The new Victory Motorcycles Octane muscle cruiser is a “big deal” for the Australian market says country manager Peter Harvey who believes it will become their top seller.
He is so convinced of the bike’s success, he had four pre-production models shipped to Australia for the world launch.
“We didn’t realise until a couple of days ago that it was only a global online launch,” he says. “That means Australians are the first in the world to see the actual bike.”
Aussies were the first in the world to see the Octance in the metal at its unveiling on February 20 at the Sydney showroom, followed by the Melbourne and Brisbane Victory dealerships days later.
It will then tour the country at the independent Victory dealers, starting with Adelaide Motorcycle Centre who will have the Octane on display at the Clipsal 500 next weekend (March 4/3) and then in store for a few days and then Brisans Motorcycles in Newcastle for a week from March 19.
Customers will also be able to sit on the bike and feel its light weight, low seat height, neutral riding position and comfortable seat cushion.
The first Victory to feature a water-cooled engine will arrive in Australia in April/May at $18,995 ride away, but pre-orders are being taken now.
“It’s a big deal for us,” Peter says. “I think it will become the top seller for Victory. The price is certainly compelling. I’m pretty bullish about it.”
Peter says those who pre-order the bike will receive some added incentives including Victory apparel.
He is also developing promotional plans that could include establishing a Victory stunt team like the one in the US.
“We need to do more performance stuff. Maybe supercharging. Maybe drifting.
The Octane muscle cruiser will compete against the Harley-Davidson V-Rod ($27,995 Night Rod Special and $27,495 Muscle) and the new Ducati XDiavel ($27,490 and $32,490 for the S model) with forward controls and belt drive.
It boasts 103 horsepower (77kW) and 103Nm of torque compared with the Harley, which doesn’t reveal power figures but has 111Nm of torque and the XDiavel with 114.7kW of power and 128.9Nm.
Some critics have pointed out that the Octane is just an Indian Scout in Victory clothing. While it is very similar in engine and chassis architecture, it shares only a third of the Indian’s components and has more power and aggression.
It also sits midway in price between the 983cc Indian Scout Sixty (58kW/88.8Nm) at $17,995 and the 1133cc Scout (74.7/97.7Nm) at $19,995.
Not only is the Octane the first water-cooled Victory, but also the cheapest, lightest (242kg) and most powerful with the biggest lean angle (32 degrees).
At its heart is a 1200cc, liquid-cooled V-twin with dual overhead cams and four-valve heads to rev beyond 8000rpm.
Victory claims that at 12 seconds, it is also their quickest down the quarter-mile and the fastest from 0-100km/h in less than four seconds.
Apart from straight-line speed, it should also handle the curves well with its 32-degree lean angle, rigid frame and dual-rate springs at both ends.
Octane only comes in one colour; a monochrome paintjob, frame and engine, right down to the traditional Victory badge in all-grey instead of red.
Accessories include a slip-on stage one muffler, adjustable piggy back shocks, tachometer with shift light and drag bars.
Victory Octane tech specs
- Price: $18,995 ride away
- Warranty: 2 year, unlimited km
- Engine: Liquid-cooled, 1179cc, 8-valve, 60° V-Twin
- Bore x stroke: 101.0 x 73.6mm
- Compression: 10.8:1
- Power: 77kW (103hp) @ 8000rpm
- Torque: 103Nm @ 6000rpm
- transmission: 6-speed; wet, multi-plate clutch; belt drive
- Fuel: 12.8 litres
- Suspension: 41mm damper-tube forks with dual-rate springs, 11.9-cm travel; twin shocks with dual-rate springs, adjustable for preload, 7.6-cm travel
- Frame: Cast-aluminium semi-double-cradle with tubular-steel backbones
- Lean: 32°
- Rake/trail: 29.0°/12.9 cm
- Wheelbase: 157.7cm
- Seat: 657mm
- Dry weight: 242.2kg
- Brakes: Two-piston calliper, 298mm disc; 1-piston calliper, 298mm disc, ABS
- Tyres: 130/70-18 63H; 160/70-17 76H
- Wheels: 18 X 3.5-in. cast, 10-spoke; 17 X 4.5-in. cast, 10-spoke