My local dealer does Victory too. Not my thing at all, but I have to say that I have been impressed by the build quality and overall engineering of the bikes when I have taken a look. I might be missing something, but they do seem "better" than a Harley.

They do shift though - decent power output and modern engineering means that the bigger engine ones can shift.

Its Polaris the US quad bike company trying to take on Harley in the US ...they do offer an alternative to the traditional HD and better on some models in some ways. The tourers are nicely done in particular

their marketing is too similar to Harley, change the badge and you couldnt tell what the advert is for ...thats where they go wrong IMO on home ground and why most Americans think they are a "harley wannabe" brand...lets face it, HD have over 60% of the new bike market out there and could do with some home grown competition

nice bikes in their own right if you want that kind of thing, I spent a while looking at them last year, ultimately ending up with a Harley...they hold their value pretty much better than most things

Thanks for all the info

My first impressions exactly.

I think this is my preference in matt black - they're currently doing a special in black Hammer S 106 or something. I just love the size of that back wheel I'd just change the bars to Ape types.

I could go for a Fatboy but the price just puts me off. The equivalent Victory's seem a lot cheaper.

Top info Colin. This sums up the appeal for me.

Where's the best place to look secondhand? (although I do fancy a newie )

I first saw a Victory At Thunder Road in Brimingham while stuck in traffic. Went around the block, parked up an went to have a look. It was a stunning White Jackpot 2007 model. It looked amazing.

Gil the owner invited me in to look at the other bikes and spent most of the afternoon talking bikes with me. At this stage I didn't even have a bike licence. I went back a number of times to look at the Victory's (still without a licence) a number of times. I eventually did my DAS full bike licence.

I tried a couple of Harley's and a Triumph Crusier. Then Gil at Thunder Road let me ride out on a Victory. Brand new licence and a 1731cc. Not many people running a small business would have done that IMHO.

The afternoon on a Victory Vegas was amazing and I had to have one.

I would have loved to have had the Jackpot but wanted to also go touring and the Vegas was the better bike for me.

I took delivery of a brand new 2011 Vegas 8-ball and did 7000 miles in my first 12 months. The Victory's are simply stunning and have great build quality and finish. They are also very reliable.

More to the point the Vegas and other Victory's are also great to ride out on. Riding through France touring and riding out in UK has been fantastic and I would not swap my Vegas for anything other than another Victory. I also like the fact that there are not that many in the UK.

I would also like to add that The staff at The Birmingham Victory dealership Thunder Road have been simply fantastic to deal with. From all the pre licence advice, encouragement, assistance, honest advice while selecting my bike of choice, after sales care, servicing, and friendship has been 1st rate. If any main dealership wants to understand customer care, take a look at this small family run business.

Thanks to Gil & Jude and all their staff for help to make motorcycle ownership so great.

Great bikes and even greater people to deal with.

Ever get the feeling I am pleased with Victory ownership? You bet....

A Victory is never going to be a Harley because it is a Victory. Who builds the best bike is subjective and arguments can go on for ages on that.

But I would not knock the Harley and I don't consider my Victory to be a Harley. It is a Victory and because both bikes are made in America they will always be compared.

The things that put me off having a Harley was the dealerships and their attitude towards customers and the fact that Harley could do more to enginer out known faults that they expect the customers to pay for. (I should point out that the last part of that comment came from a good number of the Harley owners I spoke to when looking in to the Harley range.

Out of the options on the Hammer and the Harley... It is the Hammer every time for me.

I guess the original poster of this thread will have to look at his options and find out what he likes the best and more to the point what bike he like riding and best suits his build. Out of all the Harleys I like the 883 Iron in Matt Black but for someone of my build the bike is totally wrong.

I don't hate Victory's, don't get me wrong. I would ride an 8 Ball or a Hammer S. I just don't think a Victory has the same reputation/image/style/sound and culture as the HD. I would prefer a Cross Bones to an 8 Ball or my Night Rod to a Hammer S when they are a similar price. A Victory would need to be at least a few grand minimum cheaper for me to buy one. As a used buy I think they would be good because they will not hold their value. In Australia you almost can't trade them in as no one wants them. They will always be seen as a Harley Wannabe. My mate bought a M109R which is a great bike (and miles cheaper than my Harley) but no one cares when they are parked next to each other as everyone just goes straight to the Harleys. I do agree that the Harley's for the price could be more finished but the problem is they still sell and then people spend more customising them so why would HD do more for the money when people will spend it anyway?

This was mine...

Now that is a nice bike Big Tav.

Thanks mate! I miss it everyday...

Can we have some Victory pics, you know, just to be able to compare to the Night Rod above?