You meet the nicest folks on a Harley errr Honda.

[Bighead]

While on a ride across a mountain pass today between Durango Colorado and Silverton Colorado I stopped at an overlook at the peak of a pass and pulled up behind 7 bikes. 6 Harley's and 1 goldwing and as soon as the Kickstand hit the ground a guy says hey that is a Valkyrie so 6 of them came over to look and talk about the Fat girl. Guess which one didn't ?  Yep the goldwing guy he was riding an older 1500 I don't know if he had HP envy or what but I talked with the HD Guys for a few minutes and one even said what don't they make that bike anymore? He said I like it but time came to go and I wished the safe roads and travels and them back to me and I cruised off at about 12000 ft.

[Alien]

I've had that same experience with Goldwing riders.  Much like BMW riders, they don't like to associate with cruiser folk.  I've never had an issue with a Harley rider since I've had the Mothership.  I did have a few tense conversations with them when I owned my Shadow.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Bighead]

Oh I forgot to mention one of the HD guys said hey that is a get up and go bike right there

[cookiedough]

Am surprised the HD guys knew it was a Valkyrie.  I had a couple come over since mine is all black and from a distance I guess you could mistake it for a Harley??, but saw them coming over within 10 feet inspecting it me being a distance aways coming at them and as soon as they saw HONDA, they backed off like it was the plague.   Funny as all heck had to be there I guess. 

I don't think our Valks are much faster than the 1520cc goldwing to be honest.  I have driven both and the Valk should win, but not by much.  Put our stock 1997-2003 Valk against the 2001 on up 1832cc Wing or new F6B or new Valk, and it will loose for sure unless you have a very skilled rider on our Valk and a so-so rider on the newer 1832cc Wing. 

[Bighead]

1800 wins hands down but the 1500 wing not even close.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've had that same experience with Goldwing riders.  Much like BMW riders, they don't like to associate with cruiser folk.  I've never had an issue with a Harley rider since I've had the Mothership.  I did have a few tense conversations with them when I owned my Shadow.

Ride Safe,

Alien

I agree with those generalizations of different riders. But I often wonder what generalizations they have about us ? I mostly ride with a couple Harley guys, a Yamaha guy, sometimes a couple others. But when I've ridden with SoCal guys it's usually 6 or more Valks and an occasional different makes. When we see other riders (usually Harley's) I wonder what they think of us   Also I wonder why someone would have one of the finest cross country bikes (GW) and only do rides of  35- 150 miles ?

[The emperor has no clothes]

While on a ride across a mountain pass today between Durango Colorado and Silverton Colorado I stopped at an overlook at the peak of a pass and pulled up behind 7 bikes. 6 Harley's and 1 goldwing and as soon as the Kickstand hit the ground a guy says hey that is a Valkyrie so 6 of them came over to look and talk about the Fat girl. Guess which one didn't ?  Yep the goldwing guy he was riding an older 1500 I don't know if he had HP envy or what but I talked with the HD Guys for a few minutes and one even said what don't they make that bike anymore? He said I like it but time came to go and I wished the safe roads and travels and them back to me and I cruised off at about 12000 ft.

Going to be riding that road for the first time in a couple days. How did you like it ? I've been looking forward to it for a few years 

[Bighead]

While on a ride across a mountain pass today between Durango Colorado and Silverton Colorado I stopped at an overlook at the peak of a pass and pulled up behind 7 bikes. 6 Harley's and 1 goldwing and as soon as the Kickstand hit the ground a guy says hey that is a Valkyrie so 6 of them came over to look and talk about the Fat girl. Guess which one didn't ?  Yep the goldwing guy he was riding an older 1500 I don't know if he had HP envy or what but I talked with the HD Guys for a few minutes and one even said what don't they make that bike anymore? He said I like it but time came to go and I wished the safe roads and travels and them back to me and I cruised off at about 12000 ft.

Going to be riding that road for the first time in a couple days. How did you like it ? I've been looking forward to it for a few years 

Hwy 550 out of Durango  don't get any better I have pics but can't post till I get back home   
Really good ride. And if any get the chance to take US 64 after you get back into New Mexico to Taos NM it is worth the ride

[cookiedough]

I've had that same experience with Goldwing riders.  Much like BMW riders, they don't like to associate with cruiser folk.  I've never had an issue with a Harley rider since I've had the Mothership.  I did have a few tense conversations with them when I owned my Shadow.

Ride Safe,

Alien

I agree with those generalizations of different riders. But I often wonder what generalizations they have about us ? I mostly ride with a couple Harley guys, a Yamaha guy, sometimes a couple others. But when I've ridden with SoCal guys it's usually 6 or more Valks and an occasional different makes. When we see other riders (usually Harley's) I wonder what they think of us   Also I wonder why someone would have one of the finest cross country bikes (GW) and only do rides of  35- 150 miles ?

I could care less what other 'different' riders think of us/me.  I ride because I like doing it regardless of cycle used on 2 wheels.  I also don't wonder why someone would have one of the finest long distance bikes being the GW motor and only do rides 35-150 miles either. 

Just today I rode my 250cc scooter 120 miles total, although would have preferred to be on the Valk at that distance.  99% of my rides are 150 miles or less per day, maybe someday later in life I will have days and weeks to plan a long distance ride, but until then I ride the GW motor since is for me one of the comfiest bikes out there for the price with the time alloted for riding. Much more than say 200 miles per day,  my butt gets sore of course by then having to stop for gas and as well my right hand (more so my right fingers) go numb probably due to keying all day in an office setting.  I've had it evaluated and is not carpal tunnel like my wife thinks she has, but drs. don't know either, guessing pinched nerves in neck which I have had off and on the past 20 years or so. 

[Bighead]

Cookie I too could care less what folks think of what I ride but it was funny that The HD guys came to talk but the GW rider didn't.
You stated that your right hand or fingers bothered you after a 200 or so mile day? If your thumb,index and long finger are numb feeling it is Carpal tunnel no matter what the dr says. I have worked in thin field for 30 yrs and Yep Carpal Tunnel.
One thing that will relieve the symptoms some is to relax you hands while on the bars , you grip them and don't realize it.

[cookiedough]

Cookie I too could care less what folks think of what I ride but it was funny that The HD guys came to talk but the GW rider didn't.
You stated that your right hand or fingers bothered you after a 200 or so mile day? If your thumb,index and long finger are numb feeling it is Carpal tunnel no matter what the dr says. I have worked in thin field for 30 yrs and Yep Carpal Tunnel.
One thing that will relieve the symptoms some is to relax you hands while on the bars , you grip them and don't realize it.

thanks Bighead for the thoughts/suggestions.  I spent over 500 bucks on drs. investigating my numbness to NO resolution so gave up for now, they pissed me off enough just wasted money down the drain.

Only fingers that go numb only on the right grip is my middle finger, right ring finger if you want to call it that, and especially my pinky finger.  My right thumb and writing finger next to it are fine.  It's a tingling numbness sensation and get it from time to time up and down my wrist/arm as well.  When it gets so bad I cannot lift my right arm and hold it above my head for more than 5-10 seconds is when I get worried.  Sucks a few times having to wash my hair with just my left hand since right arm cannot hold it up there very long at all a few times. 

I do agree though, I grip the throttle way too hard at times, maybe one of those wrist throttles holders would help been always thinking of getting one, clipping it on right throttle,  and are dirt cheap like 10 bucks or so. 

[jimmytee]

I have the Kuryakyn Iso Grips with the Throttle Boss on both bikes. The Throttle Boss really helps to relieve right hand fatigue. In fact, I never have an issue or feel the need for cruise with my right hand on long trips. Without the Throttle Boss, I'll get numbness after awhile using the stock grips.

[solo1]

Before I had the Valkyrie I had an St1100.  It always put four fingers of my right hand to sleep. Tried everything. helibars, grips, lead in the helibars., made no difference.  Traded the St1100 in for the Valkyrie, no problem with the fingers. Talked to the guy that bought the ST1100, he never had a problem.  I've come to the conclusion that arthritis was just starting.

I joined a GW chapter with the Valk and I got a cool reception.  BTW, the Valkyrie seemed to have more power than the 91 Aspencade that i had.

[Jess Tolbirt]

drop your handle bars just a tad bit and the numbness will probably go away.. it did for me.

[Valkorado]

Glad you got to experience the area.  Red Mountain Pass is one great ride.  

[Bighead]

Glad you got to experience the area.  Red Mountain Pass is one great ride.  

It was one of the coolest roads I have ever ridden

[John Schmidt]

Back in the late 90's, some friends of our had a so-called mountain cabin(5 br, 3 bath A Frame, 2800 sq. ft.) up the road from the Angel Fire ski resort. Some cabin?!?!  Anyway, it was at the 9800' level which was about 27 miles east of Taos. For three summers running, three of us couples would go out there for about a 10 day stay, using their "cabin" as base camp. We made daily runs all over northern N.M., up into Colorado, etc.  We always set aside a few days to do a few overnight runs up into Col., loved that area and I'm fully aware of highway #64. What was really fun was to take some of the narrow back roads, giving you insight into the locals and how they lived. Now, my wife can no longer travel so we have bunches of pictures to reminisce over.

One year going into Durange, I spotted a small grass strip with gliders. After checking in our hotel, I went back out and got a ride. Told the guy I was an active pilot so he let me take over the controls for a while. I was feeling pretty good about the altitude I had gained when he told me we were only about 2000 ft. above ground. I'm a flatlander that forgot where we were.    He even let me land it but cautioned me about the fact there is no "go around" in glider flying.

[Alien]

I happen to know of a race between a 2012 Wing and a 1998 Valk.  Video below.  Warning: Language (quick fbomb at the end.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv7i9o8oOwQ

[czuch]

When we first got the Valk we joined the GW club.  Can you say un-welcome?
They met at the Golden Corral every month for breakfast. I liked that but it was chilly in there.
The last time we went Tammy dressed real sharp. That pissed the wives off and they let her know.
It was hilarious. The geezers just kept looooking.