What to say about a Valkyrie?

[photochaser]

A friend thought I should have a sport tourer because I ride kind of hard, but like to take my wife with me. He bought one to flip and thought I should buy it. I disagreed, but to help him with his sale, I took it to a nice spot and got some professional photos of it. I knew when I got back that he'd ask me what I thought.

Well.... the BMW R1200RT is a nice bike. It has some of the coolest features you can imagine and some perhaps you can't. But the 1200cc twin vibrated and sounded like it was working very hard for what it could produce. So I knew I needed a smart-a$$ reply for when he asked me.

I thought a moment and came up with the following:

"Once you ride a Valkyrie, everything else is paltry."  It had the desired impact on him. A combination of:   and  

So my challenge to all of you is to post here other cocky statements about the Valk, the Fat Lady, the Dragon.

[BobB]

A few years back, I was at a club gathering that had a lot of Harley riders.  One started giving me carp that he could get across the country with two cylinders, why did I need six?  I answered: "I have nothing against V-twins, I have a good one in my lawn mower".  That brought a serious cringe. 

A little later, a 103 ci H-D happened to be idling right next to my Valkyrie, with the engine rocking in the frame.  I pointed to that, found a new nickel and proceeded to show the nickel demonstration.  That caused a lot of jaws to drop.  Our flat sixes are sweet...

[Rams]

I ride with several folks who ride something other than a Valkyrie.   Most are on HDs.

When I see them, I always enquire as to when we're going to ride again.   I remind them that I always have my HD tow rope in my saddle bag.  

When I meet someone new I've never ridden with, we always discuss our bikes, performance and stuff like that as everyone does but, I always invite them to ride with me ending my invitation with, don't worry, I'll wait on you at intersections or when ever you fall behind.  

I have asked a few of my HD friends if they think HD will ever move forward from a 1940s design engine into the present day.   That always leads me to the nickel trick and lots of smiles.

[Jess Tolbirt]

cadillac, rolls royce, delorean, harley, honda,, personally i like it when honda riders bring all those tools to help us harley guys out, leaves me more room in my bags for Bevs purchases,,,wonder why you dont see hondas at the nhra drag races? its because they dont want to run against the harleys...

[Danny McMillin]

Wish I had a Nickel.

[sleepngbear]

cadillac, rolls royce, delorean, harley, honda,, personally i like it when honda riders bring all those tools to help us harley guys out, leaves me more room in my bags for Bevs purchases,,,wonder why you dont see hondas at the nhra drag races? its because they dont want to run against the harleys...

Hmmmm... now which Harley is that they're running in the NHRA.... Oh yeah, the one you 'Harley guys' want nothing to do with. 

[Rams]

cadillac, rolls royce, delorean, harley, honda,, personally i like it when honda riders bring all those tools to help us harley guys out, leaves me more room in my bags for Bevs purchases,,,wonder why you dont see hondas at the nhra drag races? its because they dont want to run against the harleys...

You do have a point (especially the one about needing the tools although, most HD riders I know don't know which end of a hammer or wrench to use).     I'll agree the V twin does develop some great low end torque.   Very similar engines used in county fair antique tractor pulling events.   Credit is given where credit is due.   There's nothing wrong with living in the 1940s.    A lot of folks develop the shakes in old age but, it doesn't bother HD riders nearly as much, they are already accustomed to it.  

[photochaser]

Let's not just trash Harley. I was comparing to a BMW.

[Rams]

Let's not just trash Harley. I was comparing to a BMW.

No disrespect intended but, threads go where they go.   The only control is what Admin has.   But, I'll be happy to retract my comments if you'd like me to. 

Besides that, I don't know a single BMW rider.   So, I don't really have anything to compare it against.

[photochaser]

Let's not just trash Harley. I was comparing to a BMW.

No disrespect intended but, threads go where they go.   The only control is what Admin has.   But, I'll be happy to retract my comments if you'd like me to.  

Besides that, I don't know a single BMW rider.   So, I don't really have anything to compare it against.

I was just making a suggestion, not a demand. I wasn't reprimanding, just trying to get some others going. I should have said, "These are great. Let's try to get some we can use with anyone." That would have sounded less like I was correcting everyone.

It's normally difficult to determine intent simply by the written word, we're use to seeing eye contact and body language

[Rams]

Let's not just trash Harley. I was comparing to a BMW.

No disrespect intended but, threads go where they go.   The only control is what Admin has.   But, I'll be happy to retract my comments if you'd like me to.  

Besides that, I don't know a single BMW rider.   So, I don't really have anything to compare it against.

I was just making a suggestion, not a demand. I wasn't reprimanding, just trying to get some others going. I should have said, "These are great. Let's try to get some we can use with anyone." That would have sounded less like I was correcting everyone.

It's normally difficult to determine intent simply by the written word, we're use to seeing eye contact and body language

 

[DirtyDan]

I LOVE Harley Davidsons.....they taste just like chicken

Why do I ride a valk ?.... Cause I like my bikes big and made in the USA......like it says on my engine block

Said when I joined HOG.....ALASKA....on a valk

Dan

[Jess from VA]

I rode V twins for most of my life too.

So why did you change?

Well, two things    1) I grew up, and    2) I moved up. 

[old2soon]

I've ridden "other" bands but after my first 4 cylinder-Honda-I KNEW Honda and I were on to something with more than 1 or 2 cylinders. I've had a few H/D riders want to go for pink slips and I've told them cash equivalent cuz I neither want nor need a V-twinky. And every time one of their friends told the other rider-don't do it-you'll lose-if the guy on that Valkyrie has the slightest idea of how to ride-while I was grinnin at em!  The main WHY of me on a Valkyrie has been stated by others BUT I will unashamedly repeat it again-I ride too hard and too fast and too far to consider anything less!  RIDE SAFE.

[Rams]

I ride too hard and too fast and too far to consider anything less!  RIDE SAFE.

Well said!   

[msb]

What do I say about a Valkyrie?
I've kept my Interstate for all of my riding over the past 15 years because to me, it's by far my favorite motorcycle that I've owned in my 42 years of riding. I like the performance, the looks, the reliability, and especially the character and uniqueness of it... there's a lot of motorcycles out there today that are superior in certain ways to the old Valk, but overall this bike just fits me and my personality perfectly. I'm typically not one to debate my choice in motorcycles with owners of other makes, or to debate which is better or claim any kind of superiority over other brands ... others choose what they like, and I've chosen what I like, it's as simple as that for me  

[Beardo]

What do I say about a Valkyrie?
I've kept my Interstate for all of my riding over the past 15 years because to me, it's by far my favorite motorcycle that I've owned in my 42 years of riding. I like the performance, the looks, the reliability, and especially the character and uniqueness of it... there's a lot of motorcycles out there today that are superior in certain ways to the old Valk, but overall this bike just fits me and my personality perfectly. I'm typically not one to debate my choice in motorcycles with owners of other makes, or to debate which is better or claim any kind of superiority over other brands ... others choose what they like, and I've chosen what I like, it's as simple as that for me  

Couldn't agree more Mike. I don't care what others think about what I ride and I care even less what they ride. I like and respect all bikes to an extent and usually like and respect all riders, no matter what they ride. Rather than arguing about the differences in what we ride, why not just give a nod of the head and keep riding.

I've owned several sport bikes, Harleys, etc.  Every bike I owned, I thought was the best bike for me at the time based on the kind of riding I did at the time. I wasn't then, nor am I now, any smarter than anyone else for choosing what I ride, was just riding what I wanted to ride.  I look back on each of them fondly as I will to the Valk someday when I'm riding something else.

[Crackerborn]

I was gassing up north of Indy last week when a sprout on a zip-slat at the next pump over asked if I wanted to run. I told him sure if I get to pick the course. He grinned and said "pick it gramps". I told him we leave the gas station together and the first one to Wisconsin wins. He didn't seem to interested after that.

[Willow]

I usually just say, "Thank you."   

[Bighead]

Yep I have ridden a lot of different machines in my day all had good all had Bad. For some reason I keep going back to my old Valkyrie. I loved it before I rode it and still 19 yrs later still LOVE it
Not many places I go that someone don't come up and start a conversation about it and none can believe it is as old as it is with the (s)miles it has and still looks as good as it does

[Moonshot_1]

What to say about the Valkyrie?

The Valk is arguably the best motorcycle ever designed. Yet, it is not the best bike in any standard motorcycle category. It just excels in virtually all of them. And that is what most other bikes cannot do.
A motorcycle that is in it's element on a 10 block cruise to the market or a 10+ day odyssey across the country with not much more than standard, basic maintenance to keep it happy.

A motorcycle that looks like a 20k mile bike with 150k miles under it's belt.

An understated engineering marvel that will still turn heads after 19 years.

And I got me one!
 

[Mr Whiskey]

B.M.F. says it all...

[solo1]

I'll never forget getting the Valk.  I rode to Honda of Decatur in the Fall of '96 and traded in my ST1100, an extremely good bike but one that put my hands to sleep.

I wanted the bumblebee but had to settle for black. I knew as soon as I got on the Valkyrie that my hands going to sleep was over. The handlebar width took some getting used to but the smoothness didn't.

Of all the bikes that I owned, that was the best all around. I had to get used to the extra long stops because of all the people asking questions.  I had a friend of mine, from New Mexico, who ,when he saw the pic of the bike said "That's a nice three cylinder looker".  I excused him since he was a Beemerite.

I kept the Valk longer than any of my bikes and it finally found a good home with Li'l D.

[cookiedough]

nothing wrong with a HD if you got the dough.

My neighbor just sold his 03 ultra classic but when I first got my Valk,  he wanted to race and I asked only if for pink slips and he backed down  since at the time mine was worth 8K and his over 12K or so, I could've made 4K profit more than likely.  He bragged how he smoked 01' on up goldwings with his modded 88 cu. inch motor he stuck am sure almost what I paid for mine into it since he even admitted the stock 88 was a pooch. 

He hasn't asked me since to race but would've liked to find out.  Am sure some HD riders could smoke me since not the greatest rider (and heavier set), even yesterday driving to work some goofball on a newer HD blew by me doing 60 mph in a 35 mph zone me doing near 45ish- where are the cops when  you need them?? 

I just don't see the need or desire anymore like I did even 5 years ago to race someone 'just because'  unless I am on my 250cc scooter and it is a HD of which I have passed a few putzing at 55-60 mph tops.     That brings a smile to my face doing 70 mph passing 2-3 HD's although if they sped up much, I am out of throttle past 75 mph.   

[jdp]

It's all in what you like or can afford , just get out and ride enjoy what you have, deep down inside some Harley guys really want to switch over but just can't let that tough guy thing go, so bear with them.

[Bighead]

It's all in what you like or can afford , just get out and ride enjoy what you have, deep down inside some Harley guys really want to switch over but just can't let that tough guy thing go, so bear with them.

I disagree on the afford part I currently have two Valks but at one time I had two Valk's a VTX 1800 and a HD Streetglide. I do however agree on ride what you got or want to ride

[The emperor has no clothes]

Back to the BMW. We rented the 1200 RT in Ireland. I thought it was an ok bike. My wife HATED it though. She was uncomfortable the whole time. The riding there was AWESOME, but I kept thinking to myself that it would have been nirvana if I had my Interstate over there. The one thing I did hate on the Beemer was their blinker setup.

[Beardo]

Back to the BMW. We rented the 1200 RT in Ireland. I thought it was an ok bike. My wife HATED it though. She was uncomfortable the whole time. The riding there was AWESOME, but I kept thinking to myself that it would have been nirvana if I had my Interstate over there. The one thing I did hate on the Beemer was their blinker setup.

I've never ridden a Beemer...what's with the blinker setup?

[MarkT]

Pretty sure I'm not gonna run out of Valks before I run out of air to breathe.  I have 4 of them.  Don't look for challenges from the V-twinky crowd but if they want to start a ruckus I can finish it with my blown bobber "George".




On one of my bikes - OK, it was the wing, had a snob HD rider at a light sneer, "Nice Car".

I said "Thanks.  Nice Vibrator."

He had no comeback.  His engine was blurred.  And not in a good way (Blurred Lines.)

[hubcapsc]

Cool... those rear fender struts look "short"... I once saw a set of
Cobra rear fender struts for a Valkyrie that were short...

-Mike

[Jess Tolbirt]

i would rather be blown than injected

[czuch]

No payments, reasonable insurance, miles of smiles.
I liked my Ariel, I liked my Crocker, I liked my Davidsons, BSA's, Triumphs, I got on the Valk, and knew I was home.
I don't care religion, sexual preference, political affiliation, or watcha ride.

[Jess from VA]

i would rather be blown than injected

 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Back to the BMW. We rented the 1200 RT in Ireland. I thought it was an ok bike. My wife HATED it though. She was uncomfortable the whole time. The riding there was AWESOME, but I kept thinking to myself that it would have been nirvana if I had my Interstate over there. The one thing I did hate on the Beemer was their blinker setup.

I've never ridden a Beemer...what's with the blinker setup?

At least on the 1200 (don't know if they are all this way) the blinkers are separate on each side. When using the right blinker it was harder to control the throttle. A couple times I goosed it unintentionally. After a week of riding I was pretty used to it but still didn't like it.

[Jess Tolbirt]

the harleys are like that,, blinker is on the side you want to turn on..

[The emperor has no clothes]

the harleys are like that,, blinker is on the side you want to turn on..

I guess that gives me another reason not to ride Harley's . (Just messing with you)

[Stitch_in_La]

Before I got the Valk Harley guys trying to convert me (Shadow 750 ACE), one had me ride their bike,hit the right turn kill switch....slightly disconcerting.  Got the Valk showed up at the local biker bar several comments along the line of "D*mn couldn't ya find anything bigger?", said nope, Cobra pipes lost count of how man times had to crank it and rev it up for em.

Stitch

[MP]

Got my 97 Purple and white.  Rode into town, and met my daughters boyfriend in an empty parking lot.  He pulling up alongside me, on his Fatboy.  He looked over, and said "Wow.  That is a big bike".

I replied, "Maybe someday yours will grow up, and be big too"!

[Doc Moose]

One of the best stories I'd heard was when Mojo pulled into a gas station on his Interstate and a group of HD riders pulled in also.  One of the older guys came over and told him it was a nice looking tourer.

A younger guy came over (I think he had a Fatboy or other bar cruiser) and started talking "jap crap" to him.  You know Joe, tries to make light of the situation, but the guy kept it up and finally challenged him to a race, anytime, any distance.

mojo looks at him and says with that slow drawl: "Okay, how's bout to Atlanta?"

The rest of the HD crowd started busting up laughing and the young buck stomped off in humiliation.

You knew who the real riders were.   

[mark81]

Went on a benefit ride for my cousins son. All harleys except 1 indian my brothers vtx and my valk.  At one of the stops a few of the harley guys were lightly poking fun of my valk and its enormous engine. I said it was a 6 cylinder with 6 carbs and one guy instantly said "well that's a pita to work on" my response was "It's a honda, you dont have to"  nobody talked to me about my bike the rest of the day