2008 Victory Hammer Review

Introduction

But as the first impression fades away, features such as the inverted front fork, dual disk brakes, performance V-twin engine and comfortable seating position will further contribute to the immediate great opinion that you’ll form about it.

A great torque and horsepower provider, the engine will get close to a rider’s heart with a simple twist of the throttle.

History

2005 Victory Hammer

You will find that the first model of Victory Hammer, which was introduced in 2005, isn’t that different from what you’re buying today but the magic consists in details so that’s what we’ll be studying.

The all-new American brute muscle and radical custom style bike entered the scene featuring the same 100 cubic inches V-twin engine fed through an Electronic Fuel Injection system featuring 44mm throttle bodies. Oil and air cooling, six-speed gearbox and belt final drive, it was all there.

Colors available in 2005 were Black, Indy Red, Cosmic Sunburst, Flame Yellow (Solid Colors) and Indy Red with Tribal Tattoo, Toxic Green with Tribal Tattoo (Multiple colors).

What came new on the bike for 2006 was the massive 250mm rear tire especially designed by Dunlop which also required a widened rear fender on top of it. Also brand new was the bar’s V configuration, the deep saddle, and the custom inspired paintjob which made it stand out even more.

In 2007 the Victory showed its even sportier face with the all-new Hammer S. What sets the bike apart from the normal version (unchanged in 2007) is the blacked-out engine, handlebars, gauges, virtually anything that would have been chromed on the simple Hammer. Performance Machine supplied with a pair of red, powder-coated Gatlin wheels which together with the custom-looking bike created an easily standing out product.

Competition

2008 Harley-Davidson V-Rod

Harley-Davidson couldn’t have missed this party so it created the V-Rod and the Night-Rod special. Both of these bikes look like taken right off the drag circuit as they are low and sleek. And this Harley has an engine that backs its looks up: 123hp, 1250cc liquid-cooled (the first street-legal Harley to feature liquid cooling) Revolution engine. The rear tire is 240mm wide, almost as beefy as Hammer’s but the low general appearance makes the rear tire look actually wider.

2008 Harley-Davidson Night Rod

The Night-Rod Special clearly stands out thanks to its looks as it features black everything: exterior, engine, exhaust pipes, headlight cover, handlebars and mirrors, rims (with orange pinstripes). Mechanical features are the same as on the V-Rod so Harley and Victory both use the same recipe when intending to make a bike easily distinguishable.

Exterior

2008 Victory Hammer

Ask any Victory Hammer buyer what first attracted it at the bike and the first word heard will be “design”. Long, low and sleek, the Hammer looks like its moving even on the showroom floor.

Everything on it is about massiveness: the chromed wheels, front fork, gas tank, engine, rear wheel and fender will make a rider understand the “metal horse” expression while the V handlebar shape will feel like taking the bull from its horns.

Victory designs well blended in motorcycles and this one is no exception. In fact, it situates among the most attractive muscle cruisers (there aren’t many anyway but even if there were this would be topping them off). Attention to details is exceptional and what gives the best clue is the way the tank joins together with the seat, the removable seat cowl and wide rear fender.

Chrome finds its place on the 18” wheels, the headlight cover, engine, exhaust, and rear fender ornaments in order to shine brightly along the Solid Black, Solid Midnight Cherry, Solid Supersteel Gray, Solid Boardwalk Blue color options.

2008 Victory Hammer S

The Victory Hammer S comes with race-inspired paint, blacked-out engine, bars, mirrors, gauges and black translucent powdered coated billet wheels from Performance Machines. It looks meaner, but if you get on top of it, there isn’t much difference.

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