Valkyrie Firsts

[Thulsa Doom]

Enthusiastic new Valkyrie owner here.
Since the Iron Maiden is new to me, even the most mundane experiences with it are noteworthy, at least the first time.

It's like that for everyone right? At least with things you're passionate about. In this case, Honda Valkyries.

I'm hopeful that this will be my 'Forever' bike. It's well built, comfortable, powerful, quick / nimble enough, sounds great and has good brakes. Oh, and I like chrome. As of today, I really don't see much reason to 'upgrade' to anything newer. I guess every new owner feels that way.

So please tell all about some of your first ever experiences with your Valkyrie.

[Thulsa Doom]

First time riding the Iron Maiden to work.

11/14/11
It had finally stopped raining long enough for the roads to dry.
I rode the long way to work but could only squeeze out about 9 miles. I parked and ran inside to do my job. As the day dragged on I had the opportunity to show it off 3 times. I kept the key in my pocket all day and even though the gas valve was off there was enough left in there to start it each time and give her a couple of low revs. What a sound!
Everyone who saw it was polite and supportive. It was a long slow day but I felt good, anxious for the ride home.

[bigguy]

I'd just bought a Victory V92TC deluxe. I'd had it a few months when a friend bought his Valkyrie, and let me ride it. Damn him! It took me a year and a half to finally find my Phat lady and get rid of the Victory.
Don't get me wrong about the Victory. It was a fine bike. I was happy with it, and would still be happy with it to this day if I hadn't got Valk in my blood. If you understand, I don't have to explain. If you don't, then I would never be able to explain.

[F6BANGER]

Welcome to the Madness!!!! It only just begun.....LOL

[Daniel Meyer]

Rode my xs-11 Midnight Special to the dealer (already knew I was gonna buy one), looked at a new Valk, they had a "test ride" bike, so I took a test ride.

Sales yak says, "Out the parking lot, down the service road, around the block. Get the feel of it."

I went out of the parking lot, hit the entrance ramp for LBJ freeway, was doing 90mph by the end of it, and came back an hour and some later (ALL the way around the LBJ/35 freeway loop).

Sales yak says, "That happens a lot."

Ahhhh... 

[Cruzen]

Congrats on the new ride and welcome aboard.   Keep a nickel in your pocket for all those demonstrations.

[Westernbiker]

Went to my dads house one day and I see this black and chrome Valk sitting in the driveway. I had to look at the bike cause I had never seen one. I was almost in love with her. I went inside and there sat my uncle. He said 'Do ya like the bike?' Yea! Here's the keys take it for a ride. Well that is the end to a long ride! LOL! And I was in love. Bought my first Valk 2 months later and have NEVER EVEN THOUGHT about having another bike.....well I do have another Valk ( I have not unveiled her yet to you all, she is still a work in progress).....Ya know what I mean. 

[DarkMeister]

The first experience? Ah yes. I remember...

...walking up to her, tentative, almost fearful. She was gorgeous. No youngster, that one, but hasn't been ridden much. Her last companion left her pretty much alone most of the time.
I stared, dumbstruck by those curves that bespoke power and grace; an athlete asking to be woken to her full potential.
"Go ahead." she murmured, as my breath caught in my throat. "Touch me. Feel me."
I reached towards her and laid my hand on her belly, running it gently down the side. I could feel her twitch with anticipation. "Get on me. Now!" she urged me. I must have found just the right button to push; she came alive under me, panting to be unleashed in all her glory.
I gave her a gentle twist; she leaped and I could feel the throb of her heart get faster and deeper.
I couldn't help myself. It was over much quicker than I'd hoped. I pulled over 20 seconds later, breathless, heart and mind racing. I was in love.
"It's OK" she said gently. "It happens to all riders the first time and our next ride will be longer....and even better." She sighed as I turned the key off.

  Hey. You asked!  

[ChromeDome]

How does that song go .... "you've only just begun" ... or something like that.

[Moonshot_1]

The first experience? Ah yes. I remember...

...walking up to her, tentative, almost fearful. She was gorgeous. No youngster, that one, but hasn't been ridden much. Her last companion left her pretty much alone most of the time.
I stared, dumbstruck by those curves that bespoke power and grace; an athlete asking to be woken to her full potential.
"Go ahead." she murmured, as my breath caught in my throat. "Touch me. Feel me."
I reached towards her and laid my hand on her belly, running it gently down the side. I could feel her twitch with anticipation. "Get on me. Now!" she urged me. I must have found just the right button to push; she came alive under me, panting to be unleashed in all her glory.
I gave her a gentle twist; she leaped and I could feel the throb of her heart get faster and deeper.
I couldn't help myself. It was over much quicker than I'd hoped. I pulled over 20 seconds later, breathless, heart and mind racing. I was in love.
"It's OK" she said gently. "It happens to all riders the first time and our next ride will be longer....and even better." She sighed as I turned the key off.

  Hey. You asked!  

Are you running for President?

[R J]

I’d had quad bypass and was laying in the bed in the ICU unit.   Wife was reading motorcycle books to me.   This was in June 97.    Valkyrie kept coming up, 6 cylinders, 6 carbs and etc.    She showed me a picture of the Tourer.  This happened for about 9 days in a row.    I told her if I pulled through this BS, I was buying one, and trading the Harley for it.   She said your choice.  Got released after 29 days and we stopped at the Honda shop on the way home.    Looked the 3 Valks he had in stock and stuck my name on MGM.

Went home, took the Harley out of the garage and rode over to the Honda shop.  The day before I had my surgery on the ticker, I had put my bowling ball in the tour pak to get it re-drilled.   Took the Harley to the shop, we talked a little bit, and the owner said I’ll have to have my head tech ride it.  Tossed him the key, we talked some more while he was out riding.   He came back and told George it had a weird top heavy sensation.    Told him to take the bowling ball out of the tour pak and try it again.

He said he’d have to think on the deal, and come back and make me an offer.   He was headed for a bike show somewhere and would be gone 3 days.   2nd day out, his son called and said dad wants me to make you an offer.   Told him to go for it.
He said dad says, your Harley, for the Valkyrie plus a 4 year extended warranty, tax license and all costs out the door for zilch, no $$$$.    I run over there as quick as I could with the Harley cleaned out and we signed the papers.  Rode the Valkyrie  out the back service door and the rest is history, 242K + miles later.

PS:    It was the 1st Valkyrie sold in Des Moines.  They will have to pry my cold dead fingers off the handlebars.    I can't ride currently, but we are working on that.   Hitting the health Club daily for the next 3 or 4 months.    Want to ride in 2012.     Got the Chevy Trike fixed so i can ride it again.   Added power steering, 7* triple tree.   Works great.  Thanks Daryl from XF6 Store.

[John Schmidt]

I recall over 10 yrs. ago, due to health issues my wife could no longer ride with me and told me to do what I wanted with our Candy Red Wing that we had spent so many wonderful miles on together. She said there was no reason for me to give up doing what I enjoyed, so either keep it or trade it for something I wanted. Lookout Valkyrie, here I come. I had been watching this '98 Tourer in Cycle Trader for over a month and the price kept coming down....started at well over $10k at a Honda dealer. One Saturday I noticed it was down to $8800 so decided to give them a call...yes, we still have it but we close at 4:00pm. I was 125 miles away and it was after 12:00 noon. I told them I'd be there in less than two hours, and then mounted up. I let that trusty Wing really stretch her legs that day, running in the triple digits most of the way up there on the superslab. For the first time, I never saw my first trooper during the entire run. We dickered a bit but in the end I got what I came for....a black/chrome '98 Tourer with less than 5k on the clock, not even broken in. It had a full tank and it was getting late so off I went, headed home on the slab....I thought!  I got about two miles down the road and it died at a light. I couldn't call the dealer, they had locked the doors behind me and there wasn't a service station within five miles. I rolled off onto an adjoining sidewalk and sat there wondering what to do next. Then I rememberd a dumb stunt that had caught me when I bought an old '75 Honda 750 a few years earlier. It also died and I discovered I had forgot to turn on the petcock. DUH!  I looked and sure enough.....OFF!  Took a few cranks but it started and away I went, headed for the interstate.

What followed was the first major thrill I'd had in years. Running down the slab at around 75 I'd come up on a semi, twist the wrist and I'm around it in a flash. Another semi, another twist, another thrill. I'm now ripping along and realized I'm humming to myself, looked down and HOLY COW....I was sitting at an even 105 and didn't know it. Then for the next 100 miles just for kicks I'd slow down to under 40, downshift and let'er rip just to see what it would do. I pulled into the driveway, left it idling while I went to open the garage and it died again. Wrist action has a lot to do with the amount of gas you use, and I was having a ball all the way home. Over the next few days, my wife finally asked me to shut up with the Valkyrie talk already....then asked for one last ride around the block, just so she could say she's been on it. It took some doing, but I got her on and we went for a short ride, during which she suggested I goose it a little so she could experience the power. I did for about a block, whereupon she quickly asked me to back off. With the Wing she was impressed with the comfort, with the Valk she was impressed with the power.

Over the next few years, that bike went from bone stock to this:



And it's still a "work in progress" although I have no idea what's next on the agenda. Your WIP to make it your own is just starting and it's going to be a blast. Welcome aboard and have a ball.

PS: A clue to the next project. Now that I know how to convert the gas tank sender to work with an automotive gauge, I'm "thinking" about installing a single all inclusive gauge. It will be like one for the old Ford Bronco, speedo at the top, smaller tach at the bottom, four smaller gauges around the perimeter. They'll give me temp, oil pressure, fuel, volts...plus the face of the gauge will give me my turn signal lights and hi/lo beam, all mounted in a nice chrome housing. Just thinking...for now!!     http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=780/category_id=636/home_id=-1/mode=prod/prd780.htm

[old2soon]

And welcome to the insanity. I had been looking at and riding a LOT of motorcycles and June 30th of 2010 i came upon this green and silver I/S that decided to let me into her life. Did you ever throw your leg over a motorcyle/motorcycles and know in an instant it was wrong?? On the flip side of that have you ever thrown your leg over a motocycle and KNOW right then and there that you didn't have to look any further??? This 99I/S i bought feels like it was made for me alone. In less than a 1/4 mile she said to me-you belong to me now!! This past friday sunday and monday i put over 350 miles on her just messin around. Did not have a destination in mind EXCEPT find the twistys and let er rip. I'm like 99.9999% certain you will ending up lovin yer phat gal as much as everyone of us loves ours. There are way worse things to be addicted to than these dragons we ride. Get used to the attention these motorcycles of ours generate. And keep uppermost in your mind it ain't YOU it be the Phatt Ghurl yer ridin. And yes ALWAYS keep a nickel in your pocket but PUHHLLEEZZZEEEE practice at home BEFORE you try it in public the first time!! DO NOT ask me how i know that!! Again-welcome and RIDE SAFE.

[DarkMeister]

Are you running for President?
[/quote]

I never met those other bikes. If I did, I don't remember them. 

[alph]

First time riding the Iron Maiden to work.

11/14/11
It had finally stopped raining long enough for the roads to dry.
I rode the long way to work but could only squeeze out about 9 miles. I parked and ran inside to do my job. As the day dragged on I had the opportunity to show it off 3 times. I kept the key in my pocket all day and even though the gas valve was off there was enough left in there to start it each time and give her a couple of low revs. What a sound!
Everyone who saw it was polite and supportive. It was a long slow day but I felt good, anxious for the ride home.

You think it sounds good now!  Wait until you get in a group of 5 or so, going down the highway at 70!!  Now that’s a cool sound!! 

The first experience? Ah yes. I remember...

...walking up to her, tentative, almost fearful. She was gorgeous. No youngster, that one, but hasn't been ridden much. Her last companion left her pretty much alone most of the time.
I stared, dumbstruck by those curves that bespoke power and grace; an athlete asking to be woken to her full potential.
"Go ahead." she murmured, as my breath caught in my throat. "Touch me. Feel me."
I reached towards her and laid my hand on her belly, running it gently down the side. I could feel her twitch with anticipation. "Get on me. Now!" she urged me. I must have found just the right button to push; she came alive under me, panting to be unleashed in all her glory.
I gave her a gentle twist; she leaped and I could feel the throb of her heart get faster and deeper.
I couldn't help myself. It was over much quicker than I'd hoped. I pulled over 20 seconds later, breathless, heart and mind racing. I was in love.
"It's OK" she said gently. "It happens to all riders the first time and our next ride will be longer....and even better." She sighed as I turned the key off.

  Hey. You asked! 

VALKYRIE FORUM!!  NOT PENTHOUSE FORUM!!!

Anyway, my first ride was coming back from Neillsville Wi from “CHIP’s” house.  It was about a 50 mile ride, extremely windy that day, wife and kids were in the van behind me.  The radio was broken so I could only listen to the road, and engine!  I couldn’t believe how smooth that cycle ran, and the wind wasn’t a factor at all.  I had ridden gold wings before, but this cycle has a lot more spunk then a wing, and as my wife said, it doesn’t make me look like an old man. 

After a couple weeks riding by myself, and getting familiar with the handlings of that fat girl, I took my son to DQ.  We both go in the restaurant and there’s an older guy saying “hey grandpa, you sure are lucky!”  I didn’t pay attention to him ‘cause I don’t see myself as a “grandpa”.  He repeats himself again, but louder “HEY GRANDPA, YOU SURE ARE LUCKY!”    after the third time I look over at him and ask if he was talking to me?  then he say’s “sure is a nice motor cycle you’re taking your grandson for a ride on”, then I explain to him he’s MY son, and that I appreciate the compliment on the cycle.   He had no clue that Honda made the Valkyrie since he was a “winger” himself.  After his apology we talked about the valkyrie for a while and when I left I didn’t quite know that getting compliments were going to be a regular thing with the Valkyrie, and they are.  Get use to people complimenting your cycle at red lights, or when you come out of the grocery store, there’ll be a couple staring at it and pointing at the HUGE F6, also, get use to the stupid “what kinda harley is that?” question, those are the best!!
 

[Chrisj CMA]

This coming February it will be 10 years for me and the Valkyrie.  I wanted one as soon as they came out but kids and life was in the way...had to wait

When the time came I got on google and typed in "Used Honda Valkyrie Florida"

There was only one hit, the bike shop where my bike came from in Pompano Beach.  I had a choice between a 97 red and white with 5K miles.  Or a 99 black with 10K miles. This is a current pic  


They emailed a credit application, I faxed it back and then the kicker.....I was approved and I had 5 min to decide if I wanted her, she was going to put it on a trailer leaving NOW.  I then overnighted the signed paperwork after the bike was already on its way Wow, I sweatted, and then she emailed more pictures that I wanted, then I said yes and the bike was on its way 20 min after I began my internet search for a bike.  HOLY COW!   I didnt sleep that night

The next day...Valentines Day.  The phone rings....."Did the bike get there yet"?  NO

"Did my paperwork get there yet" No....wait UPS just got here, wait someones honking outside.....both trucks arrives at the same instant


This big burly biker dude with tats and piercings unloads my bike and in the lowest gruffiest voice you can imagine says "Happy Valentines Day" and drives off

The bike was like new with 2K in extra chrome and ran perfectly........still runs like new and is as pretty as day one.

[art]

I had to travel slmost 100 miles to pick up my valk so I hitched a ride on a friends new road king.First time ever riding on the back.From there on was a blur.I don't remember too much about my first ride except that I needed to get a windshield.OMG the wind at high speed was too much.A 130000 miles later I still get my jollies whe I ride it.

[bscrive]

I first saw an IS in 99.  Loved the look right off the bat but couldn't afford one.  I didn't have a bike for almost 8 years because of our financial situation (bought a house in '95) .  In 2003 I finally save a bunch of money for a down payment and I was determined to find myself one.  Looked up here in Canada but none to be found at first.  I finally found one in Petawawa but the dealer was smoking  something because he wanted about $18000 for it.  I decided to look in the States.  Found an IS with 4k on Ebay in Ausable, NY.  I didn't get word on my financing until after the auction ended (1/2 hour after) so I didn't bid on it, sold for @ $8000.  A few days later my '99 Red and Black IS showed up, the bike was located in Grand Rapids, MI.  Tracked the guy down via the internet and made a deal.  It only had 7k on it.  He was a bike dealer and he even shipped it up to me here in Canada for $9500.  It has always been a great ride.  My cousins, who I always ride with, have gone through a number of bikes over the years but I have only had my valk.  They always ask me when I am going to trade it, I will never get rid of this bike.  It is just too damn good.

[ValkFlyer]

Went to a Harley dealer in Walnut Creek to look at Harleys, pulled in to the garage outside the repair shop and there sitting outside the door was a brand new black and yellow.  Walked over to look at it and a mechanic came out and asked me what I thought.  That was simple……what’s a Harley mechanic doing with a Honda?  He didn’t really need to answer……. I was more impressed with that bike than all the look alikes.  Forward four years and my neighbor, across the street, had his brother’s "black and yellow" sitting outside so I went over to drool over it.  Found out his brother had moved and wanted him to sell it…I took it for a spin and OH MYYYYYYYYYY!!!!  Came back 30 minutes later and could hardly contain myself    when he took my low ball offer.  That was 84K miles ago…There is nothing like a Valk, and as far as I’m concerned there never will be.

[Bigwolf]

It had been 13 years since my '78 GWing died and I had not riden since.  I wanted to but my finances just would not permit it.  Then in July of 2010 my situation changed and I went looking for a Valkyrie.  It seemed like the right bike for a big old geezer with wrists that don't much like vibration.  I found a one on Craigslist.  A black and chome beauty with 19k on her.  Lots of extra chrome and Cobra pipes.  I had to go see her!  When the owner thumbed that girl to life, I was hooked!  I know ya'all are probably gonna think I am sick but I trailerd her home the next day.  It rained on me both of those days and for the next five days.  The afternoon the rain stopped I was out the door and on my phat gurls back.  A half mile down the road and I was fully in love with this bike.  Not sayin it took a half mile. ..... My mind was spinning with such excitement I am not sure exactly when it happened.  She sounded like a pro stock and ran like a rocket.

One thing I will say, this is a great forum for help and resources on anything to do with these dragon ladys.  Unfortunately that was a lesson I learned too late  for my own good.  Let a local shop do the 20k scheduled maint.  My lady has not been the same since.    Ask questions before just letting anybody touch her and you will be better served.

Bigwolf

[SANDMAN5]

Back in '03  I was making good money, only offspring had moved out, and
I got the urge to start riding again. I just knew in my heart I was gonna get
me a harley. I almost bought one when I was younger....but same as now, they
were overpriced and I knew too many people that had trouble with theirs. Anyway,
after SEVERAL trips to all the local harley dealers (trying to decide which model I
wanted) I made the "mistake" of walking in the local Honda dealer. Looked around
at the VTX's and Intruder's but wasn't really excited. Walked back to the used bikes and
there sat an '03 Valk with 600 miles. I remembered seeing the Inzane coverage on
Ride On and how many good things they had to say about the Valk. Threw a leg over
her and all other motersickles in the world disappeared!! Just knew I had to have one!!
We tried for a couple of weeks to work out a deal on the used one but couldn't agree.
Finally I said "Just get me a new one." Took delivery on Dec 22, 2003. Hadn't been on
a motersickle in 20 yrs or so and rode her home in 30 degree weather, snow flurries, and
heavy traffic. Been in love with Valks ever since!! She's gone to motersickle Heaven now,
but I have a 98 Std that's keeping my heart rate up! 

[MartinT]

I got my new to me 1999 Valkyrie I/S in September this year. Saw a black/red IS on Craigslist, took a day off from work so that my wife and I could drive 125 miles to the seller's place. Seller had two pretty much identical black/red ISs, only one for sale. We came prepared with a wad of cash, bought the bike 5 minutes after looking and drooling over it, and I rode it all the way home with a W...I...D...E grin on my face.

This was exactly one year after i bought my very first motorcycle, a Honda Shadow Aero 750. Sold that one after six months to buy a Kawa Nomad. Still have the Nomad, I ride it once every weekend just to keep it in shape, but FAR prefer the Valk. I have lusted over these since I saw the first one passing me in my car on I280 in 1997.

Anyone interested in a 2003 Kawasaki Nomad 1500 FI, 35k miles?

Martin

[Tropic traveler]

Hadn't ridden in nearly 20 years when in 2006 the urge to ride again hit. I was into hot rods & drag racing so accelleration is something I enjoy.  
Anyhow, test rode several Harleys, a VTX & other assorted Harley copies. Something about a 2 cylinder engine that just didn't feel right. One of my drivers at work who was a long time rider said I should get a 'Wing but I shot that down for Tupperware reasons  . He then said there was a nice looking Valkyrie at the local Yamaha shop with "high miles". I wasn't familiar with the Valk but after one look I was very interested.
57K in excellent condition.


He was asking $6,400. I offered $6,000 & the deal was done. Left a deposit & flew to the bank & got the man a check for the rest! Took my first ride on my own motorcycle in 20 years & I immediately knew I made the right decision!
Smooth, powerful, & unique.
Well, I'm now a Valkoholic.
Got my wife into the act & the rest is history!

Now look what happened!!

[Chattanooga Mark]

Congratulations on the Valkyrie. They really are an awesome ride.

Enjoy,

Mark

[PhredValk]

I've always liked bikes, but never owned one for most of my life. I rode a Harley with side car in the Metro Toronto police as a cadet when I was 18, that's about it. I ended up with a GL1100 Wing five or six years ago, half joke and half helping out a friend out with a down payment on his home, and fell in love with solo hiway riding on weekends; why didn't I do this years ago?

I was thinking of riding home to my Mom's in Ontario instead of flying (2500 miles each way), but the Wing revved at 4600 on the hiway, and my buddy's GL1200 would rev around 3400 at the same speeds. Different gearing after the 1100, so I was thinking of getting a 1500 Wing. A fella in my GWRRA group said the naked bike suited me, so why not a Valkyrie? I'd never seen or heard of this bike before, and looked it up on Google when I got home. I spent 6 months on this board before asking my Credit Union if they'd help, and they said yes! That was two Aprils ago. Bought a 99 green/silver IS and fell in love.

My Oh Wow story? That June I'm heading thru Saskatchewan, two lane blacktop, headed for Mom's, when I decide to pass a big rig. I looked, signaled and cranked her. Passed the truck, two cars, a pickup, another semi and a Winnebago. She was steady as a rail and still accelerating when I get back into my lane and looked down; 135MPH!?!

I have a car tire on it, and many other mods, and some to install this spring. I will never own another motorcycle in my lifetime unless something bad happens to her, and then it will be another Valkyrie.

Fred.

[MacDragon]

I've had many cycles over the years.  Took a break when the kids were young and didn't ride, (like a lot of others have done).  Got back on a bike in 06 with 1200 Evolution Sportster.  Didn't care for it after a while and got a Honda Ace Cruiser.  My brother in Connecticut had a 2000 Valkyrie Standard since new and I always loved the look of it.  I told him that if he ever got sick of it... I wanted it.

Well he never got sick of it... but he did get sick and I lost him in July of 2009.  The Valk had fallen into some dis-repair prior to that and sat under a tarp for almost 2 years.  The Valk needed a lot of TLC and I decided this machine was never going to leave the family. 
New Progressive Fork springs, Progressive rear shocks, Check splines, Six carbs rebuilt, Tires, Kuryakyn Grips & pegs, Shield etc...  The Valk is ridden often and I still have the Ace but don't ride it much.  Why should I???

Best ride I ever had and will have it forever...

Good luck with yours.
 

[Paxton]

I drooled... still do! 

[MrArn]

I'd been riding a VT1100 Ace for a couple of years and loved it as people tend to do with things that bring them pleasure. However it just wasn't the right bike for taking my wife on cross country rides, something I was planing on doing. The Ace was under-powered for the Interstate, little too light for high winds and most importantly, uncomfortable for my wife after a couple of hours.  My wife wanted a Goldwing, me I didn't want all that plastic surrounding me. My thought was to find a used VTX 1800, so I started watching Craigslist.

Then on a Thursday while taking my daughter to basketball practice a Valkyrie pulled up next to me at a light. It was a nice looking bike and I thought maybe this type of bike would work. So while my daughter was practicing I logged onto Craigslist and the very first bike listed was 1997 Valkyrie Standard with 15,000 miles. So I called and setup an appointment to see the bike. I then dropped off my daughter, picked up the wife and went to look at the bike. We walked around it, started it up and I sat on it. Then we left.  After we get home my wife starts telling me how much she wants the Valkyrie. Because I don't really want to part with the Ace my wife has to push me into buying the Valkyrie. She tells me to keep the Ace for around town and to get the Valkyrie for the highway. We return and buy the bike. Six months later I sell the Ace because it was just sitting in the garage.

I was shown a Valkyrie and found one for sale that same day. Now I watch for them and know just how rare it was to see one for sale. It was predestine for me to own my Valkyrie, it was gift.

[Jess from VA]

I decided I wanted a Valk in '05, based on the written word only, I'd never ridden one, rarely saw them anywhere, and knew no one who owned one.

So I cage it to the guy's house 300 miles away to kick tires.  I expected to ride it, and the guy surprisingly just gave me the key with no debate.  So I start it up and do a quick looksee, and clutch in slow roll down his driveway.  I kicked for first and got a clunk, but not first, still neutral.  I hit the street and lean her over expecting to power out of the lean, but there is very little power in neutral.  If it wasn't for my super human strength, I'd have dropped it right there.  I then rode home with the wife following thru hours of the worst thunder, lightening and torrential downpour I'd ever ridden in.  Constantly trying to shift above 5th the whole way.   

It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

[solo1]

I was riding an ST1100 but the buzz from the V4 engine was putting my fingers to sleep.   When the Valkyrie 'rooster tail' ad came out I thought that has a flat six like the GW that i had.  No finger numbing.  I read the reviews and liked 'em more everytime I read them.

I went to the dealers and traded my ST in, no test ride ,no nuttin'  What a Bike! Nothing like it. Tried for a bumblebee but had to settle for black.

I bought it in August 1996 and had it for 13 years before my knees couldn't handle it anymore.  I now have a different bike but not because the Valk wasn't the best!

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy243/solo9899/pokagon52005001-1.jpg[/img]]

[sidecarrick]

 Looked for a new Valkyrie for almost a year and had no luck, but in early September of 2001, I saw a year old ad for a new y2k red and black tourer. I knew it was too late but my wife made me call the number in the ad and lo and behold, it was a Honda car dealership in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, and they still had the bike. It was sent to them as a floor display and had 2/10 of a km on it. I had them gas it up and plate it and the following Saturday, I drove up with my best buddy and rode her home, with the first leg of the journey the Mackinaw Bridge. When I put it away the first night it had 1100 km on it. A love affair was begun. 10 years later, the bike still gives me that "what a frikking machine!" feeling every time I ride it. 

[czuch]

Sitting in a dealers show room. Ya wanna ride it?  Nope, just lookin.
A week later,,, "Ya wanna  hear it run?"     "Nope, just lookin."
A week later,,,,"Ya wanna sit on it?"     "How much would payments be?"   "About 180 a month."
"I'll take "    "Dont ya wanna test ride?"   "Nope, I'm buyin."
She waited for me and she'll never leave. I have ridden for the better part of 40 years and within the first mile,,, I knew I was home.
BTW, It took a year to find out where the throttle stopped.

[olddog1946]

When I retired from the Air Force in 88, I had a GW, a Kawasaki Z1 dresser, and a Suzuki GS650..new job, new business, etc..sold em...then last year my next door neighbor got a 97 Std as payment for his Lawyer fees...Loved the sound of it and the looks..got me wanting to ride again...bought a 94 vulcan 1500 real cheap put 3000 miles on it in 3 weeks..liked it,,,but then I found an 01 Std for sale 75 miles from here...well I couldn't afford one, but sent him an email asking if he'd be interested in trading for an 84 vette....He said bring her over and he'd check it out...pulled in with the vette and his wife says trade
(it matched the color of her pickup) so we traded...hardest thing about riding the bike was gettin used to a kick shifter...loved the bike..Have put 18K on it since last November,,never rode the Vulcan again, so sold it...
THAT Trade was the best deal I have ever made....period.

[Thulsa Doom]

61*F today and nothing to do. Nothing to do but ride the iron maiden that is. Rode to Plymouth Ma. and saw the Mayflower. That's it in the background.


Today's first?

First time in the triple digits. ( allegedly) Hit 106 (GPS) on a lone stretch of highway.
 If you tell my wife  I'll deny it. LOL

[Chiefy]

Enthusiastic new Valkyrie owner here.
Since the Iron Maiden is new to me, even the most mundane experiences with it are noteworthy, at least the first time.

It's like that for everyone right? At least with things you're passionate about. In this case, Honda Valkyries.

I'm hopeful that this will be my 'Forever' bike. It's well built, comfortable, powerful, quick / nimble enough, sounds great and has good brakes. Oh, and I like chrome. As of today, I really don't see much reason to 'upgrade' to anything newer. I guess every new owner feels that way.

So please tell all about some of your first ever experiences with your Valkyrie.

Congrats on the new bike.

 I had had several close calls in a span of about 10 days.  My wife was 8 months pregnant, and I felt like someone was trying to tell me something.  I sold the bike.  25 years later, I got the bug again.  But was skittish, and figured Mrs. Chiefy would never want to be on two wheels anyway because after all, she wanted nothing to do with the bike from 25 years prior.  So I bought a trike.  Wife enjoyed it, and after a couple of months I decided I needed to be on 2 wheels.  Wife and I had a conversation that lasted about 30 seconds.  I showed her a pic of the new Kawi 500 I liked she said: "A motorcycle is fine, but get something BIG."   ???      

I ran down to my local dealer and sat on the 2 used Dragons he had.  I didn't even bother test riding either, because I didn't care for the placement of the rider pegs.  I went and rode a few VTX 1800's, and was prepared to buy one.  But the Valkyrie is a vixen, and the vixen was beguiling me.  Went back to ride the vixen.  It was all over at that point........  As it turns out, Mrs. Chiefy loves riding. 

[HayHauler]

   
Re: Valkyrie Firsts
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2011, 09:35:26 AM »
Quote
The first experience? Ah yes. I remember...

...walking up to her, tentative, almost fearful. She was gorgeous. No youngster, that one, but hasn't been ridden much. Her last companion left her pretty much alone most of the time.
I stared, dumbstruck by those curves that bespoke power and grace; an athlete asking to be woken to her full potential.
"Go ahead." she murmured, as my breath caught in my throat. "Touch me. Feel me."
I reached towards her and laid my hand on her belly, running it gently down the side. I could feel her twitch with anticipation. "Get on me. Now!" she urged me. I must have found just the right button to push; she came alive under me, panting to be unleashed in all her glory.
I gave her a gentle twist; she leaped and I could feel the throb of her heart get faster and deeper.
I couldn't help myself. It was over much quicker than I'd hoped. I pulled over 20 seconds later, breathless, heart and mind racing. I was in love.
"It's OK" she said gently. "It happens to all riders the first time and our next ride will be longer....and even better." She sighed as I turned the key off.

  Hey. You asked!  


MAN!!  I think I need a cigarette after that one!!

Hahahaha

Hay
Jimmyt

[Thulsa Doom]

Rode to work yesterday and afterwards went straight to my son's away HS baseball game. I saw 2 guys walking into the parking lot and as I walked toward the game I heard one of them say 'Holy sh!t, look at the engine on That!'

First time I heard a stranger comment on the awesomeness of the Valkyrie.

[Quicksilver]

For 3 years I had been riding a 1980 gl11oo Goldwing, a great old bike and I've come to appreciate the smoothness of the boxer engine. It had become a challenge to keep her running well however, especially after i dropped her on a curve  shook her up a bit. 15 years ago I sat on a Valkyrie in a showroom, loved the bike, solid and beautiful to look at.By March 2009 , I'd been watching the ads for Valkyries in my area for 6 months. Finally one come up in Montreal that I could afford, a 1997 standard with only 65000 kilometers on it say 40000 miles. I emailed the owner in Montreal, told him I was interested, he told me I should wait till april because it was in storage and he couldn't get it out for the snow. In march we still had a foot of snow in our yard. I told him it would be sold by april and that I was sending him a checque for $1000 dollars, the remaining $4600 I'd give him when I picked up the bike.
I sent the cheque, he cashed it, and I made arrangements to go and get it April 18th. I contacted him on april 16th after getting an email from him saying that if I didn't contact him by the 16th he'd sell it to someone else.   Keep in mind I live 3 hours from Montreal, I didn't know this guy from Adam and when I tried to confirm his existence via internet search for his name and address he didn't exist. He told me he was listed under another name in the phonebook.The emails did keep coming and he did answer the phone when I called so I didn't feel that shaky. He however only spoke french. I only speak english, so the wife got involved in the deal. The owner suggested that saturday would be good but the bike was still in storage and he would take it out and over to his girlfriends in another town from where i had sent the $1000 dollar checque, we would then go to the liscence bureau for the transfer. he was sure they were open on saturday but only until noon. So I'd have to get there early. I wondered about the office being open on Saturday so I checked via the net and no office in the entire region was open on Saturday.    Hmm. So I got the wife to call him back. The only office open late was within 2 miles of the residence where I had sent the cheque and that meant I'd have to go there on Friday April the 17th before it closed at 830 to get the transfer done.Well , Friday April 17th, 2009 the wife and I drove to Montreal, we got to the address about 4 oclock. There in the yard was the motorcycle exactly as pictured in the ad.   My wife tells me that relief was written on my face. Actually it felt like Christmas. The owner turned out to be 100% legit, nice fellow just found the bike a bit large and too much to handle. I guess he was about 5' 8" and didn't really like the weight. So my test ride was from his house to the liscence bureau 10 minutes later. I paid him the balance, got my new plates, installed highways pegs and drove it home from Montreal a trip of about 4 hours. A new bike on highways I'd never driven on a Friday night in Rush hour traffic. On some bikes that might have been a problem, not the valkyrie. She cruised through that traffic like she had wings. Center of gravity is lower than the Goldwing and she sits solid on the highway. It was a windy day, dark clouds in the sky threatening cold rain, with the trees blowing and gusty winds hitting us but no problem plowed right through. Finally got her home and settled down enough to check her over well. Best deal I ever made. Today after 3 years she has 120,000 k on her. And thanks to this Forum is in better shape than when I bought her
Quicksilver

[VALKIFIED]

I was looking for something more comportable for the misses and I. Shopped for about 10 months and decided the Valk would be my choice. Found one on the VOAI in northern Cali. worked out the deals with the PO and exactly 11 months ago today flew from Chicago to Sacremento and worked out the deal. 7 days and 3000 miles later she was in the driveway. My wife finally is enjoying motorcycling with me having gone from a Kawi ZRX to heaven on 2 wheels.

[cookiedough]

Went shopping around locally for a cycle, got the bug again after 10 year hiatus off my honda magna sold in 1997.  4-5 years ago found a very dusty, very dirty honda valkyrie I/S all black in the back of the local honda dealer on consignment.  Dealer did not push it off on me and said it needs some work and cleaning up.  I brushed it off as junk since it was filthy and not kept up too good.  Dealer let me test ride it myself first and after sputtering some, it ran like a rapped ape.  I took the misses on it after a week or so and dealer cleaned it up pretty good to at least consider buying it.  It cleaned up pretty good, not great, but good enough for me to consider buying it.  I was still reluctant to buy it after 2nd ride with my wife, but the wife, believe it or not, thought it was cool looking and unique and convinced me to buy it.  Never looked back after riding a used 1500 goldwing and the V-twin crowd.  If the wife approves, why not!

As Alph said, just get used to it at grocery stores, etc. with 2-3 people at least a few times every year starring it down and admiring the beast having no clue what it is since not a V-twinky.  I only had 1 guy ever just recently at a grocery store come up and say is that a V6 goldwing engine in there not knowing about Valkyries at all.  Pretty neat to get that once in awhile from bystanders - get used to it.