The Victory V92 was the first model line of the American Victory brand. The V92C of 1998 introduced a 1,507 cc V-twin and was later joined by the V92SC SportCruiser and the V92TC Touring Cruiser; the last original V92 left the range after 2006.
Victory V92 at a glance
| Production | 1998–2006 (V92 family) |
|---|---|
| First model | V92C, shown in 1997, on sale in 1998 |
| Engine | 1,507 cc (92 cu in) air-cooled 50° V-twin |
| Claim at launch | second largest production motorcycle engine of the time |
| Power | about 55 hp (41 kW) at the wheel |
| Tuned output | 83 hp (62 kW) and 86 lb·ft (117 N·m) with performance cams and pistons |
| Top speed | about 120 mph (190 km/h) at 5,500 rpm |
| Weight | about 650 lb (290 kg) |
| Transmission | five-speed, six-speed later |
| Final drive | belt |
| Oil capacity | 6 US qt (5,700 ml) in the sump |
| Versions | V92C, V92SC SportCruiser, V92TC Touring Cruiser |
Based on one source: the V92C, V92SC SportCruiser and V92TC Touring Cruiser sections of the English Wikipedia article on Victory Motorcycles. There is no separate Wikipedia page for the model.
History of the Victory V92
A debut at the Mall of America
The V92C was presented in 1997 at Planet Hollywood in the Mall of America by Al Unser Jr. Production began on 4 July 1998 for the 1999 model year, the first official model year. At 92 cu in (1,510 cc) it was the second largest production motorcycle engine available at the time and started a race among manufacturers for ever larger engines. Every component was made in Minnesota and Iowa except the Italian Brembo brakes and the British electronic fuel injection; most injection parts were standard GM components. Victory engines had five-speed gearboxes (six speeds later), single overhead camshafts, dual connecting rods, hydraulic lifters and fuel injection, and were designed to be easily tuned by the owner.
The engine and chassis
The 1,510 cc engine carried 6 US qt (5,700 ml) of oil in the sump, about as much as a car, which made it larger than Harley-Davidson engines with their external oil tanks but reduced the risk of low-oil damage. It was air-cooled and circulated crankcase oil through a cooler between the front frame downtubes. Top speed was about 120 mph (190 km/h) at 5,500 rpm, with a rev limiter in the ECM that could be overridden by reprogramming the EPROM. A section of the rear swingarm could be removed to change the drive belt or the rear wheel. The designers had approached European firms, particularly Cosworth, but built the engine in Osceola, Wisconsin, with the crankshaft aligned with the axles. The V92C weighed about 650 lb (290 kg) and produced about 55 hp (41 kW) at the wheel, or 83 hp (62 kW) and 86 lb·ft (117 N·m) with high-performance cams and pistons.
Classic Cruiser, SportCruiser and Touring Cruiser
In 2002 Victory introduced the Freedom Engine, which had the same dimensions but more power and, with rounded cylinders and a smaller oil cooler, looked much better. The V92C became known as the Classic Cruiser and was phased out after the 2003 model year; Special Edition versions were offered in 2000 and 2001 and Deluxe models for several years. The V92SC SportCruiser of 2000–2001 had higher ground clearance, adjustable with a two-position bolt under the seat, but sold poorly. The V92TC Touring Cruiser of 2002–2006 had a longer swingarm, large hard saddlebags and a redesigned seat; its tall seat and roomy ergonomics suited larger riders, and later versions took a 100 cu in (1,600 cc) big-bore kit, rubber-mounted handlebars and revised suspension. Deluxe V92TCD versions were also offered. When the Touring Cruiser was dropped after 2006, the last original V92 left the range.
Design and features
- US-made engine: built in Osceola, Wisconsin, with components from Minnesota and Iowa apart from Brembo brakes and British fuel injection.
- Sump lubrication: 6 US qt of oil in the sump instead of a separate tank, to reduce the risk of low-oil damage.
- Owner tuning: the engine was designed to be easily tuned, and performance cams and pistons raised output to 83 hp.
- Belt drive: a removable section of the rear swingarm gave access to the belt and rear wheel.
- Freedom Engine from 2002: the same dimensions with more power and rounded cylinders.
Victory V92 versions
- V92C (1998–2003): the original cruiser, known as the Classic Cruiser from 2002.
- V92SC SportCruiser (2000–2001): higher ground clearance and a two-position adjustment; it sold poorly.
- V92TC Touring Cruiser (2002–2006): longer swingarm, hard saddlebags and a redesigned seat.
- V92TCD Deluxe: a Touring Cruiser with extra features.
- Special Edition (2000–2001): a V92C with special upgrades.
The V92 was the starting point for the Vegas, which brought a new chassis, and for the tourers that followed. More in the Victory story and the Victory collection.
Video: 2000 Victory V92C
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Victory Motorcycles, English Wikipedia: V92C, V92SC, V92TC, specifications
