2008 Victory Kingpin
Riding a Victory Kingpin is always an enjoyable experience due to the bike’s great accommodations and strong-pulling engine. But until we get there, I must say that its appealing looks will have people turn their heads so I hope you’re used with the curious if planning to swing a leg over it.
Start the 1634cc 50-degree V-Twin and the strong exhaust note will instantly charm you while waiting for the engine to get up to the functioning temperature. Shift first and after noticing that no loud noise is involved you’ll be on your way, slowly but steady. The Kingpin requires a bit of practicing until relatively fast take offs will be made, but the very firm clutch will surely help when it comes to that. Otherwise it will tend to tire your fingers if using the bike elsewhere than on the open road where it belongs.
Ergonomics are top notch as well as the seat’s firm feel, allowing the rider to spend as much time on it as it desires. Personally, after 200 miles I didn’t felt beaten at all and although it doesn’t look like, I’ve ridden the worst and the Victory is far from being among those bikes.
The Freedom engine has left me with an awful good impression as it delivers impressive amounts of torque from down low. It is practically built for that so the throttle will be widely twisted until a higher gear will be required. Also, the bike doesn’t require a downshift when intending to pass, but I always do so and I made no exception now.
What I most enjoyed on it was the way it handled. Even at relatively high speed (60 mph), the Kingpin goes steady around the corner and despite the 180 mm rear tire (which doesn’t bother any cruiser buyer anyway) it values the chassis’s abilities properly. Twisted roads are its specialty, but it is always good to keep in mind that cruisers aren’t your best friend when fast approaching a corner. Going slow in and fast out will surely help your understand.
My ride wasn’t bothered by every bump that the road had to offer as the suspensions equipment if highly effective and tuned. Even in the city, when passing over speed bumps, it didn’t become a pain in the…soul and you should take in consideration the riding position. Even though the handlebars are oriented towards the rider, his feet will still be heading forward and that is not that nice when maneuvering the Victory at slow speed. Its 676 lbs won’t be felt at every corner and a skilled rider will easily make the eight go away as speed is always the solution.
2008 Victory Kingpin
The single front disc proves effective when riding solo, but when a passenger jumps at your back, you have all the chances to crave for a second front disc. “Use the rear brake too” I always suggest, but even so the bike will seem like it needs more.
Victory has always produced awesome performing motorcycles and I like to consider the Kingpin is a culmination of this manufacturer’s success.
Price
Marketed for a suggested retail price going as high as $16,399, the Victory Kingpin is situated right on the line between expensive and decent.
Conclusion
It definitely stands for performance, handling and reliability and all of these features will bring smiles on the future owner’s faces as well as it did in the case of the test rider which got a feel of it recently. Experience for yourself and you’ll get the point.
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