How fast are they????

[Bamaburt62]

I have a 2014 Valk with a few mods.  Six shooter cobra pipes and nothing else spectacular.  We have a quarter mile track near the place I reside and I decided to put the new Valk to the test.  I took my windshield off put some non ethanol fuel in the beast and proceeded to run a few passes.  I know most of the articles post a 11.65 quarter mile time as the best she can do.  Here's what I found out.  The first run was less than spectacular at 12.12 but it got better.  We got under 12 on the second and third run at 11.78 and 11.62.  So here we go.  It's all on me now on the final run.  Want to know the final run and it was sure the best of the day?  Ok,  here it is:  11:48.  I know this bike is not a real road burner but that's pretty impressive for a bike approaching a quarter ton  with a low compression motor. I've  owned 
lot of bikes in my 55 years and still stable quite a few but this bike by far has my heart.  Take from this what you will and skeptics will sure object but this is what I've witneesed. 

[Robert]

Pretty awesome you put numbers to what alot of us feel thanks for the report and Yes I love my Valkyrie. 

[Adirondack Bill]

Wow, that's great. I subscribe to Motorcycle Consumer News. They are very objective- no paid advertising so they tell the story straight up. They did a 1/4 mile with a stock Valk in 11.65- 111.42 miles per hour. So you did better just by opening up the exhaust a little.  Did you help it breath a little better with a K&N air filter?  ALSO, I assume you have a standard Valk, not the F-6. I did not think the Cobra 6 shooter fit on a standard?? My last ride was a Suzuki M109R. The Valk is not quite as fast as the M019, but it is a lot smoother- more refined ride.

[Kidd]

http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobiles/9-fastest-cruiser-motorcycles-from-0-60.html/?a=viewall

They seem to believe the 'Kerry is faster than the M109

Don't matter to me  , though

[Kidd]

I'm glad it does not have more power , it would get me into more trouble

[hungryeye]

http://www.cheatsheet.com/automobiles/9-fastest-cruiser-motorcycles-from-0-60.html/?a=viewall

They seem to believe the 'Kerry is faster than the M109

Don't matter to me  , though

That was an interesting read, I declare the Valk along with the Triumph the Champs. The Duc and Yam are naked sport bikes so for me I don't count them. I judge a bikes power by how it can pull out in traffic and git up to speed. My 500CC Scooter does that. Its nice to sit on all that power which also makes it go down the road effortlessly but I'm not much of a hot rodder anymore.

It also baffles me to see someone buy a brand new 20k++ HD and put $5000++ in the motor so they can still loose to so many different bikes, do they ever feel embarrassed? Any model HD makes passes my power test and my scooter will eat a sportster for lunch...

[Bamaburt62]

Didn't know Honda made a F6c and a standard for 2014 or 2015.  The 109's are definitely fast and could surely take my old vtx but a friend of mine I ride with has one and he has trouble but I run out of gas at 127 so he gets me on top end. The custom pipes I had made by a friend seems to help but that could be a sound good illusion.  Hey, they are no crotch rocket blinding speed demons but like was stated in the other reply if you want a go fast cruiser that is smooth as glass they are  unbeatable and really can't be compared to a stripped down red light naked race bike like the vmax.

[Robert]

What surprises me about this is I have seen others do time comparisons with articles before and never came close to the posted times. You did better than those times so I was really happy about that.

If I had wanted a crotch rocket I would have bought one but the idea of not going on long trips at a whim or being uncomfortable or blasting along not taking in the beauty of riding just is not what I want in a motorcycle, especially in bragging rights to speed or 0 to 60 times. I have never felt like I sacrificed anything on this bike being more of a cruiser with a kick. Like I said to my son and son in law when we ride together, I will still have this bike when yours is just a memory. My son and son in law no longer have bikes. My son in fairness sells Harley's so he has one sitting there when he wants but not the one we rode together. Just another reason I bought a Honda with a warranty that really is not needed. 

[AdrianR]

Wow, grrrrreat post!

11.48 in the qtr. mile you say?  Impressive for any vehicle.

Are you aware of the ECU reflash that is available?

Evidently removes the top end speed limiter, raises the rev limiter 500RPMs...eliminates timing retardation in first and second gear for max power...and lastly overall enriches the A/F mixture allowing more power across the entire power band.

I totally plan on doing this once the warranty expires.

The bike in it's stock form, running 10/30w  full synthetic oil and ethanol free gas on cool days is very fast.  I've already run with a few sport bikes...and yeah, of course, especially the 900cc+ ones will out run me, but I tell ya, they got WORK to catch me if I get the jump on them...and then they get me past 100mph...    Every other cruiser, especially the Harleys I can blow away in an instant...cracks me up!  I think the power is incredible..and how smooth it is...The torque is really cool too...  5th gear rolls on those cool days over 60 is laughable...I leave *most* things in the dust TOTALLY...  I even surprised the crap out of a guy with a 2006 GTO...  thought he could loose me climbing the hill on a road near me....  He nailed it...and I was RIGHT ON HIS BUMPER...with plenty of throttle left!  This bike can get you into trouble...I can see that... I usually park it once I start getting too warmed up...

To reiterate though man, ethanol free fuel is simplest thing you can do to noticeably increase performance...

[AdrianR]

If I had wanted a crotch rocket I would have bought one but the idea of not going on long trips at a whim or being uncomfortable or blasting along not taking in the beauty of riding just is not what I want in a motorcycle, especially in bragging rights to speed or 0 to 60 times.

Absolutely true. There will always be a faster bike...  so who cares?...It's the grand sum of everything imo as to what constitutes a great motorcycle...and the Valk pretty much is it.  Looks, power, handling, comfort (well with new seat lol)reliability...etc., etc.,..

[tx blue]

Adrian
What does you saying your using 10/30 oil have to do with the quarter mile time's.

[AdrianR]

Adrian
What does you saying your using 10/30 oil have to do with the quarter mile time's.

No direct correlation of course, but lighter weight oil allows the engine to rev faster...and 30w is all that is required in this modern Valkyrie motor.

[Moofner]

Although it isnt breakneck speeds, here is a vid of me putting the hammer down with my wife on the back. We aren't small people by any means, so consider the bike had extra mass to haul.

https://youtu.be/THKsJpiNmhk

Also, no comment on the convo. It was not a naughty thing.

[Bamaburt62]

Thought about torque loops and the ecu flash since I have the custom made cobra pipes but the thing runs so good I'm afraid to mess with it anymore.  Just ordered a Corbin seat and the ecu flash and torque loops would probably run another grand.  Going to try going to 30 weight oil.  It would be nice to dump the top end limit to see just where she would end up.

[AdrianR]

Thought about torque loops and the ecu flash since I have the custom made cobra pipes but the thing runs so good I'm afraid to mess with it anymore.  Just ordered a Corbin seat and the ecu flash and torque loops would probably run another grand.  Going to try going to 30 weight oil.  It would be nice to dump the top end limit to see just where she would end up.

Cool...Amsoil 10W/30 is what I am running...good stuff.... As far as top speed...well...I must assume that Honda put that limit on there with concerns about aerodynamics...  wonder if they wind tunnel tested it??  I know I am a chicken...or just getting wiser in my advancing years.  Much over a 115mph or so scares that crap out of me...not that I will wipe out...but SPEEDING TICKETS are brutal around here...  30 over +.....mandatory suspension of your driver's license, and the officer can actually impound your vehicle!  It just suck arse big time man...Every time I am out on my bike...especially those cool mornings in which the bike makes max HP...I am constantly trying to stop myself from doing 85!  The bike just goes so fast so quickly...and it feels so good...man, it's addicting...  I usually park it when the wrist roll begins to feel like some cool guitar riff...

[Thor32]

Amen Adrian! I have a hard time controlling the beast and I'm not a speed demon

[texrider]

Getting one of these bikes into the 11's in real life tells what a gem this under-stressed flat six is!
I'm impressed every time I take it onto a highway with how effortless 75 feels.

The low CG and reasonable ground clearance make it a superb do it all road bike for me, and likely a better choice than the faster but heavier Rocket 3.

[Fsixer]

Bamaburt62 thanks for posting! Good run. Its harder than people thing. I too have have a lot of motorcylcles in my 47 yer of riding. I'm 57. The Valkyrie is far and away my favorite and will never go nowhere. Incredible motorcycle.

[ledany]

Alas, I'm afraid that the fastest one is a 2015 grey F6B ! 

There's an awesome tacit law in Paris : when you arrive at the red light, you must not stop equally aside the first bike. It's a peaceful agreement, sign of benevolence, we're educated people 

I saw him first at some red light, the guy didn't look at me, didn't say "bonjour",  nothing   

At the second red light, he was behind me and when the light turned green, he rushed. I thought it would be funny to follow him but he had a real advance. I tried to catch him up but he was already in the distance, waving goodbye with his left hand (of course  ) and then I looked at my speedometer : 75 mph  ???

I know it's saturday, holiday time, city's empty,  no one on the boulevard, still 

At the next red light, we both had a good laugh, stupid kids !   

[sleepngbear]

Didn't know Honda made a F6c and a standard for 2014 or 2015.  The 109's are definitely fast and could surely take my old vtx but a friend of mine I ride with has one and he has trouble but I run out of gas at 127 so he gets me on top end. The custom pipes I had made by a friend seems to help but that could be a sound good illusion.  Hey, they are no crotch rocket blinding speed demons but like was stated in the other reply if you want a go fast cruiser that is smooth as glass they are  unbeatable and really can't be compared to a stripped down red light naked race bike like the vmax.

Not that I plan on getting up there myself, but just curious what your best top speed was in the quarter?

[rudymsmith]

Wow, grrrrreat post!

11.48 in the qtr. mile you say?  Impressive for any vehicle.

Are you aware of the ECU reflash that is available?

Evidently removes the top end speed limiter, raises the rev limiter 500RPMs...eliminates timing retardation in first and second gear for max power...and lastly overall enriches the A/F mixture allowing more power across the entire power band.

I totally plan on doing this once the warranty expires.

The bike in it's stock form, running 10/30w  full synthetic oil and ethanol free gas on cool days is very fast.  I've already run with a few sport bikes...and yeah, of course, especially the 900cc+ ones will out run me, but I tell ya, they got WORK to catch me if I get the jump on them...and then they get me past 100mph...    Every other cruiser, especially the Harleys I can blow away in an instant...cracks me up!  I think the power is incredible..and how smooth it is...The torque is really cool too...  5th gear rolls on those cool days over 60 is laughable...I leave *most* things in the dust TOTALLY...  I even surprised the crap out of a guy with a 2006 GTO...  thought he could loose me climbing the hill on a road near me....  He nailed it...and I was RIGHT ON HIS BUMPER...with plenty of throttle left!  This bike can get you into trouble...I can see that... I usually park it once I start getting too warmed up...

To reiterate though man, ethanol free fuel is simplest thing you can do to noticeably increase performance...

while I don't need the speed I do like it! where does a person find a flash and someone to do it? I will eventually upgrade the exhaust and air intakes but not in a rush... I believe someone told me the flash would void the warranty? This thing already breaks my neck with it's massive torque.

[Bamaburt62]

Don't have the sheet we recorded times on but I believe the speed in that run was a bit over 112 mph.

[ledany]

In Germany today, 124 mph quite easily, close to full throttle. 5000 rpm = more that 111 mph on the clock.
Paris - Berlin, 1100 km, 10 hours in a row, OEM seat 

[holly]

 Mid to low 11's for a bike that heavy is very impressive. I guess that makes it close to a second quicker than the 1500 Valk. I run mobil 1 15-50 in my 2003 1500, but I did try some Castrol 10-40 for a while, and yes it for sure had more power with the lighter oil. It also had more whine in the transmission when down shifting. I live in Texas where it of course gets pretty hot, so I will probably stick with the 15-50.

[woofred1832]

              Thats why I love this bike.......most of the time I ride very easy, BUT! When you want it, it can almost jump out of your hands unless you really hold on.....Back in the mid 1970s I had my 750 Honda boosted to 812cc lightened crank rods, and rotot, a cam, and headers, I took it to a track with a 4in. slick and ran in the low 12s..... back the day it beat any Kow 900 on the road. I even took on a modified V8 rail  and  beat him. The mechanic that built the bike said I had the front wheel off the ground about 3in all the way down the track. Road that bike all over Colorado, and cross country twice. Put over 50, 000 miles on it before I sold it and bought my first BMW. That sold me on shaft drive and I nerver looked back. The Valkyrie is a super cool bike and is my cruiser. Just for fun and to show off I ride my 1975 original GL1000 and get plenty of lookers and questions on a really neat old bike. I don't see me ever selling either of these bike for the rest of my riding years, and my son has already said when I'm done he wants the Valkyrie..........he'll have to wait I'm not ready to stop for I hope many more years? Ride on life is GOOD.

[rudymsmith]

I have a 2014 Valk with a few mods.  Six shooter cobra pipes and nothing else spectacular.  We have a quarter mile track near the place I reside and I decided to put the new Valk to the test.  I took my windshield off put some non ethanol fuel in the beast and proceeded to run a few passes.  I know most of the articles post a 11.65 quarter mile time as the best she can do.  Here's what I found out.  The first run was less than spectacular at 12.12 but it got better.  We got under 12 on the second and third run at 11.78 and 11.62.  So here we go.  It's all on me now on the final run.  Want to know the final run and it was sure the best of the day?  Ok,  here it is:  11:48.  I know this bike is not a real road burner but that's pretty impressive for a bike approaching a quarter ton  with a low compression motor. I've  owned 
lot of bikes in my 55 years and still stable quite a few but this bike by far has my heart.  Take from this what you will and skeptics will sure object but this is what I've witneesed. 

Well thought out - well demonstrated - well documented - well hell - I like it!