A large displacement motorcycle sized for smaller riders…thats the latest hand dealt by Victory Motorcycles.
Though cruiser seat heights usually fit vertically challenged folks pretty well, their laid-back cruiser profile means handlebars or footpegs often hover just out of comfortable reach for shorter riders. If youve ever rolled on the throttle only to slide back in the seat, or found yourself practically sitting on the gas tank to ride, you will appreciate Victorys Vegas Low.
However, while offering more compact ergonomics it still provides big performance, sporting Victorys improved for 2008 Freedom 100/6 V-Twin engine. According to Victory, this powerplant, churning 85 horsepower and 106 foot pounds of torque, delivers more power than its predecessor while reducing noise and vibration.
Now throw a leg over the Vegas Low and the differences become apparent. In fact, Victory literature states the Lows seat, at 25.2 inches, more than 1 inch lower than the standard Vegas. For comparison, Harleys lowest models are the Softail Deluxe at 24.5 inches and the Rocker at 24.5 inches.
The Vegas Low is not a lightweight cruiser, tipping the scales at 651 pounds. However, its weightlessness surprised me when bringing it off the kickstand as the big 21-inch front tire didnt fight my efforts to right the bike. Massive torque makes running through the gears a fast and fun proposition, while the front 300 mm floating rotor with four piston caliper and rear 300mm rotor with two piston caliper brakes nicely lasso all that speed.
Electronic fuel injection makes quick work of firing up the Vegas and it brings on a sweet rumbling symphony from the slash cut dual exhausts. Standard sized handgrips, reach to the clutch lever and standard clutch pull mean smaller hands have a more difficult time working the controls than youd expect on a motorcycle aimed at the smaller riders market. Maybe Victorys leaving room for upgrades on this bike in the future.
Shifting requires minimal effort from the toes and a clunk lets you know you landed into the next gear. The Vegas Low features a six-speed transmission with a new lower-ratio first gear for better low-speed drivability and acceleration, as well as a quieter, higher-ratio sixth gear for highway cruising. The revised Freedom V-Twin engine also features a laundry list of other improvements (visit Victorys Web site, link below, for details).
The solo seat still felt comfortable after a couple hours in the saddle. No hot spots here. The Vegas Low wears a conventional 43mm telescopic fork with 5.1 inches of travel up front, while in the rear wears a single, mono-tube gas shock with a pre-load adjustable spring offering 3 inches of travel (the standard Vegas offers 3.9 inches of travel). Despite the reduction in travel, the Lows shocks capably dampened any road harshness, never jarring me out of the saddle.
Smaller-framed riders will surely appreciate the ergonomic comfort of this scaled-down size Vegas while also enjoying its powerful and entertaining engine. However I, with my smallish 6-inch long hands, found the non-adjustable clutch reach and clutch pull difficult making my hand tire easily.
For riders seeking a great, sexy-looking full-sized cruiser cleverly scaled down to suit their stature, Victorys Vegas Low could be the equivalent of hitting the motorcycle jackpot. For more information about the Victory Vegas Low, visit VictoryMotorcycles.com.
The Specs at a Glance: 2008 Victory Vegas Low
Displacement: Freedom 100/6 V Twin
Seat Height: 25.2 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.5
Dry Weight: 651 pounds
Colors: Solid Black, Solid Midnight Cherry, Solid Boardwalk Blue
Price: $15,999
WRN Recommendation
The Vegas Low makes it possible for experienced riders who don’t have the body size to muscle the more powerful cruisers, to enjoy the benefits a heavyweight motorcycle offers. No need to sacrifice power or the actual size of the motorcycle just because your body is smaller, shorter, or petite.
Please go check out the women's forum at http://www.thevmc.com. You will find tons of real world experiences and women who ride these and other Vics all day long. My wife rides a Victory King Pin.
To answer a few details I have read in a few of these comments. Bob: Victory does make a lighter clutch and it is also hydraulic. Joann J.: I understand your grief with the clutch, but just as Joann M. states that issue can be adjusted with changing the grips. Victory also makes an adjustable clutch just like the brake. It is considered an accessory but I am sure most dealers would throw it in on a deal if it was an issue.
I have ridden for years and on numerous different bikes. I have ridden from dirt to street to cruiser and yes, even scooters. Victory motorcycles is still the best bike I have ever rode. I own an 07 Victory Vegas Jackpot and absolutely love my bike. I will never own another bike!
I love the bike, but I have trouble with a heavy clutch. Why can't Victory make a light clutch the way Harley does?
What a great bike. I am a new rider, having put 13,000 km on my 500cc Kawasaki Vulcan this season. I bought a Vegas Low and she is a really responsive, torquey, fun ride. I am only 5 feet 2 inches and was really apprehensive about the size and weight of the bike, but as it turns out she is easier to handle than my Vulcan.
What a dream bike. I have no problem with the handles. The foot pegs fit me perfectly, and because of her rake, she is very nimble. Her name is Heaven!
A follow up to my previous comment (posted 8.4.08). I went out and bought the Vegas Low. I absolutely love it. I agree that the clutch was a problem and after talking to the dealer about it he came up with a suggestion. We replaced the controls with an Arlen Ness upgrade (rad III) which brought the clutch in quite a bit and made it a little easier to squeeze. As it is an upgrade, it does look considerably nicer and now has awesome mirrors. I would definitely recommend this upgrade to anyone considering the bike who has a smaller frame and hands like me. Overall, I am a fairly new rider but feel in total control of this powerful bike.
This sounds like a winner but still a problem for me as I have small hands and would have a hard time with the clutch. I would like to try one anyway but they are few and far between in this part of the country!
I am getting older now and wonder if the weight might be too much to push it around when parking. Nice looking bike, especially backing up.
I have an 05 Vegas 8 Ball that I did all the mods that are now on the Low. The one exception is that I replaced the pegs with floorboards. I will emphasize that this is not a bike for a novice rider. It is very powerful and torque-y. But for an experienced rider the Vegas is an absolute dream to ride. I've ridden mine from Tulsa to the Black Hills twice. and she's a blast in the twisties.
Fantastic article. If I didn't already own two bikes I would most likely rush out to the nearest Victory dealer to get a “hands on” look and ride away with a new bike.
I also test rode the Vegas Low. It is undoubtably one of the most beautiful bikes on the road and if you want to get noticed this is the way to do it. I am 5 feet 5 inches. It is well balanced and doesn't feel as heavy as it is.
My problem wasn't with the seat height. I feel as though my body was in more of a “C” shape than I like. I felt I was reaching a bit more for the handlebars, my arms were pretty straight with no bend at the elbow and the footpegs were also more forward than I am comfortable with. Not sure it would be comfortable on a long ride.
If I could get some pullback handlebars or risers to bring them back a bit more or a seat that would put me a little more forward and some floorboards or a way to get the pegs back a bit more I would take this bike in an instant. I am looking for a new bike now and it is definitely in my top three.
Great article. I am in the market for a new bike and was having trouble feeling comfortable on some bikes due to my size. The only problem with the Victory is there aren't many dealers in my area that sell them. The closest one I went to didn't have any in stock. I will need to travel quite a distance to even check one out.