Victory Vegas 8-Ball
VICTORY VEGAS 8-BALL
ROUNDUP
QuickRide
WITH AMERICAN CONsumers tightening their purse strings in our troubled economy, more motorcycle buyers find themselves considering the merits of a manufacturer’s most value-based model instead of a fully loaded, chromed and accessorized version. For Victory Motorcycles, that position is occupied by its Vegas 8-Ball.
As its name implies, the 8-Ball comes in one color and one color only: black. Along with the glossy fuel tank and fenders, the wheels, handlebar, mirrors, tripletrees, belt guard, sprocket, swingarm and shock covers all provide a total eclipse of the typical cruiser’s chrome treatment. Cost-saving measures are found within the Freedom 100/5 powertrain as well, in that it features a five-speed gearbox sans the overdrive sixth cog present in every other model in the line (aside from the Kingpin 8-Ball). This omission is certainly no deal-breaker,
however, as the 100-cubicinch (1634cc), 50-degree, air-cooled, fuel-injected V-Twin rumbles along very contently at freeway speeds.
While the 26.5-inch seat height is a popular draw among shorter riders, the 8-Ball’s relatively low $13,799 base price and blank-canvas styling make it an attractive platform for customer personalization. Putting that theory to the test, our bike came fitted with a few of the more popular items from the Pure Victory
Gear accessory catalog.
We found the Mini Standard 16-inch-tall windscreen ($280) to our liking. It did a nice job of parting the wind and extending the smooth-running machine’s comfort range. The add-on leather saddlebags ($660 with quick-attach, locking brackets) offer enough carrying capacity for a weekend getaway. Traveling Bronson style with a bed roll lashed down? The matching black solo luggage rack ($150) bolts to the existing pas-
senger seat mounts and provides a solid cargo perch. Passenger accommodations are not included, but a pillion and peg set ($350) is available. No free ride here!
One of the more notable updates Victory has made across its entire ’09 cruiser line has been pre-wiring for easy installation of its accessory cruise control. This is the same full-feature unit found on the flagship 10th Anniversary Vision Tour and perhaps the best $400 one could spend for the long haul.
Seamless torque, nimble, sure-footed handling and capable brakes all add up to a cruising experience that doesn’t leave you idling at the curb when the road gets interesting.
The $ 15,000-plus required to replicate our test unit buys a refined and reliable American motorcycle. And if that has any small role in helping get our country back on its wheels, then it’s a resounding Victory for a good cause.
Don Canet
