Bonjour! Hi from Montreal Interstate or Tourer?

[Spiro]

Hi Spiro here from Montreal, home of Poutine, Bagels and Smoked meat, glad to join the board!!   I am a newbie and have not purchased my Valkyrie yet.
I did a search and found lots of good information before asking my stupid questions.
I am looking for a Valkyrie as it is one of the  bikes on my  list  (the other was a cbr1100xx which I owned enjoyed and rode for a few  years)  
I want this bike mostly for two up touring. I do not need to go fast but want to be comfortable and hassle free (or as hassle free as could be)
I was trying to decide between the tourer and the intestate.
From what I read and checked with friends who had both.
Interstate good: bigger fuel tank, better suspension, big trunk.
not so good, heavy at low speeds and hard to move around  in the garage and parking lot.
Tourer good: no heavy fairing and plastic,  maybe  better in high cross winds,  easier to manoeuvre, much  less expensive for equivalent mileage. (almost 2,000 or more difference), easier to find with relatively low mileage.  not so good: I was told suspension sucks and needs to be replaced, small tank with limited range (problem), no barka lounger or big trunk for the lady.  
On either I would probably upgrade the seat,

Your input would be greatly appreciated.

[Chrisj CMA]

It really comes down to personal preference. I would prefer a tourer over an interstate, the smaller tank still provides well over a hundred miles which is north of two hours. I’m ready to stretch my legs by then. The trunk is nice but a large bag that rides on the luggage rack you can add makes up for the storage and easy to detach and carry into the hotel. You are absolutely right about the seats and the suspension. I switched to interstate rear shocks for cheap and upgraded to progressive front springs. It’s a stiff but satisfying ride. I love the ride and cornering. Ultimate seats provide all day comfort for me.  Every ass requires something different but lots of us like the ultimate.

[Spiro]

Thanks !!

[Jess from VA]

I would not say the interstate (IS) has a better suspension.  It had stronger rear shocks for a heavier bike.

For two up touring, your wife's size can be an issue.  Some back seaters find the IS back seat confining compared to a Tourer.  If this is a possible issue, take her to look (and sit) on them before choosing.

For cool and cold weather riding (in Canada) the IS will give more protection.

Obviously, the IS has radio and is set up for intercom, adaptable to Ipod or other music platforms.  The OE speakers are not great but OK.  The gas gauge on IS is nice, but once you get an idea of miles to reserve on a Tourer, resetting the tripmeter at fill-ups is as good as a gas gauge.  

You can actually get more gear in a big duffel or other luggage on a Tourer than the IS truck, but the trunk locks (if that matters; especially for helmets, but I don't know if two full face will fit in an IS truck) (the trunk has two helmet locks in back underneath).  With no passenger on an IS, if you throw a big bag on the back seat (for travel) you cannot get the truck open without removing it from the seat.  

Both are heavy bikes, but the IS is a bit more top heavy (although all the body work is ABS plastic and much lighter than fiberglass).  All Valks are easy to maneuver slowly in tight spots, after some practice.  Lifting one up after a drop can be a challenge.  Both IS and Tourers have rear guards built into the saddlebag mounts, that hold the bike up (with the engine guards) in a tip over; they never go down flat (unless you dump them down in a ditch).  

Traditionally, used, the IS costs about a thousand more than a Tourer (not $2K).  Prices for all are down now.

Just so you know, most ISs were built in '99.  Only a relative few were built in '00 and '01.

Whatever you decide, it's always a good idea to find a bike tricked out with extra chrome and guards and extras already on it (even for a higher price), since the aftermarket is a shadow of it's former self.  Bike prices are down, but hard to find extras prices are up, if you can even find them.  

You are usually better off with a Valk with higher miles and regualar maintenance, than a low mile bike that sat in the garage most of it's life.

Always ask a seller if has kept maintenance records (and shop manual) because you want them with the sale.

You are hoping to buy a Valk that already has metal valve stems in replacement of the OE rubber ones.

The last couple years of Standards and Tourers came with polished and clear coated wheels, a real plus.

A Tourer is great, but a lot of Standards have had all the Tourer things added to them (but I'd really want OE hard bags with the built in rear guards over any other aftermarket saddlebags). And I'd want an OE Tourer windshield (and mounts) not some other aftermarket shield.

[msb]

Hey Spiro,  hi from here in BC!
If 2 up riding is going to be a main event for you and your Valkyrie, I would definitely recommend  the Interstate just from my experience. The Mrs and me have toured extensively on mine over the 20 years I've owned it, and I'm still not in any hurry to  get anything else. With a top bag strapped to the trunk, the trunk itself, and the saddlebags, that keeps the Mrs happy on our longer tours with 3 bags of her own to my 1.  I have a Corbin seat ....the Mrs and I both like it...most others prefer the Ultimate or Russel. I've never had an issue wheeling the Interstate around parking lots or riding at low speeds even when 2 up...and it's great in the twisties and mountains here. You can also do the fairly quick and easy "SuperValk" mod down the road, where you can remove the trunk whenever you want a more stripped down (and awesome) look.
Whichever one you find and decide to get....you can try out it's touring legs by making your way out to BC in September for our annual Valhalla gathering of long time Valkyrie owners from here in BC and the NW US .

[hubcapsc]

If you weren't interested in two-up, I'd say Tourer, hands down  ...

Easier to work on and lighter. The tank is a little smaller, but not tiny.

When my wife rides with me, she is comfortable... a good seat, good
backrest and armrests too...



If your wife will be riding with you a lot, how comfortable she is might
be the most important difference between the two bikes...

-Mike

[Oss]

Mikes is right

We had a few members in Montreal but have not heard from either in ages
Normand had a custom tourer that won best in show at Americade
Pierre had a 97 red and white

How much distance riding will you be doing?

If a lot, the stock seat will probably not be doing you any favors   I have a RussellDayLong

Best investment besides steel valve stems and a good horn

[Ice]

As everyone said its personal preference.
I have had my Standard since the day she arrived at the dealer 21 years ago, she has since morphed into a tourer and my wife and I spent over 10 years riding all over the world with our converted Standard. She now has her own bike.
First off mileage per tank is depending on how you ride, I have gotten (no idea how) a 185 miles on a tank once or twice, my average prior to reserve is 165 miles. As Jeff said after 2 to 2.5 hours your ready to stretch anyhow.
Two up riding has never been an issue for us and the seat never became uncomfortable. That said mine is a 2000 and I was told that they changed something in the seat in that year. Per my wife it has been and still is the most comfortable seat.
I am not a big fan of the interstate for all the stated reasons of weight and maneuverability, others do not mind it. As for the bigger tank, again after a couple of hours i want to step off the bike anyhow so I dont need more mileage.
Again its what you want and what you plan to do.
Good luck with your choice and WELCOME to the insanity.

[Rams]

Strictly personal choice IMHO.   My preference is, a Standard or Tourer with an Interstate tank.   I'm not a fan of that large front fairing but, many are.   Stock seats are not loved by many so most folks upgrade.   I personally like the Ultimate brand seats but, again that's a personal "butt check" thing.

Get what you want and meet us in Athens, OH in June, you'll be glad you did.   

Rams

[Jess from VA]

If you can find a 20 year old bike that has been correctly maintained with no owner-induced risk (abuse or neglect), get it.  The condition is more important than if it is Interstate or Tourer.

I think this is real good advice.  

Now if you can find a couple well maintained bikes, then exercise choice.

This is pretty good advice too.  

If your wife will be riding with you a lot, how comfortable she is might be the most important difference between the two bikes...

[J.Mencalice]

Bonjour monsieur et comment ca va?  En francais, mon nom est Guillaume.  Je suis d'origine canadienne-francaise du Rhode Island.

En anglais:  A most important question...are you a fan of Le Club de Hockey Canadien?
Le Bleu-Blanc-Rouge?  Les Habitants?

Bonne chance avec votre choix et bienvenue.

[old2soon]

       I have the I/S and have owned her or her me since I purchased her. And other than losing some M P G when I go long I pull a H/F trailer now as needed. And I have Zero idea How I duz it But I Am on a stock I/S seat. Sheep skin and and a back rest help. And I believe think hope the tank capacity on an I/S is about a gallon more. But as others have sated couple hours in the saddle and READY fer a stretch.  Welcome to The Insanity and Our sand Box and the Electronic Clubhouse!  And If you find a potential Valkyrie Somewhere and abit too far to go see post WHERE It's at. There may be a Club Member closer than you who might be willing to do an up close and personal fer ya. A Lot of the members here Are very knoledgable Valk wise. RIDE SAFE.