Test rode a 2014 Valkyrie today

[weeder]

At the dealer  they had the black one with the  chrome accents.  

1st thing I noticed is its  quite a bit smaller than my 98.  The fit and finish were excellent. The key goes in on top above the tank -- so  just have 1 key otherwise the chrome tank bib will get scratched if other keys are on your ring.  


Heavy wall plastic front fender.

Riding it  it was quite more nimble than my 98 and the F6B -- felt  a lot lighter  to.    And turning and just maneuvering  at speed was more responsive  and easier to do.   sorta like 'didn't have to throw my weight around as much for tight/quick turns,  

Myself and others there said it has a Euro feel to it.

The little mirrors weren't wide enough as my  arm took up half the mirrors.

And it felt a little like a crawch rocket , and looks it.

Pegs were 2"'s or so forward than the old valk,  comfy.

The power hard to tell ,  might have a little more than the F6B  -   When ya punch it in 2nd or 3rd was about the same as my 98 , maybe a little faster.

The exhaust is about same noise level but it has a   tho had an added low rumble to it-- pleasing to the ear.

In tight turns it was right there quick -- felt like a  500 weight wise  and  almost a café racer feel to it .

Its almost not a cruiser but a track racebike.

The gear shift was tighter and no clunck . downshifting was  easy  and I didn't feel like I was being hard on it downshifting hard .

When riding it   looking forward and down you see handlebars and speedo pod  and then just road ,  no headlight , no fender which seemed  odd.

On instrument pod its lit boxes for fuel and rpm ,  neutral and signal lights were  easy to recognize.

Rpms and gearing were same pretty much as my 98.   But the idle rpms are 1100 and 1200 rpms , your moving pretty good in 1st gear at idle , which I don't like.

Im 5' 10 " tall and had about 5 inches from knees to pods. not and issue.

One thing that really stood out is the radiator pods don't stick out as much as I thought theyd be-- that was a plus.  Pods didn't bother me.

So ya  fast good brakes, smooth ,  you felt  very much connected to the road,  

The deal they offered me was 17980.00 plus tax and liscense.-- no down , 538$ a month. 5-7% interest.

They  can get  a Honda factory windscreen  and  factory leather bags   if I want it.

Seat was firmer and narrower and  reminded me of a rune with the sweeping tank and all.

The big chrome pipes stand out.

anyway -- these are just my impressions , your mileage will vary so go check it out it  might be for you.

As for me I was a little let down   and expecting  more shebang,  but Im probably referencing off my 98 tourer experience.  

would I buy one?   No , not unless I was  a multi millionaire and   didn't have anything else to do.  Heck I wouldn't mind having a Roan as well.

Id by an F6B over the new valk.

Not much more to talk about ,  ride one and you'll have the answer.

It was 70 miles back home ,  riding on the Interstate  at 75mph  on my 98 Tourer and said  to myself  ;   This Fatlady is such a great bike......

[hueco]

Traitor. You are very lucky Thor allowed The Valkyrie to carry you home.

[signart]

If you made your Tourer into a Standard, I would suspect the handling aspects would be much closer to the same, thus being $538 per month lighter. You would be amazed.

[jimmytee]

If you made your Tourer into a Standard, I would suspect the handling aspects would be much closer to the same, thus being $538 per month lighter. You would be amazed.

Probably ,as far as weight goes, but I'm betting that boxed aluminum frame does a lot for handling in the twisties. But, for $538 a month, I'll have to save for one. Don't want a bike payment. Especially that high a payment. I just stopped having to pay child support a few months ago, and almost could rationalize it though. Who am I kidding , I can rationalize about anything if I let myself do it.

[cookiedough]

Never drove one, but I sat on all 4:  new valk, new f6b, new st1300, and new goldwing.

Agree on everything you stated as far as ergos.  You never mentioned about handlebar placement I don't think on the new valk?  I noticed on the new valk the handlebars were too low vs. the much higher up f6b which I preferred overall for sure.   F6b all the way for me nicer ergos for handlebar placement up higher and the valks seat was too skinny and too firm to be comfy for a longer ride where as the f6b's seat was wider and more comfy/plush.  F6b just fit me better and I am also 510".

Knee placement was fine on the new valk though as you said very similar room as the new goldwings with that plastic wrap coming back as well.  Unlike you, just sitting on the new valk, I noticed the front side radiator pods protruding upfront and if you sit up off the seat just a tad as a taller rider would notice than myself, those side pods extend upward a lot swooping in towards the front forks - very odd looking to me.

If I was going to purchase,  an F6b would be my #1 choice as of yesterday sitting on all 4 since the f6b just to me had a more open feel to it and not as crowded in as with even the new goldwing.  Very odd, but I felt cramped in more of an upright position on the new goldwing and the f6b just fit very well for me (more openness feeling).

I'd even take the st1300 for looks and comfort/ergonomics over the new valk which was also a very nice bike but never drove any of them.  Pretty sure all of them would handle very nicely.  To me, the new valk felt like a bar hooper, more of a hooligan, bike make for the 20's crowd which is I think what Honda intended it to be for.   NOT us old farts thinking the new Valk would interest us old timers in replacing our original Valkyries.

[LandElephant]

Looked at a new 2014 Valk yesterday. The dealer had a Goldwing, a F6B, and the Valk lined up next to each other. IMHO, I think the GW is the 2 up rider, and the F6B is the weekend / couple day 1 up rider, and the Valk is the 1 up day rider where you know weather and stuff like that. For me IMHO, I'd lose the rear seat on both the F6B and Valk. It would look better.

I rode all day yesterday with Hayhauler and never used my cruise so To me IMHO, the cruise isn't a necessary option that I would miss along with reverse. On the vlk is they make a wind screen it's going to be a small rifle type because of the radiator pods and connection points.

I think saddlebags will take away from the lines.  The rear fender is not straight and they willstick out, again IMHO.

The biggest reason I wouldn't buy they Valk is because it's to damn hard to replace the headlight bulb (I hope everyone realizes I'm being sarcastic with that statement). Although I am spoiled with the 10 replacement of headlight bulbs on my wing. Jimmy did point out the lack of a replacement 19" front tire. I think a car tire would improve the rear look of the Valk.

I liked the blacked out rims on the F6B and Valk. May buy a pair for my wing so Joe will stop pointing out how dirt my rims are (just joking Joe).

I'd buy one if I was in mood to get a new motorcycle.

Charlie Morse
Land Elephant

[olddog1946]

I went to the Cycle Barn in Smokey Point, Wa. yesterday and sat on the Valk..taking it off the stand it felt heavier than my 01, but once up felt lighter. I didn't like the looks over the pods at all. I certainly do like the single sided swingarm. But when I went back to the parts dept. to ask about available parts, the parts guy ask me what brand the Valkyrie was....IN A HONDA DEALERSHIP?? He couldn't find any info on accessories, nor could anyone else there.

After seeing the CTX1300 I like it far better than the Valk, looks wise. But since I'm too cheap to buy a new bike anyway, I didn't ask too many questions or check it out too much.

[cookiedough]

I went to the Cycle Barn in Smokey Point, Wa. yesterday and sat on the Valk..taking it off the stand it felt heavier than my 01, but once up felt lighter. I didn't like the looks over the pods at all. I certainly do like the single sided swingarm. But when I went back to the parts dept. to ask about available parts, the parts guy ask me what brand the Valkyrie was....IN A HONDA DEALERSHIP?? He couldn't find any info on accessories, nor could anyone else there.

After seeing the CTX1300 I like it far better than the Valk, looks wise. But since I'm too cheap to buy a new bike anyway, I didn't ask too many questions or check it out too much.

Same here, didn't like the front side pods sticking out and upfront and also liked the ergos and looks of the new 1300 as well.  The new valks seat was way too firm and small (not comfy) and the handlebars seemed a tad too low.  Did you sit on the new F6B?

I like that the best of all the new Honda even the new goldwings.  f6b might be a hit if people can afford them very good alternative to the goldwing if you don't need the upper trunk all it needs is a taller windshield and backrests.  Very comfy I liked it the best.

[jimmytee]

I love my Valkyrie, but as it sits, it has aftermarket seats and back rests(Ultimate), Woody's fairing, light bar, taller risers, HD Road King Classic saddle bags, saddle bag rails, Progressive suspension front and rear, Kury ISO highway pegs , etc...

[bscrive]

Every spring I think of maybe selling the valk and getting something else but nothing ever came up that got my attention.  Then, I saw the new valk and checked it out.  It was nice but the CTX1300 is what I really liked.  But, when I got out for the first time this spring on the valk and thinking...this is the best bike I have ever owned.  With that, any thoughts of a new bike went out the window.  I don't want payments and the new bike would just pale in comparison to my valk.  It has never let me down so why would I get rid of it?  I would just kick my butt later on for selling it.

[jimmytee]

Every spring I think of maybe selling the valk and getting something else but nothing ever came up that got my attention.  Then, I saw the new valk and checked it out.  It was nice but the CTX1300 is what I really liked.  But, when I got out for the first time this spring on the valk and thinking...this is the best bike I have ever owned.  With that, any thoughts of a new bike went out the window.  I don't want payments and the new bike would just pale in comparison to my valk.  It has never let me down so why would I get rid of it?  I would just kick my butt later on for selling it.

don't sell it ,add a stable mate. Some expensive bling for sure.