American Victory Motorcycles

Bold. Daring. Entrepreneurial. Stylish. David takes on Goliath. All these terms, and a great deal more, describe the American Victory Motorcycle company and the bikes they manufacture.

In business for a little over only ten years, they have emerged as a serious challenger to the venerable Harley-Davidson. Their sales don't approach that hundred year old master of machinery from Milwaukee. But these Minnesota upstarts make some of the finest motorcycles in the world today.

Owned by Polaris, a 50 year-old manufacturer of snowmobiles, their engineers know how to make machines that are tough and powerful.

Victory makes cruisers and touring bikes. You won't find motocross and trail riders here. Possessing a nearly 66 inch wheel base, but only 5.8 inches of ground clearance, with wide rear tires and generous seating, they are built for comfort and stability over the long haul.

Yes, the bikes are beefy. Definitely not for dirt bike riding. The huge V-twin engines (100ci, around 1600cc) put out enormous power with a throaty roar from the twin pipes. Both torque and horsepower have been increased in newer models almost every year since their founding.

But it isn't all just about power. These hogs are stylish. Clean lines, with elegant tanks and accessories, American Victory models are much more than Harley-Davidson knockoffs. They are American originals.

Yet, they retain the classic look of the bikes of yesteryear, upholding a long American tradition in motorcycle design. Long, low to the ground, with a wide frame, they look and feel great driving down the road.

But there's another tradition among bikers. Individual style. Any customer that wants a Hammer, Vegas, Kingpin or other American Victory model that is different from the standard production model can have it customized any way they like.

Custom orders are available from the factory and go well beyond just a unique paint job. Raked forks, special pipes, engine options, wheel choices, paint and decal designs... You design it, they build it. And if the factory can't accommodate your vision, there are dozens of after market parts and accessories manufacturers and distributors that can supply just what you are looking for.

Just as with the Harley-Davidson, clubs devoted to the American Victory motorcycle are springing up around the U.S. and elsewhere. Since the company started shipping to the UK, chapters have opened there, too, finding thousands of new members.

Not surprisingly, along with all the new clubs there are hundreds of websites and a few major rallies. The American Victory Rally held near Spirit Lake, Iowa in July is just one of the gatherings attracting thousands to celebrate their love for this marvel of engineering. Of course, Victory is showing up in ever greater numbers at Sturgis, Laconia and Daytona, too.

They may be new to the game, but American Victory motorcycles are second to none in the eyes of many.