Convince me!

[bweiner10]

Hello all,
New to the board here.  I have been riding for 10 yrs now.  1st was a shadow 1100 sabre.  Loved it, but as time went on I wanted something that performed a bit better on the road.  Next I got myself an ST1300.  WOW, what a bike.  I love it.  That bike performes like none I have ever been on.  That being said...I really really miss my cruiser.  I need something with a little noise and attitude.  Ever since I have been riding I have loved the Valkyrie.  Loved Loved Loved it!
Now, my question is, since it is not made any more, do you all who own the bikes think it would be a wise move for me to go with an older used Valk or should I stick to something fuel injected and newer? 

Sorry for blabin...Thi seems to be quite a great board. 

[Kaiser]

Wrong place to ask.  Everybody on here is biased and will tell you to go with the Valk.

So (just making sure that I do my part) go with the Valk.

[Chrisj CMA]

Very personal decision.  If the Valkyrie is right for you theres no substitute.  Once you love a bike, you dont mind that its not being made....parts seem available.  I cant in good concience tell you to not check out other current models, I would!  But now...Im stuck on my Valkyrie.  If I had gone with something else and it fit me Id be stuck on that too, so again, very personal.

What the Valkyrie does that no other bike I ever rode..........in a word.......the valkyrie does EVERYTHING.  Putt putt around town in almost any gear you want to, but then just twist the throttle (again in almost any gear) and she screams.  Twisties very easy, cruising none smoother, towing trailers effortless even 2 up up a mountain no problem.  

Negatives are that these are older now......not fuel injected, gas milage is not why you buy one......and parts may start getting harder to find.......for now, it doesnt seem too bad...you NEED a lift to work on one at home...the key is the only small part lol

[98valk]

One Valkyrie test ride will do it.

[SANDMAN5]

Wrong place to ask.  Everybody on here is biased and will tell you to go with the Valk.

So (just making sure that I do my part) go with the Valk.

Ditto!! Bought my '03 brand new knowing there wouldn't be an '04. Totalled it
in '07 and bought a '98. Could have had most anything out there, but nothing
compares to the Valk. Very reliable with reasonable maintenance. Smoother
than anything out there (love the nickle trick!!). Will still outrun most "big" bikes.
And definitely an attention getter. Just go ride one....you'll see!!

[Jabba]

I love me a valkyrie or two.

I'd LOVE a Rune too though.  If you can afford it, and you like them... I'd look there.

JMO

I just can't afford one. 

Jabba

[junior]

go with the valk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just dont put one of them silly car tires on the back 

[PAVALKER]

I have had a love affair with the Valkyrie since I first saw them.  But, I already had a bike and when I got rid of that for another one... I was leaning toward the fuel injection lots of cc's etc etc, and got a 02 VTX1800Retro.  Since then, I still wanted a Valkyrie.... and finally got one, a 1999 Valk I/S.  Now with 2 in the stable, if I had to get rid of one..... the Valk would be my keeper, even tho it's older with carburetors.   That about sums it up....

[JimL]

I'm trying to convince everyone to ride something other than a Valkyrie.  If too many people start wanting an out of production bike....that will make buying them just that much more expensive for us fanatics!

[Jabba]

I'm trying to convince everyone to ride something other than a Valkyrie.  If too many people start wanting an out of production bike....that will make buying them just that much more expensive for us fanatics!

It'll also make the ones we already own worth that much more.

Besides... they last forever. 

Jabba

[big turkey]

you should never ask the question should I buy a Valkyrie on this board.

What do you expect to hear.

Of Course you should, it was Cruiser of the decade in the 90's and is still as far as I am concerned.

Fuel Injection come on, these carbs are some of the best ever built.

 A little cold natured but once warmed , it's like an electric motor.

Try this.

Pull out and get it warmed up, put it in 5th gear and running 20 mph or higher and roll the throttle on

wide open I mean

it will not spit cough buck or heave it will just go.

No other bike I have ridden even comes close to this kind of performance.

Nickel Test.

Honda Valkyrie Nickel Test	powered by Aeva

crazy motorcycle vid, stunts, crashes, good music and hard riding	powered by Aeva

Big Al

[big turkey]

And Welcomme to the VRCC web site.

Saw it was your 1st post and all.

Come back often and have some fun with the rest of the normal people here and me.

Here's to you purcahse of a fine used Valkyrie and coming to all the events and rides offered

here by some of the best people on two wheels and Three Wheels.

Big Al

[Willow]

Wrong place to ask.  Everybody on here is biased and will tell you to go with the Valk. 

Not so.  My perspective is that if you need to be convinced, don't go with a Valk.  There are too many of us that want Valks and there are too few available to waste any on the less-than-fanatical.

You'll find it a definite disappointment after your ST1300.  Buy yourself a Harley or Yamaha cruiser if you must, but leave the Valkyries for the rest of us. 

 

[Cliff]

Wrong place to ask.  Everybody on here is biased and will tell you to go with the Valk. 

Not so.  My perspective is that if you need to be convinced, don't go with a Valk.  There are too many of us that want Valks and there are too few available to waste any on the less-than-fanatical.

You'll find it a definite disappointment after your ST1300.  Buy yourself a Harley or Yamaha cruiser if you must, but leave the Valkyries for the rest of us. 

 

I agree,, as soon as I can put the funds together I'm shopping for a standard and don't need more shopping competition!

[solo1]

In 1996 I traded my ST 1100 in on a Valkyrie standard.  I was very disapointed.  Yes I was very disapointed with the gas mileage.  50 mpg on the ST, 32 on the Valk.

The Valk more than made up for it. It was the only bike that I've ever had that would go from 15mph in fifth to whatever, two up, and with no stutter, no nuttin'.

Smooth, fast, great handling, attracts crowds, best all around motorcycle that I ever had.  Easy to do maintenance, no tupperwear to remove to change oil, etc.  

However, if you buy for fuel mileage, look somewhere else. The only way that I got good gas mileage was to keep it under fifty, no throttle banging.  Who rides a motorcycle like that?

 

[Mildew]

Best bike I had. It's nearly maintainance free unless you have an obsesive compulsive disorder and like to adjust valves that never need adjusting lol

[Mickey Runie]

Hey, watch it there, Willow.        Try not to lump Yamaha into the same sentence as HD, will ya?      I still maintain a really nice original 1985 Yamaha Vmax and love it too.


I went with the a newer 04 Valkyrie Rune with fuel injection.   Fuel inj bikes will, at times, have their little quirks too.   1832cc of pure smooth power.  Now that's what I call fun riding.  

[..]

Hello all,
New to the board here.  I have been riding for 10 yrs now.  1st was a shadow 1100 sabre.  Loved it, but as time went on I wanted something that performed a bit better on the road.  Next I got myself an ST1300.  WOW, what a bike.  I love it.  That bike performes like none I have ever been on.  That being said...I really really miss my cruiser.  I need something with a little noise and attitude.  Ever since I have been riding I have loved the Valkyrie.  Loved Loved Loved it!
Now, my question is, since it is not made any more, do you all who own the bikes think it would be a wise move for me to go with an older used Valk or should I stick to something fuel injected and newer? 

Sorry for blabin...Thi seems to be quite a great board. 

If you're keeping the ST then buy a Valkyrie. It's a great cruiser. If I had the $$$ to have one in my garage along with my ST I'd have another in a heartbeat

[Willow]

Hey, watch it there, Willow.        Try not to lump Yamaha into the same sentence as HD, will ya?      

Sorry, Mick.  I should've said Roadstar (Notice how I used "'ve" rather than placing "of" where it doesn't belong?    ).

I forgot about the VMax.  I really don't consider the VMax to be a cruiser.    

 

[Mickey Runie]

Hey, watch it there, Willow.        Try not to lump Yamaha into the same sentence as HD, will ya?      

Sorry, Mick.  I should've said Roadstar (Notice how I used "'ve" rather than placing "of" where it doesn't belong?    ).

I forgot about the VMax.  I really don't consider the VMax to be a cruiser.    

 

Aw, heck Willow.  Don't be sorry on my account.  I was just pulling at your leg a little bit there. 

I always said my Vmax was more of a "street brawler" than a cruiser too, but primarily, the 25,000 miles on it were accumulated while "cruising" the streets of my home town back in the day.  Me likes to go ZERO TO SIXTY rather quickly at times, and there's no better bike to do that on than a Vmax.   I used to call that "having a Max Attack".

And, for the record, back in 1984 when first I laid eyes upon a Vmax poster, I, too, thought it rather resembled Harley V-twin styling - at least when viewing it broadside.  It wasn't until a couple month's later, when Yamaha released the 1/4 mile stats, that I began falling in love with it.   I didn't experience that feeling again for over 19 years, when I first spied a Honda Rune.

[bweiner10]

Hahaha...I expected nothing more than a bunch of Valk guys (and gals) to tell me that it is the ultimate.  I already knew that!!!     I just wasn't sure if someone might have anything to warn me against.  I have been in love with them since I first saw them.  I think its a given that i will own one soon.  Just a matter of when and where!!! 

Thanks all!

[elraque]

Wrong place to ask.  Everybody on here is biased and will tell you to go with the Valk.

So (just making sure that I do my part) go with the Valk.

Amen. I doubt that anyone else here will say anything much different. 

(There is some debate, however, about which color or color combination is the fastest...)

[deadvelvet]

well thats easy fast black of course...

[Valkflyer]

  Well I see you've decided while I was writing my story, you made a good choice, I'll add my two cents just the same.

I've owned numerous bikes but nothing that has ever compared to a Valkyrie.  In 2000 my neighbor's brother purchased one.  I can remember every time he came to visit I'd find myself staring out the window across the street and lusting    Man I just couldn’t believe how beautiful that bike looked, there was nothing like it anywhere.  Unfortunately due to a family hardship I didn't have the cash to purchase one for myself at that time so about all I could do is drool..... 

We'll four year's after working myself into a passionate frenzy, that I could only compare to that which I've had for my wife for 30 years (but don't tell her   ) my neighbor shared that his brother was moving to Hawaii and needed to sell his Valk!  Holly cr...p!!!  I just about blew my wad trying to hold down my enthusiasm as I told him I might be interested but that I'd need to take it for a spin.    He graciously obliged me.

It was my first time on a Valk  and it was just like the first time I’d ever thrown my leg over a motorcycle as a youngster…. that sense of euphoria…  oh yeah there’s nothing like it!...  you know that one you get every time you ride now.  Well I’d not even gone a mile before I new I’d kill to have this machine, the power, quickness, agility, and comfort, I just couldn’t believe what I was riding, it was awesome!  This was a one of a kind bike and now not just something I could look at and admire, I could own it!

You know I could go on and on and on about this bike, which is now mine! Heck I live in the land of Harleys and BMW’s, but none of these begin to compare, call me prejudice but how can I not be…

[Pat S.]

Hello all,
New to the board here.  I have been riding for 10 yrs now.  1st was a shadow 1100 sabre.  Loved it, but as time went on I wanted something that performed a bit better on the road.  Next I got myself an ST1300.  WOW, what a bike.  I love it.  That bike performes like none I have ever been on.  That being said...I really really miss my cruiser.  I need something with a little noise and attitude.  Ever since I have been riding I have loved the Valkyrie.  Loved Loved Loved it!
Now, my question is, since it is not made any more, do you all who own the bikes think it would be a wise move for me to go with an older used Valk or should I stick to something fuel injected and newer?  

Sorry for blabin...Thi seems to be quite a great board.  

You say you want something with a little noise and attitude, I'll trade my wife for the 1300 straight up.
Hey I got another idea, come to Inzane and we can make the trade there.

[Kymbo]

well thats easy fast black of course...

once you've had black their's no going back.

[Rowdy]

  just had a stranger walk up to my bike a couple hours ago while I was at a Krogers store, he was driving by and it caught his eye  he had to have a closer look - I had to sadly tell him they don't make this bike anymore  you could see it in his eyes  he has to have a Valk 

[alph]

just had a stranger walk up to my bike a couple hours ago while I was at a Krogers store, he was driving by and it caught his eye  he had to have a closer look - I had to sadly tell him they don't make this bike anymore  you could see it in his eyes  he has to have a Valk 

Same thing happened to me last week.  Went to the store, had a guy gawking at my bike, showed him the nickel trick, and then told him it’s an 11 year old bike that’s been out of production for seven years.  Even after all that he asks if I want to sell it!!  Of course, the answer was no.

[highcountry]

Hi bweiner10, welcome aboard!  I started riding after a three decade hiatus and like you, started with a Sabre.  My right foot/ankle are partially paralyzed and I quickly found out that the rear brake pedal was in a bad place for me.  I sold it and picked up a sweet FJR1300 which I still have.  It offers a lot - superb brakes, power, handling, mileage.  But I also wanted something with attitude and the Valk fit the bill in spades.  For a huge bike: it handles great, has very good brakes, smooth strong power, and just plain looks awesome!

If you can, test ride one and made your decision.

[elraque]

You say you want something with a little noise and attitude, I'll trade my wife for the 1300 straight up.
Hey I got another idea, come to Inzane and we can make the trade there.
[/quote]

Now that's funny, right there... That's just funny!   (Hoping it's not really true, that would be sad.)   

[PhredValk]

So you want a few negatives? It's BIG! HUGE! Just about the heaviest bike on the road. If you're a small guy, ride one for a bit. I dropped my GL1100 on my foot last year, couldn't ride for two weeks. Do it on the Fat Lady be sure to jump out of the way. The first time you board one you'll think you can play ping-pong on the tank.
All that bulk and mass just melts away before you shift into second gear.  In a parking lot the Interstate feels lighter than the CB750 I took my lisence on.
I guess these aren't really negatives......hmmmm......the signals indicator on a standard or tourer is hard to see. I hate that. And you won't believe how much you have to spread yer legs to use hiway pegs. I was at a used bike parts shop last week and a guy was looking at her. "I got a Chevy 350 engine in the back of my truck...I don't think its as wide as THAT thing".
Fred.

[bludragon]

I have a 2001 Standard and I fell in love with it when I first saw a valk at a motorcycle show.
I bought one the minute the dealer got the blue and white in stock.
It is 2010 nd I love it like the day I bought it.
Came close to buying other bikes, as far as signing a contract for a 2010 Cross Country but backed out, I could not leave the valk.

If you hate spending money on gaz do not buy it. But if you love to ride long, turn heads to this very day and like a bike that sounds different then you will not find anything as fun to ride as this machine.

It will probably be the most reliable gaz powered machine you ever puchase.

WARNING
DO NOT TEST DRIVE IF YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS ABOUT THIS BIKE

[Tundra]

" I need something with a little noise and attitude.  Ever since I have been riding I have loved the Valkyrie.  Loved Loved Loved it!
Now, my question is, since it is not made any more, do you all who own the bikes think it would be a wise move for me to go with an older used Valk or should I stick to something fuel injected and newer? "
  Well, this is a fine choice for a little attitude and noise can be added very well if you like it. Your question is valid, you should be fine if you take your time and choose a well maintained clean Valkyrie. Most of the known problems would have been taken care of already by a responsible Valkyrie lover/owner. I'd try to find one that has been properly maintained, ask about the rear lubing intervals for the splines. Ask if they have inspected replaced the driveshaft/ u-joint. Make sure it starts easily without the choke and idles on it's own. A real plus would be to buy one with all the fancy mods and upgrades done already, you can and will spend thousands when you become a Valkahaulic. These are getting old, look for one with the suspension upgrades, rebuilt forks and upgraded springs, upgraded rear shocks, these things are expensive and most of us have already gone through all this, find a good one and spare yourself the expense.
You won't regret a Valkyrie, although the ST-1300 is a fantastic bike, common folk just don't know it and it doesn't turn heads unless your an educated motorcycle enthusiast.

[2 Many]

Closest thing to an "electric powered" bike. Super smooth. If you are tall, the standard location of the pegs are a pain--heed hiway bars. I have a 99 Interstate and now wish I had gotten a Standard but I got it to ride the wife and she is very happy.

[Big IV]

What more do you need? That would convince me. Best looking bikes in the world are Valks!

[F-106]

Well, all I can tell you is I had an 04 Sabre. Good bike but wanted something bigger for all the interstate riding I do. The Valk fit the bill. I sold the sabre and got an 01 standard and have not looked back.

Hello all,
New to the board here.  I have been riding for 10 yrs now.  1st was a shadow 1100 sabre.  Loved it, but as time went on I wanted something that performed a bit better on the road.  Next I got myself an ST1300.  WOW, what a bike.  I love it.  That bike performes like none I have ever been on.  That being said...I really really miss my cruiser.  I need something with a little noise and attitude.  Ever since I have been riding I have loved the Valkyrie.  Loved Loved Loved it!
Now, my question is, since it is not made any more, do you all who own the bikes think it would be a wise move for me to go with an older used Valk or should I stick to something fuel injected and newer? 

Sorry for blabin...Thi seems to be quite a great board. 

[Printer Mike]

Smoooooooooooooooooooooooooth!!!!!

[Oss]

It doesnt have one of those fancy gear indicators like the bmw 1150rtp or adjustable windscreen or abs or heated grips or run flat tires or the rifle shotgun rack,  but in its defense I cant think
of any other bike that you can start in 3rd gear (dont try it on purpose but it will do it) and can
leave in 5th gear down to 15 mph without lugging and you feel as fresh or better after a 10 hour ride than when you started the bike up in the morning.  The Valk is like nothing else, well maybe a Wing but for people over 6'3 Wings have the leg room issue and cost half the price or less.

Friday I rode a statoliner (4 cyl) and it lugged. Real acceleration and great handling  least vibration of the cruisers now made as a 4 will be smoother than a Vtwin   the Valk humms and it does some kind of noise between 50 and 70 that kind of reminds me of a turbine whine

It will happily run at well over the posted limit all week and is fairly bulletproof. Go for it

Valk is simply the SMOOTHEST ride I have ever had, even better that the 1200LT bmw cause it sits lower. 

But of course I am a bit biased  2001 Interstate Black and majestic Pearl Beige (tan) 

[TearlessTom]

Hey I've got something negative to say!

Once you've ridden a Valk you won't be able to seriously consider another bike so if you like to trade a lot this is not the bike for you. You will never be happy with another.

Kinda like finding the right woman.

Tom

[Kaiser]

... but I got it to RIDE THE WIFE and she is very happy.

I don't think that came out the way you intended.  Pretty funny, though.