2012 Victory High-Ball Review

[administrator]

Seizing a trend, if not leading it from the start, Victory Motorcycles now has more than one blacked-out motorcycle in its line-up. With the 8-Ball editions of its Vegas, Kingpin, Hammer and Vision, 2012 welcomes a white-walled wonder called the High-Ball.

Touting the same matte-black paint scheme and night-crawler good looks as the other 'Balls, this model reaches for a different audience with its signature high-rise handlebars and whitewall tires.

Stuffed inside the steel perimeter frame is the familiar air/oil-cooled Freedom 106-cubic-inch V-Twin, which in a recent test cranked out numbers that embarrass a Harley TC96. Measured at the rear wheel, Victory's mill cranked out 77.5 peak horsepower at 5250 rpm compared to Harley's low-60s hp peak. Torque, too, is substantial, twisting out 88.9 ft-lb at 4250 rpm. All attitude and lots of go-go juice.

We got our ride on this pub-crawler at the mother of all motorcycle rallies, Daytona Beach Bike Week, amidst the parading masses and turning heads. Being more in tune with the boulevard than the canyons, the High-Ball fits right in on Main street, and Florida isn't known for it's twisty roads anyhow. And the public took notice of the distinctive 'Ball.

More: 2012 Victory High-Ball Review on Motorcycle.com

[BBob]

Sure wish I could afford to have one of these keeping my XC company in the garage. I'd have it set up very similar to the one in the picture above. Shotgun pipes w/stage 1. Great power to weight ratio and very good sound. The cheese wedge replacement looks good on this model. Kinda spendy but nice.

The turn signals would definitely need to be replaced or at least put some smoked lenses on them. Side reflectors would be off the first day. I guess I'm one of the few who like the stock headlight. I think it looks good and goes with the flow of the bike.

[Henry]

"bob" chop and mount that rear fender to the swingarm for the love of GOD!

Of coruse, I think this should be done to the Vegas as well...

[brad]

Originally Posted by Henry

"bob" chop and mount that rear fender to the swingarm for the love of GOD!

Of coruse, I think this should be done to the Vegas as well...

If I didn't ride 2 up 90% of the time, I'd do just that. Maybe after I'm able to get another bike.

[BanditSRT8]

Originally Posted by Henry

"bob" chop and mount that rear fender to the swingarm for the love of GOD!

Of coruse, I think this should be done to the Vegas as well...

And add a round headlight, springer front end and a mini sissy bar. The look would be complete.

[leighhannah]

Originally Posted by BanditSRT8

And add a round headlight, springer front end and a mini sissy bar. The look would be complete.

...then just add a springer seat, pound out the scallops in the tank and paint H-D on the side. Voila, Crossbones!

IMHO, the HB is a bike with its own attitude. It pays homage to the old-school while also flaunting modern technology and styling.
I grant you, there are a lot of things I'd like to do cosmetically to my HB. But then I worry I'd be changing things just because that's what is socially accepted as "old-school." I let Blackheart tell me what it should look like. I think that's what "old-school" is truely about.

[Henry]

For me, the HB should have a tigher fender. But, then I would only have it as a solo bike, never 2-up.

And for me, I can't stand spoke wheels. Yuck!

[handies]

You've done a great job here.