Would you buy a brand new Valkyrie?

[alph]

Does Honda read these forums?  If not, someone should send 'em a copy.   

that's exactly what i'm planning on doing!  that's why i started it.

Al.

[QOTFU]

Yep... and I want the automatic blinker cancellation, floorboards, forward controlls, six speed transmission and a factory lowered version

[Big Rig]

Yep... and I want the automatic blinker cancellation, floorboards, forward controlls, six speed transmission and a factory lowered version

Throw in some chromed rims....and well, I would probably buy two....

[Lyn-Del]

Would I buy a new Valkyrie?  If they build something similar to the ones I have, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.  In fact, my dealer has long been informed that, should a new Valk become available, the first one out of his dealership is MINE!  We agreed on that in 2005.

The Rune is a blast to ride, turns heads everywhere we go.  But, she's NOT a Valkyrie!!  Once I told myself it's a Rune, not a Valkyrie Rune, I took another look and liked what I saw.

[huckleberry]

I would not trade my Valkyrie for any bike,because i have had most of the other brands,and have had this one since 1999 without any problems what so ever.I would like a 6th gear and reverse,but i would buy a new one again.I did add a garage door opener to my turn signal and it is so cool.When i want speed i jump on my R1,so Huckleberry has all the speed i would ever want and then some,its the only of my bikes she feels safe on.Huckleberry.

[Scott in Ok]

Nope, I would not.  At least not right away.  I would want one, but would not be willing to pay the price to have one.  Based on what new motorcycles cost these days, Honda would want a fortune for a new FI'd 1800 Valkyrie. 


-Scott

[Highlander]

I think that this type of posting brought about the Rune and killed the Valkyrie.  What we should ask for is a standard Valkyrie and make it your own once you buy it.  So.  Ask for just a standard Valkyrie with 1800 engine and EFI.  Honda spent a great deal on the Rune because everyone said it was their ideal Valkyrie, not realizing that when you build such a beautiful bike and mass market it, folks tend to not buy it because it looks like every other Rune.  To customize it ruins its beauty.  Most Valkyrie riders I know, ride their Valks and customize their rides to make them unique.   For some reason, Honda missed this very important fact, so the Rune did not sell as well as they hoped.  New Valkyrie, YES.  All the other crap add ons, no.  Just my 2 cents.  Give the after market makers some business and keep America employed.

[RedValk]

let's see.....TWO VALKS  in the garage....CHECK


TWO RUNES in the garage....CHECK

Would i add another? HELL YES.

What would i want? For starters:

1. bigger engine...MINIMUM...2000cc...preferably 2300-2400 (already got two 1832 engines in the Runes....i want something EVEN BIGGER!!!!!!!!!!)

2. Electronic Cruise control

3. Might want a tach? (Runes don't have one...might be nice to have)

4. At least 6 cylinders.....would even like 8 possibly! MORE/BIG IS BETTER!!!!!!!

5. Perhaps self canceling turn signals?

it must be BIG (again, 2000 cc or MORE), it must be cool.....

6. Sort of hope it isn't in the same price range the Runes started out at! Mine was 24,000, Sherry's was 22,000 (they dropped some each year since the FIRST year)...though now....new ones (when found)...can be had for 16-17,000. I would hope new Valk would be WELL UNDER 20,000.


I love BOTH my Runes and my Valks. They each have certain things that are VERY appealing. BUT, i'd add another .....IF THEY COULD ONLY COME OUT WITH ONE....in a heart beat.

as it is....Honda hasn't made ANYTHING i would want............SINCE THE RUNE!!! Since i got two of those .....there hasn't been ANYTHING to buy from Honda since! In one way, i guess i should thank them.........for saving me money...since there is nothing worth buying 

But every time i walk in the dealer show room....and they say "you haven't bought a new bike in forever"....I tell them, i'm waiting for Honda to make something worth buying. FOR ME, that means BIG, MULTI CYLINDER, COOL, NOT A VTWIN, NOT A GOLD WING LIKE BIKE.....something big, cool and 6 or more cylinders......

when they make THAT.............i'll be in line with money waiting to buy it......

until then.............tick/tock/tick/tock..........  I bought Sherry's "new" Valk last year....spent about a year working on it with "bling"....it was my project bike. NOW, that project is OVER!!!!!!!  I need another project!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (i need a new bike.............)

[Andy]

Only if it had exactly the same styling, 2400cc f8, 6th gear and reverse.

[RedValk]

Only if it had exactly the same styling, 2400cc f8, 6th gear and reverse.

Yes..............exactly!!!!!!!!    

[RLD]

RUNE  - named right, spelled WRONG!! Should be "RUIN". Don't care that they built the bike, to each his own, but to call it a VALKYRIE is just wrong, IMHO.

[RedValk]

I love my Rune(s).......coolest/best bike i've ever bought/owned. Valk would be CLOSE SECOND.....

[mfountain]

I've got a 97 and a 99, both standards. The 99, for all intents and purposes, has been made into a tourer, sort of. The 97 has been chopped up and redone w/ a SSSA. In retrospect, I wish I'd left the 97 alone, as it is no longer a legitimate long haul bike, but it's fun to bounce around town on. Like Redvalk, I've got to have a project. I'm convinced that this one will never be finished though, so I don't really need another project. But need has nothing to do with it.

I bought a sport tourer (triumph sprint ST) to run the curves with when I got tired of replacing chrome on the Valk that I was just going to drag off again, so I tend to run the Valk a little more sanely these days. I've ridden the Valk across the US a few times, and it has always been a pleasure to ride. My 99 will stay with me until it dies, or I do. It was my first bike and I've never ridden anything I thought was a worthy replacement.

A new Valk? Realistically, it would be on the market a few years before I was able to afford it. I really like the looks of the Rune, but haven't had the opportunity to ride one. I think I'd like to add one to my stable, but haven't wanted one bad enough to part with the cash. I agree the Rune was not a viable replacement for the Valk.

What would I want in a new Valk? 1800cc or larger, fuel injected, same handling characteristics, mid-mount controls that could be easily adapted to forward controls (for those who want them), same basic visual appearance, a 6th gear that's overdrive with same final drive ratio, controls with the same quality of fit and finish as those on the Rune, chromed forks/triple clamps, the VTX headlight, and idiot lights in the gauges or styled panel (never have liked them in the headlight housing). Don't put the gauges on the tank! I'd be ok with a faux fuel tank, with fuel under the seat to get more weight down low, but a tank of fuel should last around 200 miles. Fenders must be metal.

Adding reverse is interesting, but that requires additional panels to hide the ugly hardware. I'll pass on that.

Make an Interstate version as well. I still want one of those.

The greatest thing about the Valk, IMO, is its all around capabilities. It's a great around towner (unlike the GW), a great tourer, a great mountain road runner, etc. Honda would have to keep all this in order to attract us. With the Rune, it became to specialized.

My Dad and I recently discussed the motorcycle offerings in general. Honda currently has nothing that appeals to either of us. The GW is the only thing we'd consider, but I still think I'm too young for one at 32. I wouldn't ride it around town either. It would strictly be for long haul stuff, which I so rarely get to do these days. I've no interest in V-twins unless they are 90 degree in a sporting chassis. Well, at least I have the closest to perfect cruiser ever built. I guess I'll keep buying sportier stuff in the mean time.

[RedValk]

Like Redvalk, I've got to have a project.

The last few months, my latest project has been fixing up the used trailer we bought for my daughter over in Auburn, AL. She is getting ready to start Veterinarian Grad school and needed a new place to live. She's moving "out of the nest" in August. I've still got work to do on that "project". While it is rewarding and important, it's not NEAR AS FUN........as having a "project bike" to work on 

[stormrider]

Since Honda quit making the Valk there must be some blueprints around for it. Use the Valk styling, 2000+ cc engine, 6 sp tranny, upgaded lighting, add bling options, Ultimate seat option, exhaust option, etc. I've said it before, let's buy their patents and whatever they have for making a production run that would be what we want in a bike, contract a manufacturer for what else is needed and make it happen. Isn't that the American way? I'm sure Honda would love to get rid of some old jigs, manufacturing equipment, etc. There is probably a warehouse somewhere with just what we need except for the engine tranny upgrade, that could be bought fairly cheap. Doesn't have to have the Honda name. Call it Valkyrie Motor Works. Anybody want to buy stock in a start up company with an already name recognition customer base?

[BF]

I'd buy stock in Valkyrie Motor Works before buying most other stocks out there today.  When's it go IPO?   

[Hoser]

I would love to buy a brand new fully optioned 2001 Valkyrie Interstate in the crate, the price would not matter!  Hoser

[stormrider]

Well, I guess with only two of us willing to put the money up we would hold controlling interest.

[Scott from FL, now in Maine]

I would jump on it! All the suggestions for improvement have been great, especially bigger and a 6th gear. The only thing I hesitate on is the fuel injection. Altho it may take a bit more work, one of the things I love about the Lady is the Carbs. To many vehicles from cars to bikes have upgraded the technology to beyond the average mans capability to work on. I say keep it simple and powerful and something we can work on, not something we have to rely on shops to fix and suck our wallets dry. IMHO   

[usmc1142]

I love reading all the suggestions. I'd have to agree with a larger engine, self cancelling signals, and my opinion, an easier way to change rear tires on an interstate.  As long as it looks similar to our valks, that would be best.  My bike turns heads still, after 10 years.  It is a beautiful bike that isn't common like any v-twin or for that matter any wing.  I still notice all valkyries while I'm out, no matter how many other bikes are around.  It is one distinguish-able bike, a Sophia Loren of motorcycles, if you will.

[Rocketman]

Well, here's 10!

Did anyone else look at this and think about how hard it would be to get the alternator out of it?
Or is it just me?

[Willow]

Did anyone else look at this and think about how hard it would be to get the alternator out of it?
Or is it just me?

The alternator would be an issue.  Maybe a bigger issue is the design appears to be a direct drive single speed.  (Is that redundant or repetitious?)

[Michael K (Az.)]

Guess it all depends if ya say it again.

[Scott in Ok]

Kinda curious why everyone would want a 6th gear?  Lower revs for less wear and tear? (The valk engine lasts forever as it is).  Fuel mileage?  (takes the same energy to move a Valk in 5th as it does in a 6th gear...so it would be insignificant or minimal at best.)

Why a 6th gear?  I've never felt the need for it myself.

-Scott 

[Rocketman]

Yep... and I want the automatic blinker cancellation, floorboards, forward controlls, six speed transmission and a factory lowered version

Don't you mean "factory RAISED"?
Oh.  That's right, you're built a bit differently than I am.
(:

[Lyn-Del]

Why a 6th gear?  I've never felt the need for it myself. 

When people ask me how many gears a bike should have, my answer is "One more than it comes with."  No matter what I'm riding or driving, I'm periodically going to try to upshift just in case.  If I had 6 gears, I'd be checking for 7th.  If I had 10, eventually I'd be looking for 11.

Five gears gets the job done.  Quite well, in fact.

I wouldn't object to EFI, except that there's no reserve with fuel injection.  There's something comforting about knowing exactly how much fuel I have left when I hit reserve.  On the Gold Wing, I'm never sure how accurate the gauge is, or how much is left when the low fuel light comes on.  On the Rocket III, with no fuel gauge, the low fuel light is all there is.  And when the bike was new (back in 2004), the low fuel light came on to tell me I only had 4.5 gallons left.  It's been fixed now, but I still don't trust those lights.

[SANDMAN5]

Why a 6th gear?  I've never felt the need for it myself.

As for me, it's purely an rpm thang. Cruisin' along at, say, 2600 rpm is
"more gooder" to me than cruisin' at 3000. I'll be trying a 205-65 rear
tire if I ever wear out my current "car tar" and that may have the same
result.....it's not like I get to make many long trips anyway!! And it would
probably help some in the mpg category as well....which equates to (a little)
longer rides between gas-n-go's.

[kiwi#9582]

NOW....  if we could just get Honda execs to read this!!!!!!!!!!   

[MP]

Fuel injection would be on the bike.  One cannot pass emissions now without it.  Sorry.

MP