VICTORY HAMMER (2003 - on) Review

Victory’s second generation customs (which also includes the Vegas, 8-Ball etc) are a world on from the original V92 clunkers and, on paper at least, have more than enough to give Harley-Davidson a run for its money. The Victory Hammer is no exception

With decent suspension, brakes and a purpose-built modern turbular steel cradle frame, Victory’s customs have always been respectable handlers. But the new Ness range is truly impressive. The Victory Hammer  is distinguished from the lithe and low Vegas by wearing a massive 250-section rear tyres, smaller 18-inch front wheel (in place of the Vegas’s skinny 21-in hoop) and decent usd forks and twin discs. So if you want a handler, the Victory Hammer is the one.

Rec-styled Victory Hammer engine came under the remit of custom legend Arlen Ness when he redesigned the whole Victory range and the results are fabulous. The Victory 50-degree V-twin was always modern and stompy enoughy to embaress Harley’s old warhorses with oodle of grunt, now, in the Victory Hammer, it looks the part, too.

Still fairly early days for Victory (and they’ve got an awful long way to go to match 100-years-plus Harley) so, to a degree, the jury is still out on the Victory Hammer. No massive reliability issues, though, the Victory Hammer's engineering is all on the durable side and finishes and components are good, however.

These latest Victorys are truly impressive pukka American customs. Victory Hammers look the biz have a great engine and chassis, are well built and ride well too. The only question is, if you’re going to spend £12,000 on an American cruiser is it good enough to prise you away from Harley. Logically, the answer’s yes, but logic rarely plays a part in these sorts of decisions… Find a Victory Hammer for sale

Victory Hammers live by the mantra ‘less is more’ but again, what they do have is generally very high quality: Polished billet aluminium abounds as does thick paint and chrome. Switchgear, clocks and brakes are all higher spec than equivilent Harleys too. All told, the Victory Hammer is a quality item.