2005 Victory Hammer & 8-Ball Intro

By Sean Alexander , Jul. 20, 2005

PAGE 2

2005 Victory 8-Ball - MSRP $12,999

The 8-Ball is the bike I'd buy, if I was shopping for a cruiser.Victory claims that they were surprised by the success of the 8-Ball. I have no idea why, because the 8-Ball is just about perfect in every way. Based on the popular "Vegas" platform, the 8-Ball is striped down and painted black, giving it a clean and purposeful look. Aside from its name, there is very little pretense in the 8-Ball. It is simply a roadster with handsome proportions and tasteful styling, ready to "go" at a moment's notice.

I'm no cruiser guy, but my comments betray the fact that I obviously like the 8-Ball. Can you blame me? While most of the Journalists in attendance made beelines for the Hammers, I didn't hesitate to throw my leg over the new 8-Ball and set off on my own route to the lunchtime rendezvous.

Once underway, I found the familiar Vegas riding position and performance that I expected, with a slightly enhanced sportiness that I suspect was 50% "attitude" and 50% thanks to the fact that the 8-Ball is probably about fifty pounds lighter than a Vegas or Kingpin. Whatever it is, I had a ball locking-up the rear tire and hacking to a stop at lights (I can't help myself, I'm just an idiot) then challenging the more powerful Hammers when those lights turned green. Surprisingly, the 8-Ball hung right with those Hammers from stoplight-to-stoplight, though MotorcycleUSA's Kevin Duke claimed he "wasn't trying", I know he was giving that Hammer the whip. After all, be it Zuma scooter or ZX-10R, when he and I are together on press intros there is never a time when we aren't racing each other.

The 8-Ball is powered by the same V92 motor as the Vegas and Kingpin, yet its lighter weight and roadster attitude make it a bit more fun to ride.Except of course, when I'm suckering him into full on dragstrip launches, as I sit there laughing while he roars away in front of the State Trooper. Press Intros sure are fun.

Back to this beautiful black bike. My only complaint is that both of the 8-Balls I rode in TX suffered from downright balky gearbox action on the 2-3 upshift. Downshifting wasn't a problem, and aside from a couple of missed 2-3 shifts, I didn't have any other problems with the 8-Ball. It handles better and costs a bundle less than the Hammer and has a cool, lean look that just begs you to customize it to your own idea of the perfect cruiser. There's really isn't much else to say about it that hasn't already been covered in our Vegas or Kingpin reviews, except that this is the bike I would buy, if I was shopping for a cruiser. The 8-Ball just hits a "sweet-spot" in person and the only thing I'd add is a set of matte black passenger pegs, a small pillion seat and a Stage III kit.


8-Ball SPECS PROVIDED BY POLARIS MSRP $12,999
Engine
Engine Type	4-stroke 50° V-Twin
Cooling System	Air/Oil
Displacement	92 cu in/1507cc
Bore x Stroke	97x102mm
Compression Ratio	9.2:1
Valve Train	Single overhead camshafts with 4 valves per cylinder, self-adjusting cam chains, hydraulic lifters
Fuel System	Electronic Fuel Injection with 44mm throttle bodies
Fuel Capacity	4.5/17.0 U.S. gallons/liters
Exhaust	Staggered slash-cut dual exhaust with common volume
Oil Capacity	6.0qts/5.7ltr
Charging System	38 amps max output
Battery	12 volts/18 amp hours
Primary Drive	Gear drive with torque compensator
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate
Transmission	5-speed constant mesh
Final Drive	Reinforced belt
Brakes
Front Brake	300mm floating rotor with 4-piston caliper
Rear Brake	300mm floating rotor with 2-piston caliper
Dimensions
Length	96.3/2445 in/mm
Wheelbase	65.6/1690 in/mm
Seat Height	26.5/673 in/mm
Ground Clearance	5.8/148 in/mm
Rake/Trail	33.1°/5.28/134 in/mm
Dry Weight	620/281 lbs/kg
GVWR	1135/515 lbs/kg
Suspension
Front Suspension	Conventional telescopic fork, 43mm diameter, 5.1in/130mm travel
Rear Suspension	Single, mono-tube gas, forged and cast aluminum with rising rate linkage swing-arm, 3.9in/100mm travel, preload adjustable spring
Tires
Front Wheel	21x2.15in
Rear Wheel	18x5.0in
Front Tire	80 90/21 Dunlop Cruisemax
Rear Tire	180 55-B18 Dunlop D417
Colors
Solid Colors	Black
MSRP
MSRP	$12,999
*All specs are for standard Victory Models. Specs may change with the addition of custom order options. Seat height reflects 180 lb. operator weight. Prices listed are MSRP for stock solid black model. Alternate paint options or additional options may increase price. Victory reserves the right to change specifications at any time without incurring obligation.