Motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere, including us here at E3 Spark Plugs, are duly impressed with the 2015 Victory Gunner motorcycle. Sporting perhaps one of the most unique looks, this black suede metallic ride is a stunning mix of modern specs with a decidedly vintage feel. And if you move quickly, you just may ride one home soon.
“Tailgunners in World War II were a breed apart,” writes Bryan Harley of MotorcycleUSA.com. “Victory [Motorcycles] aims to inject some of the same bravado and brashness of those tailgunners in its new cruiser motorcycle, the 2015 Gunner.”
It’s an apt comparison, for sure. This brawler of a bike features a Freedom 106 engine, 6-speed overdrive constant mesh transmission, staggered slash-cut dual exhaust, solo seat, trimmed-down fenders, and 24-spoke cast aluminum wheels on Dunlop 491 Elite II tires. It’s got a 25-inch seat height, forward controls and pullback bars, allowing for an upright, but aggressive riding position. With a dry weight of 649 pounds, its likely capable of some serious speed. And with a base price of $12,999, it’s a doable deal for many.
The Gunner debuted at the Chicago International Motorcycle Show with quite the spectacle, including a drumroll courtesy of the Chicago Bears Drum Line Team decked out in Victory gear and motorcycle helmets. It garnered arguably the biggest applause at the show, accompanied by a near-blinding collective camera flash. Some say Victory is gunning (pun intended) directly for Harley-Davidson, the undisputed dean of American motorcycles and stands to convert a whole new customer base with the Gunner.
Says Popular Mechanics columnist Basem Wasef, “For those with an open mind toward American muscle, the Gunner may just draw a new group of enthusiasts toward Victory.”
One of them might be you. Just visit the Victory Motorcycles website and enter to win a 2015 Gunner. Oh, but that’s not all. The winner and a guest will be flown to California for an all-expenses-paid 3-day, 2-night excursion. If you win, you and your guest will meet with legendary motorcycle designers Arlen, Cory and Zach Ness and to collaborate on the customization of your Gunner, ensuring you head home with a truly one-of-a-kind ride. You’ve got less than a week to enter. Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, March 26.
What do you think of the new Victory Gunner? Post your thoughts on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook Fan Page.