2008 Victory Vision: Refreshingly Original Take on Luxury Touring Bike

From PopularMechanics.com - Blogs: Automotive News:

Long, low and fearlessly styled, Victory's all-new Vision intends to play hardball against the touring flagships from BMW, Harley-Davidson and Honda. But don't let its slick, fashion-forward bodywork fool you: The 450 miles we logged on Vision's Street (pictured below at right) and Touring (above) models were a surprisingly visceral experience. The heart of the Vision—both visually and emotionally—is a throbbing, 1,731-cc, air-cooled V-twin. Exposed within the bodywork for all to see, the fuel-injected, 92-hp mill warms your calves and thumps out a guttural song, providing 90 percent of its 109 lb.-ft. of torque at a mere 2,000 rpm. Twisting the throttle delivers hearty acceleration in any gear, though the Vision's personality is better suited for a laid-back cruise than a stoplight drag race. Linked brakes take the guesswork out of panic stops, but in adherence to old-school bike-building habits, ABS is not an option. To smooth out urban potholes, Victory developed a mono air shock-equipped rear suspension. It's adjusted by inflation: For a stiffer ride, simply pump compressed air into the system via a Schroeder valve. And that's handy when you're riding two-up, loaded with gear.

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