Window Shopping

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Went to the local Honda / Suzuki / Yamaha dealer this morning needed wheel bearing , seals and front brake pads for one of my bikes. Did some window shopping I like the new Suzuki M109R but would never buy unless it had some nice hard saddlebags and this one also caught my eye. Pretty cool machine 1000cc.

[Serk]

Very cool looking, would love to have a dual sport, but my spine couldn't handle going the places I'd wanna go with it...

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Very cool looking, would love to have a dual sport, but my spine couldn't handle going the places I'd wanna go with it...

I'm hip... I would hurt myself on that . Not sure of the color but Misfit told me he had a new African Twin on order. Dealership had ( 4 ) on the floor.

[hubcapsc]

I like the new Suzuki M109R but would never buy unless it had some nice hard saddlebags

Corbin to the rescue 



-Mike

[..]

Friend bought the Twin and has spent $$$$$ on bags and crash bars and other manly off road stuff..

He got the DCT auto transmission. He seems to like it.

[Valkorado]

The Africa Twin has been a blessing to me, but not because I own one.  I recently got my very sweet 01 IS Ruby(love) partly because the aforementioned seller wanted to use the proceeds from the sale toward a new Africa Twin.  His gain, my gain.  Win, win.

[pais]

    Funny you bring this up Joe. When I decided I was going to buy another bike, after selling my 2000 Concourse. I decided I would buy a dual sport bike. Thought it would fill the "need". As I looked at used ones, Kaw's and Honda's. Prices seemed rather high for what I would be getting. Looked at 1 Wing, uh uh. Tripped over a Valk. The search was on and here I am! More bang for the buck.
    Still kinda yearn for a dual sport. Have to agree with Serk, probably hurt myself. Have enough aches and pains without self infliction.
    Nice lookin bike.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I like the new Suzuki M109R but would never buy unless it had some nice hard saddlebags

Corbin to the rescue  



-Mike

You made me look ... Not bad however they seem somewhat too high above the exhaust  

[hubcapsc]

Not bad however they seem somewhat too high above the exhaust

That's the price of having two pipes on one side and none on the other...

-Mike

[Gavin_Sons]

I like the new Suzuki M109R but would never buy unless it had some nice hard saddlebags

Corbin to the rescue  



-Mike

You made me look ... Not bad however they seem somewhat too high above the exhaust  

I have always liked the M109R. Almost bought one back in 05. It was orange 

[Strider]

Was looking at those as well a couple of years ago.  They say the vibration on the 109 will knock your dentures out.  Rode Phyllis's over in Houston one time - didn't seem too bad, but it was just a couple of miles.  One of the only bike's I have known her to sell though.

[Mr Whiskey]

More power, shaft drive, parallel twin's been around forever & is reliable, excellent aftermarket support, can get OEM parts easily...
I'd take this over the V-twinkie any day



https://youtu.be/LPs5wIbAUsU

[_Sheffjs_]

More power, shaft drive, parallel twin's been around forever & is reliable, excellent aftermarket support, can get OEM parts easily...
I'd take this over the V-twinkie any day



https://youtu.be/LPs5wIbAUsU

Here is the one I like!!!   I would also like to try a Suzuki Bandit up in the NC area!

[F6Dave]

After being out of commission for over a year I finally got my R100GS running last month.  It's a 1988 model, the first bike to use the Paralever rear suspension.  These old airheads are a real pleasure to ride.  At only 450 pounds the handling is actually very good.  This color scheme predated the Valkyrie Bumblebee by nearly a decade!

[F6Dave]

The main reason my BMW was out of commission was a major final drive failure.  This makes some worn splines on our Valks look pretty tame!

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I'm diggin' this thread now we are actually talking about motorcycles 

Thanks all for contributing .

[..]

After being out of commission for over a year I finally got my R100GS running last month.  It's a 1988 model, the first bike to use the Paralever rear suspension.  These old airheads are a real pleasure to ride.  At only 450 pounds the handling is actually very good.  This color scheme predated the Valkyrie Bumblebee by nearly a decade!

I like the old airheads. I use to have a R90S back in another life.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_R90S

[rocketray]

I have a Suzuki DRZ 400-s...right at 300# which means you can in a bad spot actually pick it up off the ground at either end and get thru whatever rough off road spot you are in...it will go around a 100 or so but on the highways semi's will push you around in the wind- NOT an Interstate cross country road bike-lots of tire choices for on/off road and other accessories..it would do just fine on the eastern Tennessee /Blue Ridge Parkway roads and you could cut off on any fire road that you want ..

[cookiedough]

I was going with my kid to look at an yami fjr1300 which we did not buy, but he showed me his ducati multistrada and all electronic gizmo gadgets on it and was blown away on WHY needing all those extra push button doo-dads?  He then tried shutting the bike off and the tail lights stayed on for like over 10 minutes before we left. 

I always have said the more gadgets, the more headaches, thus I only buy the base to mid-level trim models on my autos as well.  Less stuff to go wrong.

I have heard that African twin is the bomb though in terms of power to weight ratio.  I guess I am just set in my ways old school not much desire to get the latest and greatest doo-hickeys on these new cycles and autos.  That and am reluctant to change from still one of the top 10 cruisers of all time.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I was going with my kid to look at an yami fjr1300 which we did not buy, but he showed me his ducati multistrada and all electronic gizmo gadgets on it and was blown away on WHY needing all those extra push button doo-dads?  He then tried shutting the bike off and the tail lights stayed on for like over 10 minutes before we left.  

I always have said the more gadgets, the more headaches, thus I only buy the base to mid-level trim models on my autos as well.  Less stuff to go wrong.

I have heard that African twin is the bomb though in terms of power to weight ratio.  I guess I am just set in my ways old school not much desire to get the latest and greatest doo-hickeys on these new cycles and autos.  That and am reluctant to change from still one of the top 10 cruisers of all time.

I would never sell this bike no matter " what else " I might buy . Truth be known I'd probably not sell or trade any of my Valkyrie's. I've owned this one since June 1998 and I think it runs as good maybe better than the day I bought it as a Standard.

[Bighead]

I was going with my kid to look at an yami fjr1300 which we did not buy, but he showed me his ducati multistrada and all electronic gizmo gadgets on it and was blown away on WHY needing all those extra push button doo-dads?  He then tried shutting the bike off and the tail lights stayed on for like over 10 minutes before we left.  

I always have said the more gadgets, the more headaches, thus I only buy the base to mid-level trim models on my autos as well.  Less stuff to go wrong.

I have heard that African twin is the bomb though in terms of power to weight ratio.  I guess I am just set in my ways old school not much desire to get the latest and greatest doo-hickeys on these new cycles and autos.  That and am reluctant to change from still one of the top 10 cruisers of all time.

I would never sell this bike no matter " what else " I might buy . Truth be known I'd probably not sell or trade any of my Valkyrie's.

I know the feeling Joe....I have had my Bee since she was new.....I have had 5 other machines since I bought her but keep going back.....she is the one I cant walk away from without looking back

[cookiedough]

I hear yah Joe on not selling your 3 Valkyries, but I thought a few years ago you were selling the true I/S you have what changed  your mind?  

I have gone to a few dealers sitting on newer and MORE expensive bikes but really do not see the need to change to a goldwing or F6B or even selling my 250cc scooter for a honda ctx700 costing 3x's the price of both since what I have does the job for me just fine and enjoy riding both.  Newer is nice but also can be more headaches and more expense.  Yah, fuel injection and newer and faster would be nice, but the old near 20 year old Valkyrie does what it does just fine for my needs not the latest and greatest but then again I do not need to go any faster and it is not the best in any one category (besides fitting my butt the best), but in my mind, does the MOST things the best of any cycle out there for me anyways.

The minute I drove off for a test ride on my black I/S I knew it fit me and had to have it although just on a whim went to look at a vtx1800 at the local Honda dealer who is out of business now had it on consignment some 10 years or so ago. Paid 8.2K with 15K or so miles on it wanted and  I offered at 8K but dealer would not budge off 8.2K, still bought it.  I did tell the Honda dealer to clean it up so I could actually come back and see the paint condition since it had a layer of dust and grime on it from sitting so long not being ridden.  Came back next weekend and when black color is dusty/dirty is so-so, but when it was cleaned up, it sparkles nicely.

[Binkie]

When I was looking at dual sports I looked at the Honda African twin. It was a nice bike but too heavy for what I wanted and way too expensive. I went with a Suzuki DR650. Light single cylinder thumper that has been around a long time and the aftermarket has tons of stuff for.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I hear yah Joe on not selling your 3 Valkyries, but I thought a few years ago you were selling the true I/S you have what changed  your mind?  

Nobody would give me my price. It was pretty plain jane when I got it I spent a touch too much on bling and wasn't going to give it away besides its a good lookin' bike and at the time it had less than 18,000 miles on it . I rode it to InZane this year. Rode it out to the Spearfish, SD InZane also.

[_Sheffjs_]

The Valks grow into you, and it would not be the time to sell anyway, at least here in FL there are so many for sale and in just the local area, it is overwhelming. If I lived in Joe Land I would surely keep the Valks sell the Drifters and pick up a street legal enduro and a Bandit. Here in flatland I feel quite fortunate to have what I have.  

[Serk]

Took Brian Jr. for a ride today. Went to the local Honda shop, I noticed a brand new 2014 Valkyrie in blue on the floor, was eyeballing it.

Dealer came over and whispered in my ear $8999...

I came DAMN close..... So damn close to pulling the trigger on that one...

[..]

Took Brian Jr. for a ride today. Went to the local Honda shop, I noticed a brand new 2014 Valkyrie in blue on the floor, was eyeballing it.

Dealer came over and whispered in my ear $8999...

I came DAMN close..... So damn close to pulling the trigger on that one...

Get them to throw in the extended warranty and JUST DO IT! 

Only if no finance. 

My split personality showing.

[3fan4life]

Took Brian Jr. for a ride today. Went to the local Honda shop, I noticed a brand new 2014 Valkyrie in blue on the floor, was eyeballing it.

Dealer came over and whispered in my ear $8999...

I came DAMN close..... So damn close to pulling the trigger on that one...

At those prices I'm tempted to get one myself.

About the only stopping me is that I don't want one bad enough to face the "Wrath of Ginger". 

[3fan4life]

The main reason my BMW was out of commission was a major final drive failure.  This makes some worn splines on our Valks look pretty tame!

Ouch!

You aren't fixing that with duct tape!

[Pappy!]

Another lighter fun bike to own would be one of these. This one is a 2004 BMW 1150R (Roadster). Decent prices, injected, bumps into the 11's in the quarter but very mannerly on the road. In your neck of the woods you would love the handling as well. They also built a semi-dual sport version as well. Cheap to get into.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Another lighter fun bike to own would be one of these. This one is a 2004 BMW 1150R (Roadster). Decent prices, injected, bumps into the 11's in the quarter but very mannerly on the road. In your neck of the woods you would love the handling as well. They also built a semi-dual sport version as well. Cheap to get into.

Cheap to get expensive to maintain is what I've heard .

[3fan4life]

I've been keeping my eyes open watching for these to start showing up for sale:

[F6Dave]

After being out of commission for over a year I finally got my R100GS running last month.  It's a 1988 model, the first bike to use the Paralever rear suspension.  These old airheads are a real pleasure to ride.  At only 450 pounds the handling is actually very good.  This color scheme predated the Valkyrie Bumblebee by nearly a decade!

I like the old airheads. I use to have a R90S back in another life.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_R90S

What color R90S?  As I remember those bikes had some great paint schemes with graduated colors.

[¿spoom]

Hey Joe, I'd absolutely make sure to get a test ride in first, and really check into what suspension & seat options/mods are available. Old riding buddy of mine in the early '90s had a pair of the original "big tank/orange seat" Paris/Dakar BMWs. Since he was like 6'14"   they were perfect for him, as he would rather ride down railroad tracks than next to them, and the seat height and suspension travel was great for his long legs. Me, with a 29" inseam, couldn't hold the bike up on my tiptoes and almost had to have it parked next to a curb just to get on it. If I remember from past meetings Joe, you are a hair shorter than me. I know it's no big deal once underway, but if the plan is to do a lot of urban riding, a too tall bike gets old in a hurry, or you start to do rolling stops everywhere and eventually get ticketed.

1982, like the two he had;

[F6Dave]

The main reason my BMW was out of commission was a major final drive failure.  This makes some worn splines on our Valks look pretty tame!

Ouch!

You aren't fixing that with duct tape!

Yes, as much fun as it is to ride, my old BMW has not been very reliable.  Other problems have included a blown head gasket, failed alternator, worn out transmission bearings, and broken shift lever.  But this was by far the most catastrophic failure.  Luckily it happened only a mile from home.

[Oss]

Pappy I agree

My commuter is a 04 bmw 1150 rt-p  Great bike, 6 speeds, abs, I put on 36000 miles on it since purchase riding it just to work, court and back.

I guess I have the luck of the irish as it has been relatively trouble free.  Changed out brakes front and rear this spring after 5 yrs and also got the first battery in over 7 yrs.  

The only issue is a car hit my bike while parked and broke the kickstand so my mechanic welded it back together when he did the other work

Night and day how easy it is for me to countersteer even tho the bike is narrower, must be the setup of the bars.  I just cant for the life of me get arm extension to countersteer the Valk the same way.

[3fan4life]

Yes, as much fun as it is to ride, my old BMW has not been very reliable.  Other problems have included a blown head gasket, failed alternator, worn out transmission bearings, and broken shift lever.  But this was by far the most catastrophic failure.  Luckily it happened only a mile from home.

I got to test ride the 1600cc 6cyl bike that BMW makes a couple of years ago.

It was a fun bike to ride with plenty of power and more nimble than a 19 yr old double jointed stripper ballerina.

But, there were oh so many "gadgets" on the bike.

I liked it alot, but my response to the salesman was, "There are way too many things to break on this bike."

[Valkorado]

I've been keeping my eyes open watching for these to start showing up for sale:

   I like it!

[¿spoom]

I've been keeping my eyes open watching for these to start showing up for sale:

yeah, ever since the Navy went to 100% "no gasoline on board" there have been sooooo many cool diesel products developed to supply them. Welders, generators, MC, outboard motors, you name it. I'm really surprised all/more of these items aren't making it to market in civilian models. Maybe they run afoul of EPA/CARB regs?

[Savago]

I've met in 3 different occasions fellow riders with an Africa twin. All of them had positive feedback on the bike: handling, torque, gas mileage, reliability.

One of them (William Gloege) actually did a lonnng ride in an early model and lives in Santa Cruz (CA):
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKuAkiaIPmczS62_-0ri0iA

What I've observed in adv forums is that is quite common that people will buy a Yamaha Tenere and after 1-2 years sell it. I guess that even though the bike is technically competent (shafty, 1200cc), it doesn't inspire love for it?

For bad roads/forest service roads I got a Suzuki Vstrom DL650. The bike has a whole ecosystem of accessories around it, it is built as a tractor, extremely reliable and pretty flickable. The older models got a 5.4 gallons gas tank that gives you a fuel autonomy of 260 to 280 miles (I've done over 276 miles in a single gas tank, with still 1/2 gallon left).

I'm unaware of a better value (bang for the buck) than a wee-strom (here goes a photo of mine by side of a Yamaha Super Tenere). The africa twin would be a close second place in overall value.