Never thought this could happen - Valk-less soon!

[ptgb]

It really hurts to say this, but within the next few months... we will be Valk-less for a bit!!!

After talking it over, JoJo and myself decided that we wanted to modernize the fleet for (hopefully) worry-free distance travel, a little less travel/MC expenses (two bikes worth of insurance, gas, tolls, maintaining, etc).

JoJo decided that she was fine getting back on the back with me, so we decided to sell her trike and then my Interstate will be for sale very soon (doing some maintenance on it). The trike went to some very nice people in Texas (even though he rides a Harley), for her. She loves it as much as JoJo did, so we are comfortable that it is in good hands.

Decided long ago that I don't finance "toys", so it had to be a cash deal and it was.... picked up this gem a few weeks ago:



It's a 2012 Goldwing Navi/XM with only 4500 miles on it! Not a mark on it. The original owner traded it for a Corvette to a high-end (and vintage) car dealership about 30 miles from me. Figured strike while the iron's hot, so I pulled the trigger.

So, for the this year's Inzane and other VRCC matters.... we will attend as Valk-less, Valk lovers.

But alas, we will not forget about the Valkyrie forever. The plan is to pick up a Tourer next year to redo into a custom Valkyrie for local riding, showing, and bringing to VRCC events and rides. Right now I am envisioning a really unique custom that includes homage to early 1900's Indians... a "Valk-dian" if you will. Stay tuned for that project.

And as to JoJo being bikeless, with her pride and joy Valkyrie trike being gone, she has come to terms with it. In fact, she is already figuring that in 5 or so years, I will have grown tired of the new Wing and it will then be triked for her!!! I can see that happening.

So for now, Valkyrie friends... hope there is still room for the "Valk-less", Valkyrie lovers.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Nice looking Wing  4500 miles ? Just a baby 

[DirtyDan]

I might be going to a Goldwing myself...hope too

I know I will be valkless for a while.....I might just have to rest on my laurels

and I would be really comfy for a long time.... either on the Goldwing...or my laurels

dan

[Tundra]

Congratulations
I toyed with the same decision for the same reasons. I am a Valkless Valkyrie lover. It was a huge part of my life for a long time.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I might be going to a Goldwing myself...hope too

I know I will be valkless for a while.....I might just have to rest on my laurels

and I would be really comfy for a long time.... either on the Goldwing...or my laurels

dan

I thought you left your new valkyrie in Kingman ?

[DirtyDan]

I might be going to a Goldwing myself...hope too

I know I will be valkless for a while.....I might just have to rest on my laurels

and I would be really comfy for a long time.... either on the Goldwing...or my laurels

dan

I thought you left your new valkyrie in Kingman ?

I did, my old valk got "ROCKED" in Idaho last august bought another one in Montana rode it home then back out to California. Broke my arm in Lonepine  left my "new" valk in kingman and flew home from vegas. Been recovering all winter. I'm planning on flying out to vegas in april picking up the "new" one and my gear then its game on....again. As I take a "meandering" route to inzane. Home for a pitstop hopefully pick up a new Goldwing then off to the VOAI rally in Indianana

that should get me a distance award AND the Goldwing......lets hope

I'll be at the Laughlin river run late april then in your neck of the woods a while, lets make sure we get to hangout. I still want my picture of London bridge for my "check" list

I'll keep ya all posted 

dan

[Firefighter]

Always wanted to ride a wing, always wanted the ultimate touring machine and  may buy one someday, but I have so much time and money in my Interstate that I could never even get half of what I have put into it if I tried to sell. I've been meticulous with the maintenance and added so many accessories. Pretty sure the bike will easily outlast me. I thought about having both but I spend a lot of time working with the bike, not sure I could handle two.

[hubcapsc]

Always wanted to ride a wing, always wanted the ultimate touring machine and  may buy one someday, but I have so much time and money in my Interstate that I could never even get half of what I have put into it if I tried to sell. I've been meticulous with the maintenance and added so many accessories. Pretty sure the bike will easily outlast me. I thought about having both but I spend a lot of time working with the bike, not sure I could handle two.

Unless you start riding twice as much, its not really an issue... If I sold my red bike, I'd probably only get
around $4,000 whether I stripped it or not... I'm not selling it and not stripping it 





-Mike

[IamGCW]

Very nice.  I also have a '12 wing.  For rides (most) under 200 miles we take the Valk.  Over 200 the Wing.  Love the heated stuff, Reverse (need it), Cruise, and gas gauge.  You might consider a belly pan, baker wings (mirror mount at least), and ergo 3 highway pegs.  I found Kury grips (clam shell) to be a nice addition.  Warm it up before riding to avoid the GW stumble.  PM me if you have any questions.

Gil

[Earl43P]

I bought my Valk IS to satisfy the wife, she wasn't thrilled with the naked GL1100, especially its appearance. We've done some long rides on it together, to Elkins, WV, to Ashville, NC, etc.

A couple years later, I semi-retired the 1100 and added a dirt cheap 93 GW1500, which I log a ton of miles on (commuting 130 miles/day).

Now that I have one, I could never be without this "appliance" as I refer to it. I love that Valk, and rode it to work today, but it reminds me that the GW does it so much better, with lighter handling (double darkside on it too, ATT and Pilot Activ front), better wind protection, etc. But I do love me some Valkyriding for its acceleration.

I fully expect that once I wear out the 93 (28,500/year just commuting) I'll be ponying up for the 1800 version prior to retirement. I'll be keeping that Valkyrie IS though. The 1100 is relegated to driving Suez to her Mom's in Pa. and riding it back to NC, then the reverse on the return leg, then it sits in my Mom's garage awaiting its next 800 mile round trip.

I've yet to ride the 1800 Wing simply because I know I'll WANT ONE. My brother is on his second one (sold his 01 bought an 11). I was this {} close to buying a new F6B Deluxe when this 93 fell into my lap (it needed work and that's my winter therapy - bike work). Dodged the payments bullet! I only gave $1800 for the 93, replaced the trans cover-had a hole from road debris, leaking oil- put new tires, brake pads, speedo snail and cable and repaired the melted headlamps wiring (80/100 lamps - DOH!). Appliance is the correct word too, oil changes, check tire pressures and fluid levels and RIDE that Tupperware!

We don't care what you ride to Inzane, just be there! The 12 looks great, enjoy every mile brother.

[old2soon]

Yer in da wind with 2 wheels tween ye legs!  To credit SmokinJoe-bring it!  I have been known to rag the "other" makes from time to time but I'm a Firm believer that The Wind do not CARE how you came to visit her-jut that you want to ride with her.  Sides which-yer STILL on a Honda! I personally have seen one of our younger members on a blue G/W-BUT he tends to want to make that big b-tch do wheelies!  Long as Mama and you be happy-What else matters?  Good lookin ride B T W. RIDE SAFE.

[czuch]

Don't look back, come back often.

[Pappy!]

Almost all of us maintain our Valks probably better than we do our other 4-wheeled vehicles.
When I see how easily these amazing bikes rack up the hundreds of thousands of miles with routine maintenance I can't imagine going to a different bike that is more capable of getting you there and back again. Even an unforeseen roadside repair, out of pocket, would be less expensive. Plus, for me it is a timeless classic bike and you cannot replace that.

Keeping mine.

[cookiedough]

I too 3 weeks ago was considering going Valkless when a 2001 maroon red wing decked out but lacked some maintenance for sure (and needing a cleaning) into a local shop with 39K miles for 8K.  He would not let me test ride it even though 42 degrees out that weekend so passed, but did start well.  I was debating to keep my 2001 Valk I/S for a fuel injected UNKNOWN 2001 Wing for the fuel injection and bigger engine, cruise, reverse, etc.    It does seem though some stealerships think VERY highly of some of their used, older 2001 thru 2003 Wings asking still 10K almost, so not worth that much especially for one near bone stock.    I've even seen some 01/02 Wings with over 100K miles on them still asking over 9K, too much for my tastes. 
 
For ONLY about 1 grand more paying 8K for Valk 6 years ago,  assuming I can get 7K out of my 2001 Valk black I/S with 33K miles on it,  is NOT much moola to upgrade, but then I thought about it and Wings in the 2001 thru 2006 price range under 50K miles are a dime a dozen vs. a Valk I/S much harder to come by locally, plus the cool looks factor comes into play with less tupperware, more chrome.  

Am sure one day will highly consider a newer Wing, but for now until I really test drive a newer Wing making 100% sure I want one,  I will keep my Valk I/S since does what it does nicely for my needs.

[Hooter]

I'm looking for an IS and want to let my Tourer go. If interested maybe we could work a deal? My bike is jade and black with 35000+ on the clock,,,,FWIW.

[henry 008]

PETE! say it isnt' so...   


jus kidding, wing looks real nice and its practically new. I look forward to the pics of your tour mods...