The 2013 Victory Judge. The New American Muscle Bike (Part 1)

The Victory Judge is the new 2013 model from Victory being unveiled right now to the press at the New York City Javits Center  With the slogan “American Muscle Never Died. It just needs handlebars” The Judge is presented by Victory’s management as a performance cruiser combining smooth ride and handling with premium power and braking. It is the intention of its designers to parallel visions of classic american muscle cars by giving The Edge model powerful silhouette through a deeply sculpted bodywork with black-out components (frame, dual exhaust, triple trees, cases, cylinder heads and more)  

The drag bars and bodywork are all new, as is the styling of the taillight, fender struts and new EFI covers between the cylinders. The Victory Judge features new 5-spoke cast wheels that evoke memories of performance mag wheels seen at race tracks in the 70’s. These 16” rims are shod with premium Dunlop Elite II tires with raised white lettering, the perfect look on a performance cruiser. An engaged  riding position on top of the action with mid-mount lower controls and a 25.9” (658 mm) seat height, ideal for modest inseam riders.

Although Victory warns that some specifications may change, for sure The Edge will be powered by the 1731 cc 50 ̊ Freedom® 106/6 V-Twin. It serves up 113 ft-lbs of torque that let a rider punch through the gnarliest traffic, hustle through the curves and decimate any straightaway. Helical- cut gears in the proven 6-speed transmission deliver consistently smooth shifting. The true overdrive of 6th gear delivers smooth highway cruising, and a positive neutral finder simplifies the stoplight to stoplight battles. The 4.5-gallon (17.0 liter) fuel tank offers great range and is coupled to a high-end fuel injection system that can handle any riding conditions.

Three paint options including a sinister Gloss Black, Sunset Red, and a signature Suede Nuclear Sunset, host the minimal graphics. For the US, prices should be from MSRP $13,999 MSRP to $14,399 (In California, add $250). For Canada MSRP from $15,299 to $15,749. Victory Motorcycles.

73 Responses to “The 2013 Victory Judge. The New American Muscle Bike (Part 1)”


  1. 1 paul@aeromach Jan 20th, 2012 at 11:31 am

    Cool Pontiac GTO wheels

  2. 2 JROD Jan 20th, 2012 at 11:36 am

    wait… how’s this different from an 8ball? just a few new lines… new oil bag, and a fatty front tire. Hey Victory, guess what, you are still biting HD’s style. Blackline is way, way hotter than this.

  3. 3 viz Jan 20th, 2012 at 11:37 am

    Is that suppose to be an oil tank in the middle of the bike?

  4. 4 Matt Jan 20th, 2012 at 11:41 am

    I’d love to put that headlamp on the High Ball.

  5. 5 GB Jan 20th, 2012 at 11:47 am

    lov it. how anyone thinks it looks HD is nuts. and no, that’s an oil cooler, read a little dude.

  6. 6 Luis Jan 20th, 2012 at 11:47 am

    I like it a lot. Especially in red.

  7. 7 viz Jan 20th, 2012 at 11:53 am

    Yeah I did read it before I posted. And it doesn’t say anything about an oil cooler on the article. If you know. Please kindly point it out. Maybe you need to read

  8. 8 Matt Jan 20th, 2012 at 11:59 am

    Classic look with a modern twist. I like the integrated tail light and oil tank inspired body work. Put on some drag style pipes (Sorry Victory your stock pipes look out of place on the Highball and Judge.) and you got a pretty bad ass looking back roads brawler with some actual muscle to back it up.

  9. 9 SURLY Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:01 pm

    Nothing new here just over weight re -do of another model. Thought we may have had the company think outside the box but I was wrong again.I will be keeping my XR1200 . There is a nice picture on the net somewhere where someone photoshoped a sport bike body with the 106/6.Guess I will put down my down payment on the MOTO – GUZZI V7 RACER!

  10. 10 David O. Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    The seat wrapping around the oil tank is absolutely fugly

  11. 11 paul@aeromach Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:08 pm

    got rid of the cheese wedge but kept the bombardier-logo-looking primary cover!

  12. 12 Hondo Cat Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:08 pm

    The specs on this bike means it’s built to handle. It has the shortest wheel base and rake, mid controls, and 16inch tires front and rear (130mm front/140mm rear). It’s actually built to ride and not pose. And, with the Freedom 106ci, it performs.

    I love it.

  13. 13 Gary Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    If Victory has designers, fire them. If not, hire a couple of good ones. Victory remains a company dominated by engineers. Time to give power to the creative people.

  14. 14 Hondo Cat Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    I forgot to add it will be the best handling Victory in the stable.

  15. 15 Joe Cree Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    It’s not a bad looking bike overall. Seat wrap is a little offputting. Pipes look like they belong on a big rig. Curious why they picked that tire/wheel combo. I’m not a fan of 16″ wheels and high profile tires but that’s a personal preference. Guess they thought it fit the muscle car “theme”.

  16. 16 BobS Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    Steel frame Vics have oil coolers between the frame down tubes. Those ovals cover the battery and electronics. Good looking bike, good seating position, good wheel/tire geometry, and plenty of power. If I was in the market for a new bike I’d certainly want to include this in my options.

  17. 17 Shifter Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    Not too bad, not too good. Very ugly pipes, like always.

  18. 18 .357 Magnum Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:32 pm

    Wow, they actually did a pretty good job evoking American classic style without going head-to-head with Harley. Nice work, Victory.

    I guess the closest would maybe be the Fat Bob? This has the Softail-style suspension, and it looks pretty good with that classy new round headlight. Looks like the rear fender hardware could accommodate some saddlebags pretty simply, for those of us who commute and carry rain gear. The front forks look a little spindly from the side, but their wide placement gives a very beefy front-end look when viewed head-on. Very nice.

  19. 19 riverat Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    Not bad, the little things I do not like are personal preferences and would be changed on any bike you buy. Like it or not I think this $13900 bike is going to sell. The Cory Ness version will be interesting.

  20. 20 x harley rider Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    Like the new tail light
    think the rear turn signals should be parallel
    The oil color is still up front so the round side cover must be for the battery
    I like the little wedges and the new tank looks good.
    Is this the Zack ness bike??

  21. 21 Dave Blevins Jan 20th, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    I honestly keep trying to like the Victory bikes, but this one is just as ugly as the rest.
    The frame looks clumsy, the rear fender is weird, the seat is just awful.
    They are getting a little better however… the front end, the headlight, the wheels, are improvements but overall, the bike is just awkward looking.
    I feel like Victory could be a force to be reckoned with if they would just hire designers with some taste.
    Hope to see you all at the Expo in Cincy.

  22. 22 Brian Heshley Jan 20th, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    The High Ball was some hope. Since then, Victory doesn’t stop to disappoint me. Will never grow from there without excellent designers.

  23. 23 Jay The Wiz Jan 20th, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    American style has no style. Look at european style for creative inspiration.

  24. 24 Drake Jan 20th, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    It’s all about trying to do a new bike with parts from other models. Hey, Victory, you think we didn’t notice?

  25. 25 Tween Jan 20th, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    I would love so much to cheat on Harley. Not with this one.

  26. 26 Amanda Jan 20th, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    Cool, there is enough room between the tires & fenders to mount dirt bike tires & still have clearance for mud. (A lot of mud)

    With after market seat, pipes, & fenders, it will be a hit.

  27. 27 ray c wheeler Jan 20th, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    Change the pipes, add an aerocharger turbo and you have a bad ass hot rod…………

    good job Victory……………..

  28. 28 Jason Hallman Jan 20th, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    First impression: Fail!
    Crappy tires
    Clunky aesthetics
    Plastic looking
    The whole thing looks Asian
    Seat looks ridiculous
    That company needs to get off the wallet and hire some designers that actually like the V-twin industry instead of a bunch of “motorcyclists” that value function over form.

    Polaris is an awesome company…Victory builds a great machine but how can they sell anything that looks like this? This is to cruisers what the Honda Fury is to a Big Dog.

  29. 29 Brett Jan 20th, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    To me it looks alot like the Dyna Fat Bob…….I dunno, not seeing a whole lot new

  30. 30 1550tc Jan 20th, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    Nice bike ………..Arlen get a front chin spolier for it ASAP…yeah what with the HUGE JAP style pipes

    a nice 2 into one

  31. 31 Alan sharp Jan 20th, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    its a 48 on steroids, but lots better just needs pipes twin discs, smoking…………

  32. 32 Mark Moses Jan 20th, 2012 at 2:21 pm

    I can and will sell these bikes. Thanks for the ammo Victory!

    Mark Moses
    Indian Victory Charlotte

  33. 33 Sid Jan 20th, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    this is getting tiresome and boring

  34. 34 Steve Hog Radio Producer Johann Jan 20th, 2012 at 3:06 pm

    Ok it needs pipes on each side as in duel pipes found in Muscle cars! Not the single sided pipes shown here.

    The seat looks real comfortable and will most likely be as you ride it for a few hours – a place to lean your legs against thats comfy rather than against the metal tank.

    Next time find a place without the ugly windmills to do the promo shots. Yuk, I hate those things – thanks greenies for mucking up the landscape. Next time find a site without background clutter like the Pacific Highway since this was most likely shot in So-Cal.

  35. 35 Phil and Jacquie (Kingpin UK) Jan 20th, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    Love it Victory.The red model just does it,all it needs is a Cobra 2-1 exhaust,the 16″ wheels give a great
    stance,look out HD……………………….

  36. 36 Jim C Jan 20th, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    Thx for the laugh AeroPaul, I was thinking pontiac on the wheels to – with white letters to boot! I think it could use a less ugly set of pipes, perhaps 2-into-1 ( but so could the V-rod ). Does the oil tank remind anyone else of a motocross number plate??

  37. 37 Markus Jan 20th, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    I’m underwhelmed. To bad they didn’t come out with some sleeker sheet metal. It looks clunky to me, like their just rearranging stuff from their parts bin. Sorry Victory, try again.

  38. 38 Bud Jan 20th, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    Where is the Zach Ness Judge that they were supposed to reveal?

  39. 39 Richard Jan 20th, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    STILL too “Ness” like for me…

  40. 40 BobS Jan 20th, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    Bud, that’s tomorrow.

  41. 41 Mithion Jan 20th, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    Wow!!! Really well done. Victory just keeps getting better and better. The only thing they are missing is an wintry level Sportster-esque bike at a nice low p[rice!!!!

  42. 42 Mithion Jan 20th, 2012 at 6:55 pm

    Wow!!! Really well done. Victory just keeps getting better and better. The only thing they are missing is an entry level Sportster-esque bike at a nice low price!!!!

  43. 43 Dinky Dot Jan 20th, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    Tail lights on upside down

  44. 44 Iron Horse Jan 20th, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    I kinda like it and kinda don’t. I think that AeroPaul and Jim C hit it with their comments. With a few changes asthetically, I could see myself riding one. I always was a sucker for the GTO’s styling.

  45. 45 Sheridan Jan 20th, 2012 at 9:01 pm

    After all these years they’ve finally listened and got the headlight right…

  46. 46 Captain John T. Awesome Jan 20th, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    Well Victory, at least you tried. Change the bodywork, seat and wheels and there might be something there….as always. Victory just doesn’t seem to quite get it.

  47. 47 Rider2 Jan 21st, 2012 at 12:15 am

    What is the purpose of that round thing below the seat? Victory motorcycles all look the same to me. The disproportion of the rear wheel with the front one is bugging me every time. They seem to just change a couple of accessories and it’s done. Also, being a big car guy myself, especially muscle cars, I am still having a lot of issues associating muscle cars with Japanese looking bikes and full face helmets with flowers on them. Just saying.

  48. 48 Casey Jan 21st, 2012 at 1:09 am

    Oh nice…..theme bike meets the mass market……

    I’m some what biased, but also perplexed that this is perceived by the (generalisation here) market as awesome.

    Price is an important factor…how does this compare with HD or Ducati cruiser?

  49. 49 Phil (UK) Jan 21st, 2012 at 2:24 am

    For all out there who don’t seem to know Vics,there is NO OIL TANK !

  50. 50 Oldude Jan 21st, 2012 at 8:09 am

    Ain’t selling my Harley Stock !

  51. 51 Borther Tiberius Jan 21st, 2012 at 8:15 am

    The Oval Under the Seat really disrupts the flow of the bike. I agree that it resembles the Dyna Fat Bob; I own one. I do like how the made it more like a Softtail for rear suspension. I like the styling of the rear fender. Red is the new black.

    I wish they’d roll out some pictures with accessories; bags, windscreens, and sissy bars for my female companion. I can picture what they’d look like in my head, but reality can turn out to be different…

    I like the front headlight.

    I have to wonder if this is more to take on the Swtichback though? For about $2k more, you get the obvious accessories that this bike lacks, and pretty much the same sized engine.

  52. 52 Big Mack Jan 21st, 2012 at 8:20 am

    I’ll check it out at the IMS today.

  53. 53 Renig Jan 21st, 2012 at 9:19 am

    Wonder what the left side looks like?

  54. 54 Rodent Jan 21st, 2012 at 9:20 am

    I’d rather have the new NORTON

  55. 55 Teskadiero Jan 21st, 2012 at 9:34 am

    All the comments are about the looks of the bike which granted, as a unveiling, are fair for this model. But the comments all Vics are ugly, Vic needs designers, are all silly to me. The market for a Victory motorcycle is made of RIDERS. From the ground up, Vics are made to ride not to pose on. Damn right they put performance first. Pull your pretty bike beside a Vic at a stoplight and see what happens next. I running 121HP/120TQ and it cost me $2k over stock to get there. In contrast, I spent $11 for some dice valve stem covers. If you are a rider check your priorities and test ride a Vic. If you want your neighbor to question whether he should add a bike beside his Mercedes, keep parking your cute bike in the driveway. We’ll be RIDING!!

  56. 56 Blackmax Jan 21st, 2012 at 11:56 am

    I LIKE IT !!!! Very nice stylying & at a price point. Ok, so the pipes need to be changed but isn’t that the 1st thing anybody changes on any bike??? Look out H-D Dyna line, looks like you got some new compitition. And I also agree with Matt, that headlight needs to be on the High Ball !!!!!

  57. 57 rebel Jan 21st, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    V-RODish

  58. 58 Magic Butt Jan 21st, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    Saw it at the IMS yesterday, there was a bigger crowd around the new Ducati

  59. 59 spazcat Jan 21st, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    haters, haters, haters. So many of you are so good at spewing your ignorance over the internet… wow how unimprssive you are! So many of you said it’s nothing new… new fenders, new tank, new seat new side-covers (not oil bag, moron!) that give a nod to race and cafe-style. new lights & signals, shorter rake, new wheels and tires. why isn’t that new enough for you all? All Harley EVER does is swicth-around sheet metal to shove it down your thoat as something new. All the complaints about style, but all you want is another Harley. Of course, if Victory built a bike that looked like your precious push rod dynosaur, you’d complain about that too. So they don’t. They look forward. Somebody actually said stop letting theengineers have the run of the place. that’s what’s so great about these bikes. They ARE built by engineers that are pushing it. Hard. Yet they stay true to an american air-cooled V-twin. One ride and you can’t deny how awesome these things are. And lets not kid ourselves- take the cheapest Victory, the Vegas 8-ball, drag race against the most expensive Screamin’ Eagle whatever, and the Vic wil eat the Harley’s lunch… and with 20% more American components. Why can’t we just say we love American motorcycles and be good with that?

  60. 60 Pedro Jan 21st, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    It’s Nothing & It’s No Where, Just like every other Victory but what would you expect from a copy cat company.
    Victory = Virago on Viagra.
    Guess theres a market though for the folk that are to tight to buy a Harley and to proud to ride a jap bike.

  61. 61 Woody Jan 21st, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    Not a hater, actually I’m just disappointed. I really want to like their new bikes, but they make it impossible. I like Polaris. I like the Ness tradition. I like Harley’s AND Metrics, but I just can’t find any reason for this bike to get a second look from a buyer’s standpoint. It’s not even that I, “Don’t like anything new.”. That new Norton made me wet myself, and if I do get another bike in the near future that’ll probably be the one. Many of us happen to think this bike doesn’t work-how does that make us haters? If we all like and say it’s awesome, what would that accomplish? I have a lot more respect for folks who tell the truth than those who don’t. I honestly don’t feel folks are being hurtful or hateful here-they just don’t think the bike works.

  62. 62 barney Jan 21st, 2012 at 8:49 pm

    I like the look of the bike alot. I don’t think the side on photos above do the bike any favours….it looks much better in the video. Really like the tank and wheels treatment but do prefer a taller front wheel.

    As with every single model out there everyone has styling nitpics which they immediately change/upgrade after purchase.

    Good job Victory! A handsome American cruiser. (not interested in the Ness stuff though).

  63. 63 roscoe Jan 22nd, 2012 at 2:06 am

    Stupid statement of the day courtesy of JH.

    “That company needs to get off the wallet and hire some designers that actually like the V-twin industry instead of a bunch of “motorcyclists” that value function over form.”

  64. 64 BobS Jan 22nd, 2012 at 10:42 am

    @ Pedro, I ride with a wide variety of riders/ owners, and amongst them several Vics. Not a single one is ether too tight to buy a Harley nor too proud to ride something Asian. Unless you ride them you just won’t get it.

  65. 65 Fred Jan 22nd, 2012 at 11:43 am

    I must give Victory credit on this new bike. I has good style and I like the bars and smooth lines. At least Victory is trying to bring new bikes to the market. Unlike Harley and there parts bin bikes with a bunch of stupid moronic names. Victory will continue to increase sales by bringing out new and innovative motorcycles. With more and more communities enacting noise ordinances we will see a decline in Harley sales. The majority of Harley buyers only buy the bike because they feel they will look real cool riding down the street with loud exhaust and a pirate outfit. I my community we have a noise ordinance so the Harley riders can only ride with there pirate outfits – the few that are left to ride in the city. Thank God they have taken there noise outside the city limits.

  66. 66 BobS Jan 22nd, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    Pedro, I ride with lots of different riders and bike, including several Vics. None of us are too tight to buy a Harley or too proud to ride an Asian brand. I guess unless you ride them you wouldn’t understand.

  67. 67 curvecarver Jan 22nd, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    Awesome ! ! ! I actually had a chance to sit on this bike and disect it a little. When I first saw it, I had a ton of comparisons going through my mind. After a few minutes, I realized that this was a true purpose built bike.
    —25″ seat hight, aggressive riding position, UNBELIEVEABLE balance, and of course……the ever faithful 106 ci of self adjusting hydraulic valves.
    I hope people over look their own opinions for style, design, etc. Victory does an awesome job at offering a lot of unique characteristics that end up with purpose built machines.

  68. 68 curvecarver Jan 22nd, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    One more note to everyone out there that sounded disappointed. You talk like this was going to be the last bike ever launched by any company. FYI—Victory is launching a new product every 4-6 months. Yes, even in the middle of production year. Just like the “Judge”, it’s a 2013. Talk about being aggressive and ahead of the game……Bravo.
    —Ultimately, keep watching. On line and on the roads. At least, I’ve noticed a lot more Victory’s on the road lately.

  69. 69 CafeSportyTC Jan 23rd, 2012 at 12:14 pm

    still doesn’t look like a viable alternative to a sporty… give me something along the sporty lines and ill consider. but it defenately looks like a good alternative to a Dyna or V-Rod

  70. 70 Mauler Jan 24th, 2012 at 11:49 am

    Victory needs to do a much better job at their dealerships. They keep telling me to go test ride, but the one time I did it was completely underwhelming. The 4 bikes we tested didn’t perform well and I think the Hammer I rode actually had some mechanical issues with it. Victory is right on to tell people to ride but you’ve got to back that up at the dealership.

    I hope when I got back this spring that the High Ball and Cross Country are in stock to ride and are in top condition. Really like the look of those but if they both sputter like the Hammer did its a no go.

  71. 71 Dave Apr 7th, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    I am seeing many comments about the seat. I just looked at these bikes today. If you sit on the bike and understand where the foot pegs are, Victory may have just built their most comfortable performance cruiser yet. I am soon to take a test drive.

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