#victory

Baggers are a big deal these days, making up something like half of the cruiser market according to Victory’s experts. Victory’s newest attempt to supply what the market demands is this highly customized version of its pre-existing Cross Country, dubbed Magnum.

We already knew Victory‘s Cross Country (and Cross Roads) were great bikes, comparing favorably with their big-inch cruiser rivals since their launch in 2009.

I guess I’m not really a joiner. I’ve certainly been on a million group rides, mostly as a result of my “work,” which on the best days consists of going on new-bike launches with a sometimes international contingent, and “comparison tests” with close compadres, many of whom I have ridden with for years.

Cruisers have always been about the essence of motorcycling, stripping motorcycles down to their core: an engine, a seat, a pair of wheels and little else. Naturally, when thinking about the essential elements of motorcycling, thoughts of the open road come to mind. The dream of packing just what you need on your bike and pointing the front wheel towards destinations unknown looms large in many cruiser riders’ hearts.

Allstate has sponsored a custom bike giveaway for the past four years. Each year a new custom bike is built by a legendary custom builder (Arlen Ness created the 2013 and 2012 bikes), and riders enter a sweepstakes for the chance to win the bike. For 2014, Rick Fairless of Dallas Strokers fame was given the nod to take a Victory 8-Ball from stock to custom. This year, Allstate and Fairless planned a twist, with the winner receiving the custom Victory plus a VIP trip for two to Fairless’ shop at Strokers Dallas for a paint consultation with Fairless. Next, the winning bike will be sprayed with the paint scheme that Fairless and the winner developed.

Mark Blackwell, Vice President, Special Projects, for Polaris Industries, announced his retirement plans this week. The 60-year-old’s duties will end in the first quarter of 2014, after which he’ll engage in selective professional and volunteer work in areas that do not compete with Polaris and its Victory and Indian subsidiaries.

Forget Carnegie Hall; the best way to Sturgis is to ride, ride, ride.

Ever since man bolted a motor to a bicycle, touring has been one of the true joys of motorcycling. Sure, bouncing around town from errand to errand is easy, and commuting to work is practical – but travel by motorcycle expands the mind, relaxes the spirit and enriches the soul. There’s nothing quite like it.