Formed in frank imitation of Harley-Davidson, Victory Motorcycles was established in 1997 by Polaris Industries, a manufacturer of snowmobiles and ATVs.
Victory started production a year later with a line of updated, traditionally styled motorcycles with V-twin engines in touring, sport-touring, and cruiser configurations. By 2009, it had produced 50,000 bikes at its plant in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
Victory has enjoyed a sales spurt this year, albeit from a small base. Unit retail sales were up by over 50% compared to the same period a year ago, with strong demand for the new Cross Country and Cross Roads touring models.
The Cross Roads is designed to compete against Harley's Road King; it has a 1,731cc displacement engine, a top speed of 130 mph, and a $15,999 price tag. The Cross Country costs an extra $2,000 and is decked out like a Greyhound bus, with a touring fairing in place of a windshield, cruise control, and an MP3 sound system.
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