I Confess... Can't get used to her!

[Paxton]

Hello Fellow Valkyrians;

As you may know, I purchased my Valk in March 2011 and my '77 GL1000K2 - Gold Wing, a week later. 

ACUTE MBS
Well, on Halloween I fell in love with a third toy; a powerful V-Twin 2002 VTX1800R2 w/24K mi.
I have poured lots of cash into making her beautiful. And she is! 

However, I can't get used to her. They are very different machines and it's true. There is nothing like a Valkyrie, 
well yes, another Valk.

Indeed, I enjoy my smooth old 4-cyl Boxer-engine-Gold-Wing, more than the VTX. I realize that it all comes down to
the smooth power of these engines. 

I am hoping that I do get used to the V-Twin, but thus far I can get no satisfaction and I tried... She's a head turner BIG TIME.
The ladies in the family can't understand my dilemma. Only you people can.

I'll keep pursuing satisfaction for a while longer, but if she does not excite me soon enough, it'll be up for sale...
Humm... or trade for another Valk?   

[RoadKill]

"Only you people"            V-twin designs come in MANY forms...try 'em all ! I mean ride everything you can get your hands on,V2, V4, Inline and opposed. What do you have to loose? you already have the best so ride what ever feels right at the moment...you know the Valk will be waiting for you when you come to your senses.   

[jcoukos]

Sounds like you have the right kind of problem to have.

Hello Fellow Valkyrians;

As you may know, I purchased my Valk in March 2011 and my '77 GL1000K2 - Gold Wing, a week later. 

ACUTE MBS
Well, on Halloween I fell in love with a third toy; a powerful V-Twin 2002 VTX1800R2 w/24K mi.
I have poured lots of cash into making her beautiful. And she is! 

However, I can't get used to her. They are very different machines and it's true. There is nothing like a Valkyrie, 
well yes, another Valk.

Indeed, I enjoy my smooth old 4-cyl Boxer-engine-Gold-Wing, more than the VTX. I realize that it all comes down to
the smooth power of these engines. 

I am hoping that I do get used to the V-Twin, but thus far I can get no satisfaction and I tried... She's a head turner BIG TIME.
The ladies in the family can't understand my dilemma. Only you people can.

I'll keep pursuing satisfaction for a while longer, but if she does not excite me soon enough, it'll be up for sale...
Humm... or trade for another Valk?   

[The Anvil]

Only you people can.

Whadda ya mean "you people"???

[BamaDrifter64]

Motorcycles are just like women...some are temperamental...some are high maintenance...some break down a lot...some are not worth the effort...but in your case, just because they are pretty and turn everyone's head doesn't mean they're fun to ride....

Dave

[Jess from VA]

Paxton, when I got my first Valk IS I had my Hog dresser (for many years) and a Kaw Mean Streak (which I loved), and I thought it would be great to have all three and swap them out.  I was working then and all were paid off.  Over time, however, it became clear that every time I went out to choose, I chose my Valk over the others (the Mean Streak was cooler than an interstate in really hot weather).  Then I got a fantastic buy on my 2d supervalk IS.  It got to the point I had to make an effort to ride the V-twins just to keep them in good running order.  And I had a storage issue, as well as the required maintenance, personal property taxes, tags, inspections, and insurance.  The next Summer I sold the twins (both thoroughly hot-rodded and blinged out).  It was not really a money issue, they just were not getting ridden.

[bscrive]

I have ridden many Suzuki's, Kawi's, Yammy's, HD's, BMW's, Victory's and other Honda's.  Each time I cannot wait to get back on my IS.  I am not a fan of V-twins, too lazy I guess, too much shifting.  My valk is just too damn nice to ride.  I usually switch with the other rider and most of them did not like the valk.  Too big, to hard to handle at slow speeds are the main complaints.  But when you are used to driving a little dinky toy and you get on the valk, it can be intimidating.

[MartinT]

Well, I have to say....

After I bought my -new to me - 99 I/S earlier this year, I thought I was going to sell my 03 Nomad. I didn't (yet), and I'm glad for it. They are such different machines, they warrant different approaches and attitudes. The Valk is a hoot to ride with its busy engine and gobs of torque where you want it, but the Nomad is great for putzing around town, or mosying down the highway at 75 and 2500 rpm. The V-twin has its very own, easy-going way, and the Vulcan handles like a slobbering bloodhound compared to the high-strung greyhound that the Valk is, but I have come to appreciate the contrast between the bikes. I make sure to ride both bikes each weekend. Yo each his own, but I suggest to keep your bikes and enjoy their unique characters.

Martin

[custom1]

 I realize that it all comes down to
the smooth power of these engines. 

MMMMMMMMMMMM   SMOOOOTH POWER.

[3fan4life]

Motorcycles are just like women...some are temperamental...some are high maintenance...some break down a lot...some are not worth the effort...but in your case, just because they are pretty and turn everyone's head doesn't mean they're fun to ride....

Dave

That's funny right there, I don't care who you are................ 

[Paxton]

QUOTE:
"... I am not a fan of V-twins, too lazy I guess, too much shifting..."

====================================

bscrive;
The above quote BEST captures my disappointment with the VTX. Especially the constant shifting that she demands. 
I too am Lazy!

BTW, whether I need to go into heavy traffic or feel the need for speed through the twisters, nothing beats my Vintage
Gold Wing GL1000K2 CAFE Racer.

I love the quietest rumble of the Harley Pipes. At high speeds you just hear the quiet humming of the engine...
and the wind. A glorious experience.

She is, in fact, the Valkyrie's  Great-Great Grandma; 999 CC 4-Cylinder Boxer; 4 Carburetors. 

I removed 105 Lbs worth of "excess stuff." Now @ 491-ish Lbs / 78 HP, it breaks a grin on my face.

Considering my 245 Lbs weight, she is as nimble as the period's CB350 Honda.

Meet "Cafeina:"
https://picasaweb.google.com/103917731019176896112/Vintage77HONDAGOLDWINGGL1000999Cc?authkey=Gv1sRgCIDmoKq38bGiAw

 

[Jess from VA]

That is a pretty cool motorcycle.



The pipes look a little low for clearance.  Bet they sound pretty good.

Do your put your feet or your knees on the floorboards?  LOL

[Chattanooga Mark]

I may not be able to understand as I love my v twin Moto Guzzi as much as my Valkyrie Interstate. For many of the same reasons.

Mark

[PaulO]

As many of you probably have I too have pondered what the "right" motorcycle is.  I have ridden for a long long time and enjoyed many different motorcycles whether they were my own or a borrowed ride.  I rode high strung sport bikes for a long time and finally thought that it was time to slow down and get a crusier of some sort.  I see bikes go by or see something new in a showroom and so often they are V twins.  I like the look of some of them, I like the styling of some, I like the relaxed riding postion etc.  Recently, I have been thinking I would get a Street Glide or a Victory Cross Country.  I was so ready to buy the cross country and I showed up for my scheduled ride with my wife (since she is occasionally on the back).  I hated it!!!!  It was all the shaking, slow to rev V twin that did it.  I have done this before back when I bought a new Honda Ace and quickly sold it.  I guess it took me too  long to figure the obvious - that I don't like shaky big inch V twins.  I just don't get the lure.  I love the smoothness of my Valk.  Why do you want your engine to shake?  Automotive engineers spent eons making engines run smoother and smoother.  Not bashing Harleys here but I still marvel when I pullup next to them at stop light and the handlebars and rear fender are violently shaking.  Why is that desirable?  I don't get it so I won't try to again.  To each his own I guess but I would like to understand
Paul.

[Paxton]

PaulO;
 
The bike is lowered two inches. Besides, the angle of the photo makes them pipes look even lower.
They are beautiful but way too loud for my taste. I have replaced them with Harley Cruiser pipes and returned her to its OEM height.  

About Harleys...

From the time I was 2 years old til my teens I was always riding along with Dad on his Harleys.
I recall the many times we got stranded.
Notwithstanding, he always preferred Harleys.  He eventually owned five of them. ???

Well, when I left home I owned a 1K mile CB750-Four, which Dad had bought as a college-grad-gift to me.  
By then he had given up motorcycles...

So, I told him to ride the Honda while I would be away for 18 months. He said he'd rather have my nephew ride it for me,
to which I replied, NO WAY JOSE!

I left home and a month later I heard from my mother that she could not get Dad off the Honda.
In fact he rode it for several years thereafter w/o-any problems.  

As it turned out, my 18-months leave is now going on 41 years and 5K miles further away. Since then, Dad and Mom have passed on.  

I don't know what ever happened to the CB750-Four, but Dad reluctantly swore that she was the best motorcycle he ever owned.  

Harleys are a status-symbol. Pretty much like a Mercedes, A Cadillac, a Rolls... or whatever turns you on.  

IMHO, the $95K Mercedes is less reliable than its $63K Lexus counterpart.  The Lexus has more comforts than the Mercedes;
and by far it's more reliable and its engineering more sophisticated than a Mercedes ever will.

Yet, in California, owning a Mercedes is a status symbol... akin to owning a Harley.  

In my not so humble opinion, when buying a loaded Harley, you are paying $15k for the bike and $20K for the braggin' rights...  

There is no evidence that ANY Japanese large cruiser is a lesser motorcycle than a Harley.
Indeed, no Harley will ever come close to a Valkyrie under any standards...  ???

OK, I did not say that... just heard it through the grapevine...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!