway, Colorado, to put the company’s new models through the paces of the twisty Colorado roads. Gateway is about a 50-mile jaunt from Grand Junction, isolated among a remote stretch of the Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway. Upon entering Gateway, about a mile into town-if you’d call it that-is Gateway Canyons Resort (gatewaycanyons.com), which was founded by Discovery Channel pioneer John S. Hendricks. The resort is a full-service getaway that allows its patrons the true feeling of serenity with uncompromised customer service, amenities, dining, and activities. As for the stable of bikes available for the journos to ride, practically every model was on hand at the critics’ beck and call. But three motorcycles stand out most for 2011, the brand-new, limited edition Cory Ness Cross Country the Zach Ness Vegas 8-Ball, and the Cross Roads, which has undergone some changes via Victory’s introduction of its CORE Custom Program.
Across the board there are some significant points to be mentioned for 2011, first of all in the engine/drivetrain department. The entire fleet now comes standard with the 106/6 powertrain (106ci engine and updated six-speed transmission) whereas only certain models previously housed the 106. The 50-degree Freedom V-Twin features single overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder and 9.4:1 compression ratio. The newer transmission claims a boost in performance, but upon first ride, the most noticeable difference was how stealth Fourth and Sixth gears were (on certain ’10 models, Sixth is really whiny). This is a welcomed change and something the Victory drivetrain engineers addressed via Victory owners’ feedback. Bike owners spoke, Victory listened. To aid riders’ search for Neutral, a Neutral Assist function has been added to the trans so that it’s easier to find the gear when stopped, reducing clutch wear.
Also significant in the engine department is that all of the cruiser models have been updated with Stage 2 cams boasting a torque output of 113 lb-ft and 97 horses. The touring fleet however (Vision, Cross Roads, Cross Country), is definitely not lacking power with a standard torque output of 109 lb-ft and 92 hp. When asked why the touring bikes didn’t receive the cam upgrade, Victory External Relations Manager Robert Pandya stated, “The Stage 1 has a smoother power delivery and a torque curve better for touring bikes.”
Cory Ness Signature Series Cross Country | $24,999
The ’11 Cory Ness Signature Series Cross Country combines curb appeal, function, and performance. The brand-new limited edition custom touring bike (only 350 available) is flashy and practical. It features everything a touring enthusiast looks for in a rig as well as one-of-a-kind customized features.
Riding the Ness Cross Country is a blast. It’s almost too much fun since the 106 accelerates you to triple-digit speeds without knowing thanks in part to the air-adjustable monoshock rear suspension and the 43mm inverted telescopic front fork that soak up the bumps brilliantly. Victory’s suspension has always excelled. Another great perk of this bike, and all the Cross models, is its vast cornering clearance. Scraping the footboards is almost impossible.
What sets Cory’s Cross apart from the other Cross Country’s is the flashy Sunset Red paint draped over the bodywork, a suede seat, and obviously the multitude of Ness-essories top to bottom front to back including custom mirrors, chrome grips, billet passenger pegs, chrome shift and brake pegs, oil line cover, engine covers, and Ness radio display. The jugs and heads have been diamond cut, and located on the belt guard is a numbered plate with a facsimile of Cory’s signature; just a minor detail but it’s the little things that count. Also available for the Ness Cross Country and all Cross models is a color-matched trunk that’s lockable and has oodles of storage space, with capacity for two full-face helmets. It’s also available to bolt directly on to all ’10-11 Cross models without having to purchase any docking hardware. Stay tuned for an in-depth review of the Cory Ness Cross Country in our sister publication, HOT BIKE Baggers.
MODEL | CORY NESS CROSS COUNTRY |
Engine/Displacemnent | 106ci/Freedom V-twin |
Induction | EFI |
Primary Drive | Gear drive w/ torque compensator |
Clutch | Wet, Multi-plate |
Transmission | Six-speed w/ Neutral Assist |
Final Drive | Carbon fiber reinforced belt |
Front Brake | Dual four-piston calipers/300mm floating rotors |
Rear Brake | Two-piston caliper/300mm floating rotor |
Front Wheel Size | 18×3-inch |
Rear Wheel Size | 16×5-inch |
Front Tire/Size | Dunlop/130/70R18 |
Rear Tires/Size | Dunlop/180/60R16 |
Frame Rake | 29 degrees |
Fuel Tank | 5.8 gallons |
Seat Height | 26.25 inches |
Color | Sunset Red w/ Ness graphics |
MSRP | $24,999 |
Zach Ness Vegas 8-Ball | $18,999
For the first time, Victory and the youngest Ness customizer, Zach Ness, teamed up to produce a production bike for 2011. The pair had worked together before when Zach tricked out a Kingpin in 2009, but it was a one-time deal. He must have done something right by Victory standards since they allowed him to build a limited-edition run of 350 of this here Zach Ness Signature Series Vegas 8-Ball.
The Zach 8-Ball is a step up from stock and features Zach-designed graphics adorned over the black suede paint. The chrome exhaust is a nice contrast to the all-black bike and the little bits of flash throughout via the Ness Holeshot grips, footpegs, and engine covers are the appropriate Ness-essories for this model. The bike also features a custom-stitched leather seat.
The 8-Ball alone is a great handling bike by itself. So to class it up with custom parts should be a welcomed success. And with the Stage 2 cam upgrade, it packs even more of a punch than the previous year 8-Ball models.
MODEL | ZACH NESS VEGAS 8-BALL |
Engine/Displacement | 106ci/Freedom V-twin |
Induction | EFI |
Primary Drive | Gear drive w/ torque compensator |
Clutch | Wet, multi-plate |
Transmission | Six-speed |
Final Drive | Carbon fiber reinforced belt |
Front Brake | Four-piston caliper/300mm floating rotor |
Rear Brake | Two-piston caliper/300mm floating rotor |
Front Wheel/Size | 21×2.15-inch |
Rear Wheel/Size | 18×5.5-inch |
Front Tire/Size | Dunlop Elite 90/90-21 |
Rear Tires/Size | Dunlop Elite 180/55-18 |
Frame Rake | 32.9 degrees |
Fuel Tank | 4.5 gallons |
Seat Height | 25.2 inches |
Color | Black w/ Ness graphics |
MSRP | $18,999 |
Cross Roads | $14,999
The ’11 Cross Roads saw significant changes as far as accessories are concerned with the introduction of Victory’s CORE Custom Program. Overall the bones of the bike remain the same as last year. The engine is the same 106 ci, but the updated, quieter six-speed transmission with Neutral Assist was added. As far as the accessories go, the ’10 Cross Roads rocked in our opinion so why change them?
The ’10 came standard with lockable, hard saddlebags (standard on ’10-11 Cross Country models), a tubular highway bar, a windshield, and black paint for a starting price of $15,999 (California add $250). But this year Victory wanted to let its customers decide which of these comforts they wanted to add by making the hard bags, highway bar, and windshield available as an option, not standard. Basically, the customer walks into the Victory dealership, chooses his or her standard black or Crimson Red (add $500) Cross Roads, then decides if he/she wants the standard weatherproof vinyl soft bags (14.7 gallons of storage with no locking mechanism), or the upgraded hard bags (21 gallons of storage and lockable for $299.99 extra). Next, the customer chooses if he/she wants front tipover protection in the form of tubular bar ($349.99) or the forged bar ($599.99), and also rear tipover protection available for soft and hard bags ($349.99). Lastly, a windshield does not come standard on the ’11 Cross Roads, but one can be had for an extra fee of, get this, $599.99. “We [Victory] developed the program to create the best balance between value and variety of models. The Base Cross Roads is an awesome value by itself-the addition of just the right accessories helps the customer create the motorcycle they want,” Pandya stated. But that’s a tad steep, and when all the bells and whistles are added up, the max pricetag for the CORE components is really close to that of a standard Cross Country, and you’ll get a fork-mounted fairing with a stereo for around $700 more. However, if you don’t want all the extras then the base price is just right.
MODEL | CROSS ROADS |
Engine/Displacemnent | 106ci/Freedom V-twin |
Induction | EFI |
Primary Drive | Gear drive w/ torque compensator |
Clutch | Wet, Multi-plate |
Transmission | Six-speed w/ Neutral Assist |
Final Drive | Carbon fiber reinforced belt |
Front Brake | Dual four-piston calipers/300mm floating rotors |
Rear Brake | Two-piston caliper/300mm floating rotor |
Front Wheel Size | 18×3-inch |
Rear Wheel Size | 16×5-inch |
Front Tire/Size | Dunlop/130/70R18 |
Rear Tires/Size | Dunlop/180/60R16 |
Frame Rake | 29 degrees |
Fuel Tank | 5.8 gallons |
Seat Height | 26.25 inches |
Color(s) | Solid Black, Solid Crimson |
MSRP | Base $14,999 |