My first Valkyrie

[Disciple Kickstand]

Finally was able to pull the trigger on the supercharged Valkyrie just yesterday.  What a bike, soooo much power!  After spending 7 hours in the saddle the only comfort issue I have with the bike is the handlebars. They have got to go. I hate having my wrists twisted that much to grip the bars.  I've always been a tall bars kind of guy, any body else have that same issue and make the switch to something taller and more punched out?  Would love any tips or suggestions on what's worked for you.

[hubcapsc]

I can't see if you really have Valkyrie bars, or what your risers look like,
but the whole setup looks swooped up way unnatural... Compare to this:



If you can take some pictures that show the bars and the risers some people might
have some suggestions. I worked hard to get "real Valkyrie bars" on my new
1800 Valkyrie, but of course, one size don't fit all, so you may not like
Valkyrie bars...

If you really have Valkyrie bars, maybe all you need to do is swing them down some.
Don't loosen all the riser bolts without ensuring that your bars don't swing down
and dent your tank... a helper or several thick bath mats on the tank or ...

Oh yeah - nice shiny looking bike  ... a lot of these blower guys
have great luck with dependable great riding machines that are just
like the rest of ours, except they have a bunch more horsepower...

If you're searching for comfort, a different seat and a backrest (like an Ultimate
or something) will go a long way... I remember riding on that seat you have...
bleghhh...

-Mike

[signart]

Congratulations, that is gorgeous!

[CamelToeJoe]

Congrats, looks like a sweet ride

[sandy]

Looks to me like your bars are rotated up too high. Bring them down till your forearms are level to the ground. That's where you're using chest muscles instead of arms to steer.

[BobB]

Looks to me like your bars are rotated up too high. Bring them down till your forearms are level to the ground. That's where you're using chest muscles instead of arms to steer.

I agree.  Just loosen your riser clamps and drop the bars as suggested...

[Disciple Kickstand]

That'sw what I'll do for now. But during winter I'm gonna put on some apes. I had a bike with em on, as well as ridden a number of different bikes with tall bars and they all just feel right.  I'll do a mock up before pulling the trigger on a swap like that. But I can't see me not liking it.

[nogrey]

I've heard that mini-apes are very comfortable. There are so many different sizes out there one would need to be careful just how "ape-y you hanged"! I do know that if you go with such a handlebar, you will need to change the throttle cables and the clutch and brake lines. Probably do-able, just need to know the correct things to buy. I went with 5" risers and that was acceptable to me. Probably not as good as apes like you're talking.

[stoked]

I put 10" apes on my valkyrie and didnt have to change any cables or brake lines

[Disciple Kickstand]

I'm thinking 14".  I put 14s on my old intruder, it was just right. I had to extend everything for that, so I think I'm braced for the swap.  After looking at the bike there really isn't any more to this handlebar set up than there was to the intruder .

[hubcapsc]

I'm thinking 14".  I put 14s on my old intruder, it was just right. I had to extend everything for that, so I think I'm braced for the swap.  After looking at the bike there really isn't any more to this handlebar set up than there was to the intruder .

I extended everything on my 1800 Valkyrie... Spiegler for the hydraulic lines,
motion pro for the throttle cables and Mike for the wires...

Cutting the wires and soldering in 9 more inches was kind of intimidating, but
not hard and has continued to work with no problems so far...

Here's some wire loom that is not ugly... don't settle for that stuff that looks
like a vacuum cleaner hose...



-Mike

[Disciple Kickstand]

I'm thinking 14".  I put 14s on my old intruder, it was just right. I had to extend everything for that, so I think I'm braced for the swap.  After looking at the bike there really isn't any more to this handlebar set up than there was to the intruder .

I extended everything on my 1800 Valkyrie... Spiegler for the hydraulic lines,
motion pro for the throttle cables and Mike for the wires...

Cutting the wires and soldering in 9 more inches was kind of intimidating, but
not hard and has continued to work with no problems so far...

Here's some wire loom that is not ugly... don't settle for that stuff that looks
like a vacuum cleaner hose...



-Mike

Can you put up a couple pics of your bike? I'd love to see how 18's look on the bike .

[hubcapsc]

Can you put up a couple pics of your bike? I'd love to see how 18's look on the bike .

I'm not sure I said what you think I said  ...

I replaced the puny risers and tiny bars on my 1800 Valkyrie with
giant risers and 1500 Valkyrie bars...





-Mike

[BF]

Finally was able to pull the trigger on the supercharged Valkyrie just yesterday.  What a bike, soooo much power!  After spending 7 hours in the saddle the only comfort issue I have with the bike is the handlebars. They have got to go. I hate having my wrists twisted that much to grip the bars.  I've always been a tall bars kind of guy, any body else have that same issue and make the switch to something taller and more punched out?  Would love any tips or suggestions on what's worked for you.

A couple things....

You might try rotating the bars down some.  

If you need to raise your bars, you can try riser extensions.  You can go up to 4" without having to buy new cables.  

There's a seller that's usually on eBay that sells one inch risers.  

Or....you can try a set of Harley Davidson risers from the Deuce Softail.  I think there's a tutorial up in Shop Talk (at the top of every page here).  Actually, I think BigBF (not me) sells them ready to go.  There's a lip on the bottom of the Deuce risers that needs to be ground off.  

Or, you can try a set of mini-apes.  Member G-Man (I think....you can PM him) has them on his Valk.  He's a tall guy and needed some height.  Back when he posted that he had put his bars on, I think he said that they were 12"....but I could be wrong.  Again, PM him.  

Personally, I wouldn't go any higher than a set of mini-apes because IMHO, the Valk just don't look right with really tall apes on it....looks kinda stupid on a Valk.  But everyones opinion is worth what you paid for it too.  

Good luck.    

[Disciple Kickstand]

Can you put up a couple pics of your bike? I'd love to see how 18's look on the bike .

I'm not sure I said what you think I said  ...

I replaced the puny risers and tiny bars on my 1800 Valkyrie with
giant risers and 1500 Valkyrie bars...

Doh