New 2014 Valk

[flsix]

A guy at work bought a 2014 maroon Valk a few weeks ago. He is loving it.
He had it at work today and asked if I'd like to take it for a ride. Told him "i sure would." So off I went for a short ride. What a pleasure to have a brand new flat 6 to spank a little. Fantastic, smooooth ,acceleration. What a joy.

The jury is still out on the styling but you can't argue with the mechanicals. What a ride!!!!
If at some point I felt it necessary to move on from the 99 I/S I'd probably go with the F6B but the Valk is a great ride.

If you have the opportunity to take one for a quick ride don't pass it up.

[_Sheffjs_]

So, if I may ask. What would make you take the F6B over the 2gen Valk??  Not sayen just asken.

[flsix]

I really missed the windshield when the first big bug also missed it. He doesn't have one on the Valk yet.
I like the F6B hard bags, and I like the fairing better than the Valk front end.
Maybe I'll see some aftermarket bags that'll set my heart to fluttering but I would still need to get my brain around the crotch rocket looking front end.
But oh what a great ride. And that's what it's all about.

[hubcapsc]

Windshield, handlebars, seat and saddlebags... it is starting
to grow on me...



-Mike

[Bronxboy]

I am sure the ride and acceleration, and also the smooth quite power is Awesome. But I just can't wrap myself around the fact that it is just so butt ugly. To me it just looks like a Giant scooter on steroids  

I felt the same way when the Ruin (pun intended) came out. It was a Giant retro scooter, that has nothing to do with what the Valkyrie was born to be, an American Muscle Cruiser !! That is what we all love about this machine.

There is No equal to the style and lines of the Fat Lady period. If u need a good reason to steer u away from her, then just buy one. But to ask what would make u take the new version of something that can't be compared to it...well my butt is staying put.

I did this exact thing on the last 3 Valks I owned, thought I would find a better suited ride on something else? I was wrong all 3 times. If I decide to purchase another ride, I will do so, but it will be parked along side the Fat Lady  

[FloridaValkRyder]

I guess that's why they make so many different types and styles of motorcycles. Some folks look at a bike and think "Not for me", and that's OK. Others look at the same thing and just say "Wow, gotta have it". To each their own I say and I will ride with any of them...if it's cool, not raining or too windy!! 

[flsix]

Hubcap would you be able to PM me the aftermarket parts that you have chosen and if you would do anything differently now. My buddy is looking to do pretty much the same mods you have already done.

[_Sheffjs_]

I would guess Honda was not interested in the current Valk owners when they designed the 2nd Gen Valk moreover I feel they were looking to take the younger ninja type. The H-Bar position is between cruiser and Street fighter and not made to be swap modified.  Mike has proved them wrong on this and has done the most so far in the extensive H-Bar Mod documented here. If only Honda had two different plastic options. My thoughts would be Goldwing Valkyrie as is and Valkyrie Tourer where the foundation was used and retro Valk goodies were added. It could not be that hard for Honda to do!!!!!!    I AM going to twist one soon, Period!   

[Tropic traveler]

Bags, great wind protection, nice lines, radio, & a 118 horsepower 1832cc flat six.
This IS the new Valkyrie Tourer, we aint gettin' anything else.


Need I say more.

[Valkahuna]

Bags, great wind protection, nice lines, radio, & a 118 horsepower 1832cc flat six.
This IS the new Valkyrie Tourer, we aint gettin' anything else.


Need I say more.

Eddie,

I'm super glad that you are infatuated, but that's the point. There are choices and that is what it's all about. My bikes only need to make one person happy - ME! For my taste, way to much covered up stuff and plastic on either the GW, F6B, or the New Valk. Way too much Tupperware, and my whole career was Plastics and Injection Molding. AND, (believe me, I know you don't share this thought) I LOVE A WELL ENGINEERED BIG V-Twin. Geez, maybe that's why I bought a new Indian Chieftain. It makes me as happy as your F6Bs make you and Kim. That's how it should be! Buy what you love, and don't try to "evangilize" others into wanting what you want. Otherwise we'd all be riding A Harley Davidson. That sure seems to be the popular choice. But again, it's only one choice.

[Tropic traveler]

Pete, my point is about the new Valk & the F6B. I am sure the chamber is empty from mother Honda on anything new powered by a flat six. We have the full blown GoldWing, the F6B & the new Valkyrie and that's all we are going to get. If anybody is put off by the styling of either the new Valk or the F6B to the point of waiting out Honda for the perfect classic Valkyrie replacement to come along they are going to be waiting a while. That realization is what pushed me to the F6B. I do not like the closeness of the looks of the F6B to the full 'Wing but after waiting on the new F6 powered offering that turned out to be the '14 Valkyrie I swallowed my dislike of the similarities & bought the F6B. I wanted the 1832cc six to get away from carbs & I wanted to get it while I was still physically able to enjoy riding. That is my only point. Could not care less about any other bike maker or model unless some other company comes out with a 4 or 6 cylinder powered big cruiser.
Classic Valk lovers, your upgrades are here, as flawed as they may be. 

[_Sheffjs_]

I confused on the definition of plastic, looking at my I/S   Plastic: faring, dash, pods, bags, side covers and trunk when on. 

[_Sheffjs_]

I would like to add one little tidbit here.  I understand Kim and Eddie and the decision they made and applaud them for this move and I know they enjoy these new bikes! I also agree that it is extremely unlikely Honda will produce anymore variations, heck with 2gen sales will there even be a 2016 Valk? I know I vent on Hon--Duh  and wish a lot but it is what it is and I have to get over it. As for Eddie, there are a lot of people who have asked him a ton of questions about his bike and there are lots of conversations with some who are on the fence (yes Sherry and myself included) with the thought of owning a new 1800 FI what ever the flavor.  I feel this is a good place to get opinions in the matter.  Eddie - can I take your bike for a ride?? 

[Flrider]

OK. Everyone that is on the fence get in line for Eddie's F6B test ride.

I am next 

[hubcapsc]

Hubcap would you be able to PM me the aftermarket parts that you have chosen and if you would do anything differently now. My buddy is looking to do pretty much the same mods you have already done.

Have you seen this?

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,75086.0.html

-Mike

[flsix]

Thanks Mike, I'll pass that along.

[Tropic traveler]

I would like to add one little tidbit here.  I understand Kim and Eddie and the decision they made and applaud them for this move and I know they enjoy these new bikes! I also agree that it is extremely unlikely Honda will produce anymore variations, heck with 2gen sales will there even be a 2016 Valk? I know I vent on Hon--Duh  and wish a lot but it is what it is and I have to get over it. As for Eddie, there are a lot of people who have asked him a ton of questions about his bike and there are lots of conversations with some who are on the fence (yes Sherry and myself included) with the thought of owning a new 1800 FI what ever the flavor.  I feel this is a good place to get opinions in the matter.  Eddie - can I take your bike for a ride?? 

Jerry, I was wondering the same thing about the future of the new Valk. I have had people tell me of real cheap new 2014 Valks being offered by dealers. I am sure the reason that we got such a good deal on Kim's 2013 F6B was new incentive cash offered to dealers from Honda to get leftover year bikes out the door. I have seen several F6Bs on the roads out & about but have yet to see a new Valkyrie outside of a showroom. This is not a good sign for future production. 
As for as test rides..... we'll see! 

[Valkahuna]

I confused on the definition of plastic, looking at my I/S   Plastic: faring, dash, pods, bags, side covers and trunk when on.  

Jerry,

I have nothing against "plastics", as a matter of fact that has been my business for 43 years-selling machines and equipment that takes all those little plastic pellets, and heats them until molten, and then precisely and controllably injects them into a mold to make things as diverse as artificial knee joints or front and rear fascias for cars, or saddlebags, fenders, fairings, etc.  


What I object to is when the plastic is then used to cover the entire motorcycle engine, other than the valve covers, so you can no longer even see the engine (yup, kinda like on a Vespa scooter).  

They are not just doing this with motorcycles either. Just open the hood on any new car, truck or other, and instead of looking at the engine you will be gawking at a plastic shroud. The attractiveness of said shroud is only depending on how much the vehicle costs. Heck, I had to remove a ton of these shrouds just to put a new battery somewhere into the bowels of my wife's M35x Infiniti.  

As I have said before, (many times) a MOTORCYCLE  should be a big, beautiful engine that is visible, supported by a frame, with a wheel on each end. There are getting to be cursed few of these still available for sale, since it is much easier to "cover the ugly" with covers, shields, etc, rather than to make them be a part of the package. Not talking about functionality here, but looks do matter!  

And I agree with Tropic Traveller and others, that mother Honda is most likely not going to put that great 1,800 cc flat six into anything other than what is out there now. It's all about making a buck for manufacturers. It's lack of sales that doomed our Valks, and it is also the reason that there are such great deals on leftover Valks, and F6Bs. Unfortunately, these "great deals" mean that those models will disappear as well.   Fortunately for Honda, there are Legions of folks out there that don't mind their bikes all covered up, and these folks will continue to buy GWs, and at no small cost either, especially when they buy the 2 wheeled car versions complete with Navigation, Barko loungers, refrigerators, big screen TVs and Air Bags.  (What, no beer taps?)

As I said, spend your money on what you like, and no two folks like exactly the same things. Viva la differance!!

[hubcapsc]

[Thunderbolt]

Looking good Mike.  Hey I put Valkyrie bars on the Rocket III, just what I was used to I guess.  But the OEM bars on the Rocket were way too far forward/straight for me.  I agree on making it like you want and you have done a lot of work getting it to suit your're taste.

[_Sheffjs_]

"What I object to is when the plastic is then used to cover the entire motorcycle engine, other than the valve covers, so you can no longer even see the engine"    



That is a better way to put it.    No doubt the 1997-2003 Valk is the most beautiful bike I've ever seen.

[Flrider]

 



 No doubt the 1997-2003 Valk is the most beautiful bike I've ever seen.

Man.............  YOU GOT IT, AND YOU GOT IT BAD MY FRIEND, you been bit by the Valk bug  

Good thing Sherry is not jealous  



You are not the only one, a couple of guys at work make fun of me cause I had a bunch of Valk pics on my phone but deep down inside they know they would love to have one  

[Valkahuna]

"What I object to is when the plastic is then used to cover the entire motorcycle engine, other than the valve covers, so you can no longer even see the engine"    



That is a better way to put it.    No doubt the 1997-2003 Valk is the most beautiful bike I've ever seen.

You've got it Jerry! A Classic Beauty! +1 As long as it runs, and I'm sure that it will for a long time, longer than I'll be able to ride anyways, it will have a place of honor in my garage.

[FloridaValkRyder]

You are not the only one, a couple of guys at work make fun of me cause I had a bunch of Valk pics on my phone but deep down inside they know they would love to have one  

But they don't because they are scared!