Victory Octane finally breaks cover

The tease is no longer — Victory Motorcycles has finally unveiled the Octane power cruiser with a potent engine going into bat with a "stiff and solid" cast aluminium chassis.

Developed from the Project 156 prototype that was tested at the 2015 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the 60-degree, short-stroke water-cooled V-twin (bore and stroke are 101 x 73.6mm) in the Octane has an electronic throttle with a single 60mm throttle body. As predicted, the 1179cc mill is a DOHC design, and claimed power and torque are 103hp and 103N, hitting their peaks at 8000rpm and 6000rpm respectively.

Gear ratios haven't been divulged, but Victory says that the Octane is geared short and claims a quarter-mile in 12 seconds and from 0-100km/h in less than four seconds.

The chassis starts with cast-aluminium frame, and there are also 41mm forks and twin shocks. The shocks are preload adjustable, but if you want more there are adjustable piggyback shocks in the accessories catalogue.

The wheelbase is 1577mm, and Victory says there is 32 degrees of lean angle to deliver "agility previously unknown to American V-twin motorcycles".

The Octane tracks on 18 (front) and 17-inch rubber, wrapped around 10-spoke cast wheels and with anti-lock braking as standard on the 298mm disc brakes. The low-slung solo saddle is just 657mm high, and fuel capacity is 12.8 litres.

The bullet cowl is standard equipment, there's an LED taillight, and the bulk of the chassis, running gear and powertrain are blacked out. There's Matte Super Steel Grey bodywork, and even the tank badge has been cast in grey instead of the traditional Victory red to "create a modern, monochrome look".

The "modern American muscle" machine will go on sale in Australia by the middle of 2016, from $18,995 rideaway.