Need Advice on Interstate

[WI_LabLover]

So I've been riding a VTX 1800R for a few years and need something a bit more comfortable for the wife so we can enjoy longer rides.

I've ridden the Ultra's and Road Kings and just can't get comfortable on them. My VTX stretches me out and is really comfortable.

I've decided to look for and purchase a Interstate next Spring. Anything I should be looking for or be aware of before I throw down? I'm hoping I won't be see much of a power change going from an 1800 twin to the Valkyrie?

Thanks guys/gals.

[PAVALKER]

You got the right idea......   a few of us either have or had both a VTX1800 and Valkyrie.  I had a VTX1800R since 02, picked up my Valkyrie IS 4 years ago and just sold the VTX this year.   There was a really sharp Interstate on Ebay this week in Columbus, but it didn't last long....  I was looking at it myself (for 7995.00 it was a deal).

Try to find one with the added accessories and chrome that you might want, because there isn't much in the way of new aftermarket stuff around and the other stuff is pricey.  They are out there.

I believe you and the wife will be very happy.

[BigAl]

It's not much of a change.

If you don't mind having more power than the VTX1800.

Yes more, you did not think it was gonna have less did you?

Valk is 100hp to as little as 95 according to the tune of the engine. 100 pounds of smooth woop ass torque.

VTX is less. 85 or so. My stock Harley with air box and fuel management is at 79hp. That is with a 1586 cc or 96 cubes.

See Dyno CHart

Yu can run the Valk down to 20mph in 5th and just roll the throttle on and it will pull out and run smoothly away without

coughing spitting or sputtering.

Gear changing is almost unneeded.

Except for dead starts, you might need to go down to 2nd.
http://www.tntperformancedyno.com/DynoTuningResults.html#Honda VTX Retro

[Jabba]

The Valks are pretty bullet proof.  They need an alternator once in a while.  They are susceptible to hydro-lock on rare occasions.  The drive splines need greased every 10K miles or so.  

If it'll run ok, and seems to shift OK.  IMO you're OK.  if you were going to FLY and ride, then you might want to have the splines greased and the rear diff oil changed before you go.

When I buy one... that's the 1st things I do.  Change ALL the fluids.  Oil, brake, clutch, coolant, rear diff, and grease the splines.  (I have 2 by the way, not like I have dozens)

Maintenance is fairly easy.

Good luck.  If you're REALLY interested in a sharp IS, Smokin' Joe has one for sale.  It's super sharp.  He's pretty proud of it though.  

I bought a 32K 1999 IS a little over a year ago for $6K.  Mine has a couple little tank, and front fender dings though.

Jabba

[Jabba]

I test rode a 1800 VTX 1800 for about 60 miles.  I picked up my wife and headed back to the dealership.  He knew I wanted a Valk, and had a BRAND new 2003 one prepped for me when I got back.  It had 2.3 miles on it.

We got off the VTX, and onto the Valk, and I didn;t make it out of the parking lot before I KNEW that the Valk was the right bike for me.  I was doing the paperwork to buy a new, 2003 Boring-Black valk for $12,600 when I ran across mine on E-Bay (2002 with 2765 miles for $9200).  I JUMPED on that, and went and got her. (Indianapolis to west of Green Bay)  8 years later I still REALLY like the STD, and prefer it to the IS for all my alone, and daily riding.

Woo Hoo!  Be careful though the Valk-Smile last for a LONG time.  Well mine has lasted 8 years, and some members still have theirs after 15.



Jabba

[9Ball]

You won't be able to stretch out on the Valkyrie like you can on the VTX.  With the protrusion of the engine, there's not much you can do regarding foot position, and the I/S has the pods in the way.  I would definitely recommend riding one for a bit to see how it fits you.  There are highway pegs, mickopegs, and some forward controls available but you won't really be able to duplicate the riding position of the VTX.

Good luck with your choice.

[X Ring]

The Valks are pretty bullet proof.  They need an alternator once in a while.  They are susceptible to hydro-lock on rare occasions.  The drive splines need greased every 10K miles or so.  

If it'll run ok, and seems to shift OK.  IMO you're OK.  if you were going to FLY and ride, then you might want to have the splines greased and the rear diff oil changed before you go.

When I buy one... that's the 1st things I do.  Change ALL the fluids.  Oil, brake, clutch, coolant, rear diff, and grease the splines.  (I have 2 by the way, not like I have dozens)

Maintenance is fairly easy.

Good luck.  If you're REALLY interested in a sharp IS, Smokin' Joe has one for sale.  It's super sharp.  He's pretty proud of it though.  

I bought a 32K 1999 IS a little over a year ago for $6K.  Mine has a couple little tank, and front fender dings though.

Jabba

Joe's I/S has every piece of Hondaline bling known to man and you would spend more that he wants trying to duplicate it.  On the other hand if you're the type, like I am, that wants to decide on the accessories and install them yourself than his is not for you.  Another thing for you to consider is bike prices historically go down in the fall and up in the spring.  Start looking now and decide which color combo you would like.  The two tones are specific to year except for the red and blacks which were made for two years.  If you prefer black then any year will do.

Marty 

[Hollywood]

my 2 cents. when we went bike shopping in june of 03, we looked at everything bike wise, from a goldwing to an hd electraglide all deckedout. we checked vtx 1800 too. I didin't appreciate (as a passenger) having me foot literally on top of the pipe. i had already had melted heels from another bike we rode 30 miles in the winter, not realizing my boot was actually resting on the pipe. we bought our 03 standard brand new off the show room floor, and have never regretted it. even after all these years, the many mods, darkside rear tire, there is nothing to beat the power of the Valkyrie. we have gone on many long trips on it, from dallas, tx, to mobile, ala,to St. louis, mo, and many miles in between, and it is a VERY comfortable ride for both of us, with hwy pegs, ape hangers, etc, you'll just have to modify it to suit you! you just have to stop every HUNDRED miles or so to gas up and walk around a bit! every bike gets uncomfortable when you're on it a long time! we even out ride the croch rockets!  good luck on your quest,and no matter what you decide, just ride! 

[czuch]

When you come to the Interstate, or the road, TAKE IT.

[WI_LabLover]

Picked up some great tips, thanks. I think I'm head'in down the right path in chasing this dragon. I'd be lyin though if I said I wouldn't miss my big V-Twin though:



Guess she's for sale and onto the IS.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Good luck.  If you're REALLY interested in a sharp IS, Smokin' Joe has one for sale.  It's super sharp.  He's pretty proud of it though.  

 

Jabba

Yes he is    Truth be told I'm losing $$$$ at $10,000...I bought a tailight and will soon Super Valk it . I plan to notch the stay so trunk can be added or removed in 5 minutes.I already have the trunk on my yellow bike fixed in true Super Valk mod 

[Skinhead]

My advise?  Buy Joe's.

[fantsybikr]

My 2 cents, I would try out the Interstate with both the cobra 6x6 and the glass pack mod before I bought one if I hadn't much experience with the Valk. Many Like the Cobras, many don't..I don't..the glass packs in my opinion give a sweeter throaty sound. I also would look for a 2001 model interstate. they came with chrome wheels, i think it was the only year they did. But you really do want to get as many accessories as possible and that may over ride the model year you end up with..and Joe's bike is very nicely accessorized. Your VTX looks sweet, you wont miss a beat with a valk and they do come in Black! From my reading the only thing the VTX has on a stock valk is it is a pinch better on high gear acceleration from  about 60 to 80 mph..but the specs were real close and if  the valk has  mods (K&N air filter, exhaust mod with re jetted carbs) it overcomes that split second difference and in all other specs valk is the king of the factory hondas..note on my standard I gained 6 hp and lost the "dead" spot in my power band with a re jetting of crabs, but I lost 5-6 mpg...can't say this is typical, but I got the power..ok i probably gave more than 2 cents and cant say it was worth it..lol

[sugerbear]

the 01's came with chrome wheels??!!

[9Ball]

Yes he is    Truth be told I'm losing $$$$ at $10,000...

I think that's true of most of us, especially if you bought the bike new.  I know I have well over $20k in mine with all the changes and upgrades over the past 11 years.

Call me crazy, but I wouldn't even consider selling mine for $10K now...

[hubcapsc]

My tired Valkyrie was pretty much the kind that Pinwall buys salvage when I got
it almost five years ago... but it is pretty nice now. I've put about 10,000 miles a
year on it, it is a great bike. If you were to ask my wife, I also spend about $10,000
a year on it, hunting down unobtainable Valkyrie accessories is like a hobby in itself...



A bike that is already in good shape that already has a lot of the most desirable
parts and pieces on it is what I would look for if I was looking again... Joe's bike
is probably a bargain if you look at it that way...

-Mike

[Stanley Steamer]

I'd sell mine for $20,000.......awwww, who am I kidding??......it wouldn't be for sale at ANY price!!.......








Willie wouldn't let me sell it anyways.....

[Mr Whiskey]

Had our black 2KIS about a yr now. Only bike I looked for when we started hunting a "road" ride. Knew it was the one for me from the very start! Drove 450 mi's (each way) from E. Tn. to W. Virginia, (twice, first time it had carb issues from sitting so long, couldn't ride it home) to get her off of Craigslist with original 7027 mi's, one owner! Original owner even trailered the bike to his local Honda stealer and had $600 worth of carb work done to get her right again. Then called me and said "if ya still want it, you should come ride it now!" Didn't charge me one dime more, great guy to do business with.
Haven't regretted it for a second! Machine is a Monster, even with Sugar on the back & pullin the trailer it's still the strongest runnin thing I've ever seen.
Bounced the 10 yr old dunflops to ME 880 and darkside first thing and man does it hold the road.
Came with the Kury highway pegs and at 6'2" I can sit like I'm in my lazyboy.
When Sugar rolls with me, thats where I'm really Home.
Good luck with your hunt, they're out there. You wont regret it.
Peace, Whiskey.

[Willow]

the 01's came with chrome wheels??!!

No, they didn't, but then we knew that, didn't we?  

[sugerbear]

the 01's came with chrome wheels??!!

No, they didn't, but then we knew that, didn't we?  

sorry

forgot my smrta$$ face

[ezgoin721]

I'm afraid I have to differ with some of the others on this post.  I had a 2001 Valk Standard, and sold it some years ago.  I waited a couple years, then bought a Suzuki M190R.  The 109 has a bit more punch than the VTX 1800, but not a bunch more.  I recently wanted a better 2-up riding machine, so I bought a 2000 Interstate and kept the 109.  While the Valkyrie is a much better engineered bike than the 109, the Interstate feels like it's dragging an anchor compared to the 109, and likely to the VTX.  The Valk power delivery is nothing if not smooth, opposed to a V-Twin, even a smooth V-Twin, but in the seat of the pants feel of power, the Valk loses.  Pull the throttle wide open in 5th at 70 mph, and the 109 will leave the Valk in the dust.  Even my girlfriend commented from the back seat that the Valk doesn't take her stomach like the 109 when you accelerate at full throttle.

Having said that, that's not why I bought the Valk.  The Valk is smooth, refined, impeccably engineered, well built, and vastly more comfortable for both driver and passenger than the 109.  The 109 has a garbage clutch that sometimes acts like a bear trap on engagement, a 1-2 shift that feels and sounds like the gears are going to explode, and a harmonic vibration that shakes your teeth from 3500 rpm and above (which happens to be right at interstate cruising speeds). 

I once ran my 2001 Standard against a friends significantly modified VTX and lost by about 4 bikes to 120, but I think if I ran my 109 against my 2000 Interstate, the distance would be 3 times that.

[Valkahuna]

Chrome wheels??? ???

I musta got screwed, 'cause mine sure are NOT!

the 01's came with chrome wheels??!!

[Valkahuna]

Could there be a problem with your Valk's performance? Hey, I'm just sayin'.

I'm afraid I have to differ with some of the others on this post.  I had a 2001 Valk Standard, and sold it some years ago.  I waited a couple years, then bought a Suzuki M190R.  The 109 has a bit more punch than the VTX 1800, but not a bunch more.  I recently wanted a better 2-up riding machine, so I bought a 2000 Interstate and kept the 109.  While the Valkyrie is a much better engineered bike than the 109, the Interstate feels like it's dragging an anchor compared to the 109, and likely to the VTX.  The Valk power delivery is nothing if not smooth, opposed to a V-Twin, even a smooth V-Twin, but in the seat of the pants feel of power, the Valk loses.  Pull the throttle wide open in 5th at 70 mph, and the 109 will leave the Valk in the dust.  Even my girlfriend commented from the back seat that the Valk doesn't take her stomach like the 109 when you accelerate at full throttle.

Having said that, that's not why I bought the Valk.  The Valk is smooth, refined, impeccably engineered, well built, and vastly more comfortable for both driver and passenger than the 109.  The 109 has a garbage clutch that sometimes acts like a bear trap on engagement, a 1-2 shift that feels and sounds like the gears are going to explode, and a harmonic vibration that shakes your teeth from 3500 rpm and above (which happens to be right at interstate cruising speeds). 

I once ran my 2001 Standard against a friends significantly modified VTX and lost by about 4 bikes to 120, but I think if I ran my 109 against my 2000 Interstate, the distance would be 3 times that.

[Jabba]

I have told people over and over that my Standard will flat out EAT my IS.  I have a Dyna 3000 on the STD but other than that, it's dead stock. 

The M109's are fast.  They are 127 HP, and lighter at 700 lbs.  That's simple math.  They WILL out accelerate an IS. 

Most races and especially bike ones... come down to the rider. 

I like the looks of the M109 too.  If I was looking for a different cruiser, the M109 would be on the list.

Jabba

[ezgoin721]

Could there be a problem with your Valk's performance? Hey, I'm just sayin'.

I'm afraid I have to differ with some of the others on this post.  I had a 2001 Valk Standard, and sold it some years ago.  I waited a couple years, then bought a Suzuki M190R.  The 109 has a bit more punch than the VTX 1800, but not a bunch more.  I recently wanted a better 2-up riding machine, so I bought a 2000 Interstate and kept the 109.  While the Valkyrie is a much better engineered bike than the 109, the Interstate feels like it's dragging an anchor compared to the 109, and likely to the VTX.  The Valk power delivery is nothing if not smooth, opposed to a V-Twin, even a smooth V-Twin, but in the seat of the pants feel of power, the Valk loses.  Pull the throttle wide open in 5th at 70 mph, and the 109 will leave the Valk in the dust.  Even my girlfriend commented from the back seat that the Valk doesn't take her stomach like the 109 when you accelerate at full throttle.

Having said that, that's not why I bought the Valk.  The Valk is smooth, refined, impeccably engineered, well built, and vastly more comfortable for both driver and passenger than the 109.  The 109 has a garbage clutch that sometimes acts like a bear trap on engagement, a 1-2 shift that feels and sounds like the gears are going to explode, and a harmonic vibration that shakes your teeth from 3500 rpm and above (which happens to be right at interstate cruising speeds). 

I once ran my 2001 Standard against a friends significantly modified VTX and lost by about 4 bikes to 120, but I think if I ran my 109 against my 2000 Interstate, the distance would be 3 times that.

I've wondered the same thing about the Interstate since my memory of the Standard seemed like it was much stronger than the Interstate seems to be.  Then I wondered if it just feels less powerful because I've been riding the M109 and the CBR 1100 for the last couple years.  I did run my Standard against a friend with a 99 Interstate years ago, and know they were pretty darn close!  I know how my Standard did when matched to my friend's 1800 Goldwing, so first chance I get I'll do a little run against his Wing with the Interstate and see how it stacks up.  That will tell me if the Interestate is running up to snuff!

[Jabba]

I always wonder if my IS runs like it SHOULD.

I'll get someone to ride it at Inzane XI and get their opinion.

Jabba

[big d]

 jabba, as i have two i/s's i would be happy to take your's for a day ride. don't worry if i am gone all day as it will take some time to evaluate it.