Turn the clock back to the summer of 2009. The Victory Vision had been on the road for a couple years and was impressing a growing number of riders as the ultimate touring motorcycle. At that summer’s model year 2010 national sales meeting, Victory introduced two all-new models that were ideal complements to the Victory Vision and raised the bar for baggers: The Cross Country and Cross Roads.

These were smooth-handling, comfortable, powerful baggers with impressive cargo capacity and the versatility to deliver a great ride experience around town and on the open road. They also featured progressive styling that could only come from Victory.

These two new models were built on an innovative two-piece, cast aluminum frame that allowed Victory to provide riders with an outstanding ride, smooth handling and a low driver seat height. The frame was similar to that of the Victory Vision, but unique to the Cross Country and Cross Roads. The rear suspension featured an adjustable air shock and provided best-in-class 4.7” of travel to keep the ride smooth whether riding solo or two-up, with or without cargo.

Both new baggers were powered by the proven Freedom 106/6 drivetrain, and both had long floorboards for long-riding comfort.

In 2010, both baggers had hard saddlebags and each had its own style of front-end weather protection.

The Cross Country came with a fork-mounted fairing topped off by a windscreen. The stylish fairing housed the bike’s instrumentation and an integrated audio system. AM/FM radio was standard, and with an accessory iPod cord, a rider could use any of several devices to enjoy personal playlists as a riding soundtrack. The bike also had forged highway bars with distinctive Victory styling.

On the Cross Roads, the front-end weather protection was a traditional windshield that deflected wind and rain and offered outstanding visibility.

The 2010 Cross Country and Cross Roads had hard saddlebags with a best-in-class 21 gallons of cargo capacity. These bags had lockable lids that offered weatherproof protection for the cargo. The lids were easy to open or close with one hand, unlike some competitive models’ bags that had double-hinged lid latches.

Since its debut, the Cross Country has been extremely popular and impressive. When the editors of Cycle World magazine returned their long-term 2011 Cross Country in 2012, they wrote:

“By the time the odometer rolled past our target mileage, 10,000, we regretted having to return the Cross Country. From the time the bike first joined our long-term fleet to the final mile, it provided us with more than a year of fun, pleasurable cruising.

“On extended rides, the plush seat, spread-out ergonomics, superb ride and excellent weather protection allowed riders to end every full day in the saddle free of fatigue, ready for whatever the evening might hold. Passengers had equal praise for the XC’s pillion accommodations, giving their part of the seat high marks for all-day comfort.

“Commuting and day rides on the Cross Country were just as enjoyable. The bike thrums along the road effortlessly, able to complete most passes quickly without the need for a downshift. And it handles curves as though born on the backroads, no matter if it’s just gently arcing through turns at a casual pace or ridden with a measure of catch-me-if-you-can aggression.”

The 2010 Cross Roads also impressed riders and the motorcycle press, including the editors of Motorcyclist, who wrote after a ride in Texas:

"Cornering clearance is stellar… and ride quality is air-adjustable for load or comfort via an easily accessible [valve] in the saddlebag. The bike’s 4.7 inches of suspension travel did a fine job of smoothing out the countless Texas cattle guards.”

The Cycle World editors praised both baggers’ handling, saying:

"For ‘touring’ baggers, the Cross bikes can actually be hustled along at a reasonably rapid pace, with that aluminum frame/stressed-engine chassis keeping the wheels in good alignment and aimed in the intended direction quite nicely over some of Texas’ finest twisty pavement.”

For the 2011 model year, the Cross Roads came with saddlebags that had a hard, formed interior and a leather exterior for a classic bagger look.

The Cross Roads Classic LE was introduced for the 2012 model year. It featured incredible styling with laced wheels, studs on the seat and saddlebags, chrome fender trim, and beautiful two-tone paint with accent stripes.

The 2012 model year also featured the introduction of the Hard-Ball, a bad-ass bagger with black suede paint, laced wheels and ape hangers.


• Learn about 2013 Victory baggers at the Victory home page.


The 2010 Cross Roads and Cross Country.


The 2013 Midnight Metallic Flame Cross Country featuring Factory Custom Paint.


The 2013 Suede Nuclear Sunset Cross Country.


The 2013 Anti-Freeze Green With Black Flame Cross Country.


The 2010 Cross Country at Devils Tower.


The 2010 Cross Roads.


This illustration shows the two-piece frame that runs along the top of the bike like a spine to which the Freedom engine is solid-mounted. The two pieces of the frame are joined just in front of the seat. Visible just forward of the rear tire is the adjustable air shock.


The 2013 Cross Roads Classic.


A beautiful Cross Country custom.