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steelwheeler
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« on: June 19, 2016, 05:49:47 PM » |
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Hello Guys/Girls I have finally come out of the shadows.At 63 years old about a month ago I purchased a metallic red 2014 F6c Valkyrie from Hall's motorsports in Kenner,La......THANKS Anthony! Anthony's a good salesman to deal with..... great experience and everything was totally satisfying. The Valkyrie is my seventh bike. I started riding in Los Angeles after getting out of the Air Force and my first bike was 1976 Honda CB750 from Hollowood Honda . I owned 2011 Harley Ultra Limited before this one but what a AWESOME machine the Valkyrie is . Much better than the first in my opinion because of the fuel injection. I have about 1600 miles on her now. I once owned a black 1999 standard Valkyrie purchased brand new but sold it a year later after my wife became pregnant for some funds. I really missed that fat gurl but told my wife I would get another Valkyrie someday.  I fell into the Harley mystique because I had always loved the sound and I still do everytime a Harley passes on my street. But I have no regrets for my Harley Ultra Limited it's a distant memory but not forgotten. It's funny I don't get the "wave" as much now when the Harley guys pass going in the opposite direction.  My Valkyrie is soooo smooth and has more power than I will ever need. Being a tall guy at 6'4 the bars are definitely too low for me that's my only real gripe. I changed the factory seat to a dual Corbin and it was a must have before modifying anything else. It is a total quality product and I got black studs on the seat it's a real compliment to the Valkyrie. It takes a little fudging to get it installed . I wish that at the rear where the seat connects there was a couple of black 'plastic covers' to go on top of the braces and screws where the seat connects to the fender it's kinda tacky. Whoever is on the fence about a Corbin I don't understand why. It has increased my riding pleasure. Other mods I plan on, Socal fog lights, Michelins, and power plug for other accessories this should hold me for awhile. This is a great site full of great people with incredible and valuable knowledge about the Valkyrie.....THANKS  |
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AdrianR
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« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2016, 06:30:27 PM » |
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Congrats dude! Enjoy the new ride man...it just gets better and better as the miles build...
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Just a guy who likes to ride and rock...
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Thor32
Member
Posts: 59
A road less traveled- traveler
Rockford, IL
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« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2016, 06:53:03 PM » |
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Welcome to an awesome wind experience the Valk brings
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Thor32
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steelwheeler
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« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2016, 08:03:25 PM » |
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Thanks, for the welcome to the board AdrianR and Thor32 I look forward to learning from this great site.
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Kidd
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« Reply #4 on: June 19, 2016, 08:08:43 PM » |
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welcome , I wish I had a maroon 'kerry
It's the best bike ever made now and for the next 50 years
what about the hard ass rear end , does that bother you yet ? or have you noticed it ?
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 If I like to go fast , does that make me a racist ??? |
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dinosnake
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« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2016, 08:23:25 PM » |
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Congrats and welcome I hope you enjoy safe riding for many years to come! If the bars seem too low don't be afraid to try rotating them up in the risers. The only thing you will be limited by is the inability to use one of the Honda factory windshields, as their mounting brackets take the bar position into account and are not adjustable: just choose an aftermarket option in that case and you'll be perfectly fine. |
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steelwheeler
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« Reply #6 on: June 20, 2016, 04:40:21 AM » |
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Hello Kidd I appreciate the welcome and yes I have noticed the rear end. I adjusted the shock to "13" it helps some and it doesn't take bumps as rough as before. I'very read the factory setting was "18" so I adjusted it before I purchased the Corbin seat. Having the Corbin dual tour has also helped .My wife said it rides better than the Harley. She really likes the acceleration.  |
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steelwheeler
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« Reply #7 on: June 20, 2016, 05:00:41 AM » |
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Hello Dinosnake
Thanks, for the welcome and wishes for safe riding. I wasn't aware that the bars in the lower position can be rotated. I'll take a look to see if that helps. Right now, I haven't considered a windshield I wear a full face helmet. South Louisiana we have lots of bugs in the evening when I like to ride. The full face helmet helps in the evening but in the daytime it's brutal because of the heat. I sometimes can't see if the turn signals are blinking in the position on the instrument cluster. The blinking indicator with the glare seems a little faint and I have read the brackets can be bent to lean the instrument cluster towards me a little. Much appreciated!
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Robert
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« Reply #8 on: June 20, 2016, 07:46:43 AM » |
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Congratulations on an awesome purchase and as for the bar height do a search there is one who had the same problem and made a riser and adjusted the bars.
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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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steelwheeler
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« Reply #9 on: June 20, 2016, 10:24:11 AM » |
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Hello Robert Thanks,for the welcome and yes the Valkyrie is a AWESOME purchase even without some of the additional accessories. With most of my motorcycle purchases in the past, there was always something I wanted to include to make each of my past bikes more enjoyable to ride. That's a given with motorcycles. I see you have the "fastest " color too. I washed my Valkyrie this morning with Turtle wax "Ice wash and wax"and it's incredible. I blow it off with my leaf blower and there's no need to wipe on it to make those swirls. Thanks, for the heads-up on the risers. |
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bscrive
Member
Posts: 2539
Out with the old...in with the wooohoooo!!!!
Ottawa, Ontario
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« Reply #10 on: June 20, 2016, 11:03:36 AM » |
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Hi Steelwheeler, Welcome to the group. I found that the bars suck big time, so I made my own. Most everyone likes the oem ones though. Maybe I have short arms?  |
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 If global warming is happening...why is it so cold up here? |
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Kidd
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« Reply #11 on: June 20, 2016, 11:55:22 AM » |
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maybe you could duplicate the bars and sell them here . I might buy them Hi Steelwheeler, Welcome to the group. I found that the bars suck big time, so I made my own. Most everyone likes the oem ones though. Maybe I have short arms? |
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If I like to go fast , does that make me a racist ??? |
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dinosnake
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« Reply #12 on: June 20, 2016, 02:38:10 PM » |
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Hi Steelwheeler, Welcome to the group. I found that the bars suck big time, so I made my own. Most everyone likes the oem ones though. Maybe I have short arms? Same here: my seemingly short arms put me into a slight forward lean with the stock bars, a la a sport tourer. I'm OK with that though, makes the bike feel more in control |
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steelwheeler
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« Reply #13 on: June 20, 2016, 08:30:00 PM » |
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Hello Bscrive Thanks, for the welcome. You're some kind of craftsman or machinist. Your bars appear to have some height to them. I had 13.5 Chubby bars on my Harley. I miss the height but as far as having bars that high on my Valkyrie I don't think so. I don't want to get into that kind of expense again. I'll try rotating the bars as suggested earlier . |
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woofred1832
Member
Posts: 408
My Valkyrie
northern Ill near fox lake
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« Reply #14 on: June 21, 2016, 04:53:33 AM » |
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Good to have you in the group that loves the smooth power of the Valkries.......granted we dont have the numbers like Harley riders but wait till some walk up to look at the bike and ask ...... just how BIG is that motor?....and you answer 112 cubic im with 112 horse power....... and roll the throttle through town without down shifting .... its great
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Robert
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« Reply #15 on: June 21, 2016, 07:01:30 AM » |
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Wait to see if these machines catch on, I see the momentum picking up.
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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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buzzard
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« Reply #16 on: June 21, 2016, 05:06:04 PM » |
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Congrats on your Valk purchase and welcome aboard.
You'll grow to appreciate all of the bike's power and agility to more you ride.
:cooldude:Be safe!!
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Buzzard
USAF 72-76 S.E.A. X 2
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WarrenH
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« Reply #17 on: June 21, 2016, 07:17:19 PM » |
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Congrats from a fellow 63 year old rider. I bought mine almost a year ago and have 6,150 miles on it. I just switched to the Michelins, and agree thats the way to go. I also have a stock windshield, and modified the mount to match the line of the fork (the method has been posted).
This is my 6th bike, so have some experience to compare. The Honda is so smooth, and easy to ride, that I can ride longer than any other bike I've had, with less fatigue. That smooth, giant, sewing machine motor is perfect for a motorcycle. Lots of low end torque so you don't have to downshift for every twist in the road.
Good luck, and have fun. You made a great purchase.
Warren
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steelwheeler
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« Reply #18 on: June 21, 2016, 09:22:51 PM » |
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Hello Warren Man, this is great and "THANKS" for the welcome. Great to know another Valkyrie 1800 rider is in my age bracket. Of course, if I didn't feel 'so young at heart ' I never would have purchased this rocket. Some say it's promoted towards younger motorcyclist. Honda seemingly don't advertise this 2ND generation gem of a motorcycle to really make it popular. They pushed the Rune much more . I have always blazed a different path even though I previously fell into the Harley fold. This bike is totally incredible and there's not another like it on the planet . I have almost 2000 miles . I purchased my fastest color Valk 4 weeks ago and as mentioned earlier in this thread I changed my seat to a Corbin. I sometimes feel I'm twisting the throttle in my sleep I think about it so much. |
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steelwheeler
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« Reply #19 on: June 22, 2016, 06:20:31 AM » |
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Hello Woofred1832 Big THANKS, for the welcome. I haven't seen any other Valkyrie 1800 in my area yet. We are truly a unique breed besides being rarely sighted . I kinda like that because people "don't " know what kinda bike it is  . The Valk 1800 does garner attention from curiosity seekers. I live outside of New Orleans about 25 miles and ride through the French Quarter sometimes. With my Harley I set off car alarms sometimes not with the Valk  . Yes, this bike is soooo smooth not necessarily going to set off car alarms. :angel:The great thing about riding through the Quarter is for people watching too. The traffic can be heavy at times. The Valk 1800 does not overheat you in slow moving traffic with the fans blowing the heat the opposite direction. AWESOME. ..AWESOME. ..AWESOME. ... |
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steelwheeler
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« Reply #20 on: June 22, 2016, 07:29:53 AM » |
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Hello Buzzard I appreciate the welcome. I'm shocked that the Valkyrie 1800 isn't super popular. Really I also kinda like that but wish the accessory list wasn't so short . I would like a detachable backrest that can be taken off and installed without too much fuss when I want to ride "naked". Probably that's old school. I think the Valk 1800 should look "naked" when riding alone without having a sissy pad waving in the wind like Honda makes. I know Corbin makes a detachable one which is nice so I might go in that direction. Does everyone like the "slash cut" muffler tips? I have read that the mufflers are welded. Appearance wise I bet "slash down" tips would be more attractive. Probably would have been better if they were adjustable. |
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Moofner
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« Reply #21 on: June 22, 2016, 07:39:00 AM » |
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The stock bike garners a lot of attention from all kinds of people. Add a trunk box and few fun mods to it and you can't stop in a public place without having a conversation. Ride at night with some accent lights and really cool rims and you will have people chasing you down to get a look at the Valk.
Do not ride this bike if you aren't feeling chatty!
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2003 Valkyrie "Ricky's Bike" 2014 Valkyrie "The Gypsy Bride"   |
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steelwheeler
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« Reply #22 on: June 22, 2016, 12:03:44 PM » |
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Hello Moofner One of a kind Valk you have there I have been questioned about my bike everytime I take it out. I have a neighbor that has a Kawasaki 900 from the 70's baddest bike back then that road a Valkyrie 1800 . He paid $8000 for the Kawasaki and said he may sell that 'antique ' for a Valkyrie 1800. Ride one and your life will never be the same |
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Kidd
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« Reply #23 on: June 22, 2016, 12:24:02 PM » |
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I have been asked twice about my 'Kerry and maybe the reason is I do not stop much , only for gas .
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If I like to go fast , does that make me a racist ??? |
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