300,000 miles possible???

[slider]

Anyone Know of a valk reaching 300,000 miles??Think it maybe possible??

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Last Sept. on The Natchez Trace Ride VRCC member DDT ( Hank    ) had 408,000 on his Tourer.

[Michvalk]

We have at least 2 that I heard of with over 300000 and one over 400000 I think RJ has over 240000 on his

[Redline +]

Last Sept. on The Natchez Trace Ride VRCC member DDT ( Hank    ) had 408,000 on his Tourer.

I've been curious about DDT's bike. Do you know if anything other than routine maintenance has been required in the 400,000+ miles? Have the heads been off, how many clutches, water pumps...etc? It would be interesting to know.

Redline 

[hubcapsc]

Last Sept. on The Natchez Trace Ride VRCC member DDT ( Hank    ) had 408,000 on his Tourer.

I've been curious about DDT's bike. Do you know if anything other than routine maintenance has been required in the 400,000+ miles? Have the heads been off, how many clutches, water pumps...etc? It would be interesting to know.

Redline 

He said he had to do something final drive related a couple of times...

-Mike

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Last Sept. on The Natchez Trace Ride VRCC member DDT ( Hank    ) had 408,000 on his Tourer.

I've been curious about DDT's bike. Do you know if anything other than routine maintenance has been required in the 400,000+ miles? Have the heads been off, how many clutches, water pumps...etc? It would be interesting to know.

Redline 

Best I can tell you a couple u-joints and a couple final drives , couple alternators along with a few bearings in the wheels.I don't think the motor has ever been opened.DDT ( Bruce ) might see this and correct me if I'm wrong.

[RoadKill]

Every Valk owner should make it their mission to find that answer themselves by living that dream! 

[Daniel Meyer]

Every Valk owner should make it their mission to find that answer themselves by living that dream! 

Working on it! 

[Redline +]

Last Sept. on The Natchez Trace Ride VRCC member DDT ( Hank    ) had 408,000 on his Tourer.

I've been curious about DDT's bike. Do you know if anything other than routine maintenance has been required in the 400,000+ miles? Have the heads been off, how many clutches, water pumps...etc? It would be interesting to know.

Redline 

Best I can tell you a couple u-joints and a couple final drives , couple alternators along with a few bearings in the wheels.I don't think the motor has ever been opened. DDT ( Bruce ) might see this and correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks Joe, I would like to hear from Bruce.

Redline 

[R J]

Every Valk owner should make it their mission to find that answer themselves by living that dream! 

Anyone of them could make that mark, if thye would quit being a worry wart about this or that going out, so they tear into it instead of out riding.

If it ain't physically broke, leave it the 4377 alone and just ride it.

[RoadKill]

Every Valk owner should make it their mission to find that answer themselves by living that dream! 

Anyone of them could make that mark, if thye would quit being a worry wart about this or that going out, so they tear into it instead of out riding.

If it ain't physically broke, leave it the 4377 alone and just ride it.

I ride it if it IS physically broke ! Rode with no rear fender and fuel tank only held 3.7 Gal. For 2 yrs   No odometer so I can not report mileage 

[Big IV]

300,000 is my personal goal.

I have just over 95 thousand on my tourer so I have a long way to go. I still plan on commuting on it constantly and sneaking away for trips when I can. My goal is now and has always been 300,000 miles.

[alph]

a wash job wouldn't hirt either!!!!   

[Jabba]

a wash job wouldn't hirt either!!!!   

He's a man after my own heart.

If it's nice enough to wash it... it's nice enough to RIDE it.

I like them dirty valks.

Jabba

[cutter]

For me its more like the old tootsie pop in how many licks to get to the center. I have passed the 200,000 mark and plan to just keep rolling on to see how many I can rack up. 

[RedValk]

concerning what Joe said....about DDT's bike....that's the correct story. no clutch work, no heads off, no water pumps....etc...as i recall. Just the "usual" rear end problems....and an alternator or two. and lots and lots of plugs, oil, tires, etc.  

i think he washes the bike once a year maybe....whether it needs it or not...  

he lives a few miles from me and I see him often.....we've discussed his bike a time or two you could say  

[DDT (12)]

I actually bought the Valk as a second bike. I was riding my third Gold Wing at the time, and I got a wild hair that I needed a crusier type bike for a change-up and to keep the total miles down on my Wing. I looked at all the cruisers available in January '99, and was leaning towards a Road King (HD) mostly because of looks and peer pressure, but then I got really serious...

I asked myself the biggie question, what if I really like a cruiser and want to ride it cross-country? That settled it pretty much... I then test rode a Valk, and after about ten miles I stopped, got off and stepped back... the first thought that popped into my mind was "Now that's a proper motorcycle!" We've been a couple ever since. I sold my Wing to a friend who really wanted it, and then stuff happened that sent me out into the North American continent on a serious mission...

I tell you that to say that I think the big Hondas and BMWs are the best bikes for serious, constant, long distance riding. My Valk is easy to do oil changes and minor stuff on, and I've routinely done that on motel parking lots, rental house carports, mountain cabin parking spaces, and apartment building parking facilities. The engine and transmission themselves have never needed any attention... occassional valve tolerance and carb sync checks, and she's always ready to go. I've replaced the alternator twice, both times with one for a 1500 Gold Wing... they work fine, too, and only about half the price.

The weak area, if you can call it that, is the drive train. I've had the 'coupler' (universal joint) replaced five times, and the final drive that same amount (although they went out at different times). The drive shaft has been replaced three times, I think. I'm not sure about this, but I suspect the final drive replacements in one or two cases may have been due to rear bearings going out first, and me riding on until everything was crunched up inside... Sometimes you just can't stop where you are and call for a tow... The wheel bearings have been replaced heretofore as they went out (four or five times maybe), but now I'm replacing them on a regular basis... every seventy thousand miles front and rear.

I've had to have the thermosat replaced once, and I had the water pump replaced once as a precaution... No problems with it, but I was thinking at the time about riding up to Alaska, and I didn't want to have that potential problem looming, as the bike had about 350K on it then... The starter button on the handle bar had to be 'fixed' once, and a brake piston replacement kit installed in all three calipers when those began to stick around 250K miles. Curiously, the speedometer has been replaced twice, along with the wheel speedo gear once, and the speedo cable twice. The other cables were replaced when I went to longer risers, but never any problems with them... clutch or clutch cable either.

I'm NOT a techy kind of guy. I wanted a dependable, low maintenance bike, and I think I got exactly that in the Valk. I change the oil about every five thouseand miles, and I use fully synthetic... either Shell Rotella T or Mobil 1. I change the final drive fluid (the Honda stuff) about every ten thousand miles, if I remember to, but at a minimum at each rear tire change. I have a Honda shop go through the bike for other stuff about every twenty-five thousand miles or so... sometimes longer intervals than that.

Lots of folks have tire preferences, but I'm not one of them. With the type of riding I do, I can't really tell much difference between them, so I usually go with what I've had the best luck with... if they're available. More times than not, however, I've been somewhere out on the road when I needed one, so I was stuck with whatever the closest dealer happened to have available. In the broader scheme of things, I don't think this has made much difference to me at all... I've still bought a truck load of tires over the years! 

I do not obsess about the bike or potential problems. This bike is really rugged, and you can enjoy it almost anywhere (not recommended for off pavement riding, however). I'm sometimes asked what my next bike will be... My answer is always, "I have no idea. We're gonna remain a couple until one of us can't go anymore... and depending upon which one of us that is, I'll decide then." Right this minute, I'd say the odds favor the Valk outlasting this humble rider... 411K miles and still counting...

DDT

[fudgie]

300,000 is my personal goal.

I have just over 95 thousand on my tourer so I have a long way to go. I still plan on commuting on it constantly and sneaking away for trips when I can. My goal is now and has always been 300,000 miles.

Thats a good pic of ya. 

[Redline +]

I actually bought the Valk as a second bike. I was riding my third Gold Wing at the time, and I got a wild hair that I needed a crusier type bike for a change-up and to keep the total miles down on my Wing. I looked at all the cruisers available in January '99, and was leaning towards a Road King (HD) mostly because of looks and peer pressure, but then I got really serious...

I asked myself the biggie question, what if I really like a cruiser and want to ride it cross-country? That settled it pretty much... I then test rode a Valk, and after about ten miles I stopped, got off and stepped back... the first thought that popped into my mind was "Now that's a proper motorcycle!" We've been a couple ever since. I sold my Wing to a friend who really wanted it, and then stuff happened that sent me out into the North American continent on a serious mission...

I tell you that to say that I think the big Hondas and BMWs are the best bikes for serious, constant, long distance riding. My Valk is easy to do oil changes and minor stuff on, and I've routinely done that on motel parking lots, rental house carports, mountain cabin parking spaces, and apartment building parking facilities. The engine and transmission themselves have never needed any attention... occassional valve tolerance and carb sync checks, and she's always ready to go. I've replaced the alternator twice, both times with one for a 1500 Gold Wing... they work fine, too, and only about half the price.

The weak area, if you can call it that, is the drive train. I've had the 'coupler' (universal joint) replaced five times, and the final drive that same amount (although they went out at different times). The drive shaft has been replaced three times, I think. I'm not sure about this, but I suspect the final drive replacements in one or two cases may have been due to rear bearings going out first, and me riding on until everything was crunched up inside... Sometimes you just can't stop where you are and call for a tow... The wheel bearings have been replaced heretofore as they went out (four or five times maybe), but now I'm replacing them on a regular basis... every seventy thousand miles front and rear.

I've had to have the thermosat replaced once, and I had the water pump replaced once as a precaution... No problems with it, but I was thinking at the time about riding up to Alaska, and I didn't want to have that potential problem looming, as the bike had about 350K on it then... The starter button on the handle bar had to be 'fixed' once, and a brake piston replacement kit installed in all three calipers when those began to stick around 250K miles. Curiously, the speedometer has been replaced twice, along with the wheel speedo gear once, and the speedo cable twice. The other cables were replaced when I went to longer risers, but never any problems with them... clutch or clutch cable either.

I'm NOT a techy kind of guy. I wanted a dependable, low maintenance bike, and I think I got exactly that in the Valk. I change the oil about every five thouseand miles, and I use fully synthetic... either Shell Rotella T or Mobil 1. I change the final drive fluid (the Honda stuff) about every ten thousand miles, if I remember to, but at a minimum at each rear tire change. I have a Honda shop go through the bike for other stuff about every twenty-five thousand miles or so... sometimes longer intervals than that.

Lots of folks have tire preferences, but I'm not one of them. With the type of riding I do, I can't really tell much difference between them, so I usually go with what I've had the best luck with... if they're available. More times than not, however, I've been somewhere out on the road when I needed one, so I was stuck with whatever the closest dealer happened to have available. In the broader scheme of things, I don't think this has made much difference to me at all... I've still bought a truck load of tires over the years! 

I do not obsess about the bike or potential problems. This bike is really rugged, and you can enjoy it almost anywhere (not recommended for off pavement riding, however). I'm sometimes asked what my next bike will be... My answer is always, "I have no idea. We're gonna remain a couple until one of us can't go anymore... and depending upon which one of us that is, I'll decide then." Right this minute, I'd say the odds favor the Valk outlasting this humble rider... 411K miles and still counting...

DDT

Thanks for that report DDT, as stated above, I've been curious about your bike. I'm surprised to hear you still have the original clutch. Congratulations to you and your lady for 411,000 miles and counting!

Redline 

[3fan4life]

411K miles and still counting... DDT

And that my Friends is the voice of Experience!

May you and your "fat lady" ride as long as you desire................ You definately have set the bar high for the rest of us.

[RedValk]

411K miles and still counting... DDT

And that my Friends is the voice of Experience!

May you and your "fat lady" ride as long as you desire................ You definately have set the bar high for the rest of us.

+1

Every time the guys on the Rune board get into some long winded, philosophical argument about oil....molly....stuff like that....and someone brings up how much longer their bike may last cause they are using "x" instead of "y"...i refer to Bruce and his bike. And i say, if this guy can go 400,000+ miles using products without special molly....etc...then i reckon that will work for my bikes. I'm sure my Valks and Runes will LONG outlast me...as far as the engine goes. I have 108k on my Valk...and i don't see me getting to Bruce's 400k+ in my lifetime!

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I just rolled 130,000 miles on my I/S and now I feel like a newby. One alt. and a pinon cup and driveshaft, other normal things tires,brakes and wheel bearings.Oh and lots of smiles and gas. Gasoline that is for the bike, I've always had gas.

[Daniel Meyer]

"Now that's a proper motorcycle!"

I do believe that's a quotable quote. 

[hubcapsc]

"Now that's a proper motorcycle!"

I do believe that's a quotable quote. 

Yeah, he puts just the right subtle twist on a phrase  ... I remember what I said when
saw my first Valkyrie (Frank Smoak's)... I was on my Harley, with 100 other Harleys, at a Sons Of Confederate
Veterans ride in Charleston... I'd been wondering around in the sea of parked Harleys at the meet-up place
thinking "ho-hum" and other similar things... all of a sudden Frank was there on his mint Red and White...
I remember saying, "Now that's a motorcycle!"...

Not as quotable, but I had a Red and White within two months  ...

-Mike

[RedValk]

"Now that's a proper motorcycle!"

I do believe that's a quotable quote.  

Yeah, he puts just the right subtle twist on a phrase   ... I remember what I said when
saw my first Valkyrie (Frank Smoak's)... I was on my Harley, with 100 other Harleys, at a Sons Of Confederate
Veterans ride in Charleston... I'd been wondering around in the sea of parked Harleys at the meet-up place
thinking "ho-hum" and other similar things... all of a sudden Frank was there on his mint Red and White...
I remember saying, "Now that's a motorcycle!"...

Not as quotable, but I had a Red and White within two months   ...

-Mike

about the same here....saw a red and white in a mall parking lot....and said WOW! went to the mall the next week, and the same bike was parked in the same place (he worked at the mall). this time, he was coming out to go to lunch (i was there to eat lunch). i said "fire her up, i want to hear that thing" he obliged....and i knew then, i HAD TO HAVE ONE. i had one two weeks later!

108,000 miles later...i too have gone thru a couple of rear ends and one alternator...but all else is good. she looks and runs as good as the day i bought her in July of 1997!