Riding 2-up

[RemyMartin]

KC area rider here. While I love this bike as a solo rider. Having my wife ride with me is more of a challenge than i think it should be .

Went on a short ride to St Joe MO and the ride up there and back was not as fluid as even my 1100 shadow.  Its not that it did not have the power, its more like the bike itself was more difficult to handle with as much weight as we had  ???.  I am topping 250 and my wife is about 150 - 175 (You'll have to ask her the real number) .  So with around 400-425 pounds, it was quite interesting at times .  On a not so hard curve near home I felt the rear tire slip abit.  Did not like that at all.  So when I returned home I felt the rear tire and saw that it was has already started cupping .  So with my trip to CA coming up I've decided to get two new tires.

But I guess its just the nature of the bike. I will ride it throughout the year but will likely let her go next year for something we both can enjoy .

What are your thoughts.

mmmmMMMMmmmm... I love this bike!

[dans2014]

  Yep, not as much fun and you will feel her especially if she leans out on corners and not with you.

[goldstar903]

Did you try adjusting the spring pre-load?  ???

[RemyMartin]

I have not, not sure what to adjust it to.

Any thoughts

[goldstar903]

I would turn the adjusting knob (clockwise) few clicks until you have better control. You'll have to experiment. The default setting from the factory is 18 clicks.
Counter-clockwise = softer
Clockwise = Harder

Hope this helps! 

[Moofner]

I'm already a heavy boy and had to adjust the preload, but I then had to max it out when my wife joined me. Vast improvement. I now leave it at max (a bit jarring without my wife but I've gotten used to it) and the bike still handles like a champ. I also weigh 285 lbs, so I wouldn't recommend doing the same thing to you lighter all bones and no meat folks.

[ledany]

The very first thing I did when I bought the Valk was to set the bike as hard as possible (=maximum clockwise). As Adrian will tell you soon  , forget the Dunlop tires which are really dangerous for Michelin Pilot Road 4.

If it's not enough, I suggest that you take a look at these french shock absorbers :

http://www.emc-suspensions.fr/amortisseur-moto-EMC-Honda-1800-F6C-Valkyrie-2014_3_1483.htm

People say that they are excellent, less expensive than the amazing Öhlins ; 850 € should be 1000 $. The model for Valk 1832cc disappears in the english version, I don't know why.

[goldstar903]

I'm already a heavy boy and had to adjust the preload, but I then had to max it out when my wife joined me. Vast improvement. I now leave it at max (a bit jarring without my wife but I've gotten used to it) and the bike still handles like a champ. I also weigh 285 lbs, so I wouldn't recommend doing the same thing to you lighter all bones and no meat folks.

Hey Moof, did you happen to count the clicks to the top (hardness?) I also weigh 285 and I have it set at 14 clicks. It's much more comfortable in the twisties. 

[Kidd]

you lighter all bones and no meat folks.

I get it , another way of writing   "healthier " and "leaner"

[rudymsmith]

Hey since I am a noobee and this thread (has gone there) I weigh 199 how many clicks should I set my new Valk on?

[goldstar903]

EMC SHOCKS

Standard Shocks:

H233    $620  Leisure Riding, Touring
H233P  $860   Hydraulic Pre-charged

Sport Shocks:

H233B   $735  Sport Touring, Track
H233BP $976  Pre-charged

[Dragunslayer]

I have not counted but I ride solo or two up with preload maxed out. When I first got on this bike I could tell the rake was a lot different than anything I had ridden before. Adding the preload made her turn a lot better .

Switching bikes is not gonna matter if the little woman does not either sit centered in the seat or lean with you.

I giggle every time my wife and I go for a ride. Ever since I took her out for a session at the track two up she almost leans in the curves more than I do

[goldstar903]

I haven't had a reason to max the preload out, but I think I'll try maxing her out and see if she does any better. Let the experiment begin. 

[FormerVTXRider]

The defined max load on the Valkyrie is 376lbs... Seems a little light to me.  I tip the scales at 270.  With my girl on board, we are at 430.  MAJOR difference when I cranked the preload as stiff as possible.  But was a hard ride.  Notched it down 4 clicks and its great!

[Dragunslayer]

Okay I really hate to even go here but the answer to the harsher ride when preload is maxed has a name and that is "Traxxion Dynamics".

I had their Full Monty on my Goldwing and the ride was a drastic improvement over the stock shock.

Dampening was spot on for the shock and the heavier spring meant greater adjustability for the preload. The Goldwing had a 25 position clicker as I suspect the Valkyrie does and mine was on 0 for solo riding and maybe a 6-8 for two up.

They also have kits for the forks. If you like to ride fast in the twisties or two up this is the set up to have.

[Moofner]

you lighter all bones and no meat folks.

I get it , another way of writing   "self-pretentious" and "condescending"

Fixed! 

But sure, if you want to go that route Kidd. I totally meant healthier when referring to the weight placed upon a motorcycle'sidecars suspension. I bet you get an extra 25 HP when the bike recognizes how healthy you are. Do you think it takes -20 HP if the Valk finds out its rider is old?

[_Sheffjs_]

The defined max load on the Valkyrie is 376lbs... Seems a little light to me.  I tip the scales at 270.  With my girl on board, we are at 430.  MAJOR difference when I cranked the preload as stiff as possible.  But was a hard ride.  Notched it down 4 clicks and its great!

I read the weight limit some time ago and now that you post it it makes me think that mother Honda was hoping for younger riders on the 1800c. Interesting that there are a lot of us big bruisers on this bike and lots - way lots of big bruisers on the 1500s!  

[Moofner]

The defined max load on the Valkyrie is 376lbs... Seems a little light to me.  I tip the scales at 270.  With my girl on board, we are at 430.  MAJOR difference when I cranked the preload as stiff as possible.  But was a hard ride.  Notched it down 4 clicks and its great!

I read the weight limit some time ago and now that you post it it makes me think that mother Honda was hoping for younger riders on the 1800c. Interesting that there are a lot of us big bruisers on this bike and lots - way lots of big bruisers on the 1500s!  

Actually that is a fair point. Anyone know the weight limit on an actual Goldwing? Why put a second seat if most of America is going to exceed or get close to exceeding that limit?

[hungryeye]

I been over 250 my entire adult life so I'm not throwing stones. The max weight for any motorcycle including rider, passenger, accessories and luggage is about 450LBs. That includes my MP3 500 scooter and my Valk. Just about any size bike has the same net weight spec, this has baffled me for years. 

[rogueleader_92]

I been over 250 my entire adult life so I'm not throwing stones. The max weight for any motorcycle including rider, passenger, accessories and luggage is about 450LBs. That includes my MP3 500 scooter and my Valk. Just about any size bike has the same net weight spec, this has baffled me for years. 

I think it has to do with the fact that no matter how good the bike may be when you put too much weight on the bike and go into a deep turn it's gunna slide. They adjust the bike to deal with the bike and a standard load as is in a turn but in order to make it stable for heavy loads it wouldn't be comfortable for normal riders. Add that into the possible law suits of someone losing control and eating it due to over loading and the 400lb limit kinda makes sense.

[cookiedough]

The defined max load on the Valkyrie is 376lbs... Seems a little light to me.  I tip the scales at 270.  With my girl on board, we are at 430.  MAJOR difference when I cranked the preload as stiff as possible.  But was a hard ride.  Notched it down 4 clicks and its great!

I read the weight limit some time ago and now that you post it it makes me think that mother Honda was hoping for younger riders on the 1800c. Interesting that there are a lot of us big bruisers on this bike and lots - way lots of big bruisers on the 1500s!  

I could be wrong, but I thought I read in my 1500 Valk owners manual the weight capacity was only 410lbs, but me being 285 and wife 170 or so,  we are overcapacity as well and seems to be fine OEM shocks set at 4 firm max is 5.  Am sure would be best at 5, but 4 is better for solo riding (a compromise since 3 for me alone am sure would be best).

[Robert]

OK so replacing the shocks and springs for weight issue such as bottoming out. I understand but I don't get what the difference is or what is so bad about the suspension that I need to replace the shocks.

  I have been happy with the bikes suspension since the day I bought it. After the 1500 with the progressive suspension this bike feels like its on rails so I never questioned doing anything with the suspension.

I am wondering what I am I missing that would make me want to go through changing the suspension and wondered if one of you who feels the difference could tell me.

I am 220lbs and ergonomics is good for me, of course it has bags but other than that I have been really happy with it and the weight is right on for the design of the bike.

[Dragunslayer]

OK so replacing the shocks and springs for weight issue such as bottoming out. I understand but I don't get what the difference is or what is so bad about the suspension that I need to replace the shocks.

  I have been happy with the bikes suspension since the day I bought it. After the 1500 with the progressive suspension this bike feels like its on rails so I never questioned doing anything with the suspension.

I am wondering what I am I missing that would make me want to go through changing the suspension and wondered if one of you who feels the difference could tell me.

I am 220lbs and ergonomics is good for me, of course it has bags but other than that I have been really happy with it and the weight is right on for the design of the bike.

I agree the stock suspension is pretty darn good on this bike. Especially when solo, but when riding two up near or over the max weight limit a better set up pays big dividends.

When you are at the max preload you are at the max period. For suspension to work properly you should be riffing in the middle of your adjustments. This way there is room for the suspension to do what it is designed to do comfortably.

[Robert]

I agree the stock suspension is pretty darn good on this bike. Especially when solo, but when riding two up near or over the max weight limit a better set up pays big dividends.

When you are at the max preload you are at the max period. For suspension to work properly you should be riffing in the middle of your adjustments. This way there is room for the suspension to do what it is designed to do comfortably.

Thanks, I thought I was missing something the way you guys were talking. 

[goldstar903]

When you are at the max preload you are at the max period. For suspension to work properly you should be riffing in the middle of your adjustments. This way there is room for the suspension to do what it is designed to do comfortably.

Kevin, riffing? Adrian are you riffing while you adjust your suspension? LOL!

[Dragunslayer]

When you are at the max preload you are at the max period. For suspension to work properly you should be riffing in the middle of your adjustments. This way there is room for the suspension to do what it is designed to do comfortably.

Kevin, riffing? Adrian are you riffing while you adjust your suspension? LOL!

Should have been riding I am not sure what happened there lol

[RemyMartin]

OK so replacing the shocks and springs for weight issue such as bottoming out. I understand but I don't get what the difference is or what is so bad about the suspension that I need to replace the shocks.

  I have been happy with the bikes suspension since the day I bought it. After the 1500 with the progressive suspension this bike feels like its on rails so I never questioned doing anything with the suspension.

I am wondering what I am I missing that would make me want to go through changing the suspension and wondered if one of you who feels the difference could tell me.

I am 220lbs and ergonomics is good for me, of course it has bags but other than that I have been really happy with it and the weight is right on for the design of the bike.

Im with you Rob on your thoughts exactly.  I think many of us are so use to moding our toys its just a natural progression.