What should I know before buying a GL1800C (2014 Valkyrie)?

[toddhd]

I've driven Harley's for about 15+ years. Before that I had Kawasaki Voyager. Before I bought my Voyager, I was on the internet, and every owner of that year/model bike warned me to go get the timing chain replaced ASAP, before I even took it home they said. They told me they break all the time, and when that happens, that's it, your valves break and all sort of Bad Things (tm) happen.

Then I got my Harley's, and while they actually were really reliable and stable, they came with the "Harley Tax" meaning that anything that says Harley on it costs 3x as much as it should. Here's a Harley lollipop for your kid... that'll be $50. Downpayment.

So far, in my research on the GL1800C, the only "warning sign" I'm seeing more than anything is that the aftermarket part market for the bike is practically non-existent. Which amazes me because the bike is essentially a Goldwing, and the Goldwing has tons of aftermarket options. But there are slight differences here and there... a little different spacing, a little different layout....

What else should I know before buying this bike? Good or bad?

• How reliable has it been for you?
• Have you found a good source of aftermarket parts? Has J&P worked out?
• How has cost to maintain/repair been?
• Is the seat comfy?
• Have you found good bags/storage solutions? What did you find?
• Does it make your back or butt hurt?
• Did you get highway pegs?
• Did you make a modification you really regret or love?
• Are there any "must do" engine mods?

Thanks!

[98valk]

there are many reports out there with ghost shifting/trans problems of the GL1800 engine.
one such thread.  maybe why they are selling so cheap??
https://gl1800riders.com/forums/5-gl1800-tech-board/240677-ghost-shifting-print.html

what most say have to be done, REMACHINING THE DOGS OF THE GEARS IS THE ONLY KNOWN CORRECTION FOR THE SHIFT STAYING ENGAGED PROPERLY!!!
http://www.justwings.com/Cause.html

[Jess from VA]

Todd, there are many relatively recent (within two years) long threads in the 1800 Tech Treads on here, and I commend them to your reading.

What's Wrong With Our Bikes is just the most recent one.

[hubcapsc]

    How reliable has it been for you?

Very, though it may have begun to have a starting issue... hard to
start...

    Have you found a good source of aftermarket parts? Has J&P worked out?

Almost none, though what's there is good.

    How has cost to maintain/repair been?

Low to maintain and repair.

    Is the seat comfy?

Heaven's no.

    Have you found good bags/storage solutions? What did you find?

Corbin bags, and a GIVI trunk to use only for longer trips. I'm real satisfied with storage.

    Does it make your back or butt hurt?

It did.

    Did you get highway pegs?

Yes.

    Did you make a modification you really regret or love?

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,75086.0.html

    Are there any "must do" engine mods?

I saw that there's a power commander module for it. I wouldn't
change a thing, though...

-Mike

[Robert]

30k miles pretty much no maintenance except for tires and brakes, washing and waxing.

OEM seat sucks, other than that an awesome bike.

3 year warranty from factory, able to be extended another 4 years Not really needed.

[toddhd]

HubCapSC

Thanks for taking the time to answer so thoroughly. I think I see "Corbin" written on the seat as well. Did the seat and the bags install easily and properly, or did you find you needed to customize to get them to fit? And where do the rider and passenger back-rests come from? Did Corbin supply those or just the covers for them? (Those Corbin hard bags look AMAZING! Pricey as hell, but they look like they were made for the bike). The bike is only $8000 right now. The seats and bags will cost me half that! Ugh.

Bags and a passenger backrest are immediate items for me, and the seat might not be far behind. I don't usually ride very far, just to work or around town, so the seat might not be needed right away until the missus and I decide to start traveling. 

[toddhd]

Robert, did you end up replacing the seats, or anything else? If so, with what?

[Robert]

They say a pic is worth a thousand words so if you look at the pic you can tell what I have done and how it all came together.





The finer details
Corbin seat with back rest
Corbin bags
So cal cowl lights
Honda OEM windshield
Hand grips
Honda OEM Side cover chrome
Honda OEM pivot cover chrome
Michelin tires
Honda OEM carrier and arms
Chrome valve covers
Iridium plugs
chrome front timing chain cover
Radiantz tail light
Stainless lower engine cover or pan
K&N air filter gave me 20hp increase  



Many Wing parts will fit our Valk its just knowing what. The lower pan was from a Wing and they said it would not fit but it does. Handgrips not made for our bikes the cowl lights aren't either it just takes knowing.

To be honest I had a 1500 Valk and I put on so many parts. I did not want to go that route again so its a welcome thought that these bikes really dont need that much to make them fit and personalize. I also love the ease of care and do not shy away from riding in the rain like I did with the 1500.

When I bought the bike I ordered a seat, bags and windshield all must haves at least to me to make the bike a regular runner.

[Jack B]

Bags and a passenger backrest are immediate items for me, and the seat might not be far behind. I don't usually ride very far, just to work or around town, so the seat might not be needed right away until the missus and I decide to start traveling. 
[/quote]
I use a Airhawk seat pad on the stock seat for longer rides (200-300 miles)so far it's working great.
Longer rides I use my F6B.

[hubcapsc]

I think I see "Corbin" written on the seat as well. Did the seat and the bags install easily and properly, or did you find you needed to customize to get them to fit? And where do the rider and passenger back-rests come from?

I used a Corbin seat for a while... real high quality, but
not comfortable for me. The Corbin seat and bags install
easily and properly, they're high-end... I sent my OEM seat
to Russell Day Long, so that's what I use now, along with a
Utopia rider's backrest. The Corbin seat had Corbin backrests.

-Mike

[_Sheffjs_]

Robert, I love that night shot on the over pass.   

My thoughts, I loved loved loved the Corbin, best single seat of any bike I have owned. 

[KUGO]

Robert-  Gotta say that your bike looks tight and right!  I'm very careful with what I change on mine; it's such a personal decision with each little thing I try to make "just right".  I'm not a big fan of chrome, but you've not overdone it, especially with the red model.  I want those bags, but know I wouldn't have them on for more than a few trips each year.  When removed, is there just a bunch of hardware showing and messing up the look?  Some of the hard bags I've seen on this site seem to be an all or nothing affair.  Looks good on, but not much as a convertible.  Are there any where you can just whip 'em off in five minutes and the bike won't look like it had something fall off?  I'm so damn picky it really is hard to live with myself sometimes...  (insert sigh here).

[bscrive]

Here is wat I did to make my bike just for me.
1. Russell Daylong seat.  The OEM seat is a POS.
2. Saddlebags.  Made my own mounts and put a set on from a 1999 Valkyrie Interstate.  Tsukayu Strong bags are cheaper and easier to put on using the OEM Honda stays.  Relocated rear signs lights.
3. Handlebars.  Made custom bars to suite me.  Wiring, throttle cables and hydraulic clutch and brake lines extended 8".
4. Ergo 3 highway pegs.  Changed out the pegs for mini boards
5. Kuryakyn floorboards
6. Kuryakyn heel-toe shifter
7. Powder coated valve covers
8. Powder coated front cover
9. Painted from forks
10. Shark Radio system
11. Custom cut windshield.  Got a 33" Goldwing windshield and cut it to my specifications.
12. Changed all chrome covers to black.  Gas tank bezel, meter bezel and headlight bezel
13. Avon grips.  OEM grips sucked
14. Painted side covers black to match bike.  Don't know why all of them are that awful grey.
15. Torq Loopz.  Removed the cats and put Torq Loopz instead.  Eliminated drone from Rush pipes.
16. Rush Exhaust with 2.25" baffles.
17. Painted Rush Exhaust black with VHT paint.
18. Custom short backrest for passenger seat.
19. Progressive rear spring
20. Center stand.  Center stand was off a full wing.

I am not saying that the bike has to have all these modifications, only that I wanted these modifications to get what I wanted.

[pago cruiser]

I purchased mine with 2000 miles on it last December.  Have 10,000 on it now; but it was down for prolly 4 months working on adapting an HD fairing, Legacy Valk Saddlebags, and a custom luggage rack.
Best. Bike. Ever with these changes. I (and others) have posted how-to's if you desire to join in the fun...

While not a need, niceties include a center stand, and (my favorites) titty grips. Lots of other stuff can be done if you desire.  I find the stock seat/bars pretty good.

[dans2014]

Yes. Buy one and hang on tight. They do everything very well and are rock solid and the current prices are basically theft!

[toddhd]

Thank you to everyone who is sharing their parts lists and experiences, especially Robert and bscrive who took the time to detail everything so well.

At this point I am convinced, I just need to get "the missus" on board with it. I mean, it's not like it's a rocket on 2 wheels.... (cough)

[Robert]

  When removed, is there just a bunch of hardware showing and messing up the look? 

  Thanks btw

The bags are not a 5 minute deal but they are not bad either. I would say more like 20 to 30 minutes on and off. Not really bad as they dont really connect to many points. The adjustment to put them back on would be the most pain  but really Im sure you could do something to make them quicker to take off. 

Thank you to everyone who is sharing their parts lists and experiences, especially Robert and bscrive who took the time to detail everything so well.

At this point I am convinced, I just need to get "the missus" on board with it. I mean, it's not like it's a rocket on 2 wheels.... (cough)

 

Robert, I love that night shot on the over pass.   

My thoughts, I loved loved loved the Corbin, best single seat of any bike I have owned. 

Thanks

Wasn't sure how it was going to come out. Glad I did it though it happens to be one of my favorites also. Hope you have been well.

[enroute1]

They say a pic is worth a thousand words so if you look at the pic you can tell what I have done and how it all came together.





The finer details
Corbin seat with back rest
Corbin bags
So cal cowl lights
Honda OEM windshield
Hand grips
Honda OEM Side cover chrome
Honda OEM pivot cover chrome
Michelin tires
Honda OEM carrier and arms
Chrome valve covers
Iridium plugs
chrome front timing chain cover
Radiantz tail light
Stainless lower engine cover or pan
K&N air filter gave me 20hp increase  

Many Wing parts will fit our Valk its just knowing what. The lower pan was from a Wing and they said it would not fit but it does. Handgrips not made for our bikes the cowl lights aren't either it just takes knowing.

To be honest I had a 1500 Valk and I put on so many parts. I did not want to go that route again so its a welcome thought that these bikes really dont need that much to make them fit and personalize. I also love the ease of care and do not shy away from riding in the rain like I did with the 1500.

When I bought the bike I ordered a seat, bags and windshield all must haves at least to me to make the bike a regular runner.

Hey Robert, you say the K&N filter gave you 20 more HP.
Did you Dyno before and after or is it by the seat of the pants..
Bike looks great! love the color..
Thanks..