Don't let finances, or "since I'm a new rider I'd buy a small bike to learn on" affect your answer.

But we have the Octane now so why not?

 

Unless you were a well informed new rider, you'd probably not even know about Victory. But to answer your question let's say the nubie is well informed of all market choices and wants a cruiser. Of the big three choices, Harley, Indian and Victory I'd probably choose the Indian. To be different from the crowd but still on a universally desirable bike. Many out there don't appreciate the style of the Victory bikes. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't like the looks of at least one of the models Indian makes. Vic second and Harley third.

 

If I was to start over I would get a Victory without hesitation. Back when I started riding I never saw Vics around but now Im seeing them much more often. So I think they would now be on my radar now unlike when I started riding.

Its hard to take away what I now know to say what I would get. As it is hard to take away finances from the equation.

I would certainly look at Vics but I don't know which I would get as a starter. If I followed what I did with my first bike I might end up on a Octane but if I was better informed and knew a bit more than when I actually bought my first bike I would probably end up with a XC or XR. I think the Vision would have probably intimidated me a bit much as a first bike.

 

So money is no object, and a small bike to learn on is out.
I've owned many jap bikes since the 70's, and the Victory XR has been the best bike I've owned...ticks, clicks, clunks, and all.
For a newer rider I'd recommend that they ride several models to find the one they can fit and handle the easiest. Highball, Gunner, and Octane come to mind, and avoid two up initially.

 

I would get a Gunner or Vegas.

 

I would probably be on a sport bike briefly and then a cruiser. Just like I did the first time

 

The question posed intimates that it would have to be an American bike, and that just would not be the case in Australia and dare I say most if not the rest of the world......

Here to be a first time rider one cannot have any bigger then 660 cc motor and then not all smaller bikes are LAM (Learner Approved Motorcycle) approved..... Trying hard to be a first time rider again in my mind and it definitely not be a victory, nor a Harley nor an Indian even if i could have a motor that size..... I would still look at the Jap market as for the cost factor alone, so it is really impossible to not put value for money into the equation.... All American brands are overpriced to the max.....

Having said that, Harley has just introduced its new LAM bike in Australia, made just for that market.....

 

In the UK, it is even more complicated than that. You can pass your A1 licence at 17 but that only allows you to ride 125cc 12BHP bikes. From 19 you can take the A2 licence, which allows you to ride any A2 class vehicles - A2 is based purely on BHP (46.6 BHP). You can only get an unrestricted licence at either 21 (after taking another test after having an A2 licence for 2 years) or 24. Glad I got my licence may years ago!
Both Harley and Indian have A2 versions of the Street 750 and the Scout Sixty respectively (by restrictor kits).

 

Yamaha Bolt.

2017 Yamaha Bolt Cruiser/Touring Motorcycle - Photo Gallery, Video, Specs, Features, Offers, Inventory and more

 

Once you ride one.....

 

Price? That would definitely be in my mind, wouldn't have all that money if previously spent to much money for anything. My first 20 bikes were Japanese for 2 reasons...LOOKS and PRICE. To include crotch rocket, dirt and road. Never really worried about specs compared to other mfg. I bought my CC 8-Ball from sight only, little did I know that it was about to become my FAV MC purchase.
(Forgot to mention I had a 1979 sportster....great on the famous WOODWARD/and girls...had for 3 weeks then rode with a bike club to Lima, OH for flat track races, when I returned I sold because worse thing I'd ever ridden on a trip...bought another 750 Honda).

 

Of course I would consider a Victory if I was a new rider. Why wouldn't I?

 

I've been riding since 1966.
Harley was my ride of choice since 1970.
For the last two years my main ride has been a 2015 Victory Ness Magnum.
If I had to buy any new bike I wanted to replace my current ride, it would be another Magnum.
Harley and Indian don't make anything I feel comfortable on like a Vic.
I'm currently looking at buying a 2nd Vic for the purpose of shipping it around to warm winter vacation spots or taking my wife on the back. It will be a Vic Cross Country.
I looked at a new M8 Street Gilde but it felt tiny and cramped like all Harleys and Indians. I'm only 5'8"s but I like to stretch out.

 

A lot depends on how you plan to ride. If you are out for a fast experience and love power it could be a bad combo.

They have a lot of power for a beginner. The 106 is no toy. Even the little Octane is a quick little thing.

They handle great for a bike that size.

Braking could use improvement. OK for a seasoned rider, not sure for a new one. If you have solid training and are a safer rider, sure. Just be careful.

Reliable. Quirky. Lots of odd noises. Unique looks.

Guess it depends on the rider if I would suggest it or not.

 

I know the OP said not to worry about finances or size, but I would advise most new riders to get a smaller, lighter bike. That being said, I helped my 19YO son find a used Vegas for his first bike. But, he's bigger and fitter than most everyone else, and I only helped pick the Vegas because he didn't want to go smaller to start.

Once the skills are developed I don't see any reason not to buy a Victory.

 

Very hard to say. I would like to think that I would know about Victory and look at the steel frame bikes. But I didn't learn about Victory until I've been riding for a long time. I learned about Vic through other riders. So if I'm just starting out, I'm not sure how I would know about them. I definitely wouldn't know about them through their dealerships. Here in DFW there is only true Vic dealership, Strokers in Dallas.

I can only assume I would do what I did when I started. I grew up riding dirt bikes so Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki I knew about my whole life. Loved my Yamaha YZ250. Man that was awesome 2 stroke heaven.

So when it was time for tires with less nobbies, I looked to those bikes. Ended up on a Honda Shadow.

 

If I was starting out again, or making a recommendation to a new rider, I would do exactly as I did when I initially started out. Go mid size Japanese - The Suzuki C-50 is a good choice or any other 800-900cc bike. The main reason for this recommendation, is the initial cost. There is no reason to spend $15-20K on a bike only to find out you really aren't in to riding.

So go mid-size and fairly inexpensive to get your feet wet and see if it's a hobby you enjoy, and the move on to a bike that fits your needs (which by the way, you probably don't know what you want from a bike when just starting out).

 

I ask mainly because of all the conjecture about Victory being the soon to be defunct brand from Polaris. I'm not saying I agree with that line of thinking. Just curious how much anyone else here buys into it.

 

Nah, stick around awhile. That conjecture about Victory's immenent demise has been going on for 17 years now. People get worked up because Victory doesn't do major updates to models same as every other brand except for Harely only since Victory and now Indian have given them real competition. But really try and put yourself in the shoes of somebody, maybe experienced or maybe new rider, but not already a Vic owner. If you go demo a Sportster, Scout, and Octane which one is the better bike? Octane. Or a Road Glide, Roadmaster, or Cross Country Tour? They all have strengths and weaknesses but the XCT is the most comfortable with the best storage and at the very least equals the others in power and handling. Pretty important strengths in a touring bike. Or...Fat Bob, Gunner/Highball, or Chief Classic? I don't see the Gunner as any less a motorcycle. So in conclusion, I think Victory is fine. I'm as passionate as most and can be as short tempered as any, but Victory as a brand is fine. Probably better than fine.

 

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 custom is a great starter bike can be had cheap also.

 

you are asking experienced riders to think like a new rider.... What age group are you looking at? Young have a tendency to be more adventurous and more prone to impulse. Wealth plays a part as well, done have the coin then the choices are narrowed down. Money is no object than the window opens up. Research plays into the middle age group and older, they want a good investment for their money. Then the age old question what do you plan to do with that bike????

So the recommendation is: It depends.

 

hit up dealers, ask if you can sit on the bikes, find a bike you fit(you can change handlebars,seats and controls if need be), feel comfortable on, and looks good to you, if your comfortable with taking a test ride and the dealer offers it, hit the road see how it performs for you... If you find something you like buy it.

 

To answer your question, I bought a victory because I liked the looks (the kingpin sorta looks like an indian) thats why i bought mine.... Just means I shoulda found an old indian

 

I have never had any fear of "going big", so if I was starting fresh right now, I would have to go with the Motus MST R.

Motus Motorcycles

 

I guess I'm posing this to those of us who've been riding for years, or a long time mc enthusiast. If you never rode a motorcycle or had limited experience and had only a small amount of knowledge.... Would you buy a new Victory today ?

Yah SURE I'd buy a Vic!
But, not one of these...

Or, one of these...

But, the best time to start riding is early...

Enjoy y'll....

 

I don't see Victory going away anytime soon. They've been able to create highly competitive bikes in every sub-segment they've attempted. In the US that's big displacement heavy cruiserstuff and tourers.
Should market trends shift strongly enough in other segments, I'm sure they'll respond if it fits within their long range strategy.