Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/510271
2016 VICTORY MAGNUM X-1 FIRST RIDE P52 AFTER THOUGHTS Yes, there are a few things that really drive me nuts about the X-1, too. Like Rennie says, wind noise renders the Victory's cool audio system pretty much useless at anything above 40 mph. The front brake inspires anything but confi- dence, and its sketchy vague slow-speed handling makes lane- splitting un-nerving. So then, why is it that I like riding this bike so much? Maybe I like it be- cause it looks so cool that I just don't care about its quirks. This thing turned heads everywhere I went—if you don't like atten- tion, consider yourself forewarned: don't get this bike! Maybe I like it so much because the Magnum also has these cool blue-ish readouts from the dash that makes you look forward to riding it at night. Perhaps it's because my 6'1" frame fit the bike well and has cushion that actually fits my cushion; luckily I didn't have to sit on the pinion seat, but it does visually flow nicely with the bike's curvy shape—definitely form over function here. I understand Rennie's hatred for the passen- ger seat, though, I'm sure he got an earful. Maybe I like it so much because it does have an audio system. Admit it, there's some- thing really cool about cruising down the road on a motorcycle with ZZ Top's LaGrange belting out from the speakers. I do. Oh yeah, and that front wheel! That's probably the best part. Too bad the matching rear wheel is hidden. It's way too cool to not be seen. Yes, the X-1 is not perfect, but I like it anyway, kind of like a mushroom pizza—I don't like mushrooms but that won't keep me from eating the pizza. Kit Palmer Editor Being relatively new to motorcycling, I was excited to swing a leg over a bagger for the first time. Compared to my 1200 Harley- Davidson Sportster, the Victory Magnum X-1 is obviously a bulky machine, almost beast- like, so I was expecting a more cumbersome experience, but, to my surprise, it is not unmanageable at all. It doesn't feel overly top heavy, and I thought it performed well enough at slow, parking lot speeds. Once in mo- tion—well out of first gear—the Magnum, I feel, is well-balanced and predictable. It is, however, somewhat awkward when turning at crawl- ing speeds. The rake of the handlebars makes turning around in tight spots difficult to say the least. I found the big Vic- tory to be comfortable in the saddle. It has a deep snug seat that I could feel myself sinking back into. The footrests are a nice distance away; I didn't have to reach for them, yet my six-foot frame didn't feel crammed either. Overall, the ride is very smooth—but compared to my Sport- ster, what bike isn't? On-off throttle is very smooth, too, as is the catch when releasing the clutch lever, nearly seamless. I liked that. All things consid- ered, I enjoyed riding the Victory. I must ad- mit, I'm not sure how it stacks up against other baggers in its class, it could be a heap for all I know, but for a "new- bie" such as myself, the big Magnum was a pleasant surprise. CN Daniel Hurst Guest Rider