Grips

[The Dark Knight]

My hands seem to hurt a bit while riding. Like the stock grips are too hard, or angled uncomfortably. Anybody else feeling this? I had an '06 VTX1300C before and don't recall any hand uncomfortability.
I'm thinking about getting the Honda chrome grips with the rubber strips built in them. Does anybody have these chrome Honda grips? I'd like to know if they are more "Kush" before I buy them.

[Xyzzy]

They are the largest diameter grips I have ever had on a Honda. Could that be the issue?

(I find them to be very comfortable.)

[hubcapsc]

To me (I haven't measured them or anything) they seem exactly like the OEM
real-Valkyrie grips, which I love. But my right hand is never comfortable
on the new bike... I'm guessing uncomfortable bar angle... or maybe that
the bars are too far forward, resulting in more weight on your hands.

-Mike

[f6gal]

To me (I haven't measured them or anything) they seem exactly like the OEM
real-Valkyrie grips, which I love. But my right hand is never comfortable
on the new bike... I'm guessing uncomfortable bar angle... or maybe that
the bars are too far forward, resulting in more weight on your hands.

-Mike

Ditto that Mike, but both hands, because of the bar position.  Still looking for a solution to pull them back.   ???

[hubcapsc]

To me (I haven't measured them or anything) they seem exactly like the OEM
real-Valkyrie grips, which I love. But my right hand is never comfortable
on the new bike... I'm guessing uncomfortable bar angle... or maybe that
the bars are too far forward, resulting in more weight on your hands.

-Mike

Ditto that Mike, but both hands, because of the bar position.  Still looking for a solution to pull them back.   ???

I have a machinist here that is going to try to work some magic for me on my extra set
of risers, we'll see what happens... my dealer sent me two left risers  and is
taking forever to get me a right one... I'm starting to not care that he gives me
good prices...

-Mike

[jimmytee]

I just ordered a set of Helibars for my F6B.
https://www.helibars.com/product/honda-goldwing-gl1800f6b-luxury-sport-touring-horizon-bars

They make many bars for many bikes. They don't have a set Valkyrie specific, but they do have plenty of 1" options that I'm sure could do the trick ,. They're not cheap though.

[Jess from VA]

They're not cheap though.

That's an understatement.

[jimmytee]

They're not cheap though.

That's an understatement.

I spent $60 on a set of Kury risers that helped, but just still aren't right for me.There is something subtle that is causing me to have the muscles between my shoulders and around my neck to be tensed up during extended rides. I don't know if it's the combination of my Corbin seat and the Kury Ergos or what. I do know that if I could just raise the grips a bit more and a bit back ,and change the angle of the grips, I should be able to find the Nirvana sweat spot. The Helibars allow you to do all that,albeit at a price. They look cool too, and will strengthen up the front end with the cross bar that adds rigidity.

[Jess from VA]

Oh I'd be doing whatever it takes as well; it's too bad some bikes are so hard to adjust simple riser position. 

[Xyzzy]

I got lucky because everything fits me perfectly, even the seat.

It only took me about 15 bikes to find one that fit!

[hubcapsc]

[Warlock]

They're not cheap though.

That's an understatement.

I spent $60 on a set of Kury risers that helped, but just still aren't right for me.There is something subtle that is causing me to have the muscles between my shoulders and around my neck to be tensed up during extended rides. I don't know if it's the combination of my Corbin seat and the Kury Ergos or what. I do know that if I could just raise the grips a bit more and a bit back ,and change the angle of the grips, I should be able to find the Nirvana sweat spot. The Helibars allow you to do all that,albeit at a price. They look cool too, and will strengthen up the front end with the cross bar that adds rigidity.

I got the MBL risers and also was having the same thing. Added a Utopia backrest and problem went away. For some reason I wasn't sitting up straight in the seat.
David

[Ed Norton]

How do you like your new Corbin seat 

[hubcapsc]

How do you like your new Corbin seat

I'd love it if I had freakishly long arms 

The seat seems like it would work for all-day-long, but my posture
in it relative to the bars made my ride to and from work miserable
yesterday.

I put both bikes together yesterday afternoon on their front-wheel chocks.

I sat on both, Carolyn took some pictures.

It seems like longer bars or risers could put the grips where you want them,
but Honda has us sitting too far back on this bike... the steering head
is almost in another zip-code.

I'm going to send a few of the pictures to Corbin. If this seat put you
two or so inches forward, it would probably be real ugly, but it would
help a whole lot... don't know what they'll think...

-Mike

[Ed Norton]

Be careful Mike..the boys need room too 

[Paxton]

I don't know about the handlebars but the shirt rocks! 

[Xyzzy]

Perhaps the reason I am able to fit the Valkyrie is that I ride with a forward lean. I do not use a windshield so leaning forward balances the wind pressing on me. Well, up to about 90MPH then it gets a little rough. (The dirty turbulent air off of semi trucks can be a problem, too.)

I am 6' tall, have a 32" inseam and my arms are "normal" length.



I put in a 225 mile ride today and I made a point to see if my arms were ever locked but every time I looked they were relaxed and flexed.

Now when I first got my Valkyrie my lower back and the area between my shoulder blades would be pretty sore after just a few miles. Maybe my core muscle strength is improving? I never would have imagined riding 225 miles at one time a few months ago. (I have 6,200 miles on the bike as of today for an average of ~76 miles a day.)

I had a back injury about 20 years ago that makes it very difficult for me to lean back in a semi-reclined position. I have had several cruisers before that did not work for me. Fortunately the Valkyrie has the seating position of a standard UJM. I don't even know why they classify it as a cruiser.

Hard to believe, but the Valkyrie is much more comfortable than my (1800) Gold Wing!

[hubcapsc]

lean back in a semi-reclined position.



I think I ride by sitting there like a lump and pressing on one
or the other handlebar with the backrest holding me stationary
on the bike...

Maybe my core muscle strength is improving?

Riding the new Valkyrie leaning forward without a back rest would be
like doing crunches  ...

-Mike

[The Dark Knight]

That original Valkyrie looks so comfortable. You can really see the difference in the reach with these pictures.
I'm looking into buying gel padded gloves. I'm getting used to it now, but it's not perfect. Then again, I'm not sure any bike would be completely "perfect".

[Chadleys1]

 

I got lucky because everything fits me perfectly, even the seat.

It only took me about 15 bikes to find one that fit!

[Chadleys1]

I don't have long arms, and it fits me perfect.
I think I figured it out, though.
My big butt pushes me forward to the right distance for my normal length arms.
Funny, but true... new Valkyrie is good to the fat dudes.

[hubcapsc]

I don't have long arms, and it fits me perfect.
I think I figured it out, though.
My big butt pushes me forward to the right distance for my normal length arms.
Funny, but true... new Valkyrie is good to the fat dudes.

I think you nailed it  ... I'd be good-to-go if I was a little thicker here:



I guess Honda wants us to ride them like this:



-Mike

[The Dark Knight]

FYI, I just bought foam grip covers. My main issue with the reach was a little extra weight on my palms. The foam softens the grips up quite a bit. Just too cold and rainy now to try them out on a nice long ride. Once I do, I'll write-up some feedback.

[jimmytee]

 
Here you go.