2013 Victory High-Ball Cruiser reviews

I know 4,000 miles is not a long term review to some people, but I think it is plenty of seat time to know if you are really happy with your bike. I do have to say I am very pleased with the Victory 8-Ball. I get a lot of compliments on the look of the bike. I know Victory has not been around for that long, so a lot of people have never heard of Victory. As far as performce goes, I could not be happier. This bike reminds me of my old big block Chevy. It has a lot of torque!! I am very happy with this bike!! Show less

I absolutely love my new bike. I took a riding course and that was the first time I ever rode at all. I had no dirt bike or ATV or anything experience - and I passed! Everyone said start with something little like a 650cc but nope, I jumped on this for looks and style and glad I did. The power is completely manageable for a newbie like myself. It's a great bike, good quality, feels strong and looks amazing. Plus you won't see 20 of them on the way to work - aka Harley! Can't win without a Victory. Show less

This bike is the one people dream about. I can't say enough about the comfort and performance. I recently rode to a Victory rally in New York. It was over 800 miles and comfortable every mile. The looks I get on the street say a lot. I know I made the right choice for myself. I added the fairing and audio kit. The kicker speakers really do kick. It has a nice sound and the fairing just gives the bike more attitude. I also added the CR light bar. I'm more than happy with this beast. Show less

Here are things to know from an actually owner of this bike. The looks - I always ride with a buddy with a Harley Electra Glide and some other fine looking bikes and everywhere we go, people with walk up to this bike and take pictures and totally ignore the others. The hardcore Harley riders even salute me - lol. The ride - I didn't get a chance to test ride before purchasing but I am very impressed with how it handles. Where the weight is on the motorcycle is right under the seat, not on top of the tank which makes this bike extremely nimble. It's beautiful - really. The brakes are single disc front and back which gives you tire-locking ability but makes you choose to lock the tires instead of by accident. I'm still in break in so I have not pushed the motor yet but power up to 3000 rpms. I think I could take an R6 at a dig after break in. Now remember, this bike has no windshield and the flying squirrel thing is very much there. Top speed is really how much wind you can take. The bad - The bike has a neutral finder so if you're around first gear speeds and are going in between 1st and 2nd, it will play with you. You have to learn to tap 1st if you want 1st. I've tried to accelerate in 1st probable 40 times now finding out I was in neutral. It's not horrible but takes getting used to. The other bad thing that I hope Victory finds out about is, they should have never put chrome on top of the gauges. If you are riding with the sun at your back it will shine in your face and you can't read the gauges. It goes from you will never notice, to shoot I cant see. To complete this review I end with, if this bike ends up reliable, I will probably be a riding the Victory brand for life. Show less

I have been riding motorcycles for over 27 years. In that time I have not only owned many different bikes, but also ridden even more bikes. Before I bought this bike last month, I looked and test drove just about the entire HD lineup. I was not impressed at all, and they're way too over priced. I went to the local dealership and just fell in love with this bike. My best friend who has had four back surgeries has been able to put 100 plus miles on this bike with no issues at all, and is looking at trading his bike in for an 8 Ball. Great job Victory. My only complaint is that Victory needs to put the speedometer feature upgrade on all their bikes instead of having owners buy that feature. Other than that, I could not have asked for a better riding and awesome Blacked Out American-made Motorcycle. Show less

It's a truly amazing bike, that you have to see to believe. If you are on the fence about this bike, see it in person and you will be sold...pictures don't do it justice. It is incredibly nimble, well balanced, and for a bike its size, eats up corners. It is a bike you find yourself sneaking back into the garage to just look at, again and again. If you couldn't tell...I am thrilled with my Hard-Ball. Show less

After owning two Harley Davidsons, I never felt that they quite fit my frame. Sure you can spend thousands more on accessories over the already steep HD MSRP to make the bike "fit you". My new hardball is a perfect fit. Expansive floor boards give me plenty of options and I have yet to drag them in a turn. It has great clearance. The bike is great just to look at but I don't buy bikes to look at. This bike has it all, cruise, ABS, huge saddlebags, 40 spoke wheels and the engine just keeps on pulling. I am convinced that Victory is a superior bike compared to HD. Ape hangers are a hoot!! AAA +++ Show less

It's comfortable, economical and fun to ride. ABS is a plus that has saved my life on another bike and I wouldn't do without it. It's a bit clunky on the downshift at times, but otherwise bullet proof. The only drawback is no steering lock which makes it a prime "steal me in no time" bike. don't park at a dimly lit hotel or bar. Otherwise, it's a great bike Show less

I bought my Hard-Ball as soon as they came out - trading in my Victory Vegas. It came with the windshield which you have to have to enjoy the highway. I put in the Victory Stage I pipes but don't expect the same sound that you do with those pipes on a Vegas because of the low and back location of the exhaust. After I got past the break-in, I took it for a 2,500 mile ride from Las Vegas to Seattle and back. It was a great ride. The seat was comfortable for a stock seat. I do have the driver's backrest and that was a great help. The bike is perfectly balanced. There is a lot of power no matter what gear you are in. I got compliments the entire trip and even came out of convenience stores with people standing around it and sometimes even taking pictures. I did put on the heel shifter from the cross-roads and that is a great help. I am 61 and this is the last bike I am going to have to buy. I love it. Show less

If you purchase a Hard-Ball, be ready for lots of questions, looks, and hearing it looks like Batman's bike if he rode a cruiser. I've only had the bike 1,100 miles but so far it's dead reliable with gobs of power, even when two up. The bike is still getting stronger everyday. A couple suggestions to an interested buyer, first spring for the windshield. you're going to want it especially when it's cold. If you do 80% of your riding around town then sure you will be OK but in the long run it's made a world of difference. Secondly, plan on upgrading your pipes or taking the stock baffles out. The bike sounds nothing like the way it looks stock. It's so quiet it's embarrassing for a v-twin and I am not a loud pipes save lives kind of guy. Lastly the bike needs a louder deeper horn. Other than that I couldn't have asked for a better build from a company. Show less