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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Personnally, I like it a lot. I still wouldn't give up my Vision for it, but that bike puts the touring platform into a new level. The marketing video has an appeal to it and hits a target, I think. But what do you all think?Personnally, I get tired of hearing about how Victory is trying to follow Harley, when the truth is, they are following the money. Hey, that's what they are in business for, but I like Victory's passion behind the business. This Hard Ball is going to play hard ball in the market.
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Cruiser
Posts: 94
milwaukee wisconsin | wow thats all they could come up with is to put apes on a crossroads i think the creaters at victory ran head long into a wall and droped the once again i expected much more from victory i wonder if they lost there drive to be the best !! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | a previous model just with hardbags? kinda neat. i hope they sell alot of them. anything to get more victorys out there ... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 161
Oregon. | Hmmmm, not sure what to think. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 170
Barrington, NH | Paint, handlebars(not even new ones, let alone ones off a differnt production model), and wheels dont make a new model. I think the bike looks decent but overall I am severely dissapointed with the "new" model  |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | YAWN almost as exciting as room temprature vanilla pudding |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | Victory sticking with the "factory custom" approach. Take a cool bike and save the owner from having to figure out what bags, spokes and bars fit. Some are into the self customization, others just want to get out and ride. It's all good. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 66
Oklahoma City | varyder - 2011-12-09 7:55 PM
Personnally, I like it a lot. I still wouldn't give up my Vision for it, but that bike puts the touring platform into a new level.
+1 I would get one for strictly in town use, and leave the Vision for long trips. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 5
| I really like it. I have a new favorite victory but I wont pay the 19k MSRP. Not for what it is. I will wait until the price mellows out some that is for sure. I can sure see myself on it though. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 277
Apopka, FL | I like it. Like was said earlier... follow the money, make what sells to get more Vics out there. Probably should be called a Cross Roads variation vs a new model, but I'm not in marketing.
Personally not for me, but it is different nonetheless. Great bad-ass marketing video. Should have extended the video a bit to have a half dozen or more bikes following, picking up more as he rode. Should have had a few MoCo bikes trailing way back trying to catch up and get a clue---I mean glimpse! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I would really like to have another bike for 1-day trips and kickin around town. I would consider the Hard Ball for that. As for longer trips and below freezing temp (like today's trip to work) I will still own a Vision. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
| Boring...and definitely NOT an all new bike like the teasers promoted. Looks like a response to the HD Dyna Switchback.
If you are going to hype something as an "all new bike" please make it something more exciting than a blacked out XR with ape hangers. Very disappointed in the hype on this "brand extension" model. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | Thank you all for convincing me not to waste my 'invaluable' time viewing whatever it is. I'm sure I will see one at my dealer at my next service....
(there is only ONE m/c I care about .... )
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Cruiser
Posts: 58
San Clemente | I was very disappointed. The Duc though was un real. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | We'll see, could be a seller ??? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 51
Arizona | I like the bike personally, but I'm not going to purchase one. But Victory already know's that. Market research!!!
That's why it's targeted to a completely different audience, perhaps say those consumers who are actually looking to purchase a bike. Just saying.
Keep up the good work VICTORY!
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Cruiser
Posts: 51
Arizona |
Edited by craigar 2011-12-10 3:34 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 104
ROCHESTER,NY | Wow, what is with all you na sayer's??? What did you expect,REALLY!!!!!! A new spin on the "V". How could they do anything more to the BEST bike on the road!!!!!! With that said, Cool looking bagger!!!!!!!!! That is just what Vic. needed to do, I personally loved the H.B. GREAT JOB BY VICTORY. If I could afford to own 2 bike's. I would buy it, just for around town, or when the ole' laddy wasn't with me. All you nay sayer's PUT A SOCK IN IT!!!!!!!!
RIDE HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!LIVE FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DIE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 185
Rhode Island | Don't really like it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 185
Rhode Island | Don't really like it. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| I like it, don't know if I would buy one. I certainly wouldn't give up my Vision for one. I've got a Harley for short trips but I might pick up a Vegas in a year or so and retire the Harley. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | I've never liked the flat black (or flat any color) look. So I don't like it. like the handlebars. And why leave off the kewl XC Crash bar for s crappy old round one? And I'm a little pissed as the XC is now the flagship over the Vision. And doubly so as they dropped the Vision 8 ball.
But it's all about what joe average wants. And this will be a hit. Good job Vic. I think you hit anoother one out of the park. But to play in the big leagues, you need a much bigger accessory catalog. MUCH BIGGER.
Edited by MaddMAx2u 2011-12-10 6:07 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 48
Simpsonville, SC | Not a big fan of Apes, but if I wanted one, I'd go buy a new cross roads for $13K in Atlanta and customize it myself. $19K for one of these is unrealistic. |
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Tourer
Posts: 324
New Orleans, La, | I to was not a big fan of apes, but the High Ball and now the Hard Ball are begining to change my mind. The more I see of the Hard Ball the more I like it and the video certainly discourages ignorance prior to investigation. Victory is doing alot of the same things the Motor Company has done for years and very few have commented on them rewindow dressing an existing model. HD has 3 basic platforms in different dress, the soft tail, the Dyna, and the Vrod, that's it. Victory has 2 basic platforms the Vegas and the Core and pretty much all companies that have 1 engine design sell redressed versions of the same platform, ie Ducatti, Moto Guzzi, you get the picture. Only the Japs have multiple engine layouts inwhich to build completely different models and even they build most of the variants on the platforms that appear to sell best. Bottom line don't blame Victory blame the fickle buying consumer for they determine what product flies and what crashes and burns. Personally of the black ball models I'll play Hard Ball. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 965
New York State | Black paint and a set of bars do not a new bike make. |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | I really like it, but I won't do tubed tires. I think HD's new bikes, although showing spokes, are actually sealed in 2012? I also know you can have your spoked wheel sealed somewhere, but I am sure it is pricey. I like the red stripes on the rims, and all over the flat black paint.
Herb |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| Just as the High Ball should have been named the Vegas High-Ball, this bike should be properly named the Cross Roads Hard-Ball. Those who have stated that Victory is simply going where the money is at are entirely correct as the bagger and custom bagger market is what is currently in high demand right now in what is basically a flat sales period for all large displacement motorcycles. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| g1nomad - 2011-12-10 8:50 AM I really like it, but I won't do tubed tires. I think HD's new bikes, although showing spokes, are actually sealed in 2012? I also know you can have your spoked wheel sealed somewhere, but I am sure it is pricey. I like the red stripes on the rims, and all over the flat black paint. Herb Herb, if I remember correctly a few years back on the VTXOA forum they were discussing this about the spoked Retro models (both the VTX 1300 and 1800) and I believe there is a company in Pennsylvania that seals spoked rims for approximately $200 per rim and has a lifetime guarantee on their work.
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | I hope they sell thousands, will be good for the company............. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 262
Flowery Branch Ga | I like the overall look. I personally don't like spoke wheels, red pinstipes, or ape hangers. Take the flat black paint, black accents on the motor, and the blacked out chrome put it all on a Vision with no trunk, cast wheels, cruise, heated grips, and powered mid hieght windshield and call it the New 8Ball Vision. I think the co. is playing it smart by using an existing platform to dress up as a different bike and then hypeing the crap out of it. It's all about marketing and name recognition. JMHO
Wane |
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Tourer
Posts: 323
Troy, NY | I agree with people here. It's a Cross Roads blacked out with Apes and pricey. For $2k more you could get a Vision. I was surprised people stated they would get this to ride around town and the Vision for long trips. I do both with the Vision and enjoy it immensely regardless of short trip or riding around town. If I was in the market for a "new" bike, I would still get a Vision......the Ness one 😃 |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| I personally do not care for it...Not into black bikes, apes, etc...But if the Vic marketing people know their jobs, probably, it will sell well enough...I, like some other Vision riders, are a little ticked off that the new CCT has supposedly become the top-of-the-line bike. I have ridden both and will stick with the Vision...I hope Victory leaves it alone on styling as it has no peers right now....Those that want a fork mounted fairing and huge ugly bags,IMHO, can ride the CCT which is also a first class machine.....My 2cents |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Now you would be crazy to buy the high ball with the new bike offering the bags you can do so much more. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1340
Gainesville Fl Home of the Gators | Pretty much just what I figured it to be. A little shocked by the prices, but I do like the look |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 639
Tri Cities, WA | I can see the market they are targeting with this bike and it makes sense IMO. It looks like a cross between a highball and a cross roads all molded together. At least those with CR/HB bikes know they can make there's look really close to this new ride from Victory. You don't have to wax this one either LOL. I also see the price being a tad high it should be more around the $16,900 range IMO. It would fit more younger folks budgets. |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | I like it, but won't leave my Vision for it! I do like the music though. Anybody know anything about the music? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | gcefalo......19k for this new puppy? You have got to be kidding me. That price is a killer for the bike IMHO. Way to rich. I'm with you, bgut the XR and do your own custom thing.
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Now its priced more then a harley roadking. But it all read has the apes and abs. Still not worth it. Like I said before goof bye high ball |
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Cruiser
Posts: 273
Midlothian, Va. | Getting a lot of nice compliments on the VTX forum. Of course Honda hasn't made a heavy cruiser in 4 years now so maybe that has something to do with it. I personally don't mind the the looks to much even with the spokes and mini apes which I'm not a fan of but I think the MSRP is a bit of a reach especially after buying a model year old ('09) TP brand new for just over 17k. The Vision has really spoiled me! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I notice a thing among many if not most bikers, or anything for that matter, that if it is not what you have, then it's a piece of crap or a knock off of something else. I'm with you Biscuit, you can't take my Vision away, but that doesn't mean the other bikes are not okay. The price will be dropping in a month of hitting the market and the people will get a better deal, making them feel good. Most of you out there wouldn't have touched the Vision at full MSRP like many did, but does that make your thrill any cheaper? |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | not a big deal, i was wondering if this was a miss print... for the engine it says 97 HP but only 109ftlbs.. i thought the 109ftlbs was what the first of stage 1 106 has? wasnt the first 106 92/109? for this bike they are saying 97/109 i thought the newer cam'd models were 97/113 ? like i said NOT a big deal, i was just wondering. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | Bike looks allright, the name is a little hokey. Sounds like something is wrong with your left nut............. "I got a hardball" response " Damn man you better go see the doc " Hahahahaha................. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Don't get me goin about riding a white Fatboy. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 40
South Central Pennsylvania | There are elements that I like, and elements that I don't. I like the size of the rubber on the wheels, and the black pin stripe is classy. Spokes are not my thing, maintenance and clieaning on laced wheels is a little more than I care for. I like the overall size and solid appearance. I've never tried ape hangers, so it is an unsubstanciated opinion that they don't appeal to me.
I'd like to see the same bike with bars molded to my riding position, and a number of alternative paint schemes - but then I would probably be staring at a Cross Road. 
Overall, I will probably not buy one, as I am spoiled by my Vision. It would be interesting to see if they can redress the Vision framework into other machines as they have the Cross bike framework.
I hope that this bike appeals to thousands of people who will buy them and strengthen the Victory company. We all benefit when Victory thrives. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 175
Colorado | Disappointing......let me explain my point of view. I am a motorcycling enthusiast and a Victory brand cheerleader who looks forward to the releases every year. Below are the golden years for me:
1999 V92C Release
2003 Vegas Release
2004 Kingpin Release
2005 Hammer Release
2008 Vision Release
2010 X Bike Release
The years when Victory releases a bike that has a modified paint scheme, handlebar, or swingarm configuration and name it something such as 8ball or Jackpot in the case of the vegas platform, tour in the case of Kingpin platform are simply lazy years where my expectations aren't met and I am disappointed with the release.
The bean counters, executive and marketing teams need to release the engineers to let their imaginations run wild allowing them to come up with a long range dual sport or large cc sport bike as an example....there are avenues, silos, verticals or what ever you want to call it that they can leverage the base Freedom Vtwin and still reach out and grab another riding community bringing them into the fold of Victory owners and continue to build on the brand. Just saying........
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Iron Butt
Posts: 619
Southeast Iowa | Like many I agree that Victory calling the Hard Ball a "new" bike is weak at best. I saw the Cross Country LE and it was a hell of a lot "newer" than this thing. I'm glad Victory is building it because many seem to like the whole blacked out ape thing so I'm sure it will sell well however..........it's not for me. I'll take lots of chrome and a flashy paint job over flat black anyday and for 15K I can have gloss black and 4K left over for chrome and paint. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 965
New York State | Big Vic - 2011-12-11 3:35 PM
Like many I agree that Victory calling the Hard Ball a "new" bike is weak at best. I saw the Cross Country LE and it was a hell of a lot "newer" than this thing. I'm glad Victory is building it because many seem to like the whole blacked out ape thing so I'm sure it will sell well however..........it's not for me. I'll take lots of chrome and a flashy paint job over flat black anyday and for 15K I can have gloss black and 4K left over for chrome and paint.
+1 |
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New user
Posts: 4
| Disappointing......let me explain my point of view. I am a motorcycling enthusiast and a Victory brand cheerleader who looks forward to the releases every year. Below are the golden years for me:
1999 V92C Release
2003 Vegas Release
2004 Kingpin Release
2005 Hammer Release
2008 Vision Release
2010 X Bike Release
The years when Victory releases a bike that has a modified paint scheme, handlebar, or swingarm configuration and name it something such as 8ball or Jackpot in the case of the vegas platform, tour in the case of Kingpin platform are simply lazy years where my expectations aren't met and I am disappointed with the release.
The bean counters, executive and marketing teams need to release the engineers to let their imaginations run wild allowing them to come up with a long range dual sport or large cc sport bike as an example....there are avenues, silos, verticals or what ever you want to call it that they can leverage the base Freedom Vtwin and still reach out and grab another riding community bringing them into the fold of Victory owners and continue to build on the brand. Just saying........
+1 |
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Tourer
Posts: 400
| I'd like to see it in person. I thought the High Ball was a bad idea, until I saw and rode one. I didn't like ape hangers, until I rode a bike with them. They are actually very comfortable if they are set at a proper position for the rider. Don't knock it until you see it and ride it. My two cents. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 154
Cabot Arkansas | I like the New Highball's look BUT come on $19K for basically an 8ball xr with no windshield.This bike is OVERPRICED. |
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| I wouldn't call it a new bike.
It is nothing more than an expensive trim package for the X-bike, and I already like the X-bike. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | Nothing more than a High Ball with hard bags. |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | onevikesfan - 2011-12-12 8:45 AM
Disappointing......let me explain my point of view. I am a motorcycling enthusiast and a Victory brand cheerleader who looks forward to the releases every year. Below are the golden years for me:
1999 V92C Release
2003 Vegas Release
2004 Kingpin Release
2005 Hammer Release
2008 Vision Release
2010 X Bike Release
The years when Victory releases a bike that has a modified paint scheme, handlebar, or swingarm configuration and name it something such as 8ball or Jackpot in the case of the vegas platform, tour in the case of Kingpin platform are simply lazy years where my expectations aren't met and I am disappointed with the release.
The bean counters, executive and marketing teams need to release the engineers to let their imaginations run wild allowing them to come up with a long range dual sport or large cc sport bike as an example....there are avenues, silos, verticals or what ever you want to call it that they can leverage the base Freedom Vtwin and still reach out and grab another riding community bringing them into the fold of Victory owners and continue to build on the brand. Just saying........
+1
+1 -ish. I don't agree 100% but my list would only differ with the removing "Kingpin" as I think it's just a Vegas with fenders and bags... but that's just my opinion. Every two-three years Victory has created a truly NEW bike while making constant improvements and mods to whatever the current lineup is. That's really not a bad plan. I expect 2012 or 2013 will be the next "new" bike. It fits the pattern anyway.
I totally agree that there is a need for a heavy USA Built "Eurosport" bike. Something to truly go head-to-head with the big BMW, Guzzi Norge, GoldWing, etc.. That would open the gateway to Dual Sports and sport bikes in general. To be clear, Eurosport is NOT crotch rocket. Although that is another market I think there are plenty of choices there already and the demographic of who buys the crotch rockets is not Victory's demographic. The Eurosport is in Victory's demographic. I think I'm pretty typical in that way. I want a slightly aggressive ride position, essentially with my feet under me, not on boards. I want the torque you can only get with a V-twin. Shorter wheelbase maneuverability and handling. Large load capacity. higher center to easily go lightly off-road. By lightly off-road I mean dirt and gravel roads... but not really off-road.
Currently only BMW, Ducati, Guzzi, KTM and Triumph make bikes in this category that are worth a damn and they seem to sell a lot of them, most of them, in the USA. Seems there is a little niche for Victory to tap into like they have done before.
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Hard Ball - let's hear some honest assessments