With adjustable handlebars (you can have them way up high, or in your lap), the 2012 High-Ball, introduced earlier today, has some simple, classic styling elements, including whitewall tires and spoked 16-inch wheels. Available in a single color scheme (you’re looking at it), most of the frame and chassis components are black. Here is how Victory sums up the new High-Ball:
Stripped down. Bare bones. A bold throwback. The all-new Victory High-Ball rumbles down the road in the spirit of the classic bobber with an outright refusal to sacrifice performance along the way. Built piece by piece around the road-pounding 106 Freedom V-Twin, it’s a ride with all the power and agility you’d expect from a Victory. If you’re a pure rider with a passion for old-school styling, this is the bike you fire up for the first time and never look back.
The High-Ball has a raised spine like the Victory Vegas that runs the length of the bike. It features Victory’s massive 106 cubic inch v-twin, with 97 hp and 113 ft./lbs. of torque.
The bars adjust between high and low positions quickly with simple hand tools, and the cables will reach in either position. The controls rotate to accommodate either position.
The 16-inch laced wheels have a gloss black finish on both the hubs and rims, which are connected by stainless steel spokes. The Dunlop whitewall tires are 130mm in front and 150mm in the back. Many of the Victory Vegas accessories will bolt on to the High-Ball. The “Pure Victory Gear” items will include, for instance, passenger seats and floorboards, or pegs. Victory will also have a two-into-one exhaust system available.
The MSRP of the High-Ball is $13,499. Take a look at Victory’s website for additional details and specifications.
Should be called the Goof-Ball
I think this bike will be a hit with the younger biker crowd. Victory put together a custom looking bike for $13,9.. Stock would kill a Street Bob. Or most any other Bobbers for that matter. Without lifting a wrench. I would change the headlight to round tho. I like it. And “Victory” has not left for Mexico , they are built in Spirit Lake Iowa. Get your facts right..BTW Isn’t Harley building an assembly plant in India taking away jobs from American builders? Those bikes sold there will no longer be assembled here in the US.
This bike stinks. Victory is falling into the ditch of taking the same frame and putting a few different things on it and calling it a new model. Looks like a Vegas with whitewalls and pseudo apes. Seriously – if you look at the Vegas, Jackpot, Hammer, and Kingpin – how different are they?
Also – they have to get rid of that sh!tty stock exhaust system!!!! Looks like sh!t and weighs a TON!
OK! A milestone in my life of 53 years: the ugliest headlight I have ever seen on a motorcycle…
Ok, once and for all, Victory motorcycles are NOT going to be made in Mexico. Period, case closed.
Secondly, and as a Vic owner I hate to admit it, but this bike sure looks a lot like HD’s Street Bob. (which I love)
Wow. Absolutely hideous. I can’t believe that Victory’s market research pointed them in this direction. But then again, I don’t really relate to the whole cruiser thing at all, so perhaps Victory knows what they are doing with this eye-sore.
Yawn.
Victory, quit emulating H-D, PLEASE ! Try something else, anything but those damn cruisers…u have the Technology, put it to good use on else.
Looks interesting. Get the back of the rear fender about an inch and a half closer to tire, and get rid of the dork headlight and I might be interested.
Some Victory bikes look great (Hammer series for example – the 8-ball Hammer is awsome), but this one looks … disconbobulated.
The Pontiac Aztec of cruisers
BUAAHAHAHAHA…Brilliant.
Not only has Victory left for Mexico, it looks as if the design department headed south as well.
Ole!
Does this bike come with a matching Bozo wig and clown nose, or do you have to buy it separately? Because this is certainly a clownbike, and if you’re going to be riding it, you’d better make sure you’re wearing the appropriate gear.
hahahaha
Okay! Maybe I was alittle rough on some of ya’ll about the miserable whiners stuff. Everybody has an opinion. To each his own and stuff. But I do like those wheels and tires. 16″ fat bob tire’s are tough, lose the front fender, trim down the rear fender. It’s a start.
That looks like A$$, and not in a good way.
“…something different.”
+1
Ugly is too nice a word. Just can not get the ethos of the cruiser crowd.
Still waiting for BMW’s 2008 concept cruisers based on the R1200R.
Give Victory a break 11 years old and still learning they have come a long way. Motors are dependable and the styling might be questionable on certain units but they’ll get where they need to go. Reminds me of a Crossbones which also does not find a huge following but I like them, and thats what its all about. The vast amount of negative votes would never likely buy into a Victory anyways, but they want to be heard no matter how silly they sound. The rest by a motorcycle that pleases the need. Keep it up Victory fine tuning the “look” will take time but your doing okay in my books.
I think if you change the exhaust and headlight it be a good looking scoot.
I like it. I would have made the slash pipes standard. Gald to see the price is reasonable. A step in the right direction for Victory.
Yikes, fugly! Apparently, Victory wants to follow HD into the depths of hell!
I’d love to buy American, but they SUCK!
Well let’s see here, tighter rake/trail, than the Vegas@31.7/6.7″, F/I 106 ci. motor (over 90 HP& over 100 pounds of torq. stock), 6 speed trany, Belt final drive, Self adj. valves, fat 16″ tires front and back, decent front fender. Who among you doesn’t change the stock head lamp or handle bars or fenders or paint or seat, hand grips, mirrors, foot pegs, cables, exhaust pipes, air intake,etc. What a bunch of miserable, self serving whiners! Get over it! Go ride your bike’s and enjoy the freedoms we still have left.
The Victory Vision showed that Victory was ready and willing to compete with the world.
The Core Concept, being a cast aluminum, rigid frame, showed that Victory was confused.
The Cross bikes showed that Victory wanted to be more like Harley
The High Ball shows that Victory want’s to be som much like Harley, that it’s lost its way.
BUT! It was nice to see that they had Natalie Jackson host the unveiling!
Dear Victory- You need a new focus group. Desperately.
It’s the ‘Nessie’ thing. Why don’t they just make a motorcycle?
Handlebar can’t be more than 15″ higher than seat to pass inspection in New York, fugly.
Victory has certainly lost it’s way. I really hope they take a different tack and quit trying to entice lowlifes with their current offerings. Victory sucks.
Another disappointment from Victory. They need to start building standards and sport tourers with that 106 engine. Can anyone imagine the following they would have? I’m going to contact them and let them have it.
Has anybody ever ridden a bike with ape hangers? Has there ever been a test report on one? I can only imagine what the handling of the bike with those bars would be like… Also, how comfortable are they? My guess is neither the handling nor comfort fit into the poser equation.
Lastly, IMHO ape hangers look stupid as hell. When ever somebody riding a bike with them passes us in the car, my kids and I get a good laugh.
SOS, DD
Beenthere, done that, threw away the old T-Shirt.
Hey Victory, How bout a lighter, better handling, faster XR1200X competitor?
This bike would sell.
This “BOBBER” will not!
Goofiest bike I’ve seen in a while.
The metal flake helmet is a good match, though, and looks much like my very first helmet, a vintage Buco brain bucket. 🙂
I’m so glad I never fell for this Happy Days-era stuff, as the bikes are just too silly. 😉
PUH-LEEZE tell me this is some sorta gag. I’ve been pulling for and admiring Victory as they’re not the same old H-D stuff. The Arlen Ness connection has been fine. But this is just hideous. Is THIS what they think will sell to rednecks who think a Vision is too wild? Did Billy Lane phone this is in from jail? Have they hired Paul Jr. ?
Victory designers need to get off the “custom” kick. They are driving Victory into the ground with stupid bikes.
no passanger seat / no lady would want to be seen on it ! !
I Love It. The headlight is aggressive, and a departure from the same old 60’s look that cruisers have been proud to hold on to. The white walls are a great accent, the motor and swingarm are gorgeous, the paint looks back-alley-brawler nasty, exactly right for a bike like this. And it’s a Victory, so i’m sure it’ll actually Handle, Go, and Stop well. I Like the adjustable bars, aesthetically And functionally. Versatile, stylish, and Different. Innovative thinking on Victory’s part. The stock pipes look fine, most will swap them for aftermarket anyway. Yeah, $13,500 is alot, but how much is an HD Bobber? The Victory is more bike for less money.
Victory has been trumping HD in style and innovation for a while now, but then again, so is everyone else. Victory is clearly gathering steam and has become a Genuine Alternative for those who want a True American Motorcycle with Style AND Substance. It’s about time there was a Genuinely Good american cruiser available. I look forward to Victory continuing to gain market share, and am curious to see when Harley will Finally wake up, stop resting on crusty 60-year-old laurels, and build a motorcycle that people under 65 will actually WANT to buy, AND ride.
Don’t like this at all. What a shame that Victory is wasting time/money on a design that’s embarrassing.
It’s like designers are not listening to the buyers. Hey, guess some things never change!
I work for a victory dealership…and I left shaking my head last night at the webinar unveiling. When is victory going to get they heads out of there collective a**es and build a sub $10,000 bike? If they really want to get there foot in the door with younger buyers, people getting into the industry, or get there name out there and make riders for life they need to make a model that the normal gen-Y folk can afford without sacrificing there monthly apt. rent!! A large majority of people interested in new Victory bikes do NOT make the $60,000+ a year to afford them. Am I out of touch here? A new frame, 100 ci, 5 speed, tach delete, cable clutch basic model? I know they have the resources! Just my $0.02….
It looks like it was designed by somebody after drinking too many highballs !
Looks like it was designed by a noballs.
It’s still not a 60 year old Harley. Therefore it’s ugly.
well, i can appreciate the old skool bobber look, but this ain’t it. wrong headlight; needs stubby fenders or gangsta fenders on both wheels; adjustable apes are silly, and i don’t like the slightly pulled back riser; shoulda used 12″ or 13″ apes with a riser that lets the eye travel a straight line from hub to grip; v-twins are ok, just not as efficient as fours; pipes suck – how ’bout some true duallies ala the triumph thunderbird? i like the fat front tire, but i hate spokes cuz they’re so difficult to keep clean’n’shiny; if i were gonna buy a vic it’d be the vision 8-ball.
anyway, after riding cruisers for 13 yrs, i’ve pretty much switched over to sportbikes – i’ve put 16K on my ninja 650, while in the same amount of time cruising only 1,000 on my vulcan 1600, which is being readied for craigslist.
You bad talking this bike and You ride a ninja 650? You lost all credibility…oh well
Looks like a cool bike. I’m not sure what people will use it for though. It does have enough power for smokey burnouts…
I keep hoping they will expand their range into standard or sport touring type bikes but I’m starting to think it will never happen. And I don’t understand the timing. Why wouldn’t one of these been ready for the Washington DC show, and the other five or six that have already happened?
With a decent headlight and some reasonable bars it would be not bad. I guess all this stripper, flat paint stuff is to get the price down to where the younger crowd gets involvced. I have ridden a friends Victory extensively and they are waaaay more agile and much faster that the equivalant Harley and cheaper too. nor for me, but mechanically solid.
I would love to know how many units per year Victory has been selling for the past five years. I bet it isn’t many.
The local dealership has downsized 3 times and says he will throw in the towel next time. Very poor sellers, indeed.
Would have had more respectfor Victory, if they were’nt copying HD again.
Like honda copies Toyota?
Super Ugly
First thought that came to mind when I saw this new model…Why? I support Victory more than most people (been riding one since ’02), but I just don’t get this.
And on another topic, Vic really needs to scrap that exhaust. Go to a 2 into 1 or some shorties or something…anything with a little imagination…just lose that lame a$$ looking set. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to build a muffler with style.
someone needs to tell that to the YamaStar designer responsible for the Raider too!
“Stripped down, Bare bones” for the low, low price of $13,500.
No thanks.
$13,500 is a lot to pay for a bike that has extremely poor resale value. I don’t see how Victory will sell a single one.
Nice looking bike but I’d never own one.
All the negative comments on this bike are deserved. Victory could really be a trend setter. But instead, they went with the same old same old and call it new!
And for all the “Stripped down. Bare bones” talk, the price sure isn’t.
Maybe it is supposed to remind you of what the kids did back in the 50’s? But hey, set me loose in the Victory parts bin and see what I come up with. Maybe nothing better, but at least I would come up with something different!
Just another fugly cruiser with a V-twin and uncomfortable high handlebars topped off by primer black paint. Seems everyone thinks most of us US riders must like this stuff. Was hoping the new Victory was something different, not another same old worse yet. Sorry Victory, but I do wish you well, but you won’t see me on one of these.
Lame. That white wall kustom culture look is played out. They are trying to cash in on HD’s success with their dark customs, but they are late to the party. Also, that look doesn’t translate as well to a Victory as it does to a Harley Softail like a Fatboy or stripped down Heritage.
I’m not a cruiser guy at all, but this bike looks awesome. Those whitewalls are perfect… love it!
Brinskee have you gone mad? There is a word to describe this bike: it begins with ‘s’ and ends with ‘t’ and it isn’t soot.
Saying this is an American cruiser… is like saying in the same way, I guess, that George Bush is the equivalent of a President
Um… he was a president? Maybe you’re saying it is “different”, “doesn’t follow the typical path”, dares to be different”. So it may not be perfect but it’s not a Harley. It has a modern FI system, modern brakes, and up to date suspension, it may be late but I like it!
Telling people at a dinner party you ride a Vicotry High-Ball is like telling them you’ve got the ebola virus and you’re about to sneeze.
Ape hangers from the factory now.
The cruiser world just gets weirder and weirder.
From the neck down, it looks like nothing so much as the VIctory Sport Cruiser from 1999/00. It’s what VIctory should have evolved all along. It’s just still held back by the ‘Nessie’ crap.
By the way, did VIctory ever sell one of those Nessies yet?
Rear fender and pipes are hideous. 8 Ball is much more my cup of tea. Check out my Nightster for comparison – http://vvj3za.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pHhvL9wWR6N_bc2jO4TYHzBifk_X4hMroXdfgs-fRse9SsBCMR7x_2MWttQEOcd000u36T3bbQaJ-IXYBk28TlXRtXzQx1VsX/Nightster%20028.jpg?psid=1
Pretty funny you bought a bike for a stripped down look. The total minimalist bike then put a luggage rack and suitcase on the back. Bobbers were meant to be raw, and mean. They were the sport bike of the 50’s, not a cruiser at all. They were definately never meant to be store bought! Check out mine http://www.650motorcycles.com/BobberMania.html built for under $2K
What engine does it have?
I like the gas tank. 🙂
xs650 tank and engine
Oh, so the handlebars pivot down to a different position. Kinda like,… oh what bike was that…oh yeah, every other bike with clamp style bars known to man. How original. (hope you can pick up my sarcasm, ’cause I’m laying it on pretty thick)
On the High-ball: Honestly, I have seen more attractive gangrenous wounds than this. It has the sex appeal of a camel with gingivitis.
The last time someone was as wrong as Victory, was when a politician stepped off an aeroplane in 1939 waving a piece of paper in the air saying there will be no war with Germany
Wow. Now you no longer have to buy a custom to look like a complete idiot. Ape-hangers are the motorcycle equivalent of wearing jeans three sizes too large low around your ass. Completely designed to portray a tough-guy image, despite the fact it makes it harder to get where you are going.
All your cons look to me what the general cruiser-buying public likes. Besides, only posers use front brakes 🙂
Woops, meant to reply to harry.
Air cooled, no radiator. ++
Wheels and tires sized for great handling. +++
Single disk up front. —
Seat to low. –
Foot pegs to far forward. –
Handlebars a little to high. –
V-twin power. –
If you want to see my idea of a motorcycle take a look at the 1982 Yamaha Maxim 1100. It has faults but can be remedied with todays technology.
Agreed! The XJ1100 is a sweet and comfortable ride. Yamaha should reintroduce an upgrade.
Well,I don’t have a 1949-51 Mercury,so that leaves me out.Not my thing,I wish them well just the same.
I’ll pass.
p.s. Is he wearing a red metal flake open face helmet? Now that IS retro LOL
To each his own,but I’ve never understood the appeal of that type of bike.I’m sure however that it will be a big seller for Victory as lots of home made “bobbers” are showing up on Craigslist these days. Certainly looks better than the HD Crossbones.
Just a thought, but aren’t ALL tubular handlebars adjustable?
Yes, but judging by the photo the High-ball’s bars can be adjusted individually….apparently for riders with one arm shorter than the other or something.