Looking at used Valkyries

[71dartswinger]

Hello! I have been shopping online and reading up on Valkyrie Interstate for a while now. I currently have a 96 CBR1000F, but I am wanting to get more of a touring the bike. The bike is a great bike with only 20k miles, and the girlfriend loves to ride it. However, my dad bought a 2007 Goldwing loaded to the gills, and I took his bike with her for a two hour ride one day. We weren't even half way through the ride, and she informed me that my next bike needs to be a Goldwing. I love the "Wing" it will fly though the twisties; but I wouldn't mind a "cooler" looking bike like the Valkyrie. I also like the storage for overnight trips. I was actually looking at getting a VTX 1800T, but I think the Valkyrie Interstate would give similar passenger comfort of the "Wing", but would still have the cool factor for someone in their 20's.
  My question is what do you need to look for in the higher mile Valkyries? It seems like some of these bike have hardly any miles or they have 50k plus. It appears that they will go 100-200k miles with proper maintenance though. Is there anywhere to find maintenance schedules for these bikes?
Thanks,
Chris

[SANDMAN5]

My question is what do you need to look for in the higher mile Valkyries? It seems like some of these bike have hardly any miles or they have 50k plus. It appears that they will go 100-200k miles with proper maintenance though. Is there anywhere to find maintenance schedules for these bikes?

First of all, congrats on taking a serious look at a Valk. They're great!! 50,000 is nothing on one of
these, assuming they've not been neglected. My '98 will turn over 50,000 in the next couple of
months and I wouldn't hesitate to ride it to Alaska tomorrow....maybe even Hawaii...if I had
enough vacation time and gas money. Someone here can fix you up with a maint list or maybe
even an owners manual. Most maint is "user friendly", unlike the Wing (I hear). Actually, one with
some miles on it may be even better! Might not have to worry about changing all that stuff that
dry rots sitting in a garage! Hope you find you one.
P.S. 200,000 miles of engine life would be a low estimate for a decently treated Valkyrie.

[john]

look for garage kept and stock ..
there is the ... honda valkyrie service manual
a " bible " for these mororcycles ... 
i see one on ebay now and then ...
last one i saw when for about 25 bucks ...
 

[Spirited-6]

Chris, don`t bypass a Valk. with miles, IE, 20,000 to 40,000 miles. These bikes have most likely had the service to do the miles. Low miles on some mean that "nothing" have been done to insure a long life. Give me a bike with 30,000 road miles veruses  a bike with 2,000 town miles every time. Like has been said "my .02 cents" 

[Jabba]

It's all about trade off.  Money vs mileage.  You can save some good coin on a Valk with miles... and it'll purr along just fine IMO.

Congrats for looking.  We don't get too many 20-somethings.  I am 40 and one of the younger guys at most of the ride ins.

I agree with you too... I'd like a wing... sort of... but the Valk has something 'cool' about it that the wing-dings don't.

Jabba

[franco6]

  if its a one owner valk with more miles you probably have a sweet deal! welcome!

[JimL]

It's all about trade off.  Money vs mileage.  You can save some good coin on a Valk with miles... and it'll purr along just fine IMO.

Congrats for looking.  We don't get too many 20-somethings.  I am 40 and one of the younger guys at most of the ride ins.

I agree with you too... I'd like a wing... sort of... but the Valk has something 'cool' about it that the wing-dings don't.

Jabba

Jabba I never had really committed much thought to it but you are right, Valk owners are definitely a more "mature" crowd!  I am going to interpret that in the context of "with age comes wisdom" and with wisdom one chooses a Valkyrie.  I suppose that one could further extrapolate that since some of the "yougsters" in your 40's are riding Valkyries....you are wise beyond your years!

Jim

[kipmilam]

I really don't understand why most Valkyrie owners thing 40k-60k or 100k miles is a lot. while goldwing owners thing 300k is a lot.  According to factory engineers the valk/goldwing engines/trans are designed for 300k. 

[Big IV]

and I'm pushing 30 (turing on first day of Inzane actually).
I wish I'd had this bike years before, been dreaming of it since I was 18 before I ever hopped on a bike.
That's what happens when you were born in 1979 and start shopping in 1997...Valks and Victories caught my eye as the new thing...

I had no problem on mine loading the 98 Tourer with luggage and moving from NC to PA.  Great bike. It will do just about anything that you want it to do.

Can't go wrong with a Valk.

i've got 62,000 miles on mine (combined to the 10,000 that were on it when I bought it a few years ago). My personal goal is to keep this one over 300,000 miles. 100,00 mile mark should be coming up before to long.

[stormrider]

oodle.com is the best way I've found to find anything.


click this.

http://www.oodle.com/browse/?q=honda+valkyrie+interstate&sc=best

[Andy]

I had a '71 Dart Swinger back in '77. Really miss that car.

[ssober]

I don't know where you are but if you are in the market for a standard or a tourer, i have seen quite a few in Oklahoma.  I saw a clean 03 standard with low miles in the "shop and swap" or deals on wheels paper the other day, the same guy had a low mileage 98 and a new wing.  Look around, you will find one.  I think there were a couple on i/s in the classifieds section.  I am right there with you being in my early 30's.  I felt too young for a wing and not cool enough for a harley. i kept my fast bike for "twist off days"

[71dartswinger]

Thanks everyone for the messages and advice. I live in central Arkansas, and actually was able to test drive a Valkyrie interstate that they had sitting at Russellville Honda. It had 63k miles, new Avon Tires, and a little rough around the edges. It had the original seat but with some folding back rest. First, the bike sounded great. It started fine, and seemed to drive out okay. I am always pretty timid on something different. It felt like it may have had a shimmy or two every now and then but it could have been the crappy road that I was on. The seat position seemed very comfortable tool. It helped that they had some highway pegs mounted too. Ran it all the way up to 90 and the windshield did a great job of blocking the wind. The only problem was at higher rpms you could tell the carbs were not right or something. It stumbled a few times, and you could smell gas when going 55mph. It didn't help that I rode the old cbr before I test drove. The bike was more comfortable, but it is so easy to drive that little bike (still 500lb+) around. They wanted too much for a bike that didn't run right though( It is a dealership, what can you expect?). The parts department was awesome though. They helped me change a battery in the parking lot for my bike. Since the new battery didn't have enough charge yet, they jumped me also.
  Andy, my dad kept reminding me to never get rid on my 71 because I would miss it a lot. I am glad that I kept his advice. I don't drive it much, but it is sitting safe in the barn for days that I get the bug.
Chris

[Scott in Ok]

I really don't understand why most Valkyrie owners thing 40k-60k or 100k miles is a lot. while goldwing owners thing 300k is a lot.  According to factory engineers the valk/goldwing engines/trans are designed for 300k. 

Tho the engine and transmission will last many 100k's of miles, the rest of it won't.  On a higher mileage bike you start dealing with things like alternators, vacuum lines, steering head bearings, drive shaft/pinion cup, bearings, drive splines etc etc.

I went that route, and now I wish I wouldn't have.  With proper maintenance, its fine, but if you don't know the history it can suck.  I'm also quite afraid when I hear a seller say: "All the scheduled maintenance has been done by the Honda dealership". I would rather hear someone say, "I've done all my own maintenance"

I'm not trying to scare anyone, but most of the folks that say they will last forever either don't ride many miles, or do their own maintenance to the extreme.  There are wear items on any Valkyrie that will eventually fail.   

-Scott
 

[Youngsmoke]

Dartswinger,
  Don't know if you are still reading this thread, but  just found it and wanted to add that I am 26 and have the same problem.  My (now wife, then GF) took a ride un my uncle's wing and told me I had to upgrade from my shadow 1100.  I just bought a 98 tourer with 42k in may and have been very excited with my choice.  Infact we are gearing up for a week or so long trip to Napa for our anniversery next week on the valk.  It is a great choice! I do wonder, though how many guys anywhere near my age are riding them. seems like, from reading the board, i am a way younin' round here.
thanks for all the advice guys!   

[Dogg]

maybe ur young but that dont mean you can keep up:D

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Chris, I bought my I/S  it had 59K on it and the previous owner didn't take very good care of it. I got it cheap 4500 and that was over 3yrs ago.  The first thing I did was change all fluids and all wheel bearings and vaccum lines. I checked the final drive splines and lubed them and the ends of the drive shaft. I put new rubber on when it was needed and changed out all brake pads. With all this work I had a good baseline to start a better maintance plan. This said I now have 106K on her and just got back off a 825 mile trip with the wife last weekend. The work is fairly easy and cheap so don't let the milage be a big factor. Get what you want. Aftermarket chrome is getting harder to find and pricey so if it has a lot of afermarket stuff thats a plus. A good jack and adapter and a service manual and the wealth on knowledge offer by these people in this club is all you need.

[solo1]

I've had two Gold Wings, an '86 and a '91.  While they had everything, especially the '91,  both had something missing for me,  When I bought my '97 Valk new in '96, I found what was missing for me,

Unfortunately, my age is interfering with my enjoyment of the Valk now.  Weight and lack of reverse makes it hard on my 81 year old bod.  My son did install a sidecar but I found that it was like hooking up a beer wagon to a race horse.  The performance wasn't there for me any more. Now we are in the process of taking off the 'car and putting the Valk back to stock.

It probably will be going up for sale at 39,000 miles.

[Cruzen]

I have a 1999 Interstate and have never regretted the purchase.  Between my two bikes I average 16-18K miles per year with last year being a bit over 20K.  I ride 364 days per year

There are some significant differences between the various Valks with the Interstate being my choice.  First the Interstate has a lower seat. ( I have verified this by comparison of my Interstate with several Standard and Tourer Valks) Second, it has a larger fuel tank by about a half gallon over the other two versions. It has the fairing and radio and a few additional creature comforts.  I have also heard that the suspension is set up a bit differently but I do not know that for fact.  What I do know is that my lady and I take long trips on the Interstate and Interstate cruises well on the road but is a bit to handle around town so I resort to riding my Magna around town.

By comparison a 1999 Wing has a much higher seat.  In some of the information presented by the mags in 1999 it is claimed that besides the six carbs verses the Wings 2 carbs, the Valkyrie has a different cam for a bit more power, or more torque than a Wing of the same time period.  Of course the newer fuel injected 1800CC Wings will out run a Valk but that is a different ball game and a significant price difference.  My friend has over 120K on his 1999 Wing which is also a 1520CC engine and except for one electrical problem the bike has been trouble free.

You can check out:

http://www.motorsports-network.com/HONDA/new99/valinter.htm

http://www.motorsports-network.com/HONDA/valinter/valinter.htm

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/honda_valkyrie_1500_f6/index.html

This one matches my Magna to my Valk as well as other bikes. Note that the Magna has about half the engine size of the other bikes but shows up well. 
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/performance_cruiser_comparison/index.html

Check out how the Valk and Magna rate against other “Sport Cruisers”  The Valk is by far the heaviest bike in this group.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/sport_cruisers_comparison/index.html

Hope these help you understand how the Valk compares to other bikes.

[Strong Eagle]

I've had two Gold Wings, an '86 and a '91.  While they had everything, especially the '91,  both had something missing for me,  When I bought my '97 Valk new in '96, I found what was missing for me,

Unfortunately, my age is interfering with my enjoyment of the Valk now.  Weight and lack of reverse makes it hard on my 81 year old bod.  My son did install a sidecar but I found that it was like hooking up a beer wagon to a race horse.  The performance wasn't there for me any more. Now we are in the process of taking off the 'car and putting the Valk back to stock.

It probably will be going up for sale at 39,000 miles.

How about triking it, Wayne?  Still not 2 wheels but better than a hack?

PS:  Glad to know it is 81 that starts slowing you up on a Valk... 21 left to go.

[Oldswimr]

I picked mine up Sunday, rode it three hours home, I love this thing. Still getting used to the power, OMG what POWER! I am upgrading from an 1100 Tourer (Honda V-Twin)
It has 42K, looks like it just came off the showroom floor. I'm third owner, it's 99% stock.
(wait, I think I peed myself...)   

[Trynt]

[There are some significant differences between the various Valks with the Interstate being my choice.  First the Interstate has a lower seat. ( I have verified this by comparison of my Interstate with several Standard and Tourer Valks) Second, it has a larger fuel tank by about a half gallon over the other two versions.

According to Honda the interstate tank is 6.9 gallons while the standard/tourer tank is 5.3.

[Cruzen]

According to Honda the interstate tank is 6.9 gallons while the standard/tourer tank is 5.3.

I did not have the exact numbers with me but I knew it was at least a half gallon larger.  Running around 75-80mph, my Interstate gets about 34.5 -35.5mpg with around 480 lbs of rider, passenger and stuff and goes about 225-230 miles, depending on wind conditions, between refills.  I believe in using all the gas tank including what is considered the reserve.

Thanks for the additional input.

[Cruzen]

I reread your post and several things came to mind.  First off you said your girlfriend liked riding on you CBR 1000F.  That made me chuckle a bit.  I will bet that if “girlfriend” ever becomes “wife” she won’t go near that CBR.  She’ll expect something she can actually sit on with some degree of comfort, and safety.  Right now she’s just trying to pacify ya!!

Secondly in a later posting you talk about the weight of the 500lb CBR.  On the road you get hit by a cross wind on such a bike and it will pick you up and move you over a couple of states.  Even on my 770lb Interstate I still get moved around by the high winds we have in certain parts of Arizona, but it’s a lot better than what happens to some of the people on lighter bikes.

[solo1]

I've had two Gold Wings, an '86 and a '91.  While they had everything, especially the '91,  both had something missing for me,  When I bought my '97 Valk new in '96, I found what was missing for me,

Unfortunately, my age is interfering with my enjoyment of the Valk now.  Weight and lack of reverse makes it hard on my 81 year old bod.  My son did install a sidecar but I found that it was like hooking up a beer wagon to a race horse.  The performance wasn't there for me any more. Now we are in the process of taking off the 'car and putting the Valk back to stock.

It probably will be going up for sale at 39,000 miles.

How about triking it, Wayne?  Still not 2 wheels but better than a hack?

PS:  Glad to know it is 81 that starts slowing you up on a Valk... 21 left to go.

Wayne, I'm not considering a trike.  It probably would be less weight than a 'car and it definitely has a symmetrical ride unlike a "rig" but it doesn't appeal to me, never has.

I probably will be putzing around on my really nice '91 750 Nighthawk.  Unfortunately, the 'Hawk doesn't have the comfort of the Valk so that makes the 'Hawk only good for local ventures.  Gosh to think I once rode 1600 miles on a hard tail Matchless thumper. 

[MP]

The IS tank is 1.6 gallons bigger than the standard or tourer. That is a lot.  I put an IS tank on my 97 std, and love the gallons, and the larger look.
MP

[Haulin2]

 Craigslist (Chicago area) has an ad for a 2000 Honda Valkrie Tourer with 573 miles!  Not mine or anyone I know.  http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/mcy/1245050805.html