It was a “dark” day in New York as Victory Motorcycles unveiled its new 2012 High Ball, a bobbed and blacked-out cruiser and aimed specifically at competing with Harley-Davidson’s Dark Custom lineup. Which, across town, got its own party and new Dark member in the form the Blackline Softail FXS, both being shown for the first time in public just prior to the Progressive Insurance International Motorcycle Show in the Big Apple.
After a long run of product development in the touring segment (the Vision luxury tourer and Cross Roads/Cross Country baggers), the design team got to switch back to something more spare and elemental.
“We’ve been focused on baggers the last few years and haven’t worked on a cruiser since 2006,” said Victory Product Manager Gary Gray. “So it was actually really fun and really refreshing.”
No bags or complex-fitting bodywork to worry about, just a discussion about what would be cool and figuring out its spare execution.
The color was easy. It’s called Solid Black. What other possible choice could they make? And what would be better on a bobber but a set of Roland Sands-inspired Z-bar-ish ape-hangars? The rub for an OE like Victory is that its bikes must comply with the complex array of state laws regarding handlebar height (among many other issues). Which is why the handlebar is two-position adjustable. Three tools are required—a 5mm wrench, Phillps screwdriver and a 6mm Allen key. To make it ultra-simple, the switch pods have two detents that allow repositioning. Some states allow upright, others require the lower position. Check your local laws!
The rest of the mechanical bits are conventional Victory stuff. A 43mm conventional fork works with a single, spring-preload-adjustable shock at the rear. Dry weight is 659 pounds. The hot-rod visuals, though, are assisted by 16-inch Dunlop Cruisemax wide-whitewall tires roll front (130/90) and rear (150-80), and are on 3.5-inch wide, wire-spoke wheels.
Power comes from the excellent Freedom 106 50-degree V-Twin engine with six-speed overdrive transmission and belt final drive. The “airy” rear pulley is special for this bike. Exhalation takes place though a staggered slash-cut exhaust with a satin-black finish. The scalloped fuel tank holds 4.5 gallons, while seat height is just 25.0 inches. Rake is 31.7 degrees and trail is 6.7 inches, working with a wheelbase of 64.8 inches. MSRP is $13,499 and the Victory High Ball is expected in dealers this March.
