Fat tires

2006 Victory (Reprinted w/o permission as originally published in article from Cruiser Magazine)

The Jackpot proved unwieldy at low speeds, and you were reminded of its custom pretensions. Muscling the bar and weighting the bike with your body while still in the turn became standard procedure for getting the ‘Pot to lean with any urgency. And if that move became a necessary evil on long sweepers, it never felt quite right on short, emergency maneuvers in town; small bumps would knock the bike off its line, probably due to the narrow footprint of the front tire.

SPECIFICATIONS
2006 Victory Vegas Jackpot
Suggested price: $17,499 ($21,999 Ness Signature Series)



A variety of special graphics treatments can be ordered in addition to the full Ness packages.
ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN
Type: 4-stroke, 50-degree tandem V-twin
Valve Arrangement: SOHC; 2 intake, 2 exhaust valves per cylinder
Displacement, bore x stroke: 1634cc, 101 x 102mm
Compression ratio: 9.8:1
Carburetion: EFI, 44mm throttle bodies
Minimum fuel grade: 92 octane
Transmission: 6 speeds
Final drive: belt
CHASSIS
Wet weight: 697 lbs.
GVWR: 1155 lbs.
Seat height: 25.7 in.
Wheelbase: 66.3 in.
Overall length: 96.3 in.
Rake/trail: 33.5 degrees, 5.12 in.
Wheels: Cast aluminum
Front tire: 21 x 2.15 in. Dunlop tubeless
Rear tire: 18 x 8.5 in. Dunlop tubeless
Front brake: 300mm disc, 4-piston caliper
Rear brake: 300mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Front suspension: telescopic fork, 43mm stanchions, 5.1 in. travel
Rear suspension: single damper, 3.0 in. travel, preload adjustable
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Handlebar width: 33.5 in.
The Jackpot isn’t much fun to ride. The cumbersome steering is its biggest shortcoming, but it doesn’t quite fit 5-foot-10 me very well, and the choppy ride, though anticipated, makes even going straight less fun than it should be. With this Ness version’s slippery oversize billet grips, every hard stop can be a panic stop, and don’t even think about riding in the rain with that slippery throttle barrel.