Friday, February 2, 2007



Polaris press release follows:

In a highly anticipated world unveiling, Victory Motorcycles, a division of Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE:PII), today launched its new Victory Vision™ family of luxury touring motorcycles at the International Motorcycle Show in New York City. The new bikes, the Victory Vision Street™ and Victory Vision Tour,™ boast Victory’s own thunderous V-Twin engine, unmatched comfort and breakthrough styling - redefining what it means to be an American touring bike.

“We spent nearly six years researching and developing this bike, and more than 28,000 miles riding with customers and are confident that the Victory Vision will fulfill the dreams of people looking to tour on an American Luxury touring bike,” said Mark Blackwell, vice president of Victory Motorcycles and International Operations. “The Victory Vision is perhaps the most pure example of what riders have been asking for: a modern, American V-Twin touring bike.”

A powerful combination of style and comfort, the Victory Vision bikes have four inches of cushion in their seats, a relaxed, feet-forward riding position, the best aerodynamic wind protection and airflow management for all weather riding, ample storage space with modern American styling. The new bikes will be available to riders across the country beginning in fall 2007.

“This is a proud day for Polaris and Victory Motorcycles as we launch a family of motorcycles that 30 years from now people will look back and say, ‘Those bikes fundamentally changed the design of American motorcycles,” said Tom Tiller, CEO, Polaris Industries. “We launched Victory Motorcycles in 1998 with the belief that an American company could design and build the best motorcycles in the world – while not the biggest, we are confident based on feedback from our buyers Victory is the best.”


The Victory Vision comes in two flavors, Tour, with 6750 cubic inches of storage space and Street with 3370 cubic inches of capacity. Seat height is a low 26.5 inches and the seating position is relaxed with a lot of room to move around thanks to integrated floorboards.

Interesting is the lack of specifics on engine displacement, with some time left before it shows up on the showroom floor, it may be a decision that is not yet final.



Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightster



Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycles get a burst of adrenalin with the launch of the new XL 1200N Nightster. With a wicked combination of exceptional performance, unique design and a low seat height, the Nightster has a gritty, urban feel offering a sharp ride for the street. "The XL 1200N Nightster is a blacked-out street bike that continues a half century of Sportster tradition of innovative, fun and versatile motorcycles," said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson Director of Motorcycle Product Development. "With loads of truly select features and components, the Nightster takes all the enhancements made to the Sportster family in recent years to an entirely different level."



Features
  • Rubber-mounted 1200cc XL Evolution engine
  • Medium Gray powder-coated engine with polished and black treatments
  • Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
  • High-compression, high-flow cylinder heads
  • High-performance cams
  • Smooth, quiet transmission
  • Light clutch lever effort
  • 25.3-inch solo seat height
  • Low front and rear suspension
  • Black front forks with gaiters
  • Bullet hole rear belt guard and front fender clamps
  • Black, low rise handlebar with brake and clutch levers, turn signals and air cleaner insert
  • Side-mounted license plate holder (dealer-installed rear mount option)
  • Brake and tail lights integrated with rear turn signals
  • Black mid-mount foot controls
  • Black-rimmed, Laced Steel wheels
  • Chrome staggered shorty slash cut dual exhaust
  • Silver Satin finish fuel cap, headlamp trim ring and oil dipstick cover
  • Optional Smart Security System



Engine

Engine: Air-cooled, Evolution
Valve Train: Pushrod-operated,
overhead valves with hydraulic,
self-adjusting lifters;
two valves per cylinder

Bore x Stroke:
3.50 in. x 3.81 in.(88.90 mm x 96.77 mm)
Displacement:
73.20 cu. in. (1859.28 cc)
Compression Ratio: 9.7:1
Fuel System:
Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Air Cleaner:
Paper cartridge type Lubrication System: Dry-sump