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

[Valker]

It all has to do with internal transmission ratios and final drive ratios. You can make any engine turn any RPM with gearing changes.

[judd]

Update ..................Did a rerun of the roll on with the 110".   Me in 4th, he in 5th (1:1 ratios) from 50 Mph, No contest, the Valk walked on him and continued to pull away to 115, where we shut down.   I believe it's safe to say that 96 inchers don't stand a chance.  

[Sodbuster]

Update ..................Did a rerun of the roll on with the 110".   Me in 4th, he in 5th (1:1 ratios) from 50 Mph, No contest, the Valk walked on him and continued to pull away to 115, where we shut down.   I believe it's safe to say that 96 inchers don't stand a chance.  

Atta boy Judd .... did us proud !! All this talk about beating those 96" H-D's will make me want to be strutting around work like a rooster   

[dakota450]

Well, I must chime in here.  I have been riding bikes since I was about 5 years old and and am now 46.   Most of my riding has been in the dirt.  Racing, hillclimbing, dualsporting etc.  I currently own an 03 KTM 450exc with about 9k dirt miles that I have personally put on it since I bought it new in 03.  I also own a 99 standard.  The point is, I am a pretty experienced rider.  Last summer, I went on a ride with about 9  guys on all kinds of bikes.  One of the riders was very humble and had a Harley with ape hangers, and forward controls.  Sounded good and looked nice too.  I ended up in the lead on a really twisty uphill road.  I decided to get after it and I must say, I gave it all the valk had.  I was on the pipe and dragging pegs hard on both sides.  I could not loose this guy on the Harley.  There were times where I came out of a corner, in high Rpm's cranked it on an had rear wheel spin on the black top all the while with pegs in constant contact with the black top too.  I think if he had the space, he could have whipped a pass on me.  I was just pissed!  So some of them are pretty fast.  Most of the time, I can usually clean the clock of any bike in the corners with the valk.  It has a lot of torque and handles very nice and predictable but this guy put me in my place and I have a good bit of respect for him, his bike and his riding ability.  One of the riders with us was on a Yamaha 1100 crotch rocket that I have ridden in the dirt for years with and we left him in the dust.  It was a blast but just showed me that I should watch my smack talk sometimes.

[judd]

It was a blast but just showed me that I should watch my smack talk sometimes.

Agreed, one should choose his battles wisely, there are a ton of fast H.D's out there,  I was refering to factory bikes myself. 

[Sodbuster]

It was a blast but just showed me that I should watch my smack talk sometimes.

Agreed, one should choose his battles wisely, there are a ton of fast H.D's out there,  I was refering to factory bikes myself. 

Agree as well .... personally I doubt I will even put myself in a situation where I have to prove a point being my age .... it just feels good to know that I'm riding something that has some backbone.

[Jabba]

I have a 400 lb buddy of mine that has 2 HD's.  A Road King and an Ultra Classic.  I can whip him in a drag race.  But he'll eat my ass out in the twisties.  It all has to do with me having some sense.  Now... I am unaware of him ever crashing... but I have seen him, with his wife, in the twisties, with a rear tire slipping a little, feathering the throttle thru the corner. 

I simply ain't gonna ride like that, especially not with my wife.

I can't keep up with him.

Jabba

[98valk]

It was a blast but just showed me that I should watch my smack talk sometimes.

Agreed, one should choose his battles wisely, there are a ton of fast H.D's out there,  I was refering to factory bikes myself. 

I would think the HD's u speak off are faster at reducing bank accounts than actually going faster than a Valkyrie. 

[Jess from VA]

Another small point is that all Hogs have better cornering clearance than all Valks. 

[Jabba]

Another small point is that all Hogs have better cornering clearance than all Valks. 

My buddies Low Rider Sport won't corner for crap.  But it'll SMOKE me in a straight line.

Jabba 

[jimiz]

Have an 00 tourer and just sold my 08 FLHTC. I can tell you that the valk will walk away from all comers. I ran with my friend up to the smokies last month, he is on an 06 road king with a 95 stage 2, hotter cam, dvno'd, big bragger. Well, he aint braggin no more is all I got to say. I like HDs but the Valk is a man!!!!

[Jabba]

Have an 00 tourer and just sold my 08 FLHTC. I can tell you that the valk will walk away from all comers. I ran with my friend up to the smokies last month, he is on an 06 road king with a 95 stage 2, hotter cam, dvno'd, big bragger. Well, he aint braggin no more is all I got to say. I like HDs but the Valk is a man!!!!

Don't say ALL comers.  My buddies Low Rider Sport will eat a valk.  I'll bet even a blown Valk.

It's got 124" motor with a LOAD of work.  I have sseen the dyno slip for 157 HP, and he claims 20 more after more work.  I have ridden that bike and it is flat SCARY fast.

Jabba

[fudgie]

Remember folks, its not the size its the girth! 

[Jabba]

Yeah man... I might not get to the back... but I sure can bang the HELL outta the sides.
 
Jabba

[fstsix]

Yep seems their is always gonna be someone faster or quicker.....BUT it AINT  NO Hardly! when ya get to the top of the food chain! That makes me feel alright to know that when ya know someone and so so knows someone That's got a bad A$$ Hardley,. And the World record holder as the BS stops when the Flag Drops is A Metric LOL!!

Larry "Spiderman" Mcbride Top Fuel Dragbike	powered by Aeva

[SPOFF]

When I test ride a Harley, I find the 96 motor to be the minimum hp to even be fun to ride. The standard 88 seems too much like a lawn tractor to me. As has been pointed out, a lot of the results come down to the rider. Although where I live the cops are so uptight I rarely exceed 50 or 60 mph, so roll on at 110 is irrelevant here. A squid on a 150cc scooter can blow a Valk away if he doesn't mind losing his license for a year or two.

And if you race a 96 HD, make sure you throw in an hour of bumper to bumper on a sunny 98 degree day. With the lastest EPA standards, Harley is having big problems with cooling. Makes you appreciate a radiator real fast.

[fudgie]

With the lastest EPA standards, Harley is having big problems with cooling. Makes you appreciate a radiator real fast.

I remember Sturgis 02 we were heading back to the Chip right after dark. The road was 2 lane back then. For a whole mile it was stop and go, took about a hour to do the mile. The wife at the time last count on all the HD's along the road waiting to cool. I think she was up to 150 bikes. 

[hubcapsc]

When I test ride a Harley, I find the 96 motor to be the minimum hp to even be fun to ride. The standard 88 seems too much like a lawn tractor to me.

I think my 98 Springer was an 88... at any rate, it was like a lawn tractor, that's a great analogy...

And if you race a 96 HD, make sure you throw in an hour of bumper to bumper on a sunny 98 degree day. With the lastest EPA standards, Harley is having big problems with cooling. Makes you appreciate a radiator real fast.

I was in a Christmas parade (as in cold and December) when I first got my Valk. The Valk was cosmetically
tired, with rusty bits and scuffed saddlebags. I got a lot of friendly ribbing from all the shiny-Harley owners
in their fancy leathers. Christmas parades are stop and go and stop and go... some of them had to
pull over from overheating 

[rdunbar123]

Yep seems their is always gonna be someone faster or quicker.....BUT it AINT  NO Hardly! when ya get to the top of the food chain! That makes me feel alright to know that when ya know someone and so so knows someone That's got a bad A$$ Hardley,. And the World record holder as the BS stops when the Flag Drops is A Metric LOL!! Larry "Spiderman" Mcbride Top Fuel Dragbike

I have a good friend who lives and breaths HD. I have a raider and a supercharger on my valk. but he always knows an "old boy" with a harley who could smoke whatever you ride. He even claimed to know someone who could beat a Busa. I don't give damn how good or bad the rider is that ain't happening.

[Jabba]

My nephew's Busa is stoopid fast.  that thing will do a 100 mph wheelie.  With MY fat ass on it!

Next door neighbor runs Pro-Stock Bike.  His name is Wess Wells.  He runs a Suzuki.  They have a lot of trouble with the HD's at the drag strip, but the HD's have different rules.  They are allowed more inches than the metrics. 

How's THAT right?  Well, Vance and Hines makes  ALOT of the rules... and they want to markey stuff to HD Owners.

Everything is ALWAYS about the $$.

Jabba

[fstsix]

My nephew's Busa is stoopid fast.  that thing will do a 100 mph wheelie.  With MY fat ass on it!

Next door neighbor runs Pro-Stock Bike.  His name is Wess Wells.  He runs a Suzuki.  They have a lot of trouble with the HD's at the drag strip, but the HD's have different rules.  They are allowed more inches than the metrics. 

How's THAT right?  Well, Vance and Hines makes  ALOT of the rules... and they want to markey stuff to HD Owners.

Everything is ALWAYS about the $$.

Jabba

Jabba, i worked in Gardena Ca, back in the 70's , The guy that made  (Vance & Hines) was a Record Holder for 12 years, His name is Russ, i had him build my K1 750 with a 1000cc Cobra kit, i didn't realize back then the importance if these guys then , but now knowing i have met them both Larry McBride in VA, and Collins in So Ca, They both have metric Bad A$$ record Holders, The Sorcerer (Russ Collins)  Had 2 750/1000cc Honda's paired like a V 8 with a 671 roots Supercharger in the middle FI back then, I seen the bike in person But the punch line here IS Vance $ Hines learned from Collins LOL!!! and they know if Russ decided to jump back on the hoarse they would be SOL!!    http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/calcinjpulse.html

[rdunbar123]

I guess the bottom line is if you take a stock anything, strip it down and spend an awful lot of money it will run. Out of the box the HD is a dog. A good looking dog, but underpowered. I would have but I just hate to pay extra without getting something for my money.

[Sasha47VSSS]

My "experience" :

I drove mith my sweety from Dunkirk, France to Bruges, Belgium on a sunny afternoon. The highway is perfectly flat, two lanes plus emergecy lane (max speed permitted 80,8mph in France and 74.6 in Belgium, but who care!). My Valk has folloving mods: 6°TW, polished intakes and custom exhaust (10.4HP gain). We vere smoothly cruising at 100-110mph. Far in front I've seen a group of bikers on a driving lane (right lane). I was closing up so fast that figured out they were at a stop. Changed to overtaking, left lane and sloved down a bit, slightly over 100mph. When at about 50 yard figured out they were driving! A group of HD, all head down, chest on the fuel tank to reduce air resistance. Can't tell how slow they were "speeding". Make a sign with my right leg, 100 yards later wanted to change to the driving lane, looked into the right mirror and seen one of the HDs crashing ejecting the rider! Stopped immediately anr run back to help. The chap was OK, very lucky he had complete leadher apparel.
When asked what happens, he said: "You pass so fast that I figured out that my HD stopped so I stepped down to check the engine"

LOL, it's just a joke. In reality, the HD rider doesn't bstep down but realy check if something is wrong with his bike.

At last, before a test ride with a HD rider, show him a engine starting coin test !!!!

[Valkflyer]

The chap was OK, very lucky he had complete leadher apparel.
When asked what happens, he said: "You pass so fast that I figured out that my HD stopped so I stepped down to check the engine"

[/color]     
   Wait a minute, you sure you just made that up?? 

[fudgie]

My "experience" :

I drove mith my sweety from Dunkirk, France to Bruges, Belgium on a sunny afternoon. The highway is perfectly flat, two lanes plus emergecy lane (max speed permitted 80,8mph in France and 74.6 in Belgium, but who care!). My Valk has folloving mods: 6°TW, polished intakes and custom exhaust (10.4HP gain). We vere smoothly cruising at 100-110mph. Far in front I've seen a group of bikers on a driving lane (right lane). I was closing up so fast that figured out they were at a stop. Changed to overtaking, left lane and sloved down a bit, slightly over 100mph. When at about 50 yard figured out they were driving! A group of HD, all head down, chest on the fuel tank to reduce air resistance. Can't tell how slow they were "speeding". Make a sign with my right leg, 100 yards later wanted to change to the driving lane, looked into the right mirror and seen one of the HDs crashing ejecting the rider! Stopped immediately anr run back to help. The chap was OK, very lucky he had complete leadher apparel.
When asked what happens, he said: "You pass so fast that I figured out that my HD stopped so I stepped down to check the engine"

LOL, it's just a joke. In reality, the HD rider doesn't bstep down but realy check if something is wrong with his bike.

At last, before a test ride with a HD rider, show him a engine starting coin test !!!!

Thats a name that I havent seen in awhile. Where ya been?

[Cruzen]

Another small point is that all Hogs have better cornering clearance than all Valks. 

Definately not true.  In the group I ride with the HD floor boards are much lower than the foor pegs on my IS.  Unless the Valks suspension is set to the softest setting and they are on the highest setting and both are fully loaded then maybe your statement is correct.

[Jess from VA]

It is true if the bikes have not been lowered.  Stock to stock, HDs have more lean than valks.

Ask these fellows if they are at stock/OE height. 

[Beernuts]

Last week I ran up against a new  HD screaming eagle he said it was a 1800 ci any way it was all motor and stripped down. My bike is a 98 standard with full fairing saddle bags, mods are trigger wheel kN air filter carb springs and 2 brothers exhaust.  I was riding 2up I was dead even with him from 2nd gear float had to shut it down just hitting 5th gear car pulled out in front of us. I think he was a little bummed he did not pull away. I know the results would be different riding single and from dead start he would be in my mirror.

[Cruzen]

It is true if the bikes have not been lowered.  Stock to stock, HDs have more lean than valks.

Ask these fellows if they are at stock/OE height. 

Sorry Jess we just measured the roll angle of a new unaltered HD Road King verses my IS and the Road King hits the floor boards way before my stock height Valk gets even close to scraping the pegs or the bottom.  The Screaming Eagle is even worse.  These are bikes that are comparable to the Valk.

My co-workers HD Glide is close to the IS in lean angle.  That would be a close call.

Now if you are comparing one of their smaller bikes like the Sportster you would need to compare it to something comparable such as my Honda Magna.  There again the Magna has much more lean available before it starts dragging pegs than the Sportster.

[Jess from VA]

OK. 

[SgtBunny]

Last weekend I rode to rolling thunder with another group I am a member of, Combat Vets Motorcycle Association.  Of all the bikes in our group they were all HD except my Valk and another guys VTX.

One guy got WAY too drunk the night before and ended up riding behind me...mind you I had pulled the baffles out of my cobras just for this ride.   

There were several in the group that I let ride my bike at different times and they all loved the power and the low center of gravity.  The guy behind me hated the Cobra exhaust though.   

Everyone thought the Valk felt much stronger than their HD's and several had screaming eagles.

[Sodbuster]

When I was shopping around for a bike last year I was down to three choices .... A Valk or a H-D Road King/Electra Glide Std. Then it came down to X amount of $$ that I could cough up ($12K max.).  I started looking at RK's/EG's with 88 inch motors but little power and reading bad things with the swing arms and cam chain adjusters. Looked into 96 inch RK's/EG's but read about the over heating and crankshafts twisting. All of a sudden the Valk started looking more attractive even with some of it's own idiosyncrasies. So, after reading all these posts, I'd say I made a good choice.

'99 Std. and she's all mine.




 

[SS Twin]

Sodbuster, very nice!  What bags are those on your Valk?  I have something similar on mine, but don't know the brand.  Here is a pic of mine in a similar position.

[Sodbuster]

Sodbuster, very nice!  What bags are those on your Valk?  I have something similar on mine, but don't know the brand.

Thx .... Mine are Tsukayu "Strong" bags.  I added the silver graphics myself.  Yeah, nice catch on the Bumble Bee .... always liked that color combo .... KILLER.  Looks like you have the same seat (Mustang).  Not sure what SB's you have, could they be Champion ?? Anyway, very nice bike .... now you'll have to go lurking for some of those 96 inch H-D's

[SS Twin]

+1 on the Mustang.  I do want to add a drivers back rest tho.  I'll look for the Champion bags (google is my friend) and see what I can find.

"Lurking" for the 96's??  How about LOOKING ???   

[Farther]

Since this thread has already gone astray, let me ask:  How does the Mustang seat change your seating position?

[SS Twin]

Since this thread has already gone astray, let me ask:  How does the Mustang seat change your seating position?

Wish I could answer, but I've only ridden mine with the Mustang.  I'm 5'11", 32" inseam and it is quite comfortable.  No real reach for the bars.  Without the windshield I do notice enough wind "pull back" on me at 60+ that the backrest would be nice.

[Sodbuster]

+1 on the Mustang.  I do want to add a drivers back rest tho.  I'll look for the Champion bags (google is my friend) and see what I can find.

"Lurking" for the 96's??  How about LOOKING ???   

Lurking ?? wow .... I sure blew that one.    Hey Farther, don't worry about hijacking the thread ..I think my original question was answered long ago. 

The Mustang sits up maybe just a little bit higher than the stock seat, just as wide but much more comfy and feels better on the back. (Keep in mind this is pre 2000 seat). The rear Mustang seat is about two inches wider than stock. Wife says it's the most comfy seat she's ever been on along with the backrest. I also have a drivers backrest that came with the package. Found the whole works on craigslist in like new cond for $300 LESS than new.

And to keep things relative .... you'll look COOL when you blow past someone on a 96 inch H-D 

Here's an older pic of bike with the Mustang setup ....

[fat6man]

Let's see... A 96" HD against a valk, where do we begin <>?_+&%!#@****
Now I remember