The 2015 Victory Gunner is an American V-twin motorcycle in a cruiser style. So we know what to expect and what not to expect. Nobody buys a bike like this, with 90-odd HP, but 308 Kg and a 1647 mm wheelbase, thinking that it’s going to be nimble on its feet. You buy it because it looks good, sounds good and makes you feel good. And, as long as you ride it how the makers intended, the Gunner delivers on all three.
The 2015 Victory Gunner 1731cc 50° V-twin engine produces easy power. There’s a six-speed gearbox with an unsophisticated, but accurate, action and a clutch with a similarly direct feel. You can rag it, and the wet sump engine feels like it’d take plenty of abuse, but is there any point? Better to just enjoy the exhaust note and take it easy. Sixth gear is effectively an overdrive, delivering a very relaxed A-road experience.
Our 2015 Victory Gunner is fitted with accessory exhausts providing a marginally more fruity sound. But they’re a £1200 extra. I don’t want a cruiser to be any louder than this, but judging by the way my windows rattle whenever Mark Graham comes round to my house on one of his Harley-Davidsons, some people need more volume. Removing the baffles should help them to be even more hard of hearing.
Obviously the Victory Gunner is heavy. And long. And has a relaxed 32° rake and fat 16-inch tyres – it is predictably cumbersome at low speed. U-turns and carpark manoeuvres are fraught with foot shuffling worry. And with only a single 300mm front disc it’s hardly overbraked. Suspension bounces up and down 5.1 inches on the front fork and three inches on the monoshocked rear.
The riding position is predictable too. Your backside is just 25 inches above the road, arms reach forward to wide ’bars and feet rest on forward controls too. Simple switchgear, simple instrumentation, simple riding pleasure. On sunny days and with no need to rush the Victory Gunner will deliver a great riding experience. As long as you’re on your own. The bike comes with a solo seat, and there’s no pillion accommodation offered in the accessory catalogue.
That’s not in a macho road tester way, but in a slightly annoying as soon as you leave the carpark sort of way. I’m dubious about the brittle looking cast alloy footrest hangers too; they’ll surely shatter when the bike succumbs to a walking pace incident.
Victory Gunner's Finish is mixed. The "suede" paint (in either titanium metallic or green metallic) looks good, but the black fork sliders already have stone chips. Mudguards, with neat "frenched" tail light, are metal while some other covers, like the fake air cleaner between the cylinders and the cover for the ABS unit under the swingarm, are plastic. Multi-spoke alloy wheels look good and the headlight and the simple speedo incorporating dash function lights are tidy too.
So 2015 Victory Gunner a decent bike, but should you buy this American V-twin rather than another brand? Everyone else seems to love the looks, but then take in the £9999 price tag and Victory’s extended five-year warranty offer. It looks like a good deal to me.
2015 Victory Gunner Spesifications
Engine : Four Stroke, Air-Cooled, OHC 50° V-Twin
Displacement : 1.731 cc
Bore x Stroke : 101 x 108 mm
Compression Ratio : 9,4 : 1
Transmission / Drive : 6-Speed / Carbon Fiber Reinforced Belt-Drive
Fuel System : EFI with Dual 45mm Throttle Body
Maximum Power : 90 HP
Top speed : 110 Mph
Rake / Trail : 32° / 170 mm
Wheelbase : 1647 mm
Wet Weight : 308 Kg
Seat Height : 635 mm
Tank Capacity : 17 Litres
Fuel Consumption : 43 mpg
Front Suspension : Telescopic Fork
Rear Suspension : Single Monotube Gas, Preload Adjustable
Front Brakes : 300 mm Disc, 4-Piston Caliper
Rear Brakes : 300 mm Disc, 2-Piston Caliper
Front Tyre : 130/90 B16
Rear Tyre : 140/90 B16
Price : £9999