Inspired from modern choppers, the 2011 Victory Vegas 8-Ball is a reliable, attractively-priced mainstream cruiser with no frills but plenty of attitude and tuning potential, courtesy of a stacked Victory/Ness accessory lineup.

Inspired from modern choppers, the 2011 Victory Vegas 8-Ball is a reliable, attractively-priced mainstream cruiser with no frills but plenty of attitude and tuning potential. (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Moto123.com)

The company showed no restraint when it came to designing this bold yet clean-looking bike. Meanwhile, the exuberant powerplant that gets the adrenaline flowing is sourced from the most luxurious Victory models.

Available in black only, the seductively-sinister Vegas 8-Ball harkens to the glorious '60s. A cruiser is as much about the ride as it is about the show, and this one definitely allows you to revel in the envious stares of pedestrians and car drivers.

Pure freedom
The all-American, 1,731-cc Freedom engine produces a delightful soundtrack, especially at low speeds – although blistering accelerations are nothing out of the ordinary for the Vegas 8-Ball. The cooling fins and several other parts are polished for a unique look.

With a larger displacement that boosts power yet again, Victory's twin-cylinder cranks out 113 lb-ft of torque at just 3,000 rpm and 97 horses at 5,000 rpm. The electronic injection system and balance shaft combine to reduce vibrations to a pleasant level at all times, even at higher revs where the engine shoots you forward with each gear shift.

The improved transmission featuring all-new, helical-cut gears beautifully teams up with the torquey V-twin, allowing you to cruise at ultra-low revs without any significant driveline lash, regardless of the selected gear. I got a real kick out of maintaining a smooth, leisurely pace both on busy highways and empty country roads that run along a river.

Victory's twin-cylinder cranks out 113 lb-ft of torque at just 3,000 rpm and 97 horses at 5,000 rpm. (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Moto123.com)