My Vicky Flame- Victory Highball 2018

 Having sold my Triumph T100 Bonneville in 2017 or early 2018, I was pretty much given up biking because my riding buddy "Lowboy" (named after the exhaust pipe on his bike) at the time sold his Triumph Speed Tripple R to start a cafe business. No riding buddy, I did not have a group to attach with Triumph at the do from time to time organise rides. I wasn't active with the Ratpack. 

On one fine Saturday, Lowboy and I decided to go check out some bike shops since both of us are bike bachelors. We thought we may fine one to get engaged with. 

First stop a Kawasaki dealer in Jalan Ipoh. First time I lay eye on Z900RS, was itchy to consider seriously about it. Lowboy and I went upstairs later, he was interested in ZRX1200 with nice Yoshimura exhaust, owned by a Japanese expatriate that just recently left Malaysia. We left without rings on our fingers (key rings). Next stop we went to an old and famous importer. We checked out Honda CB1100, Goldwing and F6B. Too expensive. Took a good picture of me considering and imagining myself riding the CB, not entire loss. Put my name down on the shop book for Goldwing 1500, in case they have a used one coming into their "to sell list" they will call me...yeah they never did. 

Naza was our next stop, I just recently bought my Chevy Colorado from the Naza at the time. While I was shopping for my Chevy, I was introduced to a black and white Victory Highball. Again, when I went back this time with Lowboy, I was taking photos and naming names. 

 Around Ramadan time 2018, I was told Naza was doing their usual Gaya Raya promo, I thought "hey good idea to pop by and see what's going on". While I was browsing and thinking, Mazhar - Sales Manager of Victory Malaysia poisoning me with offers. Told me MYR100 deposit, process the loan wait to see if it will be approved. Sent document on Monday,  on follwing Wed, the bank called. I get bank to ensure there will be no verification call with wife, otherwise the deal is off. That's another story for another day. I can swear I was not sane the day I met Mazhar. I was challenged, dreamt of riding one Victory down NKVE loud and under the cloud. Sunglasses and open helmet. 

Victory Highball 2014, look the specs up in google. I m not going into that details

 

Pic.1 2018 

How it rides? 

It is longer compared to Harley Fat Bob or Street Glide, Fat Boy even Road King. It has long wheelbase. It rides stable and happy on fast highway and corners well on twisties. I changed several foot pegs, 1st set Kuryakyn pegs with heals rest. The pegs grained off at Kuala Klawang. It rode until the splined adapters' tread became too loose for the fasterner screws hold the pegs together. Got another pair of Kuryakyn style pegs on the big girl. Sparks flew whenever I hit corners fast. Gave up those fancy pegs and put on the original pegs on. The original pegs gave good ground clearance. Just don't look too good. 

I changed several original equipment to aftermarket stuff.  Rear suspension OEM piece monoshock was not meant for my weight, I used to weigh 117kg. I think I squashed the monoshock till rebound was too slow. Each time I hit a bump or riding on uneven road, the jerk will hurt my lower back. I got fed up and upgraded to Progressive Suspension model specific, imported, someone screwed up, I ended paying a hefty tax. It rides much better, soak up the bump, adjusted to max hardest, well worth the cost. Had the clutch assist put on to reduce the tension. Two advantages and disadvantages with clutch assist, by the way they are called "Ezy clutch". Advantage #1, Victory's OEM design on the clutch pull near the gear box area are ugly and the EZ clucth arm covered up the bear metal and #2 it helps to reduce rider's fatigue when frequently pulling in the clutch lever. Problem with these EZ Clutch device, disadvantage #1, is that over time it may stretch the clutch cable, adjustments are required from time to time. I had my cable snapped in 2021. #2 once snapped the clutch cable are not easy to find. 

I had trigger clutch and brake levers put on they look nice but they are not adjustable. Original Highball bar is almost to shoulder level the bar is unique but I didn't like the height and the ergonomic. I ordered a bmx looking bar from Nash USA, custom made for my Vicky Flame. Original head light bulb are really just to pass the law's requirement. LED is the way to go. Ohh ya, originally it came with a pair of white walls. I absolutely hate them, they turned green as new tyres normally would have some blue color sticking on the white walls. Black walled tyres suited to my flame and black. White and black Highball problably would look nicer with white-wall. Seat cover was done twice. First one got flame on it  from Haz Cushion, looked gaudy (my own design) after having it made, I didn't like it, changed to a simple clean looking one. I got primary covers from Arlen Ness and Performance Machine put in to replace the thin Victory OEM aluminium 106 covers. I put on Saddleman saddlebags. Added passenger seat and pegs in 2021. 

Wow!! now after listing them down, I realised that I upgraded my Vicky so much without being too obvious. Just like wearing a nice, expensive light wool suit or a clean black leather jacket rather than purple suit that shout out loud "look at me".  It goes to say that if your bike is worth it's salt it does not need to be flashy, subtle art in motion.

Pic.2 Vicky Flame today. 

At the time of writing, my Vicky is under going turn indicators transformation...again 😉