Victory Motorcyle vs Crotch Rocket?

9422 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Big V, Jul 24, 2009

Badk4life

Discussion Starter · Jun 30, 2009

So I've been riding rockets(Yamaha R6) most of my life. I've grow up with dirt bikes and cruisers as well. I just turned 28 and its time to buy my dream bike. My wife is pushing me to get a cruiser instead of a new Yamaha R1. She thinks rockets are more dangerous than cruisers. Not to mention more comfortable for her to sit on back.

Here is my problem I'm used to unlimited power and speed of a rocket. I have agreed to at lease test drive a few cruisers to keep an open mind. Last weekend my buddy let me drive his Honda VTX 1300. I almost fell asleep. I gave it full wrist and was not impressed at all. I had it up to 85mph and it felt like I was beating it just to get there. I'm not some kid looking to get laid from his bike. I don't ever ride like and idiot in public. I do enjoy my bike on back roads in safe conditions. I want a bike that looks good and has plenty of power to play when I'm alone. Also comfortable for me and the wife if we just wanna crusie.

So in your opinion will a Victory satisfy my speed and power needs? I have not ridden one just yet but hear good things and love the looks of the Vegas and Hammer. Has anyone else crossed over from a rocket to a cruiser and been satisfied, or do you miss the power of the rocket? Any opinions welcome.

Thanks,
Andy

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ABI

· #2 · Jun 30, 2009 (Edited)

I've been riding sport bikes for over 20 years and recently have had a few cruisers(Mean Streak, Boulevard and now a Vegas). I currently own a 04 Hayabusa and have had it for 3 years. Seeing as your used to sport bikes just about any cruisers is going to feel slow, at least they do to me. But I can say that my Vegas is by far the quickest V-twin I've ever ridden and it's really loud so that makes it seem even faster. The only down side to an R1(I used to own one) I could see is the 2-up riding. There is no way a passenger is going to be comfortable on that for very long. If you like breaking into triple digit speeds regularly or riding the twisties hard you will miss the sportbike. Here is a pic of my Vegas

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Gashouse Gorilla

· #3 · Jul 1, 2009

Andy,
I'm similar in age at 33 and owned a CBR600RR for a few years. I traded it in on a Vegas 8-Ball. Although I miss the speed of my sport bike, the cruiser is the way to go. If you are doing any sort of distance riding your body will thank you. There are all kinds of nice cruisers out the but as far as I'm concerned, Victory is the way to go.

FTW

· #4 · Jul 1, 2009

I am a new rider and I wasn't really sure which way to go w/ a sports bike or a cruiser and i test drove several different ones. However when I rode a Victory it was the best bike that i rode. No offense to the others sport or cruiser bikes but it was the one for me. I bought a 2009 Victory Vegas 8 ball. By the way ABI where did you or how did you get that rear fender?

ronfox

· #5 · Jul 1, 2009

hi if you wont comfort and speed and the clasic bike look check out the kingpin it has it all and your wifes ass will love it with a tour pack or sissie on it i cont get out of the shop with out here. now i have a v-92 bobber and she cant ride on it THATS MY TIME.
GOOD LUCK ON ANY BIKE YOU BUY BUT TEST A VIC YOU WONT BE SORRY.

ABI

· #6 · Jul 1, 2009 (Edited)

FTW said:
I am a new rider and I wasn't really sure which way to go w/ a sports bike or a cruiser and i test drove several different ones. However when I rode a Victory it was the best bike that i rode. No offense to the others sport or cruiser bikes but it was the one for me. I bought a 2009 Victory Vegas 8 ball. By the way ABI where did you or how did you get that rear fender?

I made it out a 1980 Suzuki rear fender. I've done two different bikes with them now. They have a great round shape and fit 180-200 tires very well.

05 Suzuki C50

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2

FTW

· #7 · Jul 1, 2009

Did you fabricate the brackets or did buy them and I'm guessing you tapped the holes in the rear swing arm because I looked at the swing arm and it doesn't have any holes for a modification like yours.

ABI

· #8 · Jul 1, 2009

FTW said:
Did you fabricate the brackets or did buy them and I'm guessing you tapped the holes in the rear swing arm because I looked at the swing arm and it doesn't have any holes for a modification like yours.

Yes I fabbed the braces out of 2" X .25" bar and drilled/tapped holes in the swingarm. The swingarm is over .75" thick on the top so there is pleanty of aluminum to tap. I also drilled/tapped the front mounting holes. I also lengthened the fender by about 4" to bring it back on the tire a little further and welded on the rear mounting tabs.

worm5932

· #9 · Jul 2, 2009

abi what model suzuki? and is that a 200 tire?

ABI

· #10 · Jul 2, 2009

worm5932 said:
abi what model suzuki? and is that a 200 tire?

I'm not sure what model but I know I've found them on a 1979 and 1980 and they are chrome. I got them out of the local m/c salvage yard.

Yes, it's a 200 Avon Venom

FTW

· #11 · Jul 2, 2009

Thanks ABI really appreciate the info and that is a really nice looking bike.

clepidus

· #12 · Jul 3, 2009

Victory will run with the best!

I screwed up and forgot to look at your location before posting this. The Victory dealer in Tucson has a tech that can get you as much power out of the 100CI Freedom motor as you could ever want. I am in OK and he is the only man who ever touched my bike other than me. I have an 08 8ball pushing about 160 to the ground. (Done on the Harley Dyno and Victory Dyno as well). It was not cheap but fairly simple mods. I have a stroked motor (106 crank) PC3, minor piston work,and a mild cam. Of course the heads are ported and polished and I have a Bassani 2-1 exhaust.

This bike screams and will run with the new crotch rockets until the front end gets squirelly on me. Still trying to work the kinks out of that.

If power is the issue it wont be with a Victory!

Badk4life

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 7, 2009

thanks

thanks for all the info and input. I am trying to take life a little slower but I just cannot right now. I'm sure I will own a Victory someday but not sure if I'm ready to give up the speed and power of a rocket just yet. If someone would make me a wish foundation and send me a new Victory so both the wife and I can be happy that would be great

ABI:
I agree I would love a Victory but you yourself must get your kicks off the power of a rocket. If you own a busa you know better than I do about power. Someday i will have it as good as you with both my cake and ice cream.

clepidus:
I'm sure you can get 160rwhp out a victory but at what cost. That was the first thing I did is see how much a new factory vic would be, then add on a big boar, pistons, cam etc. I figured that to be over 20k+ to get the horses I'm used to, and that's not including any cosmetics! Or I put 9K on a new 08 R1 turn the key and have at least 160rwhp + with a few mods(nos, exhaust, power commander) I can add another 50-100HP for only a few grand and no engine mods. Not to mention the R1 will not get scared at 120 but will beg for more.

I don't want to come on a victory forum and say rockets are better cause they are not. They do not have the character or class of a victory in my opinion. Again this is personal and need to get speed out of my system. I've already had a major wreck that almost cost me my life on a rocket yet in crutches and casts I was still puttin her back together again. Its that **** grin off my face when some old dude pulls up in a 60k car and I have no problem showing him what a bike of performance can do. Speed it's a drug!

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worm5932

· #14 · Jul 8, 2009

i was in your shoes......love my stock 8 ball with the front wheel off the ground!!!

ABI

· #15 · Jul 9, 2009

Badk4life said:
thanks for all the info and input. I am trying to take life a little slower but I just cannot right now. I'm sure I will own a Victory someday but not sure if I'm ready to give up the speed and power of a rocket just yet. If someone would make me a wish foundation and send me a new Victory so both the wife and I can be happy that would be great

ABI:
I agree I would love a Victory but you yourself must get your kicks off the power of a rocket. If you own a busa you know better than I do about power. Someday i will have it as good as you with both my cake and ice cream.

clepidus:
I'm sure you can get 160rwhp out a victory but at what cost. That was the first thing I did is see how much a new factory vic would be, then add on a big boar, pistons, cam etc. I figured that to be over 20k+ to get the horses I'm used to, and that's not including any cosmetics! Or I put 9K on a new 08 R1 turn the key and have at least 160rwhp + with a few mods(nos, exhaust, power commander) I can add another 50-100HP for only a few grand and no engine mods. Not to mention the R1 will not get scared at 120 but will beg for more.

I don't want to come on a victory forum and say rockets are better cause they are not. They do not have the character or class of a victory in my opinion. Again this is personal and need to get speed out of my system. I've already had a major wreck that almost cost me my life on a rocket yet in crutches and casts I was still puttin her back together again. Its that **** grin off my face when some old dude pulls up in a 60k car and I have no problem showing him what a bike of performance can do. Speed it's a drug!

Get that new R1 if you still like that speed. They are sweet. You're not that old(28), you're still a kid, I'm 10+ years older than you and I still like to push my bike over 150 on a regular basis. I've just learned when and where to do it. You're right on the 160hp problem with a Victory. You could probably get one there but it'll cost more than it's worth IMO. Even at 160hp a Victory still won't compete with a crotch rocket, they're just not designed for speed, a 600cc rocket will whip a built Vegas if any cornering is required. Two completely different animals.

Have you looked at a new B-king or V-max($$$)? Tons of power but somewhat of a cruiser/more comfort.

Stay safe with whatever you get.

pittsburgh03vegas

· #16 · Jul 11, 2009

my brother is dedicated to the V11 Moto Guzzis and was impressed with my Vegas

Big V

· #17 · Jul 24, 2009 (Edited)

Vegas 104 ci

bought a 08 vehgas, got pissed when they short time later came out with 106 ci oh well, never had a sport bike to big/old now BUT had Lloydz build a 104 kit for me, no head work small cam. let me say when I bang 4th gear, I'm coming of the seat, it pushing that hard, of course I'm in the upright position, not like a sport bike hiding behide the windshield, before I went to Rolling Thunder I had to put a windshield on as I been sick for three years and could not deal with the wind at 75 mph on the highway, now when I bang fourth gear I don't come off, although I'm going a little slower with the shield on, have a 260 mm rear tire which at my weight I can't break on bare pavement, there is NO dip on my dyno graph, just a 45 degree power/tq curve and there is more power to be had, just pay for it, no its not one of those super bikes, but Lloydz will build you a 140hp model, I wonder what THAT feels like. its there you just have to look!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big V

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