Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Rode a Victory today

An '05 Kingpin, to be precise.

My Triumph dealer is also a Vic dealer, so while they were making a few adjustments to my TBA, the dealership's owner urged me to try out the Vic.

Frankly, I've been thinking of getting something a little heavier than the TBA, and the Vic was one of my considerations, so I was quite interested to ride it.

Friends, stick with your TBA's or Speedys (not that you weren't planning to!). For one thing, the Vic vibrates. Especially the tank, which you feel in your legs. I had thought the feeling of power would be significantly greater than with the TBA, as the engine is twice the capacity. It does pull, but it doesn't have that feeling of catlike readiness to leap ahead that my TBA has. More like a big, strong truck than a sports car. Loved the big Brembo brakes, though.

Also, while keeping in mind that this was a bone stock bike and the Stage 1 would have made a big difference, the engine noise was more of a rattle than anything else. Not a very pleasant sound, I must say.

I did a few curves and a bit of freeway, and it did seem to handle well. The seating position would make most Speedy owners feel right at home...a little forward lean to reach the bars, unlike the TBA.

For the money, you could buy one TBA AND one Speedy. My verdict? A nice bike, but not worth the money.

Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV).

Philip

i was also amazed after riding a buddies 1600 roadstar how there not really insane over the ba/speedy. shocking how an opened up 790 can run with bigger bikes. i bet if you got the ebc full floating brakes and a big bore it would put everyhting else next to that victory

Frank

I live 25 miles from Daytona Beach and have demo'd quite a few bikes, Victory, Harley, yamaha, kawasaki, suzuki, Indian and even a excelsior henderson. And can't forget Triumphs.When I first sat on a victory, couldn't believe how balenced it was. Almost threw it over bringing it up right off kick stand. Center of gravity was very low. But when I demo'd it vibration galore. Still looks like a harley, be hard to pick out in a crowd. My america is smooth, cool and runs like a dream with the looks everyone adores.