I Need To Be Schooled - A Crash Course On Valkyries

[Bama Red]

My 2000 750 Shadow ACE may very well sell this afternoon and if that happens, I'll be in the market for my Valk very soon.

What are the basic differences between the Standard, Interstate and Touring? Do the differences depend on model year? Were there vast differences between basic equipment that makes one year or model more desirous than others?

Any info y'all can toss my way will be greatly appreciated.

[sheets]

Standard = Bare Bones. No windshield or bags. Can be rigged with OEM windshield.
Tourer = OEM windshield and OEM Hard Bags.
Interstate = Fairing w/ electronics / Larger gas tank / Hard Bags / Trunk /

Same motor / tranny. Minor differences from '97 to '98.
 

[Chattanooga Mark]

Bama Red,

Standard - 1520cc of Valkyrie wonderfulness, 1997 to 2003

Tourer - Valkyrie with Hondaline hard bags and a windshield

Interstate - Valkyrie with a larger tank, altered timing, different rear shocks, hard bags, trunk, fairing, AM/FM/Intercom with Aux connection for an iPod and a Hondaline CB. 1999 to 2001

Others will know what colors are specific for each year. I know the Interstate best having had a 2000 blue/silver and now a 1999 green/silver. Personally I love the Interstate and think it's the best value to be found (new or used) for mile munching. Next up would be the Tourer in my book.

There are plenty of deals to be found on some truly excellent examples.

All the best,

Mark

[Garfield]

I know my fat girl loves taking my money, like the $700 she took yesterday just to make herself look better 

[Brad]

From what I have gained reading this board.....best to have a standard and an interstate so as to suite your mood for any given day.   

[Bama Red]

"Nother question - I've seen some Valks advertised as "Tourers" or "Interstates" that have made me wonder. Is there a model designation such as GL 1500XXX or serial number prefix or suffix denoting model?

[Robert]

Dont forget to get a black one their the fastest

[ricoman]

*standard GL1500C, most have after market windshields by now and many have after market bags-originally a bare bones model without shield or bags.
tourer GL1500CT, factory Hondaline windshield and hard bags (look like Interstate bags but are different)
*interstate GL1500CF, fairing, usually a factory radio and CB, hard bags, larger gas tank, minor differences in the engine
Those are basic differences. There are some model year differences-too detailed to answer your basic question. Read all you can here and after a bit of time you'll learn a bunch.

You are on the right track though-get one of each!!

[Bama Red]

Ahhhhhh.....Rico, you're a scream!!!

You're tryin' ta get me killed, ain'tcha?? My dear Bride would have me for breakfast if I bought two o' those beauties. Just sellin' my Shadow and buyin the Valk is puttin' a strain on our "marital bliss!"

[Challenger]

Not after she gets a ride on it! No comparison between a shadow and a Valk. I traded an 1100 shadow for a Valk STD and the wife loves it. 

[Michael K (Az.)]

http://www.valkyrienorway.com/

Good info here.

[GREENDRAGON]

Green and silver Interstates are the fastest and best looking.

[Gear Jammer]

Green and silver Interstates are the fastest and best looking.

And Smokin'Joe just happens to have one with which he's willing to part 

[Garfield]

Green and silver Interstates are the fastest and best looking.

And Smokin'Joe just happens to have one with which he's willing to part 

I'll give him $10 bucks for it 

[X Ring]

Green and silver Interstates are the fastest and best looking.

How wrong you are!!! Red & White Standards and Tourers are the best looking and fastest Valkyries.  The best looking Interstates are Blue and Silver.

Marty

[OverdueBill]

Start your Valk collection with an interstate.  It has it all.  Nice comfy seat and backrest for the little woman.  Trunk and saddlebags to haul all her stuff when you go ridin.  A windshield to keep from messing up her hair and a radio to entertain her.  The best ride of any bike I've been on.  Like the ride of a caddy.  For you, real power.  She'll get you on down the highway.  A standard may be a little faster but why not have it all?

[Bama Red]

As far as colors go, I'm kinda partial to the red & white or red & cream color scheme. Next would be black.

Just personal preference, but I would not consider anything silver and most blues are out also, though I have seen some pics of a real dark blue and cream combo that actually does look good. Any solid color paint job, with the exception of black, is totally out, and no graphics (other than factory applied). My Shadow was metallic blue with silver flames and I hated it from the day I bought it. That color scheme actually played a part in my selling the bike - i disliked it that much.

Now, the VRCC Maidenhead fender ornament - that's just pure class - gotta have one o' them!!

[X Ring]

The Red & White's are '97s.  The Red & Creams are '98s and I believe the Blue and Creams are also.  Now the Purple and Whites are just plain gorgeous, imho.  Unfortunately, Honda only made those as Standards.

Marty

[Bama Red]

I had forgotten about the purple and whites. You're right - they are bee-yoo-tee-ful!

[hmt81]

I looked at this one at a local dealer before I bought mine. They still have it and would probably deal on it since the season is ending fast here in NJ. They have a good reputation from their reviews. Their price tag is high but I know for a fact it has been there atleast a year. http://www.eastcoastcycle.com/pre_owned_detail.asp?sid=09579584X11K14K2010J5I41I12JAMQ3685R0&veh=1052686


Here's a pic of my ugly Silver & Black

Remember, there can be only 1 Alpha Female in the house, and it's gonna be the Big Lady.

[Walküre]

Didn't see it mentioned, but something to chew on...

Decide what you want, as far as accessories. There are several very nice, but near-impossible to find, items, such as the Cobra Light bars, and Hondaline bag rails. And if you DO find them, the cost is unbelievable. I looked for the Cobra light bars, right after I got my Valk, and I've only seen two or three sets for sale, in 6 months, and they've been well over 350 bucks. And a good set of Hondaline rails, are that much, or more.

I bought a standard, at a real good price, but will have $1200 into my saddlebags, before I'm done. I could have spent another grand, probably, and gotten a Tourer, with bags, rails, and Cobra light bars, and maybe MORE nice chrome (mine was pretty much a blank canvas except Kury Highway pegs), saving maybe $800 to $1000 dollars, or even more. I've found that someone who has the rails, Cobra Light bars, usually has chrome rails on saddle bags, tranny covers, etc, etc, and those things can REALLY add to the cost, if you start trying to buy them. So, I would look for a nicely accessorized bike to begin with, unless you WANT it fairly naked, then go for price.

Again, your mileage may vary...just something to think about.

I STILL haven't gotten my Cobra Light bars or rails!

[fuzzy2bucks]

Be aware, their a chck magnet.

[Walküre]

Be aware, their a chck magnet.

Yup, already took all my chcks, now its working on my credit cards...

[santa]

Bama Red
I live in Ardmore, Al. not far from you, if you want to check out my Standard let me know. Time is a little tight at this time of year for me (I'm a Santa) but I'll try to make time. I travel around Fayettville alot with my Santa work.
Santa