How far can I lean my Valk?

[Printer Mike]

This must have been discussed on here in the past. If so, please bear with me. This question has been on my mind lately.

Also, I was wondering if there is a way to install a wire that would scrape and make some noise before the frame digs in.

Thanks for any thoughts.

[Farther]

depends on how fast you are going.  Your pegs act as lean indicators.

[Paxton]

My bike is lowered 1-1/2" in the rear... recent installation of truck stack pipes (22 lbs), weights it down further...
Now, it scrapes sooner than before...  music to my ears..!   

[Brad]

They look silly on cars but might look good on your Valk (not)

They do have some with dragons on the ends of them.

[rodeo1]

you can lean it over till you fall down.

are you sure you want to get into bike riding ?

[tank_post142]

i replace floorboards about every 20.000 miles. just remember to lift your toes in hard turns.

[Fudd]

I listen for the pegs to scrape, sort of like a stall warning horn on an airplane.  When I hear the scrape, It doesn't mean imminent disaster, I just probably shouldn't lean too much more.

I live to hear that scrape.  Maybe if I installed some of those feelers, I wouldn't have to scare myself so often to get my rush.

[judd]

There was a fellow on here, years ago now that took his Valk to the track and was dragging the crash bar in the corners and had the pics to prove it.  

[bigdog99]

thats why i nick named her "Sparkie"

[BF]

There was a fellow on here, years ago now that took his Valk to the track and was dragging the crash bar in the corners and had the pics to prove it.  

Those pics I'd looooove to see. 

[Michvalk]

The bottoms of my driver pegs are ground down some. I also scrape my cruizer pegs mounted to the engine guards. They do not hit until the driver pegs are folded up. Fun fun

[sandy]

If you firm up the front forks and get some 440HD's in 13" length, you'll raise up the ride height. This will give you more clearance for higher cornering speeds.

[Chrisj CMA]

This must have been discussed on here in the past. If so, please bear with me. This question has been on my mind lately.

Also, I was wondering if there is a way to install a wire that would scrape and make some noise before the frame digs in.

Thanks for any thoughts.

As mentioned....you already have the early warning......its the pegs.  You have to lean farther than you may want to on a stock bike.  Not recommended unless you are an experienced rider....I wouldnt go out to see how far you can lean just to do it, this is a heavy bike.

[F6Dave]

The Valk has a lot of tire contact area so you can take corners pretty fast for a cruiser.  Thankfully the pegs are hinged and have little replaceable nubs on the bottom, so you'll be warned about impending limits to the lean angle when you hear them scrape, which they do very loudly.

I've also found you can increase clearance for cornering if you hang off, sport bike style.  It does look a bit out of place on a Valk, though!

[Printer Mike]

Appreciate the input.

I haven't been able to ride much the last couple of years. There is a small group ride in the North Georgia mountains next week. If I'm able to make that ride, I know I'll be pushing my riding skills at least a little. Don't want to embarrass myself.

So what I'm hearing is that my Valk will let me know(pegs scraping) before anything gets stuck in the asphalt...

[PhredValk]

Of course, once your pegs are in contact and you're going fast enough that you know you need more lean, it might already be too late. Keep going farther down until you know where that point is, or just ride to your limits and have fun at lower speeds.

The bike will do amazing things, but if you aren't ready for the scraping, you might just be looking for trouble.
Fred.

[chrise2469]

Appreciate the input.

I haven't been able to ride much the last couple of years. There is a small group ride in the North Georgia mountains next week. If I'm able to make that ride, I know I'll be pushing my riding skills at least a little. Don't want to embarrass myself.

So what I'm hearing is that my Valk will let me know(pegs scraping) before anything gets stuck in the asphalt...

As to the original question-if its stock the pegs will rub first.  On my bike the  two bros pipes drag first.

The most important rule is ride your ride.  If you push too hard thats when you crash. Take your time and expand your comfort zone. If your getting left behind, it's ok, the road doesn't roll up and dissapear.

If your in the wind and enjoying yourself, there is no embarrasment.
Ride safe.

[bigfish_Oh]

my left lean pinches my toe, right hits peg.

[RainMaker]

Appreciate the input.

I haven't been able to ride much the last couple of years. There is a small group ride in the North Georgia mountains next week. If I'm able to make that ride, I know I'll be pushing my riding skills at least a little. Don't want to embarrass myself.

So what I'm hearing is that my Valk will let me know(pegs scraping) before anything gets stuck in the asphalt...

As to the original question-if its stock the pegs will rub first.  On my bike the  two bros pipes drag first.

The most important rule is ride your ride.  If you push too hard thats when you crash. Take your time and expand your comfort zone. If your getting left behind, it's ok, the road doesn't roll up and dissapear.

If your in the wind and enjoying yourself, there is no embarrasment.
Ride safe.

+1  - ride within your limits.  As you get more comfortable, expand them.  If I tried to match the guys who grind parts regularly, my Valk would be at Pinwall's already.

[Gryphon Rider]

The way to test any bike's lean clearance is to have someone somewhat heavier than the normal rider sit on the bike, then put the long edge of a piece of plywood against the tires.  Lift the other long edge until the plywood touches something (hopefully the footpeg feeler).  The sitter should be heavier because the shocks will compress due to the centrifugal force in a corner.

[Ferris Leets]

The plywood idea does not seem very scientific.  Just flop the bike over on its side.  That is how far it can go.  Also remember any bumps will decrease the clearance as well as the rider weight.
   On my IS the first thing that touches is my engineer boot's heel.  A real startle the first time it happened.

[hubcapsc]

Appreciate the input.

I haven't been able to ride much the last couple of years. There is a small group ride in the North Georgia mountains next week. If I'm able to make that ride, I know I'll be pushing my riding skills at least a little. Don't want to embarrass myself.

So what I'm hearing is that my Valk will let me know(pegs scraping) before anything gets stuck in the asphalt...

Unless you have some accessory that drags unreasonably, getting pitched off the Valkyrie because some
unyielding part dragged is not very likely.

I agree with the other poster who mentioned 13 inch 440s (and nice stiff forks with progressive springs in them) will
make dragging even more unlikely...

-Mike

[JC]

If you firm up the front forks and get some 440HD's in 13" length, you'll raise up the ride height. This will give you more clearance for higher cornering speeds.

+1 on the Progressive shocks and springs!  Hands down the best money I've spent as far as handling goes. Makes the Valk much firmer and more controllable in the twisties than the stock suspension.

[fudgie]

They look silly on cars but might look good on your Valk (not)

They do have some with dragons on the ends of them.

Those would look good rollin' in da hood. 

[bigfeet]

Now im new to the valk . BUT !!!!! ive learnd that you can lean it as far as your manhood can handle it !!!!!!   LMAO!!!!  sparks are the first indication that its down pretty far.When in doubt.   GAS IT !!!!!!!!!!!

[tank_post142]

you can lean it till the engine guards touch  down! i proved that the other day in the rain. knee still a little stiff  

[Fudd]

Darkside, trailer and sparks.  Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

[currahee2-6]

and in keeping with the original theme here; what is a "bank angle sensor"...?? ???

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

[rodeo1]

went to dupont paint store to buy black basecoat today. deep black basecoat is $148.00 per qt. thats about $600.00 per gallon, you have to add clearcoat to that also.

so when your out screwing around trying to prove who can scrape what, think about what a slide across the pavement will cost to fix.

holy crap ! i sound like my dad !

[sheets]

If you have oem pegs there is a little acorn nut on the bottom side of the rider pegs. Those are your bank angle sensors. They are a wear item. When you wear them out you start eating into the pegs. The pegs fold up. Just don't hook a peg in a pot hole or on a reflective marker on the pavement when making a sharp or U-turn. The guy who took his bike to the track... the engine guards were worn near 50% through, not just a little scrape once or twice.

[Willow]

and in keeping with the original theme here; what is a "bank angle sensor"...?? ???

The bank angle sensor shuts the bike off if it falls all the way over.  As long as the tires are in contact with the ground you can't trip it by leaning the bike.

Should the bank angle sensor be tripped it is reset by turning the key off and then on again. 

[sheets]

"The bank angle sensor shuts the bike off if it falls all the way over.  As long as the tires are in contact with the ground you can't trip it by leaning the bike.

Should the bank angle sensor be tripped it is reset by turning the key off and then on again."

My description was an attempt at being witty.  Good thing you clarified.  sheets

[Kylenav]

Surprised nobody has mentioned the chicken strips on the back tire.  If you're not riding dark side have a look at the back tire. The part that hasn't made road contact on the sides are known as "chicken strips". (obviously because you're too chicken to lean the fat lady over)  I checked mine a while back and I don't have much on my tourer.  So if you would like to gauge how much farther you have left then that could give you some point of reference.

Once the pegs touch down you still have a lil ways left.  Once your engine guard or exhaust touches pavement it's time to reconsider what your doing.  These things are "hard mounted" and will provide the perfect amount of leverage to raise your tire off the ground...  Nothing is going to "dig into the pavement" and flip you over.  It's what isn't going to give any and raise you off the ground. If that happens you have two choices really. Abandon ship, or give her hell.  Risky business, but that's what I love about the valk. She will do whatever you let her, nothing more nothing less. You are the only boundary.

[Ferris Leets]

The chicken strip idea really only tells you how chicken you have been.  On my Nomad the tires would wear out and still have some at the edges.  But, my footboard wear points would be pretty well ground off. 
   I still say--Flop it over and that is as far as you can lean it.

[Gryphon Rider]

The plywood idea does not seem very scientific.  Just flop the bike over on its side.  That is how far it can go.  Also remember any bumps will decrease the clearance as well as the rider weight.
   On my IS the first thing that touches is my engineer boot's heel.  A real startle the first time it happened.

I'm not sure how flopping the bike over is more scientific than using plywood, unless you do it while riding through a corner.  Laying the bike over while stationary will show more lean angle than you really have because you've just taken weight off the suspension, making the bike taller than it would be while riding through a corner.

Probably the most scientific way to check cornering clearance would be to have somone follow you around corners with a video camera close to ground level.

[Ferris Leets]

  I was really only giving a method for telling what is going to hit the ground first.  Mostly just kidding anyway because the only real way to learn is to do it.  The angles are going to be effected by speed, weight, balance front to back, suspension stiffness, tire pressure, suspension height, road surface, and probably other things that I am not thinking about now.  It really is a "feel" thing.  Because I know the science of it would be way beyond my mental computer at 60 mph.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I think what touches down first depends on some variables I'm not entirely clear on, perhaps corner speed, banking of the road and whether your braking to the corner apex or accelerating throughout the corner.

Normally for me, first the outside edge of my boot touches down, then my pegs, then the bells on the crashbars. But, occasionally the bells touch down before the pegs. I've got good, stiff progressive suspension front and rear so it's not that.

Funny thing though, none of that happens quite as much as it did before I broke my leg. ??? Seems like the bone plate somehow increased my ground clearance. 

[Willow]

  It's what isn't going to give any and raise you off the ground. If that happens you have two choices really. Abandon ship, or give her hell. 

To the contrary, if your tire has been raised off the ground, your choices are behind you.  At that point you are simply the nonparticipating passenger on an unguided sliding object.

[DFragn]

There was a fellow on here, years ago now that took his Valk to the track and was dragging the crash bar in the corners and had the pics to prove it.  

Those pics I'd looooove to see. 

This is the bike...