prospect owner

[jpntiger]

Yamaha FJR1300 and BMW R1200CL are my earlier bikes. FJR is and acceleration is smooth and powerful.

On the other hand BMW is not smooth heavy on the front but acceleration is not smooth (I would say rough compared to FJR). Thats one of the reason why i sold BMW. It was difficult to ride at slow speed especially during the peak Bay Area traffic, while splitting the lane.

I always loved Valkyrie serious (interstate and rune), but i never had one before nor had a chance to ride one. Wondering what to expect from Valkyrie....

[Bighead]

First off I know it to be legal in Cali but you would never catch me lane splitting especially these days with all the texters among us.
As far as the Valk you will just have to ride one to know.

[sandy]

IMHO the Valk is too wide to lane split. On the other hand, I wouldn't lane split on a small crotch rocket. On yet another hand, the Valk is like two wheeled crack cocaine. One ride and you'll want another one very soon.

[hubcapsc]

I don't think the old Valkyrie is overly hard to ride at slow speed, but at one or two
miles and hour it is a little top heavy... you won't think it is made for lane splitting,
but you'll probably like it for general riding...

My buddy out there who lane splits to work in San Francisco got fed up with his
Harley Heritage Classic and got a Sportster for commuting...

-Mike

[Rio Wil]

Lane splitting in San Francisco Bay Area traffic is not a problem even on a interstate.....done it for years and at times is the only way to make progress in commute traffic......ride what your skills permit.....

[Bighead]

Lane splitting in San Francisco Bay Area traffic is not a problem even on a interstate.....done it for years and at times is the only way to make progress in commute traffic......ride what your skills permit.....

When I said I wouldn't do it I wasn't talking about my skill set but idiots in cages not looking or leaving enough room.

[Pete]

Valk is smooth and quiet at all speeds for its weight.
Very reliable, little hard on gas, expect 35, more if you drive gently.
Handling above a walk is very good.

Excellent acceleration in any gear at almost any speed.
Require minimal gear box rowing to ride if you want it that way.

Bigger and heavier than the BMW you used.
No experience with the other bike you mentioned.

If you do not like BIG bikes, it is not the bike for you.
Good luck.

[Rams]

Part of the lane splitting thing is, the cage driver's in CA are well aware of the chance of a motorcycle shooting past them in such situations.   Where lane splitting is not legal, it's taking your life in your own hands to do it.   I'm not a lane splitter and don't intend to do it even if I'm in CA.

What to expect from a Valkyrie, my own interpretation would be a very exciting motorcycle that's one of the most reliable the industry has ever produced.   One with excellent acceleration and very good handling characteristics but, every bike has it's good and bad points.   (though I can't think of any for the Valkyrie)    The Fat Lady is a heavy cruiser, not a sport bike so don't expect the same things.   

I run darkside and love it, you may or may not.   You'll never know if you don't try.

[old2soon]

I do a fair amount of Patriot Guard rides here in Missouri. If you've ever been on a P G R mission there IS some slow speed riding involved. My I/S is fairly easy to handle in slow speed situations. On really hot days in slow traffic my friends on air cooled engines have run into overheat problems. I just grin when the fans activate!  My I/S goes around 1100-1200 L B S with my fat ass in the saddle plus the "stuff" in my bags and trunk. I STILL DO NOT know where the weight goes when I ease out the clutch in first gear. When I was in S.D. in June the cross wind at times were pushing us around some but nowhere near as bad as some other M/Cs. It's big the tech is from the 80s and 90s BUT they still get the stares and compliments and even if I had the money I'm keepin my Phatt Ghurl!  RIDE SAFE.

[Rio Wil]

Your skill set is what makes one confident enough to safe and sanely lane split .....and none of that endorses "shooting past traffic".....all the idiots are out there whether or not you lane split.....its up to you to ride your ride. Point is, to advise anyone that a Valk is too big for lane splitting when one has little or no experience in doing so or lives 2500 miles away from the only state that permits such activity is rather ....interesting to say the least.......  

[TallRider]

Hey folks. Don't want to start any thing, but  I fell in love with the Valkarie the first time I saw one and always wanted one but fate wouldn't have it. I ended up with the 2014 VALK, opps, (Goldwing Sport) for those who prefer it. This bike is totally different than the original. It does weigh 750 lbs but once the wheels start rolling all bets are off. Handling and the weight issue disapears. The bike performs extremely nimble mileage average 40+, start from a stop in 3rd at idle very smooth in all gears and low speed manuvering  a dream.  Can roll in traffic at almost  hands and knees crawl. Like I said as long as the wheels are turning the bike will stay upright. I find myself doing things with this bike I shouldn't be doing at my age. Love the bike wouldn't trade it for anything. Hope I can ride it for at least a few more years. I am surprised at the description of their handling characteristics of the older Vaks. Sounds like my VTX, this bike was heavy and you knew it. May want to consider the new 1800 if looking for more performance with smooth handling. I agree it doesn't match the looks of the original, I love it. The new one takes a little to get used to but as many posts have indicated the reaction once you have ridden one is wow. Good luck on your choice. Ride safe.

[Alpha Dog]

Jeepers peak hour traffic in Bay area on a heavy bike with continuous clutching and stop and go would wear me out at 60 years.  If it was me I would be one one of these.

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/models/tmax

A maxi scooter makes city traffic much easier to deal with and will run away from motorcycles in this environment.  This one with 15 inch wheels handles bumps better will actually corner more like a sports bike.  They are the rage in Europe, not so much here in the states.
Chuck

[Hooter]

Hmm,, Doesn't matter to me one way or the other who "lane splits" or not. Not for me, just too much going on around here to add to the possibility of gettin whacked again. The people that do so understand what the added chances are of getting hurt over basic riding. I understand the reasoning and why. Who wants to set in all that hour long traffic jam on a commute? Again, just adds to the odds of being  hit. Do lane splitters need "manuverable"  bikes over heavies? Never done it so I don't know but sure seems it would be easier? 

[Momz]

As a note, the AMA does endorse lane splitting as a fuel saving measure and as a way to ease traffic situations.
They found if done properly, it is safer in the long run. A bike just sitting in traffic is more apt to be rear ended than one that keeps moving through traffic.

[spud]

My two cents (CDN). In other words not worth a lot.
I had a 2001 Valkyrie Interstate. From the moment
I saw one I loved the looks. Bought one without test
riding. Had it until last fall and sold it because of my
wife worrying about me on such a big motorcycle.
(her words, not mine) In the spring I got a FJR.
A 2013 with low miles.
Again fell in love with the looks and no test ride.
In comparison to the Valkyrie I found the FJR to
be top heavy and prone to low speed tip overs.
Go test ride a Valkyrie and form your own opinion.
I traded my FJR for a 2014 Valkyrie in June.
I find the riding position better on the Valkyrie
both the 2001 and the 2014 model.
As for lane splitting, I have enough cagers changing
lanes without a shoulder check.
Also I find all the bad a** with soup cans for mufflers
want to show me how fast they are. I call them radar detectors.

[Hooter]

As a note, the AMA does endorse lane splitting as a fuel saving measure and as a way to ease traffic situations.
They found if done properly, it is safer in the long run. A bike just sitting in traffic is more apt to be rear ended than one that keeps moving through traffic.

The AMA really endorses this? Old research? Where do I find this endorsement, I'd like to read it? Their logic according to what you indicated doesn't make much sense. Wonder if they researched how many riders have been hurt or killed while doing so, if there is such a record?

[Oss]

I split lanes in LA on the Valk once the HOV lane ran out, no problem the lanes are really wide out west
unlike here around NYC   No way would I try that on a Valk with my highway pegs !!

but I have split on the bmw police bike on the Major Deegan (87 in the Bronx) or Cross Bronx Expwy never more than 5mph (if that) in stopped traffic.   Dont have the guts or crazy gene necessary to be like those crazy kids

[jpntiger]

Thanks Everyone!
About lane splitting..I have done that with FJR with the saddlebags.  I want to slow down and enjoy the ride so went for R1200CL. 

I love Big bikes. If everything goes as planned i should be riding 2014 Valkyrie this Saturday. My reasoning was close to 'TallRider'.

I will post some pictures. Expect more postings from me later, about Saddle bags.

[czuch]

A friend of mine has a newish Indian. He rides everything the dealers will let him. I went to the Harly Grand opening here in Tucson. He rode everydammthing.
The sales babe asked if I wanted to try a new big Harley.
I smiled and told her I have a Valkyrie. She laughed then she said she understands.
That my friend is all you need to know about Valkyries.
BTW, on the 405, where it meets the 5 in La Jolla, we routinely touched the buck between the 1 and 2 lanes during afternoon traffic.

[TallRider]

Thanks Everyone!
About lane splitting..I have done that with FJR with the saddlebags.  I want to slow down and enjoy the ride so went for R1200CL. 

I love Big bikes. If everything goes as planned i should be riding 2014 Valkyrie this Saturday. My reasoning was close to 'TallRider'.

I will post some pictures. Expect more postings from me later, about Saddle bags.

I appreciate the thumbs up but am now worried and concerned I may have wrongfully influenced you in you decision. You may not have caught the underlying sentiment in my post. You say you want to slow down and enjoy the ride. Well I suggest you solicit other opinions on the new VALK. There is no way you will slow down once you start riding this new bike. It may not be the most loved for its looks but the enjoyment of the ride is were its at. Slow down!! You may have a problem Huston.