2013 Victory Judge – First Look Review

After unveiling its new 2012 Hard-Ball at the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California, Victory Motorcycles is revealing another all-new model at the New York IMS, the early-release 2013 Victory Judge, a power cruiser inspired by classic American muscle cars like The Judge, a special-edition 1969 Pontiac GTO. With deeply sculpted bodywork, blacked-out components, mag wheels and availability in three solid colors (Gloss Black, Sunset Red and Suede Nuclear Sunset), the Judge is a stripped-down, no-frills hot rod.

The fuel tank features signature Victory styling, the new headlight has crisp design lines and the side covers have oval faces just waiting to be customized. The drag bars and bodywork are all new, as is the styling of the taillight, fender struts and new EFI covers between the cylinders. Mag-style 5-spoke, 16-inch cast wheels are shod with Dunlop Elite II tires with raised white lettering.

Rather than a lean-back-and-relax cruiser, the Judge has an engaging riding position, with drag bars, mid-mount foot controls and a 25.9-inch seat height. As with all Victory models, it is powered by the fuel-injected Freedom 106/6 V-Twin, pumping out a claimed 113 ft-lbs of torque. Helical-cut gears in the 6-speed transmission deliver smooth shifting, while the overdriven 6th gear is perfect for highway cruising.

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The 2013 Victory Judge has an MSRP of $13,999 for Gloss Black and $14,399 for Sunset Red and Suede Nuclear Sunset. Victory will also offer a full line of accessories designed exclusively for this model. Availability TBD.

2013 Victory Judge: Available in three solid colors: Gloss Black, Sunset Red (shown) and Suede Nuclear Sunset.
Available in three solid colors: Gloss Black, Sunset Red (shown) and Suede Nuclear Sunset.

2013 Victory Judge Specs

Engine Type: Air/oil-cooled, 50-degree V-twin

Displacement: 1,731cc

Bore x Stroke: 101.0 x 108.0mm

Compression Ratio: 9.4:1

Valve Train: SOHC, 4 valves per cyl., self-adjusting cam chains w/ hydraulic lifters

Fuel Delivery: EFI w/ 45mm throttle bodies x 2

Lubrication System: Wet sump, 5.0-qt. cap.

Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated wet clutch

2013 Victory Judge: The deeply sculpted tank has minimalist graphics.
The deeply sculpted tank has minimalist graphics.

Final Drive: Carbon fiber reinforced belt

Battery: 12V 18AH

Frame: Tubular steel w/ cast aluminum swingarm

Wheelbase: 64.8 in.

Rake/ Trail: 31.7 degrees/6.7 in.

Seat Height: 25.9 in.

Suspension, Front: Fork w/ 5.1-in. travel

Rear: Single shock, adj. for spring preload w/ 3.0-in. travel

2013 Victory Judge: As with all Victorys, the Judge is powered by the Freedom 106/6 V-twin.
As with all Victorys, the Judge is powered by the Freedom 106/6 V-twin.

Brakes, Front: Single 300mm disc w/ 4-piston caliper

Rear: Single 300mm disc w/ 2-piston caliper

Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.5 x 16 in.

Rear: Cast, 3.5 x 16 in.

Tires, Front: 130/90-B16

Rear: 140/90-B16

Claimed Dry Weight: 660 lbs.

Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gals.

Average mpg: na

2013 Victory Judge: The Judge has a drag-style flat handlebar and mid-mount foot controls..
The Judge has a drag-style flat handlebar and mid-mount foot controls.
2013 Victory Judge: The Judge has 5-spoke cast mag wheels shod with Dunlop Elite II tires.
The Judge has 5-spoke cast mag wheels shod with Dunlop Elite II tires.
2013 Victory Judge: The Judge has minimalist styling and blacked-out components.
The Judge has minimalist styling and blacked-out components.

12 COMMENTS

  1. Altogether, this Judge looks OK. While the front wheel/fender is very tasteful and appealing, the rear fender/tail lights look like they were lifted from some 90’s era sport bike. I wonder why Victory (or is it Arlen Ness) always feels compelled to radicalize and screw up some part of its bikes. The styling is totally contradictory from front to back.

    While I’m in the critical mode, I wish Victory would spend a little money on a decent exhaust system. This one looks like “bargain basement” gear that was designed for a very old Brit bike, as do the stupid side covers. They just can’t seem to ever get it right.

  2. I think the bike is priced right, but I’d have to go for some down turned scavenger pipes. The rear turn signals shout “Break Me” as many time as you can…

    All in All it looks great up front, need a little tweaking in the back…

  3. The Judge looks fantastic – I love the side covers, and I think the new frame and lack of cheese wedge are great additions. My only concern about this bike is the mid-mounted controls. I’m 6’2”, and my inseam is rather long. I prefer the look of the Judge to the Hammer – and the classic styling is impressive.

    Personally, I like what they did with the rear fender, and it seems like a bike that will handle turns better than what it looks like. With the 106 CI engine @ 97 HP and 113 ft lbs of torque, this thing will get up and down the road much faster than a V-Rod. Looking forward to owning this bike.

  4. Sorry Tim, but this bike could never even hope to catch a V-Rod in any contest. Besides, it was built to be a cruiser, and that is exactly the kind of performance you will get. It’s styling just can’t seem to figure out what it is.

    • This bike can take a vrod is gonna cruse down the road just like a hammer, and I have seen many stock hammers take down the stock vrods, the people who defened the vrod which still is a great bike are mainly harley fan-boys like 95% or riders..

      • Your “seen” facts are totally bogus, man. There is no stock Hammer in the world that could come close to a Vrod in any race, and I will lay down money on this. Please speak English if you’re going to comment.

  5. the v rod?
    like there is something in common
    the v rod is a big fat heavy harley
    this judge looks lioke it might be a performer
    lets wait and see
    i already have a test ride lined up at the local victory dealer

  6. Jim, you are really ignoring the basic numbers if you think this thing can compete with a V-Rod. It’s 100 lbs. heavier and has 25 less hp than a V-Rod. Besides, it was never designed to be what you are wanting.

    Good luck with your test ride, but I think you will be disappointed with expectations of high performance.

  7. By the way, Victory specs show “dry weight” @ 660lbs. Add 5 gals of fuel and 5 qts of oil and you will have another 100 lbs.

    Most manufacturers other than H-D use this deceiving way to compare their machines, as well as their numbers for hp and torque measured at the crankshaft instead of rear wheel. You have to read the small print.

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