Victory Vision 800 Concept promises a new era for American motorcycles

Perhaps the most interesting chemistry between Victory and KTM is the similarity of their largest motors – both V-twins, and although the 50 degree Victory engine displaces 100 cubic inches (1638cc), it produces a different type of power to KTM’s compact 75 degree 990cc and 950cc variants which have been used in some of the most delectable machinery yet seen on two wheels – the RC8 Concept Bike, the 990cc Superduke, the 990 Adventure and the oddball 950 Supermoto which has the world’s motorcycle media raving. Indeed, a measure of the "outside the square" mentality at KTM can be seen with the company's experimentation with such concepts as 2WD motorcycles and innovative protective gear.

Though the KTM motor wouldn’t translate well into the Vision’s chassis, it could certainly power some interesting road bikes, and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that the V4 KTM engine might find its way into a road bike, and beyond all of that, it’s clear that both companies have some genuine assets to bring to the table in terms of collaboration on many fronts.

The Victory Vision has helped to alert the world beyond America’s shores to the existence of the company. Based on the promise shown in the concept, we suspect it will not be the last the rest of the motorcycling world hears from Victory.

Mike Hanlon