Victory Motorcycles' 2012 Models

Cross Roads Classic LE $17,999

The Cross Country’s sibling, the Cross Roads is still around for 2012, but a spruced-up Limited Edition Cross Roads has been added for those in the market for a touch of customized flair. “The Cross Roads LE is basically our answer to that guy looking for the most basic accessorized touring bike they can get. By adding the leather seats and the details on the saddlebags and multi-tone paint, these are things that a customizer could essentially add to look like a customized bike, but it’s coming straight from the factory, which is a nice factory package. It’s sort of retro in its silhouette, but in terms of performance and capabilities and reliability embodies Victory’s philosophy,” Pandya says. Those interested in the LE need to act fast since less than 300 motorcycles are being produced. Each LE is stamped with its own number plate and features classic styling white and black paint scheme with black and red pinstriping. The leather saddle features an intricate stitch pattern, which is also found on the leather saddlebags. On the outsides of the soft bags are chrome rails for tip-over protection. Speaking of chrome trim, the front and rear fenders were treated to chrome bumpers, which adds a traditional feel to the old-school aesthetic of the black and white paint scheme. The soft bags are nothing to scoff at since they are still pretty large, and can handle up to 17.4 gallons of cargo space; however, they’re not lockable.

Also powered by a 106ci 50-degree Freedom V-twin which features single overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder with a 9.4:1 compression ratio, the Cross Roads LE throttles off the line with ease, and inspires the confidence to pass cumbersome big rigs. The true dual exhaust with crossover has a nice low, rumbled tone; nothing obnoxious, just enough to know that you’re riding a motorcycle.

The LE features the same chassis as the Cross Country: cast-aluminum frame and swingarm, inverted telescopic 43mm fork, and air-adjustable monoshock rear suspension. The wire wheels, however, are a nice contrast for the LE when compared to the OE Cross Roads’ cast wheels. Spoke wheels provide a simplistic beauty that’s a nice departure for touring bikes. The saddle’s shape is comfortable because it features a narrower front section, which reduces crowding of the nether regions. Even though the LE’s chassis is the same as the Cross Country the LE is more nimble since it’s not burdened by the added cargo weight (fairing lowers, trunk, and hard saddlebags). ABS also comes standard on the LE, and includes dual front four-piston calipers with 300mm dual floating rotors. The LE halts in an instant, and the ABS performs, as it should. When shifting through the gears there’s no cramped space on the footboards thanks to the single shift lever. Heel-toe shifters are annoying and bulky; it’s nice that they’re not standard equipment on the Cross models. Again like the Cross Country, the LE features a 5.8-gallon fuel tank, which is more than enough to get over 175 miles without filling up. However, once the fuel reaches Reserve, the needle shoots to Empty, leaving riders feeling panicked that they won’t make the next fuel stop. Plus, the “low fuel” light replaces the miles-to-empty ticker instantaneously, so there’s no way of knowing how far the bike will actually go before sputtering out.

There are also plenty of features on the LE. Cruise control comes standard, and works extremely well on the long hauls. Front tip-over protection is also provided with a tubular highway bar. Other options include fairing mount, audio system for fairing mount, lockable trunk, and much more.