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AdrianR
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« on: June 20, 2015, 10:59:37 AM » |
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Just got back from a pretty decent ride..
Bike as usual was fantastic...
But two things imo are glaring.
1. Definitely needs some kind of wind screen...The riding position demands it.
2. A 6th gear! At speeds of 90 or greater...man it's wound tight...
3. The stock seat sucks...
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« Last Edit: June 21, 2015, 05:37:26 PM by AdrianR »
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Just a guy who likes to ride and rock...
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_Sheffjs_
Member
Posts: 5613
Jerry & Sherry Sheffer
Sarasota FL
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« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2015, 11:33:17 AM » |
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Just got back from a pretty decent ride..
Bike as usual was fantastic...
But two things imo are glaring.
1. Definitely needs some kind of wind screen...The riding position demands it.
2. A 6th gear! At speeds of 90 or greater...man it's wound tight...
I will always look for 6th gear on every bike I ride after owning my 84 nighthawk! But I have been in the 130mph on the old Valk and 6th gear is in my head and not needed. I have done 121 wile 2 up on the new Valk it was fine. I feel Honda has this covered. I will post how I like/feel about my Secdem windshield when it comes in and I get some time behind it. |
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mrtappan
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« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2015, 12:49:22 PM » |
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I agree that sixth gear is unnecessary. For sport bikes.... sure. Cruisers..... not so much.
On my custom build (125 Revtech, TrikShift 6 spd) and Victory Hardball sixth gear was useless except at 80+ mph and it still made the bike about the same RPM as a five speed.
Final drive is what matters. Six speed transmissions still have almost the same final drive as five speeds but add a gear to keep you in the power band longer. Unnecessary on the Valkyrie
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rogueleader_92
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« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2015, 01:00:50 PM » |
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I used to be in the 6th gear pool but after riding in slow and go traffic on the freeway and needing to pass at 70+ without ever having to down shift I think the 5th gear is great, all a 6th would do is make me shift more often.
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There I lay, broken and bloody, my life slipping away when a beautiful winged woman in glorious golden armor appeared.
"Come with me" she said.
"To where?" I asked.
"To Valhalla"
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AdrianR
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« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2015, 01:29:06 PM » |
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I used to be in the 6th gear pool but after riding in slow and go traffic on the freeway and needing to pass at 70+ without ever having to down shift I think the 5th gear is great, all a 6th would do is make me shift more often.
All I can say as with my last bike...the 1100 Sabre Shadow...at highway speeds...especially over 80mph..when you let off the throttle the bike didn't start slowing down so quickly...by engine drag....This Valkyrie seems to be wound quite tightly....but I do agree passing everything in 5th gear is simple and intuitive... |
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Just a guy who likes to ride and rock...
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Robert
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« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2015, 05:36:58 PM » |
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After todays 200 mile get used to me trip all I can say is weee doooont neeed no stinking 6th gear  Really impressed, 80 is nothing to these, all you really hear is wind and hummmmm. In the rain I would still take the Valk because handling in the rain and the fact that after my ride I washed it and it takes nothing to keep it clean. The only thing you have to tread softly with is the throttle response when taking off, I did that by mistake on a test ride and wound up a bit sideways because of the black top being slightly wet.  |
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« Last Edit: June 20, 2015, 05:39:21 PM by Robert »
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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mikesgotmods
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« Reply #6 on: June 20, 2015, 06:20:11 PM » |
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Speaking of the throttle response, and getting a little sideways, my wish for the new Valkyries would have been Traction control for this torque monster!!! Mabie for the purists, only include with ABS version. I'm kind of suprised the Goldwing never got this feature since they definitley get all weather use, and sideways on a loaded Wing leaves you with loaded shorts!!! Throttle by wire technology would make traction control a no brainier, along with cruise control while we are dreaming. Honda already does throttle by wire with the VFR1200, and the CTX1300 and ABS with TCS is available on these bikes.
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hungryeye
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« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2015, 03:18:50 AM » |
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Speaking of the throttle response, and getting a little sideways, my wish for the new Valkyries would have been Traction control for this torque monster!!! Mabie for the purists, only include with ABS version. I'm kind of suprised the Goldwing never got this feature since they definitley get all weather use, and sideways on a loaded Wing leaves you with loaded shorts!!! Throttle by wire technology would make traction control a no brainier, along with cruise control while we are dreaming. Honda already does throttle by wire with the VFR1200, and the CTX1300 and ABS with TCS is available on these bikes.
Leaving all that hi tech stuff off the Valk keeps the price tag down to a low low $17,999  |
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2014 F6c Red ish
1983 GL650 cream puff
2010 Spyder RS
we DRIVE our cars, we RIDE our motorcycles!
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mrtappan
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« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2015, 09:14:57 AM » |
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Usually TCS are controlled by the ABS so only bikes with ABS would have it. The ECU sends a signal to the ABS module which applies small amounts of braking to whichever wheel it decides needs it.
Personally, I think TCS on a bike is silly but then again I'm a purist.
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14ValkyriePilot
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« Reply #9 on: June 22, 2015, 03:08:21 PM » |
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Honestly I have mixed feelings about a 6th gear. I mean, sure, it definitely has the torque to twist one, but 5th is a really tall gear. I did have a GW rider tell me that extended runs at 70mph tend to keep the motor in the 3k range which vibrates more than if it had a 6th gear. On the other hand, if they did a big transmission change, as soon as the new problems started, those same people would be all, "Why would they mess with a reliable, well-functioning design?" That, and the cost of design, development, and re-tooling for a new transmission for their largest cruiser could be concerning, especially given the tepid sales for their top end cruisers... even if it fits their flagship tourer as well. That said, I love the fit and balance of it as is. I do like the idea of playing with a power commander on it, just so it can have that insane cold-motor pull all of the time... but I would rather do it on someone else's bike and not mine..lol  |
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Ride it, shoot it, eat it, or don't need it.
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mrtappan
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« Reply #10 on: June 22, 2015, 06:43:16 PM » |
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I almost bought one after I bought my Valkyrie. Aside from getting side tracked in general, my main thought was "Whats the point since no one makes and exhaust?" Also PC doesnt make any maps so I'd have to have a custom map made. While our local Dynojet tuner isn't terrible..... i wouldnt trust him making a map for a Goldwing
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TallRider
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« Reply #11 on: June 22, 2015, 07:53:24 PM » |
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For all those who have switched from a V twin to a Valkyrie. Just remember a twin fires 2 times a rev and the Valkyrie fires 6 times therefore the alusion you are over reving. Anyone familiar with diesel engines and hears a cumins engine and then a Detroit diesel would understand. The Detroit sounded like it was screaming but only turned 2200 rps but was a 2 cycle v8 therefore firing 16 times a rev versus 6 with cumins . I had the same uncomfortable feeling for a while as I switched from 1800VTX to the Valkyrie myself. That bike has 2 1 lb coffee cans for pistons and could really feel the pulse on each stroke when you cracked the throttle. Those that are switching from the older Valkyrie don't have the same problem.  |
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1951 HD FLH Chopped
1978 Honda Goldwing
2005 VTX 1800
2014 Honda Valkyrie
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Bamaburt62
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« Reply #12 on: June 23, 2015, 01:45:23 PM » |
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I ride from Memphis to Tuscaloosa every Monday on mine. I run between 85 and 95 mph for over two hours. This motor is far superior to all the v twins I've owned. Yes your running over 4000 rpms for an extended stretch but the bike loves it. It's a little loud with the straight cobra pipes but I just cut the music up a bit and that seems to disappear into a joyous weekly ride. Just got my new license plate. What does everyone think about this one? HDKLR .
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hungryeye
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« Reply #13 on: June 23, 2015, 02:54:55 PM » |
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I ride from Memphis to Tuscaloosa every Monday on mine. I run between 85 and 95 mph for over two hours. This motor is far superior to all the v twins I've owned. Yes your running over 4000 rpms for an extended stretch but the bike loves it. It's a little loud with the straight cobra pipes but I just cut the music up a bit and that seems to disappear into a joyous weekly ride. Just got my new license plate. What does everyone think about this one? HDKLR .
HD could never build a KLR! |
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2014 F6c Red ish
1983 GL650 cream puff
2010 Spyder RS
we DRIVE our cars, we RIDE our motorcycles!
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mrtappan
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« Reply #14 on: June 23, 2015, 03:16:53 PM » |
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I ride from Memphis to Tuscaloosa every Monday on mine. I run between 85 and 95 mph for over two hours. This motor is far superior to all the v twins I've owned. Yes your running over 4000 rpms for an extended stretch but the bike loves it. It's a little loud with the straight cobra pipes but I just cut the music up a bit and that seems to disappear into a joyous weekly ride. Just got my new license plate. What does everyone think about this one? HDKLR .
HD could never build a KLR! Be careful, you're messing with a 60% made in America bike. Which is why they are only 40% as impressive as an import. |
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