potential new owner

[rhubarbray]

Hi everyone. I am currently looking at a 98 Valkyrie to add to the fleet I already have. I currently have a couple of sport tourers, a Honda Blackbird and a Ducati ST2. My wife doesn`t mind the back seat on those but I`d like to get something more comfortable for the two of us to go on rides on.
  Here`s the issue, I don`t have a cruiser, I`ve never driven a cruiser so I don`t know if the one I test rode is normal or not. First off a disclaimer, I do not know what the tire pressures were and that may be part of the problem. Front tire was shot, down to the wear bar. Rear tire was an Avon Venom R with about 75% left. The issue was at just above paddling speeds as I tried to turn the bars wanted to "flop" to the side. Made for some interesting moments on someone else`s bike while two up making a Uturn!
 Another issue was under acceleration I thought I heard gear whine coming from the engine which I thought was a little unusual. The current owner had mentioned that one of the carbs was leaking and I thought the engine was not as smooth as I thought the flat 6 would be.
 I`d really like to get the bike, but I`m seeing a couple of red flags. Price is good, mileage is relatively low (63,000 kms) (I`m in Ontario), he`s close, and the colour is pretty good. Coronado blue/Ivory.

Just thought I`d ask the collective opinion about the handling. I`m a fairly competent mechanic so stripping an engine down to the crank would take a while but is no big deal. Replacing needle and seats and synching carbs likewise is not a deal breaker but it`ll factor in the asking price.

Ray

[Bighead]

First suspect would be the front tire. The engine should be smooth as silk. And the whine is the Tranny my bee has done it since day one more noticeable under acceleration ( heavy) my Interstate does it also but not as noticeable. I wouldn't let the carbs be a deal breaker for me.

[Moonshot_1]

This is generally a great motorcycle. Sounds like the one you are considering needs some work and TLC.

If you are a competent mechanic you should be able to make the girl sing.

This is an incredible site for this bike and the tech section is phenomenal. The wealth of knowledge and folks willing to help is amazing. If you do get the bike this site will be invaluable.

If the price is right it will be a great investment and will be an awesome bike.

[Hook#3287]

Due to the wheel base, these girls are not great slow speed bikes.

They make up for it in fast speed, good at everything

Cruisers are a different breed from the other bikes you list.

I doubt you'll be sorry if you buy her.

[Gavin_Sons]

Check the riser bolts. I once had a loose one and made the handle bars do what you experienced.

[Steve K (IA)]

These bikes don't handle worth a _____at slow speeds.  Doing a U-Turn can be challenging and I have been riding 50 years, let alone trying one 2 up.

I think Avon stopped making the Venom, at least in the size a Valk needs, for several years.  So being that the front tire is bald, it is also old.

The gear whine is standard.  One of the first things someone new to the Valk notices.

One carb leaking?  If you get it make sure the petcock is turned off when parked until you correct that.

So, there isn't much at all wrong.  If the price is right.............   

 

[Ramie]

It doesn't sound like it has any major problems.  The problems with low speed handling are common, rear shock bushings, cupped rear tire from under inflation etc.  The whine is normal, carb leaks easily fixed.

[Chrisj CMA]

I'd keep looking

[John Schmidt]

I'm with Chris unless you can get it for a really low price. The mileage is nothing, carbs will need work, the whine is normal and due to square cut teeth on the gears internally. As for handling, although not a good bike for low speed handling it does OK. If it flops as you described, it may well need some attention paid to the steering head/neck bearings. They may be loose or possibly indexed. Frankly, I'd get rid of both those tires...check the manufacture date on the rear but I'll bet it's rather old. If more than 4-5 yrs. and has 75% left that tells you it needs replacing, has sat too much. Also check the upper shock rubber bushings for oval shapes. Lousy rear support will also affect your low speed handling, causing you to wallow in slow turns. Good bushings, snug steering head, good tires kept around 40 front and 42 rear....or thereabouts, you should have a good handling ride. 

[signart]

Find one that is right and ride it before you decide, then let the price dictate whether you want to tinker with a project.

[Willow]

If you are comparing the Valkyrie to an ST for handling at low speed the Valkyrie is going to come up wanting.  If you get her out on the road for distance she will shine.

Tire pressure is key.  Valkyries handle best with something around 42 - 45 pounds.  Less can make it handle not so good as you would want, especially at low speed.  As to U-turns, any hesitation in a tight U-turn will cause it to feel very uncomfortable.  Valkyries want to be powered through tight turns.  

[Pappy!]

Don't know where you're located, well Hell on a Valk it really doesn't matter, but if you hurry up and find one there's going to be a couple hundred + of us gathering in Morgantown, WV in a few weeks.
Join us!