What is New for 2011 – Ten Important Changes
1. POWER POWER POWER
The biggest news from Victory is that every 2011 model has the Victory Freedom® 106/6 V-Twin, a 106-ci firebreather paired with a totally redesigned 6-speed transmission. There are two versions of this engine.
• The Freedom 106/6 Stage 2 V-Twin with a special Stage 2 cam package unleashes 97 horsepower and 113 ft.-lb. of torque. This engine powers all cruiser models, including the three 8-Ball cruisers.
– Vegas Jackpot
– Hammer
– Hammer S
– Vegas
– Kingpin
– Hammer 8-Ball, Vegas 8-Ball and Kingpin 8-Ball
– Zach Ness Signature Series Vegas 8-Ball
• The Freedom 106/6 Stage 1 V-Twin produces an impressive 92 horsepower and 109 ft.-lb. of torque. It powers all 2011 touring models.
– Victory Vision Tour
– Victory Cross Country
– Victory Cross Roads
– Cory Ness Signature Series Cross Country
– Arlen Ness Signature Series Victory Vision Tour
2. PROVEN OUTSTANDING RELIABILITY = LESS MAINTENANCE
Victory has a track record of consistently outstanding reliability and dependability, which has led to the industry’s highest customer satisfaction ratings. This proven reliability, along with the new transmission design, allows Victory to recommend extended oil service intervals for 2011 drivetrains.
• The recommended oil change interval for 2011 models is every 5,000 miles.
• Less-frequent oil changes results in a lower cost of ownership.
We asked Victory engineer James Holroyd to comment on some of the changes in 2011. Regarding reliability, James says “This important improvement was made possible by the new transmission and its neutral-finder. Previous oil change intervals were dictated by oil breakdown making neutral harder to find at higher mileages. The neutral finder eliminates this problem, and allows you to get the full use out of your oil.”
3. NEW TRANSMISSION
The Victory drivetrain team scrutinized every component of the engine and transmission and fine-tuned the designs and performance of numerous parts. Approximately 40% of the drivetrain is new for 2011, with the transmission receiving so many improvements it is virtually a new transmission.
The changes: improve manufacturing efficiency and quality assurance; enhance the drive train’s already-impressive reliability; improve engine performance; and, for riders, improve ride-ability and deliver a more appealing-sounding transmission.
• In terms of operating sound, selected modulation frequencies have been eliminated. This produces a more-appealing sound – consistently in each gear. In 4th and 6th gears in particular, gear whine has been reduced. Additionally, whine from the primary gears has been practically eliminated, improving the sound quality of the bike at idle and at lower speeds.
• Driveline lash has been reduced by 66%. This smoothes out on-off throttle transitions and makes for a more pleasant ride, particularly at lower speeds.
• “Neutral Assist” has been added to make it easier for a rider to shift into neutral when stopped. This will reduce the rider’s effort, will reduce clutch wear and will lessen the performance demands on the oil.
James adds "You won't believe how well it works. The quieter transmission has also allowed us to increase the exhaust's noise level, making stock bikes sound better yet still pass the federally mandated sound limit. Stock never sounded so good!"
"We had to make serious changes inside the engine to achieve these improvements. Unfortunately, this means that the new transmission will not retrofit to previous model years."
4. VICTORY CROSS ROADS CORE CUSTOM PROGRAM
Traditionally, the only way a rider got a customized bike from a manufacturer is through a custom order program. A nice idea, but Victory came up with a much better one that lets a rider customize a new bike, see how the selected components look on the bike and then ride that bike home from the dealership!
The Victory Cross Roads CORE Custom Program allows a rider to select the bike color, saddlebag style and highway bar style, and add a windshield, if desired. There are 48 different possible combinations, and a display at Victory Dealerships will allow riders to see how their selections look – on an actual motorcycle in the showroom!
• Colors Available: Solid Crimson, Solid Black.
• Saddlebags: A rider can select hard bags such as those that are standard on the Victory Cross Country, or new soft saddlebags, which have a strong, formed interior and are covered by a grained vinyl and leather. The new soft bags feature a classic look with rivet trim and large leather straps.
• Highway Bars: The two styles available are the styled Forged Chrome Highway Bars and the Tube Chrome Highway Bars. Both styles bolt easily onto the bike, and if a rider chooses to ride without tip-over protection, covers are available to cover the mounting points on the bike frame.
• Windshields: A rider can add a protective Mid-Height Windshield that has drop-down “sideburns” that extend down to deflect air that would otherwise flow toward the rider’s mid-section. For further airflow management, Pure Victory offers Lower Wind Deflectors and Highway Bar Close-Outs as accessories. (Tall and short windshields are also available)
• Victory dealers will stock these components so a rider can select the combination that suits his style preferences and riding needs, then ride home on his new customized Victory Cross Roads.
5. NEW TRUNK FOR VICTORY CROSS COUNTRY/CROSS ROADS
Touring riders can put away their tools. The new Lock & Ride® Trunk from Pure Victory can be installed on a Cross Country or Cross Roads in seconds, and removed just as quickly – without tools.
To install a trunk, a rider simply aligns the trunk mounting legs with mounting points at the rear of the bike and snaps down the locking arm. The trunk’s power cord connects easily to the bike’s electrical system to power the taillight at the rear of the trunk lid, the audio speakers and the accessory power outlet inside the trunk. To remove the trunk, simply reverse the process. When the trunk is on the bike, a locking pin can be added for theft prevention and additional peace of mind.
• The trunk has more than enough room for two full-face helmets.
• The trunk lid seals securely, is lockable and provides the bike with a high-mounted taillight.
• The front face of the trunk has a comfortable, padded passenger backrest and dual audio speakers.
• Each 2011 Cross Country and Cross Roads comes with a spare lock cylinder so a trunk can be locked with the bike’s ignition key.
• Trunk-related accessories available from Pure Victory include: Passenger Armrests, Trunk Luggage Rack (mounts atop lid), and Trunk Liner. (Each accessory sold separately).
James also puts to rest some questions he knows are out there about the trunk: “Yes, you can add a trunk to a 2010 Cross Roads or Cross Country. Yes, the lights and speakers will work. C'mon guys, nobody noticed the extra electrical connector under the left hand side cover? We thought for sure that we'd be rumbled by now.”
“Yes, the trunk light is also a brake light, for increased rearward visibility and safety. The lights are LED, naturally.”
“The antenna for the radio and optional CB stay with the bike, so you don't have to worry about swapping wires or re-mounting the antenna when installing or removing the trunk. Trunk removal or installation can be done in minutes, with no tools. Finally there's a touring bike that can get you to the rally with all your gear then strip down when you get there.”
Enough said…the trunk is real, and it is here!
6. ABS STANDARD ON VICTORY VISION
The Victory Vision has several noteworthy improvements for 2011, including:
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is standard on the Victory Vision Tour and Arlen Ness Signature Series Victory Vision. Sensors on each wheel monitor wheel speed, and if they sense slippage or wheel lock, the ABS provides instant, effective braking to slow the vehicle and help the rider maintain control.
• New tubular handlebars offer easy steering control and can accept mounts and clamps so a rider can add a cup holder and all common electrical device mounts.
• The dampers have been removed from the side storage compartment covers for easier opening.
• Passenger handholds have a black, textured finish so a passenger has a better gripping surface and there’s no paint to nick or scratch.
• The redesigned exhaust tips now resemble those of the Victory Cross Country.
7. UPGRADES FURTHER ENHANCE 8-BALL VALUE
The outstanding value delivered by the 2011 8-Ball models is greater than ever. Value- and style-enhancing upgrades to the 8-Ball models include:
• All 8-Ball models have a 6-speed transmission. In previous years, all except the Victory Vision 8-Ball had 5-speed transmissions.
• All 8-Ball cruisers (listed below) have the Freedom 106/6 Stage 2 V-Twin, which has a special Stage 2 cam package and produces 97 horsepower and 113 ft.-lb. of torque.
– Hammer 8-Ball, Vegas 8-Ball and Kingpin 8-Ball.
• The Victory Vision 8-Ball uses the Freedom 106/6 Stage 1 V-Twin, which produces 92 horsepower and 109 ft.-lb. of torque.
• The 8-Ball cruisers (Hammer 8-Ball, Vegas 8-Ball and Kingpin 8-Ball) all have the stylish “Bullet” headlight and have black ceramic-coated exhaust shields and mufflers. The headlight on each model is black, of course. This headlight adds a more modern, custom look, easier serviceability, and also has an improved beam pattern for better visibility at night.
• The Victory Vision 8-Ball has passenger pegs rather than floorboards for a cleaner look that enhances the 8-Ball styling.
8. 2011 NESS SIGNATURE SERIES MODELS
The 2011 Victory lineup is the first in motorcycle history to include limited-edition custom bikes from three generations of custom bike builders. The legendary Arlen Ness, his son Cory, and Cory’s son Zach have each styled a Ness Signature Series model that will be produced in limited numbers and will include a numbered plate with a facsimile of the customizer’s signature.
• The Arlen Ness Signature Series Victory Vision features several Scrolled Ness accessories, custom paint designed by Arlen, several chrome or billet Ness accessories, diamond-cut cylinders, a stitched custom leather seat, a trunk, and more.
• The Cory Ness Signature Series Victory Cross Country features numerous Ness chrome or billet accessories, diamond-cut cylinders, billet wheels, a custom suede seat, Sunset Red paint with custom graphics designed by Cory, and more.
• The Zach Ness Signature Series Vegas 8-Ball is the first Victory production model styled by the Ness family’s up-and-coming young customizer. Among his custom creations to date, Zach previously customized a Victory Kingpin that gained widespread media attention and was featured at bike shows across North America. The 2011 Zach Ness model features several Ness accessories, suede black paint with custom graphics designed by Zach, a stitched custom leather seat, and more.
9. ENHANCED INSTRUMENTATION
All cruisers now have instrumentation similar to that of the Victory Cross Roads, which provides a riders with a wealth of information in one, easy-to-read location. The new instrumentation includes:
• An analog speedometer, which may be set to show MPH or KPH
• A gear indicator
• Blue backlighting.
• A large LCD that displays: Clock (time of day is viewable at all times), gear position, tachometer and diagnostic readouts for Victory dealership service technicians.
• The gauge face includes lights such as high-beam and neutral indicators and the oil warning light. Cruisers no longer have these indicator lights atop the triple clamps.
• The Cross Roads instrumentation also has an always-viewable fuel gauge.
10. CHASSIS CHANGES ACROSS THE LINEUP
• All brake calipers, rotors, lower belt guards, and floorboards are black.
• All left- and right-hand switch cubes are black, as are the audio control switch block and cruise control switch block.
• The triple clamp is black on all models except the Vegas Jackpot (which retains its chrome triple), and the Victory Cross Roads (which retains its brushed finish).
• A new side stand on each model features an integrated hooked-end design for easy locating and easy control of the side stand.
• All cruiser exhausts have a larger outlet for improved sound quality and a lower exhaust note.
James adds "This combined with the new transmission sounds much better at idle and low speeds."