VICTORY FOR IRELANDVictory motorcycles have unveiled two new v-twin touring machines, the Victory Vision Street and the Victory Vision Tour.
A brand name that doesn't roll off the lips as easily as Harley-Davidson, Honda or BMW, Victory like to push the boundaries of style and functionality with their machines.
Since its launch on the motorcycle market in 1998 Victory Motorcycles, the motorcycle division of leading Minnesota-based sports manufacturer Polaris Industries, have rolled the dice and taken a chance on styling to redefine the American tourer.
"Victory is not as well known as any of the other brand name bikes on the market but they are a better bike," claims Victory dealer John Sheehan, of Sheehan's Garage in Waterford.
Powered by an air and oil-cooled Victory Freedom v-twin, the V theme is carried through the machine's angular lines, popping up at the view from the front and rear. With six-speed transmission and belt driven rear wheel the new Victory offers plenty of power to carry rider, passenger and luggage at high speed. Storage capacity in the Vision Tour is 6,750 cubic inches, while the Vision Street is a stripped down version without the large top case and backrest and storage volume of 3,370 cubic inches. According to Sheehan, these machines will be difficult to source in Ireland as supply is limited in our small Irish market but if you really want to get your hands on one you need only take a trip across the water.
NEW DATES FOR BIKE SHOWS
The organisers of the Birmingham NEC bike show, officially named The International Motorcycle and Scooter Show, have announced that this year's event has been moved to new dates. It will now take place on November 22nd-December 2nd.
This follows the announcement of new dates for the 2007 Milan Motorcycle Show, which is scheduled for November 6th-11th.
STAR TRIP
Motorcycling movie star Ewan McGregor's passion for biking has had such a positive influence on his wife that she's decided to jump in the saddle and accompany him on one of his jaunts. Eve McGregor will join her husband on his second televised motorcycle trip documentary. After their well documented biking expedition The Whole Way Round, McGregor and his friend Charley Boorman are travelling from McGregor's native Scotland to Cape Town in South Africa.
The trip will take three weeks and McGregor doesn't plan to leave his wife at home. "My wife is very supportive. She'll be coming out for part of the next trip. I have been married for 11 years and she has rarely even been on the back of a bike but she's training to ride and will do the middle three weeks with us," he said.
• If you have motorbike news, e-mail motorbikes@irish-times.ie