Some folks in the motorcycle industry consider Victory motorcycles as one of the best motorbikes produced in the United States. Some say that they are more reliable than Harleys. In this Victory Vegas 8-Ball review, I’ll list all its specs and features so you can decide if it is the right bike for you.
The Victory Vegas 8-Ball motorcycle has the following key specs:
Engine Type – 4 stroke 50° V-Twin engine
Engine Displacement – 1731 cc
Maximum Power – 97 bhp
Maximum Torque – 153 nM
Number of Cylinders – 2
Number of Gears – 6
Fuel Tank Capacity – 4.5 gallons (17 liters)
Fuel Type – Gasoline
Seat Height – 25.2 inches (640 mm)
Ground Clearance – 5.3 in (135 mm)
There are owners of Victory motorcycles that say they last for a long time. One owner who rides a Victory Vegas claims that it has already clocked 75,000 miles. But that is still considered low mileage for these bikes. Others say that Victory Vegas motorcycles should easily see 100,000 miles without experiencing serious problems.
Read on to learn more about Victory Vegas 8-Ball motorcycles, what they are, their features, their full specs, and what their owners say about them.
Victory Vegas 8-Ball Specs and Review
The Victory Vegas 8-Ball is one of the motorbikes manufactured by the Victory brand of motorcycles. This particular motorbike has the following essentials specs:
Engine Displacement – 1731 cc
Maximum Power – 97 bhp
Maximum Torque – 153 nM
Number of Cylinders – 2
Number of Gears – 6
Fuel Tank Capacity – 4.5 gallons (17 liters)
Seat Height – 25.2 inches (640 mm)
Ground Clearance – 5.3 in (135 mm)
Some in the motorcycle industry say that Victory motorbikes are more dependable than Harleys. Additionally, both Victory and Harley motorcycles are more reliable than European brands of motorbikes, particularly BMW.
There are owners of Victory motorcycles who claim that their bikes have already clocked 75,000 miles. On these kinds of bikes, even these thousands of miles are considered low mileage. On average, Victory motorbikes should last around 100,000 miles without experiencing serious issues.
About the Victory Vegas 8-Ball
The Victory Vegas 8-Ball is a motorcycle made by Victory Motorcycles. Polaris Industries, which is based in Minneapolis, USA, is the parent company of Victory Motorcycles. Aside from motorbikes, Polaris is also manufacturing all-terrain vehicles, slingshot three-wheeled on-road vehicles, snowmobiles, and vehicle parts, accessories, and garments.
Polaris Industries introduced its own motorcycle brand in 1988 to compete with Harley Davidson in several bike categories, including touring bikes, baggers, and cruisers. Polaris also bought Indian Motorcycle in 2011, reviving a classic brand that was very popular before there even was a Harley motorbike.
Victory Vegas 8-Ball Versions
There are five versions of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball:
Hammer
Vegas
Kingpin
Vision
Cross Country
Lower Price Tag than Competitors
They all have a lower price tag compared to their rivals. These five versions are basically the same as their rivals, but they come with fewer accessories. They also have lower seat heights.
Polaris issued a press release on Jan. 9, 2017, saying that they are stopping the production of Victory Motorcycles because of their limited profitability and difficulties establishing their market share. They also announced that they would discontinue the brand.
So, all the Victory Motorcycles you see running on the road are the only ones left. Being in production for only a few short years and not establishing a foothold on the market, these motorcycles have a low resale value.
But that can be a good thing – if you are looking for a reliable motorcycle. It is possible to buy a used Victory motorcycle which could be as good as new – for a very affordable price. The bike will still hold its own or even surpass motorcycles on the market in its class.
With Victory Vegas 8-Ball motorcycle, you are getting an excellent product at a fraction of its original cost.
One of the 7 Greatest American-made Motorcycle Brands
In the motorcycle industry, Victory Motorcycle can hold its place among the best and most popular motorcycle brands. This motorcycle has been included in the 7 Greatest American-Made Motorcycles – being number four in the list, even outranking Harley Davidson.
As far as longevity is concerned, Victory Motorcycle owners claim that they have already logged 75,000 miles on their bikes. But still, this mileage is considered on the low end. This motorcycle should have no problem reaching 100,000 miles without experiencing any issues.
More Reliable than Harleys
Some bikers say that Victory Motorcycles are more reliable than Harleys. You would also be interested to know that they believe that both Victory and Harley are more dependable than European-branded motorbikes.
Victory Vegas 8-Ball Specs
Key Specs
Here are the key specs of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball Motorcycle:
Engine Type – 4 stroke 50° V-Twin engine
Engine Displacement – 1731 cc
Maximum Power – 97 bhp
Maximum Torque – 153 nM (113 lb.-ft.)
Number of Cylinders – 2
Number of Gears – 6
Fuel Tank Capacity – 4.5 gallons (17 liters)
Fuel Type – Gasoline
Seat Height – 25.2 inches (640 mm)
Ground Clearance – 5.3 in (135 mm)
Full Specs of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball
The last model of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball was manufactured in 2017. That was the year when Polaris Industries announced that it would cease its production. Here now are the full specs of the 2017 Victory Vegas 8-Ball:
Part/Section
Specifications
Engine
Engine Type
4-Stroke 50° V-Twin
Displacement
1731 cc
Number of Cylinders
2
Maximum Power
97 Bhp at 5,000 RPM
Maximum Torque
153 Nm at 4,000 RPM
Compression Ratio
9.4:1
Bore
101 mm
Stroke
108 mm
Valve System
Single Overhead Camshafts With 4 Valves per Cylinder, Self-Adjusting Cam Chains, Hydraulic Lifters
Drive Train/ Transmission
Primary drive
Gear Drive With Torque Compensator
Final Drive
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Belt
Clutch
Wet, multi-plate
Number of Gears
6
Transmission Type
6 Speed Overdrive/Constant Mesh
Fuel
Fuel System
Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45mm throttle body
Exhaust
Dual-Staggered Slash-Cut with Common Volume
Fuel Tank Capacity
4.5 gal / 17 ltr
Engine Oil Capacity
1.24 gal / 4.7 ltr
Suspension
Front Suspension
Conventional Telescopic Fork, 43 mm Diameter, 5.1 In/130mm Travel
Rear Suspension
Single, mono-tube gas, Cast Aluminum with rising-rate linkage, 3.0 In/75 mm travel, preload adjustable spring
Front Wheel Travel
5.12 in / 130 mm
Rear Wheel Travel
2.95 in / 75 mm
Brakes and Tires
Brake System
Conventional
Front Brake
Single 300mmx5mm floating disc with 4-piston caliper
Rear Brake
300mm floating rotor with 2-piston caliper
Front Tire
DUNLOP ELITE 3 – 90/90 21 54H (TUBELESS)
Rear Tire
DUNLOP D417 – 180/55 B18 74H (TUBELESS)
Front Wheel
21 X 2.15 in
Rear Wheel
18 X 5.5 in
Wheel Type
Alloys
Dimension and Weight
Overall Length
96.9 in / 2462 mm
Seat Height
25.2 in / 640 mm
Ground Clearance
5.31 in / 135 mm
Wheelbase
67.1 in / 1705 mm
Dry Weight
639.3 lb. / 290 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight
1,153 lb. / 523 kg
Victory Vegas 8-Ball Features
Here are some of the essential features of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball Motorcycle 2017 Model Year:
Engine – Freedom engine, V-Twin, 97 bhp and 110 lb.-ft. of torque, efficient and extremely powerful. Delivers instant throttle response.
6-speed overdrive transmission – delivers smooth and unmatched power in all gears.
21” Falchion Wheel – name taken after a one-handed sword that is known for its versatility.
Low Seat Height – riders have a comfortable low seat height of only 25.2 inches.
Detailed Features of Victory Vegas 8-Ball
Here is a more detailed discussion of the salient features of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball:
1. Powerful Engine
The powerful V Twin Freedom engine of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball can crank 97 horsepower at 5,000 revolutions per minute. It can deliver a crushing 113 lb.-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. Its 1,731 cc (106 cu. in.) of engine displacement makes it a huge engine.
Air-cooled Engine
This engine is also air-cooled. It also has an oil cooler tucked away in a very inconspicuous spot in the engine space. The Victory Vegas 8-Ball also has dual, 45 mm (1.77 in.) throttle bodies that control the air-fuel mixture as this mixture goes to the four-valve heads and onto the dual staggered exhaust system of unburned gas.
“Common Volume” Slash-cut Mufflers
The exhaust pipes are equipped with “common volume” slash-cut mufflers. They are low-resistance pipes that offer louder rev sounds. Also, they will not only produce louder muffler sounds but also open up the engine and allow it to breathe as it should. They act like “Harley Tax.”
Powerful Torque
The bike’s powerful torque can pull you off from potholes and enable you to blast your way uphill. Its six-speed transmission will enable you to drive out of the city and onto the highway. Pack it with bags, and you can take it on a cruise.
2. Lightweight
This motorbike is surprisingly lightweight for its class and style. It only has a dry weight of about 638 pounds. This is the lightest among Victory cruisers. It does not feel heavy at rest or when it is running.
Its low center of gravity and its ergonomics can mitigate the weight of the motor. The motor features an overhead cam, and each of the 2 cylinders has four valves, 108 mm stroke, and 101 mm bore.
3. Chassis
The designers and engineers of Polaris Industries designed a frame with a low and long motorbike in mind. They came up with a final design where the steering head is at a 33° angle. This setup gave the motorbike an overall length of a little more than 96.9 inches and stretched out the wheelbase to 67.1 inches.
The Victory Vegas 8-Ball is closer to the ground with its ground clearance of only 5.3 inches. But it is still able to corner. Its seat height of only 25.2 inches ensures that even the shortest riders will be able to put their feet on the ground with confidence.
4. Futuristic Looking Rims
The rims of this bike look futuristic. It suits the design of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball perfectly. This bike comes with a 21-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel, and Dunlop rubber tires on each wheel.
The braking system consists of 300 mm disc brakes in the front and the rear. There is a four-pot binder at the front wheel and a two-pot in the rear. This is just a good, old-fashioned braking system, where there is no ABS or linked brakes.
5. Drivability
Thanks to its pulled-back bars and slightly forwarded pegs, the Victory Vegas 8-Ball has a natural riding position. Its solo seat can support the rider very nicely. This bike is just 25 inches from the ground, so even short riders will have no problem being safe on this bike.
It will be easy for you to slide between cars if you’re in the city. Highway and freeway riding are relatively comfortable. The balanced motor of the Vegas 8-Ball does not really smooth out so, and you have to squeeze on the brakes every so often.
The handlebars of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball are not too wide. Its mirrors are also relatively small, so the maneuverability of this motorbike is quite good. It is long at 97 inches, but its design makes it feel and look smaller.
If you have neck and back issues, you will be glad to know that the Victory Vegas 8-Ball does not put any pressure on those body areas. This solo seat rides as good as it looks, even when you ride it for hours on city streets.
6. Modern Design
Sweepy lines characterize the modern design of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball. Its fuel tank is designed to flow right into the seat. The bike has low-profile signals, so it blends right in without interrupting the line flow from the gas tank, seat, and rear fender.
All parts of the Victory Vegas 8-Ball are colored black. The polished edges of the cooling fins are the only ones that prevent the engine from being eaten up by the blackness of the whole bike. The good thing about this all-black color is that the Victory Vegas 8-Ball will shine brightly at night with good polishing.
Conclusion: Victory Vegas 8-Ball Review
Victory Vegas 8-Ball is a motorcycle made by Polaris Industries. This motorbike has the following key specs:
Engine Type – 4 stroke 50° V-Twin engine
Engine Displacement – 1731 cc
Maximum Power – 97 bhp
Maximum Torque – 153 nM
Number of Cylinders – 2
Number of Gears – 6
Fuel Tank Capacity – 4.5 gallons (17 liters)
Fuel Type – Gasoline
Seat Height – 25.2 inches (640 mm)
Ground Clearance – 5.3 in (135 mm)
This motorcycle is considered in the industry as even better than Harleys in terms of reliability. It has consistently ranked as the top 4 of the 7 most dependable motorcycles in the United States.
