Sportbike Salute.

[YoungPUP]

Passed a few slower moving (slower than I wanted to be going) Sportbikes today on I65. They IMMEDIATELY caught up and kept pace with me, all the while pointing and looking like I was the freak at the circus. They kept up through a few more lane changes, and passes, and as I was getting off at my exit I look in my mirror to see all of them riding giving me the thumbs up sign. Kinda nice to see that the old girl can still gather some attention every once and a while.

[SDS]

This is just my .02 cents worth and my opinion is worth what ya paid for it.  I think that most people are drawn to the Valkyrie because it is different than everything else out there.  It isn't a V-twin of any brand...to me they all look pretty similar with only slight styling differences.  It isn't a sport bike, obviously.  It doesn't fit into any of the mainstream categories and for that reason I think MOST riders are kind of drawn to it if only out of curiousity.

SDS

[Big Rig]

This is just my .02 cents worth and my opinion is worth what ya paid for it.  I think that most people are drawn to the Valkyrie because it is different than everything else out there.  It isn't a V-twin of any brand...to me they all look pretty similar with only slight styling differences.  It isn't a sport bike, obviously.  It doesn't fit into any of the mainstream categories and for that reason I think MOST riders are kind of drawn to it if only out of curiousity.

SDS

That is EXACTLY why I bought mine! 

[Tundra]

Yup...It draws positive attention from the intelligent ones in the motocycle community.
  I've had good comments from Wing guys, Harley guys, and Sportbike guys...What other motorcycle can do that?

[9Ball]

Yup...It draws positive attention from the intelligent ones in the motocycle community.
  I've had good comments from Wing guys, Harley guys, and Sportbike guys...What other motorcycle can do that?

To some degree, the Rocket 3 has similar appeal.  While it will never match the beauty of the Valkyrie, it is unique enough to draw a lot of looks and questions.  It also draws a lot of respect from those that know what it is capable of....even the sportbike crowd.

[Hoser]

The valk sounds a bit like a sportbike at red line. especially with stock exhaust.  Must be what got thier attention when you passed them.  You were'nt close to redline were you?  Be honest now.  Hoser   

[Psychotic Bovine]

I will agree about the attention getting factor of the Valk.
Call it ego on my part, but that's part of the reason I won't trade it on something newer, no other bike that I have owned gets that many looks.
I would like to have an FJR1300, but the Valk is too unique!

[X Ring]

Passed a few slower moving (slower than I wanted to be going) Sportbikes today on I65. They IMMEDIATELY caught up and kept pace with me, all the while pointing and looking like I was the freak at the circus. They kept up through a few more lane changes, and passes, and as I was getting off at my exit I look in my mirror to see all of them riding giving me the thumbs up sign. Kinda nice to see that the old girl can still gather some attention every once and a while.

I had a similar thing happen last Labor Day weekend on I-20 between Jackson and Meridian.  Nice to know the sport bike crowd appreciates our Valk even if some cruiser riders don't.

Marty

[The Anvil]

The valk sounds a bit like a sportbike at red line. especially with stock exhaust.  Must be what got thier attention when you passed them.  You were'nt close to redline were you?  Be honest now.  Hoser   

A riding buddy has a Valk with a slightly modified stock exhaust and that's what I thought it sounded like too; a sportbike. I like it.

But I'll second pretty much everything said here. The Valk is in a category all by itself with maybe the big Trumpet in there too (the big Rocket might eve be in it's own category altogether). The Rocket is also on the very short list of bikes I'd even consider to replace the Valk someday.

I actually bought mine from a very good friend who also happens to be quite a bit younger than me, but I was involved in his acquiring of it from the original owner. Back in 2005 he was down at Ft. Rucker for flight school (he's a Hawk pilot now) and while down there he sent me an email; "Hey, what do you think of the Valkyrie? There's a guy down here with a 1997 who wants $XXXX for it." (the exact amount escapes me but it was far, far less than the bike's value especially with the 2000 dollars in farkles). Should I buy it?" He sent along pics and some info.

I responded by telling him to have a tech look at it and if it checks out to RUN (not walk) to the bank to get the money. I also told him that if he did not buy it then I would drive to Alabama and punch him in the face. Last year he was leaving for Kuwait and asked if I wanted it and I jumped on it. But he sold it to me with the caveat that if I ever sell it then I have to give him first dibs. He's been bugging me to buy it back since he got home in May. 

[YoungPUP]

Now you all know that for the lady to be at redline I would have had to be in the stupid fast range.  Not the case. Had her in fifth and was taking advantage of her roll on abilites when I passed them.

[thumper]

I've found that people will stop and stare at a nice looking bike....but they will walk across the parking lot to check out mine.

The amout of pride I feel cruising down the road in this unique and amazing machine is indescribable.

I feel very lucky!

[ptgb]

We went to the Youngstown Blue Knights Fallen Officers Ride last Sunday... bout 400-500 riders... 98% Harley's. Four Valks; 1 Standard, 1 Tourer, My Interstate and JoJo's trike

JoJo's trike was the hit of the place... every time I turned around she was giving a "tour" of her Valk to somebody.

Heard it many times before; and it's true, if you don't like to talk to strangers, don't get a Valkyrie.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Agree with all of you concerning the Valk. Nothing out there really compares to our Valkyries. They are whatever we want them to be at the time. Sport touring bike, cruiser, touring bike, almost a muscle bike,  it's a UJM with looks and sound all it's own. And on top of all that, they last seemingly forever.

Have thought about going to the rocket many times, but a Triumph mechanic told me their longevity doesn't compare to the Valkyries.

[Tropic traveler]

Have to agree about the Rocket 3. Funny thing is when I had the R3 out with Kim riding my Valkyrie, we drew a lot of comments most of which were directed at the Valk! I was surprised as I did not expect that. Just goes to show you.