Differences I would notice 2014 Valk vs 1998 Valk?

[shavdog]

Someone that has owned both what differences in the ride are quite noticeable between the two models....I was perfectly comfortable owning three 98 models.....would the newer model be much different?....I know the styling is much more current...thanks...but then again the costs of ownership is double + with a 2014...

[dhaile]

I have owned both.  Handling is night and day better on the 2014.  Also, the tires (front) is much quieter.  Both engines are smooth as silk but the 2014 is easier on gas (fi vs carb) and easier to keep running.  The 2014 feels much lighter  at all speeds.  My 2 cents.

[suthrncop]

Have both, the best way I can describe the difference is the 1500 is a 5.0 Mustang and the 1800 is a 2017 Vette.  Two totally different beasts one more refined but both awesome machines in their own rites.

[Bill Havins]

[snip] the costs of ownership is double + with a 2014...

Tell us what you mean, please.

[Robert]

[snip] the costs of ownership is double + with a 2014...

Tell us what you mean, please.

Yes I too would like a clarification since I have spent less on my1800 than my 1500 and not to mention maintenance has been less also. There may be one truth to that statement though, I have gone through more tires quicker with the 1800.  

Well this is the one that just left home on Friday






For the most part everything you liked on the 1500 is stepped up a notch.

[shavdog]

Cost of ownership to me is what it costs to own.....I would have to spend probably 8k or more for a 2014 where as the older 1998's are going to 4k or less....that's double....and the annual costs of upkeep on the older models isn't all that much....they were very reliable....so to me I could be on the road for 4k vs 8k......that's half...I've already owned three of the older models and  I guess asking are the differences great enough to warrant the purchase....I am not a die hard rider so what I get back is important....I find the new model very interesting....

[Robert]

Cost of ownership to me is what it costs to own.....I would have to spend probably 8k or more for a 2014 where as the older 1998's are going to 4k or less....that's double....and the annual costs of upkeep on the older models isn't all that much....they were very reliable....so to me I could be on the road for 4k vs 8k......that's half...I've already owned three of the older models and  I guess asking are the differences great enough to warrant the purchase....I am not a die hard rider so what I get back is important....I find the new model very interesting....

Ok now I understand more about what you are looking for. The 1800 is less maintenance meaning no carbs, easier rear wheel change, no real extras to speak once you get the bike the way you want it to be.

 It also depends on what you want out of the ride. A 1500 is a good bike but the 1800 has better suspension, more power, better turning, and its like always when you get something new its just updated. The purchase cost is not maintenance but I understand the total cost of ownership issue.

 I would choose the 1800 over the 1500 if maintenance and infrequently riding was the 2 prime reasons for deciding. When you want to ride you do not want to play around with your bike. You want to get on it and go, the 1800 is more apt to give you less troubles and can be cleaned easier. Its not a major difference either way and one that the 4k may not eat up either way. Neither bike is a maintenance nightmare so this is really splitting hairs. 

[shavdog]

Thanks Robert...that was what I was looking for...I will probably lean towards the 1800 if I can buy one in my price range....of 8k

[_Sheffjs_]

The ease of handling on the 1800 especially in parking lots is amazing, coming from the 1500c the 1800c feels more like a 750 but that goes for speeds as well. For two up the 1500 gives the rider and passenger more room and I can load it down better (when two up  - emphasis).  No fuss with the 1800 just push the red button and go - no choke no gas to turn on and off. FI is surely nice. No worry of hydrolock and Lastly, when you really twist the throttle for the first time - coming from the 15, hang on brother. 

[hubcapsc]

easier rear wheel change,

I think the rear wheel is a lot harder to take off the 1800... the 1800 is
hard to jack up. I made a jack adaptor, but I hate it. I think a lot of people
might just jack their bikes up on the headers and/or a belly pan (which is
attached to the plastic lower engine shrouds)... it sure is easy to get the wheel
off after the bike is jacked up, though...

-Mike

[bscrive]

Mike,

I made an adapter as well and I have no issues with jacking the 1800 up and I lift it right to the top.  If I want it to be more stable, then I put on a couple of tie straps from the engine guards to the lift.  I had it up there for almost a week when I painted my forks.   

[woofred1832]

                          I had a 1998 1500 and loved the bike, but when the new Valkyrie came back in 2014, and I test road one- WOW there was no dought in my mind that I wanted one. would have loved to keep the 1500 because I loved the way the bike looked, But that 1800 motor, fuel injection, lighter ,faster, and better handeling I could not pass up. Thankfully I sold the 1500 to a friend so we still ride togeather on several weekends. I think the Valkyrie 1800 will become a classic colector in years to come, I know I will never sell mine as long as I can ride. Besides when I want to ride an older classic bike I have my 1975 original GL 1000 which turns heads just like the 1500 did and for sure the 1800 does. safe riding to all.

[Robert]

easier rear wheel change,

I think the rear wheel is a lot harder to take off the 1800... the 1800 is
hard to jack up. I made a jack adaptor, but I hate it. I think a lot of people
might just jack their bikes up on the headers and/or a belly pan (which is
attached to the plastic lower engine shrouds)... it sure is easy to get the wheel
off after the bike is jacked up, though...

-Mike

Jacking these bikes up has been something that has been talked about but let me say this. The 1500 is not really jacked up all that different from the 1800 if you dont have an adapter either.

  The center of the engine is the jack point since it has the rib or joint of the engine casing and yes the headers do add stability. But what I have found is that if you have something to go under the engine guards and then jack it up under the lower shock mount it works pretty well. The engine gaurds being the biggest pain for some since you have to have some kind of adapter to do it. I have a regular car lift and put the lift on those 3 points without a problem.

[rogueleader_92]

The engine wash, instead of the radiator on the front of the engine so the heat washes over you it has been split to the pods and the heat is directed around you. I always dreaded riding my 97 on any day hotter then 80 degrees.

[Robert]

The engine wash, instead of the radiator on the front of the engine so the heat washes over you it has been split to the pods and the heat is directed around you. I always dreaded riding my 97 on any day hotter then 80 degrees.

One day decided to take the 1500 out and it was hot and humid out and as the ride went on I was toasting quite a bit. I had forgotten this riding the 1800 but came to really appreciate the design of the 1800.

[hubcapsc]

The engine wash, instead of the radiator on the front of the engine so the heat washes over you it has been split to the pods and the heat is directed around you. I always dreaded riding my 97 on any day hotter then 80 degrees.

One day decided to take the 1500 out and it was hot and humid out and as the ride went on I was toasting quite a bit. I had forgotten this riding the 1800 but came to really appreciate the design of the 1800.

The hot radiator air blows right onto my legs when my feet are on the 1800's
hiway pegs. I never notice radiator air at all on the 1500...

-Mike

[Stealth power]

The 2 bikes are not even close---except for the name. I had a 1999 Interstate and 2014 now.

The older Valkyrie is HUGE and heavy--more of a touring bike than anything. The drivetrain is great but the brakes leave a lot to be desired because of the weight. It is a beast in close quarters---and I am 6'1"@ 250 lbs. The worst part of the bike to me had nothing to do with heat or radiators but it was very top heavy, especially with the wife on the back. That was my number 1 complaint and 90% of the reason I sold it. Somebody described it as a 2000 5.0 Mustang. I think it is more like a 1966 Buick Electra 225 with the big V-8. It is a superb straight line machine on a smooth road.

The 2014 is much more like a sport bike that looks like a cruiser. Acceleration and braking are as good as you can get on a bike that is over 600 lbs--it does not handle like a big bike at all. It too is smooth on a flat straight, but you can throw it into curves like a sportbike. It is more of a "lean forward" ride instead of a "kick back" machine. With my custom Corbin seat I can still do all day rides OK at 63 years old. The stock seating position on both bike are bad to me. Your smilage may vary. The only fault I can find with the 2014 is the poor aftermarket support and promotion by Honda. I think it is the best designed and performing 600 lb bike in history, but that is just me.

[Robert]

The hot radiator air blows right onto my legs when my feet are on the 1800's
hiway pegs. I never notice radiator air at all on the 1500...

-Mike

I dont know if you have it but I think what you will find is the air that is hot is from under the cowl if you dont have the under pan. I was riding my friends B and felt the heat and thought there may be something wrong with his bike till I remembered the shield and told him to buy one.  

[PAVALKER]

Got a 99 IS Super Valked and a 2014 with Corbin bags/seat and shield.  Both are wonderful machines....and I enjoy them both, but they are different in their own ways.  One is my Road Recliner and the other is my Sport Bike....

[cookiedough]

which one is comfier though in the saddle for ergos?

I sat (not ridden though) and the new 2014 Valk found not too comfy handlebar and seat placement as compared to our old Valks.

If I rode it, am sure would be pleasantly surprised on handling and power, but have to justify cost near double to purchase now newer one.    I drove a new f6B deluxe at dealer nearby a few years ago and liked it, but not the 17K price tag.  Was faster and better handling, but not worth over double the price.

I may consider a newer wing or f6b or valk when the price comes down to 8K or less.

[PAVALKER]

which one is comfier though in the saddle for ergos?

I sat (not ridden though) and the new 2014 Valk found not too comfy handlebar and seat placement as compared to our old Valks.

If I rode it, am sure would be pleasantly surprised on handling and power, but have to justify cost near double to purchase now newer one.    I drove a new f6B deluxe at dealer nearby a few years ago and liked it, but not the 17K price tag.  Was faster and better handling, but not worth over double the price.

I may consider a newer wing or f6b or valk when the price comes down to 8K or less.

Both are comfortable, just a different kind of comfortable.  I do have a Corbin seat on the 2014 Valk with 1.5in risers as well.  The SuperValk has a 2000 Tourer stock seat on, with the same 1.5in risers on.    You can get the newer Valk for 8K or less now.... that is about what I paid for mine, with the Corbin Bags, Seat and other added goodies already on it.  A friend got a new (0 miles) 2014 Valk last year for 8k plus t/t/plates. 

[Verismo]

which one is comfier though in the saddle for ergos?

I sat (not ridden though) and the new 2014 Valk found not too comfy handlebar and seat placement as compared to our old Valks.

If I rode it, am sure would be pleasantly surprised on handling and power, but have to justify cost near double to purchase now newer one.    I drove a new f6B deluxe at dealer nearby a few years ago and liked it, but not the 17K price tag.  Was faster and better handling, but not worth over double the price.

I may consider a newer wing or f6b or valk when the price comes down to 8K or less.

I think that's a pretty subjective question and you're probably going to get a different answer for every person you ask, Cookiedough.  For me, my 99 was more comfortable than the 2014.  The 99 had a nice slung-in cruiser-y feel to it, along with great performance.  The 14 felt like a real nimble bad-ass, but was very uncomfortable to me after about 10 minutes of riding.  The bars killed my right wrist and I tried rotating them all directions, but all it did was transfer the pain from my wrist to elbow.  (I'm 40, for reference.  Could just be me getting older, but I hadn't ever had that trouble before.)  

There are quite a few options to fix the seat.  The bars can be fixed, too, but they take more finagling than I was willing to do.

If I were you, I would find a way to rent one or borrow one for a day.  A short test ride won't tell you what you need to know.  The bike was thrilling, for me, to ride for 5-10 minutes.  Beautiful balance, performance, zero heat to the rider.  But I never did like the ergos.  Other riders really enjoy it all the way around, so the experience varies a lot based on the rider.

I definitely think the 8,000 dollar price range is doable in this market, and is a remarkable value for the amount of bike you get at that price.  Go give one a good long ride for yourself and then come back and let us know what you think.    Happy riding.

Jason

[bscrive]

Definitely, the older Valks were way more comfortable.  The only thing I had to do for my old IS was put on a set of risers and the bike was perfect.  The new Valk, I had to change the seat and build new bars before I could ride it more than 1/2 hour.  Now that I have, I can ride it all day long. 

[BIG--T]

easier rear wheel change,

I think the rear wheel is a lot harder to take off the 1800... the 1800 is
hard to jack up. I made a jack adaptor, but I hate it. I think a lot of people
might just jack their bikes up on the headers and/or a belly pan (which is
attached to the plastic lower engine shrouds)... it sure is easy to get the wheel
off after the bike is jacked up, though...

-Mike

Mike I just lay mine down on the right side and take it off...easier than any bike ever! 

[hubcapsc]

easier rear wheel change,

I think the rear wheel is a lot harder to take off the 1800... the 1800 is
hard to jack up. I made a jack adaptor, but I hate it. I think a lot of people
might just jack their bikes up on the headers and/or a belly pan (which is
attached to the plastic lower engine shrouds)... it sure is easy to get the wheel
off after the bike is jacked up, though...

-Mike

Mike I just lay mine down on the right side and take it off...easier than any bike ever! 

Step 1: push bike over
Step 2: remove wheel
Step 3: ... 

-Mike "I'm looking for a different procedure  "