The complete history of an American-made motorcycle brand, with photos of and data about each model built as well as a history of the company.
With the 1998 debut of its V92C, Victory Motorcycles became the New American Motorcycle. Victory's innovative, stylish heavyweight cruiser motorcycles attracted a loyal, hard-riding following, but now the market share needed to survive. This richly illustrated book covers the brand's history model-by-model and analyzes why the parent company announced in early 2017 that its Victory division would cease operation. This book also features a full reprint of the collectible first Victory history from 1998, The Victory Motorcycle.
Lee Klancher's adventures in journalism have sent he and his camera out to climb Mount Triglav in the Julian Alps, explore breweries on four continents, and ride backcountry motorcycle routes in the Bolivian Amazon, the Australian Outback, and on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. His has appeared in Men's Journal, Draft, Motorcyclist, and dozens of books and calendars. His favorite subjects are the hands-on down-to-earth folks featured in ARTISANS OF LIFE, a series of books and calendars designed to celebrate those who earn their livings doing what they love, and to inspire others to create their own path to independence. Michael Dapper was a Polaris employee when a locked war room in corporate headquarters hosted discussions that led to the company entering the motorcycle business. He was there when Al Unser, Jr., rode into the spotlight on a pre-production V92C in 1997, and he received a personal call from the corporate office the day the brand died. As a freelance writer, Dapper wrote all forms of brand communications for Victory throughout its 20-year run. He also worked for the brand at rallies and events nationwide. He has ridden versions of every Victory production model and has completed seven Iron Butt rides on Victory models--including the High-Ball.
"We were zombies by that point. Mike Ball was turning the key, and Roger and I were in the dyno cell." "Roger turned to me and said, 'Man, I'm asnervous as I was when my kids were born.' "And I said, 'Yeah, but when your kids were born, there wasn't the chance they'd blow you up and kill you!'"
Complete coverage from the first to the last model built. The only book on a popular American motorcycle brand. Written by a long-time motorcycle journalist with close ties to the brand and a great profile with the enthusiast community.