It's Good to be the Kingpin

Victory Kingpin Deluxe

The appeal of a big, American-made motorcycle is undeniable. Anybody who’s thrown a leg over of one of these iron horses will attest to the thrill derived from that intoxicating staccato of the pistons doing their thing. There’s also that throb coming through the handlebars, and let’s not forget the shiny chrome – and have I mentioned that unmistakable V-twin sound?

The first Victory motorcycles hit the road in 1998, and over the last several years the company has really hit its stride. Early models were afflicted with the usual teething pains associated with brand-new models; most notably, engine performance and the overall look of the bikes were seen as lackluster, yet promising. Unlike some other recent upstart motorcycle makers, parent company Polaris had the pockets and the long-term vision to keep Victory afloat through its formative years, and if the Kingpin Deluxe indicates Victory’s future, the future looks bright indeed for all concerned.

Power to the People
Let’s face it; the quintessential American motorcycle engine is the V-twin. It sounds and feels great, and looks perfect in the cruiser format. These facts were not overlooked by Medina, Minnesota’s Victory plant when designing a new motorcycle for the American market. The Kingpin Deluxe is big, its looks stirring, and my-oh-my does it have a V-twin. Immediately after thumbing the starter, it becomes obvious there’s something badass stirring beneath the porch. The note from the dual slash-cut exhaust pipes has a delightfully wicked attitude that may not necessarily wake the neighbors, but they will take notice....

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