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2012 Victory Hard-Ball Overview
Victory Hard-Ball is a custom / cruiser motorcycle, displacing 1731cc /106 cu-in. Power comes from a Four stroke, 50° V twin SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, self-adjusting cam chains, hydraulic lifters engine, a compression ratio of 9.4:1. On the performance side, it delivers 96.9 hp of peak power and 144 Nm of torque. On the road, the 2012 Hard-Ball tips the scales at 340 kg, carries a 22-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 667 mm and spans a 1647 mm wheelbase. The full 2012 Victory Hard-Ball spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2012 Victory Hard-Ball compared with other bikes in the Custom / cruiser category
We checked the recorded figures for the 2012 Victory Hard-Ball against up to 1569 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.
- Only 276 of the other 1568 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category have a larger engine displacement than the 1731 cc of the Hard-Ball.
- With 667 mm, the Hard-Ball has the joint 284th lowest seat height of 1316 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category, 4% below the category average of 697 mm.
- Torque of 144 Nm is higher than that of 789 of the other 1052 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category.
- Narrowing the field to the 643 models within five model years of it, the engine displacement of 1731 cc is larger than that of 471 of the other 642.
2012 Hard-Ball - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: With 96.9 hp and 144 Nm of torque on tap, the Hard-Ball is no slouch for its class.
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🔧
Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
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🛡️
ABS fitted: ABS comes fitted from the factory - one less thing to worry about in a sudden stop on a slippery surface.
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📏
Accessible seat height: A 667 mm seat height keeps this manageable for most riders, which helps confidence at parking-lot speeds.
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⛽
Large fuel range: A 22-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
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⚙️
Low-maintenance final drive: Running a belt final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.
Considerations
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ℹ️
Age-related wear: Nothing specific stands out as a weak point on the Hard-Ball - the usual used-bike checks (service history, consumables, tyres) apply.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Heat management in traffic
Because the Hard-Ball relies on airflow rather than a coolant jacket, expect noticeably more radiant heat at low speed and in traffic. It's inherent to air cooling, and ventilated gear largely offsets it.
Fuelling & injector care
The fuel injectionwith dual 45mm throttle bodies on the Hard-Ball needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Suspension condition on used examples
The Hard-Ball's suspension runs 43mm Conventional telescopic fork at the front. The rear uses Single, mono-tube gas Cast Aluminum with rising rate linkage, Preload adjustable spring. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The Hard-Ball runs belt final drive: no lubrication or frequent adjustment like a chain, though belt tension and wear are worth a periodic look.
Handling the weight at a standstill
340 kg puts the Hard-Ball toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.
Hard-Ball - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2012 Victory Hard-Ball with its 1731cc /106 cu-in custom / cruiser, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. This model runs belt final drive, so check belt tension and tooth wear - a cracked or glazed belt is a clear sign of neglect. Now 14 years old, this custom / cruiser is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy Hard-Ball should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects the Hard-Ball's 1731cc /106 cu-in four stroke, 50° v twin sohc, 4 valves per cylinder, self-adjusting cam chains, hydraulic lifters like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). With a 9.4:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the Hard-Ball needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
2012 Victory Hard-Ball - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Victory Hard-Ball have?
The 2012 Victory Hard-Ball uses a Four stroke, 50° V twin SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, self-adjusting cam chains, hydraulic lifters engine with 1731cc /106 cu-in of displacement. It is air/oil cooled.
How much does the 2012 Victory Hard-Ball weigh?
The 2012 Victory Hard-Ball weighs 340 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.
How much power does the 2012 Victory Hard-Ball make?
The 2012 Victory Hard-Ball produces 96.9 hp of power and 144 Nm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 Victory Hard-Ball?
The 2012 Victory Hard-Ball has a 22-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 366-440 km between stops.
Is the 2012 Victory Hard-Ball suitable for shorter riders?
The 2012 Victory Hard-Ball has a seat height of 667 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.
What brakes does the 2012 Victory Hard-Ball have?
The 2012 Victory Hard-Ball uses 2x 300mm floating rotor 4 piston caliper, ABS at the front and single 300mm floating rotor 2 piston caliper, ABS at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2012 Victory Hard-Ball use?
The 2012 Victory Hard-Ball runs 130/70-18 67H Dunlop 491 Elite II front and 180/70-16 Dunlop Elite 3 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2012 Victory Hard-Ball have?
The 2012 Victory Hard-Ball is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.
Victory Hard-Ball Spec Evolution
The Victory Hard-Ball was produced across 3 model years (2013-2016). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2013 |
2015 |
2016 |
| Fuel Capacity |
22 Litres / 5.8 US gal |
17 Litres / 4.5 US gal |
17 Litres / 4.5 US gal |
| Brakes - Front |
2x 300mm floating rotor 4 piston caliper, ABS |
2x 300mm floating rotor 4 piston caliper, ABS |
2 x 300mm floating rotor 4 piston caliper, ABS |
| Tyres - Rear |
180/70-16 Dunlop Elite 3 |
140/90-16 77 H Dunlop D421 |
140/90-16 77 H Dunlop D421 |
| Starter |
-Electric |
Electric |
-Electric |
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, 50° V twin SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, self-adjusting cam chains, hydraulic lifters
Torque
144 Nm / 14.6 kgf-m / 106 ft-lb
Fuel Capacity
22 Litres / 5.8 US gal
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Full 2012 Victory Hard-Ball Specifications
Year
2012 - 13
Make Model
Victory Hard-Ball
Seat Height
667 mm / 26.2 in
Wheelbase
1647 mm / 64.8 in
Ground Clearance
120 mm / 4.7 in
Length
2372 mm / 93.4 in
Dry Weight
340 kg / 751 lbs
Fuel Capacity
22 Litres / 5.8 US gal
Maximum Load / GVWR
1151 lbs / 523 kg
Oil Capacity
4.73 L / 5.0 US Quarts
Displacement
1731cc /106 cu-in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, 50° V twin SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, self-adjusting cam chains, hydraulic lifters
Bore x Stroke
101 x 108 mm
Compression Ratio
9.4:1
Cooling System
Air/oil cooled
Exhaust
Split dual exhaust with crossover
Fuel Induction
Electronic Fuel Injection with dual 45mm throttle bodies
Starter
-Electric
Battery Capacity
12V, 18 Ah
Clutch
Wet, multi-plate
Final Drive
Carbon fiber reinforced belt
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed
Suspension - Front
43mm Conventional telescopic fork
Suspension - Rear
Single, mono-tube gas Cast Aluminum with rising rate linkage, Preload adjustable spring
Rake
32°
Trail
170 mm / 6.7 in
Wheel Travel - Front
130 mm / 5.1 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
75 mm / 3.0 in
Brakes - Front
2x 300mm floating rotor 4 piston caliper, ABS
Brakes - Rear
Single 300mm floating rotor 2 piston caliper, ABS
Tyres - Front
130/70-18 67H Dunlop 491 Elite II
Tyres - Rear
180/70-16 Dunlop Elite 3
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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