Mindless Musings from a Mutant Miscreant

[W0X0F]

This weekend I encountered yet another B-Day.  To celebrate, my wife and I went on a short 350 mile jaunt up to Payson, Heber, Show Low, Globe and back home.  It was a beautiful ride, albeit a bit on the breezy side.  I am guessing between Forest Lakes and Show Low we had a good 25-35 mph cross wind.

On the old Valk, cross winds used to beat me up big time.  I guess because of the high CG?  However, the GW seemed to slice right through; although, a number of times I though I was going to get blown off the bike.  And then there was that stupid TPMS warning light again.  It came on when we were leaving Miami and went off when we stopped for gas in Gold Canyon.  I wish it would come on and stay on long enough to get the bike over to the dealer.

While the GW is a much more stable ride, I sure do miss the old Valk.  Is it possible to have seller's/buyer's remorse some two years after the fact? 

[Westernbiker]

Sounds like you took Salt River Canyon route.  That's a great road and I haven't been on it in years. I guess I will have to plan a day ride. 

[Ron]

This weekend I encountered yet another B-Day.  To celebrate, my wife and I went on a short 350 mile jaunt up to Payson, Heber, Show Low, Globe and back home.  It was a beautiful ride, albeit a bit on the breezy side.  I am guessing between Forest Lakes and Show Low we had a good 25-35 mph cross wind.

On the old Valk, cross winds used to beat me up big time.  I guess because of the high CG?  However, the GW seemed to slice right through; although, a number of times I though I was going to get blown off the bike.  And then there was that stupid TPMS warning light again.  It came on when we were leaving Miami and went off when we stopped for gas in Gold Canyon.  I wish it would come on and stay on long enough to get the bike over to the dealer.

While the GW is a much more stable ride, I sure do miss the old Valk.  Is it possible to have seller's/buyer's remorse some two years after the fact?  

I was out on Sunday and the wind was blowing pretty good. On the way home from Vulture Mine Road I had to play tumbleweed slalom. The truck behind me was not to good at this game he took 2 into his radiator. The bike was pretty steady thank god for that extra 100lbs that the new 2018 shaved off.  

I think about my old valk all the time, but it is mostly the memories of the trips and people I rode with. When I'm on the Wing I'm enjoying the ride and the new memories I'm making. I owned both the Valk and the Wing at the same time for about 2 years and had a choice which to ride and I always took the wing. After the 2 years I finally sold the Valk. The valk will always have a place in my heart, but my new ride is the wing and I'm not going back.

[W0X0F]

Sounds like you took Salt River Canyon route.  That's a great road and I haven't been on it in years. I guess I will have to plan a day ride. 

Yup, that was the ride.  We hadn't ridden it in a few years either and wanted to run it before the heat set in.

The valk will always have a place in my heart, but my new ride is the wing and I'm not going back.

I agree 100%.  The GW rides like the Valk only with power steering, power brakes and mo power. BUT, part of the reason we ride what we ride is the head turning quotient of our rides.  I don't know about the 2018 version, but, the previous version of GW was pretty plane, jane vanilla ice cream version of tupperware.

And, who in their right mind designs a bike that, in order to change the air filter, requires almost the entire bike be torn down?  I don't get that.  It was bad enough having to remove the fuel tank on the Valk.  I guess they don't have to replace/clean air filters in Japan.

So, I guess I am just waxing nostalgic over my old ride today.  While the GW is a dream to ride, it sure doesn't have the sex appeal of my Valk.  But, then, when I finally add a trike kit to my GW, I will be more than thankful that it has that little RVS switch.  While my old Valk looks fantastic as a trike, I can't even begin to imagine the effort to get that beast out of a tight parking spot.  And that, boys and girls, is the main reason I decided to give up the old girl.  Functionality over aesthetics.

[RDAbull]

The last time I did that trip I took 277 over to Snowflake.  If I had looked at a map. I probably would have run 260 down to Show Low.  Gives me  real good reason to run it again.  Show Low back to Globe is a great ride. Globe back to my Son's in Gilbert not so much so.

[Ron]

Sounds like you took Salt River Canyon route.  That's a great road and I haven't been on it in years. I guess I will have to plan a day ride. 

Yup, that was the ride.  We hadn't ridden it in a few years either and wanted to run it before the heat set in.

The valk will always have a place in my heart, but my new ride is the wing and I'm not going back.

I agree 100%.  The GW rides like the Valk only with power steering, power brakes and mo power. BUT, part of the reason we ride what we ride is the head turning quotient of our rides.  I don't know about the 2018 version, but, the previous version of GW was pretty plane, jane vanilla ice cream version of tupperware.

And, who in their right mind designs a bike that, in order to change the air filter, requires almost the entire bike be torn down?  I don't get that.  It was bad enough having to remove the fuel tank on the Valk.  I guess they don't have to replace/clean air filters in Japan.

So, I guess I am just waxing nostalgic over my old ride today.  While the GW is a dream to ride, it sure doesn't have the sex appeal of my Valk.  But, then, when I finally add a trike kit to my GW, I will be more than thankful that it has that little RVS switch.  While my old Valk looks fantastic as a trike, I can't even begin to imagine the effort to get that beast out of a tight parking spot.  And that, boys and girls, is the main reason I decided to give up the old girl.  Functionality over aesthetics.

There are always trade off's.  If you what a 6 cylinder engine it's Honda or BMW. Both bike's are getting harder and harder to work on with all the new technology.They want you to take it to the dealer for service that why they hide the air filter.    If I would buy a motorcycle on just looks it would be a Indian Chieftain. Nice looking motorcycle., but with that said I like my Wing. I think she looks pretty and does what I need her to do. I still look back at her when I'm walking away from her. I know you have always been anti Tupperware, but I never had a problem with it. Not that your opinion is wrong, but that is why there are so many different styles of motorcycles. Buy what makes your clock tick and makes you happy. There are no wrong decisions.

Ok Ok I just need to post a picture of my wing because I like looking at her.   

[W0X0F]

Ok Ok I just need to post a picture of my wing because I like looking at her.   

As much as I like looking at you and your ride, as this was my thread, I would rather look at some of the new memories I am making 

[Ron]

OK Good enough!!