What is wrong with me???

[Flrider]

Wheels spin, spin, spin 

Soooo......... kinda cool to see how times change and with it our needs and taste of 2 wheels.

This past Saturday was a day I really enjoyed with everything that lined up just right, great weather, wind on two wheels and with the cherry on top being a visit with like minded men and women that I now consider my friends.

I did notice that out of 15 bikes at least 8 of them were non-valks, some newer technology and/or second bikes that compliment a stable that holds at least one or more Valks, not passing judgement here just saying.
Can't lie and say that I have not been intrigued by the new tech like the new Wing Wing or the likes of a quick and nimble sport tourer that will carve the NC twisties BUT every time I ride either one of the three fine looking phat sisters I absolutely love the feel and ride of the Valk so my mind settles back down.


My thinking on getting another two wheel therapeutic machine would be that it has to have a fine balance of performance, tech, looks and a little of make sense all in one 
On top of that, the age factor also comes into play as I turned 51 this year and sometimes I think that if I am going for something fast, quick and nimble that I should do it while I can still handle it, either way I do not see myself totally moving away from the Valk world, I would at least keep one Valk if it ever comes to taking the plunge.

Soooo....... what are your thoughts guys and gals

[_Sheffjs_]

Well I am convinced there will never be a bike that tops the Legacy Valks in the stunning beauty department, so on my second of two attempts I have let go of that aspect with the new Wing, but I just reinstalled the solo seat bar on the 1998 and gave her a nice glance and said goodnight. So yes keep one 1520 is the first thought. Number two you know there are many in the group to get some insight from and after seeing and talking to Doug Saturday I feel he along with Nick and Steve have had their hands on many sport tourers. I have offered you the wing to try for an extend period of time and that offer stands, heck run over and pick it up and take it out and bring it back in 10 days. There is no better way to judge than having a go with a good amount of time in the saddle.  Hurry before the Corbin comes so you get the stock seat feel.

The new wing leaves me with one gripe - the saddle bags opening from the side and small, Yuck!   The rest is pure joy, so I will get over it.  

[hubcapsc]

I love my 1800 Valkyrie, I gravitate towards it for long
Rides. But if I had to have only one bike, it would be the
1500...

-Mike

[_Sheffjs_]

The agility and ease of the new is mind blowing, DCT heck yea!   I’m sure we will see more and more bikes with DCT.

[Bronxboy]

Ok well I guess I fit this description well. I have had 4 Valks as well, and other bikes in between, and I say that the Valk is my Prom Date, and the others a one night stand  

There are no other machines out there that have the allure and coolness of the beloved Valk. I had the opportunity to own a F6B for a few months and over 4K miles, and I have to say, it was the finest riding machine I have ridden to date.

Some of u know the story about why I had to get rid of it. It started to Ghost Shift on me and I was not going to get stuck with an awesome paperweight, so she is sadly gone. Fast forward to now and I am back on a 2015 FJR which I have owned before but it was a 04 and always loved it.

The FJR is the Valk of the Sport Tourers in my opinion. There are others that are just as nice, but I like the FJR more. They set these bikes up ready to Tour, no need to have to ad anything but your farkels and off u go.

The nimbleness and performance are outstanding. The cruise control and linked ABS brakes are amazing...Geeze when I ride the Valk now I have to put a lot of pressure on both brakes and drag my feet to get it stop  

All kidding aside we know we love our Valks, it's a bike to be proud to own, everyone loves them, they are like no other, but u can pick one up for $2500   I will never get that.

I know that Jack is looking for a bike for the twisties and I have to say this bike will Tour u up there and run the dragon faster than us old guys should. I will more than likely go the DCT route down the road, but for now, the Valk & FJR will fill my appetite for this way of life we love soooo much !!

[_Sheffjs_]

"the Valk is my Prom Date, and the others a one night stand"


Very well put Nick  

[Steel cowboy]

Nick I love your analogies
I agree with what Jack, Jerry and Nick, have said, there is nothing like a Valkyrie. As far as performance I am content with what my interstate gives me. True the newer bikes with DCT, cruise control, fuel injection and superior electronics are a magnet to us riders, they are on a much higher level, than my Valk.
 I too have thought about upgrading, but I can’t let go of the fact my bike gives me all that I want. One fact that I look at, I can do a lot of my own work and maintenance which I enjoy. I can rip into the bike and put it all back together.We rode up to the 75 Chrome Shop on Saturday and jumped on 75 on our trip back home, 75 to 80 mph all the way to the St rd 50, No issues.
And like Jack stated our group is evolving, I’m seeing Sabre’s, Suzuki’s, gold wing new and old, Harley’s, trikes and valkyries in resurrected fashion from stock to custom. Let us also recognize the younger riders sharing some wind on our rides. We may have started as Valkyrie riders but our group has been evolving to more of a motorcycle enthusiast group.
I’m all for New technologies coming our way, so what’s next for our group an electric bike, alternate fuels, hybrid or a self stabilizing bike using Segway technology.
Like the saying goes, “It’s not what you ride, it’s the ride that maters”
Just my thoughts too.

[OLDFRT]

I love my Harley, for what she is, but I will give her up before I give up the Valk. I am really happy with the Valk's Classic looks (with my custom ideas) and the awesome performance. As long as I am still able to handle 2 wheels, the Valk will be the last one to go down the road.

[Pappy!]

Vmax was my fastest by far and it exceeded my capabilities on it.
BMW R1150R was a canyon carver and a straight line missile as well. Came with factory bags and a tail bag so it was fully capable of touring. Almost miss that one.
Various Hondas, Kawasaki, Triumph, Suzuki, Yamaha, etc. and at one time Lesa and I owned 3 Valkyries. Have zero desire to own a Harley.
Most have gone to different owners. The Valkyries have not.
When you sit on one and start it......you know why.

[Bronxboy]

Vmax was my fastest by far and it exceeded my capabilities on it.
BMW R1150R was a canyon carver and a straight line missile as well. Came with factory bags and a tail bag so it was fully capable of touring. Almost miss that one.
Various Hondas, Kawasaki, Triumph, Suzuki, Yamaha, etc. and at one time Lesa and I owned 3 Valkyries. Have zero desire to own a Harley.
Most have gone to different owners. The Valkyries have not.
When you sit on one and start it......you know why.

Nothing like fueling up at a Gas station and then firing up the Valk with Cobras or Glass Paks, every head turns to see WTF was that  

[Flrider]

Nothing like fueling up at a Gas station and then firing up the Valk with Cobras or Glass Paks, every head turns to see WTF was that  

Nick
I still remember when we stopped at one of the small towns on our way to Michigan and one guy parked his jeep and crossed the street to tell us that he admired the Valks and that he owned one.

The look in your face when you started to walk over to your bike and then realized that your beloved Valk was back in Florida 
I think is the only time I have seen you with no words 

I do have to say that I rode to Daytona Bike Week two years ago and I rode the Red Valk, it got attention wherever we stopped, parked in front of the Ultimate Seats trailer and Des and his son in-law came right out to look at it.
My two friends were over all the attention by the end of the day

[Flrider]

I should have been more specific when I said "newer tech", I was referring to Anti lock brakes, fuel injection 1800 and other items like adjustable windshield



Jerry
You and I have talked at length about the pros and cons of the new wing and what makes sense for us.
I do have to give you props for sticking to your guns and not wasting any time to get your new wing and sell your other bikes 
Thanks for your offer and I might just have to take you up on it 

Hubcapsc
You changed your 1800 Valk to fit your needs and likes, kudos to you
i do have to say that I rode Jerry's 1800 Valk once and then jumped on my supervalked interstate and that is when I knew why you called your 1500 "The Log Truck", I honestly felt like there was something wrong with my Valk cause it felt like it did not want to move 

Eddie
Like you say, nothing wrong with our old Valks cause they do everything right BUT we always look.
You think that things would be different if we were to actually test ride a newer bike with fuel injection, ABS and a little lighter 

Pappy
Have you ridden an 1800 wing/f6b/valk?
I would like to know that your take is on them
With as many bikes that you have owned and still keep the valk as your main bike say a lot 

Don
You also have a cool Valk in your stable, best of both worlds 




Thanks you all for your input, I feel better cause I see that I am not the only crazy one 

[Squirrel]

I am 71 and love my Valk and I’m not ready to give it up yet!  I previously had a Honda Pacific Coast (PC800) and loved it, too.  They have a cult following as well, but maybe not like the Valkyrie does.  For those of you who may not know a thing about them, check it out on the internet.  However, a newer Honda may be in my future as well.  The DCT kind of intrigues me.  Until that time, I love the attention the Valk gets wherever I go.  And I’m a laid back, quiet kind of guy that doesn’t want or need a lot of attention!   

[Bronxboy]

Nothing like fueling up at a Gas station and then firing up the Valk with Cobras or Glass Paks, every head turns to see WTF was that  

Nick
I still remember when we stopped at one of the small towns on our way to Michigan and one guy parked his jeep and crossed the street to tell us that he admired the Valks and that he owned one.

The look in your face when you started to walk over to your bike and then realized that your beloved Valk was back in Florida 
I think is the only time I have seen you with no words 

I do have to say that I rode to Daytona Bike Week two years ago and I rode the Red Valk, it got attention wherever we stopped, parked in front of the Ultimate Seats trailer and Des and his son in-law came right out to look at it.
My two friends were over all the attention by the end of the day

That was funny, I swear I have one, hear look I have a picture 

[_Sheffjs_]

Bunch of nut jobs in here.   

[OLDFRT]

Bunch of nut jobs in here.   

And I am proud to be one of them

[Avanti]

For some there is never quite enough.

http://www.gregrice.com/bike/2018bike.html

[DD]

circle of life!!!   

I'm one of the "old ones" in the group [started in 1999] and have seen many want something newer, more stuff on it, bigger, but couldn't get over giving up the valk.  Many kept at least 1 and the ones that did trade them never stopped talking about the "valk".  Some had regrets but most got over it.
This group has welcomed any bike and I always loved that.  It's was about the people before the bikes. 

I don't miss riding or that my trike is gone, but I do miss the people.  I know I'm still welcome to join in, but this board and Facebook make it OK that I don't make them anymore. But I do see some of the people from time to time.

Good Luck Jack, I'm sure you'll figure out what to do. 
Ride Safe everyone   
 

[_Sheffjs_]

Well Jack........................


You work hard, you deserve this.  


The voice in my head........


51! You are almost dead, you had better hurry up and live life.  


I’ve seen your garage, there is plenty of room. It even has an empty wheel chock.   

[Pappy!]

Hey DD.......
Turn your "Way Back" machine on and tell us what bikes were guys and gals giving up their Valks or adding to the stable with?
Wondering what the big rage was then. 

[Pappy!]

As far as the Valk goes I can tell you exactly what my attraction was and is to it as well as exactly where I was and when......the first time I ever saw one.
And back then I was not riding, I was busy in my corporate life and family life including raising a child.
It was not to be for over two decades but I knew back then, without a shadow of a doubt, that someday I would have one.
I remember getting on the national site and starting inquiries into them and mentioned I was just getting back into riding after a several decade hiatus. The answers were borderline hilarious with several guys including one of the owners of the site stating that I needed to start off with a Suzuki S40 or the little Buell before diving off into a big bad Valkyrie.
It was our very own Eddie that put up a post on the thread that said something like.....Hell ! The guy flies planes and runs drag boats, I think he can handle a Valkyrie!
Always did like that guy!  

[larue]

Nothing wrong with you jack, it's just the valkolaid addiction. It's a great classic looking machine,powerful and demands respect. You can make them your own, dress her or  undress her as you please. She's just that kinda girl. Have met great friends both in person and on the site because of her. She's a keeper indeed. Heck I started with one and now I have three , and no intention of getting rid of any of them anytime soon.

[Flrider]

For some there is never quite enough.

http://www.gregrice.com/bike/2018bike.html

Great information, thanks 

[Flrider]

circle of life!!!   

I'm one of the "old ones" in the group [started in 1999] and have seen many want something newer, more stuff on it, bigger, but couldn't get over giving up the valk.  Many kept at least 1 and the ones that did trade them never stopped talking about the "valk".  Some had regrets but most got over it.
This group has welcomed any bike and I always loved that.  It's was about the people before the bikes. 

I don't miss riding or that my trike is gone, but I do miss the people.  I know I'm still welcome to join in, but this board and Facebook make it OK that I don't make them anymore. But I do see some of the people from time to time.

Good Luck Jack, I'm sure you'll figure out what to do. 
Ride Safe everyone   
 

Thanks DD, I am glad I was able to meet you and Dirt  at least for the few times that we got to catch up.
Anyone that has a Valkyrie Ink is a serious fan and "A" ok in my book 

[Flrider]

Well Jack........................


You work hard, you deserve this.  


The voice in my head........


51! You are almost dead, you had better hurry up and live life.  


I’ve seen your garage, there is plenty of room. It even has an empty wheel chock.   

People always told me that I was mature for my age, not sure what they meant by that but maybe that is why I hit my midlife crisis at 40 

I read your post and the part of "almost dead" and started laughing..... thanks brother, I know I can always count on you 

BTW no empty chock, all 4 spaces taken, still got that other project bike that I'm not sure if I should make it another project or just parts

NOW YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN BY "WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME" 

[Flrider]

As far as the Valk goes I can tell you exactly what my attraction was and is to it as well as exactly where I was and when......the first time I ever saw one.
And back then I was not riding, I was busy in my corporate life and family life including raising a child.
It was not to be for over two decades but I knew back then, without a shadow of a doubt, that someday I would have one.
I remember getting on the national site and starting inquiries into them and mentioned I was just getting back into riding after a several decade hiatus. The answers were borderline hilarious with several guys including one of the owners of the site stating that I needed to start off with a Suzuki S40 or the little Buell before diving off into a big bad Valkyrie.
It was our very own Eddie that put up a post on the thread that said something like.....Hell ! The guy flies planes and runs drag boats, I think he can handle a Valkyrie!
Always did like that guy!  

I guess that with as many bikes that you have and have had in the past if you still stick with the original Valkyrie, that should tell me something

Nothing wrong with you jack, it's just the valkolaid addiction. It's a great classic looking machine,powerful and demands respect. You can make them your own, dress her or  undress her as you please. She's just that kinda girl. Have met great friends both in person and on the site because of her. She's a keeper indeed. Heck I started with one and now I have three , and no intention of getting rid of any of them anytime soon.

Larue, If I ever want to get away from the Valk world............. you are the one I will never ask 

[Flrider]

Bunch of nut jobs in here.   

And I am proud to be one of them

Hey Don, there is another handle and custom lic. plate  "NUT JOB" 

[OLDFRT]

Hey Don, there is another handle and custom lic. plate  "NUT JOB" 
[/quote]


ROTFLMAO