Harley Softail Rocker Vs Victory Hammer S

[damo]

Has anyone got either of these...?

I moving to Aussie in august, and am weighing between the two. I'm a huge fan of the Victory bikes, but the Harley Rocker is quite stunning for a factory bike (go the hidden seat!)

[firecrab]

Hey - please don't be mad at me asking this: seeing that you're riding a 250cc bike right now - have you ever owned a bike with a bigger engine? If you get the Rocker, you'll be riding a 1600cc engine and there'll be quite a bit of difference in power and engine behaviour. If you've only ever owned a 250cc bike, that displacement change might be quite exciting and might be attracting dents and scratches to your brand spanking new and awesome bike. But, I might be waaaay out of line so I already apologize for what I said and GTFO. :innocent:

btw - the Hammer surely sounds insane with some nice pipes :O

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL4f8ZXBvKI&feature=related

and sure is pretty:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2Smg7sQB28&feature=related

[xknuts]

Yes, I have ridden the Hammer, an awesome piece of kit & the only Victory with twin disc brakes until the new "Vision". New Hammer is 1600cc, 6 speed. I think you will find the Hammer will be everything beyond & better than what you expect.
BEWARE that you will not buy one in Australia. The only way to get a Victory into Australia is to have owned one here registered in your name and take it with you. even then it would pay to look into it.
Polaris have not complied with Australian Vehicle Manufacturers Crash tests etc. So exports from USA to OZ are a non event.

Let me know if I am wrong about this

[1200custom]

would straight up go for the rocker, they are one nice bike and look even better in person than the pics....but they do look alot better when the pillion seat is out of sight.......but would have to agree with firecarb, if you have only ever riddin a 250 you may want to take smaller steps

[popelli]

down side of the Victory is each year they have a vastly better new model

second hand there seem to be none around so if you get tired of it you may find a limited market as everybody will want next years new improved model, the real cost of ownership ie depreciation could be a killer

harley on the other hand hold there values better than most - also easier to get parts service and accessories for them

[Toaster]

Shame... it would be great to see the Victory range in the southern hemisphere.

[scumdog]

Now I know where that post on PD came from!!

But as they others said: it's a quantum leap from what you're riding to what you seem to want.

IMHO: Go the Victory but as some have said there's a little bit of a downside owning one of them.

[xknuts]

down side of the Victory is each year they have a vastly better new model

second hand there seem to be none around so if you get tired of it you may find a limited market as everybody will want next years new improved model, the real cost of ownership ie depreciation could be a killer

harley on the other hand hold there values better than most - also easier to get parts service and accessories for them

Oh, they are around alright, to own one is to know where they are.
There has been changes in spec's (92ci to 100ci & 6 speed) but the model range is unchanged except for the addition of the "Vision".


Now I know where that post on PD came from!!

But as they others said: it's a quantum leap from what you're riding to what you seem to want.

IMHO: Go the Victory but as some have said there's a little bit of a downside owning one of them.

:Oi:Downside? What Downside.
The only downside is hiding the smile on your face as you buy a better performing and handling bike than a Harley D for about $5K less than the equivalent HD bike with well under half the K's on the clock in the second hand market. :lol:

[scumdog]

Oh, they are around alright, to own one is to know where they are.
There has been changes in spec's (92ci to 100ci & 6 speed) but the model range is unchanged except for the addition of the "Vision".



:Oi:Downside? What Downside.
The only downside is hiding the smile on your face as you buy a better performing and handling bike than a Harley D for about $5K less than the equivalent HD bike with well under half the K's on the clock in the second hand market. :lol:

It's the resale is not as good (smaller market) and the not being able to walk into your local Victory dealership to buy your accessories and parts kind of downside.

[JimO]

there is a nice one at the local honda shop a few weeks ago cant remember the price but it seemed reasonable

[Divot]

BEWARE that you will not buy one in Australia. The only way to get a Victory into Australia is to have owned one here registered in your name and take it with you. even then it would pay to look into it.
Polaris have not complied with Australian Vehicle Manufacturers Crash tests etc. So exports from USA to OZ are a non event.


Why would you take a bike to Aust where there is no agent, service or parts back up?????

[damo]

Cheers all, interesting comments

as far as my research has told me, Polaris have on the down-low sorted out their dealers for Aussie. The compliance is underway for the aussie market at the moment, and my spy in aus has told me its sweet.
there will be plenty of service agents in Aussie, but only a handful of dealers.
As far as the 2nd hand market goes.. im planning on holding onto either bike for a very long time, as both (especially the Harley) could become collectable when im in my 50's whittling wood on the front porch. Either way, its $25k investment im not planning on liquidising.

yeah I use a ho-bag as my daily commuting bike. have done for coming up two years now.. thrown up about 11500km+ on this with a couple of longer trips, and my Intruder had another 2000km on it as well. For the last year ive been aching for a bigger bike, cos trying to go whangarei and back in a day is bloody nasty on that bike (i'm about 2 inches too tall for it..)

have ridden a few larger bikes, VX1300, SV1000, 883 sportster and a M50. thought about getting a mid weight like the sportster 883... but frankly im not a fan.

I guess the only way to decide is to get on both and give them both a test run. From all accounts, NZ and Aussie should have dealers by may/june, and stock around then too. Fingers crossed, cos Victory bikes are freakin siiiiiick.

ps - if you ever get the chance, if you are in San Fran, take a trip out to Arlen Ness in Dublin CA. its about a 30-40min drive past oakland, but its incredible.

[Taz]

That victory almost looks as good as the Boulevard M109R but not quite.

[scumdog]

That victory almost looks as good as the Boulevard M109R but not quite.

Pfft!!!!

Inyerdreams IMHO.

[Taz]

I was quite serious. I suppose thats why all bikes don't look the same. Different tastes. The M109R is a very hot looking cruiser.

[xknuts]

Why would you take a bike to Aust where there is no agent, service or parts back up?????

Why buy one in NZ?? there is the internet etc which makes the world a small place wherer anything is available


there is a nice one at the local honda shop a few weeks ago cant remember the price but it seemed reasonable

SOLD, It was a 2006 Hammer for about $26000, Seriously Gorgeous

[xknuts]

I was quite serious. I suppose thats why all bikes don't look the same. Different tastes. The M109R is a very hot looking cruiser.

HOT CRUISER !
Check this out for HOT

[Gibbo13p]

I quite like the look of the VRSCDX 08 Nightrod, and wouldn't the Harley be more cost effective anyways?

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/harley-davidson/2007-harley-davidson-vrscdx-night-rod-special-ar11866.html

[Bonez]

I quite like the look of the VRSCDX 08 Nightrod, and wouldn't the Harley be more cost effective anyways?

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/harley-davidson/2007-harley-davidson-vrscdx-night-rod-special-ar11866.html

I guess if you own a Victory you have something out of the norm, different and unique.

[Gibbo13p]

Whats the price difference involved with the victory? I like the big barrels on them but why not just get yourself a bosshog, you could have your chevy engine and a bike at the same time.....great for those closet holden fans lol

[Bonez]

Whats the price difference involved with the victory? I like the big barrels on them but why not just get yourself a bosshog, you could have your chevy engine and a bike at the same time.....great for those closet holden fans lolGuess it really comes down to pesonnal taste. BossHoss's are hidious IMHO. That Victory shown above is a much better looking beast. And thats coming from a non cruiser fan ;)

OT- Hey did Gower pick up that XZ?

[Gibbo13p]

Could go a cruiser now I reckon, not going so fast anymore....lol Yep gower picked it up on a ute in the end which I thought was a good idea, says he's bringing it to work tomorrow, wow two yamaha's in the park now....must be breeding, promise the XJ has been in the shed the whole time......;)

[Bonez]

Could go a cruiser now I reckon, They do make sence these days but I'm tending towards a Hinkley Bonneville or W650.

[Gibbo13p]

The Hinkley bonny, is that that one you guys were talking about the other day that I reckon looks like an old yamaha....? I liked the black setup of it.

[Bonez]

The Hinkley bonny, is that that one you guys were talking about the other day that I reckon looks like an old yamaha....? I liked the black setup of it. Yip. That's the one.

[Gibbo13p]

That was a pretty bike alright....the old styling is coming back all ramped up and techo inside...

[xknuts]

I guess if you own a Victory you have something out of the norm, different and unique.

Oh, How right you are!:2thumbsup


They do make sence these days but I'm tending towards a Hinkley Bonneville or W650.

I believe that you would be dissapointed in the power available at top end of the power band, IMHO:weep:

[Bonez]

Oh, How right you are!:2thumbsup



I believe that you would be dissapointed in the power available at top end of the power band, IMHO:weep:Really don't give a fats rats about top end rubber bands. Anyway some folk don't know how to use a gearbox properly ;).

[xknuts]

Really don't give a fats rats about top end rubber bands. Anyway some folk don't know how to use a gearbox properly ;).

Thats true, but as I stopped at the Oturehua Pub on way to Brass Monkey, a female friend got off her Bonnie complaining that she needed more power to pass, at the speeds we were cruising at!
She's talking about a Cam Kit ???

[Bonez]

Thats true, but as I stopped at the Oturehua Pub on way to Brass Monkey, a female friend got off her Bonnie complaining that she needed more power to pass, at the speeds we were cruising at!
She's talking about a Cam Kit ???Interesting. Was it a 790 or 865?

[xknuts]

Interesting. Was it a 790 or 865?

Speedmaster! CC's ????

[Bonez]

Speedmaster! CC's ????They're at least 50lbs heavier than a standard Bonnie and 270 (produces its max torque lower in the rev range) as opposed to 360 degree crank. A few ponies less too.

Standard gearing may just be a bit tall.

[damo]

http://www.getfarming.com.au/pages/farming/success_stories_view.php?sId=50200805201346

looks like Victory are officially launching in Australia!! WOOHOOOO Hammer S here I come!

[AllanB]

Harley, if for no other reason than the resale will be better.

Plus the poser value is better on a HD and I suspect if you are really honest there is a bit of this otherwise you'd also be considering a much cheaper Jap cruiser.

No biggie and not a dig, just a realistic comment about the brand. Everyone knows HD.

[James Deuce]

I keep looking at a Rocker and then the kids and then back to a picture of a Rocker and then back to the kids.

A University education is overrated.

Where's my Mortgage Manager?

[xknuts]

http://www.getfarming.com.au/pages/farming/success_stories_view.php?sId=50200805201346

looks like Victory are officially launching in Australia!! WOOHOOOO Hammer S here I come!

That is exciting news!
Here they come, Can't wait.

[peasea]

That is exciting news!
Here they come, Can't wait.


I was on a poker run last w/e and ran into a guy with a Victory. He informs me they are coming here too. Just a 'wait and see' scenario I suppose.

[kram]

i have got a victory custom have had it 6mths have only done just over 1400 miles on it though and i mean miles not kms and i am loving it . the only thing i have found is that it does not run 100% true on our nz petrol so i run a ltr off abb gas in tank . the parts are here if you know were to look but i do my own work as it is a way two get to know your bike:rockon::Punk:

[xknuts]

i have got a victory custom have had it 6mths have only done just over 1400 miles on it though and i mean miles not kms and i am loving it . the only thing i have found is that it does not run 100% true on our nz petrol so i run a ltr off abb gas in tank . the parts are here if you know were to look but i do my own work as it is a way two get to know your bike:rockon::Punk:

Post a pic on your profile page. :soon:

[kram]

i will when one of the kids show me how. to ride abike is easy to work on a computer not so easy. the older i get te slower i go. :cool::Playnice::rockon: