Victory Plays Hard-Ball with New Model

Victory designers reached into the parts bin and regurgitated a new model Friday evening in Long Beach, CA with the unveiling of the 2012 Hard-Ball at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show.

The Hard-Ball mixes the ape-hangers and beefy rubber of the High-Ball with the hard bags from the Cross Roads to make a menacing touring cruiser. Differences from the year-old High-Ball include a larger gas tank (5.8 gallon, which is 1.4 gallons more), split exhausts, floorboards and different fenders. The Hard-Ball weighs in at 751 pounds, compared to 659 pounds for the High-Ball.

Hard-Ball, left, and High-Ball

Unlike the High-Ball, the Hard-Ball offers ABS. The model’s seat is 1.25 inches taller as well at 26.25 inches. The Hard-Ball comes in one color – matte black with red pinstripes – with an MSRP of $18,999. It’s due in dealerships in January.