Leg room for non-vertically challenged rider on 2014 Valkyrie

[Serk]

(Cross posting to Texas board for my Texas friends who don't frequent the sandbox)

I'd seen some comments questioning the leg room on the 2014 Valkyrie for non-vertically challenged riders, and seeing as I had some free time today about a mile from a Honda dealer, figured I'd do my VRCC duty and go sit on one and get a few pics... I'm not the tallest guy out there, but at 5'17" I'm not exactly a midget either. The radiator pods act almost like a mini fairing in regards to leg placement, but I was able to very comfortably get my legs onto the pegs without touching anything on the pods.







As far as my actual impressions... I dislike it much less having seen it in person than I did when I only saw it in pictures. I'll withhold final judgement until I see what can be done to one windshield and bag wise, but I'm still very turned off by the high amount of plastic on it. But... Just sitting on it, it did feel... right... I'll admit...

I won't say there will never be one in my garage at this point, but we'll see...

[Houdini]

Who's that skinny dude sitting on the Valk and what did he do with Serk? 

[Christbiker]

I'm really impressed with the fact that Serk has ANY free time with his family schedule. 

Blessings,

Woody

[Serk]

I'm really impressed with the fact that Serk has ANY free time with his family schedule. 

Blessings,

Woody

Hehehehe, the ONLY reason I was able to pull this off is that the eldest spawn has swim practice at the Rockwall Natatorium which is about a mile away from Rockwall Honda, thus while waiting for her to do her swimmy thing, I have a few minutes to twiddle my thumbs in the area, since it doesn't make sense to drive home, wait 10 minutes, and drive right back...

There's a book written by a father of triplets that I think of often.... It's called "I nap at red lights."

[Wetrudgeon]

The new Valk may work just fine for taller riders but pegs placement appears ideal for short little squirts.  Like us, for instance.  Going to have a close inspection Sat.

We trudge on (w/short strides).

[SideCar]

I'm still laughing over the 'dislike it less' comment.

[godfire]

Hey Serk,
In your free time (haha) for reference, do you have a shot like the first one on your Blue and Ivory?
And thanks for the intel!

[5_19]

.......... When did they come out with the 3/4 scale version?  Let's see: peg lowering kit, extra tall windshield, seat, move handle bars slightly forward. That should be a good starting point.

Is anybody building essentials ergonomic accessories for the new Valkyrie? Vertically challenged people first!

Look.....the 2014 Valkyrie is already listed.

http://cycle-ergo.com/

[Serk]

Hey Serk,
In your free time (haha) for reference, do you have a shot like the first one on your Blue and Ivory?
And thanks for the intel!

Here's about the closest I was able to find in my archives (I'm on kid dooty and it's dark or I'd try to get ya' a fresh one). The cleanliness of the bike should give you an idea of just how old this pic is (14 years or so I think)

[f-Stop]

Thanks Serk!  This may be the most useful 2014 Valkyrie report I've seen.

[godfire]

Thanks Serk!  This may be the most useful 2014 Valkyrie report I've seen.

I couldn't agree with Charlie more! Excellent pick of the reference pic. Thank you Serk for the write up and the additional pic. I've been curious about the riding position on the new Valk and you answered all my questions.... I can't believe they didn't come out of the gate with a windshield and bags.

Oh, and I guess I could say thanks for doing the all the 'leg work' on this one.... 

[Mapper]

 

[Houdini]

I can't believe they didn't come out of the gate with a windshield and bags.

I had a rather long discussion about the new Valk at Maxim and was told there was a slim to none chance that Honda will make bags or a fairing for it, buy an F6B was the response to why.  Makes sense to me.  There should be a Honda windshield coming soon and I'm sure there are other manufactures scrambling to get a windshield on the market.

My .02¢

Since the new Valkyrie looks like a stripped F6B or a naked wing, why all the concern over bags, buy an F6B if bags are your priority.  Sounds like the only other option would be buy F6B/Wing bags and mounts or something aftermarket.

Overall I think it is a nice looking bike but since I'd be replacing my Interstate if I buy a new scoot I'd probably lean towards the F6B.

[Disco]

The press release from Honda said there would be bags and windshield(s?).  Carlos, at Cycle Center of Denton, said the same thing to me last weekend - that he had the list, but still no pictures.  While we often question Honda's decisions (and have for a long time), for them to completely cede large chunks of the accessory market to others makes little sense. 

IMO, the desire for add-on bags and wind protection makes perfect sense.  While I understand Honda's GL1800 product lineup as presented, to me, one of the main attributes of the first generation is its flexibility.  Got a Standard and want bags and wind protection?  Get bags and wind protection.  Got a Tourer and want to go naked?  Take it all off.  Want a Tourer windshield, National Cycle windshield, Memphis shades windshield or batwing, Woody's, Wide Open Customs???  Same goes with OEM Tourer / IS bags, Champion, Nat'l Cycle, Tsukayu, Boss, Beetle, etc... 

Other than removing the Goldwing trunk, the configuration of the of the 'wing and F6B is fixed.  Their personalities pretty much follow.

A fairing on a new Valkyrie would also introduce fork-mounted to the mix.

[HayHauler]

Here here!

Hay
Jimmyt

[Wetrudgeon]

Talked with RPM Cycle yesterday and the sales guy stated that bags are on the list of Honda accessories.  Said acc would become available "in about a month."  We don't much need bags for the type of riding we do, but a wind screen is a must.

We trudge on.

[Houdini]

Maxim must be pushing the F6B instead of the Honda accessories. 

[brew1brew]

Maxim must be pushing the F6B instead of the Honda accessories. 

Or they are more worried about pushing their new Yamaha line!

[cookiedough]

I sat on all 4 new 2014's yesterday:  f6b, new valk, new goldwing, and new st1300 right beside each other.

Agree on legroom very similar to the goldwing with the plastic coming back at you but should not be touching anyone's knees. 

2 things I noticed right away on the new Valk is the much lower handlebars as compared to the f6b being up a few inches higher which I prefer as well as the very stiff and uncomfy/smaller seat on the new Valk.

The st1300 I preferred over the new valk better ergos for me and looked really nice as well.

If I had my choice of the lot,  I'd get a new f6b even over a new goldwing it just fit me the best more openness to it (even over a new goldwing) much like our old Valks and the seat was softer and bigger and handlebars were up higher as well only after adding a much taller windshield.  I liked the blacked out F6b I sat on but would hold off until I see the dark red and maybe blue color as well.

I could only see buying a new valk to run around blowing past other bikes in short distance runs feeling like a young hooligan hopping from bar to bar.  HOnda's focal point of the new valk is after the young 20's crowd and I think they somewhat succeeded if the 20's crowd has 16K or so laying around. 

For most of us older folks 40 and above,  I don't think replacing our valks with the new valk would be liked by many and done.