Dropped Valk, Opened issue with the NHTSA on Handlebar Lock

[F6Mark]

This happened to me- I was parked at a parking space with the handlebars locked, and when I went to leave (after a few beers) I needed to make a u-turn, so I didn't realize the bars were locked till I was headed in the other direction.  Luckily there was no traffic in the immediate area and I was able to stop and back up right back to the space and then I could get my @#$% together.  Thank god there were no HD riders in the vicinity.
btw- I practice riding in circles with the bars at full lock all the time.  (Subject for future post- Valkyrie Drill Teams!!)
 I think the bar lock is not well designed but personally I hate to add to any gov't regulations.

And- I don't drink and drive nearly as much as I used to.
Lastly- I never lock my bars.  I never thought there was much chance of anyone messing with it, but maybe that's just lazy thinking.  Has anyone ever had a problem where they said, "if only I had locked my handlebars!"  ??
Mark

[tivoklr]

I have to admit, I've done the same thing, except, I usually DON'T lock the steering and had the misfortune of forgetting that I HAD locked it, to help keep the bike from falling over in a funky parking space. The first maneuver I made was to the left, no problemo. Then I leaned to the right, and BAM, the bike threw me off about 10 feet and dumped itself right onto the right saddlebag and engine guard.

Best part, I was sober.

Anyway, after heaving that heavy bitch up onto her wheels again, I was good to go, other than some scratches that still remain on my beetle bag.

Lesson learned.

[woefman]

Wow, I guess people here are much nicer (read, diplomatic) than me...

Are you serious?!?! You forgot to unlock your forks and that is somehow Honda's fault?!?!?

This is one of the main reasons this country is in the shape it is in... people wanting to blame others for their lapses of judgement or failure to do what they are supposed to...

Make sure you sue them too...

To each his own... I am entitled to my opinion of this situation, and to post it here, as you put it out there originally...

Your wrong... plain and simple... suck it up and move on...   

I don't dis credit your post for I sometimes feel the same way. Spilling Hot McDonalds Coffee then suing comes to mind. You are correct this kind of over nuts safety tends to lead to higher costs to items we like. Just at what point do people become accountable for their actions anymore.


However The poster does have a Valid Point and wishes to warn others.

Imagine banging thru  two gears before realizing this ....Ouch could get ugly.

If your going to go to the effort to kill engine because kickstand is down, they should have thought about the steering lock, because as mentioned, this is not the only style steering lock on the market, therefore there is room for argument of re inventing the wheel. I suspect the Kickstand safety item was because of a Bonehead move on someones part.

[valkmc]

I have seen this happen twice, both times with HD's. I say everyone makes a stupid mistake on ocassion and Honda did when they put this type of lock on a bike that was known as the crusier of the decade. This is not an issue for the government, but as consumers it is our right to let the people who designed and sold the bike know how we feel.

I don't use the lock very often, there are a lot of bikes worth more than my valk around so I don't worry to much about it. I did use it on my last trip from Detroit to Florida and I remember saying to myself when I locked it, I need to remember this in the morning.

The valks is a great bike but has worts just like any other (how about that clutch plate with the revits, great design). Hope you get your bike back to new with out to much expense and trouble.

[Skinhead]

Take a paint pen or permanent marker and draw a line from the center of the tumbler to the out side of the lock while unlocked.  Then if you lock the steering the line wound be broken and give you a visual indication.  When unlocked the line would be continuous.

[stude31]

Wow,

This is still getting attention!!   Amazing....

I had locked mine just the other day at the lake.  A friend's daughter was playing in a softball tourney and I parked a "safe" distance away from any ball leaving the park.  So, I locked the steering and went into the ball field.  To my amazement, I hiked back to my bike and got my helmet, gloves, and then stood the bike up attempted to turn the wheel straight and DOH!!!   I forgot I locked the steering!!!  So I pulled the key out of the ignition and reached up w/ my monkey long arms and unlocked the wheel.   And away I went...  I could have done the same thing.  I was turning left out of my spot that I had backed into and no one was to my left so I easily could have kept the steering cocked to the left and rode off.  But....  But...   I always turn the wheel straight before I leave, just a habit like shutting off the petcock. 

I would urge everyone to follow this rule and you nor your bike would be injured.

Hopefully Duckee can put this behind him and learn from it,  but I must agree to a previous poster.  This brought great awareness to many...   Hope you and your bike are all better Duckee... 

Ride safe and see you in a few days!!!

Stude31

[judd]

Geeez.......I don't believe Honda is obligated to even put a steering lock on the bikes, so if your going to make a Federal case of this, perhaps they'll simply forgo doing so in the future.  Easy fix for Honda.

[R J]

Harley has 2 loops you add your padlock to.  One 7734 of a lot better system than in our Honda's.

In fact I broke my steer head lock today.

Son had taken it to bike night last night, took it to his house and parked it, & locked the steer head.    I got over there, grabbed the keys off the wall and jumped astraddle of MGM, jerking the handle bars at the same time.   We heard a snap crack pop and the bars turned.     Son said oh dad, I locked the steer head, we laughed and I said it ain't locked no more.   Pulled the key and the tumbler just spun around.

We will pull the tumbler later & see what is in there.  Sure can't be much to break that easy.

[valkmc]

Like judd says they should of left the lock off the valkyrie, I was in Daytona when a friend who was at the same hotel as myself had his harley stolen. He had the front end locked with a padlock. Witnesses stated on the report that a pick up with no tag pulled up, four guys got out shoved pipes through the frame, picked the bike up and threw it in the bed of the truck. It was a 1970's bike so I know it must of been heavy.

I think they should leave the lock off the valk in the future, oh that's right I forgot they don't make them anymore. Another great decision from Honda.

[SPOFF]

The Valkyrie lock is identical to the unit that was on my 1966 Honda Cub 50. Wasn't strong enough for that bike either. I guess I'm wondering exactly what the NHTSA is supposed to do? The bike has been out of production the better part of a decade. I really don't want to give the emerging socialist nanny state any more excuses to ban motorcycling (or to seize all those "unsafe" Valkyries).