Hi from Wales, GB

[Knapdog]

Hi everyone. As of yesterday afternoon, I'm the proud owner of a '98 Jade Green/Black Tourer. It's only done 12,000 miles and I must say is immaculate.
I haven't had a cruiser for a few years since I had my XV1100 Virago and it's good to be back.
I sat on a standard Valkyrie nearby just to suss out the seating position as I don't like to find footpegs in the way when I put my feet down and don't like wide seats that spray my legs out. The seating was perfect.
My Tourer is an American import, two years ago, and started life in Douglasville, Georgia on 19th December 1998 with the first owner being Colleen Baldwin. (I have checked with admin that it's OK to mention the name). If anyone remembers the bike and can give me a bit of history on it , that would be brilliant. It has most certainly been very well cared for. I purchased it from a family dealership in Darlington, which is about 300 miles away, without actually seeing it but I just knew they were a genuine set up and the photos didn't lie.
It came with the original tool kit, newish tyres, a service including shaft drive splines greased, clutch and brake fluid changed, a mot, and delivery included in the price. There is also a hefty bill showing the carbs were cleaned and synced about three years ago.
Due to its age, back in February it had new timing belts and tensioner springs fitted
I've taken two shortish rides on it just to come to terms with its size. You certainly need to make sure it's upright at all times when coming to a stop, like most bikes, but you know the weight is there. I've just bought a couple of pannier protection guard rails just in case the worst happens and it topples over
The throaty, burbling engine is a joy and actually quieter than I expected. Bags of torque.
Ideally I'd have the screen just an inch or two shorter as it's just above my eyeline.
Haven't been far enough yet to comment on seat comfort though I have changed the Rear shock setting from 5 to 2 as I found it a bit stiff.
I've got the Cobra tyres 40 psi front and rear due to some of your recommendations.
Don't know if I'm doing the right thing but my intention is to turn off the petcock at the end of a ride. Tell me if there's no need.
I'm interested to see what my mpg will be and I'll let you know.  At the age of seventy my wheelie days are over!
Most of the routine tasks on the bike seem to have been done. Let me know if there is anything else I should be checking.
Thanks for having me.

[carolinarider09]

Welcome from South Carolina..

[Chrisj CMA]

Welcome from Florida. It’s certainly not a bad idea to turn off the fuel valve at the end of the day. Although in a perfect world (no malfunction) your petcock is vacuum controlled so it wouldn’t need to be turned off unless that vacuum function stops working right which does happen.

[vanagon40]

. . . .  At the age of seventy my wheelie days are over! . . .

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the club. I'm not sure if you just raised or lowered the average age of the forum members.

[Jess from VA]

Welcome from Virginia Barry. 

Turn the petcock off, every time (the drill is to reach down and turn the key off on one side, and petcock off on the other side.  Like muscle memory.)  Switching the petcock from off to run to reserve you feel for a very small detent click, and you know it's right.  Not a bad idea to run a little fuel line cleaner in the gas tank from time to time.

Don't know if you need the choke/enrichener to get started, but note the lever pulls cables and once you get resistance, thumb it down hard another quarter inch in movement (it's not on at all until that last movement).  Don't forget and leave it on all day.

On the windshield, they can be cut down (with care), but the better solution is to diddle the mounts to try and get it tipped back on top a little, so it is more fairing-like and aerodynamic.  And you may get it just the right height this way with no cutting.   

Oh, and don't forget to ride on the wrong side of the road.   

[f6gal]

Congrats and welcome to the sandbox!!  If you need any tech help, make sure to head over to the Tech Board!

[old2soon]

       Welcome from Redneck Country here in Southern Missouri U S of A!  And Please Believe me I'm 76 and Wheelis are Still possible and More Importantly-STILL FUN fer me anywho!  Course here across the pond myself and Many others here have a car tire fitted to the rear wheel. Quite happy with the Overall Performance of such a change!  At 6' 2" in height I found that a 1" riser over stock put the handle bars at optimum height for me AND even better-stock cables and hoses needed NO/NONE/NADA/ZERO modification! Again WELCOME Enjoy the New To you Ride!  RIDE SAFE.

[steveB (VRCC UK)]

Wales has  a few Valk owners - hit our Facebook page Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club UK to talk to us. I'm in Abergavenny drop by for a cuppa (bring some biscuits). Bob's in the Rhonda, Tony 'n Leita have 3 Valks between em in LLandeilo, Petes in Barry, Graham and Rose in Talgarth with an Interstate and if you fancy a weekend away Mikey and Les run a nice hotel in Llandudno. That's not counting English, Scots snd Irish members and of course a huge Euro membership. Welcome to the best bike club on the planet (probably)

[Oss]

welcome from New York

You made a great decision to buy that motorcycle

[Farside]

 Welcome to the VRCC. Congrats on your low mileage Valkyrie,  love the color you got too. Getting back on the Cruiser bike you picked the right one.  Be safe

[Madmike]

Hi from western Canada.