CANT WAIT update August 5th

[Robert]

Came in and tomorrow will be playing hookie for a little while and pick it up. Unfortunately the windshield will not be in till later in the day so I will wait to pick that up till the weekend.

[Flrider]

Congrats  

Don't know how you are going to be able to sleep tonight? 

[_Sheffjs_]

  

[AdrianR]

Awesome man! Wait till' you freak out when you realize how damn good that bike handles!

[Robert]

7:40 am are we there yet 

[_Sheffjs_]

Easy cupper             

[_Sheffjs_]

Throttle response will be different with FI.  Hang on!

[st2sam]

Wait till' you freak out when you realize how damn good that bike handles!

Adrian is right on the money.

I ride mine like a sport bike. I don't think there is another cruiser made that even comes close.

The bike does it all.
Have fun and good luck with her.

[bscrive]

Throttle response will be different with FI.  Hang on!

That is one thing I noticed right off.  My new valk sure is touchy.  When I first rode it and hits bumps, the bike would jump ahead because my hand moved a little on the throttle.  I am getting better on the throttle control, but it is a big difference from my old I/S.

[_Sheffjs_]

Throttle response will be different with FI.  Hang on!

That is one thing I noticed right off.  My new valk sure is touchy.  When I first rode it and hits bumps, the bike would jump ahead because my hand moved a little on the throttle.  I am getting better on the throttle control, but it is a big difference from my old I/S.

New wing is the same 

[AdrianR]

Got the day off today...it's a bright, sunny day..and went for a decent ride..

man, as you learn how to handle this machine the more you appreciate it...

it is so well designed...and as the miles pour on from new it just gets smoother and faster...

yet it's laid back if you want it to..

Today's temp is in the low to mid 70s with low humidity...perfect for max HP...AND torque...

I just kills me how you really never need to downshift to pass...maneuver a twisty...just roll on the throttle and rocket out of a turn..

oh and lastly....the way it SOUNDS is totally cool...

This is by far the best motorcycle I've ever ridden...

[_Sheffjs_]

 

[Robert]

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

WTH I thought you guys were good guys, why didn't you tell me I would enjoy it this much

A few observations No tools, the tool compartment although bigger is totally open on top. Throttle in first gear is no joke on this bike. If you accelerate and then immediately let off the throttle you could get wip lash. Foot shift lever is a little tight to get under. These are about the only negatives that I could come up with.
But the positives are so many, The dealer took about 3 years "seemingly" gave me the safety lesson and finally off on the road. A little hairy at first, the handling is much more responsive and easy. Plus not used to no windshield but just took it easy and got on 75 north bound. Just a bit hairy calming down and getting used to the bike. Going through the usual highway lane changes feeling the bike out and 50 miles later was back at work wishing I didn't have to stop. On the ride home from work I went through some maneuvering and figure 8's and all is well. Really like so many things about the bike, I couldn't have asked for more of what I wanted in a bike. I like the riding position for me it was ok along with the seat believe it or not. Windshield is a must and bags a must but everything else is optional. Nice to have a gas gauge again the dash is easy to read even in bright sunlight. My windshield did come in today but I was not about to wait for it since it came in late in the afternoon, so will pick it up in the next couple of days. Once that is on it will be more comfortable. I almost forgot the suspension is wonderful really soaks up the dips in the road and makes the bike much more solid. Lane changes and maneuvering is effortless just riding it does not tire you out. Wind is much more manageable on this bike also, down here in S Fla it gets hot and its nice not to have that air blowing on you making you hotter. Well thats it totally happy at my purchase except for one thing, I am sitting here in the house and not riding it.  

I wish I had known they were going to present the bike like this I would have asked them for a different color that didnt clash with my bike dark red 

[_Sheffjs_]

We will leave the windshield off until the cooler months. Yes with our Florida heat and humidity the open air keeps me cooler!    And we did tell you. 

[Robert]

We will leave the windshield off until the cooler months. Yes with our Florida heat and humidity the open air keeps me cooler!    And we did tell you. 

YOU WEREN'T LOUD ENOUGH  I love the fact that the hot air from the engine does not blow on me especially when the temp is like 110 on 95.

[_Sheffjs_]

The group that knows      We have the best bike on the planet!  So says me

[_Sheffjs_]

    Heck that it a great shot color and all!!!!!!!  She is a bute!!! 

[AdrianR]

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

WTH I thought you guys were good guys, why didn't you tell me I would enjoy it this much

A few observations No tools, the tool compartment although bigger is totally open on top. Throttle in first gear is no joke on this bike. If you accelerate and then immediately let off the throttle you could get wip lash. Foot shift lever is a little tight to get under. These are about the only negatives that I could come up with.
But the positives are so many, The dealer took about 3 years "seemingly" gave me the safety lesson and finally off on the road. A little hairy at first, the handling is much more responsive and easy. Plus not used to no windshield but just took it easy and got on 75 north bound. Just a bit hairy calming down and getting used to the bike. Going through the usual highway lane changes feeling the bike out and 50 miles later was back at work wishing I didn't have to stop. On the ride home from work I went through some maneuvering and figure 8's and all is well. Really like so many things about the bike, I couldn't have asked for more of what I wanted in a bike. I like the riding position for me it was ok along with the seat believe it or not. Windshield is a must and bags a must but everything else is optional. Nice to have a gas gauge again the dash is easy to read even in bright sunlight. My windshield did come in today but I was not about to wait for it since it came in late in the afternoon, so will pick it up in the next couple of days. Once that is on it will be more comfortable. I almost forgot the suspension is wonderful really soaks up the dips in the road and makes the bike much more solid. Lane changes and maneuvering is effortless just riding it does not tire you out. Wind is much more manageable on this bike also, down here in S Fla it gets hot and its nice not to have that air blowing on you making you hotter. Well thats it totally happy at my purchase except for one thing, I am sitting here in the house and not riding it.  

I wish I had known they were going to present the bike like this I would have asked them for a different color that didnt clash with my bike dark red 

Congrats man...good looking bike....The shifting thing and the clutch become second nature quickly....she just takes a bit to get used to...just slide the clutch a *tad* bit more when downshifting...you'll feel...but man when it engages...HELL YEAH!

I love the torque man...

Try to use ethanol free gas if you can...she makes even more HP..and is smoother...
or, stop at an auto parts store/walmart and pick up some ethanol fuel conditioner...(I have Lucas Oil brand)..add an ounce or so to a full tank...makes a difference man...

The handling for a cruiser is insane....

[havoc]

right on! 

yeah i gotta say.... i really lucked out in choosing (or being chosen by her) this as my first bike ever. I plan on keeping this for decades.

[ledany]

I ride mine like a sport bike. I don't think there is another cruiser made that even comes close.

The bike does it all.
Have fun and good luck with her.

I wouldn't intend to spoil anything but ... did you ever ride a Ducati Diavel ? 

[bscrive]

I ride mine like a sport bike. I don't think there is another cruiser made that even comes close.

The bike does it all.
Have fun and good luck with her.

I wouldn't intend to spoil anything but ... did you ever ride a Ducati Diavel ? 

When the Ducati is dead and buried, the Valk will just be getting broken in.   

[mrtappan]

While the Ducati may have a good bit of edge in speed, it doesnt come close in comfort.  I like to think of the Valkyrie as overall satisfying bike.  I was a little skeptical to buy one but I was pleased to find my fears were unjustified. 

[Robert]

I like the sound of my new Valk but never liked the sound of the Ducati. Sounds like loose nuts and bolts in the engine. Not to mention I still cannot get used to no valve springs something just seems wrong and the extra noise and cost to me is just not worth it. 

[thork86]

Came in and tomorrow will be playing hookie for a little while and pick it up. Unfortunately the windshield will not be in till later in the day so I will wait to pick that up till the weekend.

Glad you enjoy it, she's a looker!

I gotta ask though... That's exactly how it arrived "off the boat", if you will?

If so, how does a dealer even get away with charging for setup/delivery fees?!

[Robert]

Came in and tomorrow will be playing hookie for a little while and pick it up. Unfortunately the windshield will not be in till later in the day so I will wait to pick that up till the weekend.

Glad you enjoy it, she's a looker!

I gotta ask though... That's exactly how it arrived "off the boat", if you will?

If so, how does a dealer even get away with charging for setup/delivery fees?!

Thats the exact way it arrives I was thinking the same thing since I know they really dont check that much.

[bscrive]

Wellllll....they do have to put on the side covers and hook up the battery.  That has to be worth the PDI they charge.   

[Robert]

OK Corbin bags coming, windshield on, ordered the cowl lights below but

http://electricalconnection.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=58  1440 lumens per housing

What do you guys think of these? I thought they were kind of trick and I may get them.


http://electricalconnection.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=20_27&product_id=84

[rogueleader_92]

If it illuminated the actual logo not just made a light ring I might but with what they show I wouldn't go through the hassle myself.

[AdrianR]

Hey dude...waiting on pics of your bike with that boulevard windshield...plz....???

[thork86]

Wellllll....they do have to put on the side covers and hook up the battery.  That has to be worth the PDI they charge.  

Haha! Exactly... And the sales guys always kick and scream about how they have to pay their guys somehow for building the bikes. We don't make any money on these charges!! 

Even if they have to piece it together from a bare frame, the logic behind passing on the cost to the customer confuses me...

[bscrive]

My cousin is a mechanic at a big Hyundai dealership in Ottawa, and they send their vehicles out to be PDI'd.  They have a company down the road that does the PDI's for them at a fraction of what they would have to pay an actual mechanic.  The company that they send the cars for PDI's don't even have a single licensed mechanic working for them.  All they do, apparently, is check the lug nuts, fill the tires with air and do a visual check of the car.  For that the customer gets to pay a $1150 PDI charge.  I bet the big wigs at Hyundai are not aware of this.

[Robert]

Hey dude...waiting on pics of your bike with that boulevard windshield...plz....???

Sorry,  I will take a few tomorrow, do you want to see the whole bike and the mounts? Because I can take pics of the mounting as well as the bike.  

[AdrianR]

Hey dude...waiting on pics of your bike with that boulevard windshield...plz....???

Sorry,  I will take a few tomorrow, do you want to see the whole bike and the mounts? Because I can take pics of the mounting as well as the bike.  

Ja!

[Robert]

There you go one front one side and one mountings.   the only thing that is negative that I have noticed is when you go by a truck or there is alot of turbulence in the air you can feel it through the handlebars. This is the factory tall windshield part# 08R71-MJR-670

[blackvalk]

Great pictures!

On the last picture I noticed you had a ring of keys resting on the chrome gas cover. I made that mistake on a new VTX1800 years ago and scratched the chrome plate that surrounded the ignition key.

If you leave it that way, the wind will blow the keys around and will scratch the gas cover assembly.

Be careful!

[Robert]

Great pictures!

On the last picture I noticed you had a ring of keys resting on the chrome gas cover. I made that mistake on a new VTX1800 years ago and scratched the chrome plate that surrounded the ignition key.

If you leave it that way, the wind will blow the keys around and will scratch the gas cover assembly.

Be careful!

Yes I agree and really don't know what to do about it yet. The keys with the windshield really don't move that much which was pretty amazing to me. I may get a quick disconnect for them but I don't like the bulk in my pocket and am afraid I will forget them  I even thought about putting some 3M clear shield around the key to stop the scratching but it seems a bit much. I use my bike every day and have all the keys I need on that key ring so trying to keep it simple. Thanks for pointing that out though I am open to suggestions.  After thinking about the location of the ignition lock it seems like there could have been a better place that would not get all the elements.

[AdrianR]

Great pictures!

On the last picture I noticed you had a ring of keys resting on the chrome gas cover. I made that mistake on a new VTX1800 years ago and scratched the chrome plate that surrounded the ignition key.

If you leave it that way, the wind will blow the keys around and will scratch the gas cover assembly.

Be careful!

That looks great but I thought you got the smaller windshield!  I was interested in the 7 inch high deflector one that Honda makes....

Yes I agree and really don't know what to do about it yet. The keys with the windshield really don't move that much which was pretty amazing to me. I may get a quick disconnect for them but I don't like the bulk in my pocket and am afraid I will forget them  I even thought about putting some 3M clear shield around the key to stop the scratching but it seems a bit much. I use my bike every day and have all the keys I need on that key ring so trying to keep it simple. Thanks for pointing that out though I am open to suggestions.  After thinking about the location of the ignition lock it seems like there could have been a better place that would not get all the elements.

[Robert]

Well rather than start a new thread I thought it was ok to continue on this one since the heading is still I cant wait but for the Corbin bags, the Corbin seat and the cowl lights. Then the bike will be set its a PIA not to have saddle bags. Will take pics as the transformation goes on. Really beautiful night here in S Fla so after dinner decided to go for a ride on A1A it was beautiful the air was refreshing the stars were out it was just perfect. I am settling in to the new Valk more and more.

By the way Blackvalk I did find some of the 3M scratch guard and put it on the chrome gas cover and around the key hole. I will have to redo it but its almost perfect and will not allow the chrome to scratch with the keys. Glad I did it the chrome was already slightly scratched  so getter  done. 

[Robert]

Since putting together a new bike is alot of waiting I decided to continue this thread. It started almost the day I placed the order or at least from the shipping, to showroom, to ride, now install bags. Especially in light of the fact that I have just received and installed my Corbin hard bags. Took 5 weeks more or less but they are beautiful. Just what I wanted in appearance, but like some have said the size is a bit smaller than desired.

Quality is great, finish great, installation good, again not the correct nuts and bolts so had to buy some, but really a good product. As to size, they really could not be any bigger it would look awefull, so live with it. I have never and repeat never except for one shopping trip filled my 01 Valk bags full. So size really should not be an issue. Just really nice to have bags again and the shape and style really make the bike. Good job Corbin   All except shipping time and bolts.

I hope the powers that be will not be upset, but Rick Case Honda was a good place to deal with. I may not have saved as much as some on the purchase price but they have worked with me on accessories to save me some money and overall price diff was not great from the cheapest deal. Good people on top of things and they do care which is nice.





Next and still waiting is a Corbin seat and the cowl lights and that will complete what I wanted to put on this bike. I will eventually get a back rest for the passenger seat and maybe a few other small items. I already have the replacement rear tire and have gone through all the oil changes and coolant changes already. The bike is great by the way, and don't look under the rear fender. I can say after 1200 miles and some tweeks, some installs that I am still waiting to ride every day.  

[AdrianR]

Since putting together a new bike is alot of waiting I decided to continue this thread. It started almost the day I placed the order or at least from the shipping, to showroom, to ride, now install bags. Especially in light of the fact that I have just received and installed my Corbin hard bags. Took 5 weeks more or less but they are beautiful. Just what I wanted in appearance, but like some have said the size is a bit smaller than desired.

Quality is great, finish great, installation good, again not the correct nuts and bolts so had to buy some, but really a good product. As to size, they really could not be any bigger it would look awefull, so live with it. I have never and repeat never except for one shopping trip filled my 01 Valk bags full. So size really should not be an issue. Just really nice to have bags again and the shape and style really make the bike. Good job Corbin   All except shipping time and bolts.

I hope the powers that be will not be upset, but Rick Case Honda was a good place to deal with. I may not have saved as much as some on the purchase price but they have worked with me on accessories to save me some money and overall price diff was not great from the cheapest deal. Good people on top of things and they do care which is nice.





Next and still waiting is a Corbin seat and the cowl lights and that will complete what I wanted to put on this bike. I will eventually get a back rest for the passenger seat and maybe a few other small items. I already have the replacement rear tire and have gone through all the oil changes and coolant changes already. The bike is great by the way, and don't look under the rear fender. I can say after 1200 miles and some tweeks, some installs that I am still waiting to ride every day.  

That looks great!  Not much of a bagger type guy, but those bags looking very seamless...great design....said you did you're 'oil changes' already....How many in 1200 miles? What kind of oil are you running now?