Victory Motorcycles: PH2 Meets
PH2 catches up with Gary Gray, Director of Motorcycle Product at Victory
PH2: Most people know Victory as a cruiser manufacturer; what's going on?
Gary Gray: "When we purchased Indian back in 2011 it gave us the opportunity to free Victory up and really over-emphasise what it has always been. Victory bikes have always been built to handle well and go fast. All over the world we have seen people transition from sport or naked bikes onto cruisers without wanting to lose the fast guy card or fun factor. We have always believed a cruiser can handle and be fast and that's the underlying philosophy of Victory. This year we are out to prove that Victory offers American performance."
PH2: Is that the reason behind the TT and Pikes Peaks bikes?
GG: "Yes, the TT and Pikes Peak are two of the world's pinnacle races, one electric, one gas. Also, most weekends, we are out running quarter miles with our NHRA team. We are burning a lot of fuel to show what Victory is all about and prove technology for future products."
PH2: Do you need to separate yourselves from Indian's traditional image?
GG: "We aren't trying to separate from Indian, but we are just delivering a clear brand statement by going after performance."
PH2: Does that mean a younger audience?
GG: "Certainly, but also a lot of customers from 'metric bikes'. Things like Japanese sports bikes and adventure riders. We want people to give us another look."
PH2: Does that mean more dealers?
GG: "We have about 450 dealers in America, compared to Harley's 800 and some of the metric bikes are near 2,000. Polaris is looking at a whole of expanding internationally. At the moment our sales are about 25 per cent international, we want this way above 30 per cent, so that includes Europe as well as Brazil and India. You will see a bigger brand presence.
PH2: A few years ago Harley tried and failed to create a sportsbike arm with Buell, how is Victory different?
GG: "I hope we will be different. With Indian we are very clear about what the brand stands for and I think Victory can be what it wants to be. We are after two totally different people within the same category of cruiser riders. So far we are seeing what we are doing is working, so now we need to amplify it up a bit."
PH2: The Project 156 appears an upright naked bike, certainly not a cruiser. Is this the way the brand is likely to move?
GG: "No, that bike's priority is to prove American performance. It was built around a Victory prototype engine, but Roland Sands, who made the frame, created it as a purpose built bike to take on Pikes Peak. That's all that can be read from that bike. It's about demonstrating the Victory engine can be globally competitive just like we are doing at the TT with the electric bike.
PH2: Speaking of the electric bike, what's the future for electric?
GG: "At Polaris we see electric as an important part of the company. We see it in the future of all our vehicles and have been working with Brammo for three years to make products. As we move forward we are dedicated and excited about the electric future."
PH2: But what is the electric future - cruiser, scooter, off-road?
GG: "I think it is quite simply - yes! I can see off-road advantages once you can swap batteries. Commuters want a green vehicle. I think it makes sense when you build a pretty awesome sportsbike like we have and go race the TT. People talk about range anxiety, but look how far we have come. Superbikes only do two laps around the TT before needing refilling. How long did it take the gas bikes to get over 100mph around the TT? In just eight years electric bikes are over 117mph.
"Our technology is growing at an amazing rate and everyone in the electric industry believes a shift in battery technology is on the horizon. More storage and less space as well as a lower price will transform the electric market. When this breakthrough happens Victory and Polaris will be ready with the technology and distribution already established. We can drop the new battery on our product, the hard part is setting up the infrastructure and doing the learning."
PH2: Can you have an electric cruiser like the Harley LiveWire?
GG: "I think so for some. Not mainstream riders but some cruiser riders just like to ride around town so yes, it can make sense of those riders."
PH2: How big is Polaris?
GG: "Polaris is roughly a five-billion dollar company; we have plants in the US, Mexico, Poland and have operations in China and a joint venture in India with Eicher. We are on an almost daunting rapid growth rate, it's amazing how fast we are growing. Last year we doubled our first quarter motorcycle sales in North America, no one else is doing that. We are extremely serious."
PH2: Doesn't Eicher own Royal Enfield and build small capacity bikes?
GG: "Yes, we have a joint venture with them. Victory is going to expand but I can't talk about future products obviously. You are going to see some different things out of Victory in the future. We haven't announced what our partnership with Eicher is, you went directly to motorcycles, but it is a Polaris partnership and we haven't talked about what the vehicle is. I'm not saying it is a motorcycle."
It's possible to build a new type of 2 stroke, with new direct injection and porting (like the Aprillia 50) but the big manufacturers don't see the need to spend the money and time on it. Sadly.
Maybe one day.
It's possible to build a new type of 2 stroke, with new direct injection and porting (like the Aprillia 50) but the big manufacturers don't see the need to spend the money and time on it. Sadly.
Maybe one day.
they are very powerful around 150 hp and maybe 50% less oil usage than the older 2 strokes ,20mpg if ya lucky
usually a top end rebuild every 4-5000 kms
snowmobiles are legal road vehicles...albeit snow covered roads and license ,insurance tax and number plates are required
I also love the idea of an electric bike.
Zero makes some amazing stuff, at a reasonable price with good range. (10k, 150+ mi)
The LiveWire looks great, but fails to deliver on both points. (20k, 50mi)
I hope Polaris can overcome that and make a great looking electric bike at a reasonable price point with acceptable range. Sub 12k, with 100mi range would be great.
All the best too them, and if it means the usual powers are put under pressure in either performance, quality or price, it's only a good thing for us consumers!
i have 5 snowmobiles the smallest engine size is 500cc 2 stroke twin...70 ish hp...my 2 biggest are 800cc 3 stroke twins 150+hp .
mine are carb versions and the mountain sleds have an altitude compensator ..but the horse power loss is very noticeable
the fuel injection still lose power ..the only way is to turbo...
"Not only has the company bought Brammo's electric bike section...", but it was Polaris (Victory's owners) bought Brammo, not Victory. The bike may eventually be branded a Victory, but for the time being I am not aware that Victory owns Brammo.
"When we purchased Indian back in 2011...". Ditto, Victory did not buy Indian, Polaris bought Indian.
...and as an aside I'm delighted they did resurrect Indian; mine's been a gem for 5000 miles now. I rode a Victory for the first time last week, and while it's certainly a quality build with a nice V-twin and way lighter than the Indian; it felt built down to a price...unlike the Chief. But then again, one's twice the price of the other. But for a lighter V-twin than the Chief, I think my first port-of-call would be an Indian Scout...and again that looks built down to a price too, although I haven't ridden one yet.
But I will admit my Chief Vintage does indeed have leather fringes and chrome-aplenty...so you probably won't like it
The engine, though, is a peach. Very linear power delivery, Lorraine said just like her old XJR1300, the drivetrain is good, and the finish and brakes are well up to the bike. There was one early on with all the goodies on it, they looked well made too.
Apart from the rear shocks, the bike was very pleasant to ride, but it is a bit like the old Yamaha XVS650 Dragster, in that it suits taller, leggier people. I'm 5'8", Lorraine is 5'7", we both wanted the bars two inches further back, and the same with the footrests. A shame because she had her card with her to buy one on the spot, she's now waiting for her ride on a 1200 Sportster next week to decide which way she wants to go.
I also rode the new Victory Magnum X1, nice bike, sumptuous finish, but I kept getting a face full of water off the fairing over the bumps. It was raining and the water built up, then came over the almost non-existent screen, every decent bump we hit. Ok on a short test ride, but you'd get sick of it on a long run.
Also rode the Chieftain, so I have now ridden all the Indians except for the base model. Yet again a magic carpet ride, very sure-footed, super comfy, nice wind and rain protection, made my mind up. I'm having a Roadmaster next year, just need to see the colour schemes when they are released at Sturgis.
Enjoy the Chief; I went down to the Indian Riders international rally the other weekend - I'll post some pictures when I get round to it - 1000 miles round trip, mostly in pi$$ing rain but the Chief just ate it up. Ran it up the Prescott Hill Climb with the screen and bags on, and it acquitted itself fairly well too.
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