Been away for a while

[Rebyl]

Been on a Roadking since 2010 apart from one Valk I bought as a do up and sold. I am interested in peoples thoughts on the new Valk and to see what aftermarkets have come up with, it could mean a return to the fold. My Valk has to be versatile, it has to have saddle bags and either a backrest or top box and a screen, I love to tour....and don't tell me to by a Wing, I hate the damn things...too many bits on them. That's why my RK is so good, I have leather or solid bags that I can change around and I have the demountable King Tour Pak which can quickly and easily be swapped out the a backrest and carrier....I need that on a Valk if going to consider....Have owned 5 Valks in the past and getting older now and bloody fussy....LOL

[idcrewdawg]

I personally really like mine. 

The factory windshield, as intended does good, and if you look at the mod on another thread here moving the bottom forward about an inch and a half corrects the lines from the sides, and reduces buffeting apparently. I've not modded mine, nor am I going to. There are saddle bags, but no truck available from a stock point of view (Corbin has a nice hard set up) but I've seen a few that had the truck depending on the seat arrangement they've selected. Though if you go with the hard trunk and corbin bags, I figure why even get the Valk, just save time and money on modifications and get the F6B.

I tell you what I really like over my HD Sportster that was a cruiser with similar lines and weight. The Valk has greater lean angle than my sporty did, and doesn't make me feel like I'm going to go deaf. The windscreen on my Valk is also taller and wider than my sportster was.

What I don't currently like on the new Valk though is the seat. It's curved the wrong way in my opinion. I've got a Corbin seat on order, and I'll do a write up on it as far as how it was for ordering process, the install experience and first ride impression, and follow it up a week later (approximately 500 miles) with my thoughts, and then again after I get 1,000 miles in the Corbin seat.

[Stanc770]

Welcome back! I have owned a number of big bikes and as you well know the opinions are subjective. I will say that I have never owned a bike that is more satisfying to ride. Windshields, bags, lights and other items are to personal taste but the one thing that is universal is the seat... it is not a good design.

I am enjoying the great power and sure-footedness of the bike and the confidence it inspires. I, like you, do not want a GW. The Valkyrie is no GW! It has really put the fun backing riding a big bike and I have now 52 years of experience owning many two wheeled vehicles.

This bike is not comparable to the earlier Valkyries as it has too many differences to list in this post. I liked my older Valkyries and still have a 97 that I probably won't sell. My 2014 is so much more enjoyable to ride that I won't even try to compare them, they are so different in so many ways.

Test ride and see for your self, this is a perfect time to purchase as the prices are at an all time low. there are many aftermarket accessories to be had and I feel certain more to come. I have installed a Gustafson 15" windshield, SOCALMOTOGEAR driving lights and am trying to make a decision on a seat. I don't tour so bags are not coming and the exhaust is good like it is. May add a Stiebel horn.

[hubcapsc]

I hated mine... until I fixed it...

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=75086.0

I love it now...



-Mike

[_Sheffjs_]

  could not imagine what else could replace this bike for me.  I love this bike as it came however I do not ride super long distances.  I have added a Secdem French windshield and love it. Added a Corbin Seat for when two up only and very happy. Not a Russell Day Long but nice.. Added gw passenger boards and passenger and driver highway pegs. 

[blackvalk]

Comparing the new Valkyrie with a Road King will be very difficult. The Corbin bags do not compare to the RK's at all. They are a mid sized bag with a very small top opening. Not close to a RK.

Because the Corbin's open from a front hinge they will not open with a large Givi Tour Pack that is wider than the fender. Most Harley tour packs are nice and wide and hold a lot.

The design for appearance of the Corbin's is excellent, but the function is very, very poor. A large tour pack is out of the question. Some new Valkyrie owners have added a very small, in comparison, to my large Give tour pack, but that is not what you are used to and will not hold much at all.

So, for carrying a lot of clothes and foul weather gear, you will have to use a soft bag strapped to the seat or luggage rack, but it can't be too wide where the side bags open in it.

The size of the Valkyrie is not as extended as a Road King all though I have added floor boards with heel/toe shifters and highway pegs that make it comfortable for me. It is much more nimble than a Road King and WAY faster.

The new Valkyrie handles so damn well in turns and drives itself. I love, love, love this bike but you asked about luggage and volume.

I haven't installed the Michelin tires but will for sure do so when the OE Dunlops are worn out. That will improve an already great handling bike.

Take one for a ride. Our search for our next bike gets more and more narrow. There are only a handful of bikes that appeal to us after owning a couple of previous bikes. The way you ride must coincide with your new purchase. Again, narrower and narrower.

What we pay for these bikes stateside and what you will pay are probably two different numbers

Good luck!

[AdrianR]

could not imagine what else could replace this bike for me.  I love this bike as it came however I do not ride super long distances.  I have added a Secdem French windshield and love it. Added a Corbin Seat for when two up only and very happy. Not a Russell Day Long but nice.. Added gw passenger boards and passenger and driver highway pegs. 

Cool pics but you still got that crappy Dunlop on there!  Just looking at it reminds of how much I HATED that tire...Your looks allot like mine did...even the rubber looks funky...man...

[WarrenH]

The thing that I noticed coming off my Victory (and others prior to that), is that the Valkyrie is easy on the rider. It's ride is smooth, handles corners better than any cruiser that I've seen, and has good wind protection with the factory shield (I modified the mount). Throw in 45 mpg on regular gas, and It's fast.

Bottom line, I can go on longer rides without much fatigue at all. It's a pleasure to ride.

Good luck on your decision. Regards, Warren.

[_Sheffjs_]

could not imagine what else could replace this bike for me.  I love this bike as it came however I do not ride super long distances.  I have added a Secdem French windshield and love it. Added a Corbin Seat for when two up only and very happy. Not a Russell Day Long but nice.. Added gw passenger boards and passenger and driver highway pegs. 

Cool pics but you still got that crappy Dunlop on there!  Just looking at it reminds of how much I HATED that tire...Your looks allot like mine did...even the rubber looks funky...man...

Don't worry Ade, I promise I will have the Michys on here.