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Robert
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« on: May 02, 2020, 06:44:13 PM » |
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Well was cleaning the garage today and took the bike out first. I just looked at it sitting in the sun the paint reflecting and the colors blending in together, I thought what a beautiful bike, it makes you stop and admire it almost like a beautiful women, its that pause to look that takes you out of the moment of place and time and you just sigh. Like the scent of perfume as a woman walks by and everything inside of you changes for a moment. Last week I rode it to work a few times and I enjoy every minute on her. She starts easy and quick, rides like a dream, looks cool, handles well and with confidence just a great bike. Today if I wanted to, I would have no qualms about getting on her and doing a 3k mile trip. The weakest link would not be the bike I can tell you that. I have ridden less lately but last week got out for a good ride, there is nothing like being on the road on your motorcycle and when the bike feels right riding it it almost magical. Its like the world changes around you and you notice things you would never have before. The beauty, the sounds, the people, the scenery its all just different on a bike. I cannot imagine having a bike sit and then one good day deciding to ride go out and start the bike or maybe not start and having to work on it to go for a ride, I would get rid of it in a heartbeat. This bike just starts and is consistent and runs just like the last time you rode it. Its not like when you start a piece of machinery or car or bike for the first time after awhile and it runs different till it gets going. It just starts and hums to life, no second guessing if there is something wrong just start and go. It fits, it makes you feel like everything is ok, or like in the Matrix when the Oracle said to Neo, "dont worry you'll feel right as rain". Thats how this bike feels, takes 2 seconds to get back into the sweet spot, just like your favorite pair of jeans. You slip them on they just feel right. I liked my 1500 it is a great bike but this bike is exactly what I wanted. I knew I was going to have a time when I didn't ride 20k a year on average and would put the bike in the garage and let it sit. This 1800 fits the bill as a bike that can do that. From the best alternator in the business to the great battery fuel injection and low maintenance it has not let me down. Heck to sit it doesn't cost me a dime and when I want to hop on and go for a ride its there. I looked at the throttle and brake handles along with the wrap I put on the grips, as I finished cleaning the garage and touched it and thought man that feels good. Picked her up off the stand and wheeled her into the garage and it was as if I had just looked at the most expensive piece of artwork or watched that girl walking by. It was more than just a look, it reminded me of the rides we took and the fun and all the great things we had done together. It made those emotions come back and somehow I had that emotional attachment to the rides. Everyone is different and has different things that they enjoy, I have always loved machinery, I dont know why, but to see machinery in this form with those curves is almost sinful. The experiences you can have on a bike you enjoy and know and ride alot is unlike any other.  |
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« Last Edit: May 02, 2020, 06:46:28 PM by Robert »
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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st2sam
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« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2020, 06:35:14 PM » |
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Thanks for posting Robert, you took the words out of my mouth. It's just a great motorcycle - period! When I'm not riding her she's on the tender, always. You are correct, the alternator looks like it came off an Accord. You sure do keep your bike in tip-top condition.  I did a 300mi. ride yesterday on all types of roads, I was a little sore as it was the first long ride since the riding weather improved. She didn't even break a sweat. (she never does) Dirt roads, no problem.  My two friends who joined me on yesterdays ride.  |
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allhans4
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« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2020, 06:12:57 AM » |
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Yes! |
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2014 Honda Valkyrie
Blue Metallic
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Robert
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« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2020, 06:51:33 PM » |
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Thanks for posting Robert, you took the words out of my mouth. It's just a great motorcycle - period! When I'm not riding her she's on the tender, always. You are correct, the alternator looks like it came off an Accord. You sure do keep your bike in tip-top condition. I did a 300mi. ride yesterday on all types of roads, I was a little sore as it was the first long ride since the riding weather improved. She didn't even break a sweat. (she never does) Dirt roads, no problem. My two friends who joined me on yesterdays ride. Looks like a great ride and I noticed a BMW next to yours. A good bike but to many bells and whistles to go wrong that to me personally are not worth having to take your bike to BMW if there is a problem. I was considering a 1600 tour model but the price and the techno stuff put me off, considering I am perfectly happy with my Valk. Parts are cheaper they make it so you can repair it yourself. Proven reliability and no slouch on performance or cornering. |
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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Robert
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« Reply #5 on: May 05, 2020, 01:29:12 PM » |
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Fyi The BMW needs a 16k scanner to do most of the work on it and if you have a problem and the check engine light comes on or the windshield, brakes or any other system fails your SOL without the scanner. Our bikes have a self diagnosis and of course no electrical extras unless we put them on. Not to mention you have to get the BMW snob look   |
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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st2sam
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« Reply #6 on: May 05, 2020, 07:06:02 PM » |
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Fyi The BMW needs a 16k scanner to do most of the work on it and if you have a problem and the check engine light comes on or the windshield, brakes or any other system fails your SOL without the scanner. Our bikes have a self diagnosis and of course no electrical extras unless we put them on. Not to mention you have to get the BMW snob look You are 100% correct Robert. My pictured friend who rides the 1600 bought the (a) scanner and he does all his own work. He is a excellent mechanic. I will buy a new Goldwing, not the tour model, over the 1600 BMW when the time comes. I rode the BMW pictured, it's 30lbs. lighter than the Valk, but feels 60lbs. heavier. It carries it's weight much higher. Plus I'm not sure I can look snobbish, no matter how hard I tried.  How cool would it be if Honda made a New Improved Valk, with the new motor, trans., and suspension off the new Wing.  |
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« Last Edit: May 06, 2020, 06:44:08 AM by st2sam »
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Robert
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« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2020, 03:51:07 PM » |
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How cool would it be if Honda made a New Improved Valk, with the new motor, trans., and suspension off the new Wing. The only thing I think I would like is the sequential transmission, maybe they will. But the price may be way out of the ball park, but really our bikes were 18k when new full boat. |
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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Adirondack Bill
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« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2020, 08:26:35 PM » |
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Robert, regarding your initial post: you have such a way with words. You should be a writer for a motorcycle magazine!
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st2sam
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« Reply #9 on: May 22, 2020, 01:01:32 PM » |
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Yep-per. Gotta agree. Again.   Passed 40,000mi. on this ride and it's running like a bear.  |
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« Last Edit: May 23, 2020, 06:01:36 AM by st2sam »
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barney fife
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« Reply #10 on: May 24, 2020, 05:16:30 AM » |
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Robert, nice. Had about 60 bikes in my life and nothing is better on long trips, although my old FJ1200 was pretty sweet.
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21 Tenere 700
18 CB1000R Neo Cafe
16 Super Tenere
16 R3 Endurance Race Bike
14 Valkyrie
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Bighead
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« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2020, 03:43:27 PM » |
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Well you know what our friend Joe May sez. If you get off your bike and walk away without looking back you bought the wrong motorcycle. Truer words have never been spoken.  |
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« Last Edit: May 25, 2020, 06:26:51 PM by Bighead »
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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Robert
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« Reply #13 on: May 26, 2020, 03:54:17 PM » |
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That is some beautiful countryside there and some really, really great shots. I can almost smell the air and feel the cool breeze. Thanks for keeping me and the board updated. |
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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Safety Steve
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« Reply #14 on: May 31, 2020, 09:34:33 AM » |
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st2sam, what kind of windshield is that on your bike???
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_Sheffjs_
Member
Posts: 5613
Jerry & Sherry Sheffer
Sarasota FL
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« Reply #15 on: May 31, 2020, 02:57:38 PM » |
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I will have one again one day. Now that Sherry is riding a CTX 700 we have a different game. I can now say that the 1800 c to me is the best handling of all the 1800s. I like the new wing but I am not a fairing man. I loved the simplicity of the Valk as the new wing is a gizmo gadget and I don’t use many of the features, I tried them but why? Maybe I goofed. I might should have picked up a 1st or 2nd gen geezer glide wing used for the two up times and another 1800 Valk for solo electric. Oh well.
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st2sam
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« Reply #16 on: May 31, 2020, 05:45:14 PM » |
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st2sam, what kind of windshield is that on your bike???
Steve, it's the old stock shield I had from my 2009 Kawasaki C14, the bike I traded for my Valk. I cut to fit, drilled holes for brackets, it works very good. You know what they say, "Sometimes even a blind squirrel gets a nut."  |
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« Last Edit: May 31, 2020, 05:46:57 PM by st2sam »
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Robert
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« Reply #17 on: May 31, 2020, 07:01:25 PM » |
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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Robert
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« Reply #18 on: May 31, 2020, 07:03:18 PM » |
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I will have one again one day. Now that Sherry is riding a CTX 700 we have a different game. I can now say that the 1800 c to me is the best handling of all the 1800s. I like the new wing but I am not a fairing man. I loved the simplicity of the Valk as the new wing is a gizmo gadget and I don’t use many of the features, I tried them but why? Maybe I goofed. I might should have picked up a 1st or 2nd gen geezer glide wing used for the two up times and another 1800 Valk for solo electric. Oh well.
I NEVER would have thought you would say this. Your old School personified. |
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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_Sheffjs_
Member
Posts: 5613
Jerry & Sherry Sheffer
Sarasota FL
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« Reply #19 on: June 03, 2020, 03:12:21 PM » |
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I will have one again one day. Now that Sherry is riding a CTX 700 we have a different game. I can now say that the 1800 c to me is the best handling of all the 1800s. I like the new wing but I am not a fairing man. I loved the simplicity of the Valk as the new wing is a gizmo gadget and I don’t use many of the features, I tried them but why? Maybe I goofed. I might should have picked up a 1st or 2nd gen geezer glide wing used for the two up times and another 1800 Valk for solo electric. Oh well.
I NEVER would have thought you would say this. Your old School personified. I loved the bike, it just did not work well two up and the stuff. I even love the handle bars stock as it fit me perfect. The cool part of this is at some point the prices will be to easy not to grab one, it will have one thing added just one......... Corbin seat! |
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Robert
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« Reply #20 on: June 04, 2020, 02:36:10 PM » |
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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