Photos by Brandon Kraemer

When you’re developing new streetbikes, it can be frustrating to be constrained by emissions regulations and a fickle market. For Brandon Kraemer, the senior product development director for Indian Motorcycles, he took his personal Victory Hammer and threw vexing regulations and market research out the window.

“The desire to create Jammer was really anchored in my patriotic spirit for American products and ingenuity,” Kraemer tells us. “In American culture we love our muscle cars, and the Big Three auto manufacturers have proven they know how to make them crazy fast while handling really good.

“But then when you go over to the motorcycle market, this idea of a big American motor in a sporty chassis isn’t as popular, and that performance doesn’t resonate as much with the common customer. So I knew if I wanted to build a muscle-car bike, I was going to have to create it myself.”

Kraemer said the idea started out modestly. He was looking to get additional cornering clearance, stronger brakes, and a more aggressive riding position. A Penske shock with taller links was added, as well as Brembo calipers and dual 320mm front rotors. A ProTaper handlebar was internally wired for a clean look and sporty ergonomics. The motor was upgraded with a 116-cubic-inch big-bore kit.

And then things got really wild with the addition of a Procharger B1 supercharger kit from Lloydz Performance. The incredible result is a stupefying 212 horsepower at the rear wheel, with a ridiculous 182 lb-ft of torque.

Look at those soaring traces: More than 100 lb-ft of torque at just 2,100 rpm, then culminating with 212 horsepower at the top end!

“The bike is a visceral beast to ride,” Kraemer reports. “(Japanese) liter-bikes are crazy fast, but being so smooth, you just don’t realize how fast you’re going, where Jammer makes you feel everything. I’ve never ridden a bull in a rodeo, but I expect that adrenaline feeling is on a similar level!”

Kraemer places most of the credit for completion of his bike to Scott Kietzmann of Conquest Customs, who performed most of the chassis work. Kietzmann was also responsible for the beautiful left-side exhaust that exits under the tail, requiring significant fabrication to the mid-frame and rear subframe to get it packaged within the bike. Carbon fiber bodywork was painted by Rick Corgan.

So, what’s it like to ride the Jammer?

“First off it’s crazy loud, kinda like being at the dragstrip when they start up a Pro Stock car,” Kraemer says. “ Then the next thing you notice is the supercharger noises, which are more mechanical sounding than you expect.

“Then you hop on and below 2500 rpm it’s pretty tame,” Kraemer continues, “but once above that point, the blow-off valve slams shut and it pulls harder and faster than anything I’ve ever ridden. With the GP-style reverse shift pattern, you bang through the gears almost faster than your brain can register it, and before you realize it, you’re well into triple-digit speeds.

“To me, bikes are made to get our adrenaline pumping. And Jammer does that better than any other.”

Jammer’s undertail exhaust dramatically cleans up the right side of the Hammer. Dual Brembo brakes are up to the task of harnessing 200 horsepower.

3 COMMENTS

  1. There’s really no way to get the pegs back far enough so they’re directly underneath you (if you were to stand). Even if that were managed, the seat to peg distance would be way too small for any normal human. Beefing up the motor is the easy part. Taking the cruiser ergos out of the frame is the challenge. Maybe Indian & Harley need to study Ducati more?

  2. The jammer sounds very exciting especially for younger guys.lol
    I’m a bit older and love the body styling and power of the victory full dress cruisers. I’ve been shopping for a bike and drawn to victory. Just wish y’all made new updated ones. They are badass.

  3. To Brandon Kraemer, I wish I had the access and money you have to create such a badass bike. Unfortunately I am 70 years old and on a fixed income. I have a 2003 V92C with 21,500 kilometers on it (approx 12,000-13,000 miles) and it runs. I recently had fuel/air problems and it couldn’t be set up properly as the new tech is not compatable with the older motorcycles. Have you guys got any 2003 tech where you plug in the computer to set it up. A lot of Indian/Victory dealerships in my area would really like to have access to it.

    Best regards,
    Gary

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