I test drove this one in Daytona Bike week. What a blast to drive and I do not usually drive cruisers but with the Octane I was impressed. The power and driving excellent.
I would say get one for the channel but the octane is too powerful and it would scare you. . Full pull on the throttle and you would be hanging on for dear life .
You talked about the slip on pipes, but never let the viewers hear them. I have them on my Octane, and they are sweet. Might be getting a little louder as they burn in. Sounds like it, but still quiet enough to be enjoyable. Oh, in the video, he mentions the seat might not fit all. They do offer a different seat but it is mostly designed to support your butt in back more and push a shorter rider forward.
Yes! Very good point, I have said the same thing. Or even Zach Ness' version but then you are adding around an extra $ 10,000.00 to the price. If you want something different it may be worth it, or just pick up a stock v rod and go faster for less cash. To each his own.
V rod is a nice piece. Many times over the years I have looked at V rods, especially the Night Rod version. New price too high as Harley typical. Know where there is a used one for 4999 and I did not know about it until the week after I purchased my Octane. But the V Rod is heavier, and I could feel it right away when I took the used one off the stand while sitting next to my Octane. I'm happy with my Octane, very, but just like an Indian Scout, I'd like to have a V Rod to boot. Which is faster? I have not read road test specs on the V Rod for years and have never read any performance specs on the Octane, like quarter miles etc. All I know is, that V Rod will have to be very fast to beat the Octane in a drag race. I would suspect the V Rod has a better top end due to the Octane being geared low for better acceleration..
John Hand hey John. I'm sure you will enjoy the Octane. The V Rod is more than one second faster in the quarter over the Octane and you are correct, the V ROD does have a higher top end speed.
I Rode this thing at bike week no less than 3 times. I would have ridden it more if Victory wasn't so damn slow getting their groups together. The bike is seriously fun.
This is a good looking bike. With the price tag, I guess it is meant to compete with some of the HD Sportster line, or maybe with the Suzuki Boulevard M90 . Nothing about it seems overstated or gaudy, but it is certainly not reserved (or even elegant). If this is Victory's entry into the midsize cruiser, I can only say they've done a great job. The only thing I see, style wise, that is better about the Indian Scout is the way the tank seems to sweep all the way to the back wheel... maybe it is the angle of the rear spring... other than that it looks good.
Rusty Shackleford Polaris designed the Octane to fill the gap between the Sportster and V ROD price range. Not everyone wants the quickness of the V ROD but wants more than the Sportster. That's where the Octane comes in. but yes ABS would be nice but then it would be more expensive and the nearer it gets to to the V Rod price the worse the Octane is because the V ROD is so much more bike.
Yeah, Al, my inseam is 29. So many bikes too tall. Had both my B Kings lowered. I really loved (one of the best bikes ever) my 98 Honda 800cc VFR, but again, too tall. The Octane? Oh yeah, as easy to sit on and control as a motor scooter. Oh, and I'm 78. I was the oldest B King rider on their site. By the way, IF you decide, because of age, health, carrying momma issues, whatever, that you must leave two wheels, take a look at a Polaris Slingshot before a regular trike. I own one. Lots of fun, comments, and not expensive for what you get.
Jason Chicoine negative bruh. GM puts garbage production out there. Polaris is now focused on Indian as they are good bikes they whole heartedly took up first American Motorcycle etc. I’m typing this now knowing Polaris DCd the Victory brand and bout to swoop up maybe a Octane. GM definitely is garbage tho
It's quite annoying when you see American videos like this giving the price in the US as $10399 and you look at the British Victory website and it shows the UK price as £9799. That's at todays exchange rate: $13943. A bit unreasonable. It might be the fact we pay VAT (value added tax) at 20%, which would account for the difference but surely you Americans pay sales tax on new bikes aswell?
20% VAT??? VAT is theft, the government shouldn't profit off private transactions since you already pay taxes when you get your salary and the business owner already pays taxes for his license. I'm glad that I escaped from the socialist nightmare known as Europe. Fuck that!
Great bike. looks like its a winner. Too bad Polaris is pulling the plug on Victory. 10 years of parts supply guarantee ? I doubt it. Too bad, I bet this one would have sold well had it not been for the demise of the badge................
John Hand I have had both on the road and the bikes are close. I wouldn't say it runs rings around the Sportster, it's faster but not as comfortable as the sportster so it all depends on wants and your riding style. if gou are referring to quarter mile its quiye a bit faster than the sportster, one swcond faster in the quarter mile. It's nice to see a different looking bike other than the Sportster line and with more power.
I am puzzled about your comment of the Sportster being more comfortable than the Octane. I haven't checked lately but a Sportster used to be an 883 or 1200 and I remember them as being the opposite of comfortable. Have I missed something? Last big change I remember hearing about on a Sportster was finally putting the engine on rubber mounts. Over the years I have met many Harley riders who have a wife that finally...wants to get off the back and ride her own bike. So the Harley rider buys her a Honda 250, which she rides for 30 days and wants bigger, a $ loss to her husband, and then he buys her a Sportster, which is not all that great for a woman. I have advised the male half to get her a used Kawasaki 500 (twin inline engine) that is comfortable, light and quick, or bigger, something like my wife's 800cc Suzuki M50 or a C50. But you know Harley riders, must be loyal, which always makes me wonder, 'why the Honda 250?'
John Hand it was last year I rode the 883. I wanted to see what it's like, lot of the HD guys don't think much of it but my GF said she wants a Harley SO I figured I'd try it. I was impressed. It had the fat tire on the front and sufficient power, now remember my 1st passion is the sportsbike and this 883 left me impressed. It has nowhere near the speed of the Octane but the comfort level is like 8 out of ten and the Octane a 3 out of ten, that's how I felt after riding both bikes, I rode the Octane this past summer, and you are right the sporters are 883 or 1200 cc. The Octane vibrates and gives you tingly fingers, sure change bars, grips and it will help but I'm comparing stock bikes. I also recommended the Scout for her, she liked it.
It's good to see an American muscle bike like this. However, if you are good at wrenching on old bikes, you can pick up a used Honda V65 Magna or Yamaha V-Max for thousands less and have even more muscle.
Besides my Octane I have a barn find 73 CB 750 Honda that is coming along real nicely. Found out that ELECTRONIC IGNITION will fit in the stock housing where the points and distributer used to sit. So that is my old bike. Fast? Sure, lots of bikes out there that are fast. So what. Lots of cars faster than my RX8 and my Miata too, but I enjoy them just the same.
John Hand I forgot to mention a very good friend of mine said he wants to find an old 70's CB 750. Nice bikes, I remember those. My first bike was the 1974 CB360. Fun little bike, lol I would beat guys on CB 400F and RD400. Their bikes were faster but I had a faster reaction speed and better take off, I wasn't afraid to start off at around 6000 RPM lol
They offer bars that will either move your arms two inches forward, or two inches back, and also foot pegs and shifters, two forward, two back. I am shrunk down to 5'6" now and the stock bars and pegs are.....well....close enough, but I suspect bars two inches further towards me might be more comfortable. I am thinking about it.
John Hand did you get the bars John? it will give you a more comfortable seating position as I'm sure you know. I'm 5'7" and it killed my back to ride the Octane with stock bars.
I have one bike mag at home (I'm not there at the moment so can't dig out the title) That mag tested the Bonneville, Harley 348 and the Octane. They said the Octane was by far the fastest, but they chose the Triumph as the overall winner on comfort, etc. Comment on the Harley. Bad brakes according to the testers. I can go along with their selection but I feel that the Octane is not really in the same classification as the other two since it is so much more in many areas.
I was so hoping that they were going to step up and offer a toned down EBR style bike. Pikes Peak RACER. Instead they offer the octane CRUISER. Its a glorified Scout. Talk about a let down. I mean no offense to the hardcore and this is just a personal opinion, but this is pathetic. After all the shops they contracted to build a race bike. I had my heart set on the euro build. That was one sweet bike. Once again random thoughts and opinions...Thank God EBR is back in business.
I cant understand why people thought the 156 meant that a more sportier bike was coming as opposed to a cruiser. The whole aim of the project was very obviously about the motor...
+Baris Akkulah Of course you don't understand. Otherwise, you never would have posted such a, no offence, ridiculous comment. The Octane was heavily hyped, at great expense, as something of a streetable 156. Victory's first foray into the world of streetfighter / naked sport bikes. Anything but another cruiser and certainly not a Victory Scout or a Victory V-rod or a Victory Sportster for that matter. That niche was already filled by Indian and a great deal of attention and finance has been allocated, specifically, towards drawing a complete line of distinction, separation, and brand building between the two marquees. Victory was to be the performance oriented company while Indian saw to the needs of the nostalgia crowd. We have heard it over and over again until we believed it. This release did a disservice to both brands and greatly diminished and discredited those previous branding efforts. The first real marketing blunder on the part of Polaris. Now go ahead and tell me how misguided my insights are.
+servicarrider the focus on the 156 project was clearly the motor. Just because some people wanted to see something different dosent mean that was what they were hyping... when I saw the 156 project videos the first thing I was thinking about was the motor. It is clear enough that people who have ridden both the scout and the octane put enough differences between them. I think its a great bike at a competitive price point.
Go and check out tonystunt1 youtube channel hes a stuntrider for victory and hes doing amazing stuff on all kind OF bikes and hes bike review Are mutch better
I bought one.... and am totally glad I did. This bike ROCKS!!
I test drove this one in Daytona Bike week. What a blast to drive and I do not usually drive cruisers but with the Octane I was impressed. The power and driving excellent.
12 o'clock wheelie on a cruiser! sick! Great looking bike!
+CycleCruza It looked like anything but a comfortable wheelie though ;P
Jimmyduudah 12 o'clock wheelie is a 12 o'clock wheelie, and on a cruiser that is an astonishing feat. lol
Would this bike change your mind about cruisers? It seems to have the sports bike's power but a cruiser bike's vibe.
(Huge fan btw!)
I would say get one for the channel but the octane is too powerful and it would scare you. .
Full pull on the throttle and you would be hanging on for dear life .
You talked about the slip on pipes, but never let the viewers hear them. I have them on my Octane, and they are sweet. Might be getting a little louder as they burn in. Sounds like it, but still quiet enough to be enjoyable. Oh, in the video, he mentions the seat might not fit all. They do offer a different seat but it is mostly designed to support your butt in back more and push a shorter rider forward.
Sad that Victory is closing. This was a pretty cool bike, even if it was just based off of an Indian Scout.
Could you do a Middleweight shootout between the Mt07, the sv650, the 690 duke, the er6n, the nc700s and explain which would be better for each style?
Is it a two seater? Sorry for the dumb question.
1:56 I want to know what motorcycle guy said that they don't like aftermarket pips because there to loud!????
Yeah, not all of us are deaf Harely Baby Boomers.
I like it! Liquid-cooled V-twins need to be more commonplace, they make them seem a lot more plausible.
Both the Indian and the Victory are made by Polaris, so, both have the same parentage, as it were. Both are great bikes.
I will have to try one :D
oi mate
I see you everywhere I go man😂 love the videos
Alot of manufacturers just don't know what to do with that 2nd pipe, on a V-twin
They need to do what Urs Erbacher done with his 'ignition' version of the bike..... sick!
Yes! Very good point, I have said the same thing. Or even Zach Ness' version but then you are adding around an extra $ 10,000.00 to the price. If you want something different it may be worth it, or just pick up a stock v rod and go faster for less cash. To each his own.
V rod is a nice piece. Many times over the years I have looked at V rods, especially the Night Rod version. New price too high as Harley typical. Know where there is a used one for 4999 and I did not know about it until the week after I purchased my Octane.
But the V Rod is heavier, and I could feel it right away when I took the used one off the stand while sitting next to my Octane.
I'm happy with my Octane, very, but just like an Indian Scout, I'd like to have a V Rod to boot.
Which is faster? I have not read road test specs on the V Rod for years and have never read any performance specs on the Octane, like quarter miles etc. All I know is, that V Rod will have to be very fast to beat the Octane in a drag race.
I would suspect the V Rod has a better top end due to the Octane being geared low for better acceleration..
John Hand hey John. I'm sure you will enjoy the Octane. The V Rod is more than one second faster in the quarter over the Octane and you are correct, the V ROD does have a higher top end speed.
Have you seen or read any printed road test times on the Octane? I have not been searching the book stores.
"Sure to atract attention of the police if done at the wrong time" LOL
I like it. Head in for a test ride as soon as I can. I've ridden the Scout and loved it, so this should be even more so.
can someone confirm that its Tony Carbajal at 0:47? I'm not for sure but it looks like his helmet/gear
Looks like one hell of a bike. Much better value than a sportster.
I can't wait to ride one!
I Rode this thing at bike week no less than 3 times. I would have ridden it more if Victory wasn't so damn slow getting their groups together. The bike is seriously fun.
This is a good looking bike. With the price tag, I guess it is meant to compete with some of the HD Sportster line, or maybe with the Suzuki Boulevard M90 . Nothing about it seems overstated or gaudy, but it is certainly not reserved (or even elegant). If this is Victory's entry into the midsize cruiser, I can only say they've done a great job. The only thing I see, style wise, that is better about the Indian Scout is the way the tank seems to sweep all the way to the back wheel... maybe it is the angle of the rear spring... other than that it looks good.
I wish the Octane had an ABS option like the Scout for the US market (well, like certain colors of the Scout anyway).
I really like the looks of the Scout. Have an Octane but wouldn't mind owning both.
Rusty Shackleford Polaris designed the Octane to fill the gap between the Sportster and V ROD price range. Not everyone wants the quickness of the V ROD but wants more than the Sportster. That's where the Octane comes in. but yes ABS would be nice but then it would be more expensive and the nearer it gets to to the V Rod price the worse the Octane is because the V ROD is so much more bike.
my pants in seam is 29 to 30 inches with lowering llinks (susuki ) I can flat foot it ,but at 72 years I could use a ctx 700 etc.?
Yeah, Al, my inseam is 29. So many bikes too tall. Had both my B Kings lowered. I really loved (one of the best bikes ever) my 98 Honda 800cc VFR, but again, too tall.
The Octane? Oh yeah, as easy to sit on and control as a motor scooter.
Oh, and I'm 78. I was the oldest B King rider on their site.
By the way, IF you decide, because of age, health, carrying momma issues, whatever, that you must leave two wheels, take a look at a Polaris Slingshot before a regular trike. I own one. Lots of fun, comments, and not expensive for what you get.
now that's a good looking victory
I was anticipating it to be more expensive! Great looking ad riding bike it seems like. Who wouldn't want to ride it
I have 320 miles on mine, the bike is everything he stated, Love it!
Does the octane have Cruise Control ?
A one year build. Sadly, Victory has announced that it is shutting down. That will make the Octane a collectable bike.
Still looks like there Indian scout with a victory logo yes engine difference but you can get the scout with some mods to get it that way
Why bother?
Brian Wilkes if I was get one it would be the Scout with some mods.
Polaris are doing some really great things lately. Well done.
U.R right. I also own a Polaris Slingshot. Tons of fun.
Oh and I still love the scout
Nice looking but too small and no passenger seat
Passenger sear is available from Victory but the Octane is kind of small. For long rides/trips I suggest a larger cruiser if going two up.
Good looking bike. Hope victory sells a ton of these.
Polaris is doing the same as gm. With all the same platforms with tweeks.
Sunfire/cavalier
Wave/aveo
Cobalt/g5
Ill stick with my old honda for now
Jason Chicoine negative bruh. GM puts garbage production out there. Polaris is now focused on Indian as they are good bikes they whole heartedly took up first American Motorcycle etc. I’m typing this now knowing Polaris DCd the Victory brand and bout to swoop up maybe a Octane. GM definitely is garbage tho
It's quite annoying when you see American videos like this giving the price in the US as $10399 and you look at the British Victory website and it shows the UK price as £9799. That's at todays exchange rate: $13943. A bit unreasonable. It might be the fact we pay VAT (value added tax) at 20%, which would account for the difference but surely you Americans pay sales tax on new bikes aswell?
+Jimmyduudah you gotta pay shipping and handeling
20% VAT??? VAT is theft, the government shouldn't profit off private transactions since you already pay taxes when you get your salary and the business owner already pays taxes for his license. I'm glad that I escaped from the socialist nightmare known as Europe. Fuck that!
Jimmyduudah they should do like Mercedes, same pricing.
Parts super expensive???
Well?
How tall are you ?
Tall is not the issue. It is what is your inseam measurement? That translates seat to ground.
Great bike. looks like its a winner. Too bad Polaris is pulling the plug on Victory. 10 years of parts supply guarantee ? I doubt it. Too bad, I bet this one would have sold well had it not been for the demise of the badge................
Myself , id like to have this motor and trans , in a bike styled like the Harley 48 . But thats just me .
Octane runs rings around the 48. Oh wait, I guess you know that.
John Hand I have had both on the road and the bikes are close. I wouldn't say it runs rings around the Sportster, it's faster but not as comfortable as the sportster so it all depends on wants and your riding style. if gou are referring to quarter mile its quiye a bit faster than the sportster, one swcond faster in the quarter mile. It's nice to see a different looking bike other than the Sportster line and with more power.
I am puzzled about your comment of the Sportster being more comfortable than the Octane. I haven't checked lately but a Sportster used to be an 883 or 1200 and I remember them as being the opposite of comfortable.
Have I missed something? Last big change I remember hearing about on a Sportster was finally putting the engine on rubber mounts.
Over the years I have met many Harley riders who have a wife that finally...wants to get off the back and ride her own bike.
So the Harley rider buys her a Honda 250, which she rides for 30 days and wants bigger, a $ loss to her husband, and then he buys her a Sportster, which is not all that great for a woman.
I have advised the male half to get her a used Kawasaki 500 (twin inline engine) that is comfortable, light and quick, or bigger, something like my wife's 800cc Suzuki M50 or a C50.
But you know Harley riders, must be loyal, which always makes me wonder, 'why the Honda 250?'
John Hand it was last year I rode the 883. I wanted to see what it's like, lot of the HD guys don't think much of it but my GF said she wants a Harley SO I figured I'd try it. I was impressed. It had the fat tire on the front and sufficient power, now remember my 1st passion is the sportsbike and this 883 left me impressed. It has nowhere near the speed of the Octane but the comfort level is like 8 out of ten and the Octane a 3 out of ten, that's how I felt after riding both bikes, I rode the Octane this past summer, and you are right the sporters are 883 or 1200 cc. The Octane vibrates and gives you tingly fingers, sure change bars, grips and it will help but I'm comparing stock bikes. I also recommended the Scout for her, she liked it.
this bike was the last nail in the coffin for Victory.
why?
this one looks exactly like the scout
competition against indian scout ..why
not competition.... they are both owned by Polaris.
It's good to see an American muscle bike like this. However, if you are good at wrenching on old bikes, you can pick up a used Honda V65 Magna or Yamaha V-Max for thousands less and have even more muscle.
Besides my Octane I have a barn find 73 CB 750 Honda that is coming along real nicely. Found out that ELECTRONIC IGNITION will fit in the stock housing where the points and distributer used to sit. So that is my old bike. Fast? Sure, lots of bikes out there that are fast. So what. Lots of cars faster than my RX8 and my Miata too, but I enjoy them just the same.
vollewraithe those old bikes you mentioned don't have the agility of the newer bikes. the Octane is quite nimble.
OH yeah, I have been raving about the maneuverability of my Octane.
John Hand I forgot to mention a very good friend of mine said he wants to find an old 70's CB 750. Nice bikes, I remember those. My first bike was the 1974 CB360. Fun little bike, lol I would beat guys on CB 400F and RD400. Their bikes were faster but I had a faster reaction speed and better take off, I wasn't afraid to start off at around 6000 RPM lol
John Hand I rode the Octane this summer and it is very maneuverable.
Oh. I also drove the scout...... not the same bike. Big difference. This one is way better to drive.
happytrader0 I found the Octane terrible on rough roads and not as comfortable as the more refined Scout. But the Octane is faster.
No brembos on this thing? Huge fail.....
The stock brakes are more than adequate. At least riding solo.
Nice looking bike
No passenger seat- guess you have to pay more to get that.
passenger seat is extra. Passenger pegs are also extra...
They offer bars that will either move your arms two inches forward, or two inches back, and also foot pegs and shifters, two forward, two back. I am shrunk down to 5'6" now and the stock bars and pegs are.....well....close enough, but I suspect bars two inches further towards me might be more comfortable. I am thinking about it.
John Hand did you get the bars John? it will give you a more comfortable seating position as I'm sure you know. I'm 5'7" and it killed my back to ride the Octane with stock bars.
Never purchased the closer bars. Rode it recently over 1600 miles round trip and survived, but then I always was the prove I can do it type.
Victory R.I.P
Too much monochromatic-ness. Otherwise better than the Sportster and more for your money than a Triumph.
what triumph
+Gurdit Singh I was thinking of the Bonneville, but you can pick another to compare.
Well the new bonneville is costlier than before...,but more for money not sure
I have one bike mag at home (I'm not there at the moment so can't dig out the title) That mag tested the Bonneville, Harley 348 and the Octane. They said the Octane was by far the fastest, but they chose the Triumph as the overall winner on comfort, etc.
Comment on the Harley. Bad brakes according to the testers.
I can go along with their selection but I feel that the Octane is not really in the same classification as the other two since it is so much more in many areas.
well Indian scout copy ?????
octane great bike I'm sure I just don't want to spend more ten grand for any bike...cheers
Looks like this is meant to be a BAD ASS BIKE.....WELL I don't like bad ass bikes...O.k. I'm a woooos ! I'm keeping my VSTROM
Enjoy your V Strom. Good bike but too tall for shorter riders like me.
At least you’re enjoying being on two wheels. That’s what counts. Good luck.
I was so hoping that they were going to step up and offer a toned down EBR style bike. Pikes Peak RACER. Instead they offer the octane CRUISER. Its a glorified Scout. Talk about a let down. I mean no offense to the hardcore and this is just a personal opinion, but this is pathetic. After all the shops they contracted to build a race bike. I had my heart set on the euro build. That was one sweet bike. Once again random thoughts and opinions...Thank God EBR is back in business.
+Scott Frailey Ditto
I cant understand why people thought the 156 meant that a more sportier bike was coming as opposed to a cruiser. The whole aim of the project was very obviously about the motor...
+Baris Akkulah Of course you don't understand. Otherwise, you never would have posted such a, no offence, ridiculous comment. The Octane was heavily hyped, at great expense, as something of a streetable 156. Victory's first foray into the world of streetfighter / naked sport bikes. Anything but another cruiser and certainly not a Victory Scout or a Victory V-rod or a Victory Sportster for that matter. That niche was already filled by Indian and a great deal of attention and finance has been allocated, specifically, towards drawing a complete line of distinction, separation, and brand building between the two marquees. Victory was to be the performance oriented company while Indian saw to the needs of the nostalgia crowd. We have heard it over and over again until we believed it. This release did a disservice to both brands and greatly diminished and discredited those previous branding efforts. The first real marketing blunder on the part of Polaris. Now go ahead and tell me how misguided my insights are.
+servicarrider the focus on the 156 project was clearly the motor. Just because some people wanted to see something different dosent mean that was what they were hyping... when I saw the 156 project videos the first thing I was thinking about was the motor. It is clear enough that people who have ridden both the scout and the octane put enough differences between them. I think its a great bike at a competitive price point.
+servicarrider What, other than project 156, made you think it would be a sports bike/naked etc?
Go and check out tonystunt1 youtube channel hes a stuntrider for victory and hes doing amazing stuff on all kind OF bikes and hes bike review Are mutch better
I stopped watching after "I don't like aftermarket pipes" ok hitler