Motorcycles

Third strike for Victory’s new engine platform with the Combustion Concept

Third strike for Victory’s new engine platform with the Combustion Concept
Unveiled in New York, the Combustion is the third and final concept based on Victory's new engine platform
Unveiled in New York, the Combustion is the third and final concept based on Victory's new engine platform
View 17 Images
Unveiled in New York, the Combustion is the third and final concept based on Victory's new engine platform
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Unveiled in New York, the Combustion is the third and final concept based on Victory's new engine platform
The Victory Combustion Concept at the time of the unveiling
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The Victory Combustion Concept at the time of the unveiling
All three Victory concept bikes pose together: the Combustion sits in the background, the Ignition dominates the foreground and next to it is the Project 156
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All three Victory concept bikes pose together: the Combustion sits in the background, the Ignition dominates the foreground and next to it is the Project 156
Zach Ness poses on his creation, the Victory Combustion Concept
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Zach Ness poses on his creation, the Victory Combustion Concept
The Combustion Concept is powered by a 1,200 cc V-twin engine that promises performance levels unheard of in Victory's history
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The Combustion Concept is powered by a 1,200 cc V-twin engine that promises performance levels unheard of in Victory's history
The Victory Combustion is another take on the power cruiser concept, focused on a more American-styled design
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The Victory Combustion is another take on the power cruiser concept, focused on a more American-styled design
Although seemingly quite similar to the Ignition, the Combustion Concept has been designed with the American market in mind
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Although seemingly quite similar to the Ignition, the Combustion Concept has been designed with the American market in mind
The Victory Combustion Concept uses a conventional front suspension system and a single disc setup
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The Victory Combustion Concept uses a conventional front suspension system and a single disc setup
Victory introduces a new cruising attitude with the Combustion Concept
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Victory introduces a new cruising attitude with the Combustion Concept
The quarter fairing with the round headlight of the Victory Combustion Concept create a retro image
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The quarter fairing with the round headlight of the Victory Combustion Concept create a retro image
As a concept, the Victory Combustion is not bound by typical necessities such as a passenger seat or rear lights
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As a concept, the Victory Combustion is not bound by typical necessities such as a passenger seat or rear lights
The intricate paintwork of the Victory Combustion Concept has been done by Eric Reyes
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The intricate paintwork of the Victory Combustion Concept has been done by Eric Reyes
The Arlen Ness by MagnaFlow exhaust is a one-off stainless steel design specifically made for the Victory Combustion Concept
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The Arlen Ness by MagnaFlow exhaust is a one-off stainless steel design specifically made for the Victory Combustion Concept
A 150-section RideWright 18-inch wheel is sprung from custom made shock absorbers in the Victory Combustion Concept
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A 150-section RideWright 18-inch wheel is sprung from custom made shock absorbers in the Victory Combustion Concept
The front wheel of the Victory Combustion Concept wears a 130/70-18 Pirelli Night Dragon tire and stops via a single disk with a four-piston Brembo caliper
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The front wheel of the Victory Combustion Concept wears a 130/70-18 Pirelli Night Dragon tire and stops via a single disk with a four-piston Brembo caliper
The Project 156 engine was displayed at EICMA as the starting point of a new page for Victory
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The Project 156 engine was displayed at EICMA as the starting point of a new page for Victory
The Ignition Concept by Urs Erbacher as displayed at EICMA
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The Ignition Concept by Urs Erbacher as displayed at EICMA
View gallery - 17 images

First there was the Project 156 naked 1,200 cc V-twin that Victory raced at Pikes Peak in June. Then a pre-production version of this engine debuted at EICMA in the Ignition power cruiser concept. Now Victory has unveiled the Combustion – the third and last concept model built around its new engine platform. The next time we'll hear of this motor, it will probably be in a new production model.

When Victory's parent company Polaris acquired Indian Motorcycles in 2011 it got much more than just a strong commercial brand to strengthen its yearly sales figures. Indian actually brought a new sense of freedom to the Victory brand. Relieved from the necessities of the traditional cruiser segment and the head-on competition with Harley-Davidson, Victory gained the vital breathing space it needed to pursue new adventures.

After the addition of Brammo to the Polaris outfit, Victory turned its attention to the electric motorcycles, competed successfully at the Isle of Man TT Zero and soon introduced its first production electric model.

The Project 156 engine was displayed at EICMA as the starting point of a new page for Victory
The Project 156 engine was displayed at EICMA as the starting point of a new page for Victory

With a clear intent to expand towards new motorcycle segments, Victory then launched the Project 156. Based on a heavily modified Indian Scout engine and with the valuable help of Roland Sands, the Pikes Peak race bike was competitive in its first attempt at the difficult and demanding hillclimb. Despite crashing out prematurely, the Project 156 demonstrated strong testing times and was on its way to a podium finish when it withdrew from the race.

Last month Victory selected EICMA for the unveiling of the pre-production version of its new engine. Evolved from the Project 156, the 1,200 cc 60-degree V2 was introduced in the heart of a custom power cruiser designed by Swiss drag racer and custom builder Urs Erbacher. The Ignition Concept looks more like a direct competitor of the Ducati Diavel than anything else we have seen with a Victory badge.

Yet Victory had a third ace up its sleeve and chose to reveal it at the New York International Motor Show. The Combustion Concept is another take on the same musclebike we saw in Milan a few weeks ago, this time designed by a certain Mr. Zach Ness.

All three Victory concept bikes pose together: the Combustion sits in the background, the Ignition dominates the foreground and next to it is the Project 156
All three Victory concept bikes pose together: the Combustion sits in the background, the Ignition dominates the foreground and next to it is the Project 156

Technical specs are scarce, but the visual similarities of the two concepts are more than evident. Below a seemingly identical base, the Combustion opts for a more American-styled cruiser design with bigger 18-inch spoked wheels, longer tail section and taller handlebars. The inverted fork and Ohlins shocks of the Ignition have been substituted by a conventional front unit and two custom-made shocks. We also notice the single front disc brake, as well as a new exhaust design by Ness.

The few lucky people who have swung a leg over the saddles of these concepts unanimously concur on the exhilarating performance of what Victory describes as its highest output engine ever. It will probably not operate at a 15:1 compression ratio like the Pikes Peak racer, but it should still make for a pretty powerful, rev-happy cruiser.

Essentially though, what we should remember about these two beautiful concept models is Victory's declaration that they are both "propelled by production intent engines that will power the new model Victory Motorcycle to be revealed in 2016."

Source: Victory Motorcycles

View gallery - 17 images
4 comments
4 comments
gizmowiz
Too bad Victory had to go and produce a street cafe racer EV bike instead of an eCruiser. I was really hoping that Victory, of all the bike manufacturers, and the best Cruiser builder-would be the first to placate the old farts out there that need a low center of gravity low weight EV bike with 80-120 mile range and 25 inch seat height which when you get 65+ it's too darn hard to control those tall 33 inch seat height EV's they are making so far around the world. Yes, they have some scooters that would work but I don't want a scooter! A lot of us out here are the same and all the makers are just giving us the shaft and not listening to us. Please Victory make an eCruiser that's affordable, with 100+ mile range. Please please please!!
Noel K Frothingham
In the US, it's three strikes and you're out.
DavidRogerBrown
Polaris/Victory is really working hard to broaden their market unlike their other U.S. competitor. Now if they could come out with a model that cuts out a 100lbs.
Gizmowiz
I hope ZEV gets it and produces a stylish EV Cruiser for us old farts instead of those scooter types it makes.