Things haven’t changed I didn’t color inside the lines as a kid and now that I am an adult I find I am still coloring outside the lines. I am not unique I think all Victory owners in general are the kids that color outside the lines and don’t conform to the mainstream marketing standards which makes this C-VRA community so much fun!

Victory has had me thinking outside the lines since 03 when they released the Vegas, then the Vision and more recently with the Cross bikes. I am now accustomed to seeing them push the boundary and I demand that from the enginerring/design team.

When I saw the new bike released from Victory I was displeased to say the least and out right disappointed by a replica bike corporate released as a supposed new model especially since I knew in fact it had been done before. I first saw the Victory bobber a couple years ago when Rick Fairless did it. You can read his summary on the bike here .

I thought I would get Ricks thoughts on the High Ball and sent an email asking Rick what he was thinking about the fact Victory copied his bike. I had expected he would not be supportive especially since the High Ball was being sold for much less than Rick’s custom built Victory. He was not only gracious enough to respond but his answer wasn’t what I expected either:

Hey John, sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. I dig the new Victory High Ball. I think it is a style that the younger people will like & at a price where the younger rider can afford! It’s a lot of bike for $13,500 & that will appeal to everyone. Yes, it’s similar to the one we did a few years ago & I’ll take that as a compliment. We have some on order & I am very excited about this new model. I truly believe that Victory is the best motorcycle money can buy & I believe that Polaris is taking the company in the right direction. I own several HD’s & several Vic’s & I notice that my Harleys tend to sit while I prefer to ride the Victory! 

Thanks Rick,

I sat reflecting on his response and come away with a different opinion of the man, his creation and Victory's release of the HIGH BALL. The first is that the HighBall does make a great concept affordable, the second is Victory picked up on it and ran with it, the third is imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

I still believe we should call it a Stroker! Will it bring younger riders to the community remains to be seen. I know Tramayne will look right at home on it! If you didn't pick up on that you probably color inside the lines currently, and we challenge you to get in touch with your wild side become a member and learn why Tramyane fits a HIGHBALL!

Rick’s a class act, I respect he doesn't color inside the lines with his Victory's and the fact with all the glitz surrounding him personally he responded when I am sure he had much more important things to tend to running his business.

So for all those that continue to color outside the lines, thank you and happy trails we will see you on the road in 2011!