Time for a change? Probably not ......

[Knapdog]

Be honest, now and again we consider other bikes, either because we think another bike is going to be better in some ways or just because we want a change.
Well I wouldn't consider Harley Davidson for starters. As I read somewhere they're " yesterday's bikes at tomorrow's prices".
In this part of the world, the Harley Davidson dealership has closed down.
So, what about the Indian Springfield? There's a franchise 20 miles away.
It's meant to be a very good bike indeed and in many areas is better than a Road King. I've considered one but today I found out that a lot of the "chromed" parts such as strips on the fender,  mirrors and casing on top of the tank are plastic with some owners having items replaced after only 3k miles. I'm amazed.
Apart from the alternator cover (they bubble as well) and one or two other minor areas, our Valks have proper old school chrome as it should be.
Time after time I read on different forums of previous Valkyrie owners changing to different makes and saying it was the worst mistake they ever made. I've seen it first hand where a Harley rider came over to me shaking his head and regretting it.
Now fuel injection would be very nice, almost a luxury. In comparison, my Valkyrie is dependent on me. It needs me to get its carbs set up correctly to perform properly but I quite like that. The more you have to do to get the bike running properly, the closer you become to it.
I've been communicating with someone regarding this Springfield 60 miles away. The bike is five years old, low mileage and mint, but my heart isn't in it. If it was offered to me at a price I really, really couldn't refuse then I'd perhaps go for it but I just know I'd regret selling the Valkyrie.
Many of you must feel the same.

[Jess from VA]

It's unlikely but conceivable I might get another bike.  (Like a street legal dual sport)

But my Valkyries aren't going anywhere.

[Gondul]

Very few 'new' bikes I'm interested in... the HD and sister clone markets aren't even in consideration.

[Jims99]

At the moment I have a few valkyries and a wing. The only reason I’m going to sell a valk is that I don’t have enough time to ride them all. I’ll probably end up with the wing and one Valkyrie till we move, but if another has to go, the wing is gone. Lol.

[mello dude]

I have always had different bikes at the same time for different styles... Just one bike (Valk) doesnt get it for me.

[Knapdog]

I have always had different bikes at the same time for different styles... Just one bike (Valk) doesnt get it for me.

I agree.....

[Knapdog]

I actually sat on a Springfield today.
Bringing it upright off the side stand felt about the same weight as the Valk. Mind you, there was a bit of a reach for the side stand.
I didn't like the extended reach for the gear lever and rear brake either, compared to the straightforward positions on the Valkyrie plus, I was looking through the screen. You can get a shorter screen but my very quick research was showing that they're £700 to £800. Ridiculous.
I thought to myself, who is going to pay in the region of £25,000 for a new one of these.  That was more than my first house.

[old2soon]

      da prez found an 88 G W trike he is refurbing for me. Can no longer count on my left hip and my Phatt Ghurl-99 I/S-will be going to a new home. But in some ways the G W Trike is similar to the I/S but with 4 less carbs But the similar 1520 Boxer 6. Well and the 3d wheel which means no more side stand and no more holdin her up at lights!  Main thing IS I'll be back in the wind!  RIDE SAFE.

[SPOFF]

I've ridden many of the Indians and the Springfield is the one that steers and feels a lot like a Valkyrie. I couldn't see the point since I've had a Valkyrie since 1998. (And paid for since 1999.) I actually have 4 bikes ranging from the Valk to a 125cc scooter. The Valkyrie is coming apart this spring for its 5-year preventative maintenance overhaul. I'll return it to showroom condition and decide whether to sell or keep it. Hard to part with a bike that's been around half of the 54 years I've been riding but it is getting too big fro me and my garage.

[h13man]

I'm kinda half heartedly looking at late model 2016' or newer CB1100. PTW ratio isbou at the same as the Valk, same sitting position and FI though not a preference but.... 2016 and after they have split pipe exhaust down low as the the older pre 2016' have 4 into 1. I love the Valk but I loved my 00' Kawasaki ZR7 I had before the VT1100C and Valk. My only concern is getting a aftermarket seat that is comfortable or I will have the stock one redone locally. http://www.astechseat.com/

Found a 2013 In TX for $4000 but a 2013. ABS option is/was available but again not my cup tea. Hoping to find one at a dealer for a sit.

Now if this happens the Valk and the 72' CL 100 will be leaving the stall though the CL 100 will be going regardless. Haven't shopped for different since 19' when we bought the 05' Vulcan Nomad though it was a great disappointment. I'll probably sell the Valk in stock GL1500C dress except for the windshield thus I will have some nice footwear, OEM backrest rack and stock post 99' seat pads and other chrome accessories.

[Knapdog]

Today I discovered that service intervals on the Indian Springfield are every 5,000 miles.
Don't know how prices compare with USA but our dealer would charge £250 ($315). Furthermore,  at 15,000 miles, it needs a fork oil change which, with the other ancillaries, would be £550 ($694).
When bikes like this are still fairly new, dealer stamps are important and second hand buyers like to see them.
I do everything myself on the Valkyrie and there's virtually nothing left to do but at 26 yrs old, dealership stamps in a Service book have long gone.

[Hook#3287]

Before and after (1999) I bought my first Valkyrie, no other street bike interested me enough buy.  I'm a Honda guy and not even the Rune or 2014 Valkyrie did it.

That is, until I checked out the 2018 Goldwing.

I bought one and have been very happy since.

The only other bike I considered was the previous Goldwing series, but I thought I just wasn't old enough yet.

Even though the older wing is considered a " couch cruiser " and the newest one is much more " sport bike" if the right deal came to me, I'd buy another wing.

Edit- I forgot, I did test ride a F6B once, but she was abused and I walked.

[Farside]

  I feel the same as you, I'll never get rid of my Valkyrie as long as Wood or his son are still working on them and parts are available. Heck when I retire I might work on Renegade myself. But I did want the fuel injection, comfort and looks so found a F6B - Stinger; Love it! I'm set unless I decided to get a newer Wing 20-21. 

[Knapdog]

BTW, I joined one of the Indian motorcycle forums to get people's views and explain my dilemma regarding selling the Valkyrie. I also put up a couple of pics of the Valk.
I had nine replies.
They all thought the Valkyrie looked superb and urged me to keep it, along with a Springfield. Some said it was rare to see the Honda.
The Springfield is around 100lbs heavier than the Valkyrie with a higher centre of gravity. I was concerned  with slow maneuvers and general manhandling though a modern, fuel injected bike almost did tempt me.
Two mentioned people they knew who always regretted selling their Valkyries.

I was quite taken with how helpful and friendly they were, just like our members. The BMW forum was by far the worst I've ever belonged to.

Here's the Springfield I was looking at...

[Timbo1]

That's a beautiful bike.  I've always thought Indian made some of the sexiest looking bikes ever made.  They just have an artistic flow to them.   Biggest problem with Indian is the number of times they went under or changed hands.  I talked to a Indian / Polaris dealer a few years ago and he said some model years he could get parts for some he couldn't.

Another bike I really like the looks of that is essentially a clone of an Indian is a Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter.  Pretty sure if I stumbled onto a Drifter for cheap I'd have to make room in the garage for another bike.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_Vulcan_1500_Drifter#/media/File:Kawasaki_VN_1500_Drifter_DSCF3971.jpg

[Hook#3287]

They all thought the Valkyrie looked superb and urged me to keep it, along with a Springfield.

That would be my advice.  You can always sell the Valk later.

That Indian sure is a "Looker".

The Kaw has always intrigued me. 

I remember a commercial of a Dad running some young guy off, with him scooting away on a Drifter.