Took the 1500 out today

[Robert]

I was getting it ready to sell it and took it on a nice ride. It was a beautiful day, the bike was clean and the ride was great. I had forgotten all the looks you get and the sitting position is just so different than the 1800. It was a great ride and I must admit it brought me back to why I like my 1500 and just how special they are. I much more appreciated it as a a great ride and great bike. I was not so inclined to drive like a sport bike and drove it more like a cruiser. It was great  Its funny when you ride the same bike everyday for 13 years and many miles. Your perspective changes when you ride something else. I realized just what a great bike the 1500 is.

When I got home I put the 1500 away and got on the 1800, it is such a well made bike and performs flawlessly. It makes it very hard to decide what to do with my 1500. I will more than likely sell it since I dont ride it much. But it would not be without a hesitation and consideration for the many miles and great bike it is. Maybe Ill keep both, but the 1500 doesn't sit well with the carbs gumming up so easily.

My choice in having one is the 1800 hands down because the miles pile up so quickly and easily. We truly have wonderful bikes, its a shame that more dont know it. There is so much thought and design that goes into these bikes that it makes it hard to modify because it is hard to improve on them. Its a balanced design and the more I study the bike and see that if you do one thing it effects other things it almost becomes a design change and not just a add on. Driving the 1500 today confirmed just how much different the riding position is in comparison. It also became apparent that while riding I concentrate to much on the bike and not enough on the ride.

I miss being on my 1800 even though I got some wind today. It may not be a bike for everyone but its just about perfect for me.

[_Sheffjs_]

I soooo understand these words.  Still have my third 1500 and took it to work yesterday as solo set up and Sherry and I did a 120mile run for food today. It still amazes me when you think my girl turned 18, she performs so well for that age.  So ahead of its time.

Here she is

http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/EBeybuzzard/slideshow/1500%20more

[Moofner]

I started on the 1800 and decided on a 1500 because of the Florida crew. I'm by no means dissapointed by having both, but my favorite is still the 1800. You are right about concentrating on the 1500 bike more than the road. The 1500 seems more of a precision tool I manipulate, instead of the 1800 which feels like an extension of me. It is so thought free to ride.

I will be keeping both. The 1500 honors a lost friend and I still have plans to sidecar it. The 1800 will get a few more upgrades over time but I cannot see me ever selling it. It would take one hell of a bike to take its place in my opinion.

[dinosnake]

I know, right?  I agree, the bike is just about perfect for me, as well.  I love riding, hate riding short distances but managed only 33K in 7.5 years on my last bike, a Kawasaki 1600 Mean Streak.  I had some rough years personally which kept me from riding much but forgiving that the Vulcan was hot and a bit of a handful in traffic, plus had a terribly short fuel range.  It really excelled on middling-200 mile trips - not my ideal, but I worked with it.

I've done almost 15K on the Valk in 15 months, it's so easy to do.  The bike excels (for me, at least) on my quite preferred "middling" 400 to 1000-mile trips.  I do easy, casual 400+ mile days, say through 4 states, and get home with my mind wiped of all the gutter trash of everyday living.

[hubcapsc]

I rode my 1500 to work on Friday. It sure is comfortable, a
great bike I think. I'm also think I'm just a few pictures away
from ordering a Russell Day Long for the 1800...

The 1800 is a great bike, tight and new and fast. I think the
1500 is one of the great and unique bikes of all times, though...



-Mike "not for sale  "

[woofred1832]

                                well its toooo late to talk about a ride, the weather has closed in... unless we get a freak warm spell the bikes are put away. Anyway I had a VTX1300, witch is the V-Twin,then got my first Valkyrie...a 1998 big bags, windscreen, rack,and lots of chrome...then I rode the 2014 1800,and wow sold both the other bikes to get the new one,but after 1 1/2 year I missed having two bikes, dont get me wrong I love the 1800,and will NEVER sell it,cant afford to get another Valkyrie 1500 so found and got the next best thing....I prefer plain bikes, with only the add ons that I want....I found an original 1975 GL 1000 Goldwing with only 18,352 miles on it...Ross did his magic on the carbs and now it perrrrrrs so sweet. It it a blast to ride,even got great remarks from the local Harley shop owner that used to work for Honda Co.   I intend to ride the GL as my day bike for short rides and keep the Valkyrie for those longer trips,like the one I am planning for next year to Glacier National Park Montana, got some polish and touch up to do on the GL this winter anyway. Happy Holidays to ALL

[_Sheffjs_]

                               well its toooo late to talk about a ride, the weather has closed in... unless we get a freak warm spell the bikes are put away. Anyway I had a VTX1300, witch is the V-Twin,then got my first Valkyrie...a 1998 big bags, windscreen, rack,and lots of chrome...then I rode the 2014 1800,and wow sold both the other bikes to get the new one,but after 1 1/2 year I missed having two bikes, dont get me wrong I love the 1800,and will NEVER sell it,cant afford to get another Valkyrie 1500 so found and got the next best thing....I prefer plain bikes, with only the add ons that I want....I found an original 1975 GL 1000 Goldwing with only 18,352 miles on it...Ross did his magic on the carbs and now it perrrrrrs so sweet. It it a blast to ride,even got great remarks from the local Harley shop owner that used to work for Honda Co.   I intend to ride the GL as my day bike for short rides and keep the Valkyrie for those longer trips,like the one I am planning for next year to Glacier National Park Montana, got some polish and touch up to do on the GL this winter anyway. Happy Holidays to ALL

 

Check the Tampa Bay Craigs list. Nice valk just sold for $2500 Needed a little work but there might be better deals in other areas.  

Lived In Arlington Heights from young to 21 Used to boat on the Fox.  

[Moofner]

                                well its toooo late to talk about a ride, the weather has closed in... unless we get a freak warm spell the bikes are put away. Anyway I had a VTX1300, witch is the V-Twin,then got my first Valkyrie...a 1998 big bags, windscreen, rack,and lots of chrome...then I rode the 2014 1800,and wow sold both the other bikes to get the new one,but after 1 1/2 year I missed having two bikes, dont get me wrong I love the 1800,and will NEVER sell it,cant afford to get another Valkyrie 1500 so found and got the next best thing....I prefer plain bikes, with only the add ons that I want....I found an original 1975 GL 1000 Goldwing with only 18,352 miles on it...Ross did his magic on the carbs and now it perrrrrrs so sweet. It it a blast to ride,even got great remarks from the local Harley shop owner that used to work for Honda Co.   I intend to ride the GL as my day bike for short rides and keep the Valkyrie for those longer trips,like the one I am planning for next year to Glacier National Park Montana, got some polish and touch up to do on the GL this winter anyway. Happy Holidays to ALL

My father has an old 1976 GL 1000 I've been trying to con him out of. He said it is in pieces waiting to be put back together and I like that sort of challenge. Care to post a few pics of yours?

[Dragunslayer]

I was getting it ready to sell it and took it on a nice ride. It was a beautiful day, the bike was clean and the ride was great. I had forgotten all the looks you get and the sitting position is just so different than the 1800. It was a great ride and I must admit it brought me back to why I like my 1500 and just how special they are. I much more appreciated it as a a great ride and great bike. I was not so inclined to drive like a sport bike and drove it more like a cruiser. It was great  Its funny when you ride the same bike everyday for 13 years and many miles. Your perspective changes when you ride something else. I realized just what a great bike the 1500 is.

When I got home I put the 1500 away and got on the 1800, it is such a well made bike and performs flawlessly. It makes it very hard to decide what to do with my 1500. I will more than likely sell it since I dont ride it much. But it would not be without a hesitation and consideration for the many miles and great bike it is. Maybe Ill keep both, but the 1500 doesn't sit well with the carbs gumming up so easily.

My choice in having one is the 1800 hands down because the miles pile up so quickly and easily. We truly have wonderful bikes, its a shame that more dont know it. There is so much thought and design that goes into these bikes that it makes it hard to modify because it is hard to improve on them. Its a balanced design and the more I study the bike and see that if you do one thing it effects other things it almost becomes a design change and not just a add on. Driving the 1500 today confirmed just how much different the riding position is in comparison. It also became apparent that while riding I concentrate to much on the bike and not enough on the ride.

I miss being on my 1800 even though I got some wind today. It may not be a bike for everyone but its just about perfect for me.

I loved my 2003 Valkyrie when I had it. Part of the reason I bought the 2014 was because of that bike. It was just such a comfortable bike. I bought that bike with 800 miles on the clock and put 23,000 miles on it the first year I had it.

I have not really logged that many miles on the new one, but I truly do love this bike every time I take her out. She just does a lot well, not perfect in any one way but better than most.

The only thing I truly hate is the lack of aftermarket support for this bike.