There's the 97's and then there is the rest......

Highbinder · Sat 18, Dec 2010, 15:33:19

Every year Motorcycle Consumer News puts out a Performance Index on all the motorcycles they have ever tested....they tested the 97 standard, 99 tourer and a 99 Interstate and a 03 Rune...here's how they matched up...

The 97 has 100 hp to the rear wheel ...
the 99 tourer 92.5 hp...
99 I/S has 92.8...
03 Rune has 97.4

This is the biggy rear torque...
97...102.3 .....
tourer 92.5....
I/S 92.8 and the
Rune 112....

Wet weight...
97 721 lbs....
tourer 776 lbs...
I/S 833...
Rune 877 lbs....
so they got heavier in models and less horsepower and torque...except the Rune with more torque but more weight and less hp.......

0-1/4 mile time and speed......

97 speed 110.80 in 12.02 seconds....

99 tourer speed 103.90 in 12.41 seconds...

99 I/S speed 100.89 in 12.76 seconds....

Rune speed 105.92 in 12.14....

I was surprised at the Rune because I always thought they were a lot quicker...the only time it out ran the 97 standard was from 0-60, but after that it's the standard all the way, according to the numbers....

Surprisingly the Valkyrie is still in the top ten in 2 categories

Ten Best Rear-Wheel Torque ranked 8th and

Ten Best 60-0 stops ranking 4th ......
all with the 97 standard...not bad for a bike that's been out of production for 7 yrs...

The 97's were a one of a kind as far as Valks go, all the others were reproduced year after year...not the 97's one year only for this one...if you have one it's a special kind of bike, it also holds the stock speed record at the Salt Flats at 137 mph on 3 runs on a 4 mile track....

The reason I checked all this out is because I noticed that the 97 Standard was the only Valk holding the records....just so happens I also own one ...

chip · Sat 18, Dec 2010, 15:55:37

Love the Motorcycle consumer News. Always figured I could pretty much trust their info. The cost always bothered me but thought the info was worth it. But after last years economical effects on my pay after 11 yrs I let my subscription expire. If I can find the company that always sold me the subscriptions at a huge discount at the International car and the Motorcycle show maybe I'll resubscribe. I'm back to 40 or more hrs at work.

slider · Sat 18, Dec 2010, 16:10:12

I got me self one of them thar 97 bumblee bees and love passing stuff up on the road-wont get into brand names might hurt some feeling .The bee is quiet,reliable and real fast for a big ole gal

Crazyhorse · Sat 18, Dec 2010, 16:13:34

And Black is beautiful 1997 standard vin #1HFSC3436VA000033.

slider · Sat 18, Dec 2010, 16:20:42

man you sure have a good lookn valk a real black beauty for sure. almost as purty as my blk yellow-97 -

Crazyhorse · Sat 18, Dec 2010, 16:23:51

I like the black & yellow and the black & orange and..............

slider · Sat 18, Dec 2010, 16:28:21

I m up with any color as long as its on a valk,,color is only skin deep its the heart that counts,and the valk has a lot of heart

Hoser · Sat 18, Dec 2010, 17:09:38

This 99 tourer does a bit better than the ones tested by consumer news above. Hoser

Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005 · Sat 18, Dec 2010, 20:41:38

Quote from: Hoser on Sat 18, Dec 2010, 17:09:38

That is a sharp Valkyrie John

One of my favorite color combo's.

Des · Sat 18, Dec 2010, 22:28:48

You just gotta love those 97 Standards!! I was lucky enough to have one steal my heart!

mirion · Sat 18, Dec 2010, 22:39:04

My 97 up to IZ10

f6rider · Sat 18, Dec 2010, 23:31:25

I think Honda must have made Bongs standard equipment on 97's the way you guys talk!!
Is cabin fever setting all ready??? lol

I have a 04 Rune. I dont think it is alot faster but it is a torque monster. 440lbs of torque at 1500 rpms.!!! Ok I think it is like 125 at 2600 rpms. But probaly close to the 440 if it would be a 97 Standars!! lol

Garfield · Sun 19, Dec 2010, 00:24:50

Quote from: f6rider on Sat 18, Dec 2010, 23:31:25
I think Honda must have made Bongs standard equipment on 97's

So is that what it is

Colin · Sun 19, Dec 2010, 00:36:34

I am lucky enough to have one of those fast 97 Bee's too.

and I am proud to have it gracing the cover of the 2011 VRCC calendar.

Steve K (IA) · Sun 19, Dec 2010, 00:36:54

How about another?

hubcapsc · Sun 19, Dec 2010, 07:42:54

This is the first bong thread ever!

-Mike

solo1 · Sun 19, Dec 2010, 08:29:29

I wanted the bumble bee but couldn't find one so I settled for black and then pinstriped it. My '97 has found another home but there are still two '97's in our riding family.

Black Dog · Sun 19, Dec 2010, 08:54:43

'97 Standard, and Black

Best of both worlds

I will never let her go

Black Dog

R J · Sun 19, Dec 2010, 09:14:26

My 97, MGM, will transfer to one of my kids when I'm done riding him.

Both want MGM, they both also want the Chevy Trike.

Youngest daughter wants my Dodge Hemi, she is in Construction and all over on work sites she manages.

donaldcc · Sun 19, Dec 2010, 09:39:50

Quote from: Black Dog on Sun 19, Dec 2010, 08:54:43
'97 Standard, and Black Best of both worlds

I will never let her go

Black Dog

Great looking bike Black Dog.

You must have a tough time picking all the bugs out of your teeth with big smile and no windshield.

I just have the regular old '97 black Tourer. doesn't do anything but go FAST!!

Bugslayer · Sun 19, Dec 2010, 12:32:51

I'm lookin forward to another 100K miles on my '97.

RedValk · Mon 20, Dec 2010, 12:34:37

i'm lucky to have a 97 and a Rune....BEST OF BOTH WORLDS....to me! I have noticed a difference when riding other folks Valks...including Sherry's 98 Valk. My Rune outruns my 97 Valk though......

Westernbiker · Mon 20, Dec 2010, 13:53:11

LOVE MY '97' BUMBLEBEE!!!!!!!!!!

tybme · Mon 20, Dec 2010, 14:34:42

Seems to me that a saw the stats one time that showed he California models having a higher horse power rating than non California models. Does anyone know what I am rambling on about? Fact or faulty memory?

Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005 · Mon 20, Dec 2010, 14:35:55

Quote from: Westernbiker on Mon 20, Dec 2010, 13:53:11
LOVE MY '97' BUMBLEBEE!!!!!!!!!!

And it loves you back

Have you heard anything about the meth head truck driver that ran over them folk's killing I think four ? That happened near you correct ? I hope they fly his ass.

f6rider · Mon 20, Dec 2010, 15:05:19

QuoteThis is the first bong thread ever!

...and this bumble bee talk... and you bumble bees go buzzzzz!!!

theres something up here!! pass the twinkies!!

Dubsvalk · Mon 20, Dec 2010, 15:43:03

There is no question that the '97 Valkyrie is a special bike. But I sincerely think all the Valks are special from the first year till the last year's production. I couldn't dream of parting with my '98 for any reason other than death. I seriously doubt there will ever be another bike like the Valk.

These bikes have more guts, beauty, style, grace, simplicity, heart, comfort, realiability, than anything else out there! I just wish I had ridden one earlier in my life!
Dubs

scoot · Mon 20, Dec 2010, 17:40:07

There is no doubt about these being very special bikes, that will never be topped by any other. Every time I see one they still make me feel all giddy.

RedValk · Tue 21, Dec 2010, 14:08:12

Quote from: tybme on Mon 20, Dec 2010, 14:34:42
Seems to me that a saw the stats one time that showed he California models having a higher horse power rating than non California models. Does anyone know what I am rambling on about? Fact or faulty memory?

i have read just the opposite....with the CA models LOWER in output...probably due to emssion control crap they are strapped with (that ALL the other models don't have!).

thedon · Tue 21, Dec 2010, 17:43:54

I got my '97 last July. Didn't know it was as fast as all you are talking about. It sure is a special bike to me.

Thedon

98valk · Tue 21, Dec 2010, 19:42:04

Quote from: RedValk on Tue 21, Dec 2010, 14:08:12
Quote from: tybme on Mon 20, Dec 2010, 14:34:42
Seems to me that a saw the stats one time that showed he California models having a higher horse power rating than non California models. Does anyone know what I am rambling on about? Fact or faulty memory?

i have read just the opposite....with the CA models LOWER in output...probably due to emssion control crap they are strapped with (that ALL the other models don't have!).

tech manual calls out different cams for the CA models. these cams would provide lower emissions and better mpg and less HP.

98valk · Tue 21, Dec 2010, 19:45:32

Quote from: Mase on Tue 21, Dec 2010, 19:23:27
I have personally witnessed a handful of stock 97's that did not pull anywhere near those numbers

agree, there are many factors, dyno operator, when the pull is done, etc, that can affect a dyno pull and the #s, even tire pressure can affect it 5 HP.
some other mags for '97s did not show 100 HP on their dyno runs.

Black Dog · Tue 21, Dec 2010, 23:31:34

Wish I could post a picture of the Dino slip...

My local Honda Dealer had a Customer Appreciation Day, and was offering 1/2 price Dinos. Winner of each class got a gift card worth $50 (dino was $25). My '97 Standard scored 98.6 HP and 106 Torque... Won 'Cruiser' class and had some money for a pair of gloves! That was a few years ago when she had about 50K on her... Nothing to sneeze at

Black Dog

f6rider · Wed 22, Dec 2010, 01:16:08

Here is a thought.....
Say you have never seen or heard of a Valkyrie and the never exisited until you just saw one at a motorcycle show today for the first time. Exactly like the 97 were but as a 2011.

Do you think that today it would cause a comotion?? Hell yeah there still isnt anything like it.

I have a Rune and love it, But I dont think it has anything look wise on the valkyrie at all. That engine just hangin out the side with all those carbs. Its like a 57 Chevy..timeless, Classic. And those words are way over used, but not in the Valks case.

And that is why valks still command the same money they did used that they did 10 years ago.

Mother Honda listen up. Create a market, manufacture enthuiasim.. Build a New Valk. It will get alot of attention and sell well. Hell just take a old Valk and put the GL1800 Wing engine in it. Thats all you would need. Have Super Valk, Interstate, Tourer and standard model. Keep the prices reasonable and they will fly out of the showrooms!!... Ok I will get off my soap box now

hubcapsc · Wed 22, Dec 2010, 05:55:23

Classic. And those words are way over used, but not in the Valks case.

That's the name of this picture. I took it not long after I got my Valk. The way the bag rails flow into the
cylinder heads which then flow into the engine guards... classic...

-Mike

96valk · Wed 22, Dec 2010, 10:36:06

I have two 97's. Not smart enough to get a picture out of my pictures into this site . Can anybody help?

Hoser · Wed 22, Dec 2010, 11:09:34

Quote from: Black Dog on Tue 21, Dec 2010, 23:31:34
Wish I could post a picture of the Dino slip...

My local Honda Dealer had a Customer Appreciation Day, and was offering 1/2 price Dinos. Winner of each class got a gift card worth $50 (dino was $25). My '97 Standard scored 98.6 HP and 106 Torque... Won 'Cruiser' class and had some money for a pair of gloves! That was a few years ago when she had about 50K on her... Nothing to sneeze at

Black Dog

Nothing to sneeze about for sure, especially your torque figures. I always get a print out from my dyno guy.

Dag · Wed 22, Dec 2010, 14:58:45

AND THE WINNER IS....

-97 BUMBLEBEE

Bugslayer · Wed 22, Dec 2010, 17:33:48

Quote from: 96valk on Wed 22, Dec 2010, 10:36:06

I have two 97's. Not smart enough to get a picture out of my pictures into this site . Can anybody help?

I use Photostash. Upload your picture's there. Then (right click) & copy the url of the picture you want.... come back to the message you're posting, and click the "insert image" icon. It's under the "B" (bold) icon above all the smiley faces...It'll look like this
[img] paste here [img] Just paste it there.

f6rider · Wed 22, Dec 2010, 23:49:26

warning hi jacked thread

this the last Valk I sold.. I am going for the same look on my all black tourer.

and this is just a nice shot. note the dip stick

News:

There's the 97's and then there is the rest......