2015 Victory Gunner First Look Review
During the 2012 New York City Progressive International Motorcycle Show, Victory Motorcycles said one of its top missions was to release a new model every six months.
The Polaris-owned manufacturer wasted no time, first releasing the Judge in January 2012, followed by the Boardwalk, the Cross Roads 8-Ball, and the Cross-Country 8-Ball.
And at this past weekend’s Chicago’s Progressive International Motorcycle Show, Victory launched its newest model – the Gunner.
Victory says the 2015 Gunner – built at Victory’s Spirit Lake, Iowa, facility – features throwback bobber styling, and was created as an “urban cruiser that outclasses the competition by handling itself as well on the highway as it does downtown.”
The 649-lb. Gunner is built on Victory’s cruiser chassis – the same platform of the High Ball, Judge and Boardwalk – and utilizes the Freedom 106 engine that powers every bike in Victory’s lineup.
To appeal to the ever-growing OEM bobber niche, the Gunner is stripped down the basics. Besides the torquey engine cradled in its minimal chassis, the Gunner arrives with chopped front and rear fenders, smaller sidepanels, and one color option – Suede Titanium. The 16″ x 3.5″ cast-aluminum wheels and the low 25″ seat – almost an inch lower than the Victory Judge – further enhance the bobber flavor.
From reviewing other cruisers in Victory’s lineup, we know this chassis performs well, providing urban maneuverability without sacrificing highway stability. And the Freedom 106 has always received praise due to its claimed 110 ft.-lb. of peak torque output.
Now the Gunner arrives, the name most definitely arriving from Victory’s spokesman R. Lee “Gunner” Ermey. At $12,999, it is only $500 more than the least expensive motorcycle in Victory’s lineup – the Vegas 8-Ball.
Victory expects this bobber to be further customized by its owner, and provides many accessories for it, including billet engine covers, Straight Stage 1 exhaust, V Drag Bars, and a solo luggage rack, to name a few.
Victory did not report a release date, but the Gunner is confirmed to make another public appearance at Daytona Bike Week March 7-16. Stay clicked to UltimateMotorCycling.com for a First Ride Review once Victory provides us the ammo.
2015 Victory Gunner Specs:
Freedom 106 Engine:
- Type: 4-Stroke 50° V-Twin
- Cooling System: Air / Oil
- Displacement: 106 ci / 1731 cc
- Bore X Stroke: 101 x 108 mm
- Compression Ratio: 9.4 : 1
- Valve Train: Single Overhead Camshafts with 4 Valves per Cylinder, Self-adjusting Cam Chains, Hydraulic Lifters
- Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection with Dual 45 mm Throttle Body
- Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gal / 17.0 ltr
- Exhaust: Staggered Slash-cut Dual Exhaust with Crossover
- Clutch: Wet, Multi-plate
- Transmission: 6-speed Overdrive Constant Mesh
- Final Drive: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Belt
Chassis
- Length: 93.4 in / 2372mm
- Wheelbase: 64.8 in / 1647 mm
- Seat Height: 25 in / 635 mm
- Ground Clearance: 4.7 in / 120 mm
- Rake/Trail: 32°
- Dry Weight: 649 lbs / 294 kg
- Front Suspension Type: Conventional Telescopic Fork
- Front Suspension Travel: 5.1 in / 130 mm
- Rear Suspension Type: Single Shock Absorber / Cast Aluminum Swingarm with Rising Rate Linkage (preload-adjustable spring)
- Rear Suspension Travel: 3.0 in / 75 mm
- Front Brake: Single 300mm Floating Rotor with 4-piston Caliper
- Rear Brake: Single 300mm Floating Rotor with 2-piston Caliper
- Wheels: Front 16 x 3.5 in / Rear 16 x 3.5 in
- Tires: Front 130/90 B16 67H Dunlop 491; Rear 140/90 B16 77H Dunlop 491
2013 Victory Gunner Color Options/MSRP:
- Suede Titanium / $12,999
Correction.. Might have meant to say “Boardwalk” instead of “Boulevard”. Minor oops.
Thanks for the catch! We appreciate our astute readers.