DO YOU FEAR YOUR VALK?

[Hoser]

I seldom do group rides, mostly just at IZ or small groups once in awhile. too hazardous, and I kinda like riding alone. .  Hoser

[John Schmidt]

I generally won't run the front under 40 psi, the c/t in back around 36-37. With too low a pressure in back you'll get some wallowing, in turns especially. Try bumping it up a couple psi at a time until you feel comfy, I think you'll find 28 is a bit low for good handling and 38 in front is marginal when it comes to wear.

Obviously that's just my opinion, but it's based on many years of riding....60+.   

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Yeah Clark I did and I also raised the front forks in the triple tree.  It didn't make much difference so I went back to stock. Like I said, I can flat foot it anyway.

In reference to Willows statement about over 80, yep, I'm that.  However, I don't fear the bike or the riding but respect both.  However, I sure wouldn't want to try to keep up with Smokin' Joe in curves, that would not be 'riding my own ride'

We will ALL lose the edge as we age, depending on many things.  There is no outside criteria to determine when that occurs.  It is the rider's appraisal only to know when to quit,  physical age does not enter into it except only relatively . IMO.

I'll know when to quit and it certainly isn't tied to physical age.  

Very well said.

[Valkahuna]

If your inability to control your bike at reasonable speed is "a drag on the rest of the riders" you need to either address the issue or get off that bike.

I dunno, Willow.  You might be bordering on "sanctimonious" there.  

"sanctimonious"  Well, I know its uncool to hurt anyones feelings now a days, but Im with Willow on this one...IF IT HURTS SOME FEELINGS THATS BETTER THAN A CRASH...Theres way more to being a good and safe rider than being able to make the bike go and then stop.  If you are not in complete control then you are putting yourself and others at risk.  

We will be heading to the Hospital Monday morning for hopefully the last surgery on Judy's hand because of a rider that couldnt really handle turns or quick (not even panic) stops.  

If your riding skills are good enough for you but not good enough to hang in a group (I agree with Willow get training or  get a new bike you can handle) but you are determined to just ride it anyways.

STAY OUT OF GROUP RIDES.  Its not fair to subject others to whatever risks you are willing to live with

+1

In my "other life" where I ride my H-D with "those guys"  I have the role of "Safety Officer". As such I lead a lot of rides, and give a lot of advice and aid on individual and group riding skills. Owning a motorcycle does not automatically make one a "rider". Each individual has the responsibility to learn not only his or her own limits, but to learn those limits on that particular motorcycle.

There are many opportunities to becomes proficient in riding ones own motorcycles in any and all situations. I preach loudly and often, the merits of finding an empty parking lot at night and practicing skills such as emergency braking, evasive maneuvers, tight turns, figure eights, u-turns, etc., etc.

When, and ONLY WHEN, you have become proficient and comfortable at these maneuvers should you join in group rides. When you ride in a group, you are a link in that chain, and doing group riding well is a beautiful, synchronized, and PRACTISED thing. Done poorly, it's an accident looking for a place to happen! 

This is a great thread since it makes all of us think and evaluate. I'm with Oss in that as I get older, my need to drag my knee had diminished from my younger days. However, while I respect all of the bikes that I ride, irregardless of their size, I fear none of them. I sometimes fear the surroundings, and the situations that I can't control. But, I can control my ability to properly ride any of the bikes in my garage. It's done through practise, and remedial activities when I feel rusty either due to inactivity, or getting on one of the other bikes (typically my BMW) after not riding it for some time. Riding is like everything else, in that practice makes perfect! Proficiency turns fear into hapiness. Just be sure that you don't let it evolve into cockiness - that will kill you!

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Do I fear my Valk? No. There are things I fear about riding though and I feel differently about riding the Valk now than I did the first summer I had her.

I've been riding since I was 12 or so, I'm within a few days of being 55 now. For most of my life I rode with little concern or technique. I had lots of hill-climbing and trail riding experience growing up and rode with reckless abandon. Literately 100's of off road crashes, a high pain tolerance I guess and an insatiable love of riding. But little formal training. Until I got the Valk I rode street bikes instinctively, just as I did dirt bikes and it worked well for me. I thought counter-steering was only used when your rear tire was sliding and I would stop with the front wheel turned and the front brake on without problem. I was OK with occasionally sliding the rear tire of a street bike, I wheelied my V65 every time I rode it and seldom hit the starter without seeing the far side of 100 before she was parked.

When I bought the Valk after a few years of not riding I found myself making awkward stops and didn't understand why. Low speed felt awkward on her. She felt like she was falling into corners to me. Part of it was the OEM tires, most was poor technique. Instinct in-spite of poor technique allowed me to ride smaller bikes quite well, the Valk was less forgiving.

I was stoping using the front brake all the way in, I was sometimes stopping with the front brake on and the handlebars turned. I didn't know about working the throttle against the rear brake to stabilize the bike at slow speed. I just pushed her into turns with my knees against the tank and had no knowledge of counter-steering.

As I learned these things, with help from the board here and then with lots of help from "Ride Like A Pro" slow speed riding fell into place for me. Good Avon front tires and a CT rear combined with understanding counter-steering helped cornering start falling into place for me on the big bike. Then, for the first time I started learning hard, well planted cornering on a street bike and began to experience dragging my pegs and boots through corners, and what a ball that was indeed. 

Then I experienced sliding both tires in some road debris and riding home with a broken leg. Four years and three surgeries later I still live for riding but the physical, financial and emotional stress of getting my leg back in order have acted as a "governor" on my riding style. I no longer ride with the same abandon I once did.

When riding I used to think in very simple terms I guess, I would come home fine or I would die. Since I was going to die anyway there was no need to needlessly worry about it. I had never taken the idea of being stuck somewhere in the middle seriously until the broken leg and my long, convoluted recovery from the implantation and removal of the metal plate and screws. Without my family it would have been tough indeed and I don't want to put them or me through that again if it can be avoided.

So I seldom drag my pegs now and I feel a little twinge of fear if the boot on my damaged leg touches the pavement when I'm not expecting it. But I won't deny, it's still a thrill I love dearly too.

[Willow]

I dunno, Willow.  You might be bordering on "sanctimonious" there.  

I'm not sure which side of the border you're referencing, but I'm probably well across.  I'm fairly skilled in sanctimoniousness.    

I run my front tire at 38 PSI and my Darkside at 28 PSI. Reading about your collective experiences, there is much I can learn with practice.

I need to get into the twisters by myself and practice more after I increase tire PSI. ???

Both my girls ware CT's at the same PSI. Any recommendations on tire pressures?

Riding the V-Twin VTX1800 is not nearly as difficult or "scary." Yet, both girls ware CT's at the same PSI.  

The VTX and the Valkyrie are different configurations in more ways than just weight or weight distribution.  Same tires same pressures?  That may be a clue in itself.

Too many of our riders quickly lump all "car tires" and all "motorcycle tires" together and that simply isn't valid.  There are tremendous differences from one tire to another in the "car tire" category.  I've ridden bikes sporting "car tires" that handled like trucks, especially at lower speeds.  I've also ridden bikes with rear tires originally designed for use on cages on which I hardly noticed a difference in handling from that of the traditional motorcycle tire.

Tire pressure does make a difference.  I run forty pounds in the rear Falken and forty-two in the front Cobra.  I certainly would expect poor handling from the wrong tire or the wrong pressure.  

[texaninsouthfl]

WOW!  i agree with Chris on something. Chris is right, i have been the road captain of formations from 6 to 250. i either know or have ridden with most of these riders over the years. i almost always have to move some to the rear or exclude them from the formation. i don't care what they ride or who they are if they can't ride safely or are having a bad day, i cannot allow them to affect the others. last year i had to remove a sitting U.S. Congressman from the formation until he had his lighting repaired. his entourage was pissed, but i didn't care and he knew i was right, sorry no photo op today.

I only know of one U.S. Congressman who rides in south Florida.  He rides a VTX 1800 with a custom American flag and eagle paint job...  that the same guy?

[Paxton]

texaninsouthfl;
I am pretty sure that it is not the same VTX. However, you decide. I never shy away from an opportunity to show them off. 

Open this link:
https://picasaweb.google.com/103917731019176896112/LASNENASHONDA2000ValkyrieGL1500CYHONDA2002VTX1800R2?authkey=Gv1sRgCJOlhYaf-ffxowE

[ValkFlyer]

Well Paxton I may as well add my two cents, and it's only that...just a thought.
 
In looking over your bike I've noticed that you appear to have made a considerable number of modification...and I’ll add some nice ones.  Anyhow what I wanted to share is that with each modification there's the possibility of altering the performance of your bike...

Now before you laugh think about it...by altering the travel of your shocks, let’s say by dropping them from 13 inches to 12, you’ve impacted the geometry of the bike..and it’s ability to corner.  Think I'm off base? 

How about the adding of a windshield.... will it not require the bike to push harder?  Take that one a step further... windshield height, the result will impact the bike aerodynamics and how the air does or does not strike the rider.

 So here’s were I’m going with this…Yes, perhaps what you are feeling is a physical change brought on by age, or perhaps its’ tied to some king of physiological event…. or skills…..then again perhaps it’s just that overtime you’ve made the right  combination of changes which are now slowly manifesting in a manner that is causing you to loose confidence in you riding abilities…Well like I said…it’s just my two cents.

 I guess you could always put a few things back to the way they were and see if you notice a difference.   

[Gryphon Rider]

We both rode tonight to a b-day party but left by dark to avoid the deer.

Ever since hitting a deer after dark on my previous bike, I prefer not to ride outside the city at night.  When I do I am hyper vigilant and rarely exceed the speed limit.

[Gryphon Rider]

Paxton, one thing I would suggest is to sign up for an experienced/advanced rider course with a local motorcycle school.  There might be some bad habit you are unaware of or have ignored, or there may be some technique you can apply to improve your riding.  It always helps to have an expert take a good look at your riding and offer suggestions.

[Clark]

I fear.. NOTHING

[Earl in Pensacola]

Paxton:  Not wanting to "start anything" but take those Car-tires off and install Avon Cobras at 40+ PSI.  The low speed handling will be vastly improved! 

[fudgie]

Yes, your CT is way to low, imho. I have mine at 40 psi and is perfect. No work in turns or the corners. I had it at 30 psi going to the blue/grey ride and was awfull bouncey in sweepers.

[Robert]

Nope never feared my Valk sometimes maneuvering but never the Valk. But I got over all that stuff there's no better remedy for fear like dropping the bike a couple of times fall over slide on the road on your butt and then dust yourself off and ride. No fear of any maneuver and if I fall oh well, sure beats using the cage all the time 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Yes, your CT is way to low, imho. I have mine at 40 psi and is perfect. No work in turns or the corners. I had it at 30 psi going to the blue/grey ride and was awfull bouncey in sweepers.

Agree.

I also agree concerning the experienced riders course. I've taken it twice, both times in the spring when I felt a little rusty. Had no problems with the slow speed stuff with the CT (Goodyear TT then) and smoked the class both times with the E stop ability of the CT. Second time around was in sleet, rain and snow. 3 out of 10 bikes hit the pavement that day.

I didn't agree with their insistence that I use my whole hand on the front brake. I told them I'd stick with two fingers and they could flunk me for it if they wanted. They decided I was stopping well enough I guess.