The crew at Minnesota's Victory Motorcycles is thoroughly unabashed about proclaiming the Vegas Jackpot an exercise in extreme style. Described in the company's literature as a "full-on custom" with "excessive chrome," this model is aimed squarely at the boulevard bombers. And its custom touches and styling cues, encompassing a color-matched frame, chrome-topped headlight nacelle, a sculpted, split-tail fuel tank, and a massive, steel rear fender resting just atop a mile-wide 250 rear tire, command the scrutiny of anyone within eyeshot. Then, when you throw in the optional "extreme graphics," you wind up with a creation more like the ones built on cable chopper shows than the rides you'd normally find in the RoadRUNNER garage.

Even so, we've always said we'll tour on anything, and that mission statement was put to the test last spring when our friend Tony Meirovitz, Victory's External Relations Specialist, offered up a bright-yellow Jackpot for long-term use. Although I was leery about making serious miles on a full-blown factory custom, I quickly warmed up to the idea as Tony described all of the touring options.

Freedom

Custom bikes come in all shapes and sizes, but more often than not the V-twin engine emerges as the motor of choice. The look and sound mesh perfectly with sculpted bodylines, unique paint, and glistening chrome; and because these rides are as much showpieces as vehicles, the easygoing nature of a big two-banger lends itself to cruiser crawls along the strip or for extended stints at freeway speed as well. The counterbalanced, 100 cubic-inch (1634cc) Freedom™ V-Twin in the Jackpot has all the goods to make an excellent centerpiece. While it does sport the clean, classic lines favored by the custom crowd, inside it's a thoroughly modern mill. With overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, power delivery is smooth and predictable, and an abundance of usable torque assures the pilot that the Jackpot will go when the throttle says so. In all kinds of weather or riding conditions, a reliable EFI with throaty 45mm throttle bodies keeps start-ups easy and everything running efficiently. Even when loaded for touring and running hard, our Victory never got less than 40 miles per gallon, usually averaging 45 or better.