Ohh Nooo-----Not another "New" guy! and he wants to know about Valks too....

[Pappy!]

That would be me. I'm 60 darn it, in good shape, and not done having fun yet.
Little background. Am a pilot and grew up in a family of pilots except for my sister...she was a stewardess......don't know where she went wrong.
I have an airframe and powerplant license from the FAA.
Have been around boats my whole life and made a career of it at the corporate level. In Engineering for Johnson and Evinrude as well as Volvo Penta. Also in corporate service as a tech rep for OMC for many years.
Raced a few classes of boats that went in circles and then got into drag boats (talk about a rush!)
Still into boats in my semi-retirement. On the water all the time. Little boats and always overpowered...go figure. Also into antique and vintage outboards.
Always avoided motorcycles, I always felt like I had more control over the other modes of transport capable of killing me just as dead and less with motorcycles.
Not planning on buying a small bike and working my way up however I will go through whatever courses may be necessary to become proficient and start my learning process (thats the careful pilot guy on one of my shoulders talking). I do have a little experience on 'em but not legally.
Now that you have figured out where I am going with this I can tell you with zero uncertainty that if and or when I do get into bikes there will not be a Harley in my future. I have a technical background and absolutely love engines and that pretty well narrows it down to a Valkyrie. Have loved that engine since the first time I laid eyes on one.
Am getting familiarized with the models and have pretty much ruled out the Interstate unless you steer me back in that direction. My girlfriend rides a little Honda 250 Rebel and has a ball with it.
Planning on contacting the local branch up in Ocala, Fla. and riding in groups when possible. From the pictures they look like a good bunch of people.
What would be your recommendations from this point? We have a clean slate here. Low mileage more desirable? Any model year to look for over another? Leaning toward a Tourer but not dead set on it yet. Love the sound of the 6 into 6 pipes, sounds like a P-51 at certain RPMS. Looking for the whats and whys as far as the different models go.
Have been reading through all of the technical write-ups on here and most are fairly straight forward so far. More reading to do but I have to sleep as well.............
Thanks Y'all and look forward to meeting a few or more of you.

[tank_post142]

i get down your way 3-4 times a year i'll contact you next time. let you run mine around.

[HayHauler]

Welcome to the asylum.  Get you a fat girl and you'll never go back. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Willow]

If you're 60 years old and have never been a rider my advice is don't start.

There are no significant differences between the various years.  Lower miles would be preferable if you plan to ride a lot.  A lot would be defined as fifteen or more thousand miles per year.  I doubt you'll be doing that with all the other activities you've got going on.

There are only three models.  The Standard and the Tourer are virtually the same but for the bags, wind screen, and the placements of the reflectors.

MSF rider courses.  Jerry Palladino's Ride Like a Pro series.

Best of luck.

[tank_post142]

come on willow there's only one road down there with not much cross traffic. plus his girl has a bike you want him to ride Bit$$ on the back of a rebel ? 

[Willow]

It's my belief that the motorcycle injury and death statistics are tilted by the incidence of past middle aged men buying heavy, powerful cruisers as a first bike.

The ratio doesn't approach 1:1, though, so there is a more than even chance of a favorable outcome.  I'm just unwilling to encourage the flirtation with a less than favorable outcome.      

[Tropic traveler]

Welcome aboard Pappy!
Where are you from in the Keys? That's a long set of islands down there. We try to get down there as often as possible, last there in May. Last few times we have been on the bikes. Used to go down a couple times a year to lobster dive with a now infamous former resident of the Big Pine/Torches area who went away on a little "vacation".   If you've lived there a while I'm sure you'll figure it out. Now we just go for the R&R getaway thing.
Anyways, I would recommend the Tourer as it is not as top heavy as an I/S & has a great w/s along with some of the best hardbags available. We've got 3 of 'em.  :cooldude:We are both {Kim & I} Florida natives me from St. Pete & Kim from right here in Ocala but we love to visit the Keys when we can.
Get the Valk & get ready to ride!!!

Obliglitory Keys pics...... This one from May.


This one too.


Stopping at the '35 Memorial, wife lost some family then.


From a few years back.



Me on the R3 at Mel Fishers.


Yeah, we like it down there.  

[Red Diamond]

If you're 60 years old and have never been a rider my advice is don't start.

There are no significant differences between the various years.  Lower miles would be preferable if you plan to ride a lot.  A lot would be defined as fifteen or more thousand miles per year.  I doubt you'll be doing that with all the other activities you've got going on.

There are only three models.  The Standard and the Tourer are virtually the same but for the bags, wind screen, and the placements of the reflectors.

MSF rider courses.  Jerry Palladino's Ride Like a Pro series.

Best of luck.

You usually speak with great wisdom, I don't know how you dropped the ball on this one. I bought my first bike at 58, never owned or ridden a motorcycle before. Been riding for over 10 years now, never get tire of it either nor did I start with a little kiddy motorcycle. What scared me about motorcycles was the frequency at which people I knew got hurt on them. Then I learned that I had enough sense to ride one as safely as anyone. You needn't be a rocket scientist to ride within your comfort zone, but you can be fool and ride beyond it. Good advice on the MSF courses thou.

[Pappy!]

Grew up in Islamorada, just a couple miles up the road from the '35 Memorial. Lived on the Bay side. Am now living in Central Florida near Mt. Dora in a town called Eustis. From what I picked up looking through the Ocala chapter this area is frequented alot or at least it used to be.
Willow, I respect your opinion and may take your advice.....I don't know at this point but am more careful and never have been a risk taker when flying (take-offs are optional but landings are mandatory) and am sure I will be the same while riding if I go this way. At this point I am into the due dilligence stage and like it so far.

[Tropic traveler]

Oh boy, I can see this thread going off topic quick!  

Anyways Pappy, mileage is not as important with a Valk as long as it was well cared for. Both the 'Wings & Valks with the F6 are mile eating machines. Condition, condition, condition is what matters most. I have 113,000 miles on my '97 & I wouldn't hesitate to head cross country with it tomorrow, respective of tire wear of course.
There are some really nice bargains out there to be had.
Enjoy the hunt!  

[Tropic traveler]

Grew up in Islamorada, just a couple miles up the road from the '35 Memorial. Lived on the Bay side. Am now living in Central Florida near Mt. Dora in a town called Eustis. From what I picked up looking through the Ocala chapter this area is frequented alot or at least it used to be.
Willow, I respect your opinion and may take your advice.....I don't know at this point but am more careful and never have been a risk taker when flying (take-offs are optional but landings are mandatory) and am sure I will be the same while riding if I go this way. At this point I am into the due dilligence stage and like it so far.

Cool! You are right down the road.
The Ocala area with the National Forest to our east & all the rolling hills with the many horse farms make Marion County a great place to ride. LOTS of back roads. Daytona is a quick hour & 15 ride though the woods & the west coast is about the same ride time, all pretty scenic.
We live just south of Silver Springs the place with the glass bottom boats & the damn monkeys along the Silver River. So close we can hear the washed up country & rock stars playing at the Springs from our back yard pool! 
We do a lot of "Q" rides to various places in the state & even sometimes into Georgia. Sometimes easy little 3-4 hour rides each way for a hour of tire kickin' & eating. 
Anyways, other than the horribly cold winters up here in the frozen tundra of Marion County it's a great place to live. The 3 killer winters of '09-'11 killed all my Queen palms & it took a herculean effort to save my Bird of Paradise & Robellini palm from the frozen death. 
After you get a Valk... look us up!   

[old2soon]

I'm 67 years young/old/wore out/retired trucker. I have an I/S but have been riding on and off for over 50 years. You can die taking a shower. I ride because i figured out a long time ago-i truly enjoy riding. The fact i do it on a Valkyrie is icing on the cake. Borrow yer G/F ride-get some miles-THEN consider a Valkyrie. I'm not saying don't do it. Approach it like flying and you will be good to go. Not a pilot but ex Navy part time aircrew. Lets just say i have more than fractured a few speed laws here in the Sho-me.  I have enjoyed this phatt ghurl from the first day i got her and now a little over 2 years and 26000+ miles later the grin is still there.  You will figure it out.  RIDE SAFE.

[BF]

Welcome pappy.   

The Valk is a dream to ride......while rolling.  However, slow speed manuavering can be a handfull at times if not prepared.....espeically for a newbie that's not used to a big bike.  It's not bad, just different....but you need to be prepared.  After you buy your Valk, take it out to a big parking lot somewhere and practice, practice, practice......and then go and practice some more after you buy one.  The best advice I can give you for slow speed parking lot riding and tight turns (think u-turns), is drag brake.  Look it up, learn what it is, practice it and use it.  You'll thank me later.   

Take the MSF course first.  You'll learn alot...plus, you'll be legal to ride after you take and pass the course.  And take Willow's advice and buy the Jerry Palladino's Ride Like a Pro series dvds.  Most excellent riding advice in those.  Again, you'll learn alot. 

You're thinking is good.....I'd stay away from an Interstate (especially for a first bike) as it's more top heavy than the Standards and Tourers.  I'd suggest looking for a well appointed Tourer that's decked out with the goodies that you'll want to add later....such as bag rails and the like.  Original oem add ons are getting hard to find and when found, sometimes command very high prices.  Look for one that has all the goodies on it already. 

You live in an area that has alot of Valk riders in it.  Like Tropic said, milage isn't all that important......condition is.  I'd suggest that when you find a bike that you're interested in, get one of these guys to go with you to check it out.  If there's one thing that we like more than riding our Valks, it's looking at other Valks.   

Good luck and welcome to the addiction.   

[Pappy!]

Tropic Traveller - I have logged more miles on SR326 than a human has a right to. I used to work up in Williston for several years while working for Volvo Penta. Was stationed at the Monterey Boat plant up there. Went through the forest each way (turning at Buck & Does) on my way up and back. Hour and forty each way.....every day. I still use that road travelling up to 'Bama for hunting or to Gainesville for antique outboards or the Suwanee River occasionally.

[cookiedough]

If you can handle a power speed boat, I am sure you could handle the speed/power of the Valkyrie.  I find it very easy to ride once you take it easy the first few hundred miles until you get used to it. 

If you need the luggage space, get the I/S for 1-2 grand more in price.  However, if I had the room and moola, I'd get 2 Valkyries, one like my stock exhaust nice and quiet I/S and a tourer with hard bags or standard with leather side bags and a windshield with a nice and loud 6x6 exhaust to wake up the neighborhood and keep those HD's at bay.  They claim the 1997 is the fastest year of the Valks but whether 1997 or 2003 doesn't matter as long as condition and maintenance has been done properly.  Mileage is not an issue really but condition and maintenance is.  You should easily find a used tourer or standard for 5.5-6.5K and an I/S for 7-8K.

[PhredValk]

About the only advice I could give is look at the various color schemes, and see what you like. Then look for that bike. All Valkyries are at least 10 years old, and the oldest are 16, so old or older, they are all the same. If you want a windshield, go Tourer, or standard with a shield. Whatever you get will undoubtably not be fully stock; Standard with shield, Tourer with fairing etc.

Look around and see what you like, you're probably going to add stuff like hiway pegs and custom seat anyway.
Welcome to the madness.
Fred.

[shooter64]

Heck, the guy drives drag boats. He might have to get a Boss Hoss to feel like he has enough power. Danger? Any bike is a walk in the park compared to a drag boat.

[lacon]

You would be a prime candidate for the MSF course.
You could join the Honda Riders Club now before buying a bike.  Used to be $40 a yr - (could be more now as I let mine expire when the Hoot expired).  Pay by check - not credit card - they like to do automatic renewals.  Honda will contribute $75 towards the MSF course.  Also, a MSF diploma gets an insurance discount & is accepted as dirvers license testing for your MC endorsement. 

[9Ball]

Welcome from sunny NJ...practice and the motorcycle safety course are now your "mandatory" obligations.

[OKIERYDER]

Welcome from Oklahoma. All your present activities I'm sure keep you in excellent shape. My first  ride was a Honda  Sl 90  at age 13 road till age 15.  At age 55 my weight was 250 lbs saw my first I\S fell in love  with it. Decided I was going to loose the weight get in shape and look good riding it.  You are already in good shape, buy an I\S don't look back.  Trust the bike she will take care of you.

[bscrive]

Welcome from Canada,

I would have to some what agree with Willow.  Jumping on a Valkyrie for your first bike, IMO, is a mistake.  Hopefully it will turn out great but I would think about starting out on something lighter, like a 750.  Once you get the feel for the bike then move onto a Valkyrie.  That is like someone saying, I have never flown before and I think I will get my pilot's license on a C-130 Hurcules.  Sounds good but probably not a good idea.

PS  Don't know much about planes, just used the biggest plane I could think of for the analogy.

Brian

[Rams]

While I do agree with Willow, I gotta say do what you gotta do.  You only go around once.  But, do it with others in mind.  We've all be around enough to know that falling down hurts.  Falling down with a Valkyrie on top of you hurts even more.  Back when I was test flying helicopters, it was always said that if I got it back on the ground and didn't bend a skid then all was well and there is some truth to that but, I'll guarantee, the first scratch, dent or damage you get on your Valkyrie will almost make you cry unless you're like me.  I  have been known to sink into a submissive fetal unresponsive fetal position for days on end.  

Do what you gotta do just don't take anyone with you till you've taken and passed that motorcycle safety course.  I've taken at least 7 or 8 (maybe more) and find they always sharpen my skills.  I most likely won't be headed down to FL but, if you make your way up to KY, let me know.  I know some great roads and would share the wind with ya anytime.  (Being a Floridian) You might want to make that trip in what you consider nice weather cause cooler/cold temps won't keep me off my Fat Lady.  I'll ride in temps down to 0* F.  Most folks go back inside when it drops below 40* F.  Don't pretend to understand it but, it is what it is.  

[Jess Tolbirt]

my advice is buy a Harley, then you can look cool like the rest of us Harley owners,,you dont want a Valk because they very rarely break down on ya, and you sure dont want a bike that you dont have to work on all the time do ya? with a valk just about all you have to do to it is ride it, maybe check the air in the tires every now and then,,what is the fun in that?
seriously tho, you cant go wrong with a valk, one of the best ever made and they run forever,,,i just had to down size because of my knees but have been a member here since day 5 or so...
welcome to the asylum you will grow to love it here,,

[bigguy]

I've got to second Willow. I rode some of my friends bikes as a kid, then didn't touch one for 30 years. There's only one way to get experience. You can't get it by studying, reading, or thinking about it. As a relatively new rider at age 60, you are going to drop that bike. You're also most probably going to lay it down or hit something. (Hopefully at slow speed. Probably in a turn.) I did, and everybody I know of who came to biking late in life did.
My advice is to make these mistakes on a smaller, and less expensive bike. You can get something like a Honda Shadow VLX in the 600cc range. It's a forgiving little bike that will still take you down the Interstate at 80+. Another good option is a Suzuki Savage. It's a 650 thumper. That little one cylinder engine makes a lot of torque in the low end making it less likely to stall out as you get familiar with slipping the clutch. You can pick up a decent little learner bike for $2,000 or less, then pass it along when you're ready to move up.
I' ve been back on bikes about 10 years now, and still make the occasional bad decision.
Blog and video of my latest mis-adventure.
You'll enjoy your phat-lady more if your first experience with her isn't painful and embarrassing.
My 2¢.

[Momz]

I must agree with Willow in the fact that 55+plus riders and returning riders are a major statistic in motorcycle fatality rates.

I have ridden since 1971, and have ridden more miles than most. Being a long time motorcyclist, I've seen all types of riders and skill levels. Bikers are a unique breed because we ride not only for transportation, but rather adventures and comaraderie. Bikers tend to see themselves as indiviualists rather than "fine Americans".

If your a fit 60yr old,....take an MSF course,... get a cheap used bike to play on,...but all the while you may keep an eye out for "your Valkyrie". As said before, Valks are a handful at very low speeds (clumsy), but they come into their own very quickly.

My wife and I go to BIKE WEEK every year and we always come across 40 through Ocala-Astor-Bunnell area.
We would like to me more Florida Valk riders. We both teach motorcycle training now. My wife is a certified MSF rider coach, and I lecture at driving schools and do range set-up and practice, but I cannot test.

With that background info about us, feel free to email me if you have any questions that may not be appropriate for this furom: dukenjoey@yahoo.com

Oh, welcome to the insanity!

[Gavin_Sons]

My first bike was my interstate. Take it slow and easy for the first couple months to get use to the way she handles. I have had mine for 2 years now and feel right at home. I grew up riding sometime that were way too big and powerful so I was somewhat use to a bigger bike. With your background I'm sure it wont take long for you either.

[Michael K (Az.)]

Also, it can't hurt to borrow your GF's Rebel to sharpen your riding skills, i.e. parking lot twisties, starts, stops, learning front brake power stops. It's all good brain fodder, stock up!!

[Hoser]

Pay no attention to the naysayers, they just want to save all the Valkyries for themselves.  I didn't start on a Valkyrie, but only because they were kinda scarce in 1969!    Just learn to ride on something else, then take it easy for a while. I'm assuming by that remark that you have never ridden.  Otherwise, just take it easy.    Hoser

[czuch]

Like they said, get a beater to learn on. Valks are a handful on take offs and landings.
Think traffic,red lights, stop signs. Once your up, easy city. The low speed manouvering is critical.
I like to leave work and practise the first gear idle no foot down. its the coolest. I have a 97 Tourer and the balance is phenominal. High wing vs. low wing.

[olddog1946]

Welcome aboard!!  I'm kinda with Willow about gettin something a bit smaller for awhile before jumping on a Valk.  Although a 650 is considered a small bike by today's standards, as a first bike it feels quite large and intimidating, I always felt it was the little brother to the big rigs and a particularly good place to start. I am sure you could find a decent one from the 80's for under a grand, learn from it then move up..once you get to a valk, well, you'll have arrived.

[BF]

I'm with Hoser.  "Pay no attention to the naysayers".  

You've riden some before.  Your girlfriend has a bike.  You've got a great background.  You know what you want.  You wil definitely NOT be the first guy to start (or restart) riding motorcycles on a Valk.  Get legal with your MSF course.  Take your time, learn the bike and your capabilities and have some fun.  

btw......Thunder Beach in Panama City Beach is coming up in a few months.  Would make a great little first road trip for you and the g/f.  

[Pappy!]

Have looked into courses and there is a local one! This will give me a license to learn.  Will ride the GF's 250 for a while as well while the rest of this starts to come together. Probably order the DVDs mentioned alot earlier as well. Now, back to the original questions on models and the benefits of each and why? Talked to a guy in a gas station today on an I/S and he seemed to love it. Still thinking along the lines of a Tourer though or possibly a standard (is that the F6?) and as a matter of fact the fellow said he would go the same way if he had the chance at a do-over.

[RP#62]

Welcome aboard.  Sounds like we have similar paths.  My wife and I both graduated from Key West High in the early '70s. We used to live near Sugarloaf (we always though of Islamorada as way up north).  I've had my A&P since '74 and my Valkyrie since '97.  Don't mind Willow, he's just trying to look out for you.  The Valkyrie is a big bike for a first bike, how much of an issue that will be for you has to do with a lot of factors - how big you are, etc.  My wife is 5 foot even and has no problem riding her Valkyrie (however she has to be careful where she stops as she can't get flat-footed), but she's been riding since she was a teenager.

Thought you might like some of these from the old days.
-RP

[Pappy!]

We went back a little farther! My sis was almost born on the sailboat my parents lived on when they first moved down there around 1944 or so. They were becalmed while heading to Miami and almost didnt make it. Dad flew for Pan Am during the war and flew supplies over the Burma Hump quite regularly. Flew the flying boats out of Miami as a flight engineer (what is now Chalks flying service) for a short while as well then moved to the Keys. Dad bought Caribee outboard from George Weed in 1946 so I grew up around a Johnson Outboard dealership. Had a boat/engine (age 6) before a bicycle....lots safer back then! US-1 was still a 2-lane 65mph road in spots when I was little and there was no way Mom was letting me cross it. Very few cops and the same amount of drunks as these days probably. Great old pics! Makes me want to dig some of mine out.

[BF]

Have looked into courses and there is a local one! This will give me a license to learn.  Will ride the GF's 250 for a while as well while the rest of this starts to come together. Probably order the DVDs mentioned alot earlier as well. Now, back to the original questions on models and the benefits of each and why? Talked to a guy in a gas station today on an I/S and he seemed to love it. Still thinking along the lines of a Tourer though or possibly a standard (is that the F6?) and as a matter of fact the fellow said he would go the same way if he had the chance at a do-over.

It all boils down to your personal preferences....and your needs. 

IMHO, the Standard is hard to beat.....it's a blank canvas.....you can do anything you want to it to make it yours. 

A Tourer is the exact same bike as a Standard except it comes with factory hardbags and a tourer windshield (the only other differences between the two are the rear reflectors....the standard has them mounted at the top of the rear fender....and the tourer has them mounted on the side of the hardbags).  The Tourer already has a set of bags.....which most folks will want to add anyway.  And if you want a fairing, you can take off the factory windshield and put one on (btw...for protection, it don't get any better than the factory windshield. 

The Interstate is already decked out.  You can add some chrome doo dads to it to make it yours, but it's already pretty much done IMHO. 

If your g/f is going to be riding with you two up alot, you might want to go ahead and consider the Interstate.  On the other hand, if you're going to be riding primarily solo most of the time, you might be happer with a less encumbered bike. 

For an example of what you can do to a Standard model, my '97 Standard used to be a fairly plain Jane red and white Standard....not much really special about it......but this is it today after it's makeover last winter........






Which ever model you go shopping for, try to find one that's got all the farkles already on it.  It'll save you money and the aggravation of trying to find them later.  Good luck with your hunt.   

[steve 3054]

Welcome, from the big city of Sanford.  We in this area should all get together for a mini rally or just a ride...Let me know if I can help or if you want to ride mine to try it out you are welcome...

[Pappy!]

Thanks, I may call on one of you guys to give me a second set of eyes when I check out the possible contenders.
BF - That was a Hell of a Winter project going from red to what you have now. Nice job!! Thanks for adding to the explanation of models as well. So there is no change in wheelbase or overall ride height between the standard and the tourer?

[bigguy]

One more from the naysayers. As the guy in this link says, "inexperience bites."
http://www.magnaownersoftexas.com/forums/index.php/topic,5481.0.html
I'm not trying to talk you out of buying a Valk. I'm just strongly suggesting that you put a few miles on a smaller one first. Would you seriously recommend that a guy learning to fly start out with a 747?
And yes, the guy in the link is on a 700, but it's a Magna. There's 700s and then there's Magna 700s. At the end of the day, that hot @$$ V4 was just a little more bike than he was ready for.

[Michael K (Az.)]

Since you'll be shopping a used machine, ride height may differ due to mods made by previous owners, i.e. shock brands and height adjustments, after market seat brands, and the list goes on.

[JimmyG]

A big welcome from Tennessee.  I am fellow pilot(private), boater on the Tn river, etc. I am 3 years your senior, always loved speed, air, water, bikes, motorcycles, on and on and on.  There seems to be a lot of us old farts that are to young to know better on this forum.  All I can say is if I were you, I wouldn't be me...no wait, that's not what I would say. I'd say, please, please, pllllleeeeeaaaaseeeee don't throw me in that there briar patch. You can do anything you want to me, but don't throw me in that briar patch, pleeeease!!!!!  Go for it, use your good common sense and practice safety just like in the air or on the water.   On a side note, my in-laws go to Eustis during the winter in their 5th wheel and sometimes we visit them, maybe we'll meet up sometime.  There are a great bunch of guys and gals here to help you, they won't steer you wrong. they helped me figure it out at the beginning of this year. I bought a I/S model. I love it and so does the wife.  I have ridden lots of bikes and this is my favourite one so far.  I have a messed up knee, so I really concentrate on my controlled crash sequence, other than that, no problems.  Once again, welcome.