So do all the Valk Riders just talk about riding or do they actually ride??

[Cruzen]

Where are all the Valk riders? 

Every year my lady and I put on about 10K miles of touring and another 10K in a radius of 150 from our home in Scottsdale Arizona and I am amazed at how few if any Valks we see on the road. 

During this past Labor Day six day trip to the Cortex, Durango Colorado area for their yearly Bike Rally, we saw only two other Valks.  One was a Tourer that we saw in Durango with two up and the other was a Valk trike parked in town.  We did see probably 30-40 Goldwings of various vintages but where are all the Valks?  For all the talk about reliability I would think I would see a dozen or more for such events.  Do all the Valk riders just make the Inzane trip and then park their rides or what??  Heck I saw three Boss Hoss rides one of which was being brought in by trailer.

[Kaiser]

I think the number of riders on this board with near or over 100K miles on their Valks answers your question.

Me - I just talk about 'em. 

[PhredValk]

I bought my I/S this spring, and have put about 12k on her. I ride to work, the store, hit the hiway on days off, rode to Ontario this July... I think I've started the car 4 times this summer.
Fred.

[BamaDrifter64]

Maybe you just don't go where the rest of us Valkers do....

Dave

[Black Dog]

I think the fact that you saw two other Valks, and about 30 GW's is pretty much what I would expect (the GW's being that much more popular).

My buddy Daryl and I did a quick lil BBQ run this past weekend, and in the roughly 800 mile round trip, we didn't see another Valk, but did talk to a guy (with wife, kids, and mother in law in the mini van  ) that said he wished he could be out riding his Valk...  On the trip we saw dozen's of other bikes , with the bulk being HD's and GW's.  It's just the nature of our beast.  Our bikes were made for only 7 years, while the GW's and HD's have been being produced for decades...  That's one of the many things about the Valk that I love, unless yer at a VRCC event, ya just don't see too many of them 

I live in Wisconsin, land of road construction and road salt (once the first snow falls)...  I've  managed to put about 8K on my lady so far this year, and I still plan on two more trips to see the fine folks from the Michigan's Misguided (over 1000 miles each trip), so I should be looking at about 10K miles this year, not bad for an eight month riding season (if we're lucky).

There are lots of folks in this club that ride...  Our bike is getting on in years, and the fact that we see any other Valks at all, is a good sign to me (especially here in Hardly country ).

Black Dog

[Hoser]

There are not that many out there.  Went to a fair sized rally Sunday, saw 8, I knew the owners of 4 of them.  Iv'e been to Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, and all over Kansas since June 1st, and I ain't done yet! Had 62K on the bike when I retired May 1st, 74K after my little lunch ride of 190 miles today.   Hoser  

[Jabba]

I've done about 8K this year too.  I have made 69 of the last 71 commutes on the bike(s).  Plus weekend rides, and a trip around lake michigan with ONE night at IZX.

It's getting close to hunting season though...

Jabba

[valkMJ]

Well, on my 3600 mile trip this summer, I saw a total of 2 other Valks.  One in eastern Nova Scotia, and one parked in the streets of Montreal.  But that's one of the things I love about this bike.  I'm not just another GW or Harley rider.   

[Strider]

Well, all I know is there were 24 or so Valks this last laborday up in Natchez Mississippi for a ride - plus a couple of Goldwings and a sweet Spyder.



Let's see, there were folks from Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Indiana that all RODE to talk about riding I guess.

I have put on about 1500 miles over the last two weekends - a lot of riding to talk about riding some more.  The weekend before Laborday, the majority of the people who rode, rode Valks.

I think most of the people on this board that talk about riding - RIDE.  But the majority of Valk pilots ride - that is why they love the Valk.

I agree, I don't see a lot of Valks everywhere - but then again, I am riding an 11 year bike.  But when there is a VRCC doda, you sure see a lot of Valks riding from all over the country to get there - something to be said about the bike and the riders.  Like ValkMJ said, one of the things I still love about my Valk is it tends to be unique on the road.

Another shot of last weekend.

[ChromeDome]

Unless you are going to a Valkyrie ralley (InZane, Cheaha, Fall Color Ride, Memorial Day in New Mexico, Gathering of Fools, Romp in the Swamp, etc.) you would be lucky to see 1 other Valk. I went on a charity ride in August and saw 2 other Valks  . Even met & chatted with the riders but otherwise I almost never see another Valk. It can be frustrating at times but when I stop for gas and some orange juice more people notice the Valk over just about any other bike ... kinda makes ya feel good to know that it ain't just another bike. Saturday I was at my local dealer and as I was getting ready to leave I saw a Valk Interstate drive by ... I hit my horn and yelled "Good Looking Bike!" When the driver saw what I was riding ... got the thumbs up.

As for mileage, 105K and counting but tere are folks out there with a lot more .... DDT has over 400K but now that he is settling down a few of us may catch up.

[Super Santa]

I have ridden mine about 17,000 since the first of this year.  66,000 since buying the bike 38 months ago.

Am I a 'talker' or a 'rider'?

[hubcapsc]

Unless you are going to a Valkyrie ralley (InZane, Cheaha, Fall Color Ride, Memorial Day in New Mexico, Gathering of Fools, Romp in the Swamp, etc.) you would be lucky to see 1 other Valk.

I'm lucky, there's almost always other Valkyries to ride with around here...







-Mike

[Ratdog]

Poser here... don't know which end of a wrench to hold when the muffler bearings need changing. 

[Jay]

Cruzen,
Three of us were in the 4 corners area last weekend, 98 black Tourer with silver bags, 98 red and cream Tourer, and my 99 black Tourer.  I saw a few others here and there, but it was a 1,200 mile weekend.  We didn't sit around and watch the world go by.

[PhredValk]

I met 2 guys on Valks from Montreal in the Soo hiding from a storm in the same gas station, and a guy in Thunder Bay who just got back from Inzane on my way back fom Toronto.
I think most of the members here ride quite a lot, but there are lots of Valks sitting in garages all over the place. Mine had 15,000 miles on it, and this is her 11th season. I see lots of ads on Kijiijii and Ebay for valks, all around 10 years old, most with well under 50k miles on them, quite a few under 25k.
At least it looks like serious riders will always be able to buy an almost new Valk...
Fred.

[..]

Feb 2002 to Sept 2010

Total of 155,000 miles

[Stanley Steamer]

I see Valks all the time.......I saw a Black Interstate in Cleveland GA on Monday.....he was following a Lady(Wife/GF?).......and just Yesterday I saw a guy on a Black Tourer or dolled up Standard ride through Athens.....and have seen 3-4 other Valks riding through Athens in the last couple of months....a lot of folks don't know about the VRCC, perhaps?.......

I get maybe 10-12,000 miles a year on my Valk, but I only ride it for pleasure...rarely do I ever take it to work.....and this year I've ridden less than any year so far.....I ride when the "notion/urge" hits me.....not a minute before or after......riding is just ONE of the things I like to do.....it doesn't define me by any means.....

[Pete]

You guys covered everything.

Just one item many of us have multiple bikes and all of them are not Valkyries.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I don't ride, don't even own a valk. Motorcycles scare me. I'm mostly into TV and my job.

[Disco]

I did over 8,500 miles through 24 states (including an 18-hour Saddle Sore 1000 from Denton, TX to Deadwood, SD) between 9 July 2010 and 4 August 2010.  That's 27 days, 9 of which I didn't ride.  Does that count?

[art]

105000 miles .first four years in prescott az. an the last five years in rainy Oregon on my 02 standard.the only sitting want to do is in the valk saddle.

[R J]

Bought bike in June 97.

As of this date, Sept. 8, 2010 it has 242,000 + change for mileage.

Last year it got 42, yes only 42, I got sick and they haven't been able to find the cause, and get rid of it.

This year, a buddy of mine put about 500 miles on him for me.

Son says he will ride it next year if I'm not able.

Total yearly average is 18,600+, take 2 years off of that and the average is 22,000.   I bought the bike after heart bypass surgery at the age of 64 + a few months.  I retired while in the hospital, early retirement, they paid my health insurance for 3 more years.   I spent 29 days in the hospital, 21 in the ICU ward.  Dr firked up, and just before I died, another Dr opened me up and fixed the problem.  3 days later I went home on April 30th @ 10:15 AM.  Bought the bike on May 7, on a Wednesday & rode it home.

Made sure the registration was done,  insurance on it, on Thursday, and was packed ready to roll.   Pulled out Sunday May 11th, and made a 35,000 + miles, trip.  Took me about 45 days, 4 rear tires, 1 front tire, and a dozen oil changes.  Wifes birthday was the 23rd of May but she forgave me for not being here.  I had flowers sent to the house.  Otherwise I wouldn't of been here to tell about it.

Was so proud off the bike I rode it to Lake Tahoe, North Shore to show some of my old fellow motor officers.  Staid a couple of days, then returned home.

On long trips I would box up dirty clothes and send them home, wife would overnight me cloths when I got to a Motel once a week. I usually had to stay an extra day to get the package.  Winter set in, put him away for the winter, with over 50,000 miles.

Next spring I mounted a car tire on the rear, and a rear motorcycle tire (Bias) on the front for more tread, arrow reversed, and then took off and did all the lower 48 states, pictures of the Capitol, most of them with the bike in the picture, some you couldn't get close enough to include the bike. Seems like Rhode Island was one and maybe Boston.    I was out anywhere from 21 days to 45 days on several trips.  Don't know the mileage then as I can't find my records for 1998.

1999 when Sturgis was in effect, MGM had over 113,000 miles.

Mom just kept my bank account full of $$$$$, for me.   I'd say I slept under the stars probably 90% of the time.     When I needed some real rest, I got a cheap motel, with a shower in the same room, and call home to let her know where to overnight the clothes.   Campgrounds was a beech, to get to the shower.  I'd usually get up, load everything on the bike and ride up to the shower, shower, find a place for breakfast, then hit the road..

Couple of times I couldn't get a car tire mounted on the road when I needed a new one.   So, wear it out, or if I was at the end of the trip, come home and mount up a new CT.  

So. NO, I'm not a rider, I'm a poser.
I just go to Bike Nights.

[fudgie]

We do 3-4 'big' rallies a year. Usually includes 1 or 2 Valk rides. Then we hit the other rallies which are far more wild just to let our hair down and have some fun. I see a Valk or 2 but I really dont expect to. Then we have small local events around here to attend. All HD events tho cause Honda's suck. So I never see another Valk! We are young and a good ol biker party is far more appealing to us.

I'm sure there are those that want to ride more but life is in the way. Thank heavens I got rid of the x-wife and could finally put miles on the bike. 99% of my life revolves around the bike. Kit knows it #1 with me. She enjoys it as much as I do.

Nothing worse then seeing a touring bike on a trailer.

[Russell Rice]

I ride a 99 your. I ride when the urge hits me and take long road trips. Not really into keeping track of mileage. Could care less what other bikes I see on the road I wave to them all, could care less if they wave back. I can and will talk to everyone that will listen to me. I do not ride my bike to work all that much because I bought it for fun. Bunch of IDIOTS at the shop and I am not there to keep an eye on it all day and I do not want any harm to come to her. I take the wife if she wants to go with me, I can leave her at home if she does not.
For me it's all about enjoying yourself not counting miles or other bikes you see or don't see.

[GA Mike]

Thanks Cruzen, we finally got a bike thread. 

[Duffy]

I have met more riders that actually ride on this board than any other website or club in my life! 

I think the Valk attracks people that really like to ride.

Just my opinion.

I do about 10k miles a year, almost none of it commuting. Here is a recent check of the odo:

[RP#62]

Whatcha mean.  I've been riding almost every day - from Gilbert to the Airport and back to Gilbert.  You're just on the wrong freeways.
-RP

[sandy]

Stand on the corner of Via Linda and 90th St every morning at 6:20 and I'll wave as I go to work.

[Rio Wil]

If you had been on the Dalton Highway about 100 miles north of Fairbamks on July 16,2010, you could have your picture taken with this quartet of muddy Valks and one GW.  Two Valks were from California and two were from Brazil.



Cheers

[Tropic traveler]

Poser here.
Bought Valk in 5/06 with 57K on the clock. Re-entry bike for me.
On 5/10 went over to the Flipside.

Does not include the 9K I put on my Rocket 3 or a few more K on the wife's Shadow commuting to work during the same period of time.

We loved the Valk so much that I sold the Rocket & bought the wife her own.


So attached to Valkyries that I snabbed a third so that when the other two need service we don't have to miss a mile riding on a Valkyrie!


Work prohibits us from attending any of the National Valk gatherings but we try to make all the in-state events that we can. The "Valk friends" that we have made have evolved into just plain good friends. Such is the power of a bike so fine... regardless of the miles.

[Brovietnam]

Getting ready to go over the 100,000 mark this weekend. I would have sooner but with a broken leg, two kidneystone events, I have been kept off the bike a lot.

[roboto65]

Do I ride ? Well since I have no car other than a Valk yep sure I ride also just got back from a Trip to the Keys from Texas 2400 miles !!!

[YardBoy]

This July I rode 2400 miles thur 8 states and observed only one other Valkyrie.  Saw a bunch of motorcycles.

[Ramjet]

Working around Atlanta, I usually see a Valk somewhere at least every other day!

[Tundra]

I logged 11000 miles last year. Just rides, not riding to work or errands. Many trip reports with pics, for the enjoyment of others and motivation to get out and ride. Just don't post the pics anymore, as It didn't really draw any response, I assumed it was lack of interest. It was very time consuming to post and edit.

[hubcapsc]

I logged 11000 miles last year. Just rides, not riding to work or errands. Many trip reports with pics, for the enjoyment of others and motivation to get out and ride. Just don't post the pics anymore, as It didn't really draw any response, I assumed it was lack of interest. It was very time consuming to post and edit.

Shoot... I just looked back in time... about 400 people read this one...

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,18281.msg155738.html#msg155738

-Mike

[BamaDrifter64]

I probably saw 25 to 30 Valks this year at Sturgis.  Way more than I saw last year at Sturgis.

I ride to Sturgis every year - 3500+ miles each trip, which are 9 to 10 days each.

Also try to do any VRCC rides I'm able to do with my schedule.

Why don't YOU ride to Sturgis????  Or attend any VRCC functions?

Quit your whining & RIDE!!!!!!

Dave

[cutter]

I would have to slow WAY down if your going to catch up just to see me on the road.... 

[Cruzen]

Stand on the corner of Via Linda and 90th St every morning at 6:20 and I'll wave as I go to work.

Sandy I would do that but at that time I have already been to work for an hour. 

Didn't know you come up there every day.  I've looked for you at the Pavilions the few times I was there but no see...

[Cruzen]

Thanks for all the responses.

I’m noticing that a large portion of you who are responding live in the Midwest or East.  I’m also sensing that many of you put most of your miles on doing more local, within a 100 mile radius from home, verses touring to other states miles.  I’m not sure what the total count of sold Valks was but I find it strange that I see so few of them on the road someplace other than their home state. 

A few of you have indicated significant miles clocked per year and my own 20K is divided between two bikes one for distance and luggage capacity, my Valk IS, and the other a Magna for local daily riding.  I’m beginning to wonder if it’s not an economic issue? 

I’m just trying to figure out why we seldom see other Valks on the road during our travels which I admit are restricted at this point to six Western states which, it seems, have the fewest Valks.

Thanks for posting those numbers on Valks currently being offered for sale.  That was an interesting viewpoint.