Long Term Review: 12 years on my Valkyrie

[Alien]

This is my totally honest and only slightly biased long term review of my 1998 Honda Valkyrie, aka "The Mothership."  All the things that I like and dislike, maintenance issues, modifications, riding impressions, etc., are all below.

Those of you who know me, know that I love big mile rides.  Although I live in Los Angeles, I’ve met many of you in West Virginia, Montana, etc.  The following may or may not be useful to someone who only rides to the bar on the weekend.  Rather, this review comes from the perspective of someone who rides regularly in heavy traffic, rides two up frequently and spends three weeks of every year on an extended trip, living off this bike.  I do those three week trips alone, just the Mothership and I.  These are my thoughts and experiences, your mileage may vary.

Problems/Issues:
1.   Shifter Shaft Oil Seal leaked (normal wear) – Replaced once
2.   Clutch lever bushing wore out, no start in gear with clutch pulled in (normal wear)– Replaced lever
3.   Rear brake light switch spring broke – I really need to fix this
4.   Headlight bulb burned out – Upgraded to LED
5.   Brake Pads – Several sets (normal wear)
6.   Tires – Several sets (normal wear)
7.   Battery – Replaced once.  Best battery life of any motorcycle I’ve ever owned.
8.   Upper rear shock bushings – Replaced 8 years ago, needs doing again
9.   Fork Seals Leaking – Replaced fork seals
10.   Timing belt worn/cracked -  Replaced timing belt
11.   Petcock diaphragm leaking.  Rebuilt petcock
12.   Front Fender and left engine guard replaced due to crash

What I don’t like:
1.   Gas Mileage is not great for a motorcycle.
2.   It shifts like a tractor.  The Blackbird shift lever helped a lot and I’ve grown used to it over all these years but it could be smoother and more precise.

Modifications:
1.   Exhaust – Stock, then truck stacks, now Cobra 6 into 6
2.   Cobra driver Floorboards
3.   Home brewed highway pegs
4.   Bicycle water bottle holders/bottles – Best mod ever.
5.   Windshield
6.   Kuryakyn Grips
7.   River Road saddle bags on Valk saddlebag supports
8.   Handlebar bag
9.   Interstate ICM
10.   Interstate carb springs
11.   4 degree trigger wheel
12.   LED headlight
13.   Alien stickers covering scratch on front fender
14.   Driving lights mounted to engine guard
15.   Multiple seats – Corbin, Mustang, another Corbin and finally Ultimate
16.   Honda luggage rack
17.   12V outlet in Saddlebag
18.   Throttle lock
19.   Tail bag with roll bag for trips
20.   100 main jets
21.   K&N air filter
22.   Honda Blackbird shift lever
23.   2 Inch handlebar risers
24.   Tank bib with pocket

Overall Impressions:  
1.   This is hard to quantify but I TRUST this motorcycle.  I trust in it’s reliability, what it can do handling wise, it’s predictability and something else that is indefinable.  I know that we will take care of each other.  
2.   Power is great and is delivered in a smooth and predictable manner.
3.   It’s heavy.  Some would see this as a shortcoming but I love it.  I’m able to cruise comfortably in wind that blows lighter bikes all over the road, plus it has a truly solid feel that inspires confidence.  
4.   The sound is AMAZING.  Unlike any other bike out there.
5.   For such a heavy bike, it feels very nimble and capable in the twisties and dragging a floorboard is a common occurrence.
6.   Due to the low center of gravity, the low speed handling is excellent.
7.   The engine is the smoothest of any motorcycle I have owned (I’ve owned many.  Single cylinder thumpers, V-twins, parallel twins, inline 4 cylinders…)

What brought all of this up is that I have reached a point in my life where I can afford to ride the bike of my choice (within reason).  I already have two, the Mothership and my KLR 650.  The KLR is just a commuter bike, nothing more.  The Valk is “my bike”.  Recently, I got to thinking that maybe it’s time that I stopped riding around on a 21 year old machine with 138,000 miles and buy a new bike.  I test rode bikes from all the manufacturers over a three-month period.  All were great machines, and most were within my reach financially.  Most were more powerful than the Valk.  Most handled better.  All got better mileage, some were more comfortable.

So, which bike did I choose?  I considered it carefully and chose the 21 year old machine that has faithfully carried me for over a decade, through an engagement, a marriage, a divorce, a new love, three states, two careers, three dogs, the loss of some close friends and family members.  I chose the bike that has opened my mind to solo touring adventures, has kept me safe through some questionable decisions on my part and has been a faithful companion.  Because we trust each other and make each other better, I chose the Mothership.

The Mothership the day I brought her home:
Valkyrie_zpsjbmugwca by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

First Trip, the Grand Canyon:
5410_1188038298301_3041150_n_zpsc684d49a by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

At a garage in Williams, AZ:
5410_1188038338302_4915737_n_zpsb39paszg by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

Bicycle water bottles, one of the best mods I've done:
0615131024b_zps46a21c3b by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

Loaded for a trip to Oregon:
0615131558_zps9b4bf30c by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

Just after outrunning a hellacious storm in Texas on the way to InZane 2016:
IMG_20160608_162915148_zpsjts3qq7v (1) by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

At the lake near the golf resort at InZane 2016:
IMG_20160612_102959120_zpsqrgi5bmt by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

I didn't go inside...not my kind of festival:
IMG_20170624_125552605_zpsz28g70bi by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

Her current setup:
IMG-20120613-00062_zps1tlgyakr by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

Big Sur, CA:
IMGP1384_zpscf06654e by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

Ride Safe,

Alien

[f6john]

All sounds about right to me. I’m still hanging on to my first Valkyrie of 20 years. Loved the review and the pictures. You are one of few I have seen that is still using Photobucket. I still have an account but seldom am able to post from there.

[Oss]

 

You chose wisely Alien

Tell us how you did your water bottle mod


Oss

Perhaps we will finally meet at Inzane this year

[Challenger]

I know what you mean, I'm still riding a twenty year old (motorcycle  ) Everybody I ride with have traded up or moved onto other brands. They have suffered through recalls and warranty repairs and missed rides because of it. The ole Valk just keeps cruising along. Part of the reason I still ride Valks is because at my age I just don't like changes to my routine and She has been so darn reliable. 

[mrtlc]

What bike came in #2 ?

[old2soon]

        Phatt Ghurl and I have been together comin up on 10 year. I've looky looed at other dealerships even rode a few that were offered up for rides. Fer lack of a better description I'm comfortable on Phatt Ghurl.  I've had friends of mine miss rides for the same reasons-warranty issues reliability issues and other issues. The mechanical issues I've dealt with were fairly minor. I also KNOW that comin on 75 year on this orb I iz on my last M/C. Might could have done better-doubtful-BUT could have fer sure and fer certain done lots worse!  RIDE SAFE.

[Valker]

Yep. Five of us rode to Alaska back in 2018. Of the five (one brand new) my almost 200,000 mile Valk was the only one that didn't have any issues.

[DIGGER]

I always heard the reason they quit making the Valkyrie was that they werent making any money in the repairs of them

[Alien]

You chose wisely Alien

Tell us how you did your water bottle mod


Oss

Perhaps we will finally meet at Inzane this year

I hope so OSS, I plan to be there.  The water bottle thing is just bicycle water bottle holders screwed into the windshield brackets. Got it all (both brackets and both bottles at Walmart for about $10. I usually fill them both half full and freeze them the night before a long hot ride.  Good for drinking and also for squirting yourself to cool off.  Modular helmet helps with both.

0615131024b_zps46a21c3b by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Alien]

All sounds about right to me. I’m still hanging on to my first Valkyrie of 20 years. Loved the review and the pictures. You are one of few I have seen that is still using Photobucket. I still have an account but seldom am able to post from there.

Yeah, Photobucket is terrible.  I'm in the process of switching to Flikr.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Alien]

What bike came in #2 ?

The final two were the Yamaha Venture (top) and the Kawasaki Voyager (bottom)

Venture by Scott Sapers, on Flickr
Voyager by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

They were both great bikes but the edge in comfort and styling (in my opinion) favored the Kawasaki.  I did look at Honda but the Wing is too much of a good thing styling wise somehow and really expensive.  I didn't look at the Electra-glide as I can't see spending that much for a bike.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[tonybluegoat]

I really enjoyed reading that. Thanks for putting it together.

[Daniel Meyer]

...So, which bike did I choose?  I considered it carefully and chose the 21 year old machine that has faithfully carried me for over a decade,

LOL! Yep, same boat here! Been there done that!

[J.Mencalice]

What bike came in #2 ?

The final two were the Yamaha Venture (top) and the Kawasaki Voyager (bottom)

Venture by Scott Sapers, on Flickr
Voyager by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

They were both great bikes but the edge in comfort and styling (in my opinion) favored the Kawasaki.  I did look at Honda but the Wing is too much of a good thing styling wise somehow and really expensive.  I didn't look at the Electra-glide as I can't see spending that much for a bike.

Ride Safe,

Alien

Thank you for the comprehensive, honest, and fair opinions about the good, bad, ugly, and beautiful aspects of Valkyrie ownership.  Always a bonus to know how they have held up over regular mileage and years of a long distance rider.

Next, a question please:  Did you try out Victory motorcycles in your test rides to evaluate them for possible purchase?  If so, did you find them worthy of years with a long run?

[Alien]

What bike came in #2 ?

The final two were the Yamaha Venture (top) and the Kawasaki Voyager (bottom)

Venture by Scott Sapers, on Flickr
Voyager by Scott Sapers, on Flickr

They were both great bikes but the edge in comfort and styling (in my opinion) favored the Kawasaki.  I did look at Honda but the Wing is too much of a good thing styling wise somehow and really expensive.  I didn't look at the Electra-glide as I can't see spending that much for a bike.

Ride Safe,

Alien

Thank you for the comprehensive, honest, and fair opinions about the good, bad, ugly, and beautiful aspects of Valkyrie ownership.  Always a bonus to know how they have held up over regular mileage and years of a long distance rider.

Next, a question please:  Did you try out Victory motorcycles in your test rides to evaluate them for possible purchase?  If so, did you find them worthy of years with a long run?

I didn't.  I hear that they're good bikes but the styling of the Vision is just too much.

[GRCTAMPA]

Excellent observations, thanks for sharing your experiences.