Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/633615
NEW VICTORY WITH LIQUID-COOLED PROJECT 156 ENGINE DEBUTED AT EICMA Victory Motorcycles circulated a teaser earlier last October indicating it's on the cusp of releasing a performance-based motorcycle equipped with a water-cooled engine. at news remained at a speculative state, until Victory revealed at the EICMA show in Milan on Wednesday, November 18th, the Victory Ignition concept bike you see here which was born of a collaboration with drag racing champion Urs Erbacher and his company Fat Attack Custom Bikes AG out of Switzerland. e teaser email emphasized how the company has been "showcasing American Muscle throughout its product line and in racing" then talks about the "pathway to the latest evolution of the brand." In addition to mentioning its American muscle and racing evolution, the other clue to this pathway was a picture of the engine's case cover that is identical to the one on the prototype engine used on Victory's Project 156, the motorcycle built in conjunction with Roland Sands Design that CycleWorld's Don Canet raced up Pikes Peak this past summer. e liquid-cooled V-Twin sourced high compression pistons in short cylinders to achieve a loy 15:1 compression ratio with titanium valves set at fairly flat angles. It was surrounded by a bevy of stamped engine covers like the Indian's Scout. ough the production version most likely won't be as tempestuous as the original beast, no doubt it will still provide plenty of pop. e Ignition concept now revealed is based on Project 156 – Victory's new 1,200cc, 60-degree V-twin engine that powered its run up Pikes Peak this year, mounted in a cast frame that looks pretty much ready for production. e engine is set to power a new range of Victory bikes starting in the new year, with liquid cooling, quad-valve pistons, dual overhead cams... all the latest technologies you might expect in a more performance-focused sport bike, but in a cruiser engine. To that engine, Erbacher and his team fitted custom headers and an Akrapovic muffler. e whole thing rides on a fully adjustable suspension, with Marzocchi forks and Ohlins rear shock. Mounted to it are a pair of 17-inch alloys, coated in Metzeler Racetec Interact tires. e front brake is furnished by Brembo. All the accessories, however, are custom craed for the concept bike. e result, as you can see, looks pretty amazing, blending racing cues with those of a custom cruiser. What we're looking forward to most, however, is what Polaris' cruiser division will do with the engine once it reaches production. What does all this mean? Means we can't wait to see Victory's new direction, which as of late has definitely been toward the sport-performance category, from racing up Pikes Peak to fielding an electric superbike team at the Isle of Man TT to entering NHRA with a Gunner drag bike ridden by Matt Smith. By Noah Joseph and Peter Kaye We're Keeping You Up to Date on the Indusrty News News News News 18 GraceRiderMag.com February/March 2016