2015 Victory Gunner First Look ReviewDuring 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
