DO YOU FEAR YOUR VALK?

[Paxton]

Hello Friends;

Aside from politics and religion, I love ALL Valkyries. I do since I first saw one in 1997.
I treasure my She Dragon as a gift of nature. She will be w/-me for a while... perhaps 'till I croak!

Notwithstanding, since early 2011, accidental injuries - non bike related have taken their toll.  

As I push these weary bones, I keep finding the Valk harder to maneuver in the twisters at relatively low speeds.  ???
On the slab and gentle twists I do OK.  Maybe I respect her too much and she keeps getting fatter!

Moreover, these difficulties are a drag on the rest of the riders    I tend to do better with a group of four or less...

Perhaps RESPECT for is a better word than FEAR of my Fat Lady.   What 'bout you?  

"dammit .. Dunkin Donuts is right down the road, but I'm in bed already!"

[shooter64]

Not the Valk so much, just all the things not in my control that can happen. I hit a deer really hard a couple of months ago in my car. Every time I pass some woods (which is all the time) I worry about a deer coming out again. Worry about a car pulling out just as I am right on top of them etc. Sometimes you come into a blind curve and right where you need to lean to make a turn there is gravel, sand or wet pine straw. Stuff like that.

[Hoser]

Maybe not fear, but a healthy respect for her size, to say the least!  Seems to be  bigger than she was 10 years ago.  Or I'm getting smaller!  Hoser  

[Jess Tolbirt]

my Valk got a little heavy for me, was getting a difficult to turn around on them small dead end roads,,so i downsized a bit,,,

[solo1]

I miss my Valk but I had to go to a bike with less weight to keep riding.  My knees would crunch every time that I had to do the least amount of pushing her around.  The weight was just too much.

The Vstrom is not perfect either even tho it is about 250 pounds lighter.  Its high seat is probably the main disadavantage for me even tho I can flat foot it..  On the positive side, with 6 inches of suspension , it has a softer ride than the Valk.

There is no such thing as the perfect bike for everyone but the Valk came the closest for me.

[Rams]

Every time I ride my gurl, I try to remember that although she allows me to guide her, she is like a herd of wild horses yearning to be free.  She has strength and mass that can overwhelm me if, I let her get ahead of me.  When I forget, she reminds me that she only tolerates me when I give her my full attention and treat her like the royality she is.  

She has carried me through situations that I should have never asked her to but, she has never let me down.  But, it's a double sided coin, I have learned she is also a demanding bitch when I fail to look after her best interests as well as she looks after mine.    Knowing this, she gets my full respect and just maybe just a hint of fear.  I'm think'n that little bit of fear is one of the things that brings me back to her also.  She's a challenge and a reward.  There will come a day when she's more than I can handle but, I'm still on the upside of the grass and plan on stay'n here for quite a while longer.  That little bit of fear and huge amount of respect will help me stay on this side of the sod a lot longer.  Ride safe.

[BamaDrifter64]

I don't fear my Valks at all, but I do have a healthy respect for her.  She is over 800 lbs. Of hulking machinery that will do my bidding MOST of the time.  The more respectfully I ride her, the more she succumbs to my commands.  If I feared her, I wouldn't ride her.  I also have a healthy respect for the asphalt, having been introduced to it a few years ago.  You don't know what hard is until you've bounced a few times on it.  I don't want to be re-introduced to it at any time.  Scared of it?  Naw...if I were, again I wouldn't be riding.  Respectful of it enough to change my riding habits?  You bet....

Dave

[RudyF6]

Every time I ride my gurl, I try to remember that although she allows me to guide her, she is like a herd of wild horses yearning to be free.  She has strength and mass that can overwhelm me if, I let her get ahead of me.  When I forget, she reminds me that she only tolerates me when I give her my full attention and treat her like the royality she is.  

She has carried me through situations that I should have never asked her to but, she has never let me down.  But, it's a double sided coin, I have learned she is also a demanding bitch when I fail to look after her best interests as well as she looks after mine.    Knowing this, she gets my full respect and just maybe just a hint of fear.  I'm think'n that little bit of fear is one of the things that brings me back to her also.  She's a challenge and a reward.  There will come a day when she's more than I can handle but, I'm still on the upside of the grass and plan on stay'n here for quite a while longer.  That little bit of fear and huge amount of respect will help me stay on this side of the sod a lot longer.  Ride safe.

  +1  Couldn't have said it better!

[musclehead]

yeah what Hoser said, plus if you move down and retire in FL, you will pretty much only see gentle curves. nothing you and a trike can't handle!

[Momz]

Valks can be clumsy at low speeds (I know better than most).

But how often do you check you tire pressures? Do you use several gauges (all gauges have a certain amout of error) and as little as 3 PSI can have a dramatic effect on low speed manuveurability.

Also replacing the standard Valk 17" tire with a GL1800 17" tire will lighten the steering, but your speedo error will be greater than it is now.

[Hedgehog]

Nothing wrong with healthy fear - its there to keep you alive. Just got to be kept in its place is all. So far - and no further. No point letting it ruin things, but no point not listening to to either.

balance as in all things I guess.

You're not alone though!

[RainMaker]

Not fear, but respect of it's capabilities.  At some point, I may become incapable of managing it's power and weight and when that day comes, I will make sure it gets a good home and stop riding. 

It's my last motorcycle.

RainMaker

[Michael K (Az.)]

No

[Willow]

... Notwithstanding, since early 2011, accidental injuries - non bike related have taken their toll.  

As I push these weary bones, I keep finding the Valk harder to maneuver in the twisters at relatively low speeds.  ???
On the slab and gentle twists I do OK.  Maybe I respect her too much and she keeps getting fatter!

Moreover, these difficulties are a drag on the rest of the riders    I tend to do better with a group of four or less...

Perhaps RESPECT for is a better word than FEAR of my Fat Lady.   What 'bout you?    

No, Paxton, I'm pretty sure FEAR and not RESPECT is what you're describing.

Harder to maneuver in the "twisters" at relatively low speeds?  Unless your speed is dropping well below 10 mph there's no reason the Valkyrie should be any more difficult to maneuver than any other cruiser.

Perhaps you've chosen the wrong rear tire and it's making your motorcycle perform poorly.  Perhaps you are in dire need of some riding instruction.  If your inability to control your bike at reasonable speed is "a drag on the rest of the riders" you need to either address the issue or get off that bike.

I don't know your physical age, but if it's over 80 years then perhaps my assessment is less than completely accurate.      

[Red Diamond]

I don't fear my Walks at all, but I do have a healthy respect for her.  She is over 800 lbs. Of hulking machinery that will do my bidding MOST of the time.  The more respectfully I ride her, the more she succumbs to my commands.  If I feared her, I wouldn't ride her.  I also have a healthy respect for the asphalt, having been introduced to it a few years ago.  You don't know what hard is until you've bounced a few times on it.  I don't want to be re-introduced to it at any time.  Scared of it?  Naw...if I were, again I wouldn't be riding.  Respectful of it enough to change my riding habits?  You bet....

Dave

Not fear, but respect of it's capabilities.  At some point, I may become incapable of managing it's power and weight and when that day comes, I will make sure it gets a good home and stop riding.  

It's my last motorcycle.

RainMaker

I think Bama and Rainmaker said it best. When I took the MSF course, we were told there were two types of people that should not ride a motorcycle, one that is deathly afraid of it and one that  has no respect for it at all. I think we all fall into the middle of that statement, not being afraid of the Valkyrie and having a healthy respect for what can and will happen if we lose respect for it and what it can do to us. I think the afraid part comes into play when we lose confidence in our ability to handle a bike of that size. When that happens, we interpret that as being afraid of the bike and I don't think we are afraid, just losing a little confidence because of the size it. Otherwise, why would some of us switch to smaller bikes or trikes. When you are afraid, you quit.

[Clark]

I miss my Valk but I had to go to a bike with less weight to keep riding.  My knees would crunch every time that I had to do the least amount of pushing her around.  The weight was just too much.

The Vstrom is not perfect either even tho it is about 250 pounds lighter.  Its high seat is probably the main disadavantage for me even tho I can flat foot it..  On the positive side, with 6 inches of suspension , it has a softer ride than the Valk.

There is no such thing as the perfect bike for everyone but the Valk came the closest for me.

Wayne.. did you put some shorter dogbones on her??

[G-Man]

I looooove the Valkyrie on any road, but my fear of cars and trucks on twisty roads is increasing more and more.  As Oss will atest to, there is a great goat trail type road not far from us, and EVERYTIME I am on that road, some asshole crosses that damn double yellow line and scares the _____ out of me.  I actually broke down on that road, about 200 feet from one of the curves where you can't see completely around it.  I swear, sitting there for almost 2 hours, I saw car after car come around the curve with 2 wheel on the other side of the double yellow.  If I never ride on that road again, it would be fine with me.  I'd rather take the long way than risk it.

[Chrisj CMA]

Valks can be clumsy at low speeds (I know better than most).

But how often do you check you tire pressures? Do you use several gauges (all gauges have a certain amout of error) and as little as 3 PSI can have a dramatic effect on low speed manuveurability.

Also replacing the standard Valk 17" tire with a GL1800 17" tire will lighten the steering, but your speedo error will be greater than it is now.

Momz, I do not mean this as a criticism to your riding ability.......I have never ridden with you, but I disagree very strongly.

The Valkyrie is very graceful at low speeds.  I usually out manuever dudes on much smaller bikes in parking lots just because the Valkyrie is so balanced and has a lower center of gravity than many other big bikes.

Riders can be clumbsy with slow riding with any bike, and especially the heavy Valkyrie because they arent good at the slow riding skills.

It takes practice, but once one manages the throttle clutch and rear brake and counter leaning......the Valkyrie will carve some pretty tight turns at low speed

[Thulsa Doom]

The Iron Maiden GL1500C weighs pretty close a HD soft tail/Fat Boy etc. but luckily she carries her weight down low so I don't think the problem is her weight - it's her girth.
With the wide seat and wide engine the riders legs are splayed farther apart when maneuvering her at a walking pace. Compare this to a thin V-twin bike and there's the disadvantage. I also think that her length, while an asset on the road, is a disadvantage at low speeds too.
Recently had an awkward moment on my way to visit my mother. She lives on a narrow dirt road that joins the paved road at a sharp 90 degree angle in the middle of a hill. Heading down the steep, paved hill then turning sharp onto sandy asphalt then onto the narrow dirt road I nearly dropped it. All I could do was stop, compose, put my feet down and paddlewalk it until it was straight and then bounce my way up the dirt road. It might have been easier on a thinner bike.
One thing's for sure, she's no dirtbike.

[solo1]

Yeah Clark I did and I also raised the front forks in the triple tree.  It didn't make much difference so I went back to stock. Like I said, I can flat foot it anyway.

In reference to Willows statement about over 80, yep, I'm that.  However, I don't fear the bike or the riding but respect both.  However, I sure wouldn't want to try to keep up with Smokin' Joe in curves, that would not be 'riding my own ride'

We will ALL lose the edge as we age, depending on many things.  There is no outside criteria to determine when that occurs.  It is the rider's appraisal only to know when to quit,  physical age does not enter into it except only relatively . IMO.

I'll know when to quit and it certainly isn't tied to physical age.  

[Clark]

Yeah Clark I did and I also raised the front forks in the triple tree.  It didn't make much difference so I went back to stock. Like I said, I can flat foot it anyway.

In reference to Willows statement about over 80, yep, I'm that.  However, I don't fear the bike or the riding but respect both.  However, I sure wouldn't want to try to keep up with Smokin' Joe in curves, that would not be 'riding my own ride'

We will ALL lose the edge as we age, depending on many things.  There is no outside criteria to determine when that occurs.  It is the rider's appraisal only to know when to quit,  physical age does not enter into it except only relatively . IMO.

I'll know when to quit and it certainly isn't tied to physical age.  

agreed... ona my ridin buds is 91.. he rides more than i do

[Oss]

someone once said, besides me, that
without fear there can be no courage

Courage is a reaction to fear

It is overcoming something that could paralyze you by force of will, either from sheer stubborness, or desire to protect oneself, ones family or one's fellow soldier or group


It is ok to admit fear

It is not ok to be taking a switchback grade on say, the snake at under 10 miles an hour with the front brake applied

Now some like Solo have carefully chosen to ride a lighter bike in recognition of physical and age
constraints in order to continue riding. He has my utmost respect and admiration, also RJ.

Others have great reactions and training and ability riding those Tennessee mountains and they also have my respect as I have neither their experience and training, nor desire to feel my knees scrape the ground in a turn any longer.  The road hurts more when applied to my body  than it used to

Its an individual thing, but remember you may not care if you hurt yourself but please do give a damn if you may hurt someone else

DO I fear my Valk? NO
Are there days I get geared up and turn around and get off the bike  YES

I listen to that voice, intuition what ever  It saved me today
I was going to take the beemer  On the Concourse at E 158 Some jerk made a left across my bow and I barely by inches avoided an accident by locking the ABS brakes.  I was in the left lane doing 35.
 On the BMW I would have been in the middle lane and would have hit him like Bonzo hit the minivan
My trip out west would be history
So thats all I have to say about that

[solo1]

I just came back from a perfect ride, weather, place, and time.  The low rpm relaxed sound of my 90 degree Vtwin, especially in 6th gear, is great.

No matter that the ride wasn't long.  i'm going out after lunch again.

Darn ,I love riding!

[Fudd]

The Valkyrie is very graceful at low speeds.  I usually out manuever dudes on much smaller bikes in parking lots just because the Valkyrie is so balanced and has a lower center of gravity than many other big bikes.

Riders can be clumbsy with slow riding with any bike, and especially the heavy Valkyrie because they arent good at the slow riding skills.

It takes practice, but once one manages the throttle clutch and rear brake and counter leaning......the Valkyrie will carve some pretty tight turns at low speed

Chris is 100% correct here.  Anybody that doesn't see it this way needs to get a copy of "Ride Lke a Pro" and practice the techniques utill it's second nature.

When a rider sits in the saddle, the bike either becomes an extension of the rider's "will," or he becomes something on top of a half ton object trying to balance on two spinning wheels.

I like to think my bike becomes a cyborg extension of my brain. It does what I want it to do within the collective limititations of me and my machine.  If I need to scratch my ear, I don't first move my arm to place my hand in close proximity of my ear and have my finger to move in a reciprocating motion on my ear.  I just scratch my ear.  It's the same thing on the bike.  With some practice, you just make tight, slow turns without thinking about each individual control input.

Here's a suggestion.  Get a piece of hose from the auto parts store that's about 1 1/2" inside diameter (you might even find one that has curves already in it.)  Cut it long ways and tiewrap it real good to your engine crash bars.  That will take some of the anxiety out of worrying about your bike.  Practice slow speed switchbacks untill it becomes natural.  It will get easy after a few.  

[LouDawg #2016]

Sometimes what we call fear is adrenalin. I have had my Valk for a year. Although I rode a lot early on, I haven't owned a mule for about thirty. I wanted a Valk since the day they came out. I cut an ad and posted it in my dream book. That's when I joined the VRCC and got my card, anticipating the day when I could get one. I think I am 69 this year, don't really know or care. I had to get a Valk while I could still get my leg over it. New left knee, need a right one soon. All the usual aches and pains for someone who thought he'd never get live to be a senior and abused their body. I have a handicap sticker taped to my windscreen. (No, I don't park in a handicap spot) but it gets neat weird looks. When I bought it, I had to have the previous owner ride it home for me. I started riding it at times when there was little traffic. I was really apprehensive about riding it in my condition. About 4000 miles have gone by and I am starting to enjoy it more. I am a solo rider (even in my past life). To say that I love and respect the she dragon would be an understatement. I sit by her in the garage at night when I wipe the days dust, mud or snow off of her, and tear up at her beauty! She is quite a lady. And she does a bunch towards keeping me young! I love her power and beauty! God, what a bike!

[John Schmidt]

I feel a person has to respect the power of the Valk, but I sure don't fear it. Granted, my riding has slowed down somewhat in these later years(age=mid 70's), but I don't find the bike intimidating due to its size or weight. I'm still able to horse it around with relative ease whether on the road or in the garage. If I've been off it for a time I'll be a little on the conservative side for the first few miles, but that passes rather quickly. In the summer months here in Fla. I don't ride as much, I don't care to arrive looking like I took a shower in my clothes. Other than that, I still ride quite often determined by the situation or the weather. If my wife could still ride with me, I'd be putting even more miles on it.

[solo1]

LouDawg and John 

[Hef]

I have ridden for most of life (63 yrs old), Been down three times (one deer and two idiots in cages) the deer accident was the worst as it did quite a number on me. I still love to ride and if I did fear my bike I would definitely quit riding. One thing I have noticed I have some health problems and I am not nearly as strong as I used to be which lessens my confidence in my abilities. The main place I see this is in turning around in a road. I used to turn around in a roadway without putting my feet down, I now make sure I have my foot down and take the turn much slower. I still know the mechanics of turning the bike in a tight circle but again don't have the total confidence so that I don't need to have the foot ready "just in case." At any rate, I truly enjoy riding and will continue to so and when the time comes I can't trust myself on two wheels, I will get a trike. Ride Safe, Hef.

I used to have a bumper sticker on my truck that said "Only a motorcycle rider understands why a dog likes to ride with its head out the window" 
   

[czuch]

I love her and my wife supports the affair. Thrud, is her name and the licence plate so declares.
When the relationship started I delved into Norse mythology and soon learned that was the Daughter of Thor, and a Valkyrie. I thought "perfect". Respect and admiration is where I am. I can turn lock to lock on most days and let her go if she's goin. So far, three times.
Fear, only texting teenagers and rebar in the road.

[Gryphon Rider]

If your inability to control your bike at reasonable speed is "a drag on the rest of the riders" you need to either address the issue or get off that bike.

I dunno, Willow.  You might be bordering on "sanctimonious" there. 

[Chrisj CMA]

If your inability to control your bike at reasonable speed is "a drag on the rest of the riders" you need to either address the issue or get off that bike.

I dunno, Willow.  You might be bordering on "sanctimonious" there.  

"sanctimonious"  Well, I know its uncool to hurt anyones feelings now a days, but Im with Willow on this one...IF IT HURTS SOME FEELINGS THATS BETTER THAN A CRASH...Theres way more to being a good and safe rider than being able to make the bike go and then stop.  If you are not in complete control then you are putting yourself and others at risk.  

We will be heading to the Hospital Monday morning for hopefully the last surgery on Judy's hand because of a rider that couldnt really handle turns or quick (not even panic) stops.  

If your riding skills are good enough for you but not good enough to hang in a group (I agree with Willow get training or  get a new bike you can handle) but you are determined to just ride it anyways.

STAY OUT OF GROUP RIDES.  Its not fair to subject others to whatever risks you are willing to live with

[Momz]

I still say that my I/S is a far harder bike to ride a low speeds. My 98 "Rat Rod" is so much easier to ride a low speeds.

My brother has an FLHS and yesterday he rode my I/S to a collision shop to have my fairing and a few bits repaired. He commented on how hard it was to muscle at parking lot speeds.

Now, I'm building a 97 Valk bobber. The bike is extremely lightened and  lowered. I'm hoping to have a better "around town" bike due to a slight reduction in front end rake and 11.5" rear shocks.

[tank_post142]

WOW!  i agree with Chris on something. Chris is right, i have been the road captain of formations from 6 to 250. i either know or have ridden with most of these riders over the years. i almost always have to move some to the rear or exclude them from the formation. i don't care what they ride or who they are if they can't ride safely or are having a bad day, i cannot allow them to affect the others. last year i had to remove a sitting U.S. Congressman from the formation until he had his lighting repaired. his entourage was pissed, but i didn't care and he knew i was right, sorry no photo op today.

[salty1]

I feel each of us knows that a Valk will take a little more effort because of its size. Somedays everything works great, your one, man and machine. Sometimes it takes a little more effort to carve a corner and feel comfortable. Whatever day it is, ride your own ride. If the group is going to fast, get behind them. Communicate with your fellow riders as to your comfort zone. If your physically challenged by the Valk's size it is time to downsize. If you are not confident in your abilities, time to do something about it before someone gets hurt. Nobody wants that to happen.

Sorry for the philosophical lecture!  

[Gryphon Rider]

If your inability to control your bike at reasonable speed is "a drag on the rest of the riders" you need to either address the issue or get off that bike.

I dunno, Willow.  You might be bordering on "sanctimonious" there.  

"sanctimonious"  Well, I know its uncool to hurt anyones feelings now a days, but Im with Willow on this one...IF IT HURTS SOME FEELINGS THATS BETTER THAN A CRASH...Theres way more to being a good and safe rider than being able to make the bike go and then stop.  If you are not in complete control then you are putting yourself and others at risk.

Chrisj, I was taking a friendly poke at Willow, who called me "sanctimonious" when I suggested a rider, who injured himself and lost his front brakes from a slow speed crash, call a friend to pick up him, his passenger, and his bike rather than continue to ride it home.

[Chrisj CMA]

If your inability to control your bike at reasonable speed is "a drag on the rest of the riders" you need to either address the issue or get off that bike.

I dunno, Willow.  You might be bordering on "sanctimonious" there.  

"sanctimonious"  Well, I know its uncool to hurt anyones feelings now a days, but Im with Willow on this one...IF IT HURTS SOME FEELINGS THATS BETTER THAN A CRASH...Theres way more to being a good and safe rider than being able to make the bike go and then stop.  If you are not in complete control then you are putting yourself and others at risk.

Chrisj, I was taking a friendly poke at Willow, who called me "sanctimonious" when I suggested a rider, who injured himself and lost his front brakes from a slow speed crash, call a friend to pick up him, his passenger, and his bike rather than continue to ride it home.

Sorry, I missed the inside joke.........

[Paxton]

Wow!
Am I glad I posted this thread. Excellent advice.   

To clarify, my fears come on while negotiating tight twisters when riding uphill. Riding in town and on the slab
is seldom an issue.  ??? Making a u-turn is for the most part not a problem. 

Thus far, Hef's reply summarizes my situation best and we are both about the same age. Right on point. 
There are other actions that might help to lessen the fears.  For example, tire pressure is something that I need to tweak. 

I run my front tire at 38 PSI and my Darkside at 28 PSI. Reading about your collective experiences, there is much I can learn with practice.

I need to get into the twisters by myself and practice more after I increase tire PSI. ???

Both my girls ware CT's at the same PSI. Any recommendations on tire pressures?

Riding the V-Twin VTX1800 is not nearly as difficult or "scary." Yet, both girls ware CT's at the same PSI.

I am also considering getting into a Trike, but I can't bare the thought of letting my Baby go.
I too seat in the garage admiring her beauty!

Keep the comments coming. THANKS!

[salty1]

Paxton it is great thread thanks for starting it. You know if the VTX feels more comfortable to ride, it maybe time to put a MC tire back on the Valk? 

[musclehead]

Wow!
Am I glad I posted this thread. Excellent advice.   

To clarify, my fears come on while negotiating tight twisters when riding uphill. Riding in town and on the slab
is seldom an issue.  ??? Making a u-turn is for the most part not a problem. 

Thus far, Hef's reply summarizes my situation best and we are both about the same age. Right on point. 
There are other actions that might help to lessen the fears.  For example, tire pressure is something that I need to tweak. 

I run my front tire at 38 PSI and my Darkside at 28 PSI. Reading about your collective experiences, there is much I can learn with practice.

I need to get into the twisters by myself and practice more after I increase tire PSI. ???

Both my girls ware CT's at the same PSI. Any recommendations on tire pressures?

Riding the V-Twin VTX1800 is not nearly as difficult or "scary." Yet, both girls ware CT's at the same PSI.

I am also considering getting into a Trike, but I can't bare the thought of letting my Baby go.
I too seat in the garage admiring her beauty!

Keep the comments coming. THANKS!

darksiding too, that changes the dynamic a bit. I rode a buddies with a car tire for a few miles, I just prefer the feel of a motorcycle tire under both ends.....

[fudgie]

Never been scared or afraid to ride. Now this morning on the way home I was nervous.  A crew flew out a chic with facial fractures as she was praticing riding. No speeds just dump the clutch and off she went. Then 4 hrs later we went on a mc vs deer on the interstate. They both lost. It was my 1st no helmet fatality. All the others lived.  Not sure how he ended up 500'+ from POI but he did. Bike had min damage. We worked him for over a 1/2 hr but we 'could tell' he wasnt gonna make it once we arrived. Me and my p talked about it on the way back and asked if I was going to wear a helmet. I said it makes me think about it but no. I asked if she would and she never answered me. She has ridden in the past and with me a week ago. She text me today and said she aint riding for awhile.  I was nervous cause they come in 3's here. I left work at my normal speeds and had music playin good songs and let me get back to where I usually am when I ride. We both rode tonight to a b-day party but left by dark to avoid the deer.