What's missing on the new Valkyrie .... ?
CajunRider:
Quote from: Rams on July 26, 2014, 09:13:41 AM
That engine and transmission are the main draws to this machine.
Very true. With Honda's current pricing, the engine is the only reason for me choosing the Goldwing over a Harley / Victory / BMW / Triumph / Etc. Etc. Etc. They all cost about the same (within 1 or 2 $K).
BF:
"What's missing on the new Valkyrie .... ?"
Soul.
Bagger:
Quote from: BF on July 28, 2014, 01:31:13 PM
"What's missing on the new Valkyrie .... ?"
Soul.
Pages turn and time marches on ... all things change.
I had a 1999 Valkyrie and liked it a great deal. I'm not sure I would say it had more 'soul' than the present bike, but that's a personal observation.
Let me say this ... I've had quite a few Harleys over the years. Shovel heads were purchased from the dealer with a piece of carpet in a small tray to catch the oil that dripped from the brand new bikes. I had the same in my garage. If oil did not leak, it was out of oil. We rebuilt these motors every 3500 miles or so. Some tho't Shovelheads had 'soul'.
Shovel heads went the way of dinosaurs and the Evos were born. Folks that loved SHs hated the new motors which came with more ponies, better maintenance schedules, more reliability and Evos sold like crazy. Then Evos evolved into Twin Cam bikes. Pretty much same/same bike with different engines and transmission tweaks. Some didn't like the TC bikes and said HD sold out. But, the TCs sold.
Here's the point. I had an "original Valk" ... enjoyed the bike, but sold it to a friend and moved on. The GL1800 that replaced the stripper 1500 Wing is a much better bike IMO. And, even this excellent bike is getting 'long in the tooth', too.
And, now there's the "New Valkyrie". It's quite a bike ! Yes, based on the GL1800 and some 150 lbs trimmer, but there are other things about this bike that separate it from the 1500 Valk.
For example, look at the fuel injection vs 6 carbs from a maintenance point of view. LED vs filament bulbs. A 'real horn' vs a 'beep beep'. 1800 vs 1500 motor for power and longevity. Better switch gear on the 1800 Valk. Better transmission function. Better suspension, better turn in. Faster. EZr to clean. 8) And, there are more IMO, too.
Does this mean the new Valkyrie lacks 'soul'? Perhaps.
That said, I do like the old Valk a great deal. But, that does not mean I cling to it above all else. Moving on is something I do without looking back much. New is good.
Bagger John - #3785:
Quote from: F6Dave on July 18, 2014, 08:15:04 AM
Speaking of bargains, I was in a Triumph dealer last week and they had a new 2014 Rocket III Touring in the beautiful red/black two tone. It was on sale for under $17K. That sure is tempting, as it has so many similarities to the original Valk Tourer. And 2300 ccs would be a lot of fun! But overall I think I'll be happier on the Honda.
Did Triumph ever address the matter of the crankshaft's cam chain sprocket chewing up its locator key and spinning on the crankshaft...which resulted in a number of grenaded top ends?
If so, I would buy an R-III in a heartbeat.
bigfish_Oh:
I went to a local demo day and rode the F6B and the Valk. I think I remember a goldwing emblem on one of them, that needs to go. What's missing ? a classic, 1800 in a soft bagger/ exposed engine, original Valk with updates and aftermarket for acces.. I almost wish I kept mine and bought 5 more instead of the Road King and Nightster.
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