How Well Does The Valk Run Against A 96 inch H-D ??

[Sodbuster]

Curious to know what experiences others have had going up against a 96 inch Twin Cam from a start and roll on.  A lot of the guys at work have them and before I go and open my big mouth would like to know what I'm up against.  Don't want to start an H-D bashing thread .... just curious how they compare .... I'm guessing the Valk is the Bad Boy.

[Davemn]

I think they would stay with you to 3rd gear, then "foget about it".

[roboto65]

Lets put it this way the Valk with someone who knows what they are doing will pull a 1/4 mile in the 12 second range somebody not so maybe low 13 the  88 inch Harley is speced at 13.54 in the 1/4 and well thats with someone who knows what they are doing sooooo I myself would talk it up LOL but thats me and my stock IS as I wheelie by them LOL

[dago mooserider]

Funny, I was on a ride earlier today with two buddies that have H-Ds wit the 96 and 6 spds. Standing start is all valk. and just about anywhere else. The only time they were able to pull me was when we were both in 5th at lower speeds (around 55-60)

[NiteRiderF6]

It also depend which HD, my brother has an 88 '01 Super Glide that will hang right with my Valk up to about 100, then he's mine. My bike is at least 400 lbs heavier than his. If it were a bagger I'm sure my bike would pull away earlier even with the 96. Some of them have stage 3 kits now though and will surprise you. They eat it up when that happens even with the price tag of about $4500, on a $30,000 bike even. I'll keep my ole Valk and sit on the sideline and watch, most of the time.

[fstsix]

Had ran into a old friend in VA at a Coffee shop with my wife one morning, as we joined them for breakfast he mentioned he added # 3 HD to his stable....so he tells me Greg ya know i got a Screaming Eagle 1999 95 ci Road glide.....and this is waaaay faster than my Heritage Softail.....and ya know i don't think your Valk could stand next to it ??? so being a Gentleman that i am i say's Wow that's pretty cool ya got a Animal there with a smile and he and his wife went on a on about it, at one point my wife looked at me like wow this guy is serious   so just went along with without breaking out in laughter (it was hard) so after breakfast he invited us to go down to the OBX for some lunch that next weekend i went SOLO, we road with his HD posi all day and he was making all kinds off noise, by the end of the day somehow he would stay away from me........so after all had split up and he was ready to wave seeya out in the farmland i stopped and completely and rolled next to him and said Carl the BS stops when the flag drops i let him gas it first and he jumped me the first 25 ft I came by him so HARD that after he caught up to me when i pulled over he said DUDE YOU SCARED THE $HIT OUTA ME LOL!!!! true story   Here is his Springer, it is a bitchen bike and my Co pilot

[Big Rig]

Rode with my buddies yesterday...had a couple new guys join us...a couple hd guys, were looking at my valk and said, hey that is a Honda...what gives, no keep in mind that one has a new 10 street glide (I am super valked). I just stood back and listened to these guys talk about this mod and that mod, and what they paid for the bike and all the mods. So as I stood and listened, my one buddy comes over, and says...aren't you going to say anything? I said nah...they are broke from spending all that money on that new bike and would not want to ruin his day. He asked for my key, I said what gives...he said he wants to give my valk speach for me...he is a HD rider...so he takes his nickle out, starts talking about my bike, made me proud to know that he was listening to my talks...

So he does the nickle test for these guys and then he says and I happily quote "this bike is FASSSST" Scary fast...and if you do not believe me, Dave will walk by you like you are on a tricycle...I laughed my butt off...then he shut my bike down and yelled over, how much did you pay for your? I said new almost 11 years ago 12,500 out of the box, then I said, you can pick one up for under 8g's loaded...my buddy just smiled and said...could have saved yourself over 20g's...

I bought my buddy lunch yesterday...

[roboto65]

    Aewsome read LOL  I would have bought lunch too !!!   

[hubcapsc]

and this is waaaay faster than my Heritage Softail.....  

Those things don't have speedometers... they have calendars...



-Mike "that's how my Evo was, anyway  "

[boss hoss bill]

Got a friend with a  Screaming Eagle dresser, pretty bike, no mods. I believe it's a 103"
I told him  as we were out riding on a wide open road to nail it from a dead stop and I'll take my cue from you.
(I ride a 2003 standard no mods.)
I blew past him in first gear, and stayed on it up to a hundred or so, he was in my rear view the whole time. Probably 5-10 bikes back. He was whining about how it's not a fair race as his bike doesn't rev like mine. Well whose fault is that? His SE should rev the same or even more as my fat lady, I'll have to say I'm a little more experienced gear shifter then he!
He's never tried me again! The Fat Lady rocks!!
Bill

[Sludge]

so he tells me Greg ya know i got a Screaming Eagle 1999 95 ci Road glide.....and this is waaaay faster than my Heritage Softail.....and ya know i don't think your Valk could stand next to it ???

He said this about a supercharged Valk???

[fstsix]

so he tells me Greg ya know i got a Screaming Eagle 1999 95 ci Road glide.....and this is waaaay faster than my Heritage Softail.....and ya know i don't think your Valk could stand next to it ???

He said this about a supercharged Valk???

Yep and i was a Gentleman, i did this after all his buddies had split, we are still good friends LOL!! he has been a little  quiet sense then

[fstsix]

and this is waaaay faster than my Heritage Softail.....  

Those things don't have speedometers... they have calendars...



-Mike "that's how my Evo was, anyway  "

In 2001 i had a deposit on a new Heritage...i actually went back to the HD dealer and canceled my order and bought the Valk, did not want to wait 6 months for the backlog they had, i have never looked back....well i do look back all the time when i pass them  Heritage is still my favorite

[hubcapsc]

and this is waaaay faster than my Heritage Softail.....  

Those things don't have speedometers... they have calendars...



-Mike "that's how my Evo was, anyway  "

In 2001 i had a deposit on a new Heritage...i actually went back to the HD dealer and canceled my order and bought the Valk, did not want to wait 6 months for the backlog they had, i have never looked back....well i do look back all the time when i pass them  Heritage is still my favorite

My favorite too... when I decided to get a street bike, there was nothing else I even considered because it was "just like the one my father had..."



Anyhow, after I paid too much for it, I went over to the Honda shop to get a Vance jacket, and probably tripped over a bunch of 1997 Valkyries
to get back to the jacket rack...

Too bad I didn't know about this picture, I could have saved a lot of money and trouble...



-Mike "hey that red and white Valkyrie is just like the one my father had..."

[Sodbuster]

Sounds like the ol Valk has some sack up against the 96 motors .... guess I'll be able talk smart if I have to and be up to the challenge. Thanks for sharing the stories.

[Rio Wil]

Hey....check out the car tire !!!!!!!  Is that a early 50's photo?


http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~hubcap/redAndWhiteBagger.jpg

[hubcapsc]

Hey....check out the car tire !!!!!!!  Is that a early 50's photo?


http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~hubcap/redAndWhiteBagger.jpg

I'd shoot for middle 50's...

-Mike "wish I could ask..."

[Super Santa]

That Ford going under the arch is a mid-50's.

[Willow]

That Ford going under the arch is a mid-50's.

The license tag says SC 59 on it.  Does that help?

Have we successfully hijacked this thread yet?    

[roboto65]

Have we successfully hijacked this thread yet?

Yep think so but you helped so you cannot punish anyone 

[judd]

There should be no problem with a 96 incher, I took a 110" Street Glide by a couple of lengths in a run through the gears, he even remarked later that it was a fair race, no jumps either way.  On the other hand he was able to pull me in a 5th gear rollon from 60 mph.  So I'd say if you want a sure bet do a rolling start through the gears...................... 

[Sodbuster]

There should be no problem with a 96 incher, I took a 110" Street Glide by a couple of lengths in a run through the gears, he even remarked later that it was a fair race, no jumps either way.  On the other hand he was able to pull me in a 5th gear rollon from 60 mph.  So I'd say if you want a sure bet do a rolling start through the gears...................... 

Was the 110 also in 5th gear or 6th ???  That would be an advantage to the 110 if he was in 5th also ....

[fstsix]

There should be no problem with a 96 incher, I took a 110" Street Glide by a couple of lengths in a run through the gears, he even remarked later that it was a fair race, no jumps either way.  On the other hand he was able to pull me in a 5th gear rollon from 60 mph.  So I'd say if you want a sure bet do a rolling start through the gears...................... 

Was the 110 also in 5th gear or 6th ???  That would be an advantage to the 110 if he was in 5th also ....

Do a roll on @ about 90 MPH you should be just cruising, he will be hanging on for life.

[Jabba]

My Brother-in-Law has a built Road King.  It's got 103" jugs, fuel injection, pipes, chip etc.  I have never raced him, as we live 6 states apart, but I did let him ride mine when he was here once, and his comment was... "I think my RK will take the valk right off the line... but after that, your Valk will walk my Harley."

I have another buddy with 2 Harleys.  An Ultra Classic, and a Road King, and he will not ride my Valk.  He says he doesn't want to want to start throwing rocks at his HD's.

I have another buddy with a 124" Low Rider that's got TONS of other work.  I have seen dyno slips for that bike at 157 HP, and he says he's got that up 20 more.  When I rode that bike, it did a 3rd gear roll on wheelie at about 50 MPH for me.  stOOpid fast.

So... generally, be careful.

Jabba 

[Cruzen]

What most of the posts are neglecting to say is that the major component of any race is the driver/rider.  If you get too excited and start missing shifts or worse yet, shift too low you're going to get beat by someone on a Shadow.  That is the fact.  Before you start running off at the mouth make sure your shift skills are up to par and can stand the excitement.

If you're used to shifting at normal rpm of 3000-4500 that 6500 redline comes up quickly and it'll start bouncing off the rev limiter which reduces power.  I initiate my gear change when the tach hits the 6200-6300 mark and stay calm. 

At worst you have about 800rpm more than a stock Hardley 6500 redline verses 5700 redline.  In addition they usually don't have tachs so most Hardley riders shift way to low but even if you find one who knows what 5700 sounds like you still got him by 800rpm and in racing that means a big difference. Always use all your RPM.  When running my IS hard I start my shift at 6200 and the tach touches 6400 as the shift is completed.  My Valk seems to flatten out after 6200 so no sense in using RPM that’s not going to produce additional velocity.

Even more fun than that though is running the Hardley’s with my Magna which has a 10,500 redline.  To keep the front end down I launch easy and short shift at about 6000 first to second and do most of my accelerating in second.  Due to my quick first to second shift and easy launch they are usually a bit out front but when the motor gets up on the cam in second gear it’s by by baby.  You have just been beat by 750cc of hard running motor.  Due to a few tweeks my Magna is a bit faster than my Valk up to about 115 then it’s all Valk.

Another thing to remember is that you NEVER race a cold motor or one that has been running on the highway for a few hours.  That is the best way to start breaking parts.

[judd]

Sodbuster said

Was the 110 also in 5th gear or 6th   That would be an advantage to the 110 if he was in 5th also ....

Yup he was in 5th gear as well, but isn't that 1:1 ratio like the Valks 5th gear. I thought 6th was O.D. on the H.D.s ?

[98valk]

Sodbuster said

Was the 110 also in 5th gear or 6th   That would be an advantage to the 110 if he was in 5th also ....

Yup he was in 5th gear as well, but isn't that 1:1 ratio like the Valks 5th gear. I thought 6th was O.D. on the H.D.s ?

valkyrie 4th gear is 1:1, 5th is OD.    FYI,  GW GL1500 does not have a 1:1, 4th is od , 5th is even more od.

[judd]

Holy Chit............you are correct sir, http://world.honda.com/news/1998/2981013.html I never knew, I will be requesting a do over.   I was well surprised when he pulled me as easily as he did in 5th, I just put it down to power bands.  Will update you all soon, we're goin riding this weekend.  Maybe I won't have to overhaul my avatar afterall. 
 
Cheers, Judd

[F-106]

If it was me the only thing i would say is this. " My valks 145mph speedo is not there for looks .Honda put it on for a reason" I told that to a HD rider at Star Bucks one time. He got the point..

Curious to know what experiences others have had going up against a 96 inch Twin Cam from a start and roll on.  A lot of the guys at work have them and before I go and open my big mouth would like to know what I'm up against.  Don't want to start an H-D bashing thread .... just curious how they compare .... I'm guessing the Valk is the Bad Boy.

[98valk]

Holy Chit............you are correct sir, http://world.honda.com/news/1998/2981013.html I never knew, I will be requesting a do over.   I was well surprised when he pulled me as easily as he did in 5th, I just put it down to power bands.  Will update you all soon, we're goin riding this weekend.  Maybe I won't have to overhaul my avatar afterall.  
 
Cheers, Judd

those ratios are for the GW not the Valkyrie

from an earlier post of mine,

the only option is putting the trans gears from a '97 GL1500 goldwing or later. According to Fred Rau in motorcycle consumer news june 05 article.
 GL1500 3rd 1.272, 4th .964, 5th .758.
Valkyries 3rd 1.291, 4th 1.00, 5th .805. 1st and 2nd are the same.

older than '97 will not work, the GW shafts are smaller.

[Mildew]

I had 2 harleys pass me doing 100 mph. I was pulling my trailer with my wife on the back. I matched their speed to find out what they were cruising at. My wife started taping my shoulder I then backed off the throttle. I watched them go plum out of site. It didn't look like they were breaking a sweat. It was a very hot day. I just couldn't see puting tires and bearings through that torment. Is the valks 5th gear comparable to the harleys 6th. I read somewhere that you need to be going at least 70 mph before you use the 6th gear on the HD. I on my phone browser so it's not easy for me to read through the previous posts. Incase the question was already asked and answered.

[judd]

Checked it out ...............Numbers look like this.
 

Harley 6 spd.                          Valkyrie 5 spd.
 
1st:  3.21                              1st:  2.66
2nd: 2.21                              2nd: 1.72
3rd: 1.57                               3rd: 1.29
4th: 1.23                               4th: 1.00
5th: 1.00                               5th:   .80
6th:   .89 

[Mildew]

Priciate it judd. That info looked great on my phone.  I imagine those Hd's were tacked pretty good

[Momz]

Last summer I ran across I guy on a HD Nightrain and at every light he wanted to race me. Now I'm on my Rat Rod Valk and I blew him away at three stoplights before he went on his merry way. I went on to our Monday Bike Night (in Plymouth MI) and parked and I went about socializing with my biker buds. Not long after that same dude on the Nightrain pulls onto our street and parks by a local bar, walks over and proceeds to bitch at me for cheating!
l couldn't understand his ranting until he accused me of hiding a nitrous bottle on my Valk. I said "look all you want, there's no nitrous on my bike". He did get on his knees in hopes to find a bottle. He claimed that no one had ever beat him,....ever. He claimed to have a "Stage Three" kit on his bike and even sportbike riders won't race him.
All I could do was chuckle, as did most of us around this idiot. He was certainly pissed and left in a hurry, gunning his pipes and reving the crap out of his motor.  
 

 

[CamTom12]

Checked it out ...............Numbers look like this.
 

Harley 6 spd.                          Valkyrie 5 spd.
 
1st:  3.21                              1st:  2.66
2nd: 2.21                              2nd: 1.72
3rd: 1.57                               3rd: 1.29
4th: 1.23                               4th: 1.00
5th: 1.00                               5th:   .80
6th:   .89 

The HD's have a much lower final drive ratio, too.

[Jess from VA]

I regularly ride with an experienced rider on an '09 Road Glide.  At 96" there was no contest.  He went to a 103" kit with air kit and FI module mods, and it got faster but still no cigar.

Now he has spent maybe five more $K in hot cams, high compression heads and pistons, supertrapp tunable two into one pipes and a hurricane breather..... with multiple dyno runs for fine tuning the FI.  Now that bike is fast and it is a push between our bikes where the rider makes the difference.  However, even with an oil cooler, he is now having chronic heat problems (and it's not even Summer yet).   

It is a very nice machine, but I could have three cherry interstates for what he has in it, and his bike will NOT last 250k miles 

[hueco]

Well. I have one of each. A "1998 Honda Valkyrie Tourer" and a "2007 Harley Davidson Ultra Glide Classic". Need less to say I can not ride both of them at the same time. Not yet anyway. I am working on that. Have to figure out how to put a governor on the Valk. But. I am not afraid to say my 1998 Fat Lady will walk off from my 2007 Hawg any day of the week. Top end forgetaboutit. Stock 96" HD will struggle to hit 100 mph.   We will all know what a flat six will do. Although it might be as slow as a hog I still luv my Hawg. 2 wheels is 2 wheels.

[hueco]

Last summer I ran across I guy on a HD Nightrain and at every light he wanted to race me. Now I'm on my Rat Rod Valk and I blew him away at three stoplights before he went on his merry way. I went on to our Monday Bike Night (in Plymouth MI) and parked and I went about socializing with my biker buds. Not long after that same dude on the Nightrain pulls onto our street and parks by a local bar, walks over and proceeds to bitch at me for cheating!
l couldn't understand his ranting until he accused me of hiding a nitrous bottle on my Valk. I said "look all you want, there's no nitrous on my bike". He did get on his knees in hopes to find a bottle. He claimed that no one had ever beat him,....ever. He claimed to have a "Stage Three" kit on his bike and even sportbike riders won't race him.
All I could do was chuckle, as did most of us around this idiot. He was certainly pissed and left in a hurry, gunning his pipes and reving the crap out of his motor.  
 

 

Cool Valk. Where is the other pipe? Sorry I can only count to Two. I own a Harley also.
 

[SgtBunny]

I was on a poker run last weekend with a bunch of my buds from the CVMA and was the only Valk there.  I watched from a distance as I had many people come over and look my bike over.  My friends that were with me all ride HD's.

I walked over to do the nickel trick and drew a fast crowd of about 20 people.  Everyone was making comments on the bike but there is always one in the crowd....over top of everyone he spoke up and said "Why buy a rice burner?"  Without thinking I replied back that my bike had something his didn't which brought him out front real fast to see what it was.  I had him bend over and read the MADE IN USA on the side and everyone laughed at him.  All the HD guys and started talking about what a shame it was that GoldWings and Valks were no longer made in Ohio and how HDs parts and jobs were more and more out of the country.

It all goes back to the crowd.  Most people do not care what you ride and appreciate a nice bike...but there is always one in the crowd.

[Mildew]

I was still puzzled how the hd's run at a lower rpm. Then I saw where some hd's run a 17" and an 18" on the rear. I recon that would make the 400 rpm difference. Other sites claim that the 6th gear hd's run 2600 at 70mph and 80 at 3000.