Seems like the Polaris built machines are replacing some of our beloved Valks

[Momz]

Here in S.E. Mich it seems that Indian and two a lesser extent Victory motorcycles are the makes of choice for former Valk owners as well as people like myself that need lighter and more manageable two wheeled machines.
I would never have imagined that this would have been the coming trend. And as I have so much invested in my bikes, parts stash and service tools.
It truely makes me want to go back in time. A time where I couldn't or wouldn't think of riding a lesser machine.
Life (and old age) isn't always fair. So much has changed in my life in the past 15 years and I should be thankfull for the things I have, the people I've known, and the good times. But time marches on and we change.

[J.Mencalice]

I believe Victory bikes are quality cycles and it's too bad that they were shoved aside by the riding public in favor of Indian and Harley Davidson that out-gunned them in the advertising arena.  I'd choose a Victory over either of those brands if I was looking for a V-twin.  A neighbor owned one; it rode and sounded sweet for the long hauls; got good reviews for extensive touring from most reputable magazines.
Look at this beauty.  https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2013-Victory-CROSS-COUNTRY-5004858841
Will probably run forever with loving care.  Cherry at 16,600 miles ("moved to the city, don't ride much anymore"...woof, testimony). $9000 OBO? Oooh.

As for the rest of your post?  All people change over a span of 15 years; anyone that denies that is only trying to fool themselves into believing that they are someone that they are not any longer.  We alter that which we had a passion for in our younger years due to many circumstances which  sneak up on us; to accept the inevitable changes that we must acknowledge in the passage of time and abilities.
I knew a man who had a whole shop, parts inventory, and collection of iron dedicated to vintage Triumph motorcycles.  He passed away and that whole estate got bought off and disseminated to many other enthusiasts.  That's how it goes.  "All things must pass.  All things must pass away."-George Harrison
No worry, be thankful, be contented over time.  It's cool to age gracefully.

[..]

George you'd have been surprised how many "new" Valkyrie riders were at the FCR

One guy showed up on a beautiful steel blue/white with white ostrich skin saddle.

Showed his bike off and disappeared.
 Who was that man?

[czuch]

I have a friend at work who has a 120 mile commute every day. Most Saturdays too.
He bought new, and wore out a 1200 Gold wing. 
He's an A/C guy and a regular maintenance kind of guy.
He bought a new Indian Chief and loves it.

[98valk]

victory 

https://advrider.com/f/threads/the-road-to-hyder-49-states-in-less-than-10-days.598699/

[bscrive]

My cousin bought a brand new Indian chieftain last year I rode it it sucked I would never buy a twin.

[Mike M in ohio]

Sorry to disagree, but I’ve ridden both Victory’s and Indians at Americans test rides. No way do they fit as a replacement for the smooth, crisp performance of our Valks. Both brands tried too hard to emulate Harley, with their clunky trannies ( can’t find neutral ) their noises performance and their feeling of V twin non-civility. There always were and always will be those who are drawn to this image of motorcycling.          Mike

[J.Mencalice]

victory 

https://advrider.com/f/threads/the-road-to-hyder-49-states-in-less-than-10-days.598699/

Whew.  Whatta ride.  That guy had the 500 mile stare goin' for him.  Tip of the hat to a man's man and IBA champ.

[Ken Tarver]

Britman,
That sounds like it was Mike Patterson from S. Carolina.
Met him and his wife Stephanie at Roanoke Inzane

Ken

[98valk]

victory 

https://advrider.com/f/threads/the-road-to-hyder-49-states-in-less-than-10-days.598699/

Whew.  Whatta ride.  That guy had the 500 mile stare goin' for him.  Tip of the hat to a man's man and IBA champ.

he did another 49 state on a Vision with adventure tires mounted for the ride up to Prudhoe Bay and some other non-asphalt roads he used for that trip.

[..]

Britman,
That sounds like it was Mike Patterson from S. Carolina.
Met him and his wife Stephanie at Roanoke Inzane

Ken

Yes. We have communicated on Facebook today.

[scooperhsd]

I have a friend at work who has a 120 mile commute every day. Most Saturdays too.
He bought new, and wore out a 1200 Gold wing. 
He's an A/C guy and a regular maintenance kind of guy.
He bought a new Indian Chief and loves it.

I didn't think that was possible - "wear out a Gold Wing or Valkyrie". He must have had well over 1,000,000 miles on it... I thought with proper maintenance they would run forever (or until parts were not available...).

[cookiedough]

If I was to get any Vtwin, it would be something like this all blacked out, looks sharp.

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcd/d/2016-victory-motorcycles/6714137727.html

I do not think any vtwin is replacing our 6 cylinders and most would upgrade to a goldwing or new valkyrie or f6b over any vtwin IMO

[rocketray]

Being a Chieftain owner...err co-owner....it's the wife's bike...when you pull in  anywhere it is an object of desire..amazing paint and styling..it does have great torque-since I have the Viking header my torque is  less but way superior HP up top-the adjustable windshield is great..the anti-lock interlock brakes saved my bacon on the first ride down a busy street---the turn in with a significantly narrower and smaller tire  up front at my mediocore skill level is a plus...bottom line..the wife is happy..and we are going to Arkansas Thursday am...cheers!!

[Ken Tarver]

‘97 tourer
‘99 tourer
‘17 chieftain (not to replace valks)

Ken

[¿spoom]

Well, the new Valks are more like the new Wings than the old Valks, so it's a hard concept to digest. So many variables, and for anyone who feels there hasn't been a Valkyrie made in many years, something will eventually replace them. Something eventually replaced my '68 Commando and 79 FL, but it was no different than all the cars/trucks I've replaced. Many large bikes will be replaced as the riders age, because they are too much to hold up. Most of the miles I've ridden over the last 2-3 years have been short shots on my Fat Bob. 

[Oldfishguy]

For a V twin, Indians are fine machines.

 A lot of shifting due to a narrow power band as is common in V twins.  They are still heavy machines, but the weight is a bit lower on the frame (especially compared to our Interstaes) and the seat height is a bit lower on Indians as well.  First gear is also geared low on Indians; they are good parking lot manauvering machines.

But Indians are still V twins; one would have to live with that drastic change in riding.

[Alpha Dog]

I just turned 11k on my 2014 havasu red Victory Cross Country. In my opinion one has to put some miles on it first and then you realize what a really great ride a v twin can be, at least this  twin.   Polaris got this bike right, but decided to put all their efforts towards the Indian.  Around here I see a fair amount of Victory's and even more Indians.  However the Victory Freedom 106 is a superior engine to the Indian 111, at least according to Victory riders. But by all accounts the Chieftain and Springfield are very good also - and they sure look awesome.   I think my 97 Valk will outrun it, but for 2 to 3 grand you can get cams, air intake kits and choice of  several tuners that will take it to 115 and more hp and torque without worry of breaking the engine.  However with just my stage one trioval pipes and upgraded air filter and ecu flash, it is pretty dang good.  It corners fantastic, the suspension is great ( variable air mono shock ), the standard seat ( once you get use to this kind of seating position ) is very good.  And I love the 16 inch floorboards that allow me to stick my feet under myself to all the way stretched out with my engine guard toe clips. You can actually locate the floorboards in three positions to satisfy a wide range of bodies.  Vibration is minimal ( in my opinion just enough to stir the soul ) and the engine is a stressed member.  The bags are huge, and cruise and abs is a big plus. I get 42 mpg and I do not mossy along.

Right now I feel like I have the best of both cruiser/bagger worlds.  However for grins and giggles I just picked up a very good condition 99 Honda Magna that I might turn into a bagger this winter.  Sometimes I just feel like going lighter.   There may come the day when lighter is a necessity, but not just yet.

[sheets]

14k miles on my 2014 Vic Cross Country Tour (XCT). Completely happy with the bike and overall performance and handling. Had a dyno tune when added with a Dynojet Power Commander V fuel/ to air ratio management system, Vic TriOval exhaust and Lloydz air filter. She rides like a Town Car and handles the road like a sports car. The most rider leg room of any bike out there. A solid and very capable machine. She has curbside appeal as well.
 

[..]

Of all the V twins I've ridden the Victory Cross Country was the best.

Would I buy one? No.

Would I buy a Rocket III? No.

Would I buy another Valkyrie (#3)? Yes.

[Alpha Dog]

14k miles on my 2014 Vic Cross Country Tour (XCT). Completely happy with the bike and overall performance and handling. Had a dyno tune when added with a Dynojet Power Commander V fuel/ to air ratio management system, Vic TriOval exhaust and Lloydz air filter. She rides like a Town Car and handles the road like a sports car. The most rider leg room of any bike out there. A solid and very capable machine. She has curbside appeal as well.
 

This winter or early spring I plan on getting a tune.  It really is the only way to unlock the potential due to manufactures having to lean out bikes to meet EPA requirements.  There is a bike shop near me in Dayton that is suppose to have a cracker jack tuner that tuned a Victory with a Maximus system this October and he was most happy.

[cookiedough]

14k miles on my 2014 Vic Cross Country Tour (XCT). Completely happy with the bike and overall performance and handling. Had a dyno tune when added with a Dynojet Power Commander V fuel/ to air ratio management system, Vic TriOval exhaust and Lloydz air filter. She rides like a Town Car and handles the road like a sports car. The most rider leg room of any bike out there. A solid and very capable machine. She has curbside appeal as well.
 

This winter or early spring I plan on getting a tune.  It really is the only way to unlock the potential due to manufactures having to lean out bikes to meet EPA requirements.  There is a bike shop near me in Dayton that is suppose to have a cracker jack tuner that tuned a Victory with a Maximus system this October and he was most happy.

You will need a tune with that Victory although no slouch,  that 1/2 sized 99 Magna should whoop it up just barely even probably being tuned.  Then again,  throw enough money into any cycle and can make it go very fast, just ask any HD owner....   I got a chuckle when my HD fanatic neighbor and his 88 cu. inch motor put well over 5K into it and he even admitted BONE stock was a pouch until he upgraded this and that into it.  I did not say much although said my stock honda valkyrie is perfectly fast enough bone stock the way it is from the factory. 

We have a 1997 honda magna 750cc and can honestly say after driving it I believe from say 0-50 mph it will beat our Valks off the line for sure but once into 3rd gear doing over 65 mph the mighty Valk will barely (or should) overtake it.  My kid and I did a roll on side to side of each other from 20 mph or so in 2nd gear and neither one of us were pulling away from each other up into 3rd gear before we backed off around 75 mph, pretty much dead even.  Seat of my pants feel that the small yet mighty magna is quicker off the line vs. my Valkyrie Interstate.

[larue]

You know we're partial to the valkyrie

[3fan4life]

I like motorcycles of all kinds.

But, I LOVE my VALKS!

I have test rode the Victory's on a couple of occasions.

Once I was able to ride everything in their line-up.

I liked them, but I didn't love them.

The Hammer impressed me the most, oddly enough even the factory rep couldn't explain why it had so much more "Get up N G0" than the other Victory's.

The one thing that bothered me the most while riding them was the valve noise.

It reminded me of the mini bikes that I rode as a kid.   

[Robert]

2 is ok, 4 is a bit better, but 6 is great. 

No way would I go to a 2 cylinder no matter how nice looking the bike.

BMW,Wing,Concours, ZX14, and a few more all possible but NOT a Victory.

When I chose the Valk I did so partly because the engineering on the bike had a verified history of many miles on the engine and trans. That meant reliability for a long time with much cross country riding. That was as enticing as the looks and power. When I ride, I like to ride and not have to worry about the reliability of the bike in a long run.