Hired one of these in Manchester NH when visiting my brother in the US - toured around NH & VT for a couple of weeks with the Mrs on the back and fell in love with the bike. Great engine, great road presence, suspension, comfort and style. So sad they don't make these lovely bikes anymore
Bud gear match when downshifting, blip the throttle when down shifting. Once you get used to the transmission you shouldn’t hear any gear noise when shifting.
I believe if they tightened up on fit and finish and had somewhat stepped away from the styling they had it may have aided them for a long time to come. I seem to like the earlier models with the 92 engine more so than the newer machines still though.
@@RabidHedgehog I do too. I just climbed off my 06 (last year) Touring Cruiser Deluxe. Nice two tone root beer mettle flake and beige. The V92 hot rod freedom motor is still a Harley slayer, even in it's old age. I have owned everything under the sun and I have never had a bike that draws crowds like that bike does and I have had some pretty goofy stuff like servi-cars and the like. The Victory looks like something right out of the fifties and I love it old skool. Those motors are like an overgrown Honda 50cc, indestructible. I will have lots of other bikes but I will never part with that TCD.
Man, over the past 30-some years, I've owned everything from R1s and 'Busas to Mean Streaks and Road Kings. The last bike I ever bought was a Victory Kingpin Touring, which I've ridden for years and years now. That has just seemed to be the bike for me; the one I've kept and never found a reason to switch out. It's always served me well. That said, everyone has their likes, dislikes, nitpicks, and preferences. Also, I do have some concerns about what comes in the late 20s and early 30s and, God forbid, I need parts. :/ Thanks for the review, man! I did enjoy it.
I purchased a one owner 2013 XCT in early December 2023. It had 7,499 miles on it... My other bike is a 2004 Yamaha Warrior. I am a very contented man! The fact that I spent around $12,000 on two special bikes is a pleasure all it's own. Ride safe everybody!
I watched your last review and knew right away you had the same reaction many have on a Victory. Short shifting causes the motor the thrash and ping. I also had to learn to rev the motor out and when I finally did on my Kingpin it initially scared the crap out of me because I was not used to a motor that just kept pulling well past 4krpm. The potato potato luggin around I did on my Harley and other cruisers was not how the Victory motor was designed. Now I really dislike short-shifting because I feel like there should be much more. Putting a cam in the Victory will give you a bit more off the line but I will take that revving every time. Nice review and glad you got to experience what the motor can do.
These are not short shift bikes. Its an overhead cam motor that likes to be rev'd. I doubt it has aftermarket cams installed. I've rode plenty with cams and own(ed) cammed 106's that bike doesn't look to pull like what I am use too. And you also should cruise around 3-3500 rpm especially when doing roll on pulls.
I was told it indeed had modification when I got back to the dealer. It did ride better than the bone stock one I took out 4 years ago to me. It might have been a mild upgrade and not radical, but it was enough.
Just quick note up front, the Cross Country has air ride. That is why it is so smooth over all the bumps. Anyways, I have owned 7 Victory motorcycles. I love the line and was sad when they stopped making them. I am on my second Cross roads, I am not a fairing kind of guy. Dollar for dollar they are a great buy. Tons of power in all ranges. I have power commander, upgraded air breather and D&D exhaust. Thinking of putting a cam in it, why not. I like the Victory line so much I will keep buying them until they are all worn out or I cant ride any more. Oh, I also own 2017 Indian Chief, 2013 Triumph Thunderbird, 2005 Harley V-rod. Have owned multiple Triumph Rocket III's as well. Not 100% sure why, but I am always drawn back to the Victory Cross bikes. Right now just waiting for spring so I can get back out there. Keep the shiny side up!
I just bought one of these last month. so far I love it . im 6' tall also but I HATE the handlebars . waaaayyy to close to me and low. feels like im riding a tricycle. first thing I did when I got home after my first ride was order new bars lol. Yea im not a fan of the controls hanging down like that either but it is what it is. Other then that I love it , and have a bunch of mods on the way. Mine doesnt have the heel toe shifter, I think that was added on by your previous owner.
Right, it more than likely was. This one was older than the 2016 I rode and I was not 100% sure if they were stock and fell out of favor, or if the heel toe was added. But I just borrowed the bike at random that day for the review.
First thing I noticed, No wonder you dont like the performance of engine. Its NOT a Harley. Victory's like to be wound up more. About 3k they start to run good. Loud exhaust on XCT at 75 for hours of touring will ring your ears.
I haven't ridden a Victory yet, however, I do know that I typically prefer to short shift bikes, even on my concours. It would definitely take some time for me to get used to not doing that on a bike that reacts to it the way Victories seem to.
It takes a moment to get used to for sure. What I hated back in 2016 was I was told to shift at 3K... Well that was not long enough either and it seemed that it was unhappy at that time, which made me review negatively as it just seemed to bogged. Now I am getting it a bit more. Now Indian's Thunderstroke is just power everywhere and seems better balanced and that is why I prefer that engine over the Freedom.
Hired one of these in Manchester NH when visiting my brother in the US - toured around NH & VT for a couple of weeks with the Mrs on the back and fell in love with the bike. Great engine, great road presence, suspension, comfort and style. So sad they don't make these lovely bikes anymore
Bud gear match when downshifting, blip the throttle when down shifting.
Once you get used to the transmission you shouldn’t hear any gear noise when shifting.
i went from yamaha 650 star to 99 ultra glide to 2012 victory cross country and never looked back :)
Victory was an incredible bike. Just look at the Challenger. Victory had a bright future in hand.
I believe if they tightened up on fit and finish and had somewhat stepped away from the styling they had it may have aided them for a long time to come. I seem to like the earlier models with the 92 engine more so than the newer machines still though.
@@RabidHedgehog I do too. I just climbed off my 06 (last year) Touring Cruiser Deluxe. Nice two tone root beer mettle flake and beige. The V92 hot rod freedom motor is still a Harley slayer, even in it's old age. I have owned everything under the sun and I have never had a bike that draws crowds like that bike does and I have had some pretty goofy stuff like servi-cars and the like. The Victory looks like something right out of the fifties and I love it old skool. Those motors are like an overgrown Honda 50cc, indestructible. I will have lots of other bikes but I will never part with that TCD.
Fit and finish was better than hd
And the styling was great!
Man, over the past 30-some years, I've owned everything from R1s and 'Busas to Mean Streaks and Road Kings. The last bike I ever bought was a Victory Kingpin Touring, which I've ridden for years and years now. That has just seemed to be the bike for me; the one I've kept and never found a reason to switch out. It's always served me well. That said, everyone has their likes, dislikes, nitpicks, and preferences. Also, I do have some concerns about what comes in the late 20s and early 30s and, God forbid, I need parts. :/
Thanks for the review, man! I did enjoy it.
I purchased a one owner 2013 XCT in early December 2023. It had 7,499 miles on it... My other bike is a 2004 Yamaha Warrior. I am a very contented man! The fact that I spent around $12,000 on two special bikes is a pleasure all it's own. Ride safe everybody!
I watched your last review and knew right away you had the same reaction many have on a Victory. Short shifting causes the motor the thrash and ping. I also had to learn to rev the motor out and when I finally did on my Kingpin it initially scared the crap out of me because I was not used to a motor that just kept pulling well past 4krpm. The potato potato luggin around I did on my Harley and other cruisers was not how the Victory motor was designed. Now I really dislike short-shifting because I feel like there should be much more. Putting a cam in the Victory will give you a bit more off the line but I will take that revving every time. Nice review and glad you got to experience what the motor can do.
I did learn this one was modified and had cam upgrades and such but it was more fun than the last few.
These are not short shift bikes. Its an overhead cam motor that likes to be rev'd. I doubt it has aftermarket cams installed. I've rode plenty with cams and own(ed) cammed 106's that bike doesn't look to pull like what I am use too. And you also should cruise around 3-3500 rpm especially when doing roll on pulls.
I was told it indeed had modification when I got back to the dealer. It did ride better than the bone stock one I took out 4 years ago to me. It might have been a mild upgrade and not radical, but it was enough.
Just quick note up front, the Cross Country has air ride. That is why it is so smooth over all the bumps. Anyways, I have owned 7 Victory motorcycles. I love the line and was sad when they stopped making them. I am on my second Cross roads, I am not a fairing kind of guy. Dollar for dollar they are a great buy. Tons of power in all ranges. I have power commander, upgraded air breather and D&D exhaust. Thinking of putting a cam in it, why not. I like the Victory line so much I will keep buying them until they are all worn out or I cant ride any more. Oh, I also own 2017 Indian Chief, 2013 Triumph Thunderbird, 2005 Harley V-rod. Have owned multiple Triumph Rocket III's as well. Not 100% sure why, but I am always drawn back to the Victory Cross bikes. Right now just waiting for spring so I can get back out there. Keep the shiny side up!
Keep that shiny side up as well!
I just bought one of these last month. so far I love it . im 6' tall also but I HATE the handlebars . waaaayyy to close to me and low. feels like im riding a tricycle. first thing I did when I got home after my first ride was order new bars lol. Yea im not a fan of the controls hanging down like that either but it is what it is. Other then that I love it , and have a bunch of mods on the way. Mine doesnt have the heel toe shifter, I think that was added on by your previous owner.
Right, it more than likely was. This one was older than the 2016 I rode and I was not 100% sure if they were stock and fell out of favor, or if the heel toe was added. But I just borrowed the bike at random that day for the review.
First thing I noticed, No wonder you dont like the performance of engine. Its NOT a Harley. Victory's like to be wound up more. About 3k they start to run good. Loud exhaust on XCT at 75 for hours of touring will ring your ears.
I miss Victory. Imagine what they could be today. I’m still angry at Polaris for killing the brand. That’s cool. I’ll buy from their competition.
Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas to you as well!
I haven't ridden a Victory yet, however, I do know that I typically prefer to short shift bikes, even on my concours. It would definitely take some time for me to get used to not doing that on a bike that reacts to it the way Victories seem to.
It takes a moment to get used to for sure. What I hated back in 2016 was I was told to shift at 3K... Well that was not long enough either and it seemed that it was unhappy at that time, which made me review negatively as it just seemed to bogged. Now I am getting it a bit more. Now Indian's Thunderstroke is just power everywhere and seems better balanced and that is why I prefer that engine over the Freedom.
I just bought a 2010 Cross Country and I love it. I noticed my bike has the same chrome cup holder only I’m missing the ring. Do you know the brand?
How do you compare this to the Indian
All the review vids and no one ever plays the stereo on the highway... thats important.. damn
This is cause it costs us by either a copyright strike or removal of video due to owned content. So we have to keep them muted.
Geez you complaint too damn much just review
Well I guess it's a bad review then, which normally equals a complaint.