Victory Motorcycle History

Polaris was primarily a snowmobile manufacturer from the company’s birth in 1954 through the early 1980s.
Polaris successfully diversified with the introduction of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in 1985, and in 1991 the
company introduced its first high-performance personal watercraft (PWC). The off-road vehicle (ORV) division expanded in the mid-1990s with the introduction of the Polaris RANGER side-by-side, and in 1997,

Polaris announced it would enter the on-road vehicle market with Victory Motorcycles.

1998

• Born on the Fourth of July: The first Victory Motorcycle, an Antares Red V92C, is produced on July 4,
1998, in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Every Victory ever since has been built at the Spirit Lake facility.
• The V92C is named Cruiser of the Year by Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine.

1999

• The V92C is named Cruiser of the Year by Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine.

2000

• Victory introduces the sportiest cruiser ever built, the Victory SportCruiser (V92SC).
• The Victory dealer network grows to nearly 350 dealerships nationwide.

2001

• The SportCruiser (V92SC) receives the Easyriders V-Twin Excellence Award for Sport-Cruiser of the Year.

2002

• Victory introduces its first fully equipped touring model, the Touring Cruiser (V92TC).
• Victory introduces the all-new Freedom® V-Twin, a 92-ci engine.
• The Victory Vegas (a 2003 model introduced in the summer of 2002) is named V-Twin Bike of the
Year by V-Twin Magazine.
• Victory announces a design partnership with legendary custom builders Arlen and Cory Ness.

2003

• The Victory Vegas debuts and features the most progressive styling in cruiser history. It has a split-tail
fuel tank with sculpted sides and a raised spine running the length of the bike on the fender and fuel tank.
• The Victory Vegas is named:
– Best Cruiser by Cycle World Magazine
– 2003 Bike of the Year by Cruising Rider Magazine
– Best Cruiser by Motorcyclist Magazine
• The Victory Vegas receives the Chicago Athenaeum GOOD DESIGN Award for 2003.

2004

• Victory introduces a new classic cruiser, the Kingpin.
• The Kingpin is named 2004 V-Twin of the Year by V-Twin Magazine.
• Victory introduces the first limited-edition Arlen Ness Signature Series model, a 2004 Vegas
featuring paint and accessories by Arlen Ness. Each ANSS model is numbered and carries a facsimile of Arlen’s signature on the side cover.

2005

• Victory introduces the Freedom® 100/6, the first 100-cubic inch, 6-speed V-twin engine by a major
OEM in a production motorcycle. The new powerplant debuts in the new 2005 Hammer.
• The new Hammer features sporty styling, a 250mm-wide rear tyre and dual front disc brakes as well as
the new Freedom 106/6 powerplant.
• The Hammer is named 2005 Cruiser of the Year by Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine.
• Victory introduced the “8-Ball” concept with the Vegas 8-Ball. The 8-Ball is all black, with many components blacked-out rather than chromed and with a solo seat. In later years this 8-Ball treatment would
be applied to models such as the Kingpin, Hammer and Victory Vision as well.
• The 2005 model lineup features two limited-edition Ness Signature Series models: A Kingpin styled by
Arlen Ness and a Vegas styled by his son and business partner, Cory Ness.
• Victory engineering moves into a new, high-tech home, the new 126,000-sq. ft. Polaris/Victory Product
Development Center in Wyoming, Minnesota.

2006

• Victory introduces a new level of custom style from a major OEM with the Vegas Jackpot. It features
dazzling, custom-look factory paint, a color-matched frame, extensive chrome and a stylish headlight. It
also has the same 250mm-wide rear tyre as the Hammer.
• The Vegas Jackpot is named Best American Bike by Forbes.com.
• Victory wins the JD Power award for highest customer satisfaction and quality.

2007

• On January 19 in New York City, Victory unveils the most revolutionary luxury-touring motorcycle in industry history, the Victory Vision. The bike features a full complement of luxury and convenience features,
electronics, integrated side storage compartments and a trunk.
• The Victory Vision is named:
– Cruiser of the Year by Motorcyclist Magazine
– 2007 Motorcycle of the Year by Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine
• Victory introduces the all-new Vegas Low. The Vegas Low has the lowest seat height – 25.2” – of any
bike in its class.
• Victory introduces the Hammer S, a limited-edition version of the Hammer featuring custom paint and
graphics, custom wheels and several blacked-out components.

2008

• Victory kicks off its 10th Anniversary celebration, which will run throughout 2009, with the introduction
of the 2009 10th Anniversary Victory Vision. Only 100 of these specially equipped, numbered bikes were
built, each featuring paint that matched the Antares Red of the first Victory ever built.
• David Torchio pilots a race-built Victory to a speed of 147.53 mph at Laurinburg-Maxton (NC) Airport.

2009

• The CORE concept bike is unveiled in New York City in January. The one-off custom bike built by the
Victory Industrial Design team features a cast aluminum frame that includes a hollowed section that serves
as the fuel tank and integrated air intake and battery housing.
• The 10th Anniversary Victory Vision is named the best touring bike in the Robb Report’s annual “Best
of the Best” awards.
• Gregor Moe sets a new record for the 2000 M-AG class at the Bub Motorcycle Speed Trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Riding a race-prepped Kingpin, Moe posts a speed of 165.88 mph on what is dubbed
“The World’s Fastest Victory.”

2010

• Victory expands its touring model lineup with the introduction of two new bikes with hard saddlebags
and additional touring equipment. The Cross Country features a fork-mounted fairing with an integrated
audio system while the Cross Roads has a windshield up front.
• Steve Rolland completes a “48 Plus!” Iron Butt ride on a Victory Kingpin, visiting the lower 48 states
and Alaska within 10 days.
• Gregor Moe breaks his own record in the 2000 M-AG class at the Bub Motorcycle Speed Trials at the
Bonneville Salt Flats by posting a speed of 166.44 mph on his Kingpin.

2011

• For the first time ever, three generations of custom bike builders providing styling for the Ness Signature
Series. The 2012 Victory line includes a Victory Vision styled by Arlen Ness, a Cross Country styled by
Cory Ness, and a Vegas 8-Ball styled by Cory’s son, Zach Ness.
• The CORE Custom Program is introduced. It allows customers to choose the color of their new Cross
Roads and select the bike’s saddlebags, tip-over protection and front-end protection. These elements are
installed at the Victory dealership so the customer rides home on a bike customized to their liking.
• Victory introduces the High-Ball, which features classic bobber styling, including a short front fender,
white wall tyres, spoked wheels and ape hangers. The matte black bike offers the most performance,
lowest seat height, and best value of any bike in its class.