2012 Victory Hard-Ball Preview

Fri, 09 Dec 2011

Joining the High-Ball in Victory’s expanding stable of models is the 2012 Hard-Ball. The black-as-night iteration of the High-Ball’s ape-hanger profile brings a touch of touring convenience with the addition of saddlebags.

In addition to the black and pinstriped luggage are obvious additions such as the two-person seat, crashbars, floorboards, lower fairing and split exhaust. Not as immediately apparent are some of the changes Victory incorporated into the Hard-Ball to better suit its longer-mileage persona.

The re-styled fuel tank holds 1.3 gallons more petrol, and the wheels, while still spoked, increase in size as well. The front grows in diameter to 18 inches, from 16 inches on the High-Ball, and carries a 130/70 R18 Dunlop 491 Elite II, while the rear grows in width from 3.5 inches on the High-Ball to 5.0 inches on the Hard-Ball wearing a 180/60 R16 Dunlop Elite 3. The span between wheels grew by nearly an inch to 65.7 in from the High-Ball’s 64.8 in.

Rake and trail figures are more relaxed, 29.0° / 5.6 in vs 31.7° / 6.7 in, weight increases by 92 lbs (dry), and so does ground clearance by 1.1 in. Seat height, at 26.25 inches, is 1.25 inches higher the High-Ball’s.

Up front the the Hard-Ball features an inverted fork and gains a second brake disc while the braking system is of the ABS variety. Engine and drivetrain remain unchanged from the High-Ball model.

Price and availability are TBA.

ENGINE Battery 12 volts / 18 amp hours Bore x Stroke 101 x 108 mm Charging System 48 amps max output Clutch Wet, multi-plate Compression ratio 9.4 : 1 Cooling System Air / oil Displacement 106 ci / 1731 cc Engine Type 4-stroke 50° V-Twin Exhaust Split dual exhaust with crossover Final Drive Carbon Fiber Reinforced Belt Fuel Capacity 5.8 gal / 22.0 ltr Fuel System Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45mm throttle bodies Oil capacity 5.0 qts / 4.75 ltr Primary Drive Gear drive with torque compensator Transmission 6-speed overdrive constant mesh Valve train Single overhead camshafts with 4 valves per cylinder, self-adjusting cam chains, hydraulic lifters

CHASSIS Dry Weight 751 lbs / 340 kg Ground Clearance 5.8 in / 148 mm GVWR 1360 lbs / 618 kg Length 104.4 in / 2652 mm Rake/trail 29.0° / 5.6 in / 142 mm Seat Height 26.25 in / 667 mm Wheelbase 65.7 in / 1670 mm

SUSPENSION Front Suspension Inverted telescopic fork, 5.1 in / 130 mm travel Rear Suspension Single, mono-tube gas, air adjustable, constant rate linkage, 4.7 in / 120 mm travel

BRAKES Brake System Type ABS Front braking system Dual 300mm floating rotor with 4-piston calipers Rear braking system 300mm floating rotor with 2-piston caliper

WHEELS & TIRES Front Tire 130/70-18 67H Dunlop 491 Elite II Front Wheel 18 x 3.5 in Spoked Rear Tire 180/70-16 Dunlop Elite 3 Rear Wheel 16 x 5.0 in

COLOR Colors Black with Red Pinstriping

By Tom Roderick