Victory Hammer Demo Ride

[techgesture]

This past weekend when I took my M50 in for regular service, I got a chance to take out a new Victory Hammer for a demo ride.

Victory : 2007 Models : Hammer : Overview

Beautiful bike, and from the specs I had high expectations on the ride.

I went to Excel Motorsports in Concord, NC. Very Friendly people. After I announced that I wanted to do the demo ride, I signed a quick release document, and they fired it up ready for me to take.
"Will I be following someone?" I asked.

"No, just be back in 20 - 25 minutes"

OH MAN!!! How awesome!?!

He tells me a few things about the bike and how it differs from my M50, what to expect with the brakes, handling, etc. and off I went.

I tested out the balance and the brakes in the parking lot before pulling out into the main road. It was a beautiful sunny day out and traffic was moderate. Pulled up to the first light before exiting the dealership lot and quickly noticed how immensly responsive the brakes were... took some time to get used to.
Light turns green and I make a left turn. I immediately notice how much harder it is to turn on this bike with the very big 250mm rear tire. I felt like I had to actually steer the bike to get it to turn. This too I would have to get comfortable with.
Small blip on the throttle and off I went.

Made a left few blocks down on to a road with nice swooping turns and hilly country road. Through the turns even at 40+ mph I noticed still how very different leaning into the turns was compared to my M50. It felt as if I was fighting that massive rear tire. Nonetheless, I quickly notice how incredibly SMOOTH the ride was. Definitely a heavier bike and the small twist on the throttle lunges you forward. In comparing it to my M50, its like the M50 has to push me to get up to speed, this felt like it was pulling me along, like "sit down, shut up and hold on". The bike has 6 gears, but on back road I barlely broke into 4th.

After a couple of miles of the Victory's silky acceleration and cruising ride, I thought... well time to take this baby on the highway and head north a few exits which would take me back up closer to the dealership.

I leaned/turned/fought the bike onto the on-ramp, but with a wide open ramp and no cars ahead of me, it was time to open her up. I went from 40 - 70 in a matter of seconds, and shifting was smooth but solid. On the highway now I instanly could tell the difference again from the M50. When I have my M50 on the highway, my body feels like a sail, and the wind pushes the bike left and right. With the Victory I noticed how smooth and planted it felt on the highway even at 75mph. The wind push on my helmet more than I felt the bike even budge an ioda.
I cruised in the right lane, then noticed the right lane slow down... slowed down to 55 - 60... no one was in the left, I looked and changed lanes, then opened her up again. 60 - 90 in what felt like 2-3 seconds. Then shifted in the very glorifying and welcoming 6th gear. Backing the throttle down to 75mph again, still in 6th gear, I felt like I was sitting in a cadillac, just humming along.

Well the exit I needed came up to what seemed to be all too soon and I got off the exist, slowed to a stop at the end of the ramp. Ready to turn right to head back to the dealership, and again I was disappointed with how much I had to fight that back tire at low speeds.

Now that I was getting more used to the bike, I started to notice how uncomfortably wide the frame was to me. Now I'm 6'1", so not short by any means, but I felt like I was saddling a horse when I was stopped at a light. Not a draw back really, just a bigger bike and something I guess you have to get used to. But as much as we all complain about the stock seat on the M50, I find the M50 sitting position more comfortable.

All in all, it was a great and exillirating ride. Loved every minute of it. Would I buy a Victory... maybe... I would definitely need to by the Vegas or one of the others without such a big back tire, because I like to be able to enjoy myself in the swoops, turns and hills we have here in North Carolina. The Victory Hammer to me has definitely hit the nail on the head as to the definition of a cruiser. Raw power to take you where ever you please, and it will happily humm along getting you there. If your looking for agile cuiser, this is not it. If your looking for one mean laid back cruising machine, I'd suggest taking it out.

[intimid8er]

Nice write up Mike!

Next time...try a KingPin.

I haven't tried the others, but based on your last couple of paragraphs, a Pin with boards might be a nicer ride.

[techgesture]

Whats nice about all of the Victory bikes is they all have the same engine and transmission. I may just take you up on that and take out a kingpin. I tell you though, after that ride and experiencing the 250mm rear tire, I think it may have turned me off of the M109r as well, since it has a simular tire. I think I may be leaning back towards one of the HD VRSC bikes.

[intimid8er]

The rear tire on those behemoths...although it looks cool...turned me off too. One reason I ditched the M50 was not only was it uncomfortable, but it was getting dangerous for me. I was scraping gouges out of the pavement every time I turned. I hadn't levered yet, but was close. I was popping out of gear on left hand turns. Hell my regular daily route has gouges dug in to the pavement. It's kinda funny to see.

I've learned one thing in the motorcycling world. Ugly works. What's pretty or pleasing to the eye, usually has no function, or will make for an extremely unpleasant ride.

[techgesture]

See,... I haven't even gotten to that point yet of scrapping pegs on the M50... I may just not be that agressive of a rider... but I was still turned off by that wide tire.

I wonder if there is any way to master leaning with such a wide tire, or is it just the physics of it...

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by techgesture

See,... I haven't even gotten to that point yet of scrapping pegs on the M50... I may just not be that agressive of a rider... but I was still turned off by that wide tire.

I wonder if there is any way to master leaning with such a wide tire, or is it just the physics of it...

It'll turn...no doubt...I'm sure we got pics around here of Hammerpete doing the Dragon on his Hammer.

Physics will work against the bike with a wide tire being an awesome handler. Many reviews I've read said it "Feels" weird, but actually gets the job done. I don't know <shrugs>. Some of them guys say it requires more effort to keep the bike on task through a corner. I found with the M, I was too ham handed. Putting too much input in, and I'd arc to the inside of the corner, so I'd cure that with more throttle. However, the M only has what? An 170/180? (Which I find to be ideal) So maybe them big tires would suit my style better???

Nah....I'm enjoying the hell out of that Buell. V-Twin thump. Razor sharp handling, and loads of cornering clearance. Great compromise for V-Twin lovers.

The next time I go for a cruiser though, it will be Plain Jane classic style. Not like the M's or the Hammer's of the world that are already customized from the factory. I feel like if you do anything to those types of bikes, you upset an already perfect balance. Whereas something like the Kingpin, Roadliner, C90, FatBoy, C109, Roadstar are clean sheets of paper that you can mold visually, and slightly warp their intended purpose to suit your needs.

[techgesture]

I'd love to hear HammerPete's take on it's handling and his riding style adaption.

[intimid8er]

He's running around here today...maybe he'll stop in....meantime...I seem to remember him giving us a rundown when he first got it...I'll search for it.

[stp1971]

Well the handling on Pete's bike is exceptional. When he is riding the bike the additional 75 pounds that Pete adds to the ride doesn't really affect the handling of the bike at all.

[HAMMERPETE]

Originally Posted by stp1971

Well the handling on Pete's bike is exceptional. When he is riding the bike the additional 75 pounds that Pete adds to the ride doesn't really affect the handling of the bike at all.

Oh..just you wait...STP.

Well the back tire is a different animal. My first bike was a V-star 1100. I think I slapped a 180 under that. I could lay it almost over to scrape the side covers.
With the Hammer the experience is very similiar to riding a horse. You do have to stay with your manuver.
Riding it more I become more familiar with it and it feels second nature.
The seat gets softer the more you ride it. I logged 730 miles in two day on the Hammer. Yeah my butt felt like it was peeling off. For local riding the seat is worthy. Any longer ride in the future and I am taking the foam out and replacing it with gel.
AFA as performance..stopping...Incredible. Power...mine is upgraded with a stage 1 and I am pushing about 170.lbs right now. So the bike ripps. I have had the front end lift about and inch with a aggressive throttle twist.
One thing about this setup on the Hammer..and Blackholekelly can verify...the Hammer rear does not like wet pavement and aggressive riding.
Then again not to many bikes do.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by HAMMERPETE

Any longer ride in the future and I am taking the foam out and replacing it with gel.

WTF is wrong with you???

Don't you remember my story about the gel seat on the M50 frying my balls?

[HAMMERPETE]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

WTF is wrong with you???

Don't you remember my story about the gel seat on the M50 frying my balls?

My balls hang over the seat...thus the 75 lbs.. STP was talking about.

Check this out. The ViSiON Vision : 360° Spin : Touring

[techgesture]

That Victory Vision is sweet. I bet thats gonna be 25 - 30K.


Pete... yes, I would say coming off the Hammer Demo ride... it felt very much like riding a large powerful horse that needed to be ridden with respect, and no way tamed.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by HAMMERPETE

Check this out. The ViSiON Vision : 360° Spin : Touring

Yes....The Vision.....Love it.

$18,999 suggested M.S.R.P.

Not bad at all.....especially since Victory doesn't think they are Harley, and they're willing to deal. You could probably get one some where in the neighborhood of $16K plus taxes.

I know I'm gonna sign up for the Victory ride on that pup though.

[HAMMERPETE]

Originally Posted by techgesture

That Victory Vision is sweet. I bet thats gonna be 25 - 30K.


Pete... yes, I would say coming off the Hammer Demo ride... it felt very much like riding a large powerful horse that needed to be ridden with respect, and no way tamed.

I concure.

[stp1971]

I still like the Wing more though. I sat on the Vision at the International Motorcycle show in Atlanta in February. It is nice but the Wing still sits better. Plus if I am going to plop down almost 20K for a bike I want a smoother, stronger engine rather than another V-twin. The wing is just too smooth of a bike. Plus the handling capability of the Wing is something to think about also.

After riding "J"s 750 Shadow I must tell you that the Honda V-twin on her bike is smooth as ice.

[blackie1491]

Sean, riding a Wing will get you kicked out of the Misfits!!!!



I had mine for 11 years, the only thing missing on the new ones is a big set of Fins off an old Caddy..

[Rickster]

Sean, if you really want a great handling touring bike, go with a Beemer.

[traysvega]

Great Write up.....I did own a M109r(just sold 2 weeks ago)...and now alls thats left is my Victory Jackpot ....Comments about the wide tire...Yes..takes more body language for the first couple of hundred of miles,but after that,you really dont notice it...I flick it with ease...I rode the Dragon 5 weeks ago and recently came back from Helen georgia from a Victory Ralley(1150 miles Round trip plus riding there) ...My bike now has over 4 thousand trouble free miles and got a few UPGRADES by Lloydz himself Lloydz Motorworkz ...Dynoed 95.2 H.P at the rear wheel....I was tickled...Stock was 80 RWHP. and 104.4 Torque stock...did drop a couple down low on torque afterwards to 102.3...and the powerband moved up abit...The M109r outhandled My Victory in the twisties and was faster stock for stock...But ,...2 bikes only riding one..the Zuk went..ByeBye....Only thing on the victorys is the PRICE...they aint cheap....But hey,,set of billet wheels front and rear,chrome everywhere,wide tire Fact.,very pleasing to the eye and not bad to ride either.

[traysvega]

Oh,,and the Vision....Seen a few demos(non running) in Cherokee ,NC(Victory debue) ..their 2 futuristic to me and the rear is aaaa o.k I guess..but over all nice..Still have not relaese exactly how big the motor will be...some say 109 Cubic inches or more...Not a bad price either,,but it is a VERY BIG Bike...Nice and comfy though..