New member here, and looking to buy a Valkryie Interstate, have questions.

[Eric58701]

Hello let me introduce myself, i am Eric Westman from Minot North Dakota, i am looking to get me a Valkyrie Interstate, i would like some input on the bike, what to look for if any issues, what miles are ok ?  just general stuff i need to know,  also if you know of one for sale let me know as well i check cycle trader and ebay, where else should i look? Also does anyone know of any shipping companies that can get that bike to ND ? thanks so much for any and all help, im excited to get a new bike thats not a Harley.

[fudgie]

For me anything under 50,000 is what I want. But they will run forever. I have over 80k on mine and not afraid to trip with it.

Rear end and petcock seem to be the most common problems but are all avoidable, imho.

Check our (VRCC) classifieds.

No help on shipping companies. Alot have flown and rode it home. I'm leary of buying a bike unseen.

[Bighead]

First off Eric welcome to the madhouse!
As Far as the Valk IS good choice.
Miles would not be the issue with the bike as long as the PO maintained it correctly. There are people here that have 200k on the clock and still running strong.
If you find one you are interested in check here is there is someone close to it that can check it out for you.
You might want to add criagslist to your search.
Also look in the classifieds here.
Good luck.

[CaribouHunter]

Contact U-Ship, and put out a bid to transport your bike.  Bought mine in Grand Junction, Colorado, and had it shipped for $380 to Pantego, Texas.  Would recommend it.  Did purchase the optional
insurance. 

[.]

Welcome to the asylum and good luck on your search. The Valkyrie is an insanely great motorcycle in all its guises (although it has been scientifically proven that the 2000 Valkyrie Standard in Fast Black is superior to all other forms of motor transport  ).

The only advice I can give is to shop around carefully and watch the forum as Valkyries come in many price and mileage ranges. As long as they are cared for there should be no issues other than in finding THE ONE that is just right for you. Good luck and welcome aboard.

[old2soon]

I have a 99 I/S in the much FASTER green and silver. Bought it with 36ish and now have 87ish on it in less than 4 years. The V R C C classifieds are a durned good place to start. Peruse the tech section here on the board. A lot IF not ALL questions and answers regarding these fine machines are right here. The fly in and ride back sounds like a good option BUT that's just me. So being as you is in N D I'm thinkin you got like a 6 or 7 week ridin season???  Welcome to the insanity that are us.  And if you MUST feed the inmates-count yer fingers and DO NOT fergit the alcoholic libations.  RIDE SAFE.

[Christbiker]

Eric             Welcome  The Valkyrie adopts you!   Sent you a PM

Blessings,

Woody

[Big Mike]

Welcome and Blessings Eric. The best advice I can give you for your search is to not consider any Valkyrie that does not have a supercharger! I assure you, once you ride it you will not want to get off! They are very difficult to find though

[RainMaker]

Have someone who knows Valks check it out with you - they are bulletproof, for the most part.  If you can find one with the pod fog lights and the CB radio and antenna (options very difficult and expensive to get anymore) and in good shape, that's the bike.  By the way, if it has a CB, it has 2 antennas - all Interstates come with a radio antenna.  

More miles is a good sign it's been ridden.  A really low mileage Interstate at this point might show up with dirty carbs, dried out tires, old hydraulic fluids.

50K miles would be a nice number to use.

She'll talk to you when you find the right one.  Color makes no difference.  You can always paint it.  

You don't really buy a Valkyrie - they adopt you.

Welcome.

RainMaker  

[Valkjerk]

Eric, How's this one?  http://desmoines.craigslist.org/mcy/4326842600.html

[Woton]

Once you find your new baby give Mary Lou a call at Heritage Motorcycle Shipping.

http://www.heritagemotorcycleshipping.com

Used this company to ship RT from NC to Las Vegas two summers ago for a National Parks loop ride.  Can't say it's cheap, but they take good care of your bike.  

Unless the bike is not trustworthy I too recommend the fly-in, ride home.  You'll probably save money and have an immediate road trip!

Good Luck.

[Eric58701]

OH boy !!! keep them adds coming in, thanks so much, i learned some good stuff to know stuff allready, the first was black is fast? and miles are not much an issue, i am going to need to buy rain gear for a long ride home if and when i find one, yes i think its a good thing

[Valkjerk]

Eric, I bought an I/S out of Arizona and had it shipped. Don't remember which shipper I dealt with but it turned out to be a nightmare. I will never ship another motorcycle. Hope this helped!

[Valkjerk]

http://shoals.craigslist.org/mcy/4334099638.html

[Valkjerk]

http://bham.craigslist.org/mcy/4377790105.html
Remember to ask about the title. Clear title is important.

[Valkjerk]

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/4387226043.html

[Valkjerk]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/4383088846.html

Eric, I'm going to quit this now so you can do this for yourself. Go to "All of Craig's List" and enter "Valkyrie Interstate" and do you own search. I do it all the time. That's why I have owned 14 Valkyries and still have two right now (which are not for sale).

[Oldfishguy]

Pick a color you want and start the hunt.  Use Ebay, advertisements on this board, or a national craigslist search (SearchTempest).  Negotiate a price over the phone and buy a one way airline ticket to go get it.  Chances are someone in the club could meet you at the buyers and do a quick once over on the machine with you as well. 

Best of luck.

David

[Willow]

Craigslist is your friend.

There is virtually no place in the country that you can't find a nearby VRCC member to check it out for you.

If you pursued the one in Independence, Missouri I'm only about 30 miles away.  I'd even ride it to you for costs.  

About that "black is fast" stuff, you'll need to learn to separate the very valuable information from that of the posters who are simply full of crap.  If you have trouble determining you can send me a note and I'll help you out.  

[Popeye]

Couple in the Chicago area:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/mcy/4365944795.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/mcy/4388868172.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/mcy/4388868172.html

This one near Milwaukee:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/mcy/4388868172.html

[mike72903]

I saw that Woody sent you a PM.  I can recommend him as a fair and true gentleman even if he is located in Texas. Picked up my 98 Tourer from him a few months back. I wouldn't have a problem riding a bike home that he says is in good condition.

[RainMaker]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/mcy/4383088846.html

Eric, I'm going to quit this now so you can do this for yourself. Go to "All of Craig's List" and enter "Valkyrie Interstate" and do you own search. I do it all the time. That's why I have owned 14 Valkyries and still have two right now (which are not for sale).

This one looks really nice in the ad and has a lot of extras.  Lots of us in the area who can check it out, although I think I know this bike.  Looks familiar.  Those chrome sidecovers are also tough to find.

Added benefit is you could fly down, pick it up, ride it to the GOTF and then take a nice ride back to North Dakota!

Also - if Woody says he has a good bike, believe him.  He's good as gold.

RainMaker

[hairyteeth]

Welcome
If you have to ship your new Valk, I've used HaulBikes and u-ship. HaulBikes was very professional but slow. U-ship is a roll of  the dice, as you select the shipper and price. If you can sort thru each shippers feedback you should be able to pick a good one. Be sure to have them turn off the fuel petcock. HT

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Pod lights and CB are a plus also aftermarket seats and OEM bag rails. I bought mine with 59,000 on the clock and still going like a house afire at 172,000 on it now. I replaced the alt. at 96,000 and changed the belts around 100,000. these things are bullit proof. Welcome to the family.

[BF]

OH boy !!! keep them adds coming in, thanks so much, i learned some good stuff to know stuff allready, the first was black is fast? and miles are not much an issue, i am going to need to buy rain gear for a long ride home if and when i find one, yes i think its a good thing

The color comment is good natured ribbing among Valk owners regarding which is the fastest color.  It means nothing.  

There IS some debate regarding the '97's (first year production) as being somewhat faster than all of the other model years, however, that is debatable at best.  Pay no attention to year or color as faster claims.  

[Valkjerk]

Popeye,
Check those links. Three of them are the same. The green bike in Downers Grove is better equipped than the red/blk. My bride and I gave up on black bikes 'cause they're so friggin' hot to touch in the summer. Does anybody care????  I didn't think so.

P.S. Since you're in Minot, you'd probably want a black bike. Jes' sayin'!

[Eric58701]

You all are awesome, i laughed,  if i wax it no matter what the color it will be fast ! haha. i found several choices and its going to be tough to decide, i wish i was closer to them, most are 8 to 15 hour drives away from me but it will be worth it im sure

[Bighead]

most are 8 to 15 hour drives away from me but it will be worth it im sure

There is someone close on here I promise that will check it out for you

[sandy]

You all are awesome, i laughed,  if i wax it no matter what the color it will be fast ! haha. i found several choices and its going to be tough to decide, i wish i was closer to them, most are 8 to 15 hour drives away from me but it will be worth it im sure

Eric: Ask who does/did the maintenance. How often was the rear drive serviced? Answer should be at every tire change or annually. What type of spline grease was used. If the seller is bewildered by these questions, pass it by.

[Pappy!]

Fastest color is the black with the red racing stipe down the center. Only the very fastest black ones got this red badge of honor!
How's that??.....hee hee

[Bighead]

Fastest color is the black with the red racing stipe down the center. Only the very fastest black ones got this red badge of honor!
How's that??.....hee hee

Well some of us think that the Bee from 97 is the fastest wanna run em?

[cookiedough]

good luck on your search I'd keep checking craigslist and your local dealers around Minot ND.  This spring one is bound to surface.  Make sure you test drive it and the choke fully pressed hard down works and carbs seem smooth and somewhat synced and doesn't sputter once fully warmed up in a few miles of driving.

Speaking of Minot, do you know some of my relatives on my dad's side grew up in Minot ND last name Koch or Hauck (spelling?).  It has been decades seeing any of them and most are deceased on my dad's side of the family since I do not know the older generations kids my age really. 

[Eric58701]

 I went to school with a Cheryl Hauck graduated just a couple years ago, im 43 . and the Koch name is one i have heard as well so its possible.  I have found one that has my eye and attention, just a 18 hour drive away and a bit above my price line, but not to much, i can make it work, just uggg that drive

but im picky as to what i want to!

[Earl43P]

If you end up shipping it or trailering it, be sure to tie it down upright, with no weight whatsoever bearing upon the kickstand (just put it up). I would also suggest only partially compressing the F/R suspension when tying it down.

[Valkjerk]

WOW Eric, You're just a kid. Kids aren't interested in Valkyries. They want crotch rockets. Wow, 43, I can't even remember when I was 43. I have ties and socks that old. This club is crawlin' with old farts but we could use some fresh young blood to motivate us. (Not really.....I find that Valkyrie folks can run with the best uv um. Wow 43, huh?

[Bighead]

Hey Valkjerk I bought my 97 when I was 30 but that was 17 years ago

[Otus]

Don't worry Eric, not everyone here remembers crank starting  their cars.    I'll be 47 this may, us pre 50 guys seem to be the young crowd. Good luck on the hunt and  welcome to the forum.

[RONNIEB]

Welcome Eric.Irode my first Valk about 4 months after buying a new 07 shadow 1100. Still have the shadow and now 2 valks (99 standard and 2000 tourer), the shadow is for sale.
Us young un's have to stick together-I'm 48

[Super Santa]

I bought my IS in Colorado Springs, CO back in 2007. 

The first day rode it 876 miles to my son's place in Austin, TX.  What a wonderful way to get acquainted.

I will also say that after the first few tanks of fuel I was thinking that the bike would get a little better fuel economy than it was getting.  I solved the problem by backing way down on the speed.  The bike just has a sweet spot that wants to roll and it seems to be north of the posted speed limits.

Bought the bike used with 25,450 miles on it and currently over 152,000.

My only equipment failures were a water pump after 130k and the u-joint failed around 148k.

Welcome to the insanity.

[Valkjerk]

Eric, I hope you and all you youngsters that posted understand I'm poking the bear. Maybe the voice of an old (jealous) fart wanting to do it all over again. if I had regrets, t wouldn't want to do it all over again. Lookin' forward to meeting any and all of you (young or old).