First ride: Victory Gunner

“What’s the paint code on that Victory?” The question came from my Carsales journalist colleague, who is in the middle of a café racer makeover project on a 1997 model Honda VTR250. The suede metallic livery took his fancy, and he’s now set about replicating it on the Honda tiddler – and it’ll no doubt add a masculine element to the bike.

I look forward to seeing the end result, but in the meantime let’s get back to the task at hand – the Gunner, which is the latest boulevard-busting cruiser to come out of the Victory stable, and joins the High-Ball and Vegas 8-Ball in the sub $20K rideaway territory in Australia.

Victory has produced some great names for its cruisers over the years, such as High-Ball, Judge and Boardwalk, and the Gunner is the latest to join that stable, but with very strong ties to the Judge. The pair shares the same chassis and geometry – 32-degree rake, steel frame, 1647mm wheelbase, chunky 16-inch tyres and suspension – as well as the energetic and omnipresent Freedom 106ci (1737cc) 50-degree V-twin powerplant.

The ‘less is more’ philosophy can grate on some – and I’ve had reservations of my own – because it occasionally becomes an all-too easy marketing catchy for companies trying to sell cruisers, but on this occasion I get it with the Gunner. It’s a frugal machine with little ‘wastage’, and pillions don’t even get a look unless the owner delves into the accessories catalogue.

The solo seat also accentuates the raw, uncluttered appeal of the rear fender, while the front fender is trimmed and the high-profile tyres mean business. And the finishing touches are supplied by that darkened suede metallic and black livery and the low-slung seat. There’s nothing particularly bold about the Gunner, but it’s certainly appealing – one of the best to come out of the Victory stable in my books.

The $19,995 Gunner actually looks quite long in the flesh, but with the same wheelbase as the Judge the handling manners are very similar – poise and predictability abound, and with even less unsprung weight – thanks to the new 24-spoke cast aluminium wheels – the ability to fling the big girl from side to side should be an easier exercise.

I didn’t feel a discernable difference, but the Gunner is certainly responsive, and the high-profile tyres work well in concert with the suspension – especially around town when most tarmac imperfections are put in their place. High-compression hits are felt, of course, but with plenty of lumbar support in the solo seat that’s not even too much of a physical burden. Generally, the suspension is firm enough without being too harsh, and that’s why it’s fun to ride on country roads, even with the rangy rake. It’s one rock solid machine. Suspension travel isn’t massive though, and there’s only 75mm to work with on the rear.

The 16-inch wheels allow the Gunner to turn quite nicely, and filtering through city traffic is surprisingly easy and not the problematic exercise it can be for some lumbering cruisers. Mind you, with a 294kg dry weight the Gunner is no flyweight, but with some fast-twitch fibres in its DNA it does respond promptly to most rider inputs and is a great bike to ride around town.

The Gunner’s seat height is lower than the Judge’s while still maintaining the same basic chassis design. Generally that can mean a more cramped existence, but the ergonomics on the Gunner are excellent and it’s comfortable – you don’t have to be stopping all the time to give your body a refresh.

I have always loved the spritely feel of the undersquare Freedom engine (bore and stroke are 101mm and 108mm), as it likes to rev and there’s a generous spread of torque; the type of grunty, easy-to-live with addictive powerplant that makes cruisers what they are. There’s crisp and immediate power delivery, and the fueling is spot on.

Victory doesn’t even bother quoting a power figure, with the 153Nm of torque taking on the sole bragging rights (although about 85hp is what you’d be getting).

Measured fuel consumption was 6.5lt/100km on the Gunner, and the fuel tank holds 17 litres.

The Freedom transmission is a beauty these days , while the 300mm brakes deliver decent stopping power but there’s no ABS to speak of.

Although the Gunner can trace its existence to a number of its Victory stablemates, the Judge in particular, that doesn’t mean it’s an inferior product – far from it. Instead, Victory’s produced a cruiser that is accommodating at a number of levels, and with the key genetics of a great engine and chassis, it gets a big tick. There’s a certain amount of elegance as well, sometime the Judge can’t match, and it’s muscular too.

Yep, the Gunner is very much its own entity, and a big head turner. And you can go riding by yourself, which has so many benefits…

VICTORY GUNNER IN BIKE SHOWROOM

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: Not given
Claimed maximum torque: 153.2Nm
Measured fuel consumption: 6.5lt/100km (80% highway, 20% city)

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed
Final drive: Belt
Clutch: Wet with mechanical drive

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Tubular steel
Front suspension: 43mm telescopic fork, 130mm travel
Rear suspension: Shock absorber, preload adjustable, 75mm travel
Front brakes: 300mm disc with four-piston caliper
Rear brake: 300mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Wheels: Front 3.5 x 16, rear 3.5 x 16
Tyres: Dunlop 491 -- front 130/90-16, rear 140/90-16

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 32 degrees
Claimed dry weight: 294kg
Seat height: 635mm
Ground clearance: 120mm
Wheelbase: 1647mm
Fuel capacity: 17 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $19,995 rideaway
Colour: Suede metallic
Test bike supplied by: Victory Motorcycles, www.victorymotorcycles.com.au
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres