traded 2002 standard for 2014 in blue

[brew1brew]

Well, I've put 50 miles or so on my new ride today,



I ordered the full windscreen and saddle bags as well, hopefully they come in before I leave for inzane.

[Jack B]

We'll after 50 miles what do you think of your new Valk?
Looks good.

[brew1brew]

feels lighter and more nimble, and it pulls hard! If I can find a back rest I think the stock seat will be good. time will tell.

I'm going to take it to the Ren-fair tomorrow with my daughter two up, I'll have a much better idea after that. Today was just taking it home and over to a couple different friends to show it off.

[Disco]

Congratulations, Les!   

[BnB Tom]

 
 Great lookin Mother's Day gift Les 

Can't wait to see it . . .   especially after you get the rest of the stuff on it.

[Christbiker]

Congratulations, Les!   

+1

Sent you a PM

[f-Stop]

Sweet!   

Sure would like to see the bags and shield on one.  Your gonna have to post some pics!

 

[RainMaker]

It's the right color!  Congrats, Les!  I look forward to your reports. Especially want to know how the long distance riding works out on your trip to Inzane.

Not that I'll be changing my ride - I don't use all the horsepower I have now so even more would go wasted with a me on new Valk. 

RainMaker

[Wetrudgeon]

Les:
That is a nice ride.  Congratulations.

Please post up your ongoing impressions of the bike; and some photos of it decked out w/screen and bags and whatever.

We trudge on.

[brew1brew]

So, I rode to the Renaissance fair in Waxahachie, my daughter rode on the back on the ride down. The wind really sucks with no windscreen. The bike handles amazingly well even though the wind was trying to blow me off the bike.

So the bike didn't really feel like it even noticed my daughter on the back, however my daughter decided that without a sissy bar/back rest the grab rails/passenger hand holds are mostly useless with the torque of the bike. 

So the gas gauge is a 8 segment LED, the last segment is supposed to blink when it's down to 1.3 gallons left. When I got  back to plano I was down to the last segment, but it was not blinking yet. I pulled into Costco at 171 miles on the first tank,  it took 4.7 gallons,  for 36.36 mpg.

[Wetrudgeon]

Excellent info.  Keep us updated.

We trudge on.

[godfire]

Too Cool!

Can't wait to see her with bags and a shield! 

[HayHauler]

Congrats!!  You got the fastest color too. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[brew1brew]

Congrats!!  You got the fastest color too. 

Hay
Jimmyt

Yes, the fastest color is awesome!

I have a couple other riding insights after riding a few more days.
1. This is the most comfortable stock seat I've been on! I think it's memory foam, stiff but gives enough that it's not like sitting on a rock. Now all I need is a drivers back rest.
2. The seat suspension combo makes this the smoothest ride ever! Both of my other bikes (2002 valk standard & 2007 VTX 1300 c)  would give me a jolt in my back when I went over hard bumps, with this ride I don't hardly notice any bumps in the road.
3. The clutch is very smooth. Starting from a stop it starts to pull almost as soon as you think about going.

[RainMaker]

Dibs on a ride Saturday!!!

[brew1brew]

Dibs on a ride Saturday!!!

Haha, you're funny!   

[BnB Tom]

 Hey Les, either there's another new, blue Valk in Plano or you were out running around on yours yesterday?. 

 Did you see the pics of the leather bags on the new valks?  Looked pretty good. 
 

[brew1brew]

 Hey Les, either there's another new, blue Valk in Plano or you were out running around on yours yesterday?. 

 Did you see the pics of the leather bags on the new valks?  Looked pretty good. 
 T

Send me a link,  I haven't been able to find any photos. I like to see the windshield too.

[HayHauler]

 Hey Les, either there's another new, blue Valk in Plano or you were out running around on yours yesterday?. 

 Did you see the pics of the leather bags on the new valks?  Looked pretty good. 
 T

Send me a link,  I haven't been able to find any photos. I like to see the windshield too.

Not a link to pictures, but here are the accessories including PDF installation instructions.

http://cssportal.css-club.net/honda/MCA/

Click ACCEPT and HONDA USER, then NEXT.  Select 751CC and up, then GL1800C/2014.

Enjoy. 
Thanks to Dave Ritsema for the links, not me.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[brew1brew]

 Hey Les, either there's another new, blue Valk in Plano or you were out running around on yours yesterday?. 

 Did you see the pics of the leather bags on the new valks?  Looked pretty good. 
 T

Send me a link,  I haven't been able to find any photos. I like to see the windshield too.

Not a link to pictures, but here are the accessories including PDF installation instructions.

http://cssportal.css-club.net/honda/MCA/

Click ACCEPT and HONDA USER, then NEXT.  Select 751CC and up, then GL1800C/2014.

Enjoy. 
Thanks to Dave Ritsema for the links, not me.

Hay 
Jimmyt

Thanks Jimmy, I found the post on the general board, Dave put some photos up too. So I was finally able to see what I bought. 

I can't wait for them to come in, but on a side note, My Abs are getting a good workout not having a windshield 

[Paxton]

brew1brew;
After 50 miles can you tell that yours is the fastest color?  Did you ride a Black one for comparison?
Kiddin' aside, she's beautiful! Congratulations!

[brew1brew]

brew1brew;
After 50 miles can you tell that yours is the fastest color?  Did you ride a Black one for comparison?
Kiddin' aside, she's beautiful! Congratulations!

Everyone knows that Blue is that fastest, just ask Jimmy!

Thanks Man!

[HayHauler]

You got that right.   Hehe

Hay
Jimmyt

[keepinon]

Was at Lunsford's Saturday getting ordered parts for an X I'm rehabbing, they had the blue and maroon Valkyries there...  none for test rides tho.

They had a nice display of the 'Wing, F6B, and Valk side x side. The Valk just looks fast sitting there, but no accessories yet.

Man, that red F6B was sure pretty, and the same $ as the Valk. Glad I don't have to make a decision.   

[Wetrudgeon]

Les:
Went to RPM Cycle in Farmers Branch today.  They recently expanded to include the Honda brand and they had two Valks on the floor.  The sales rep had a new "tall" windscreen just received in stock, and we had a look at it (not mounted, but held up to the bike so we could get an idea what it will look like).  It is tall; and looked pretty good.  Did not yet have the short screen.

We trudge on.

[brew1brew]

Les:
Went to RPM Cycle in Farmers Branch today.  They recently expanded to include the Honda brand and they had two Valks on the floor.  The sales rep had a new "tall" windscreen just received in stock, and we had a look at it (not mounted, but held up to the bike so we could get an idea what it will look like).  It is tall; and looked pretty good.  Did not yet have the short screen.

We trudge on.

I got my windshield and saddlebags Friday, the windshield was mounted friday night. The saddlebags are waiting for the mount brackets, I should have them middle of next week.

I'm glad to have the windshield, it makes a huge difference, it is tall but come up to my eye level when I sit straight up. I think it's just about right. It sure helps in the rain. We rode to Kerrville  Saturday and home today. It was a very wet day, even had a light show around Hico!

I have to say that the new Valk performs outstandingly well! it sticks to the road very well and handles very good. The only thing is you have to pay close attention when when in gears 1-3 if you touch the throttle too hard it will break the back tire loose! How ever it didn't wash out at all, just spun the tack up, the back end stayed true and straight. gave me time to back it down without issue.

Now for the after market seat manufactures to come out with a great seat with a driver backrest!

[Wetrudgeon]

Would like to see photos when you can post some.

We trudge on.

[brew1brew]

Would like to see photos when you can post some.

We trudge on.

I'll post some after she gets a Bath and the saddlebags are mounted, so probably late this week or next weekend.

[Westsider]

Beauty of a machine,    I have to take the V-rod stance as far as it being a Valk.   .   

You are going to probably really like the EFI ,I know I would. 

[HayHauler]

Les:
Went to RPM Cycle in Farmers Branch today.  They recently expanded to include the Honda brand and they had two Valks on the floor.  The sales rep had a new "tall" windscreen just received in stock, and we had a look at it (not mounted, but held up to the bike so we could get an idea what it will look like).  It is tall; and looked pretty good.  Did not yet have the short screen.

We trudge on.

I got my windshield and saddlebags Friday, the windshield was mounted friday night. The saddlebags are waiting for the mount brackets, I should have them middle of next week.

I'm glad to have the windshield, it makes a huge difference, it is tall but come up to my eye level when I sit straight up. I think it's just about right. It sure helps in the rain. We rode to Kerrville  Saturday and home today. It was a very wet day, even had a light show around Hico!

I have to say that the new Valk performs outstandingly well! it sticks to the road very well and handles very good. The only thing is you have to pay close attention when when in gears 1-3 if you touch the throttle too hard it will break the back tire loose! How ever it didn't wash out at all, just spun the tack up, the back end stayed true and straight. gave me time to back it down without issue.

Now for the after market seat manufactures to come out with a great seat with a driver backrest!

Sounds like it is time to put a CT on that horse!

Hay
Jimmyt

[brew1brew]

Les:
Went to RPM Cycle in Farmers Branch today.  They recently expanded to include the Honda brand and they had two Valks on the floor.  The sales rep had a new "tall" windscreen just received in stock, and we had a look at it (not mounted, but held up to the bike so we could get an idea what it will look like).  It is tall; and looked pretty good.  Did not yet have the short screen.

We trudge on.

I got my windshield and saddlebags Friday, the windshield was mounted friday night. The saddlebags are waiting for the mount brackets, I should have them middle of next week.

I'm glad to have the windshield, it makes a huge difference, it is tall but come up to my eye level when I sit straight up. I think it's just about right. It sure helps in the rain. We rode to Kerrville  Saturday and home today. It was a very wet day, even had a light show around Hico!

I have to say that the new Valk performs outstandingly well! it sticks to the road very well and handles very good. The only thing is you have to pay close attention when when in gears 1-3 if you touch the throttle too hard it will break the back tire loose! How ever it didn't wash out at all, just spun the tack up, the back end stayed true and straight. gave me time to back it down without issue.

Now for the after market seat manufactures to come out with a great seat with a driver backrest!

Sounds like it is time to put a CT on that horse!

Hay
Jimmyt

well, I have researched it a bit, but it's not for me. i will keep the MT, at least for now.

[Disco]

Hey Les,

How 'bout some pics of the unmounted bags?   

[brew1brew]

Hey Les,

How 'bout some pics of the unmounted bags?   

sure, I'll shoot them tonight after work.

[brew1brew]

Hey Les,

How 'bout some pics of the unmounted bags?   

Unmounted bags? sure here  you go 



HaHa, just kidding

Here you go, Bags


Bags & Stays (still waiting on the brackets that mount the stays to the grab rails)

[brew1brew]

Ok, Here we go, Brackets came it today, bags are on the bike, I wiped it down, so here you go.

With windshield and bags, I'm ready to ride to Asheville!









PS - No smart car jokes! And yes I like Blue!

[BnB Tom]

  The total package looks good! 

I think the bags 'tone' down the fat fender and wimpy turn signals a lot.

  Could use a 'dark side' for looks AND traction (from what you've indicated) 

[Six Guns]

Will everything fit in the bags that you are taking to Inzane or are you also taking a T-Bag as well? If you are taking a T-Bag, how will you strap it to the bike?

P.S. Nice looking bike by the way.   

[brew1brew]

Will everything fit in the bags that you are taking to Inzane or are you also taking a T-Bag as well? If you are taking a T-Bag, how will you strap it to the bike?

P.S. Nice looking bike by the way.   

I'll be using my Nelson-Riggs luggage. although I don't have a sissybar to strap it to, I will be able to strap it down to the grab-rails. The Nelson-Riggs has a set of straps that attach in the middle of the bag that will keep it from falling backwards, it will sit strait up on the back seat.

[Ed Norton]

Les..was there mounting instructions with your windshield ?

[brew1brew]

Les..was there mounting instructions with your windshield ?

No, none of the Honda line accessories have instruction included, they have a slip of paper that has a link to this web site for international and the accessory web site for USA. I was not able to find the instructions on the USA site, but all of them are on the international web site. PDF format.

The thing is that slip of paper only has URLs on it with flags, it does not tell you to go to one of the sites for the instructions. Sort of stupid!