new valkyrie how does it shift

[Roadog]

  Does the new Valkyrie shift like the older version , klunky and  noisey or has that been improved upon.   TKS.

Terry

[Jack B]

The F6B shifts better than the old Valk's, it shift's like butter. The new Valk should be the same.

[VALKYRIE1800]

the 1800 powertrain is flawless

[Bagger]

I have a 2001 (purchased new), a 2013 Harley Street Glide, and the new Valkyrie.

There is no difference between the 2001 Wing and the Valk's shifters.  Both are very smooth (especially when you change the oil to a full synthetic), finding all gears easily, and finding neutral without any issue.

The Harley on the other hand ... is as clunky as an agricultural tractor.  I've had lots of HDs.  This has not changed one bit in 20 years.  Finding neutral is a real chore ... about as easy as finding Elmo.  No comparison to the Honda BIG rides.

[VALKYRIE1800]

i was minutes away from purchasing a 2014 road king before i bought a new valkyrie. glad i did not. sorry, i just think for 22-25k a bike should just be "better" than the new road king and street glides are??? they feel heavy and unbalanced, they do not stop or go for that matter, they vibrate, and shift poorly. this is 2014, they could be so much better of a bike, if they were not stuck on the past???

[Bagger]

i was minutes away from purchasing a 2014 road king before i bought a new valkyrie. glad i did not. sorry, i just think for 22-25k a bike should just be "better" than the new road king and street glides are??? they feel heavy and unbalanced, they do not stop or go for that matter, they vibrate, and shift poorly. this is 2014, they could be so much better of a bike, if they were not stuck on the past???

Well ... not to get caught in a HD vs Honda thread ... but, there is quite a difference between the Road King and the Street Glide.  I won't go in to the details.  But, they are certainly not the same/same bike by any means.

I've had at least a dozen Harleys.  The 2013 Street Glide I have is Stage 3 ... cams, full header/exhaust, AC changes, remapping, yada, yada.  Cost?  About $5K over what I paid, but I got over 100 HP and 110 TQ.  Very quick, and a good ride.  Cost was north of $28K.

It is no where like the New Valkyrie. No where ...

Now, that said ... the New Valkyrie has 15 years old technology.  Yep ... same stuff the GL1800 had back when I bought my Wing in 2001.  Nothing much has changed, if anything.

Now, the Harleys have changed.  RKs not much, but SGs and that sector a good bit.  Different motors, bigger brakes (some with ABS), different frames with better handling, larger rear tire, fuel injection, twin cams, more ponies, and other stuff.  Lots of changes.

Gold Wings?  Not so much.  And, that's where our Valks are based from.

Harley sells lots of BIG bikes.  Many more than Honda sells BIG bikes.  I see many more Harleys than Wings on the road.  Bigger dealer margins, too.  $$$

Harleys are still old tech ... but we've spoken about "nostalgia" and how that works into the culture HD has built.  And, they've done very well, too IMO. 

I like my New Valkyrie a great deal.  It has it's pluses and minuses.  I enjoy my Harley SG, too.  For completely different reasons and different riding situations.  Each different and each great in their own right.

[imrubicon]

Shifts like a goldwing so smooth

[Bighead]

The Harley on the other hand ... is as clunky as an agricultural tractor.  I've had lots of HDs.  This has not changed one bit in 20 years.  Finding neutral is a real chore ... about as easy as finding Elmo.  No comparison to the Honda BIG rides.

Redline  tranny oil and it will quiet down a ton.

[Bagger]

The Harley on the other hand ... is as clunky as an agricultural tractor.  I've had lots of HDs.  This has not changed one bit in 20 years.  Finding neutral is a real chore ... about as easy as finding Elmo.  No comparison to the Honda BIG rides.

Redline  tranny oil and it will quiet down a ton.

I use full synthetic in all my bikes.  Makes a difference in the Hondas, not so much in the HDs.  They're still clunky, noisy and finding neutral works only about 50% of the time.  Could have to do with the straight cut gears, perhaps. ?

[VALKYRIE1800]

i was minutes away from purchasing a 2014 road king before i bought a new valkyrie. glad i did not. sorry, i just think for 22-25k a bike should just be "better" than the new road king and street glides are??? they feel heavy and unbalanced, they do not stop or go for that matter, they vibrate, and shift poorly. this is 2014, they could be so much better of a bike, if they were not stuck on the past???

Well ... not to get caught in a HD vs Honda thread ... but, there is quite a difference between the Road King and the Street Glide.  I won't go in to the details.  But, they are certainly not the same/same bike by any means.

I've had at least a dozen Harleys.  The 2013 Street Glide I have is Stage 3 ... cams, full header/exhaust, AC changes, remapping, yada, yada.  Cost?  About $5K over what I paid, but I got over 100 HP and 110 TQ.  Very quick, and a good ride.  Cost was north of $28K.

It is no where like the New Valkyrie. No where ...

Now, that said ... the New Valkyrie has 15 years old technology.  Yep ... same stuff the GL1800 had back when I bought my Wing in 2001.  Nothing much has changed, if anything.

Now, the Harleys have changed.  RKs not much, but SGs and that sector a good bit.  Different motors, bigger brakes (some with ABS), different frames with better handling, larger rear tire, fuel injection, twin cams, more ponies, and other stuff.  Lots of changes.

Gold Wings?  Not so much.  And, that's where our Valks are based from.

Harley sells lots of BIG bikes.  Many more than Honda sells BIG bikes.  I see many more Harleys than Wings on the road.  Bigger dealer margins, too.  $$$

Harleys are still old tech ... but we've spoken about "nostalgia" and how that works into the culture HD has built.  And, they've done very well, too IMO. 

I like my New Valkyrie a great deal.  It has it's pluses and minuses.  I enjoy my Harley SG, too.  For completely different reasons and different riding situations.  Each different and each great in their own right.

all that money in the SG and the valk will still spank it handily. my brother has a new SG/special and my cousin a new RK CVO, sorry we will have to respecfully disagree here. the only difference in those bikes is forward of the fuel tank. the are both the new FL chassis. and in stock form, both just 103 H/O motors, Not the new rushmore motor. harley put a vent in the fairing, added a larger fron tire, bigger brakes, changed the front fork valving,and a new sound system.not trying to start harley vs honda war post either, because there is no comparison. Harley is just an overpriced antique IMHO. sorry , i did my homework here, i have acouple of good friends who have worked for HD years. they even admit that HD is struggleing a bit, they are trying to re-invent the brand if you will. They are starting to relize that the older guys with blinders on and deep pockets are just that, getting older. you will see full L/C on even then the big twins very soon. they need to do something to appeal to the younger riders. the new Street 500/750 is proof of that. even if the Valk.  has 15 yr. old technology, it and the wing/F6b are still light years ahead of HD. you must not travel on two wheel much away from the east coast, yes there are a good deal of harley's on the road, but a ton of wings as well. usually when we do iron butt rallies or go to daytona or sturgis, the harleys are on trailers and the valks/wings are on two wheels.....................

[hubcapsc]

Some people who are better riders than most of us prefer Harleys...

Serious brand-bashing is silly.

-Mike "Silly brand-bashing is fun  "

[Bighead]

The Harley on the other hand ... is as clunky as an agricultural tractor.  I've had lots of HDs.  This has not changed one bit in 20 years.  Finding neutral is a real chore ... about as easy as finding Elmo.  No comparison to the Honda BIG rides.

Redline  tranny oil and it will quiet down a ton.

I use full synthetic in all my bikes.  Makes a difference in the Hondas, not so much in the HDs.  They're still clunky, noisy and finding neutral works only about 50% of the time.  Could have to do with the straight cut gears, perhaps. ?

Bagger when I put redline in my Street Glide it DID quiet down the shift clunk a bunch.

[HayHauler]

Like the Goldwing............ just like "buttah"........

Hay 
Jimmyt

[The Dark Knight]

I've had a couple of false first gear shifts. When I glide to a stop sign, I step down to get it in first gear. The shifter bottms out, but sometimes it doesn't get out of neutral. I almost wish there was more of a clunk to get it into first, that way I would be more certain it was in first.
It only seems to happen when I glide. If I shift from a feet-down stop, it shifts with now issues.
Anyone wlse experice this?

[Bagger]

I've had a couple of false first gear shifts. When I glide to a stop sign, I step down to get it in first gear. The shifter bottms out, but sometimes it doesn't get out of neutral. I almost wish there was more of a clunk to get it into first, that way I would be more certain it was in first.
It only seems to happen when I glide. If I shift from a feet-down stop, it shifts with now issues.
Anyone wlse experice this?

I don't 'glide' to a stop.  I down shift into 1st gear going thru all the gears.  At the light, I may shift into N, but engaging 1st when the light changes is pretty much a 98% deal for me.

The tranny may 'loosen up' a bit with more miles, more shifts, too.  And, if you change to full synthetic oil, it should make shifting in all circumstances easier.  Many on the Goldwing forum have experienced this for years ... better shifting after time and full synthetic oil.

Why do you 'glide' to a stop DK?

[Bagger]

Well, Wiggy ...

If you re-read my post, I did not say that I shift into N every time I'm at a light.  I don't do so on a regular basis.  And, when I do, I'm pretty aware of my circumstances.

Escape plan?  Well, that's difficult to predict with all the cages and iterations of what could happen in 45 seconds or so.  I try to remain aware of the situation and be as safe as I can.

All my bikes (ALL) have accessary rear and frontal auxillary lighting.  Always brighter than oem and more of it.  Still working on more for the Valkyrie's rear end, other than the LED marker plate frame.  I have some ideas, but may not look all that good.  That's another matter.

And, you can preach to the choir, m'friend.  I have no worries about that.  Lots of opinions every where, eh.  It's all good, too.

I don't think there is a problem with hand on the brake and bike in N at a stop light.  Being in a line of traffic 6 cars long waiting for a light with some carpal tunnel issues, or tendonitis could be more critical than an "escape plan", IMO. 

Look ... we all try to be as safe as we can be.  Sometimes that works well, and sometimes not.  I think there are many more circumstances where riders are unsafe than at a stop light with the tranny in neutral.

Riding too fast for conditions, traffic ... not being aware of left turning cages ... riding beyond one's capabilities ... riding at night ... riding impaired ... riding without ATGATT, to name a few.  Neutral at a stop light is down the list IMO.

JMO 

[Xyzzy]

Valkyrie shifting: Good. Better than my '12 Gold Wing. Compared to a sports bike it has a longer throw.

I start off in second gear all of the time. It has the same final drive as the Gold Wing and it weighs 150 pounds less, so first gear is for climbing trees I guess. Starting out in second eliminates the shift through neutral. I also hate shifting 10 feet after I start moving and I am halfway through a turn at an intersection. Second gear gives me a lot more flexibility. The Valkyrie clutch can handle this load easily and there is very little clutch slipping needed.

I have missed three shifts in 3,400 miles.

Once at a stop I put it in neutral to adjust a mirror and when I put it back into second when I took off it kicked it back to neutral. If you don't feel the "clunk", the neutral-to-second shift isn't complete.

I have also missed two fourth-to-fifth shifts, due to being lazy on the shifter. It just kicked back to fourth.

When I shift I preload the shifter a few pounds and pull the clutch all the way to the bar. My shifts are almost imperceptible and I constantly work on being smoother. When I downshift I can feel the two clicks per gear that tells me the downshift is complete. Occasionally the second click happens when the clutch is being let out. I think this is okay.

I tend to not shift much. If I am over 30MPH I am in fifth gear. The bike has tons of torque and it isn't going to lug at 30MPH. I don't live in the city though. My riding is all rural roads.

The Valkyrie and 2014 Gold Wing have a better fifth gear (dogs) to fix a longstanding issue with fifth-gear ghost-shifting. More info: http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthread.php?505274-Gonna-try-Honda-s-newest-transmission See posts #74 & #90.

I downshift to fourth at 25MPH, third at 20MPH and second at 15MPH. A lot of people want a taller overall gear ratio or a sixth gear but the gearing is fine. They are thinking of old air-cooled vee-twins that don't like to be revved out. To me the Valkyrie engine is like a turbine it is so smooth. Top-gear roll-on power is very nice. I get about 50MPG (mixed riding) on 87 octane ethanol-free fuel.

The gears are cut a bit differently in the Valkyrie transmission so the feel is slightly different. On most of my older bikes I would skip the clutch for upshifts. The Valkyrie will do it, but I use the clutch because it is smoother and (I think) safer for the transmission.

Mobil 1 10W40 (Racing 4T) oil really makes an improvement in shifting feel. I plan to change the oil every 4K miles and the filter every 8K miles. A lot of people use Rotella diesel oil which is fine (I ran it in both of my VTX1800s) but I prefer the Mobil 1 feel. Some people will say they cannot feel a difference but it is very obvious to me and worth the money.

[The Dark Knight]

I glide at stop signs so I don't have to put my feet on the pavement. I was just getting the problem going into first with a passenger and only when I'm pointed uphill.
I just rode this weekend alone and didn't have any issues.
It's probably better that I come to a full stop and put my feet down with a passenger anyway. Much safer.

[mrtappan]

I know I got in a little late on this but.....

I read a little about people complaining about not being able to find neutral on the new Valkyries.  I was a little concerned but figured it was mostly "rider error." 

I did find out that on mine neutral isn't some giant gap between gears like it is on some bikes.  I think it's because of the design of the shifter and peg myself.  I think it mostly feels like a smaller gap because I'm just not used to my foot being in that riding position.  Mine shifts fine though through the gears, even clutchless shifting.  I was pleasantly surprised at that as I like being able to do that.

On a side note:  I sold a 2013 Victory Hard Ball (cams, PCV, intake, the list goes on.....) and bought my Valkyrie.  You will NEVER (not even on a Harley) find a louder, clunkier transmission than Victory.  It's so bad on their forum people just call it an "audible shift indicator."

[F6Dave]

I would describe my new F6B's shifting as 'notchy'.  It's fine once you get used to it, but not the best I've owned.  I remember my old Suzuki GS-1100 as the best.

[Jambo100]

Don't see any of these issues so far. Only had it for two weeks though. Shifts effortlessly and smoothly. Sometimes I just touch it with the side of my boot and it upshifts.

[dynatim]

I purchased a 2014 Valkyrie used with 3100 miles. I know for a FACT this is an issue and is NOT consistent through every bike. I test drove a Brand New off the Showroom 2014 but in Red, I don't like Red bikes so I kept looking, The Red bike I put about 30 minutes of mixed riding on and it shifted like butter. Not like a Metric Sport Bike by any means but WAY better and more quiet than the black one I ended up with. I have been to the dealer twice and they have tested it out and said it was normal. I have been riding bikes for 30 plus years, mostly jap sport bikes but several cruisers as well. I have never missed so many gears as I have with this bike. unless you follow a strict down shifting procedure you may find yourself embarrassed at the light as you search for neutral .. finding some spot that doesn't indicate as neutral and then a very disturbing clunk when it finds a gear.. usually after an incident like this the shift would be very loud and maybe ghost third or sometimes I feel the need to apply so much pressure it shifts twice.. The test bike had none of these issues. I read in another forum that a heel toe shifter kit helps so I purchased one off ebay for $179 .. YES it ends the tender shifter toe I was getting if not wearing proper riding boots .. and YES .. I can easily step on it and never miss 3rd gear.. but I am still concerned about my $15k bike and its VERY expensive transmission on how long it will run this way and will it get worse.. I am tempted just to trade it for a 2016 when they come out (after a test ride of course) .. I also don't like the idea of the dealer cracking open my brand new bike.. I have changed the oil and filter twice now with 10/40 full synthetic for motorcycle. I know I am learning the bike's personality .. I feel the better oil you use the better the shifting so I plan on keeping it clean and closely inspecting the oil for any metal.. any other advice on this topic would be appreciated ..

[Robert]

Interesting reading I find that first is not a problem most of the time with an audible clunk going into gear. Shifting can be done with a little pre pressure on the shifter and just pull very slightly on the clutch lever. Shifting can either be virtually noiseless to clunky depending on how you shift I have found.
I have also put to much pressure on the shifter and had it go into gear without pulling on the clutch lever.

I don't have a comparison with a Harley because I never wanted one, even though my son sells them. Not a bad bike but 6 beats 2 all the time in my books.
 
If I shift quick and pull the lever about 1/4 inch it goes like butter. If I do the traditional pull the lever all the way in sometimes is clunks not badly though.

The shift dogs on the trans were redesigned after some Wingers were having problems with the bikes falling out of gear. They are pretty bullet proof as the dogs have more teeth than most bikes and even earlier wings. They are strong transmissions in these bikes.

At the long lights or stops I will also put my bike in neutral and wait.

On all the 1800 engines they use oil pressure to help hold the clutch from slipping. This pressure is always present unless you pull the clutch lever all the way in then it dumps the pressure. There is a little switch on the clutch lever that accomplishes this when the lever is all the way in almost to the stop. Don't know how much a difference this makes in shifting to me its just an interesting point.

[dans2014]

  I've owned many brands and sizes of bikes over the years. Every bike was fun and they all shift clunky including my 2014 Valk. It's a Motorcycle! Not an 9 speed auto Lexus!! Ha Ha. I respect all manufacturers of these complex units and all are fun to ride. If they all were the same it would be boring!!!
Enjoy what you got and be thankful!!!

[dynatim]

update on MY situation ... After much reading and discussing this with 2 different dealers.. No one told me the bike requires 10/30 ... I've been using 10/40 ... My bike came with no manual so I relied on what I could find out via these forums and the dealer .. I've noticed a significant improvement since switching to Full Synthetic 10/40.. so I'm looking forward to even smoother operation with 10/30 .. and learning how to pre load the shifter a bit and only a slight clutch application also starting off in 2nd .. all these things have provided a much more enjoyable experience .. I love this bike.

[Robert]

Of course this morning I was going to work and not really thinking about shifting except listening for the slight clunk of going into gear. So as I going along I moved the shifter in my usual manner and didn't hear anything so I checked, yup shifter moved so I thought let me let the clutch out slowly and sure enough the shift was so quiet and smooth that I couldn't tell that it had already shifted. As I learn this bike more and more of the shifts are smooth. 1st to 2nd is the hardest to get perfectly smooth.

[AdrianR]

1st to 2nd is the hardest to get perfectly smooth.

This is normal and is pretty consistent with all bikes.  Neutral is between first and second...only makes sense...but is NO BIG DEAL!

This Valk shifts better then any other bike I have owned before in that past!

[AdrianR]

I've owned many brands and sizes of bikes over the years. Every bike was fun and they all shift clunky including my 2014 Valk. It's a Motorcycle! Not an 9 speed auto Lexus!! Ha Ha. I respect all manufacturers of these complex units and all are fun to ride. If they all were the same it would be boring!!!
Enjoy what you got and be thankful!!!

Clunky? Really?  Not even close.  Or, I guess, if we speak in terms of subjectivity would I then only agree...  I must assume you are using good 'motorcycle' oil or better yet:  full synthetic 'motorcycle oil'? I can hardly notice the shifts on this Valk...aside from the obvious ... punching into first and between first and second..in which are still very smooth.  The other shifts..geezz...I can barely feel or hear them! 

btw...I use 10/30w Honda full synthetic 'motorcycle oil'..  And to those whom have yet to try 10/30w full synthetic bike oil...you haven't realized the full performance from you bike yet!

Along with corn free fuel...The Valk HAULS ASS..with this combo....revs quicker...