Victory Motorcycles' 2012 Models

Cross Country Luxury Tour Starting at $21,999

Since the release of the Cross Country and Cross Roads in 2010, Victory has been trying to keep up with supply in order to meet enthusiast demand. For 2012, the Cross Country Luxury Tour moves to the forefront of the company’s touring line. Powered by a 106ci Freedom V-twin engine boasting 92hp and 109 lb-ft of torque and coupled with a six-speed transmission, the 106’s power delivery is smooth when in gear, but getting there…the gearbox is a tad clunky. Stomping on the lever to downshift into first is definitely an area that needs attention.

As for comfort, the Tour is loaded to the gills with features and accessories. If it’s cargo space you’re looking for, look no further. With more than 41 gallons of storage space in the trunk, saddlebags, and fairing lowers’ compartments, cramming things to fit is never an issue. The lock-and-ride trunk with padded passenger backrest and two audio speakers (one on each side) features 17.7 gallons of secure, weatherproof storage space. The trunk is handy for getting to items quickly when stopped, and easily fits two full-face helmets. Inside is a power port for charging electronics.

For the colder months, riders needn’t worry; heated seats and grips come standard on the Tour. Cleverly positioned on the left side of the seat are the adjustable toggles for warming your buns. For your mittens, the heated grips’ adjustment is located on the handlebar for easy access. Both work very well. However, being that we rode it in August, they weren’t needed. Because it was hot, it was nice to take advantage of the Comfort Control System located in the Tour’s new fairing lowers, which are attached to a highway bar that provides tip-over protection. With two vents per fairing, the upper vent directs airflow to the torso, the lower flows a nice breeze to the legs. Between the vents are storage compartments. The left-side cubby houses an iPod cord that connects your MP3 to the Tour’s integrated audio system. The audio system features AM/FM radio, with satellite radio available as an option. Audio levels can be adjusted at the left-side switch housing, as well as navigating through an iPod playlist. The speaker watt output packs a nice punch at high speeds, even with earplugs. The trigger located on the inside of the left side of the handlebar switch toggles through the digital readouts on the fairing gauge (speedo, fuel gauge, odomoter, trip meter, etc.). And on the right, riders can enjoy cruise control that comes as standard equipment on the Tour.

Victory got it right in 2012 with its new Tall Windshield. The shield on the ’11 Cross Country was pointless; it was minuscule. Head buffeting was a huge issue, and splitting headaches seemed commonplace after a couple hours of riding. Not the case this year; it’s just the right height, there’s no buffeting to speak of, and it protects from debris, bugs, elements—whatever’s thrown at it.

The Tour’s ergonomics are brilliant. A two-up saddle positions the rider comfortably. The design cups the rider in the cockpit with rear-end support where the passenger seat meets the rider’s. Stretching your legs out on the monster-sized floorboards that would dwarf Shaquille O’Neal’s paws is also a nice feature. Passenger footboards are also adjustable to a range of 2 inches and 10 degrees.

In the handling department, the Cross models have always performed well. The hollow aluminum frame permits cornering with ease, and the air-adjustable rear monoshock features 4.7 inches of travel. Travel can be adjusted via Schrader valve in a matter of minutes to compensate for the added weight of cargo or passenger. Also, the inverted 43mm telescopic frontend features 5.1 inches of travel and sucks up road imperfections effortlessly. The 26.25-inch seat height aids in avoiding touching down, that and the 5.8 inches of ground clearance. Simply put, while it will never corner like a Gixxer, the Tour does very well for an 850-pound motorcycle.