1998 - 2003 Valk Standards are different?

[greggh]

I jus tgot my 98 bake on the road and met up with some friends.
We were looking at the difference from my newly polished forks to the 2003 stock.  Big Difference.
However I did notice that the 03 forks were 1 & 1/2 inches shorter and the rake was about 1 & 1/2 inches different from my 98.
Both are standards and we have been riding together for the last 4 years and jus now noticed the difference between the 2.

Was there a change in the 2003 Valk Stnd design?

Just was not sure why the 2 were so different within the front fork area.

Any one ever see this before?

Gregg

[Red Diamond]

I'll probably get some kickback from the top wrenches on this board when I say that there is a vast difference between my 2K Tourer and the 99 I/S. They seem to accelerate from a standstill differently. Then Tourer seems to have a lower 1st gear than the I/S. It revs higher and does not take off as quitely as the I/S. It certainly burns more fuel, about 145 miles to reserve, the I/S on the same 5 gallons is at 200 miles. Rode the I/S today, hit reserve at about 226 miles and refilled at 241, put in 6 gallons to the top leaning on the side stand. Maybe its just my imagination, but the Tourer is a gas guzzler, I don't think I will ever get 40 MPG out of it like I get out of the I/S. There has got to be something different about them.
     Also, the Tourer can take off very easily in 2nd gear, the I/S doesn't like to take off in 2nd.

[X Ring]

RD, The Standard/Tourers hit reserve at 4.3 gallons used and the I/S, I believe, hits reserve after using 5.9 gallons.  That's a 1.6 gallon difference.  The reason the Tourer can take off in 2nd gear and the I/S can't is due to something very obvious.  It weighs a lot less.  It doesn't have a fairing, radiator pods or a trunk.  As far as the exhaust volume,  do they both have stock exhausts or is the Tourer's more modified than the I/S?  I believe your Tourer reving higher is due to you twisting the grip like you need to on the I/S.  You reving the engine higher and taking off harder will have a detrimental effect on fuel efficiency.

Marty

[MP]

I/S's also get better mileage because the fairing and pods help reduce wind drag.  Especially at the higher speeds.

MP

[SANDMAN5]

I'll probably get some kickback from the top wrenches on this board when I say that there is a vast difference between my 2K Tourer and the 99 I/S. They seem to accelerate from a standstill differently. Then Tourer seems to have a lower 1st gear than the I/S. It revs higher and does not take off as quitely as the I/S. It certainly burns more fuel, about 145 miles to reserve, the I/S on the same 5 gallons is at 200 miles. Rode the I/S today, hit reserve at about 226 miles and refilled at 241, put in 6 gallons to the top leaning on the side stand. Maybe its just my imagination, but the Tourer is a gas guzzler, I don't think I will ever get 40 MPG out of it like I get out of the I/S. There has got to be something different about them.
     Also, the Tourer can take off very easily in 2nd gear, the I/S doesn't like to take off in 2nd.

I don't think he was talking about performance, just the fork/rake thing. I'm purty sure they should
be the same from 98-03...97 too. Were both bikes bought new? Previous owner might have done
some tinkering......or I could be wrong about them being the same. I've been wrong twice already
this year!!

[greggh]

Both Bikes we purchased used, and to my knowledge both are stock except for after market chrome.
They just seemed to be different within the fron fork setup.
the 98 is 1-1/2 is taller and raked 1-1/2 longer.

Just seems odd.
I understood that the dimensions were to be the same.

Gregg ???

[PAVALKER]

Might be internals (springs) giving the appearance of longer forks on one whereas the other is stock?  I know Progressives will give it lift and life, sorta like a Victoria's Secret Bra might work elsewhere.....        

I don't think the frame or steering stem rake is different unless modified for easy steer for a trike.  But there might be something to that.

[Trynt]

 In the bottom half of the rpm range the Interstate ICM provides a little extra ignition advance which could account for better mileage.

[Mo Lee]

I have a 97 and an 03 standard. The 97 has progressive rear shocks and the stock 03 seat and the 03 has stock rear shocks with an ultimate seat and these bikes set and handle totally different. The 97 sets higher and seems to have a higher center of gravity where the 03 sets low and balances great. Also the 03 seems to steer easier than the 97 lock to lock. After reading this thread it makes me wonder if there is a difference in the rake. I've also measured the length of the rear shocks on  both bikes and there is only 1/2 difference. Guess I need to switch the seats around and see if that makes a difference.   

[John G.]

A good way to settle the difference issue is go to a website such a www.ronayers.com that has the Honda microfiche parts list online and look the suspect part numbers up.  I think you will find the 98 and 03 standard part numbers are the same.

[greggh]

The part numbers are the same.
But there is still a noticable difference between the my 98 and his 03.
Strange!