Victory Cross Country Tour
Victory Cross Country Tour
.Victory Cross Country Tour Key Features106/6-speed Freedom® V-Twin engine with 106 ft-lbs of torqueVictory Comfort Control System™ (with upper and lower wind deflectors)Heated seats and hand gripsCruise control and ABS brakes41.1 gallons of storageAdjustable passenger floorboardsLock & Ride® trunkThree power outlets and iPod® ready
Victory Cross Country Tour Features andBenefits
106 CUBIC-INCH FREEDOM® V-TWIN
The Victory® Freedom® 106/6 V-Twin is a 106-cu.in. powerplant that pumps out 106 ft-lb of arm-straightening, street-churningtorque. It’s a counter-balanced, fuel-injected engine that delivers impressiveperformance for riders who like to lead, not follow.
6-SPEED TRANSMISSION WITH OVERDRIVE
A Cross Country Tour rider enjoys smooth shiftingand the best cruising on the open road in 6th gear, which is a true overdrive.Helical-cut gears ensure that each shift is smooth and easy, and neutral assistmakes it easy to slip into neutral at stops.
ABS BRAKES
Standard on the Cross Country Tour, the VictoryAnti-Lock Brake System doesn’t discriminate between dry, wet or rock-strewnpavement. No matter what the conditions, ABS monitors what the wheel is doingand gives you consistent, smooth braking from the handlebar lever down to therubber on the road.
VICTORY COMFORT CONTROL SYSTEM
Enjoy season-extending comfort with the VictoryComfort Control System, which provides a rider with Upper Air Controls and LowerAir Controls to manage the airflow from the front end. In cold or wetconditions, close the controls to completely block the elements. In warmweather, open them up to enjoy cooling airflow.
CRUISE CONTROL
Out on the open road, go ahead and activate thecruise control for an easy, relaxed ride. This automotive-qualify cruise controlis easy to activate and set, and it reliably maintains the desired speed. Tode-activate it, simply press “Off” or engage the clutch lever or either brake.
4.7 INCHES OF REAR SUSPENSION TRAVEL
The open road can get a little rough, so it’sgreat to have the 4.7” of smooth travel provided by the Cross Country Tour rearsuspension. The air shock is easily adjusted using a hand pump so the suspensiondelivers a consistently smooth ride for one or two riders, with or without cargoon board.
WORLD’S GREATEST TOTAL CARGO CAPACITY
The Cross Country Tour has the most storage spaceof any motorcycle in the world. Its trunk, saddlebags and two front storagecompartments offer a total of 41.1 gallons of storage space. With a CrossCountry Tour, you can take it with you – there’s plenty of room.
SADDLEBAGS & RAILS
Cross Country Tour saddlebags set the standardfor storage space, cargo protection and security. These bags offer a total of21.3 gallons of storage space, and the lockable lids have weatherproof seals toprotect gear stowed inside. Rails that extend beyond the base of the saddlebagscomplement the bike’s style and provide outstanding low-speed tip-overprotection.
HEATED SEATS AND GRIPS
Extend the riding season with the heatedhandgrips and heated seats. The driver has Hi & Lo settings on the hand controlsto ward off the chill, and the seats provide the driver and passenger withindividual Hi/Lo controls.
TALL WINDSHIELD
Complementing the excellent weather protection ofthe Victory Comfort Control System is the tall windshield. It providesoutstanding protection and ensures a rider will have reliable visibility in allconditions. 26.25” SEAT HEIGHT The 26.25” Cross Country Tour seat height puts arider in a comfortable position of confidence and control. The low seat heighthelps a rider flat-foot the pavement when stopped to maintain full control ofthe bike.
26.25" SEAT HEIGHT
Rule of the road: the lower the seat height, themore control. The Cross Country Tour has the lowest seat in its class. Unlessyou admit having the toe strength of a ballerina, you want to be able to plantboth feet firmly on the ground.
ADJUSTABLE PASSENGER FLOORBOARDS
It’s a rule of the road: When the passenger’s nothappy, nobody’s happy. The Cross Country Tour enhances the passenger’s ride withadjustable floorboards. These floorboards can be set in any of three positionsover a 2” height range, and can be tipped at a 10° angle for optimal comfort.
12V SOCKET
Charge! Keep electronic accessories runningstrong using the 12v power outlet. It lets riders charge items such as phones orbatteries and can power items such as heated apparel, GPS units and more.
Motorcycle ReviewBefore arriving in Austin, my wife Jane and I were given a few photos and abrief description of the new 2010 Victory Cross Country motorcycle, so we hadformed an image of what to expect. First sight of the Victory Cross Countryrevealed that our anticipation had not been nearly strong enough; a stunningexample of motorcycle artistry greeted us.Painted metallic Midnight Cherry red, the Cross Country's sharp lines appearfaceted out of cultured ruby. Angular design elements bring to mind experimentalaircraft of the early jet era, yet defy placement in a specific period of themotorcycling milieu. Triangles appear scattered throughout the motif, beginningwith the inverted triangle of the headlight cowl, continued in the trianglecircumscribed by the cylinders with the EFI cover wedged between, and finalizedin the tapered, flush-mount LED taillight.Normally, I prefer to spend some time with a motorcycle before having Jane ridewith me. However, she is only in Austin for a single day, so there is littletime for such formalities. Fortunately, the Cross Country proves a delight topilot with a passenger. Its lightweight hollow cast aluminum frame, which usesthe engine as a stressed member, gives the Cross Country the lowest center ofgravity in its class. There is no hint of top heaviness, and the bike requireslittle input to prevent wandering at slow speeds. The low seat height of justover 26 inches (unladen), adds to rider control when dealing with stop-and-gotraffic or walking the bike through parking lots.Possessing a map of the Texas Hill Country, I roll on the throttle. The50-degree V-twin Victory Freedom 106 engine builds revs with a comforting growlfrom the split dual exhaust, effectively applying its 96 horsepower and, mostimportantly, 109 ft/lbs of torque to the Dunlop Elite 3 tires. Fed through EFIwith dual 45mm throttle bodies, the Victory Freedom 106 utilizes a singleoverhead cam with four valves per cylinder. This supplies a high volume of airthrough a light weight valve train, allowing the engine to produce a wide torquecurve from midrange to high rpm. Engine response is superb and shifting througheach of the six gears is smooth.With the state capital in the rear-views, we head into the Texas Hill Country,the region of Central Texas along the Balcones Escarpment, with Austin to theeast and San Antonio to the south. The topography is rolling, sometimes rugged,limestone hills covered with oak and cedar. For our purposes, the Hill Countryis a series of meandering two- and four-lane roads linking a diverse collectionof small towns, each with its distinct interpretation of Texas culture whileconforming to the overriding theme of rugged individualism. These wonderfullittle towns urge a stop to investigate and shop, making them a perfect provingground for our impeccable touring machine.The 21 gallons of storage in the Cross Country's hard saddlebags should handlethe clothing and supplies required for this trip, as well as souvenirs picked upalong the way. All can be packed conveniently in the provided bag liners. TheVictory saddlebags have an internal locking latch that secures the top hingedlid to the bag body. However, my overstuffing of the bag bulged the sidesoutward. On several occasions, the overstuffing caused the saddlebag lids toopen while riding, even after I believed I had ensured that they were safelyclasped. Careful packing seems to be the key to keeping the lids closed.Distance is deceiving here. Even with a 60 mph limit on many of the two laneroads, the time it takes to get between two points on the map is blissfullyprolonged. Each crossroads provides new sights that must be scrutinized todetermine if they require further investigation. Every dip in the road leadsdown to a creek running through culverts under the road with signs warning ofpossible flooding. Around every hill a new scent greets us, distinctly earthyand palatable. Travel by motorcycle encourages the use of all senses to enveloponeself in the environment, and the Cross Country moves us through thisenvironment in an undisputedly enjoyable fashion.As the evening approaches, Jane and I ride the Cross Country to our one firmdestination of the day, The Salt Lick Bar-B-Que, in Driftwood. The Salt Lickrestaurant is a local institution, borne out by the projected two-hour wait.Buses loaded with University of Texas Longhorn fans are pulling into theexpansive parking lot as we arrive. The attendant directs us to pull into anarea normally reserved for employees to ensure the Victory is secure away fromthe throng of vehicles coming and going. The crowd is daunting but the enticingsmell of smoked meat coming from the decades old pit barbeque draws us in.The Salt Lick is a sprawling complex of stone and grey woodplank buildings witha number of separate dining rooms and a large picnic area with a band. We learnfrom observation and overheard conversation that the trick to a quick meal isgoing directly to the pit house and ordering food to go. Jane and I both order acombination plate, which is prepared in a few minutes, and take our food to thepicnic tables near the band. The atmosphere is lively and cheerful due to theLonghorn victory over neighboring Oklahoma.As she had been seduced by the comfort and rideability of the Cross Country,Jane reluctantly boards her flight back to California, sorry that she cannotaccompany me for the rest of the trip. As a passenger, one criteria Jane looksfor in a motorcycle is the smoothness with which it transitions, be it betweengears or from start-to-stop and back. With a precise six-speed transmission, wetmulti-plate clutch, and carbon fiber reinforced drive belt, the Cross Countryscores high in this category. With its comfortable seat and backrest, it is easyfor Jane to imagine herself spending the next four days with me on the CrossCountry.Preparing for my ride home to California, I decided on a course from Bandera toSonora, with as little time on major highways as possible. Bandera is anauthentic cowboy town surrounded by working cattle and guest ranches and is apopular stop for motorcyclists making the circuit around the Three TwistedSisters, the loop consisting of Ranch Roads 335, 336, and 337.I reach Bandera in time for an early lunch, so I order some food at the DoglegCoffee House on Main Street across from the general store. While the amenitiesof the Dogleg are modern, the building itself is made of limestone block andlooks like it could have been a jail or bank in a previous incarnation. All theshops and restaurants along Main Street are well maintained yet direct one'smind back to a time before internal combustion. Each step through town leads toa photo opportunity of some idyllic Americana. Each building looks to be hewnfrom the history pages of the Old West.With noontime approaching, I head west to experience some of the premiermotorcycling roads offered in the Hill Country. Just past Vanderpool, Ranch Road337 starts to climb and twist as the rolling hills gain elevation and becomemore severe, exposing faces of jutting limestone framed by oak and cedar. Longvistas of the land north of the Balcones Escarpment can be seen. I head down tothe Frio River and the town of Leakey, where I pick up RR 336, arguably the mostthrilling of the Twisted Sisters. Initially, RR 336 follows the West Frio Riverfor a scenic ride through expansive ranges, marked by frequent cattle guardcrossings, which are effectively smoothed out with the air adjustable rearsuspension and the inverted cartridge forks with progressive springs; both endsoffer about five inches of welcome travel.Soon, the road heads up to a broad ridge that borders the west bank of theriver, and then turns into a roller coaster of two-wheeled bliss. Climbing anddiving with frequent swooping turns, the scenery attempts to distract myattention away from the road, but the tarmac is too inviting. Adrenalin claws atmy hand to twist harder, brake later, push for more lean. How far can I take theCross Country? The Victory's rigid frame, sport-aware suspension, and 300mmfloating rotor disk brakes with four-piston calipers give the Cross Country acarving ability akin to a much lighter bike. Too soon I am approaching Sonoraand Interstate 10. I am told that riders often ride the Twisted Sisters a coupleof times in a day. Unfortunately, I must keep to my schedule.The Interstate calls for a different state of mind, one that the Cross Countryaccommodates. The stretch of I-10 that leads out of Texas through New Mexicoseems endless, but highway luxury is easily at hand without removing your graspfrom the grips. Operating a trigger switch on the left handlebar with your indexfinger can change each mode of the trip LED display. You can flip the display toread odometer, two trip meters, average fuel consumption, average speed, fuelrange, fuel mileage, and trip timer.An integrated 40-watt audio system is controlled from a set of switches insidethe left grip, allowing me to set the system to AM, FM, weather band, and MP3player. In MP3 player mode, I can select playlists or scroll through my files byalbum or artist. The audio system also has an auto-fade feature that permits youto set the volume while stopped, and the system will automatically increase thevolume as your speed increases.Flexible body positioning is a great defense against fatigue, and the ergonomicsof the Cross Country provide many opportunities for personalization. The rider'sfloorboards are long and offer a wide range of options for foot placement. Thefoot controls are adjustable to accommodate different leg lengths.Even without highway pegs installed, the forward swept wing shaped highway barsprovide a nice place to push your feet against to change the pressure points onyour gluteal muscles and lower back. The seat has extra padding and provides asmall amount of back support. Using the standard electronic cruise control makesrunning the tank dry before having to stop to stretch your legs a regularoccurrence.West of Las Cruces, the sky fades into the darkness of what is obviously astorm. Just before reaching the Border Patrol checkpoint between Las Cruces andDeming, I enter the brown wall of dust and rain that delineates the outflowboundary of the tempest. I angle into the heavy crosswind as much as possible,trying to dodge tumbleweeds and shrubs. The Cross Country handles the highcrosswind with the same confidence it displays during normal riding conditions.A heavy downpour with hail hits just as I ride under the awning of the BorderPatrol checkpoint. The large awning does not protect from the wind, but doesprovide some shelter from the heavy rain and hail. This gives me a chance topull a tumbleweed out of the forks while escaping the heaviest of the downpoursI encountered. The Cross Country's fairing is designed to channel rain away fromthe rider's hands, and adding the tall touring windscreen delivers even moreprotection.The next morning, clear skies and a clean Interstate 10 greet me. Motorcyclingnorth through Arizona on US 191, I make Flagstaff for my final night on theroad, leaving me an eight-hour ride across the Mojave Desert to home. Overdinner I consider the coming final day of my trip and how the Cross Country hasbeen a consummate companion. Whether riding solo or two-up, on Interstate orrural road, the 2010 Victory Cross Country is a most appropriately namedmotorcycle. Unique styling, well-designed accoutrements, and ample performanceposition this American motorcycle as one of the premier distance killersavailable.
SourceMotorcyclingmag.com