Forget about new design.... New Valkyrie

[oZ]

I think I was looking at photos from the CBR (Covered Bridge Ride) and I saw the strangest thing. It was like the next Valkyrie. It looked like a Goldwing that had all the Tupperware stripped off, engine and stuff exposed... look more like a street bike then a Goldwing, definitely not a stock GW.

That got me thinking, almost always a bad thing! Would it not be cool to have another Valkyrie in the wings. But how to do this. Well one, one of you really rich guys out there could make a huge investment, buy wings and convert them to street bikes... sans the Tupperware. Truth is the new Goldwing is a totally awesome machine, one that I'd like to own.

While I was in Colorado at the last InZane rally I saw Des's wing and it was awesome, okay maybe I'm using that word too much.

So we have two ways to go here, 1, as our bikes wear out replace them with Goldwings which in my thinking is the big brother to the Valkyrie and hence keeps this community alive. Or start a campaign bugging Honda to make a true Valkyrie.

My thoughts are we have about (and do not trust these numbers) 22,000 members signed up in the Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club here in the USA and about 20,000 in Europa.

How many are still active? I don't know but wouldn't it be cool to start a letter writing campaign to Honda to pull there heads out of a really dark spot to take the Goldwing, strip off the extra stuff and make a street bike they'd call a Valkyrie?

If not maybe there is a bike shop out there that could convert Wings to street bikes customizing the cooling system to be more elegant, taking advantage of the great frame and engine putting regular forks (getting rid of the tiller) and in general build a bike that looks like a bike.

So, at this point I want to emphasize I am not knocking the Goldwing, I just want that wonderful bike to be a bike, for me... after all this is all about me... oZ; and I need another Valkyrie... 

Up front, again not to knock the Goldwing, I love the Wing but I need a bike that I can make my own, make my own modifications, add whatever to make it me.

oZ Out

[R J]

So what are you waiting for?

That was a wrecked Wing that was rebuilt.

I know of another one in oHIo, that has been started but is kind of on the back burner now.......

Go find a totalled Wing and have at it............

[SteveL]

They already did that with the Rune. Maybe you just want a Rune with slightly different cosmetics?

I loved the Run, except the funky rear Fender. I loved the rest of it, especially the front end. I might like to buy one of them. Sometimes you see them for decent money.

[Dag]

I would buy one!
I need a new Valkyrie, ..... brand new 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I think along with the death of Joe Boyd that the Valkyrie was hurting the flagship sells of the Wing. Plus everyone knows that the 1500 Wing was not selling at a rate Honda wanted because they made the same bike year after year so the 1800 was born now Honda is doing the same thing again with that model ( same bike year after year ) . What to do with all the 1500 motors in stock when the 1800 hit the market ? Build a Valkyrie and when the inventory of 1500 engines is gone just kill the Valkyrie. I can remember when brand new Valkyries sat on show room floors for years in fact Honda Of Knoxville had 99 models with 97's still on the floor.All good things come to a end I've faced the fact I'm ridin' a dinosaur however be that as it may the Valkyrie is still the best lookin' cruiser on the road.This " thing " below will never move me like the fat girl did it's much like the Rune pack a toothbrush and a change of drawers and its over-loaded.I know that statement hit's RedValk pretty hard but its my opinion of the Rune plus he trailer's eveywhere he goes so packing for a trip is no worries . If I wanted a Wing or Rune I'd go buy one but for now I'm 11 years into ownership of these machines called Valkyrie and now own ( 3 ) of them  and nothing turns my head like they do after all these years....Build us a new one oZ 

[hvacjack]

I would buy a brand new one if it was offered in Interstate and cost less than a Corvette. But I don't like Rune.
I see the Interstate that I ride as the hot rod version of the Cadillac, which I consider the Goldwing.

[Disco]

Sorry to briefly hijack the thread...  Hey Jack, I have a step-brother & family in Paradise.  I didn't know we had any Valkyries over there.  Wrench party tomorrow.  Details on the Texas Board.

Is this picture redundant?



Now, back to your normally scheduled program...  

[RedValk]

This " thing " below will never move me like the fat girl did it's much like the Rune pack a toothbrush and a change of drawers and its over-loaded.I know that statement hit's RedValk pretty hard but its my opinion of the Rune plus he trailer's eveywhere he goes so packing for a trip is no worries .

No argument here. It's no secret, when i go far on the Rune....there IS ALWAYS a trailer involved. If i want bags and storage, Sherry and i EACH have a Valk...and a fine machine it is. Sometimes, even with the Valk, there is still a trailer involved for long journies for us.........but........I digress.......

Of course, there are some guys on the Rune board that have turned their Runes...into "touring machines"...you know, Corbin bags (for $2k!!!)....two up seats....or tbags and things like that strapped on behind them. Some of them ride em' like they were a Wing..........but......they ARE the exception.........

No, you'll get nothing but agreement from me....I wish Honda would make another "Valk like bike"....a COOL big 6 or 8 cylinder bike....BIGGER than even my Rune engine (AT LEAST....2000cc or more...)...one that is BUILT TO RIDE TWO UP AND PUT ACCESSORIES ON. I'd be lined up to buy one as soon as it hits the dealer........

[f6john]

     I do feel there is a lack of adventure on our part. As most of us over 50 crowd knows there was a time when the manufacturers offerings were much more limited and by necessity riders had to do their own thing to make their rides personal and special. While I love the Valkyrie and appreciate the Goldwing, they are mostly pretty tame, as in if you've seen one you have seen them all. We all have our own touches and as much bling as we can afford but other than swapping out parts and changing paint schemes we're not a very radical group. Anyone running a 21" front wheel? Is there a rule that the forks, frame and rear suspension can not be altered? Dogg, your the exception, but I'm not speaking of making only "chopper" style mods but touring mods also.
     If there is one overriding reson it may be that the bike is so right for so many that everyone just rides, or that the cost of the fab work to create new designs is too steep( it is for me ). The Cobra Valk to me is a perfect design for a standard, I would love to see what what they could have come up with for a long distance ride.

[RLD]

I agree the wing is a nice bike, but's it's also referred to as an accord on two wheels for a reason. No offense, but I find them incredibly boring. Too much plastic.

[stormrider]

Hey Oz, link to a thread I started about the same subject.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,9849.msg78486.html#msg78486

Anyone have any contact info on who to talk to at Honda or maybe a plant manager from Marysville? I've been trying.

[JimL]

I agree the wing is a nice bike, but's it's also referred to as an accord on two wheels for a reason. No offense, but I find them incredibly boring. Too much plastic.

I very much agree with your assessment.  The Wing truly is an awesome bike....so was my mothers Ford Crown Victoria; but they were both incredibly boring.

[woefman]

I Have Both the GL1800 and a Valk Tourer

Here is my input , Years ago it was cool for me to have a Bike that had that Harley cruiser look
however a Bike that cant carry anything to me is no longer pleasure for me anyways.

Back in them days , I never really went far on a bike.

Then I bought a Goldwing.

Since owning a wing I go all over hell.
Ever since owning it , I try to recruit the younger crowd, because I was one of them too, thinking
your not going to get me on a "Grandpa Bike". Well the Wing despite being heavier, is much easier to ride then the Valkyrie. It feels lighter the moment your feet get on the pegs, it corners like a mad man (crotch rocket style cornering).

I then opted for a second Bike which by the way was my first bike of choice( bought a valk second) but before owning a Valkyrie I rode a wing, and what they say is true once ride one, and I mean one that is not all Jacked up
(some have wobble problems, weak suspension, etc, but if ride one that is Sweet you will buy one. As they say don't ride a wing unless can afford to buy one.

Anyhow So I was looking for like 6 mo to buy a Valk, was researching them etc.

I wanted one with hardbags and was going to settle for nothing less, then I rode a goldwing bought it and I still had some passion for the Valk.

Finally bought a Valk tourer and have been very happy with it.

However  ( long winded I know ...so sorry) I can not see a Valkyrie without the carbs, besides the fact I'm sure we all agree Fuel injection is the Chit.

To me a Fuel Injection Valk would lose all that mean looks the bike has.

and further more I don't think I will ever own another bike that I can't ride a couple hundred miles
with "some of my stuff" as George Carlin says.

[Nodrog]

I think I was looking at photos from the CBR (Covered Bridge Ride) and I saw the strangest thing. It was like the next Valkyrie. It looked like a Goldwing that had all the Tupperware stripped off, engine and stuff exposed... look more like a street bike then a Goldwing, definitely not a stock GW.

That got me thinking, almost always a bad thing! Would it not be cool to have another Valkyrie in the wings. But how to do this. Well one, one of you really rich guys out there could make a huge investment, buy wings and convert them to street bikes... sans the Tupperware. Truth is the new Goldwing is a totally awesome machine, one that I'd like to own.



oZ Out

How many would you like?