After a long teaser campaign and three concept bike predecessors the Victory Octane has finally been revealed.
The American firm’s first water-cooled bike turns out to use an 1173cc V-twin that shares its basic design with its cousin, the Indian Scout. But while the Scout has an 1133cc capacity with a 99mm x 73.6mm bore and stroke the Octane’s motor gains an extra 2mm of bore, with 101mm x 73.6mm dimensions.
The firm’s pre-publicity reckoned that the Octane would be the most powerful machine in its class. However they’re clearly not counting bikes like Ducati’s xDiavel in that equation, since the Octane’s 103bhp is a far cry from the 160bhp Italian bike. In fact, it’s surprising that there isn’t more performance on tap, since the smaller and less sporty Indian Scout engine manages 100bhp. In terms of torque the two are also near-identical – the Indian makes 98Nm at 5900rpm, the Victory claims 99Nm at 6000rpm.
The similarities between the Indian and the Victory go beyond the engine. Both bikes use a cast aluminium frame and share a 29 degree rake. The Victory’s trail, at 129.5mm, is longer the Indian’s 119.9mm, and surprisingly the Indian has the steeper bank angle, reaching 33 degrees before touching down vs 32 degrees for the Victory.
There’s not much in it in terms of weight, either. The Victory, at 243kg, fractionally undercuts the 247kg Indian, but it’s not a difference that’s likely to be noticeable.
With a wheelbase of 1578mm the Victory is longer than the Indian (1562mm) and it has a higher seat at 658mm compared to 643mm.
Given their similarity of spec, it’s likely to be style rather than performance or handling that separates the two water-cooled machines from the Polaris subsidiaries. The Indian Scout is staunchly retro despite its water-cooled engine. While the Victory doesn’t stray far from the cruiser norms its lack of chrome, short mudguards and bigger wheels (18-inch front, 17-inch rear vs 16-inches at both ends on the Indian) give it a more modern look. A small headlight and screen also sets the Octane aside.
Even the price isn’t a far cry from the Scout’s, although the Octane fractionally undercuts it. Victory says prices will start at €12,950, which is €700 less than the 1133cc Scout and €960 more than the smaller, 999cc Scout Sixty.
The first 100 buyers will get a special engine cover with the ‘Project 156’ logo, referring to the Project 156 prototype that raced at the Pikes Peak hillclimb last year using the same engine.
