Buying my first motorcycle today, a 99 Valkyrie Interstate

[toetruck21]

I found this group two days ago and have been reading all the stories and tech. post non-stop.  So much information here that my head is spinning.  I've been wanting a motorcycle for a long time and my wife has finally gave her blessing.  I found a 99 Valkyrie Interstate near my home in Wahoo, NE and been excited ever since.  After finding this group and seeing the family atmosphere here it has only reinforced that I'm making the right decision.  Never owning a bike, I'm taking a friend with me to have him drive it.  I've been picking up a hit list of things to check out before I hand the cash over, still not sure about this pingel fuel thing and if I need it or not.  The owner has told me this "new rear bearings, front fork seals,all six carbs syncrinized, newer battery, new headlights, good tires,new front brakes".  When I mentioned this to the friend that is going to test ride the bike for me he thought the bike must of been doing some wheelies.  Would that be a fair assessment or do these things need to be replaced every 60,000 miles?  That is what the bike currently has for miles.  The bike has a clean title and no visible road rash.  I'm so excited I don't know if I should care about this or not.  My goal was to get a Valkyrie, and it looks like if the bike runs good, that's what I will be doing.  Any tips would be appreciated from this awesome group.

[Cattman]

These are all normal maintence items for the age and miles on the bike. Tires last 8-20k miles, brake pads change every other year or more,battery every 4-5 years or when it goes bad, rear bearings are normal, I've got 70 K on my IS and it's on its second set of front bearings and 4th left rear 2nd right rear. Head lights are an every 2-3 year item and fork seals replace when it spits fluid on the front of the bike. Good luck, sounds like a well maintained bike.

[old2soon]

Welcome to the inansanity/. If you don't mind me asking how much of your hard earned loot do you have to plunk down for your new to you ride?? Figures have a wide swing here and elsewhere. Part of my reason-other than being really nosy :uglystupid2:last april i gave $5800 cash here in MO for a really clean green and silver i/s. I'm more than happy that she took over my life!! Ya you read correctly-she took over my life. Worse things than this have happened in my life. I don't know myself how to post pictures-but myself and the other dragon riders wuold like some photos of your i/s. Any maint issues with your new baby can be addresed here. Most everyone on the board has been there done that where the valk is concerned. Shortly i head out to my own garage to start my maint stuff-tires brakes timing belts and a general look over before the start of anoyher riding season. Good luck with your fat girl-you will grow to love her just as we do. RIDE SAFE.

[Master Blaster]

Valks are pretty bullet proof, so should not be a problem, but if you have never rode or owned a bike, that could be.  The Valk is a big powerful heavy bike and the Interstate is the heaviest model.  I bought my first Valk in 98 and it was a Standard.  I had rarely ridden for 30 years, and believe me it scared the crap out of me riding it home.  First thought was Oh My God!!!!  What have I done?  Made me wish I had started on something a little lighter and less powerful, but after a while I got my groove back.   Not trying to scare you, but be very careful, and watch the front brake when you are turning at slow speed, slow speed manuvering is not its strong point.  Its a bitch to pickup.  Good thing is it will usually only go over about 45 degrees and the engine guard will catch it.  Good luck and welcome to a great bunch.  Oh, and another thing there are quite a few that started on the Valk and did good, so have confidence, and it will serve you well.

[Daniel Meyer]

Have you ridden before? If not, go take an MSF beginners course before taking the Valk out on the road.

Fork seals are normal wear every 50,000 miles or so.

Petcock could use a vacuum leak-down check if it's the stocker.

[Quicksilver]

Sounds like the owner was just maintaining the bike well. All those things sound right. You've picked an excellent machine, welcome to the club !

[RainMaker]

This really isn't a beginner's bike but take it easy and you'll get used to it.  As with Daniel, if you've never ridden a motorcycle before, go take the MSF beginners course - they use 250cc machines that are a lot easier to ride at first.

Welcome to the VRCC.

[Willow]

  Never owning a bike, I'm taking a friend with me to have him drive it. 

I don't want to rain on your parade, but a Valkyrie Interstate isn't a really good first bike candidate.  The MSF course, as mentioned by others, is a must.  Ideally, you would get another smaller ride on which to put a few thousand miles.  If you choose not to do that, at the very least have someone help you do the mod to remove the trunk until you've become very accustomed to handling the Valkyrie.

Also, don't ride two up until you're very comfortable with the weight of the bike.

When you make a mistake at low speed, and you will, she will start to lie down.  Step off and let her go easily.

If you make a mistake at more than low speed, and I hope you don't, I have no advice that will help you.

Welcome to the insanity.

[3fan4life]

This really isn't a beginner's bike but take it easy and you'll get used to it.  As with Daniel, if you've never ridden a motorcycle before, go take the MSF beginners course - they use 250cc machines that are a lot easier to ride at first.

Welcome to the VRCC.

+1 On all of this.

The Valkyrie is a GREAT Motorcycle.

But, if your motorcycle experience is ZERO, I wouldn't undertake it without at least taking the MSF course.

If you have never ridden before youe might want to consider something smaller and less powerful until you get some miles under your belt.

There are plenty of used bikes in this category that you can typically purchase ride for a year and then sell without losing much or any of your original purchase price.

I wouldn't want to see Enthusiasm + Lack of experience = Tragedy

So I guess my advice would be:

Purchase the Valk,

Take the MSF Beginners course

and if possible Purchase a smaller, less powerful  stablemate for the Valk and ride it while you're still learning.

[hubcapsc]

but a Valkyrie Interstate isn't a really good first bike candidate.

It will be the bike you wish you had a year from now, but it is a lotta motorcycle to learn on.

Don't get discouraged, don't get hurt, and don't forget to take the MSF course ASAP...

I think Honda Rebels (just to name one model) can be got used for around $1500, you could
do a lot of learning on a Rebel, and then get a Valkyrie...

-Mike

[BF]

Ditto what everyone else has said.  

Go ahead and buy the Valk.....You'll be glad you do later.  Run, don't walk to the nearest MSF course, sign up and take it.  

Have your buddy ride your Valk home and park it in your garage.  Don't attempt to ride it just yet.  Go out and buy a starter bike.....something with less than 650cc oughta do it....something much lighter and nimble.  Ride the crap out of that thing and learn learn learn.  

I wouldn't attempt to ride two up for quite awhile either.  A Valk is a big, heavy bike.  Like someone else said, I hadn't riden for the better part of 25 years when the bug hit me and I had to have a Valk.  Sacare the crap out of me too when I first rode off on it.  There is diffinitely a learning curve riding a Valk.  Took me the better part of a year before I felt confident on it and before I'd take the wife for a ride.  

Now I can't get her off if it.  

[T-Bird]

+1 on what Hubcapsc said. The interstate is the best investment as far as Valkyrie models goes, and the best touring Valkyrie. Good Luck & welcome to the VRCC  

[Big Rig]

Welcome....

It is a big bike and as you can see, you want to TAKE YOUR TIME learning to ride. Take the course and then practice practice practice. Short trips around the block on Sunday Mornings when traffic is light. It is all about practice so you get comfortable with your new bike. Compare it to a first date, take your time, keep your cool and within a couple of months you can ride her like you stole her...

Also, we drive cars and RIDE bikes. 

Advice is free...MC parts are expensive!

Take your time, don't get intimadated and enjoy your new pValkyrie!.
 
In the mean time, post pictures...we love pictures!

[sugerbear]

i hadn't been on a bike for 25 or so years.

bought an I/S and never looked back.

took it slow for a while, put several hundred miles on before doing two up.

have your friend take the bike to a school/church parking lot(when it's empty)

and practice practice practice slow speed handling. when your comfy with that, then try around the block.

take the msf course.

and, welcome to the group.

and NEVER forget. every driver out there is trying to kill you
watch everyone

[Oss]

all good suggestions

I also recommend you get the Valk but try to find a nice 750
used for a grand to practice evasive moves braking and uturns

I took the MSF on a 750 and the advanced course on the Interstate.

Plan on taking it again with the trailer in tow just for the practice as I ride 2 up with the wife and handling is different 2 up and with a fully loaded trailer

ATTGATT  dress for the slide not the ride  Ive been down at low and high speed .
They both can sorta hurt but with the right gear it dont have to hurt too long

Welcome to the family and always check your 6 and your blind spots

[HotRod]

Don't worry so much, if she rides good don't worry about what was replace just be glad it was replaced. Most Valkyrie owners take very good care of their fat lady,so I would normally be very comfortable buying a Valk,Welcome,and enjoy! One more thing,do yourself a favor and take a safety riding class for you and your families sake.

[..]

  Never owning a bike, I'm taking a friend with me to have him drive it. 

When you make a mistake at low speed, and you will, she will start to lie down.  Step off and let her go easily.

.[/i]

Complete agreement. Try to hold her up and you WILL daamge yourself more than the bike. UNLESS you're built like the Incredible Hulk.


Riders have broken wrists, strained backs, shoulders etc etc trying to hold the bike up off the ground.

[czuch]

Yup, what all them fellers said.
Welcome to the madhouse. I really like it here. They have good sound advise and arent afraid of dispensing it. Get your chops on a smaller bike. Then try to wear it out.
My Tourer needed bearings at 67k, the rest is pretty static.

[Garry 2r's]

whoops wrong copy here is the right one

http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/mcy/2259020335.html

[Garry 2r's]

Here is another one

http://muskegon.craigslist.org/mcy/2259371121.html

[~ Timbrwolf]

. ...I gotta agree with Willow.. ...an Interstate for a "first bike"...is a hell of a lot a bike to learn on....besides getting hurt/or worse .....State ,s got a lotta plastic on em that will break on even slow speed dumps...and it can real expensive real fast to replace it.....

...if you got yer heart set on this State...and I understand if you do.....at least take the safety course.....and ride a lot of back roads till that baby stops scaring the hell out of you...and NO passengers..


....and when you go to buy it...ask the owner ....when was the last time he lubed the rear splines ? ....if he says...huh ?. .....get em checked soon as its yours.....

[Chiefy]

Can't add much, except that it is a lot of bike to learn on.  If you have to learn on it, remember what we said so that you don't get discouraged.

You asked about the Pingle.  As long as the bike is turning over and runs, it's not important enough to factor in the decision about buying the bike.

Good luck, let us know how it plays out, and PICTURES!!!

Make sure your buddy understands the sounds this bike makes.  If he's unfamiliar with it, he's liable to tell you it's ready to fall apart when it's actually fine.

[Stanley Steamer]

You have  good taste in Bikes......jumping right on an Interstate is analogous to skipping over a Ford Escort right to a long-nosed Tractor trailer rig to learn to drive.....can it be done?.....sure....but would have a very steep learning curve......good luck.....

[Hoser]

If you have never ridden a bike before, go take that course.  You will learn to ride there.  If you feel the need, do it twice, then go easy on the big girl.  You'll know if you want to pursue it after the course is taken.  If not, they are pretty easy to sell.  You will probly be yelling Wahoo!, every time you ride it.  I have been to Wahoo, not far from me.    Hoser

[thedon]

Toetruck21,
Here is one from your side. I had never rode a bike before either. I'm 56 year's young and my bother-in-law wanted to take his valk and us (Barbo & Me) to inzane x. So September 2009 I took the MSF course. Nice, they had 250's and all went good, got my license. Fast forward to a week before inzane x, brother-in-law (Frosty) comes with 2 bikes, his valk & a honda pacific coast. I rode the p.c. around town but decided that the 800 mile trip was too much and followed him in my car. we had looked at valks on the vrcc site and decided to stop on the way and look at one in green bay. 1997 standard, 53,000 miles, $5,000. Frosty said if you don't buy it I will, we got it for $4,800. We couldn't take it until the next monday. I work, so frosty and barbo go on monday and bring it back. the next night i got on and have not looked back. 2 nights later barbo got on and we have been riding 2 up since. Love that bike. it is still a handful, but you will get used to it. i know that it is not an interstate but it is still big. Anyway, what these guys say is good advise, they have been doing it a lot longer than i have.

thedon

[punkidd912]

Man, if only you were in Louisiana! I'm looking to sell the VLX 600 I learned on right now to purchase a Valkyrie. Good luck man, I got the bug too! 

[BF]

toetruck.....

As others have said, the chubby chick can be a hand full at times in slow speed situations,...parking lots, u-turns and the like...especially for newbies to the Valk experience. 

The best piece of adivse I can think of is.......drag-brake....and stay off the front brake when the going is slow and where turning is required.  Learn about drag-brake, how/when to use it....and you'll be a slow speed parking lot/u-turn guru in no time.  The more you ride the Valk, the more you'll get used to it...and the more you'll learn. 

[Dogg]

choosing a bike that dwarfs an electraglide classic as a first bike takes large doodads....great choice tho. take the course. cant say it enuff.  good luck and welcome.

[donaldcc]

.  I've been wanting a motorcycle for a long time and my wife has finally gave her blessing.  I found a 99 Valkyrie Interstate near my home in Wahoo, NE and been excited ever since. . . . . Never owning a bike, I'm taking a friend with me to have him drive it.  

Toetruck,  Buy another smaller bike before this.  you say you never owned a bike????  if so, this is too big for you.  BEFORE you buy a bike at least take MSF course and try a smaller bike.  you ARE NOT going to be a safe rider reading here for a couple days and thinking this should be your bike.  


 If you are thinking of an interstate as your first bike, you are making a mistake.  just my 2 cents


Don't want to discourage . . . , but if your buddie is riding it home for you, get a smaller bike.

[Walküre]

.  I've been wanting a motorcycle for a long time and my wife has finally gave her blessing.  I found a 99 Valkyrie Interstate near my home in Wahoo, NE and been excited ever since. . . . . Never owning a bike, I'm taking a friend with me to have him drive it.  

Toetruck,  Buy another smaller bike before this.  you say you never owned a bike????  if so, this is too big for you.  BEFORE you buy a bike at least take MSF course and try a smaller bike.  you ARE NOT going to be a safe rider reading here for a couple days and thinking this should be your bike.  


 If you are thinking of an interstate as your first bike, you are making a mistake.  just my 2 cents


Don't want to discourage . . . , but if your buddie is riding it home for you, get a smaller bike.

Whew, was hoping SOMEone was going to say it...with a HUGE amount of maturity, common sense, and patience, the Valkyrie *might* be an o-k first bike. Standard, anyway. You said this is your first bike, but you didn't mention whether you had EVER ridden a bike before. If you have, and quite a bit, I would say it's possible to do well on a Valk, for a "first bike". If you have never ridden one, I would strongly urge you NOT to learn on the Valk. Sorry, just how it is, and I'm sure there are others here, that would strongly disagree with me. Riding a Valk is so easy, a 6-year old can do it, with 20 years experience.

I have probably 250,000 miles + on two wheels, and I've had some very....uhm.....interesting moments on the Valk, shall we say. And one or two, that ONLY that experience, kept me upright.

If you get it, you'll love it, if you take the time to "do it right" - as was mentioned, a motorcycle safety course, start with LEARNING to ride properly, before jumping on the fat lady, and being patient. And I hope you don't feel everyone is "telling you what to do" - far from it. But, it's also no disgrace to learn from other's experience. And there's a whole bunch of it, around here.

Oh yeah, you didn't say how much experience your buddy has, but the "wheelie" comment has me wondering. At the very least, let him read some of the warnings, also.

good luck, keep us posted. I lost track of how many motorcycles I've had, LONG ago, but to date, the Valk has been my favorite.

R

[DIGGER]

I'm an older guy and been riding all my life.    My advice is a little different.  #1 don't get in a hurry to ride this big bike.   Absolutely you need to go take the motorcycle riding course in your area.

#2 if you have never had a bike before the interstate is going to be very top heavy when stopping and starting and getting on and off.  Most of the people on this thread are saying to go to a  parking lot and learn to start and stop.  Not a bad idea, however, I tell new riders on a powerfull big bike to try and get on the interstate and ride a ways and exit and turn around and ride back.  Going straight down a interstate at 6o or 65 mph during light traffic times will give you a better feel for the bike and what it takes to manuever it.  Also, everyone is going the same direction and there are no side streets for people to pull out in front of you.    When driving always allow lots of room between you and the guy in front of you for emergency breaking.  Be constantly alert for traffic around you and at all times have an avenue of escape in mind in case someone fast stops in front of you or someone accidently pulls over into you.  You will love the Valkyrie once you get comfortable on it.

[toetruck21]

I did it, I bought it, and now its time to learn!  From all the comments I see here I'm starting to think I was crazy!  For the curious the previous owner was asking $6,500 for his '99 Valkyrie Interstate, we ended up agreeing that $6,000 was a fair price.  The bike has 62,000 miles on it and a good paper trail of maintenance records.  After my friend inspected the bike and rode it, it was agreed upon that the tires would most likely need to be changed probably next year and that's where most of the price drop came from.  He did drive it home for me and when he left he got on-line and started looking for one himself!  He is a goldwing driver and fell in love with the Valkyrie on the 45 min. drive back to my place. 
Today I went and took the written test for the motorcycle endorsement at the DMV.  I missed 1 out of 25 and they issued me a learners permit for one year.  When that grace period is over I have to take the driving part of the test.  As soon as I left the DMV, I headed to a motorcycle shop and purchased my first helmet and some gloves.  I couldn't resit and as soon as I got home I pushed the bike out of the garage and started the process of learning.  I'm the last house on a dead end street and have two blocks of open road with no intersections and only four driveways to worry about.  I was nervous but succeeded in riding the bike.  After about 10 times of starting and stopping I started working on turning in and out of my driveway.  I have been trying to keep the bike moving as slow as possible and keeping my feet on the boards.  She is heavy, but so am I and we seem to be getting along better all the time.  I know its only been one hour of practice and I have only ventured out two blocks from my house but hey, WTH!  I did drive around a four square block towards the end of the hour and so far so good.  The bike hasn't dropped and we are now introduced to each other.  If it is nice this weekend, I'm hoping to get past second gear.  I also plan to get her to an empty parking lot and start working on driving in circles, hopefully tight ones when the day it over. 
I have ordered the ride like a pro DVD after reading the comments that were left on that post.  I'm hoping it will help me out a lot. 
There it is folks, I'm no longer a motorcycle virgin!  I've decided not to purchase a smaller bike, I'm going to take this slow and easy.  I did check into a riding class when I bought the helmet and it was going to run $275 dollars.  I'm guessing that's money well spent, but I'm a stubborn 375 lb. gorilla who is going to give this the good old college try.  I was going to post some pictures but haven't figured that one out yet either.  I did put a picture of the bike as my profile picture.  Thanks for all your encouragement and concerns.  If they were meant to put the fear of god into me they succeeded!       

[lucky_1_chris]

Congrats and best of luck. 

Wear the gear. Get good insurance with a low deductible. Wear the gear. Don't get over confident once you start feeling comfortable on it. Wear the gear.

Be careful.

[Chiefy]

Congratulations, take it slow.  I *really* think that $275.00 will be money well spent.  When I got my license years ago, it was just like yours.  "Here's the permit, come back when you're ready."  I had no instruction, and no riding buddies.  Then I was off bikes for 25 years.  I was a little nervous, so I took the class as a refresher even though I still had my endorsement.  It seemed like EVERYTHING I picked up "on my own" years ago was flat wrong.

It's your call, but I hope you take it.  Let me give you a very important tip:

Your body and bike will follow your head.  When you turn, turn your head in the direction you're turning.  AND DO NOT LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD.  You may get "target fixation" and go straight instead of turning.  That's bad, REAL bad......  Same is true when you're stopping.  Don't look down, or the bike will start leaning over as you stop.

[Chiefy]

Even though this is from a MC school in Florida, there is a whole lot of info for new riders.  Just go there and start clicking links.

http://www.daytonamotorcycletraining.com/Basic-riders-course-support.htm

[RainMaker]

The price was good for the bike.  You saved $500.  Not immediately investing that in the MSF course is penny wise, pound foolish.    Being bull-headed and refusing to read the instruction manual is my norm, but due to the fact that this is one big, fast, muscle bound motorcycle and you have almost no experience, not parking the Valk and taking the course before you go any further is crazy.

You came to the board asking for advice.  Resoundingly, all responded with the same message. I wish you all the luck in the world with this, but I think you are taking a terrible chance by doing what you are doing.

[Walküre]

The bike hasn't dropped and we are now introduced to each other.  If it is nice this weekend, I'm hoping to get past second gear.   

Just watch where you put your hands, or believe me, she'll slap you silly...



Kidding aside, did anyone mention "wear the gear!"??

[rmrc51]

Just about every person on this post has advised for you to take the Motorcycle Safety Course. "PLEASE, PLEASE" take this advise seriously! I completely understand you wanting to give it the 'old college try' on your own, but believe me the safety course will teach you maneuvers and techniques that are essential for keeping you and your bike in one piece!

I hadn't been on a bike for over 30 years. When I decided to ride again the very first thing I did was to take the MSF beginners course! Not only did it teach me the bare motorcycle basics I had completely forgotten, but it also made me so much more aware of everyday traffic conditions which I feel made me a better automobile driver as well. Believe me, it's money well worth spent!!! Don't procrastinate! Sign up today!!!!

[scoot]

The price was good for the bike.  You saved $500.  Not immediately investing that in the MSF course is penny wise, pound foolish.    Being bull-headed and refusing to read the instruction manual is my norm, but due to the fact that this is one big, fast, muscle bound motorcycle and you have almost no experience, not parking the Valk and taking the course before you go any further is crazy.

You came to the board asking for advice.  Resoundingly, all responded with the same message. I wish you all the luck in the world with this, but I think you are taking a terrible chance by doing what you are doing.

#1  
Besides alot of insurance companies also give discounts for riders with MSF course training

[Bama Red]

Take the course!

I took the course several years ago - before I bought a Honda Shadow 750. I took the course again last year after I got the Shadow. I found I had to unlearn several bad habits I had taught myself while giving it the "old college try"!

Take the course!

Yes - you're gonna look silly on one of those 250 cc midgets they use for the course. I'm 335# and I know I looked silly on them! You're gonna look even sillier if you dump your bike pulling into a crowded Honda dealer parking lot on a Saturday morning because you didn't take the course and "think" you're good at slow speed moves. Don't ask me how I know this!

Take the course!

Oh, yeah - did I mention,

"Take the dang course!!!"