technical questions VTX vs Valk vs Nighthawk

[NighthawkVTX]

I have always had Honda bikes in the past. I started with a Nighthawk 700S, then a VTX 1300 S, then finally a VTX 1800 F. Loved each one in a different way.
Currently I am bikeless due to a divorce, which makes me want to get a Valk 1500, not sure if I want the tourer or go all out and get an Interstate.
My X 1800 had fuel injection and linked braking, neither of my other bikes did. I have to admit, it sure was nice just pushing the start button and having the engine roar to life.
Not that the Nighthawk or the X 1300 gave me many problems with having carbs. I was just curious how complicated the Flat 6 carbs are vs the  V twin of the VTX or the In line 4 of the Nighthawk?
To tell you the truth they seem a little intimidating.

Both the Nighthawk and the X 1800 had hydraulic clutches, and I see the Valk does too, cool.
I don't think the Valk has linked brakes?

All three of the bikes had shaft drive, which I really liked, It was never super important for that minor drop in power vs reliability and quiet.

Apart from cosmetic differences are there many differences between the Standard, Tourer, and the Interstate?

Where there many technical changes made of the Valk  from year to year?
Are any years that had specific problems?
I've been e-shopping  a lot looking at different bikes, I'll probably wait until winter ends before pulling the trigger. No offense Florida riders.....

All input is welcome and appreciated

[gordonv]

Bikes are fairly much all alike. It is cheaper to buy the model you want, than to convert one bike into another (upgrading. Downgrading is different).

There is talk about the 1st year, 97, being the fastest, but I don't drive that way, or need all the extra power out of the bike.

I like the larger gas tank on the IS, 6.9 US gal. Others are 5.3 gal. Then there is all the bags/trunk and radio.

There is a California model of all the bikes. Emissions, so a little less power. My IS was from Cal, but I felt it was powerful enough, passing a semi on a short straight road, and was up at 95 mph before I knew what I was doing.

The service manual will show you the difference in weight, seat height, and anything else like wheel base, between the different models. page 1-4 (7th page).

I think there is also the front rim bearing size on the first few years. But things like that only matter when it's time to work on the bike.

[hubcapsc]

I was just curious how complicated the Flat 6 carbs are vs the  V twin of the VTX or the In line 4 of the Nighthawk?

Ride it often enough and you should never have to look at or think about
the carburetors.

No linked brakes, but the brakes are good.

The drive line is sometimes problematic, but if you look-at/lube it when you
change tires you'll probably be good to go.

I poured through the "shoptalk" section of this website when I first got
my Valkyrie, you'd have fun there...

-Mike

[Bagger John - #3785]

I've owned or ridden every significant, large-displacement model that Honda produced over the last 30 years. Included are the CB-inline fours, flat fours, sixes, V-Twins (an '02 1800C most recently)...the list goes on.

Currently residing in my garage are a '99 Tourer (CA model) and an '01 49-state I/S. Everything else was sold off or traded.

Draw your own conclusions.

These are here to stay until I cannot get parts for them any longer, and I plan to squirrel away as many OEM wear items as I can. FWIW, the five Valkyries I owned have given me very few issues over the 200k+ miles I rode them, and most of those were related to consumables...hoses, petcocks, shocks, fork springs and other components which are expected to wear as they age. I did have to R&R the '99's carbs to fix a fuel supply pipe issue, and my first ('00) I/S needed its stock pilot jets cleaned around 30k - I opted to replace them with #38s. (No more red Sta-Bil for me...period.)

[Hook#3287]

Apart from cosmetic differences are there many differences between the Standard, Tourer, and the Interstate?

The basic platform is pretty much identical, differences are in the creature comforts and electrical components.

I personally like the low tech feel of my Tourers, no gas gauge or radio, etc.

I monitor my gas amount as I ride, don't care about music enough to have it take away from the ride enjoyment, but that's just me, nothing wrong with any of it.

Find the one that does it for you, buy it, you won't regret it.

Good Luck

[hukmut]

When you do find "the one for you", remember this forum is very helpful in resolving any issues. 
Let us know.
 Ride safe.

[Steelbiker65421]

I can speak to the Nighthawk vs. Valkyrie comparison.  My only other bike, which I had a couple decades ago was a Nighthawk 650.  I currently have a Valkyrie Standard 1500, which I invested in not too long ago.  I'm six feet tall and just feel better on a big machine. Having gone through a similar situation like you marriage-wise, I can attest that nothing picks one's spirits up like getting back into motorcycling.

The Nighthawk 650 was very similar to the Valkyrie, similar riding position, similar acceleration, similar superb quality, similar lack of vibration and similar quiet ride.  The big difference is weight, size and fuel economy.  What I like about the linear power delivery of both bikes is the way they accelerate out of a curve, just smooth not wrenching one's shoulders from their sockets like say, one of the few v-twins I have sampled.

My understanding is that Honda de-tuned the engine slightly after '97 and they increased wheel bearing size after '97.  Although the Valkyrie is tremendously powerful, it is very heavy and power-to-weight wise, it isn't much quicker than my Nighthawk.  In fact, I believe most modern bikes 600cc and over may be quicker.  Myself, the Valkyrie has more power than I could ever use. 

Another important thing for me is that the better handling of the lighter Nighthawk lured me into pushing the limit so to speak.  I know myself and I know I would be too aggressive on a lighter bike. This is the other reason I went with a heavy, more cruiser-like motorcycle.  Although, to me, I have to say the Valkyrie is more like a big standard than a cruiser.

The weight of the Valkyrie requires one to be constantly attentive to not tipping over while riding slow, stopped or taking off. As well, executing turns on such a heavy bike requires really honing one's skills. These negatives are more than offset, however, by the better stability on the highway resulting from much less wind buffeting. Honestly, the Valkyrie is not quite as pleasurable to ride on local roads but is great on the highway.  Of course, most importantly, showing up on that massive Valkyrie (bigger than a Harley) is a real kick.

My bike had low miles when I bought it and required a complete carb rebuild and synchronizing. With six carbs, this is a major undertaking beyond my skill level. Thankfully, I found a great mechanic and the bike runs like new now.  The rebuild and resynchronizing was not cheap but it is a one-time thing as long as one takes care of the bike right.  The Valk does not come with a center stand like the Nighthawk. I don't know how anyone could live without a center stand.  So I installed a new center stand and now my life is complete.

[salty1]

Owned the same bikes you have except my VTX'S were a  1300R and a 1800N. After I purchased my first Valk everything  was sold including my beloved CB 1000C. I now posses two Valks, a 98 STD and a 2000 IS. The IS has more goodies but I wouldn't rate as a better bike, it's slightly different. Both of these bikes are "badass" and "bullet proof". Service is normal and needed for trouble free riding. I love working on them, just put a 4 degree trigger wheel in the 98. The service manual can be downloaded at Dag's site. He also has a lot of other info that may interest you. Welcome to the asylum! 

http://www.valkyrienorway.com/download.htm

You know this thread sucks without pics of your new ride. 

[Pappy!]

The carbs are not that hard to do if you have mechanical ability. Just six of the same thing.
Sync'ing the carbs is super easy.

As far as noticeable differences go the colors you have your eye on may be a single year color.
The wheels became polished in 2001 and look great compared to earlier ones.
Once used to the Valkyrie I find the low speed handling very acceptable.
High speed stability on the highway is superb compared to lighter bikes. This alone is worth it on longer trips.