I get the OP's point and naturally I think he's right. I'm sure no one can argue.
That said, I'm not a prideful person but I can't help but to think we Valk owners are in on a secret that the masses haven't caught on to.
The obvious bike to compare the Valkyrie standard to would have to be the HD Softail. Their weight, price, style/intended market are all comparable.
Harley weights
http://www.dimensionsguide.com/harley-davidson-softail-sizes/So they're priced comparably, their weight is comparable, their intended market is similar, emotions aside I think the buyer just gets more bike for his buck with the Valkyrie.
6 cylinders vs 2. When cruising at 70+ for hours on end which engine is happier? The engine with 6 cylinders to share the work or the one with 2 frantic cylinders pumping away like crazy?
Brakes: 1 front, 1 rear vs 2 front, 1 rear on the Valk.
2 is bigger than 1. I always want more.
HP. 100 claimed HP on the Valkyrie vs approx. 70 on stock Softail.
When I was still riding dirt bikes and dual sports people used to ask me when I was going to get a comfy street bike. My answer was always that I didn't want a big, fat, slow cruiser. I like to ride my bikes, not just look at them. Turns out I was wrong, but not entirely. I did finally get a big fat comfy cruiser but this girl has legs. 100mph blasts are nothing on this bike. It's not even a noteworthy event. It's just something it does. Pretty impressive if you ask me. Lots of cruiser bikes make it to the 100mph mark and beyond. It's just easier with this one and I don't feel like I'm doing her any harm wringing it out like that. That's all.
Shaft drive over belt just for robustness, enclosed from the elements. No real data to confirm but to me it just makes sense to make the final drive as strong and durable as possible.
Liquid cooled over air cooled for road going bikes just for engine longevity. I prefer air cooled in the dirt for reliability in a mishap but on the road I try to avoid the big pointy sticks that would cause damage to a radiator off road.
2 cylinder air cooled bikes are much simpler than the beast powering our Valks. I appreciate simplicity and it seems HD's reluctance to evolve or try different engine designs, though archaic, simply works for them and they have the most passionate clientele.
I have a guy in my office who rides a Fat Boy. It's a beautiful machine and he's done a great job customizing it and he rides the daylights out of it (10K avg/yr is pretty good for around here). Much credit is due. He used to tell me that although he's owned other bikes, there's 'just something about owning a Harley Davidson'.
Ok. I get that. It's emotional and there's nothing wrong with that. Everyone needs to love their bike.
But when emotions turn to metal and with the absence of brand identity it doesn't stack up.
I wish there was a way to create a focus group of individuals with no preconceived notions or brand loyalty. Show them the Valkyrie vs Softail, explain more HP vs less, more cylinders to share the work vs fewer, more brake discs to stop/control the bike vs fewer, enclosed driveshaft vs exposed drive belt, inverted fork vs conventional, simpler air cooled design vs liquid cooled (with an explanation of each's advantage over the other) and see what they would choose. I can't imagine an objective person wouldn't choose the Valkyrie over everything else in this segment.
I might be biased because I love my Valk but I certainly am encouraged by every bike I see. I just want to see more bikes, any kind of bikes, riding daily and not just for entertainment. More bikes, more bikes, more bikes.
FWIW my father is a kind of nerdy, aging hippy type from Maine (71 Y/O) who rides an Electra Glide Ultra Classic. It's a beautiful bike and he loves it. He and his GF tour with it. He previously rode Hondas and 1 Suzuki.
My FIL is more the pirate style, bar hopper type (65Y/O). He rides a Softail Deluxe. Gorgeous with low miles. Probably my favorite HD of them all. He would only ever ride a HD.
Funny story:
I once had a short conversation with a VP at the company I work for. It went like this:
Him: I'm going to get a motorcycle.
Me: Really? Great. What kind?
Him: Harley Davidson.
Me: How come?
Him: Because they're the best.
Me: What makes them the best?
Him: Because they Harley Davidson.
LOL - Can't argue with that.
