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Hooter
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« on: May 26, 2015, 05:52:09 AM » |
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It was only a 400 mile trip one way a few weeks back. Nick showed up early (daylight) and my Valk was out on the apron in front of my garage. He got off his bike and said, "You aren't going to ride the Ultra"? Nope I said, gonna stretch the ol girl out. WTF he said...I thought you were gonna ride the Harley? Nope, and left it at that. We took off and I let him lead, didn't want to bruise his ego any more letting a Honda lead. (this guy is staunch Harley) First fuel stop was at about 130 miles, his choice, so why not. Filled the bikes and back on the road again. This took place about 3 times on the way to our destination. I noticed on the third fill he was a little slow in getting off the bike. We did what we had to do at our destination and headed back home with plans on staying overnight. We got fuel to start back and he was lookin a little tired. I said: "Hey, why don't you try my Valk and I will ride your Harley. He looked at me like he crapped his drawers. "Really, and why would I wanna do that"? (again, this guy is nothing but Harley) Me: "So you don't get home and need a wheel chair". "Alright, I will ride your HONDA just so you shut up"! Quick lesson on where things were and we took off. We pulled into a motel and shut the bikes down. He got off my Valk and looked at me right in the eye. "No f***king wonder you ride this thing and not your Harley on longer trips"! "Doesn't even feel like I rode anywhere since I've been on it". Are there any of these available"? "Why I asked"? "Your ass just sat on a Honda, a day I thought I'd never see"! He just blurted out: "I'm gonna keep the Harley, but I WILL HAVE ONE OF THESE"! I showed him the side of the case where it says MADE IN THE U.S.A. He said: "you have to be shi*in me, a Honda made in the U.S.A."? There is now another (I believe it is a 99 black Tourer.) bike in his garage. The Harley is covered in the corner. He said his wife doesn't want to ride the Harley anymore, she loves the Valk. He said: "You cost me a bunch of money but it is worth it"! This guy wouldn't even look at a metric before the trip, now he owns one.  This is not a Harley slam, I own 2 of them. But it is proof that the ol Valk is a great riding machine. |
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You are never lost if you don't care where you are!
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2015, 06:20:58 AM » |
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A lot of people used to think the world was flat.   OR When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.Samuel Clemens (M. Twain) |
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Hooter
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« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2015, 11:06:53 AM » |
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He called me just a minute ago and said: "Hey lets ride after your shift ends". OOOOOK I said, what bike should I ride? "The Valkyrie you damn fool"!  |
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You are never lost if you don't care where you are!
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LTD
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« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2015, 05:39:50 PM » |
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Great story pretty much sums it all up I think. Valkyrie the legend lives on.
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2015, 06:11:54 PM » |
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I've got friends that have never been on a Honda . But to be fair I haven't been on Harley since the early 70's. But I'm also hesitant to ride anyone's bike or let them ride mine. I can count on one hand the people that have ridden bikes I've owned. Probably has to do with letting a friend ride my Yamaha 350 on a Senior Skip Day party. Never got over that  I've got to know someone years before we switch bikes.  |
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art
Member
Posts: 2737
Grants Pass,Or
Grants Pass,Or
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« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2015, 07:10:37 PM » |
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I've had several bikes over the years and the two I liked best were 98 Honda Shadow Aero 1100cc and the Valk standard. I didn't think I would like the Shadow but I was very sorry I sold it. The Valk gave me the best ride of all the bikes I had,GWs included. I have ridden 1171 miles in 23 hours and would have gone more but I arrived at my destination. At 72 years old I would do it again .
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2015, 07:22:16 PM » |
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I've had several bikes over the years and the two I liked best were 98 Honda Shadow Aero 1100cc and the Valk standard. I didn't think I would like the Shadow but I was very sorry I sold it. The Valk gave me the best ride of all the bikes I had,GWs included. I have ridden 1171 miles in 23 hours and would have gone more but I arrived at my destination. At 72 years old I would do it again .
I've done 1100 miles before . But I was 19 or 20. I can't do that crap no more.  |
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« Last Edit: May 27, 2015, 08:04:21 PM by meathead »
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J.Mencalice
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Posts: 1850
"When You're Dead, Your Bank Account Goes to Zero"
Livin' Better Side of The Great Divide
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« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2015, 08:12:29 PM » |
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It was only a 400 mile trip one way a few weeks back. Nick showed up early (daylight) and my Valk was out on the apron in front of my garage. He got off his bike and said, "You aren't going to ride the Ultra"? Nope I said, gonna stretch the ol girl out. WTF he said...I thought you were gonna ride the Harley? Nope, and left it at that. We took off and I let him lead, didn't want to bruise his ego any more letting a Honda lead. (this guy is staunch Harley) First fuel stop was at about 130 miles, his choice, so why not. Filled the bikes and back on the road again. This took place about 3 times on the way to our destination. I noticed on the third fill he was a little slow in getting off the bike. We did what we had to do at our destination and headed back home with plans on staying overnight. We got fuel to start back and he was lookin a little tired. I said: "Hey, why don't you try my Valk and I will ride your Harley. He looked at me like he crapped his drawers. "Really, and why would I wanna do that"? (again, this guy is nothing but Harley) Me: "So you don't get home and need a wheel chair". "Alright, I will ride your HONDA just so you shut up"! Quick lesson on where things were and we took off. We pulled into a motel and shut the bikes down. He got off my Valk and looked at me right in the eye. "No f***king wonder you ride this thing and not your Harley on longer trips"! "Doesn't even feel like I rode anywhere since I've been on it". Are there any of these available"? "Why I asked"? "Your ass just sat on a Honda, a day I thought I'd never see"! He just blurted out: "I'm gonna keep the Harley, but I WILL HAVE ONE OF THESE"! I showed him the side of the case where it says MADE IN THE U.S.A. He said: "you have to be shi*in me, a Honda made in the U.S.A."? There is now another (I believe it is a 99 black Tourer.) bike in his garage. The Harley is covered in the corner. He said his wife doesn't want to ride the Harley anymore, she loves the Valk. He said: "You cost me a bunch of money but it is worth it"! This guy wouldn't even look at a metric before the trip, now he owns one. This is not a Harley slam, I own 2 of them. But it is proof that the ol Valk is a great riding machine. It was only a 400 mile trip one way a few weeks back. Nick showed up early (daylight) and my Valk was out on the apron in front of my garage. He got off his bike and said, "You aren't going to ride the Ultra"? Nope I said, gonna stretch the ol girl out. WTF he said...I thought you were gonna ride the Harley? Nope, and left it at that. We took off and I let him lead, didn't want to bruise his ego any more letting a Honda lead. (this guy is staunch Harley) First fuel stop was at about 130 miles, his choice, so why not. Filled the bikes and back on the road again. This took place about 3 times on the way to our destination. I noticed on the third fill he was a little slow in getting off the bike. We did what we had to do at our destination and headed back home with plans on staying overnight. We got fuel to start back and he was lookin a little tired. I said: "Hey, why don't you try my Valk and I will ride your Harley. He looked at me like he crapped his drawers. "Really, and why would I wanna do that"? (again, this guy is nothing but Harley) Me: "So you don't get home and need a wheel chair". "Alright, I will ride your HONDA just so you shut up"! Quick lesson on where things were and we took off. We pulled into a motel and shut the bikes down. He got off my Valk and looked at me right in the eye. "No f***king wonder you ride this thing and not your Harley on longer trips"! "Doesn't even feel like I rode anywhere since I've been on it". Are there any of these available"? "Why I asked"? "Your ass just sat on a Honda, a day I thought I'd never see"! He just blurted out: "I'm gonna keep the Harley, but I WILL HAVE ONE OF THESE"! I showed him the side of the case where it says MADE IN THE U.S.A. He said: "you have to be shi*in me, a Honda made in the U.S.A."? There is now another (I believe it is a 99 black Tourer.) bike in his garage. The Harley is covered in the corner. He said his wife doesn't want to ride the Harley anymore, she loves the Valk. He said: "You cost me a bunch of money but it is worth it"! This guy wouldn't even look at a metric before the trip, now he owns one. This is not a Harley slam, I own 2 of them. But it is proof that the ol Valk is a great riding machine. You should consider an ol' fashioned traveling tent revival meeting around the country and set up across from Harley dealerships to convert the masses to the blessed joy of riding a Valkyrie. With your buddy giving his testimony, they'll gather at the river of Good (non)Vibrations.  "You meet the nicest people on a Honda." ...and their asses don't ache...and their kidneys don't beg forgiveness every 130 miles...and their fuel gauges don't scream "feed me" every 130 miles.  "Brothers and sisters of the road, you're savior is here!!!!!! |
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"The truth is, most of us discover where we are headed when we arrive." Bill Watterson
Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance...
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Hooter
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« Reply #8 on: May 28, 2015, 03:47:18 AM » |
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I've rode (or is that ridden?) thousands of miles with this guy. Not to mention he was my partner when I was  so I trust him with my life. I NEVER thought I'd see this, and he has never caved to the metric way of thinking. He wore Harley everything, even his underware. It's my fault in a way. I let hime ride my Harleys back years ago so that WAS THE ONLY BIKE ON EARTH. He never looked back. He could never understand why I have always been diverse when it comes to bikes. I've had BSAs,(441) Triumphs, Honda's, Yamaha's, Suzuki Water Buffalo, Harleys, etc: Never owned a Norton or an Indian but would like an Indian Chief. Like and have are two different things. Anyway, when I see his wife with him on the Valk, I laugh. She thought the only bike in the world was a Harley until her ass hit the back of the Valk. She loves it too and won't ride the Harley anymore. These were two people that had bought into the Harley gig lock, stock and underware. Now to see this is almost shocking! |
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You are never lost if you don't care where you are!
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wiggydotcom
Member
Posts: 3387
Do Your Best and Miss the Rest!
Yorkville, Illinois
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« Reply #9 on: May 28, 2015, 04:11:51 AM » |
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That's a great story, Hooter. |
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VRCC #10177 VRCCDS #239  |
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Jess Tolbirt
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« Reply #10 on: May 28, 2015, 05:39:56 AM » |
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willowpad says "You meet the nicest people on a Honda." ...and their asses don't ache...and their kidneys don't beg forgiveness every 130 miles...and their fuel gauges don't scream "feed me" every 130 miles."
well it really aint like that, dont get me wrong, i loved my Valks, but i love my harley too..i can go all day just like i could on the Valk and i get 225 miles on a tank of gas at 45mpg...where my Valk would go 138 miles to reserve at 36mpg...
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Gryphon
Member
Posts: 544
Resistance is futile; if less than 1 ohm.
Fulton, MO
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« Reply #11 on: May 28, 2015, 06:53:31 AM » |
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I wish I got the mileage Willowpad is getting. Until I put belly tanks on this Valk and the last one, mine was always looking thirsty between 120 and 130 miles. Either both of mine have had issues, or I really need to step up my maintenance or change my riding technique, but I've never gotten over 32 mpg and I'm usually closer to 30 or less if I've spent a lot of time in town.
I have no issues with the rest of his statement, although the wife did say that the stock passenger seat was a barely padded 2X4 and is the reason I now have Ultimates, but I don't think any stock passenger seat is decent from any OEM.
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Hooter
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« Reply #12 on: May 28, 2015, 08:04:41 AM » |
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willowpad says "You meet the nicest people on a Honda." ...and their asses don't ache...and their kidneys don't beg forgiveness every 130 miles...and their fuel gauges don't scream "feed me" every 130 miles."
well it really aint like that, dont get me wrong, i loved my Valks, but i love my harley too..i can go all day just like i could on the Valk and i get 225 miles on a tank of gas at 45mpg...where my Valk would go 138 miles to reserve at 36mpg...
Don't get me wrong Jess, I like my Harley's to. I can ride the Ultra tank to tank with no problem. You know as well as I do they get a little past idle and they are smooth. IF I didn't like my bikes I wouldn't keep them very long. |
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You are never lost if you don't care where you are!
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J.Mencalice
Member
Posts: 1850
"When You're Dead, Your Bank Account Goes to Zero"
Livin' Better Side of The Great Divide
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« Reply #13 on: May 28, 2015, 11:28:34 AM » |
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willowpad says "You meet the nicest people on a Honda." ...and their asses don't ache...and their kidneys don't beg forgiveness every 130 miles...and their fuel gauges don't scream "feed me" every 130 miles."
well it really aint like that, dont get me wrong, i loved my Valks, but i love my harley too..i can go all day just like i could on the Valk and i get 225 miles on a tank of gas at 45mpg...where my Valk would go 138 miles to reserve at 36mpg...
I guess we're talkin' about the differences between riding horses over your lifetime and then riding a good mule when you start getting a little older, wiser, and less flexible. Trying to compare them side by side is not fair to either breed.  |
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"The truth is, most of us discover where we are headed when we arrive." Bill Watterson
Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance...
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Steve K (IA)
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« Reply #14 on: May 28, 2015, 07:37:20 PM » |
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I've got friends that have never been on a Honda . But to be fair I haven't been on Harley since the early 70's. But I'm also hesitant to ride anyone's bike or let them ride mine. I can count on one hand the people that have ridden bikes I've owned. Probably has to do with letting a friend ride my Yamaha 350 on a Senior Skip Day party. Never got over that I've got to know someone years before we switch bikes. I've got one of those stories also. It was my future brother-in-law...mid 70's. My Dad told me a 100 times, "never let anyone ride your motorcycle". He was right. |
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 States I Have Ridden In |
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ValkISDan
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« Reply #15 on: May 28, 2015, 07:48:56 PM » |
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Great story! I have a similar one of meeting up with a friend to ride together for the first time. He and his wife were riding a BMW that day. I pulled up and he said he had an epiphany. He didn't even ride my valk and 48 hours later he had located one online and was having it shipped to him. I am sooo ready to go Inzane |
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