97 98 bikes?

[mark81]

hi everyone,  I'm new on here so i'll give a bit of background before I ask a few questions.  My name is Mark, I'm from Cincinnati oh and have had an 81 cb750c for the last 6 years.  i've outgrown the old cb and have been looking at other bikes. over the last 6 months or so i've fallen in love with the Valkyrie 1500. I had just decided that when I get one I am going to keep my cb750c also, well the world had other plans. Thursday night I went for a ride with my brother and a friend, we slowed to make a turn my brother made the turn however my friend and I were not so lucky. an unlicensed uninsured foreigner slammed into the back of my bike and clipped my friends bike. my bike is totaled and smashed beyond recognition. I am up and walking around today through the grace of God. so anyway that brings me here, I want a Valkyrie, however 90% of the ones I see for sale are 97 98 models. why is that? is there something bad with those years everyone is wanting to dump them off (not that there are a bunch for sale) or were the other years that much better or is it just a coincidence? also is there anything I should be concerned about with a supercharged one? (found one with low miles near me for a reasonable price) thank you in advance for your help and advice

[Crackerborn]

I would not have a problem with a '97 or '98 Valk with high miles ( in excess of 100k) if she has been properly maintained.   I picked up my '97 Tourer a few years ago. She was a low mileage, garage kept lassie but not so well maintained. Needless to say, I had to frequent the tech boards and do a few mods to get her up and running properly. Gummed up carbs is often an issue with low mile Big Girls. Spline maintenance is another often overlooked service item and we won't even get started on old, cracked vacuum lines. I believe there are some members in your area and if possible, have someone who knows these beasts give your possible new ride a quick once over. There is little that you can not do on the Big Girl yourself if you have a place to work, the right tools and some advice from this bunch. By the way, welcome to the addiction.

[Lyonardo]

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that these are standards you're seeing, and not Tourers or Interstates?
These bikes are pretty rock solid, and owners tend to obsess about keeping them maintained, as a rule.
When they first came out in 97, only the Standard was available. The Tourer and Interstate came out with different levels of fairings and storage, but Honda stopped making them in 01, so there was only the standard again.
So to answer your question, more of those standards were made than the other models, and plenty of riders want to trade up to the other two types. I bet some of what you find for sale are from riders who found a newer Interstate and are trading up.
I have the 98 standard, and it runs perfectly and can still beat pretty much any car or bike that wants to challenge it! But most of the time, I'd rather lay back and enjoy the ride.
Good luck.

[Lyonardo]

I'll add one more thing: of course I did my normal checks before buying. That included checking out the hoses I could see, wiping the inside of the exhaust pipe to make sure it wasn't slimy (worn pistons, or blown head gasket), check the oil for cleanliness and no particles or metal filings, etc...
The one thing that threw me off was a weird whiny sound underneath the engine rumble.
I actually pulled up some videos of the bike to make sure that sound was normal. That engine definitely has a unique sound.

[gordonv]

There is this in the Shoptalk section.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/Known%20Valkyrie%20Problems.htm

The bikes are from good stock, the Goldwing 1500 which started in 1988. Some items made for the Valk are now the replacement parts for the GW. Most problems are due to sitting or missed maintenance.

You can also find out more about Valks at Dag's web site.

http://valkyrienorway.com/

[Tfrank59]

I think it's coincidental that you're only seeing '97s and '98s for sale.  I personally like my 98 more than the later years.  I had the chance to buy a low miles 03 and opted instead for my girl.  No problems or regrets.

[Jack B]

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that these are standards you're seeing, and not Tourers or Interstates?
These bikes are pretty rock solid, and owners tend to obsess about keeping them maintained, as a rule.
When they first came out in 97, only the Standard was available. The Tourer and Interstate came out with different levels of fairings and storage, but Honda stopped making them in 01, so there was only the standard again.

The Tourer was available from day one (1997) and the Interstate came out in 1999.
Honda made a lot of 97 & 98 and in 2000 drop the price to move them out.

[hubcapsc]

All the best colors are 97, 98  ...



Red and White, purple and white, green and white, yellow and black, blue and white and
that "bronze" and white one... and black ones.

That's when Valkyries came out. I guess Honda thought they  needed to make a bunch of them
since they are so awesome... it especially seems like they made a jillion of the "bronze" ones...

-Mike

[Fla. Jim]

My 97 Tourer made on 6/96. If memory serves.

[John Schmidt]

Mine started life as a '98 Tourer, it has changed a bit over the years.    Re. the various years, don't concern yourself that issue, keep in mind your desire or need for storage. If you feel storage is important (often determined more by the corider) then go for either the Tourer or the Interstate. The Standard is essentially a naked bike; corider seat and sissy bar, nothing else. The Tourer added hard bags and a windshield. The Interstate added a fairing, trunk, pods adjacent to the radiator, along with the hard bags. As stated, you're more concerned with the prior maintenance, especially if a low mileage bike. The '97 seem to be a bit quicker off the line, other than that they're all pretty much the same at the start, it's what was added that will change the performance.....good or bad. As for mileage, with normal maintenance these bikes will run for hundreds of thousands of miles. As for the blower bike you mentioned, I'd only invest in something like that if you're good mechanically. They generally aren't problematic, just different....and much more powerful. Not sure I'd make that my first Valkyrie, they're rather powerful in stock form. When looking at a blower bike keep in mind your age, there are two things an older rider(my age) doesn't need: a mistress or a supercharged bike. Both will get you killed. That restricts your daily activity immensely. 

[98valk]

all 49state '97s have the hotter cams, all 49state and Ca. '98 bikes have less HP cams, but get better mpg. I suspect all bikes other than '97s have the Ca. cams per magazine dyno runs.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,80073.0.html

[mark81]

thanks guys. I appreciate the responses.  this bike is the one ive been looking at.

http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1997-Honda-Valkyrie-GL1500C-115507457

now I'm second guessing the low miles more than the supercharger.  I don't know if the guy didn't ride because he was scared of it or it wasn't tuned right for the supercharger and kept having problems.

[Gryphon Rider]

thanks guys. I appreciate the responses.  this bike is the one ive been looking at.

http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1997-Honda-Valkyrie-GL1500C-115507457

now I'm second guessing the low miles more than the supercharger.  I don't know if the guy didn't ride because he was scared of it or it wasn't tuned right for the supercharger and kept having problems.

Some things I noticed right away:
1. The luggage rack is pointing up towards the back. Something is bent.
2. The frame has been drilled behind the swing arm pivots to move the passenger pegs forward. He must have a tall SO.

[sutterhome]

the supercharger is a concern, seems a bit pricey with an additional area of worry.
Keep looking saw one on craiglist for 4200 the other day. more stock.
Think I paid 5300 for my 97 6 years ago.deals to be had for those that wait.
I have had zero problems with mine.

[BCoy]

Name:   Chrisj CMA from the panhandle of FL just listed a great deal on the classifieds, would be a great bike with a lot of options.
Bill

[Momz]

Actually 7K in not out of line for a S/C Valkyrie. And the placement/modification of the passenger pegs is really of no consequence.
Yes it does have the earlier S/C set up, but that is no problem either (it's just different). If that bike has any service records and has good tires, no unusual noises, loose wheel bearings or excesssive leaks at the forks or the intake runners and a good battery,....I say make an offer.

[Hook#3287]

thanks guys. I appreciate the responses.  this bike is the one ive been looking at.

http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1997-Honda-Valkyrie-GL1500C-115507457

now I'm second guessing the low miles more than the supercharger.  I don't know if the guy didn't ride because he was scared of it or it wasn't tuned right for the supercharger and kept having problems.

Some things I noticed right away:
1. The luggage rack is pointing up towards the back. Something is bent.
2. The frame has been drilled behind the swing arm pivots to move the passenger pegs forward. He must have a tall SO.

Light bar looks bent also.

[mark81]

Thanks for the input guys.  Im learning a lot in this forum.  I know the right bike is out there,  i just have to look a little and be patient.  So far ive decided im going to get an interstate.  One of my bucket list items is to ride 48 states and the extra amenities would make that much more enjoyable.  Is it an easy task to remove and install the trunk? Its a great option to have but i like the look without it, however when i go on trips i would need the storage

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks for the input guys.  Im learning a lot in this forum.  I know the right bike is out there,  i just have to look a little and be patient.  So far ive decided im going to get an interstate.  One of my bucket list items is to ride 48 states and the extra amenities would make that much more enjoyable.  Is it an easy task to remove and install the trunk? Its a great option to have but i like the look without it, however when i go on trips i would need the storage

There is a mod that guys do that makes it easy to remove and reinstall. Type in Supervalk in the search box and you`ll find it. 

[mark81]

Yes.  That.  That's what i want. Thank you