Thinking About Coming Back

[Chattanooga Mark]

I had a beautiful 2000 blue and silver Interstate I sold a couple years back. It was the right bike at the wrong time if that makes any sense. It was mint condition and I added the factory CB, pod driving lights and the  Hondaline windshield and fairing air deflectors. Well, here I am a couple of years later and my wife is ready to ride again. So I'm thinking of either a used Gold Wing or another Interstate.

How do you compare the Gold Wing (1800) to the Interstate?

Thank You,

Mark
   

[PAVALKER]

You need to go take one for a ride.  You already know what the Valk IS was like (I'm sure you didn't forget that). When you test ride a Goldwing you can make up your own mind.... after all, it is your money and decision.   Its similar, but different..... I like the Wings... but I don't think I am of age yet....   

[eric in md]

there was a nice looking blue and silver i/s for sale in daytona @ the honda shop...

[hubcapsc]

Goldwings are probably one of the best bikes out there... I went and sat on in one
sometime back... I like my Valkyrie...

-Mike

[Mountainman]

As an old fart with a 'Valk' and a 'Wing', all I can say is both are a good ride the 'Wing', smooth and quiet and almost invisable where the 'Valk', gets all the looks and is noticed by all, ... always.   

[T-Bird]

As an old fart with a 'Valk' and a 'Wing', all I can say is both are a good ride the 'Wing', smooth and quiet and almost invisable where the 'Valk', gets all the looks and is noticed by all, ... always.   

I agree Mountainman....I ride with a lot of Harley guys and it makes them mad because everyone comments on the Valkyrie.... ( they always want me to ride my HD )

[Chattanooga Mark]

Eric in md,

     Do you have a link to the blue/silver IS in Daytona?

Thank You,

Mark
PS - at 49 and 59, I think we pass the Gold Wing age requirement. 

[big turkey]

It does not matter what you ride as long as you ride it with pride.

Do what makes you happy.

Sometimes I am happy just to go riding and does not matter what I ride.

And darn sure don't care what another person rides.

So there again you seemed to jump on that Blue Valkyrie link in a hurry.

I believe I know which way you are headed.

Big AL

[Kaz]

They are two very different bikes but the only way you'll know for yourself is to ride them.  I had an 1800 Wing and it was nice but I liked the Valkyrie Interstate better.  Maybe it's just me but the Valk kinda spoke to me when I first got on it and I didn't feel that with the Wing.

[Chattanooga Mark]

In addition to the Valkyrie, I've been mostly riding Moto Guzzi's for 35+ years. At 49 1/2, I guess I qualify for the not caring what anyone else thinks of my bike category. But I do value the insight on this forum and know a lot of you have experience on the Gold Wings as well as your Valkyries. My current bike is a 2000 Moto Guzzi Bassa, beautiful in silver and blue. It's an awesome motorcycle but not well suited for much two up riding IMHO.

I really like the ST1300 and have wanted one for a while. But my wife is looking for something more comfortable. At this point I like the Victory Cross Country, Victory Vision, Honda Valkyrie Interstate and Honda Gold Wing. The Victories are a bit out of my financial reach as is a new Gold Wing. An older Gold Wing, maybe 2002 to 2006 or an Interstate is more realistic.

All the best,

Mark
 

[MP]

Go for the I/S, Mark.  Their prices are good.  I have a std and a I/S.  If you want attention besides a great riding bike, that Valkyrie will get it for you!

Pi***es off all the GW and HD people I ride with, because whenever we park, all the people come and look at my Valkyrie!

They are a GREAT bike!

MP

[thomas]

Mark
      I had a 99 I/S for two years and traded it for a 1800 Wing. I like the I/S , but the wing was more for me.  The Valkyrie is the Corvett, The Wing is the Calliac. But you need to ride both of them and make the decision.
                                                 thomas

[Chattanooga Mark]

I found an Interstate tonight I will likely not pass up. Anyone have an OEM CB you're looking to sell? That's likely next on my want list. 

Mark

[MP]

Congrats!  Please post pics when you get it!

MP

[tybme]

Check craiglook - there is a guy selling a cb in Texas

[Chattanooga Mark]

If all goes as planned I should be riding her home this Friday. She, is a beautiful Valkyrie Interstate. Many more details to come once the deal is actually complete. My wife and I sat on a Valkyrie Interstate and an 1800 Gold Wing as they were next to each other at the shop. She liked the comfort of the GW better, much as I knew she would. But she also said if we can reduce the rearward lean angle of the Interstate passenger backrest, all will be well Valksville.

I'm really stoked,

Mark

[highcountry]

Congrats on the I/S, Mark!  Please post photos when you get your baby home.

[Big IV]

I understand the right bike at the wrong time comment. Makes sense.

18 Wing to a Valk State...they don't compare. 

I was trying to get on the bike the other day to leave work and a fellow walked up admiring the Valk. He loved it. He had the 18o0 Wing. I said causally I didn't need that much tupperware since my wife and I can take a week long trip on my tourer so I have all that I need. He looked at my bags and said, "Where do you put the stuff?"  On the back, I stuff the bags and strap down a bag on the luggage rack. He said, "Wow, I wish I'd realized it could hold that much."  I'm going to think he means he'd rather have a Valk. He might not have, but that's definitely what I heard.

Happy shopping.

[Dougger]

I have had 2 GW's and now I have an I/S. Diamond Seat makes a wonderful seat that makes a wonderful ride than much more wonderful.
I like the seat.

[Chattanooga Mark]

I brought the 1999 Green Interstate home tonight. It was the one on eBay last week in Green Bay Wisconsin that didn't make the reserve price. It's the real deal in that it only had 6500 miles on it and is mostly stock. The only Hondaline accessories are the bag chrome rail, trunk top rack and the front fender chrome rail. I'll be adding a few things as I find them available at reasonable prices. Last March at 6068, miles the previous owner did have a lot of work done. Two new tires (Dunlop E3), oil, oil filter, coolant flush, brake flush, clutch flush, spark plugs, pivot points greased etc. etc. etc. The bill came to $1,086.35 from Team Motorsports DePere, WI. Seems like it should be good to go a while.

Tonight's ride from Green Bay to West Chicago was great. I put the EdSets speakers back in my helmet last night so I could enjoy the radio. I did forget that the Valkyrie seems it could use a 6th gear though. But cruising at 70mph/3000rpm could be an endless endeavor. A few short bursts up to 80 and 90 were as expected, effortless and ultra smooth. 

The only nit I found is the front end seems to want to wobble at times. if I take my hands of the bars while coasting to a stop from around 50mph for instance. Nothing violent but I don't remember my 2000 Interstate doing that. Maybe the steering head or swing arm bearings need attention and/or I need to check the tire air pressure. He said both tires were at 33psi but I'll verify that tomorrow.

This is going to be fun,

Mark

[Jess Tolbirt]

run the pressure up to 41
my 94 wing did that with the elite 3's,,, i went to another brand when those wore out and the wobble went away...

[Chattanooga Mark]

Really? From 33 to 41 psi in the front tire? I'll try it as soon as I can.

Thank You,

Mark

[wiggydotcom]

Many, many riders actually run about 42 front and about 46 rear. I remember RJ posting he runs about 50 rear psi. You'll get longer life and less cupping by increasing the pressures from what you stated.

Really? From 33 to 41 psi in the front tire? I'll try it as soon as I can.

Thank You,

Mark

[MP]

1st thing, up those tire pressures to 40-43#.  Sounds like a great bike.  Hope to see you at one of the get togethers this summer.

MP