Roland Sands Custom Victory High-Ball

41 Responses to “Roland Sands Custom Victory High-Ball”


  1. 1 Paul Jan 22nd, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    Whaw …
    For someone who has a shop and all that equipment in the world
    I would have thought the end result would have been more than that.

  2. 2 Richard Hess Jan 22nd, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    I am not sure it should be called a Custom. Just a bolt-on. Disappointed.

  3. 3 Drake Jan 22nd, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    It’s possible that Victory asked to do just a bolt-on with new paint, or the budget was not there…

  4. 4 J. Brecht Jan 22nd, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    It seems to me that if a manufacturer asks for a custom version it’s to make people dream. Not dreaming with this Ol’ Vic. Also, doesn’t look old to me.

  5. 5 sollis Jan 22nd, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    what i like about RSD bikes that they all perform

  6. 6 Gas Man Jan 22nd, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    I think he did a nice job. Powdered the wheels, old radial look tires, hand pin striping, painted the tins, customized the exhaust, painted tire lettering, jockey shifter… that really should be enough for a manufacture hired custom. You all are a tuff crowd!

  7. 7 Rider2 Jan 22nd, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    yyaaaaawwwwnnnnn again. Paintjob, a couple of modified parts and another “cool” video.
    If Victory liked that custom, why didn’t say take some of the design and incorporated it into their production bike? This is how it worked with Ness and it worked out okay.
    I like RSD work but this doesn’t help Victory’s case.

  8. 8 LENA FAIRLESS Jan 22nd, 2011 at 5:37 pm
  9. 9 Harold Jan 22nd, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    Ness is better.

  10. 10 LENA FAIRLESS Jan 22nd, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    I like the “Ol’ Vic” and the exposure Victory is getting!!

    LF

  11. 11 CA Jan 22nd, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    WTF, Just shut up and enjoy the ride. Bunch of critics trying to put their two cents. RSD has made some radical bikes from a Kenny Roberts MOTOGP to Ducati bikes. He is a builder that understands performance and diversity in building sweet bikes.

  12. 12 Scott R Jan 22nd, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    I think its a great video. It shows basic modification that any bike owner can do, or have friends help out with just some basic equipment. He made the bike his own, and it is still a daily driver. I dont think a one off ground up chop was the intension of the vid.

  13. 13 chopperfreak29 Jan 22nd, 2011 at 9:02 pm

    So that’s it? I was expecting alot more than a paint job and some bolt ons. That thing needs alot of stuff stripped off it and changed to look cool.

  14. 14 Greg Jan 22nd, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    That thing is a walk through the old parts bin. How about doing more for a headlight than Krylon? And that’s just for starters.

  15. 15 Ayres A deSouza Jan 22nd, 2011 at 9:26 pm

    Give me half the gear , I can belt out a better bike !!!!

  16. 16 Fluke Jan 23rd, 2011 at 3:12 am

    Considering it is I suppose to be just an example of what people can do with their newly purchased stock bike, I like it. It is not supposed to be some full on radical custom. Roland can do those with his eyes closed, speaking of which was also what the designer of the High Ball was doing when s/he designed it.

    But those repulsive fenders really drag it down, why keep the ugliest part of the original bike?

  17. 17 T Jan 23rd, 2011 at 5:12 am

    High heals on a pig
    Harley came out with some ugly models (plastic grey looking crap)
    Bad boy wannabe looking skull bullshit.
    Must be the new generation marketing dept. waiting for the “Super Mario Model”
    Don’t mean to start any trouble…….. But every Victory outside of the new touring model was ugly. Every Victory rider I ever met had way too much to say about how good his bike was. Seemed a touch insecure. Victory must be giving shops a great deal to promote their product line. You can make them as pretty as you want.
    Still “High heals on a pig”

  18. 18 Doc Robinson Jan 23rd, 2011 at 7:22 am

    Tuff crowd indeed, fulla knockers and nay-sayers, whiners and whingers. SHEESH! As for Ayres being able to belt out a better bike, well buddy let’s see your builds on this blog. Way to go Roland, another very sweetly customised bike with way cool style.

  19. 19 Rick Lossner Jan 23rd, 2011 at 7:24 am

    I’d actually be impressed if some of the fools slamming this bike, actually showed what they could do vs babbling on their keyboard while spilling their beer….. @Ayres… you can afford a computer… I guess you could afford 1/2 the gear? Go do it 🙂

  20. 20 Rick Lossner Jan 23rd, 2011 at 7:30 am

    @LENA Every time I walk into Strokers, I’m impressed what they’ve done with some of the Victorys’ 🙂 And I might add , that’s a nice pic of one you posted…. looking good on it 🙂

  21. 21 Dr Robert Harms Jan 23rd, 2011 at 7:30 am

    My vote is also with the “unimpressed” candidate. The pipes look crude and I stll can’t understand builders fascination with pistol drills and electricians’ multi size drill bits .

  22. 22 Brother T. Jan 23rd, 2011 at 8:12 am

    Cool looking bike. I also liked the 2 classic cars…

  23. 23 LENA FAIRLESS Jan 23rd, 2011 at 9:19 am

    Rick L.,

    I agree with you and thanks for the compliment!! That’s my personal Victory that Strokers and RF customized a couple of years ago! Its a 2008 Vegas 8-ball!

    LF

  24. 24 martin Twofeather Jan 23rd, 2011 at 10:08 am

    From where Victory was headed to which was space and beyond with the Visions,I give Roland Sands a big thumbs up,great job of bringing us back to earth riding motorcycles again instead of launching us to the moon with the boats they(Polaris) was making………..Martin

  25. 25 Mike Tomas, Kiwi Indian MotorCycle Co Jan 23rd, 2011 at 10:26 am

    Roland is an extremely talented and accomplished builder. No doubt about that as he has more than proved what he is capable of.
    When manufacturers are involved there usually are certain constraints. Some of those maybe using a certain platform or certain parts. Even certain governmental regulations can hinder a designer.
    For Victory it is another move for them. Whether right or wrong time will tell but movement in any market is good.

  26. 26 Hondo Cat Jan 23rd, 2011 at 10:29 am

    Agree with Fluke. Victory apparently told RSD to take a stock High Ball and change it up a bit as an example of what can be done in one’s own garage and without taking out a 2nd mortgage on the house.

  27. 27 Gas Man Jan 23rd, 2011 at 11:53 am

    At least it seems some people around here are capable to intelligent thought instead of just bashing.

    Lena… don’t you look nice on that Vic girl. Why not get Vic to do a video on the Fairless Vic.

  28. 28 Iron Horse Jan 23rd, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    The bikes okay, but I love the slammed Riv in the opening few seconds of the video. I’m also with Gas Man…Victory really should do a video with Lena! Her ride is every bit as cool as Rolands and she’s way easier to look at.

  29. 29 Bigalyts@aol.com Jan 23rd, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    I’ll bet Victory didn’t tell Roland ,,,nothing! They didn’t have tooooooooo. He know’s his Shit and Ayres, Why should anybody give you half of Roland’s Shit? Go out there and get 1/2 yourself. Nice Bike and I agree, good to see all the attention these Victory’s are getting! They probably deserve it. Hey “Ayres” you are a Enfield Man, anyway.

  30. 30 rebel Jan 24th, 2011 at 9:58 am

    R ight S ide D rive lookin’ good

  31. 31 1550tc Jan 24th, 2011 at 12:37 pm

    97 Responses to “New Victory High-Ball Unveiled.”
    17 Responses to “Polaris Names Jim Williams As Vice President Of Human Resources
    31 Responses to “Roland Sands Custom Victory High-Ball”

    Cyril Polaris gets the first TRIPLE DOUBLE OR HAT TRICK for usage of social media on this blog

    When an HR guys gets 17 posts and some new hot cool products dont get 2 posts…..well it sure says something about SOCIAL media!!

  32. 32 Sid Jan 24th, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    Victory’s original marketing never intended to go the old-looking route as evidenced by the “modern cruiser” marketing angle accompanying the Ness’ re-do of the original Victory motor. In addition, the latest ‘old bobber’ trend has been out for awhile, so i don’t get the effort put into this bike. They are playing catch-up like Honda did with their “you meet the nicest people on a chopper” production chopper.

    Hats off to RSD…the Victory platform doesn’t easily lend itself to a vintage look. A luke-warm “PT Cruiser affect” is difficult to avoid. Mixing new and old is really tough.

  33. 33 Sid Jan 24th, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    “Freedom” should have followed the radius of the tire.

  34. 34 chicagojohn Jan 24th, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    Nice to see people working on Victorys, only thing , I’d unwrap the pipes and reweld em to smooth em out more.

  35. 35 colemanfu Jan 24th, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    I can’t build bikes but I do know what I like. RS makes good bikes (his contrast cut stuff is a bit too bling for this boring biker), he’s a step up from Rooke and light years ahead of Paul Jr..

    Cool bike but not a fan of where the tank meets the seat. I like the older look on a basic V.

  36. 36 Rick Jan 24th, 2011 at 11:04 pm

    I always wondered what you looked like, Lena. I must say…DAMN. You are one hot chick.

  37. 37 krugger Jan 25th, 2011 at 7:03 am

    We don’t know the deal with Victory but we know all that Roland is one of the best Custom bike builder in the World!!! that’s it!

  38. 38 burnout Jan 25th, 2011 at 11:03 am

    At least Roland Sands CARES! Good enough for me. peace

  39. 39 Blackmax Jan 25th, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    Holy Smokes….
    Guys why the knocks on this bike, Victory has shown that it CAN be innovative. They can keep the Vision, but,I’d choose a Cross Country over a Street Glide or a Cross Roads over a Road King in a heartbeat. And guess what? The bars on those bikes are adjustable too. I think I like the idea of being able to adjust them from low to hi/mini apehangers without going through all the rigamarole of aftermarket bars & wire kits.
    I think that “American V-Twin, Open Road Biker & Just My Opinion” are on the right track. It WILL appeal to a younger crowd, it DOES have more hp & torque and I can take the money saved & get rid of the pieces (headlight, turn signals, etc) that I don’t like & replace with something else vs. spending $3000.00+ on a upgrade for a Street Bob. There are always going to be “haters” out there so “let em”!!! H-D is, what it is, and that’s great, but, give kudos to Victory for giving riders an alternative. By the way, yes Roland’s version is more bad ass, but what custom version is NOT better than stock, me, I can’t wait to see what Zack Ness does with it.
    The marketplace is ALWAYS where these kind of things are decided…

  40. 40 AKMonzter Apr 19th, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    Ok…I love Vic’s. ’05 Vegas 8B. Conquest Customs plus a bunch of honest to God handmade “old school” parts. I am just about fed up with Victory’s idea of “custom”. You can bolt on all the chrome BS you want, add some paint, wire up some “old school” radials and call it custom…its not. How about taking the coffee can exhaust off? Open the bike up, show off the belts, ditch the plastic air box and ridiculous license plate holder and Christmas light turn signals. This is a bike, not a Honda Civic. Why not give us some cam options? How about FACTORY internal wiring (yeah, I’ll say it, like the HD V-Rod). Give us some tanks, fenders, etc. Conquest Customs has taken the Vic to a level Polaris has not yet attempted. And stop trying so hard to be “retro”. You aren’t. You’ve been around since ’92. The niche that Victorys fit into in my opinion is that they aren’t old school, they aren’t HD’s. Be new, be proud. Go fast, be loud, and give us some alternatives to paint and bolt ons. Real performance-Real style. Not tribal paint, and diamond cut heads. Start here and make a bike that will stand up like our predecessors. Roland Sands and Ness are great builders, I don’t deny that. They have built some stupendous rides (not just on biker build-off to boot). But give them a bike, open up and see what happens. I know I alone don’t make a difference but I won’t buy another Vic until something changes.

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