Victory Gunner, the American alternative you don't expect – first contact 2016

Victory Gunner – Let's make a fair premise, because the Spirit Lake (USA) brand is not so well known in our area yet. This was confirmed to us by the many onlookers who gathered around the Gunner when we parked it, or even by the many who looked at it at the traffic lights looking for clues to understand what it was about. That big writing Victory Motorcycles on the tank seemed to be not enough for anyone. Let's talk about a brand of the Polaris group, which is opening one in Italy showroom on 7 floors in Brianza, which will become the largest in the world, a sign that our market still seems to attract attention. In addition to quads, snowmobiles and jet skis, Polaris owns two motorcycle brands, the newly reborn Indian and Victory, as well as targeting, so the rumors say, our MV Agusta. Just to make it clear that these are not brands without a solid structure behind them. Of course, at the moment the distribution network is not widespread, but we are only at the beginning and it could develop very quickly. Therefore the American company will not have the history of other brands, having started producing motorcycles in 1998, but the time is now ripe for landing in Italy, after the moderate success achieved in its homeland. This goes hand in hand with the rebirth of the Indian brand, which joined the group in 2011, but which wants to present itself in a different way from Victory, above all because it has existed since 1901, even if it took a break of about 50 years , but we will soon have the opportunity to talk to you better about this.

Gunner

A motorcycle that It owes its name to the nickname of drill sergeant Hartman from the film Full Metal Jacket, interpreted by Ronald Lee Ermey. The move of hiring him for the American advertising campaign was brilliant, as you can see in this video:

The one we tested, until the release of the Octane (with a lower price and displacement, but still the most powerful Victory ever), from the American company was the entry level model, so to speak, given that between the frame tubes a powerful one finds its place two 50° V cylinders, with a displacement of 106 "Inch Cubes", translated into our measurements 1731 cc, with 65 kW (88 hp indicated in the booklet, given that the data is not declared) and well 139 Nm of torque delivered at 2.800 rpm. The engine, called “Freedom”, is a 4 valve per cylinder, with electronic injection and air/oil cooling. Launched a couple of years ago, the Gunner arrived timidly only last year in Italy and it is a custom with details that make it part of the “bobber” category, like the 16" rims with high shoulder tyres, cone 130/90 front and 140/90 rear, mounted on 24-spoke rims. Even before getting into the saddle it transmits a message feeling of excellent quality and careful construction, which we will discover to be in contrast to its decidedly attractive price.

It appears completely dark, with fenders, tank and side panels in a fascinating titanium color and lots of black. The only exceptions, with a light metal-colored or chrome finish, are the fork legs, the headlight ring, the instrument and the cylinder fins. All in contrast with the black paintwork of most of the bike. The cylinders and rims then offer a workmanship that plays on the black and the brushing of the cylinders and spokes. One of Gunner's most characterizing traits is her rib that cuts the entire motorcycle longitudinally, starting from the fenders and crossing the tank, as well as the teardrop rear light, drowned in the metal of the mudguard. The small oil cooler almost seems to have been hidden, because it ends up almost not being visible, unless carefully observed. Details that make it clear that the manufacturing care is high.

Let's get on the saddle

The position is the classic cruiser one, with the seat is low, very low indeed, just 635 mm from the ground, arms that stretch comfortably on the wide handlebars and feet comfortable on the low footrests. In the saddle you have the very long tank in front of you, with the beautiful black side faces with the logo of the American company. It's not just a paint job, but the tank is actually designed by a rib that forms a very sinuous concave part. We then notice the enormous fork plates, painted black, which embrace the large shiny forks. Braking is not a problem, despite the single front disc having to stop the 296 kg dry of Gunner. The discs are twins, both 300 mm, with 4-pumping calipers and are supported by ABS. The rear, "stepping" on the brake is felt, with the Dunlop 491 which tries to stop before the ABS comes into action. The small circular tool it indicates the speed, in kilometers or miles, it is equipped with the usual various warning lights (including the reserve one), as well as a useful display that can be navigated thanks to the button hidden behind the left block.

In an essential look you also have the rev counter available, rare for this type of motorbike, as well as the total and partial odometer, while the indication of the gear engaged is always present and clearly visible. Needless to say, when folding the footrests touch their feet almost immediately, with just a lean angle allowed 25.5%, little more if you insist. When you raise the platforms, which close upwards, they actually touch other "more solid" parts, preventing you from going further. It's a shame, because we immediately took a liking to it, given the feeling of great stability that the Gunner immediately transmits. Stable at fast speed, you drive with gusto not just for walking. Also thanks to an engine passed with flying colours. The 106 “Cubic Inches” it pulls hard as soon as you open the throttle and at every speed, up to the limiter at 5.500 rpm. It grumbles at idle, just over 800 rpm. There are few vibrations, at least compared to the type of motorcycle, while the 6-speed gearbox is equipped with overdrive for riding on long straights. The clutches are accompanied by the classic "stock", but the clutch is not too heavy and, with the bike stopped, neutral is easily found, demonstrating the quality of the transmission. The sound of the engine is very sober and perhaps deserves a little more freedom than that granted by the long slash-cut exhaust side as standard.

In conclusion

The Victory Gunner is a Cruiser that someone could choose to avoid the "obvious" American perhaps, but it doesn't have any quality at all nothing to envy, for example, to a Harley – Davidson Softail Slim, which however costs almost 6 thousand euros more than the 14.290 of its price list. It complies with Euro 3 regulations and offers 5 year guarantee. There are two colors available, in addition to the titanium and black (Suede Titanium Metallic with Black) of the example in the photo, you can choose it with the matching green and black (Suede Green Metallic with Black). Obviously it can be customized with many accessories, firstly to take a passenger out for a ride, but also to make it more suitable for travel, or to enrich it from an aesthetic point of view. There is no shortage of exhausts, with an all-chromed solution instead of the standard black one, or a two-in-one, also chromed or black. We close with a curiosity: we could perhaps see an electric version in the future, given the recent acquisition of Brammo by the Polaris group. The antagonist Harley-Davidson is working in this direction, who will be the first to produce a “rechargeable” cruiser?