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~~WBikes 1 V'=~ 2003 hose biker boys in Minnesota are really getting serious now. Buoyed by retail sales that are up 70 percent over last year, and a dealer network that is gaining strength by the day, the Minneapolis-based Victory motorcycle company is now venturing into the custom cruiser market in a big way, with the addition of the Victory Vegas. That alone might not be enough to sell Victory's new offering, but then consider that the company actually looked outside its own factory walls and solicited a pair of icons in the custom bike world, designers Arlen and Cory Ness, to add glitter to it. An all-new platform, the Vegas was actually designed in-house by the Victory Industrial Design Team, though master builders Ness and Ness served as consultants and provided valuable input on the bike's design and styling. Other than the drivetrain, which features the redesigned, 92 cubic-inch Freedom V -twin introduced by Victory last year, the Vegas shares little in common - other than a few ancilliary bits - with its ancestor, the V92C. For starters, the Vegas sports frame tubing that is of a larger diameter than the V92C. The new tubes add greater rigidity and also provide the Vegas with a longer, lower stance. The look is enhanced .by the Vegas' longer wheelbase, slack front-end rake, 21-inch front wheel, and a longer rear swingarm. The "a-Ness-thetic" bodywork boasts design cues lifted from the AUGUST 21,2002' eye I Vega; pair's mega-buck, one-off, custombuilt bikes. Particular attention was paid to the Vegas' sculpted fuel tank, which has scalloped sides and a split tail that integrates it into the front of the seat. The fenders and tank also have a raised-spine design that runs the length of the bike. Of course, the Vegas is also a chrome junkie's dream. The speedo housing. fuel-injection cover, ignition cover, rear-fender struts and 'belt guard are among the treated components, with additional chrome available in the \lictory Vegas accessory collection. The Vegas favors technology over tradition in a few areas, such as with the taillight, which eschews a standard bulb in favor of an LED unit. The taillight optics are molded into the reflector, under a red lens mounted flush on the surface of the rear fender for a more streamlined look. The Vegas will not be part of the Victory Custom Order program (see below) for 2003, but it will nonetheless be available in several color configurations. Body colors will include solid colors, black with hot-rod flames, or silver with "Tribal" flames. The engine color and frame colors can be mixed or matched in black or silver. Wheel options will include laced or billet. Even more customization will be possible through a complete line of Victory Accessories designed specifically for the Vegas. There will also be an Arlen Ness Signature Series of accessories. The Vegas will be available in the Spring of 2003. Victory dealers will By SCOTT ROUSSEAU 34 • e n e vv sa be accepting deposits for the Vegas in the fall of 2002. Victory Custom Order Program Victory says that its new Custom Order Program will change the way people think about how motorcycles are built and marketed. reasoning that it will allow riders to custom order through their dealer and have the bike completed at the factory they can even have selected accessories factory-installed. "We are giving our customers exactly what they want," said Victory General Manager Mark Blackwell. "Customers tell us repeatedly they want the opportunity to customize their new bike. We're giving them that opportunity on a much greater scale than they probably could have imagined." Buyers who order a 2003 Classic Cruiser (V92C) or Touring Cruiser (TC) no later than September 27, 2002, get to make choices regarding the following options: • Colors of the bodywork, frame, and engine • Wheels (cast or laced) • Tires (blackwall or whitewall) [Whitewalls not available in Canada] • Whether they want a Deluxe Touring Package factory-installed on their Classic Cruiser or TC • Whether they want the Extra Chrome Package factory-installed on their Classic Cruiser With the choices of colors, wheels and tires, and options packages, there are more than 520 possible combinations of model-year 2003 Victorys, including more than 320 possible combinations of the Classic Cruiser. According to Blackwell. Victory customers "benefit in several ways from the Victory Custom Order Program." including: • They get to order and take delivery of exactly what. They're not limited to what's available in a dealer's available inventory. • Accessories are factory-installed by Victory technicians using production-spec tools and fasteners. These new bikes also receive the full scrutiny of the Victory quality-assurance teams. • There are no leftover parts. A buyer doesn't remove stock equipment and replace it with accessories. The accessories are factory-installed! • Victory says that significant savings are possible through the program. By ordering accessories such as those in the Deluxe Touring Package and Extra Chrome Package, customers can save substantially compared to buying the accessories separately and having them installed on a new Victory. Savings of around $3000 are possible for some models when purchased through the Victory Custom Order Program. For more information on the Victory Vegas and the Victory Custom Order Program, see your local Victory motorcycle dealer, or check out www.victory-usa.com.CN