Victory Octane – 103hp – 103Nm – 242kg – $18,995
Victory have finally taken the wraps off their affordable new 1179cc cruiser. Dubbed the Victory Octane, the machine sports the engine first seen in Project 156, a prototype that Victory went on to race at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
The liquid-cooled V-twin is Victory’s first-ever liquid-cooled engine and in another departure from cruiser norms it utilises double-overhead-cams, four-valves per cylinder and a rev-limit that extends beyond 8000rpm.Â
Victory claim that 103 horsepower and 130Nm of torque propel the 242kg Victory Octane.
Those numbers make it the lightest Victory motorcycle ever built, the most powerful Victory ever built and thus is obviously the fastest bike Victory has ever built. Victory claim 0-100km/h times better than four-second and quarter mile times in the 12s.
A stiff and light cast-aluminium frame transmits every last one of those horsepower directly to the pavement.
Sharp steering geometry, a tight (for a cruiser) and a 1577mm wheelbase should make the Victory Octane a breeze to ride while the 32-degrees of lean angle will allow some moderately sporting pretensions in the twisties.Â
Octane’s solid-mounted powertrain is a stressed member that connects cast-aluminium front and rear frame sections, with twin tubular-steel backbones for added reinforcement.
This rigid assembly is suspended up front by a 41mm fork equipped with dual-rate springs and out back laydown shocks are mounted 53 degrees off-horizontal, and are equipped with preload-adjustable dual-rate springs.
A single 298mm disc brake with stainless-steel lines and ABS at both ends take care of braking duties.Â
The 18-inch front wheel wears 130/70-18 rubber, while the 17-inch rear wheel is wrapped with a 160/70-17 tyre.
A low-slung solo saddle that rides just 658 mms above the pavement, an equally low pullback handlebar and semi-forward set foot controls create the riding position.Â
The bullet cowl is standard equipment and screams to oncoming traffic that this bike is built for speed—the only thing other riders are going to see is the LED taillight disappearing into the distance. Chrome won’t get you home, so there’s hardly any shiny stuff on Octane.
The bulk of the chassis, running gear and powertrain are blacked out, and Matte Super Steel Grey bodywork. Even the tank badge has been cast in grey instead of the traditional Victory red to create a modern, monochrome look.
The all-new Victory Octane will be available on Australian shores from mid-year with pricing starting at just $18,995 ride away.
Victory Octane Specifications
- ENGINE TYPE: Liquid-cooled 60° V-twin
- VALVE TRAIN: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
- DISPLACEMENT: 1,179cc
- BORE X STROKE: 101.0 x 73.6mm
- COMPRESSION RATIO: 10.8:1
- HORSEPOWER: 103 HP/77 KW @ 8000 RPM
- TORQUE: 76 FT-LBS/103 NM @ 6000 RPM
- FUEL SYSTEM: EFI with single 60mm throttle body
- EXHAUST: Dual slash-cut mufflers with common volume
- CLUTCH: Wet, multi-plate
- TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE: 6-speed/belt
- FRAME: Cast-aluminium semi-double-cradle with tubular-steel backbones
- FRONT SUSPENSION: 41mm damper-tube forks with dual-rate springs; 4.7-in. travel
- REAR SUSPENSION: Twin shocks with dual-rate springs, adjustable for preload; 3.0-in. travel
- LEAN ANGLE (SOFT): 32 degrees
- FRONT BRAKE: Two-piston calliper, 298mm disc, with ABS
- REAR BRAKE: One-piston calliper, 298mm disc, with ABS
- FRONT TYRE: 130/70-18 63H
- REAR TYRE: 160/70-17 76H
- FRONT WHEEL: 18 X 3.5-in. cast, 10-spoke
- REAR WHEEL: 17 X 4.5-in. cast, 10-spoke
- RAKE/TRAIL: 29.0°/129mm.
- WHEELBASE: 1,577mm
- SEAT HEIGHT (LADEN): 658mm.
- FUEL CAPACITY: 12.8 ltrs.
- OIL CAPACITY: 4.2 ltrs.
- DRY WEIGHT: 242kg.
- WARRANTY 2 year, unlimited Km
- PRICE: $18,995 Ride Away
