2004 H-D Deuce Comparison

As equipped, the bling-bling of our Vegas received plenty of attention, but it's our opinion the stock single-color paint job looks classier, as does the traditional style of the spoked wheels. We'd rather spend that extra $2500 on Victory's Stage One air cleaner and exhaust kit ($450) for a claimed 10% increase in power. Power hogs that we are, we'd probably also pimp for the Stage Two big-bore kit ($850), consisting of cylinders and matching pistons, that is claimed to further boost power another 10%.

Not that the 92-cubic-inch Vegas really needs more power, because its engine output easily exceeds that of the Deuce's Twin Cam 88B motor. And it should, given the higher spec of the Victory mill that includes an overhead camshaft, 4-valves-per-cylinder and air cooling, plus an extra 57cc. Boasting a peak of 67.4 horsepower at 4700 rpm from its 1507cc, 50-degree V-Twin, the Vegas outmuscles the air-cooled, pushrod 45-degree Twin in the Deuce from the midrange on up. The injected Freedom engine only comes up short by having only a fast-idle lever to aid cold starts instead of the convenient one-button operation of the Deuce.

The Deuce, on the other hand, has the advantage down low, its fuel injection providing instantaneous grunt the moment the throttle is twisted until it reaches its peak horsepower of 62.8 at 5500 rpm. Indeed, Harley's sequential port fuel injection, a $600 option over the base carbureted model, is flawless. From one-button cold starts to glitch-free low-speed carburetion to ultra-smooth throttle take-up, H-D really nailed it. For simplicity reasons, those who want to hot-rod their Deuce will be better served getting the carbureted version.

In a roll-on comparison, the Deuce hangs neck-and-neck with the Vegas at first, then gets dusted once the more powerful Victory motor stretches its legs. Both engines are counterbalanced, giving a nice rumpity cadence without intrusive vibration.

The revvier Vegas prefers a few hundred revs more before it comes up on its cams and blows past the Deuce. It actually feels a bit soft off the bottom in comparison, especially when at elevations above 5000 feet. But the injected motor is usually a delight, with smooth throttle take-up and a pleasingly deep exhaust note. When summoned, it sounds more like an off-shore powerboat than the Briggs & Stratton bellow from the Harley. The mufflers on both bikes are surprisingly loud for stock pipes, which is to say just about perfect: deep and authoritative without being obnoxious.