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Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper
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WillieByte
Posted 2011-01-21 10:08 AM (#77804 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Cruiser

Posts: 104
Plainfield Illinois
Nemo is right. Two wheels and a motor..... That being accepted, the Highball looks nothing like any Harley; no Victory does. From my perspective, Harleys look like they have been built with parts from swap meets, the hardware store, and Sears. None of the engine lines flow into the rest of the bike.. Stuff sticks out into the airflow from the sides. Victorys are smooth by comparison; their designs appear to be integral. Naturally, taste is opinion. Motorcycle purchases are emotional decisions as much as practical. The Highball is growing on me. I bought two new vehicles in the last 12 months and shouldn't be even LOOKING @ this thing. I love my '08 Vision and won't part with it. Now however (comma) I'm rolling the notion of a second bike around in my old noggin' and the Highball looks grand to me. It'd look better with matte black shotgun exhaust, but that's just my opinion. Good job Victory. Now quit thinking of ways to part me from my money, GD'it. WB

Edited by WillieByte 2011-01-21 10:10 AM
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SongFan
Posted 2011-01-21 10:22 AM (#77808 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: RE: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Visionary

Posts: 3204
Memphis

Don't get me wrong, I think (hope) Victory will sell a bunch of High Balls.  It should be very profitable for them since they don't have to change much at all on the assembly line.  The 8-Ball High-Ball (High 8-Ball?) will be a hit also.  The factory workers are gonna love it because they can build one with their eyes closed.  It just struck me as an awful lot of hype for a bike they could have very easily made 9 years ago as a follow-on to the Vegas. 

The reason the Vision was such a draw to me was the way they made it.  Motorcycles are just a couple of wheels, motor, frame, chassis, handlebars and (in the case of the Vision) body panels.  How creative can you get?  Victory came out  and said "No steel tube frame".  (Whaaaat?)  It's got a cast aluminum backbone with front feed airbox.  The body panels are not typical motorcycle plastic.  It is the same stuff used for Lexus bumpers.  There are no exposed fasteners.  The patented rear suspension is light years beyond what Harley had put out.  It had an Ipod cable first. First American bike with a power windshield.  Call it what you want, it was no "wannabe" bike and I was extremely proud of that fact.  The Cross Bikes have the same DNA as the Vision in a much more traditional package.  They are truly different than the competition and 100% high-tech/modern style Victory.

The High Ball will blend in at a HOG rally.  It is scary close to the CrossBones with a swoopier tank, different rear fender, modern headlight and cleaner front end (not a springer).  The CrossBones came out two years ago.  Victory is playing it safe and chasing Harley with this one.  The Cross Bikes were obviously aimed at a couple of Harley models but there is no way anyone can confuse a Cross Country with a Street Glide, even at night. 

Since '03, Victory has been seen as the American motorcycle company that thinks outside the box and is constantly moving forward.  The Vision moved them to a whole new demension that, for the first time, had the big boys look over their shoulders.  Even if they didn't like the looks, they respected what Victory had pulled off.  The Cross Bikes maintained that level of forward thinking design and engineering. 

I would rather have seen a CORE version of the Rocker C.  You want to see how Victory makes a stripped down bike?  Watch this:  The fuel tank-air box-wiring channel piece is also the frame?  How cool is that?  Harley has 61 connections on that piece to get from there to there.  The Victory has three.  On and on....

The High Ball will do what it was designed to do; attract a different buyer into the Victory fold and offer an alternative to the Harley CrossBones.  It will hopefully be a step forward in sales (which is a good thing) but that is the only category where it is a step forward. 

It was obvious that Victory has been moving forward with their bikes way beyond styling cues.  The engineers and designers were the rock stars.  How will they push the envelope next?  The High Ball loses all that momentum for me. 

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Cap'n Nemo
Posted 2011-01-21 10:56 AM (#77814 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Visionary

Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va
Tom, I understand where you are coming from, but personally I feel that Victory lost momentum in putting out the Cross-Bikes, though I may be wrong, I don't see the numbers. Frankly, though the numbers are high, there is not as many touring type folks as there are folks who just want a motorcycle to jaunt around on. We all have to co-exist and I believe Victory hit a target, just as they did with the Vision 8-Ball. The Cross-Bikes just help fill a hollow spot for those who wanted something more than a scooter, but didn't want a yacht. I think you'll see more of your Harley friends stopping by the Victory dealership, especially after the rags come out with the compare. One thing they won't be able to talk down to is, it don't look like no spaceship. But I will say, it is distinctly a Victory!

Oh, and with Victory putting something new out every six months will keep the forums buzzing. Hopefully Jeff and Miles will be able to cash in some how, they may need to upgrade again.

Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-01-21 11:09 AM
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RedRider
Posted 2011-01-21 11:17 AM (#77815 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Visionary

Posts: 1350
SYNSTR,
I don't understand, you state "Please, don't build the other guys bike and expect me to buy it! There are so many Milwaulkie middlebuster clones already out there from Asia, India, and Eastern Europe, they all look the same.
One of the things that first attracted me to Victory and the VISION was it's distinctive styling and 'break the mold' innovations. I take a lot of pride in NOT seeing myself come down the road 100 times in a mile. If I wanted'me too' styling I would have purchased a Road King or a CAMARO with a 350 and a turbo 350........."
Back in your first post you state "Greetings all, I'm newly registered here but I am on other forums under different tags. I own (along with the bank) an 08 Vision street that was a test ride bike so it only had 1900 mi. when I bought it 18 months ago."
You buy a '08 demo because the only style bike Victory makes you like is the Vision? 11 years ago when you bought the Yama Victory was selling bikes but then you there were no used Vcitorys 11 years ago.
If you only buy used or demos what difference does it make when Victory comes out with a new bike? You won't buy it for a couple of years anyway.
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SYNSTR
Posted 2011-01-21 12:34 PM (#77827 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Iron Butt

Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH.
RR,
NO, WHEN I bought the Yammer, the price was right and the deal was great. I bought synstr again because the price was right and the deal was sweet. I've also reached the age where I like my comfort and little stuff like cruise control that works, nice, cushy ride, good handling, places to put my feet, etc. etc. My days of hard a$$ed year round, iron man riding are in the past. I like the styling on all the VICTORY bikes because they are just that little bit diferent from the meadow full of sheep everyone else is on, the VISION fits my needs, if it didn't I'd be on an 8 Ball or VEGAS. And, the 'me' was rhetorical.

What I was refering to was attracting NEW riders to VICTORY. IF I was 30 and looking @ ditching my drop bar sport bike and was looking around, why would I, not knowing much about biggger bikes, look past a HD which seem to be like opinions, 'everyone has one, must be good' and never go within 1500 yard of the VICTORY dealers, and if the VICTORY looks just like the HD, but--I don't know, HD's been around over a hundred years man-

If you're gonna build a 'ME TOO' look alike, particularly when your competetion can't build their same old same old fast enough and most folks today are just sheep and follow along without thinking hard enough to make their brain flex a bit, you're gonna wonder why no one shows up in the show room. If you just want transportation, go buy a 10 year old CIVIC, if you want to drive a statement on the street you have to stick out from the all enshrouding grayness that's the norm out there. Do you look twice as a HYUNDAI RIO passes? I'll bet you look a couple of times and look in the mirror if a new Jaguar passes you, same thing. You can build the best whatever in the world, but if it doesn't get anyones attention because it looks like a copy of the traditional XYZ the other guys make, then what good is it?

this Summer, keep track of just how many belly button HD's you pass in an hour. I like to tell HD riders to do themselves a favor and NOT ride a VICTORY, because if they do, the first thing they will want to do is kick that hog right square in the tank.

Edited by SYNSTR 2011-01-21 12:35 PM
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SongFan
Posted 2011-01-21 1:22 PM (#77841 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: RE: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Visionary

Posts: 3204
Memphis
My biggest problem is that now I can't tell where Victory is going or who they want to be.  Three years ago it was obvious where they were not going.  Now?  Not sure.  If they succeed, that's great.  It's safe, that's for sure.  It's just not what I imagined.
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Cap'n Nemo
Posted 2011-01-21 1:44 PM (#77842 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Visionary

Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va
it's like a football, the plays are secret for a reason. If you and can second guess, the competition has an edge already.
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VisionTex
Posted 2011-01-21 1:51 PM (#77844 - in reply to #77841)
Subject: RE: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Visionary

Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx.
SongFan - 2011-01-21 12:22 PM

My biggest problem is that now I can't tell where Victory is going or who they want?to be.? Three years ago it was obvious where they were not going.? Now?? Not sure.? If?they succeed, that's great.? It's safe, that's for sure.? It's just not what I?imagined.


Tom, I think Victory still has a higher level of technology and design in their future. This High-Ball is just one thing...a money maker. People like this type of bike and it will sell, and get people in the Victory flock. We also have to consider the cost issue of developement, and the controls of mother Polaris on all the neat stuff we really want to see. The CORE I believe is their future, it just doesn't show up in this Ball bike.
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SYNSTR
Posted 2011-01-21 2:11 PM (#77848 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Iron Butt

Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH.
I think part of the problem lies in advetising. It's the middle of Winter, outside it's raining cats and dogs here (and worse elsewhere). Yet I see ads on TV for HD all the time, what do I see from POLARIS? QUADS! Quads are great but it's like not letting your entire potential market know what else you build and sell....................oh, yeah we sorta make some motorcycles too.....kinda.

If I don't know through your advertising what you build, how am I supposed to know what you sell? The crystal ball I got when I graduated from High School has been reduced over the years to a frosty marble so it's hard @ times to 'see' everything that's available to purchase. Now's the time to start showing footage of smiling groups of folks riding down 101 heading towards Huntington Beach or a mountain lake on their VICTORY motorcycles, laughing and smiling and just lovin;' the sunshine on TV.

Right now would be a really good time to start advertising heavily about the bikes so people who might be on the fence will start thinking 'motorcycle' as the weather gets better. It's like guys who wait until the first sunny weekend to rush the bike to the shop to get a tune-up 'get in line pal, could be three or more weeks' "Oh CRAP! It's the middle of July, should we run a motorcycle ad on TV?"
It's like Yogurt said in 'SPACEBALLS' "moichendizing... moichendizing. SPACEBALLS the motorcycle"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HD rider "what's that?
Me "A much better motorcycle

Edited by SYNSTR 2011-01-21 2:18 PM
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SongFan
Posted 2011-01-21 3:15 PM (#77860 - in reply to #77844)
Subject: RE: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Visionary

Posts: 3204
Memphis

QUOTE] Tom, I think Victory still has a higher level of technology and design in their future. This High-Ball is just one thing...a money maker. People like this type of bike and it will sell, and get people in the Victory flock. We also have to consider the cost issue of developement, and the controls of mother Polaris on all the neat stuff we really want to see. The CORE I believe is their future, it just doesn't show up in this Ball bike.

I agree 100% BIll.  I just had the feeling that Victory was going to be an American version of BMW.  Love them or hate them, when you think BMW you think "pushing the envelope" with their own very distinct style.  There's the BMW look, the Japanese look, the Italian look and the Harley look.  I think there is plenty of room for the Victory designers to flex and be unique while still building a better American bike - The Victory Look - Like nobody else.

I'm hoping they come out with a really cool alternative powerplant someday.  (Not a V-TWIN???  Sacrilege!)  BMW flipped the faithful on their heads when they came out with the 4-cylinder K-bikes.  You could hear the screaming all the way across the pond.  (Almost as loud as the V-Rod wailing.)  We make opposed twins!  That's who we are!  Today BMW's 4 cylinder S1000RR is the runaway, smash hit Bike of the Year in it's class.  Are most BMW guys going to run out and buy a RR?  Nope, but it sure is exciting to watch your company make it, even if you'd never own one.  The R- bikes are still the cop bike of choice in over 100 countries.  The R1200GS is the undisputed world traveler.  They have the best of both worlds with both K and R styles.

I'm pretty naive when it comes to business sense.  Hopefully the High Ball will win Cruiser of the Year and I can sit back and say "Huh, didn't see that coming."  Just makes me think they could have done it 9 years ago if they wanted to instead of two years after the competition came out with something very similar.

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Man314
Posted 2011-01-21 3:30 PM (#77861 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Tourer

Posts: 575
Spirit Lake IA "Birthplace of Victory Motorcycles"
A true world class organization in this day and age cannot simply appeal to a single demographic in order to be successfull. True the Vision appeals to middle aged to older folks who love a quality bike and futuristic styling, but there are others out there who do like the Old Skool stripped down look and don't want to pay high HD pricing. There is definately room in the Victory lineup to appeal to a larger cross section of people who want a solidly built, competitively priced bike built in the USA. I don't see this as Victory loosing their way or being safe, I see this as a strategic move to expand their market share. BTW, I bet they have several bikes in development that will once again break the mold and shift a few paradigms. I personally won't buy this bike, but Bravo to Victory for being bold enough to shake things up and not be relegated to a niche supplier of futuristic bikes.
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VaParadox
Posted 2011-01-21 3:32 PM (#77862 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Iron Butt

Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia
Seriously, its one of those bikes I would see at a show because it was a Victory. Id walk up, say "ok, thats cool", then i would move on.
Its gonna be a niche market that someone would be interested in this bike. I just wish they would spend more energy in other areas instead of
squashing/stretching, painting, the same product to make it look different HOW ABOUT MAKING THE PARTS TO REPAIR MY BIKE THAT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 3 MONTHS FOR !!!! woo hooo white walls................... make my friggen Vision skins.................
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iluvink
Posted 2011-01-21 4:03 PM (#77864 - in reply to #77791)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Tourer

Posts: 411
Dallas, Texas
Biscuit - 2011-01-21 8:03 AM

Can you run Amsoil in it?


No..only Mobil1 for VTwin, Motul, Vic Oil, T6, Lucas Oil, or Castrol. And that's it...
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Roadrocket
Posted 2011-01-21 5:58 PM (#77870 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Cruiser

Posts: 71
B'ham, Al.
<p><strong>VISIONTEX wrote: "Tom, I think Victory still has a higher level of technology and design in their future. This High-Ball is just one thing...a money maker. People like this type of bike and it will sell, and get people in the Victory flock. We also have to consider the cost issue of developement, and the controls of mother Polaris on all the neat stuff we really want to see. The CORE I believe is their future, it just doesn't show up in this Ball bike."</strong></p><p> </p><p>I agree 100%. The steel frame bikes are all on life support. The new cast frames with their cost of production savings, along with some cosmetic changes, are needed. The HighBall required little financial outlay by Victory yets gives them the chance to offer a 'New' model while buying time to complete developement of the various new bikes that will all be based on the same frame & running gear. And it will not surprise me to see them go back to a somewhat smaller engine as well to give more separation between them and the larger Cross/Vision lines.</p><p><font size="1">  All that and 50¢ will get you a cup of coffee and MickeyD's (but you'll still have to stand in line )</font></p><p><font size="1">RR</font></p>

Edited by Roadrocket 2011-01-21 5:58 PM
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Cap'n Nemo
Posted 2011-01-21 6:16 PM (#77873 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Visionary

Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va
If Victory is reading the forum I'm sure they are getting a kick out of what is going here. I don't see the cast bikes going away, but they have limitations also. Too radical of a change too soon will certainly have its pitfalls, and staying too main stream has its pitfalls. A healthy mix while moving forward provides stability for the company, something we all want. I've come to learn one thing even among the Victory riders who claim to not be like the rest, to some degree or another, folks feel if you don't ride what I ride then there is something wrong with it.
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JustBob
Posted 2011-01-21 9:45 PM (#77893 - in reply to #77873)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Cruiser

Posts: 162
Extreme Southern, AZ United States
Well all I know is most of my  Brothers ride harleys, and now there are a couple of them that say they want one. 
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Godspeed
Posted 2011-01-21 10:35 PM (#77897 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Cruiser

Posts: 112
Denver, Iowa
JMHO, I really felt that if Victory wanted to target a younger demographics, they would've imitated Sands' 200MPH bike. It seems to me that those kids(old enough to ride, but young enough to mooch off of mom and dad) go crazy to be seen on a chick-magnet, space-age, crotch-rocketing, beast. In fact, I'm still hoping that it is on a burner somewhere within the walls of the engineering dept. Not saying I'd buy one of those either (it's my goal to own 4 Victorys at once!), but a sportbike-ish V-twin ride, is pushing the envelop like we (me) expect from these engineers and developers. If they wanted to create a bike for the nostalgia-folk,(again JMHO) throw some spokes and apes, and a tiny, round headlight on a Kingpin, offer it as a package called the "Kingpin Highball", and get back to creating bikes that turns the other manufacturers into insomniacs.

Note to other manufacturers: "Try to sleep tight, boys! With these Victory engineers at work, you ain't gonna get much sleep any time soon!"

I'm still pumped to see the Highball, and all the others, at the International Motorcycle Show in Minneapolis!

Edited by Godspeed 2011-01-21 10:43 PM
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badnvegas
Posted 2011-01-21 11:38 PM (#77900 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Cruiser

Posts: 175
Colorado
why buy the knock off...buy the original...hope Rick gets a royalty...and it should have been called a Stroker...
http://www.strokersdallas.com/bikes/show.php?id=58&cond=&category=B... DESC&p=5&submit=Search&page=1
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Flyin Hawaiian
Posted 2011-01-22 2:02 AM (#77903 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Cruiser

Posts: 50
I like it! I would just change the headlight, rims and wheels. It's at a great price point. Yes I would get one!!
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Chief Waldo
Posted 2011-01-22 11:17 AM (#77922 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Cruiser

Posts: 64
One thing I want to say about the unveiling, I'm glad to see that Victory asked Natalie Jackson to host it. She's a real rider and racer. She knows what she talking about, and looks good too!
I hope they use her in their commercials and at events!
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SongFan
Posted 2011-01-22 1:19 PM (#77931 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: RE: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Visionary

Posts: 3204
Memphis

I didn't know who Natalie was.  Is this her?  (If so, she has been posterized.)

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

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Jedi Jeff
Posted 2011-01-24 7:08 PM (#78068 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: RE: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Fountain Inn, SC United States
Take a look at Brian J. Nelson's photo work on the Highball. Victory uses him frequently because he has such a good eye. http://www.brianjnelson.com

Here's just a sample (thank you Brian):




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Cap'n Nemo
Posted 2011-01-24 7:23 PM (#78069 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Visionary

Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va
Vision 8-Ball + High Ball = Balance Diet
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bamavizn
Posted 2011-01-24 7:51 PM (#78075 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: RE: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Puddle Jumper

Posts: 23
Ape Hangers?? Wh................


http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Content/Pages/dark-custom/stre...

Look familiar??
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lennyb
Posted 2011-01-28 7:09 PM (#78317 - in reply to #77691)
Subject: Re: Victorys new bike LOOKS like a chopper


Iron Butt

Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD
Overall I like the bike, but for my personal taste would like to see three changes.
I'd want the ape's to be a bit lower and absolutely do away with the 90 degree angles in them.
There has to be a way to tuck some blacked-out/tinted LED pods in tight to the body and cross bar on the forks for turn signals.
The exhaust needs to be unique. It looks like there was a lot of extra stock sitting on the shelves and someone decided to get rid of them on the new bike.

Want to see the 8-Ball.

Why can't I get the whitewalls for my Vision?
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