greetings from the north

[northernvalk]

Hello everyone, My names is james from Sudbury,ON, CA and I am a proud new owner of a 99 interstate. It's currently in super valk "mode" but came with all original parts.  I am coming off a 95 magna so I am no stranger to power cruisers.  I wanted a bike that could comfortably tour with two people while also being able to ride the twisties and scrape some pegs. I realize the valk is not going to perform as well as the magna but I am already impressed with the braking and handling after the first few rides.  Not much of a season  left up here so I'll have to wait for the first big tour but so far so good!

[Beardo]

Welcome from the Prairies. Great bike, great group here. Enjoy.

[Willow]

... I realize the valk is not going to perform as well as the magna ...

I may need to borrow your dictionary.  The Magna is a fine performer, mine was, but it's not quite a Valk.  You may need some tuning work.

Welcome to our world.   

[northernvalk]

I meant in the twistes , strait line they are almost one and the same in the 1/4. 

[Rams]

Regardless of how you got here, you’ll discover your Valkyrie to be one of the finest bikes ever built.   Welcome.    If you happen to get lost and find yourself in God’s country, aka: Kentucky, give me a holler.   We’ll do something, we’ll even if it ain’t right.   

[Hooter]

Welcome to one of the busiest forums around. How bout some pics of the new ride? Miles on the bike, add ons? This bike compares to none, It's the best and I've owned most of em. Even a Magna. Have a question don't be afraid to ask. There are some pretty savy people here.

[DirtyDan]

Welcome aboard

Great bike great board

Dan

[Firefighter]

Welcome from the southern end ! This board is the best!!

[Oss]

fughetaboutit  you now have a great bike

yeah, like Willow said it may need some tuning and some safety chrome but it will keep a smile on your face for years

congrats and welcome from NY

[Pappy!]

I bought a 1994 Magna after I already had the Valk. Loved the Magna as well but it was used more for shorter trips. Lesa wanted to wring my neck for selling it!
The Magnas are indeed quick but when the speeds start to be in the illegal range the Valk will walk away from it.
Welcome aboard and greetings from the Sunny Central Florida area!

[Hook#3287]

Welcome from New England.

You just started a lifelong love affair 

[Gavin_Sons]

Magnas are good "little" bikes. I had a 95 in yellow. They are quick from 0-60 but the valkyrie pulls away fast after that. Also the magna can't keep up on twisty roads. I don't know what it is, maybe the design of the bike but it seemed like i  would fight the magna compared to the valkyrie on twisty roads. You made a good choice, and welcome. 

[Alpha Dog]

Magnas are good "little" bikes. I had a 95 in yellow. They are quick from 0-60 but the valkyrie pulls away fast after that. Also the magna can't keep up on twisty roads. I don't know what it is, maybe the design of the bike but it seemed like i  would fight the magna compared to the valkyrie on twisty roads. You made a good choice, and welcome. 

Indeed they are sweet.  It is a bike Honda should have ( Don't a lot of us have one or several of these wishes ) continued and also made another in similiar design but more weight appx. 650 lbs with one of those interceptor 1000 to 1200 cc engines maybe tuned more cruiser like but with some quick acceleration on demand.  Better shocks and ditch the chain for shaft or belt.   I know Honda has suggested new models this year or early next to be announced besides the Wing of course, and I hold out a small slimmer of hope for my wish. I mean they already have the CTX 1300 technology, just use it in a more acceptable design.  I do not think I have ridden a better corning bike, the  Magna just  flicks into turns, only my opinion.  Or course I have not rode any crotch rockets.

[old2soon]

Welcome to the insanity and our little corner of the sandbox. Someone already mentioned the Knowledge available about our Ghurls. And when the kickstands are down fer the night tall tales adult beverages and BBQ are appreciated here bouts!  Ridden with a lot of folks and a lot of different clubs over the years But this group here-hands down THE Best It's ever been my privilege to know and share wind with and break bread with. The sheer diversity of this group brought together by a Motorcycle that's been outa production for what-comin up on 15 years? Again-Welcome from the Missouri Ozarks!  RIDE SAFE.

[gordonv]

Welcome from the other coast, enjoy the insanity and the family fun here.

Look into InZane, the annual national rally. You've your location in your profile for local help and meet ups.

Pictures of your bike are always welcomed. The site of choice now is postimage for online posting and linking into your posts.

[cookiedough]

as most said, congrats on the Valk, still one of the top 10 big power cruisers out there IMO.

having ridden and have a 1997 honda magna as well (kids bike), it is just as quick as said 0-60 mph as our Valks since my kid and I raced side by side up to 75 mph and pretty much dead heat.  From 75 on up, the valk will overtake am sure but did not find that out.  I may even say the 4 cylinder magna seems quicker 0-60 over our Valks even.  Cornering hands down goes to the more nimble and lighter honda magna for most unless a pro driver to handle cornering of the heavier Valkyries.  I do know that 750cc magna likes to be REVVED up high in the 8-9K range to flex its muscle, much more so than our VAlks.

My big issue with the magna is seating and ergos being too small for my liking my butt almost sits on the rear seat or upper part of the rear front seat area but am sure a Mustang seat would help that out a tad, but is also a fun to drive cycle.    If under 5'10" and 200lbs. the magna fits that size range better.  I think the Valk brakes are better than the magnas especially the crappy rear drum brakes on the magna suck.  Handling overall is a toss up both are good but like said,  cornering speed for the average rider goes to the lighter and more nimble magna. 

gas mileage favors the magna of course have gotten 50 mpg tops on magna with avg. of 44-45 and tops 40 mpg on the valks, as to be expected averages 35-36 mostly, with low of 32, but no one buys a 6 cylinder 6 carb Valk for mpg.  

I do know when we go for rides together when parked, the VAlkyrie draws the bigger crowd and more questions although stock vs. stock I think the older 1997 magna has more engine chrome..

[northernvalk]

thanks for all the greetings and hellos.  I look forward to future discussions and conversations with a great group of people.  Forums for specific things such as this are always a wealth of knowledge and experience and I hope I can give a little for all I will take. 

[northernvalk]

my apologies for not giving the bike a proper introduction....
99 interstate, currently in super valk config.
progressive springs and shocks
solo and passenger seat with sissy bar
metzler 880s
led tails.

I am not sure about the exhaust, it seems pretty growly to be stock but I haven't met another stock bike to compare.  I need to figure out how to get the stereo wired up to an mp3 player.  Headlights are Amazing coming from the 1970s tech on the magna! Choke seems to be useless, gonna need to check that out cause it needs a little throttle to get going on colder days and holding it has already gotten annoying....

[The emperor has no clothes]

my apologies for not giving the bike a proper introduction....
99 interstate, currently in super valk config.
progressive springs and shocks
solo and passenger seat with sissy bar
metzler 880s
led tails.

I am not sure about the exhaust, it seems pretty growly to be stock but I haven't met another stock bike to compare.  I need to figure out how to get the stereo wired up to an mp3 player.  Headlights are Amazing coming from the 1970s tech on the magna! Choke seems to be useless, gonna need to check that out cause it needs a little throttle to get going on colder days and holding it has already gotten annoying....

As to the MP3, there is a auxiliary plug you can use. Yours might still be down in the right side cover, once you find it then toggle your input to AUX. The choke levers are notorious for being stubborn to move all the way. Try pushing on it real hard. Might need to lubricate he choke linkage also.

[cookiedough]

easy once found the round AUX plug in under right side cover just keep looking you will find it eventually.  Plug 4 foot or so AUX cable into it, run under tank to left side (or however you prefer) and if you have a tank bib like I do, up into the tank bib pouch.  set lefthandlebar button to AUX, crank the volume on mp3 player all the way, and around 16-22  volume on front speakers of cycle and good to go.

the interstate has speed compensated volume works well on HIgh IMO.

[Farside]

Welcome aboard Northervalk. Greetings from the Pan-handle of FL. Great bike and sorry you can't ride year round almost can here and could if you can tolerate 30-40 days out, in Jan. & Feb. not me.  Enjoy your new found PhattGirl. They do get the looks. 

[1NorthRyder]

Welcome Northernvalk, I'm in the same geographical neighbourhood as I live in Elliot Lake, ON. I have a stock exhaust on mine and it is pretty growly. I'd still like to change the exhaust though as I'm not satisfied with the appearance of the tips on the back end. I just returned from a short run down to Escanaba, MI over the weekend and the weather and riding was spectacular. I'm afraid there won't be to many more days like that left up here.

[northernvalk]

Ya, were planing a muskoka trip this weekend, but the weather may not co-operate........

[1NorthRyder]

Yes, not looking good for this weekend so far. I was down in Huntsville for a week on the Valk about two weeks ago. Great area to ride in.

[northernvalk]

ya, I try to get one ride in late fall every down there, after all the yuppies are gone.  thinking Sunday.......fingsrz crossed

[Jopson]

Welcome from South Dakota!