Motorcycle specifications Victory (USA)1700 JUDGE 2016 Time to judge the road

with its Judge, Victory interprets a new version of the Muscle Bike. A machine with a particular taste for the manufacturer, more traditional and vintage than usual. Car fans will quickly react to this provocative name, and the small details of this bike sparkle with references to an emblematic figure of the 4-wheeled world: the Pontiac GTO.
It's no coincidence that Victory is multiplying its references to this car. This 60s Pontiac, nicknamed 'Judge', was the first of the Muscle Cars. These were machines with huge engines, very efficient in acceleration but not really remarkable in top speed.
The custom car that bears this name also displays certain attributes inspired by the American GTO, such as its rims in the same design or the orange color (previous vintages). The trendy black color is used on the frame, fork tees and fork pockets, handlebars, crankcases and cylinder head covers, foot controls, exhausts and small headlight. The latter clearly abandons the Victory style for a more consensual, minimalist form, as does the dashboard reduced to a single (albeit complete) instrument.

while the overall shape is not far removed from that of a Vegas, the rear end is much more elaborate, and bears no resemblance to that of a Hammer, the other Muscle Bike in the range. The seat is particularly deep to accommodate the loins under hard acceleration. Underneath, oval side panels resemble number plates. And judge for yourself the arrowhead taillight, whose imprint is repeated at the end of the saddle, as if one didn't want to be separated from the other.

the choice of tires is astonishing. While the competition mainly uses 240 rubber at the rear, the 1700 Judge only uses 140, barely wider than the front tire. This promises agility that will surprise enthusiasts in this category. But will this 140 be able to cope with the big mkg of the Freedom twin?
Unsurprisingly, this Minnesota custom beats to the rhythm of the big 1731 cm3 / 106 ci fitted throughout the range. With over 90 horsepower in the pot, it far outstrips Harley's Twin Cam in power. The latter will claim more character.

watch your speed, though, because although you'll never catch up with a GSX-R on this 300-kilo beast, a good peak on this machine will only be calmed by a front brake disc. Don't hesitate to use the rear, which boasts the same 300 mm diameter.
But let's not speculate too much on optimism. Torquey, modern and lively, the twin-cylinder Victory is nowhere near as potent as an H-D 1250 Muscle or an 1800 Marauder.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos