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rhubarbray
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« on: June 13, 2016, 06:53:02 PM » |
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Hey all! Just got in the first ride as a new owner of a `98 Valkyrie 1500 Standard. I`m coming from a long history of sport tourers so this is completely different for me. The biggest challenge was the weird low speed handling compared to my other bikes. Which by the way are a Ducati ST2, an Aprilia Tuono, and a CBR1100XX. Once I got used to what the big girl was doing, I decided to go for a bit of a ride.
Man is this smooooth! The CBRXX is known for being smooth but not like this. Deceptive power, no big hit or powerband just an ever increasing thrust. Decided to see what it would do in a roll on in top gear and as it swept (quickly) through 180km/h (closed racetrack of course) I backed off. Holy crap! Who needs 5 gears? Just one to get you off a light and then into top. All you need.
Suspension is going to need a little work after jumping off the others but the legs are sorted on them and they feel much better over harsh bumps than the GL.
All in all, I think this is going to be fun!
Ray
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Beardo
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« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2016, 07:36:41 PM » |
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Welcome aboard from another Canadian. You'll love the bike and this site.
I bought my valk last year and the previous owner had all the service records from day 1. After reading this board, I found several things he had missed, driveshaft maintenance, wheel bearings, timing belts, etc. But that's the joy of owning an older bike, you can actually work on it yourself...especially with all these great guys and gals to give advice.
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2016, 08:32:06 PM » |
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Hey Ray; Congrats and welcome to the board. That's quite a change of bike, but as you've already noticed, Valks are special. Treat her right and she'll treat you the same. This board has all your questions answered. Pictures are required, if you can figured it out.  |
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Draeger
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« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2016, 09:59:43 PM » |
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Hey Ray... congrats! Bought my 98 a few weeks ago and am having a blast. Welcome aboard!
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If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your opinion of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment. ~ Marcus Aurelius
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Pepmyster
Member
Posts: 698
Go Bonzo, Go!!!!
Mascouche, Quebec, Canada
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« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2016, 03:43:42 AM » |
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Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Now this is getting interesting........
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havoc
Member
Posts: 289
VRCC #36861
Calgary, Alberta CA
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« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2016, 05:28:37 AM » |
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Welcome!
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"Not all those who wander are lost" - J. R. R. Tolkien
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Ramie
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« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2016, 05:34:49 AM » |
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Nice to have you here, how about throwing us a bone and posting a picture.
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“I am not a courageous person by nature. I have simply discovered that, at certain key moments in this life, you must find courage in yourself, in order to move forward and live. It is like a muscle and it must be exercised, first a little, and then more and more. A deep breath and a leap.”
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Flat6Valk
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« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2016, 05:41:42 AM » |
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I just got mine 10 years ago. Same year as yours. August calendar fat lady. Every time I get on her, it makes me smile.
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RIDE SAFE-RIDE OFTEN........GO BUCKEYES!!!
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..
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« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2016, 07:19:30 AM » |
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Hey all! Just got in the first ride as a new owner of a `98 Valkyrie 1500 Standard. I`m coming from a long history of sport tourers so this is completely different for me. The biggest challenge was the weird low speed handling compared to my other bikes. Which by the way are a Ducati ST2, an Aprilia Tuono, and a CBR1100XX. Once I got used to what the big girl was doing, I decided to go for a bit of a ride.
In what way does the low speed handling feel weird? |
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rhubarbray
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« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2016, 06:37:29 PM » |
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When turning from a stop, the bars want to "flop" in whichever direction I`m headed. My other bikes are much more neutral in this respect. Might be because of the increase in rake but I`m more or less used to it now.
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2016, 06:43:13 PM » |
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When turning from a stop, the bars want to "flop" in whichever direction I`m headed. My other bikes are much more neutral in this respect. Might be because of the increase in rake but I`m more or less used to it now.
As you've probably already noticed, these bikes like to be powered thru slow turns. Keeping a steady throttle on will make your slow speed handling much better.  |
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« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2016, 09:31:51 AM » |
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When turning from a stop, the bars want to "flop" in whichever direction I`m headed. My other bikes are much more neutral in this respect. Might be because of the increase in rake but I`m more or less used to it now.
Could be due to the longer handle bars compared to you previous rides and that you are putting too much pressure on the bars. The longer bar will "move" more. Bit like standing close to a Texas longhorn. A small movement of its head leads to a large movement at the tip of the horn. |
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czuch
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« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2016, 02:13:13 PM » |
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Practice the tight turns. Its not hard to do a lock to lock figure eight.
Give it some juice to help.
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Aot of guys with burn marks,gnarly scars and funny twitches ask why I spend so much on safety gear
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jim@98valkyrie.com
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« Reply #13 on: June 15, 2016, 03:10:17 PM » |
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Welcome!! This is a great board. If you do a bit of reading, your knowledge level will go up ten fold. Lots of great folks, as already mentioned. |
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GunMetalValkyrie
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« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2016, 05:10:53 PM » |
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Congrats and welcome. Just got my 99 a few weeks ago and loving it too! I'm with them, let's see her!
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Brad
1999 Valkyrie
Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.
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rhubarbray
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« Reply #15 on: June 15, 2016, 07:07:52 PM » |
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When I get a chance, I`ll see if I can post the pic of her in the garage with the others.
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Mr Whiskey
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« Reply #16 on: June 16, 2016, 03:24:36 PM » |
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Congratz!
Welcome!
Wanna sell the Blackbird?
(couldn't resist!)
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Peace, Whiskey.
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rhubarbray
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« Reply #17 on: June 19, 2016, 06:41:14 AM » |
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Uhh, no. About a year and a half ago a friend of mine and I shipped out bikes to Vancouver. Me on the XX him on an FZ1. We rode down to California, back up to Idaho and then back to Ontario. 8000km, 2 1/2 weeks. The two of us are taking about 10-12 days this Sept to go to the Appalachians. Kentucky, Tennessee, Carolinas, and who knows where else. I`m taking the `bird for that.
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Mr Whiskey
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« Reply #18 on: June 19, 2016, 09:06:58 AM » |
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Can't say as I blame ya, haha!
I'll find me one eventually.
Have you ridden your buddies FZ1?
If so, how would you say they compare, power & handling wise?
I WANT a '99 BlackBird but....I keep hearin' how well the first gen "Fizzy's" handle (& of course R1 power's no slouch either).
Don't know 'bout the Yammies longevity though. I know the XX will run forever!
'Preciate any thoughts you might have on the subject.
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Peace, Whiskey.
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Draeger
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« Reply #19 on: June 19, 2016, 04:46:29 PM » |
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Welcome! I'm new to my 98 Valk and loving it. When I'm not riding it, I'm daydreaming about riding it.
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If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your opinion of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment. ~ Marcus Aurelius
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