Went for a ride

[Patrick]

Yesterday with some friends. There was a BMW, VTX and an Ultra/Super [ whatever they are called.  
As usual I was pulling up the rear and taking my time looking at all the old stone homes on these back roads. I got a thing for these old stone houses.
We stopped in Watkins Glen and there was the yearly BMW meet going on. The BMW guy has for years helped organize this meet so we had to stop and hang around with those guys for awhile.
Anyway, upon leaving the guys all decided they needed to ride the Valk for awhile.
Having ridden BMWs for many years before the Valk, I still couldn't wait to get off it. And it was the same for the VTX. The Harley wasn't too bad once you got away from that damed vibration at low engine speeds.
But, the bottom line is, I enjoy these rides and those guys, but, couldn't wait to swing the leg back over the Valk.  
Sometime we start to take things for granted and forget just how good we have it. I ain't ever selling that bike. If I can't ride it anymore I'll hang from the ceiling.


Oh, they all liked the Valk and were impressed with its smoothness, handling and sound. Come to think of it, they liked everything about it.

[Valkjerk]

Sounds like the sentiment of most on this board, Patrick. I trade bikes with friends occasionally and experience other rides but can't wait to get back on my Valk. Some of my friends that ride their various Street glides, Road Glides, Road Kings etc. comment that they truly enjoyed riding my Valk but they have that visceral need for the potato-potato and I admit that I like that also but still prefer the smooth power of my valk. However, I was surprised that you didn't enjoy the VTX. I rode DDT's (Bruce's) "Cali" and was very comfortable with it.

[Oss]

Some nice riding in NY's southern tier

Glad you got out and got to savor the moments

How bout some pics of the Valk at the Glen?

[cookiedough]

Patrick,

What did the BMW/HD/VTX guys say about riding your Valk??  Anything good or bad???

I bet they kept fairly quiet since they secretly wanted to somewhat trade their bikes for yours for good,  maybe or not??

I for one will never allow anyone to ride my Valk nor scooter nor  ATV's nor any other of my motor vehicles unless I need them to for some real good reason, not just because they 'want to'.   My bad luck of letting friends borrow my eqmt. of any kind and coming home broke proves my point whether tennis racket (broke) or roto-tiller (broke and NOT fixable no parts for it anymore having to buy new)  or whatever.   I routinely have co-workers who want to drive my 250cc scooter but then inform them they do not have a cycle license needed for such a large scooter.   Too much of a risk for an accident waiting to happen and then you are without your beloved Valk or other vehicles until fixed.  PLus, what if an accident happens thru the fault of your friend.  I cannot afford to have my insurance rates go up any higher than they already are with a teenage driver.   I tell my teenage daughter that as well that if I EVER catch her letting her friends EVER drive our car we bought her to use to school/job,  she will not only loose driving priviledges all together, but also walk to school and quit her job since out of town.  3 of her classmates have already been in accidents.  She luckily remembered that statement when visiting a friends house 15 miles away in another town this summer calling us at home at 9 p.m. at night to come get her since she was sick something she ate there vs. letting her friends and/or parents drive our car home to us.  I wasn't super happy about having to come get her, but she did the right thing. 

Just 2 nights ago after work coming home from work on my scooter I almost got t-boned from a  driver running a red light and luckily was aware of the situation/surroundings and slowed down to 10 mph in a big hurry  before he stopped and slammed on his brakes since I had the right of way.  Accidents do happen and easily could. 

[Patrick]

Well, I've known these guys for decades and know how they ride.  They are the ones that wanted to get on the Valk. If I didn't know them as well as I did, it wouldn't have happened.
The fellas are retired law enforcement and 2 were bike cops.

A story about one, he is the one that got to ride BMWs.
I was about 13 and riding the mini-bike to friends house downtown one night. This fella was a recent hire as a city cop in our small city and happened to live in the neighborhood and knew me quite well.
Its actually funny as to how he stopped me, but, I'll shorten this up. Anyway, I had to help him put the bike in the trunk of the cruiser, and, then out of it, and, then up the steps into City Hall. The police office was all the way down at the end of the big wide hallway. Pretty soon the cops were coming in and riding it around the hallway which ended full of exhaust smoke and noise. My father burst thru both front doors all wild eyed and even more so when saw what was going on. He just didn't see the humor in this.
That cop and I became friends and continue to ride together. He just turned 80 but you would never know that.

Oh, they all liked the Valk and were impressed with its smoothness, handling and sound. Come to think of it, they liked everything about it.

[Patrick]

Some nice riding in NY's southern tier

Glad you got out and got to savor the moments

How bout some pics of the Valk at the Glen?

Nope, no pictures. Too close to home so I don't think of that stuff.
But, we'll be there this weekend for the vintage race and we'll be staying at the Lodge for a couple nights. Maybe I'll remember to take a camera. My problem is getting the pics to the right place in a computer, I'm still as computer illiterate as they come. I'll go charge it before I forget.
I keep having to pinch myself at times, we live in a beautiful part of this country.

[Art708]

Sounds like the sentiment of most on this board, Patrick. I trade bikes with friends occasionally and experience other rides but can't wait to get back on my Valk. Some of my friends that ride their various Street glides, Road Glides, Road Kings etc. comment that they truly enjoyed riding my Valk but they have that visceral need for the potato-potato and I admit that I like that also but still prefer the smooth power of my valk. However, I was surprised that you didn't enjoy the VTX. I rode DDT's (Bruce's) "Cali" and was very comfortable with it.

  I don't care for the VTX either, although they are beautiful motorcycles. I bought a new '09 VTX 1800 a few years ago and sold it within a month.