Tourer vs Interstate

[Duckwheat]

I have a very nice 1998 Tourer Cream and Burgundy in excellent condition with 19K Miles. It got me to Inzane and back no problems. I  find myself looking at a Valk Interstate in California Cinnamon and black with 22K miles.

I have never been a huge fan of the trunk on the Interstate and feel the Tourer is a perfect compromise, yet I am looking. Cannot afford or have the brass to pull off two bikes with the current home administrator. Do not ride enough to justify 2 truthfully.

How comfortable is that rear seat for your riding partner?

Contemplative DW

[Jack B]

I have both 98 Tourer & 99 I/S. The I/S has no truck or rear seat SUPER VALK. The I/S rides & handles better. The fame feels stiffer. The tourer has Avons I/S has E3's with stock shocks and springs the Tourer has Progressive Suspension on. But the Tourer is my main bike

[Joe Hummer]

Hey DW,

The wife and kids seem to like the rear seat on the Valk.  Took my youngest (10) on a 200 mile ride today and he didn't wiggle more than he usually does.  I do have the mustang seats so I am sure that helps quiet a bit.  

Personally, the best things I think the IS gives you that the Tourer doesn't is tunes and intercom.  (Mine also has the CB and that is real nice too because we have outfitted the wife's bike with a J&M CB Radio.)  Being able to talk to your passenger without yelling or twisting around backwards is the best.  Listening to the radio also helps melt away the miles or catch the traffic reports.  

I haven't ridden a tourer so I can't give you a comparison.  

Hope this helps.

Joe

[RoadKill]

Get a personalized license plate for the tourer that says "hers" then one for the IS that says "his" that easily justifies owning two Valks! 

[PAVALKER]

I have a very nice 1998 Tourer Cream and Burgundy in excellent condition with 19K Miles. It got me to Inzane and back no problems. I  find myself looking at a Valk Interstate in California Cinnamon and black with 22K miles.

I have never been a huge fan of the trunk on the Interstate and feel the Tourer is a perfect compromise, yet I am looking. Cannot afford or have the brass to pull off two bikes with the current home administrator. Do not ride enough to justify 2 truthfully.

How comfortable is that rear seat for your riding partner?

Contemplative DW

Rear seat on mine is an Ultimate (and so is the front).  Riding partner loves the comfort and perceived wrap around security of the Valk over the ride on my VTX (which also has Ultimates).  The Interstate has a fairing, radio and larger fuel tank, whereas the Tourer does not.  The Interstate can be configured for Super Valk ... losing the trunk for solo rides.  

As for the Current Home Administrators reaction to owning 2 bikes.... you could always get a newer model Home Administrator, but that might not be the most cost effective alternative either.      Maybe get the I/S first with the understanding the Tourer will go in the Spring at the latest..... and see what kind of response you get (plus if you give it the twist of her benefit.... ya never know).

Good luck.

OH... you could always do it like I did.... it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.  But, I have been married and divorced 3 times with that line of thought, so take that advise for what it is.....

[fudgie]

What you could do is put a I/s seat on your Tourer. Add a HD fairing with some tunes. It will be cheaper for you also. I had my Tourer since 2000 and can't see myself parting with it for a I/S.

[Willow]

Perhaps what you would like is the best of both worlds with the flexibility to remove or add the trunk.

[Hoser]

i had both, both fine machines.  Needed to sell one, didn't hesitate, sold the IS.  Wish I could have kept both, but when push came to shove, there was no question.  Hoser


purdy ain't they? (all three of them)

[R J]

Get a Tourer, add the I/S gas tank and you are good to go in my book....

However, I have kept the Tourer tank, and gas up when my butt says to.......



Been kind of scary a few times, but what the hay, I was young back then.

One of my trips to Alaska, I sweat bullets a couple of times........

I have only ran out once, and that was because the dumb driver, had to go to reserve and then when he filled up forgot to change it back.     Thank God he was in town and real close to a fill em up place...   Even still have the gas can I had to buy to get gas..............   LOL

[ArmyValker]

I added a Harley Tourpak mounted to a luggage rack. It's stable, gives the passenger the warm and fuzzies, and comes off in 5 minutes with 4 bolts. It also looks pretty darn good if you ask me. Also doesn't cost 2 grand. (best part)

[chief120865]

I have owned both, switched from Tourer to IS. My reasons:
Intercom, radio, mp3 playing. Can't beat the factory trunk. Definitely worth the switch if you are going to do some serious mileage/trips. My wife is way more comfortable on the back of the IS. Bigger tank= more range another long  trip plus. The fairing adds more protection that the toruer shield, and you would be surprised how well those pods work at air management and protection.
What I miss about the Tourer: A little nimbler because the fairing and trunk make it a little more top heavy.

[Foozle]

I have a 1998 Standard outfitted like a Tourer (OEM hardbags, OEM windscreen, etc.) - and find it to be a good compromise for both open road cruising and in-town jaunts.  I've added a set of Baker airwings, National Cycle hand guards, and a J & M CB unit (with tunes) - and I feel pretty well outfitted for most any ride.  Adding to what RJ said, consider adding an R & M belly tank to the stock fuel cell; I can now hold 8+ gallons of petrol (which is about as long as I care to sit without stretching), and the electric fuel pump negates any hydrolock issues associated with the OEM petcock.  I can't speak to passenger comfort, since I rarely ride two-up, but any aftermarket seat and a set of floorboards should offer a decent perch.  As always, YMMV.  Terry

[Cruzen]

The gas tank is bigger on the IS, the frame is slightly different, the driver seat height is lower on the IS, per my passengers input after testing both, the seat back on the IS is more comfortable for the passenger.  I have read about other minor differences such as lighter throttle return spring rate on the IS than the other two.  I have also read, but not verified, that the side hard bags on the Interstate are a bit larger than the Interstate but I don't know this for sure.  I do know the side bag tops come off differently.

[Bob E.]

I started with a standard that I have spent alot of time and money adding the things that make up an IS.  So far, I've added a windshield, custom hard saddle bags, trailer hitch, sound system with handlebar speakers, air wings, and GPS.  And I still really wish I had the intercom for talking to my wife, the trunk, the larger gas tank, and the full fairing with FM-Stereo.  The fairing and stereo is pretty high on my list...although I'm still not sure I like the Harley look of the typical batwing.  If anything, I would prefer the frame-mounted Harley Road Glide fairing, but I'm sure you would start to get into some serious $$ and fabrication to make it work.

If I had it to do again, I would buy the IS and Super-Valk it...although I'd probably leave the trunk on most of the time anyways.  When I ride my dad's wing, that is one of the most convenient storage places...and I found that a large pizza box just fits in it.   

[Stanley Steamer]

[quote author=Bob E. link=topic=10001.msg80152#msg80152 date=1257197402

If I had it to do again, I would buy the IS and Super-Valk it...although I'd probably leave the trunk on most of the time anyways.  When I ride my dad's wing, that is one of the most convenient storage places...and I found that a large pizza box just fits in it.   
[/quote]

I love the trunk on mine....I can carry a LOT of stuff in all the bags and trunk.....stereo/cb, fairing to knock off the wind.....and I have the tailight on the back fender where the P-Owner had supervalked it at one time....I will never take the trunk off again though.....

[fiddle mike]

I

How comfortable is that rear seat for your riding partner?

Contemplative DW

I put an I/S seat on my Standard for a ride to Wyoming. Missus said she couldn't tell any difference so I put the stock item back on.  She rode on the Standard pillion from South Texas to North Carolina and back without problem. I had a huge antique Bates trunk on it but the padding isn't any better than the  Hondaline back rest.
You already have excellent bags on your Tourer. We now use  Nelson-Riggs' second largest bar bag, it holds almost as much as the old Bates.
I rode an I/S with aftermarket seat from S TX to VA, one-up, and really missed my Standard.  It was too much like riding in a car without being able to see the front wheel or feel the wind. Seats weren't stock.

[SteveL]

I love looking down past the tank, to all the chrome of the guages, bars, and then on the other side of the shield the spots and front fender.

Just all that awesome motorcycle out in front of me!

Tough to beat that view!

[Duckwheat]

Thanks for all the good advice on motorcycles and marital matters. I think I am going to stick with the Tourer. I just like the looks of it, and it runs well to boot.

Besides,  Wally the Speeding Canuck showed up on Radar coming out of Rocky Mountain National park and I did not. Thanks again Wally!



DW and the Stealth Valk

[Gator]

Besides,  Wally the Speeding Canuck showed up on Radar coming out of Rocky Mountain National park and I did not. Thanks again Wally!

Dave, I'm not sure that my black & chrome I/S is that much bigger of a radar reflector than your burgundy & creme tourer. (Hope ya'll in Colorado appreciate my voluntary tax contribution).

You should buy that I/S so that you can run with the big dogs. You need to pick up your share of the tickets at Inzane X 

Wally

[Willow]

Dave, I'm not sure that my black & chrome I/S is that much bigger of a radar reflector than your burgundy & creme tourer.

Flat or near flat surfaces.  Double headlight. 

Given the opportunity of a choice, radar will tend to lock in on the larger target.

[stormrider]

Honey loves her interstate seat. Doesn't have a problem napping back there. Also, love the storage of the trunk and the extra fuel capacity.

[2Pokey]

My SO finds the rear seat on my I/S so comfortable that when I brought up the idea of selling it for something else, she told me to go buy whatever I want but DO NOT sell the I/S. So now theres a Yamaha in the garage too. 

[Big IV]

Blondes or Brunettes...
They're all great. It is hard to decide.
I'm a tourer man myself. For the riding I do the most often the tourer does it well. But, to each their own. Make yourself happy.