Has anyone here worn out a Valkyrie?

[falconbrother]

My Valkyrie Interstate has 57,000 miles on it.  I'm almost 55.  Doing the math I figure I'll never have to buy another motorcycle (until I need a trike).  How far will these things go with decent maintenance?  I plan, starting this year, to ride it a lot more than I have been.  I did 300+ miles on Saturday. We're going to the Myrtle Beach rally this month as well.   

[Skinhead]

Several have destroyed or ruined them, and several are trying to wear them out.  I think DDT leads the effort @ 601,000+ miles.  Still not worn out.

[Valker]

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,51704.0.html

[old2soon]

Currently mine is a bit over 126000. If my breathing was better I'd ride further and longer. Keep up on the Required maintenance and these machines are cursed near bullet proof. Thinkin here when I quit ridin her some one else needs to throw their leg over her.  RIDE SAFE.

[Savago]

Unless some major mistake is made (i.e. running with no oil, botching a belt replacement job, etc), the engine should last forever.

More expensive wear items are:
a) Clutch: depending on how you ride, should last 100-150K miles.

b) Final drive: if properly lubed with Honda Moli paste, should last a long time. In my case, it wasn't, so it gave up with 78K miles.

c) Shocks: again, depends on where/how you ride. But Progressive got some nice shocks available for Valks.

d) U-joint: My guess is around 100K miles, varies a lot.

e) A few cases where the swing arm got to be replaced because the breather holes got clogged with dirty and water couldn't get out of it. My guess is that is a bit uncommon.

f) Rotors: legend goes that Honda brake pads are easier on rotors. Easy part to source.

g) Wheel bearings: easy part to source, can be bought cheap in NAPA.

The only potential issue I see is that these bikes are now approaching 20 years old, and electric/electronics may start acting up. On the other hand, we are talking about Honda level quality, which is know for being quite reliable.

My guess is that the issue will be that gas will be too expensive to keep running this bikes in 20-30 years...

[Tfrank59]

The consensus basically goes like this if you do the maintenance like you should the bike will outlive you. I think the same can be said for my 1998 Toyota pickup.  When I was considering buying my valk a buddy was saying that well if you can wear out a V-Twin in 90,000 miles (and that's being generous) you should be able to get triple that out of a 6 cylinder bike so that puts you right around 270k (and that's being conservative).  Mine just turned over 70k and I'm nearly 60 and ride that bike about 10K per year so yeah it's going to outlive me.

[Hooter]

Makes me wonder how many of those folks listed are still on or contribute too the forum? I know RJ isn't and miss him.

[Tfrank59]

Yep but look how many 5-digit contributors there still are call them the founding fathers

[recman25]

  On the other end of the spectrum, I just bought a '99 interstate with 29000 miles. Looks like it just came out of the crate. I've got a lot of catching up to do!

[Hook#3287]

Has anyone here worn out a Valkyrie?

Not yet!  But I think Bruce is giving it a go.

With proper maintenance & storage, as long as armageddon does not show up, we are mear caretakers and these bikes will live for decades after we're gone.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Has anyone here worn out a Valkyrie?

Not yet!  But I think Bruce is giving it a go.

With proper maintenance & storage, as long as armageddon does not show up, we are mear caretakers and these bikes will live for decades after we're gone.

I was planning on using mine to survive Armageddon. (Or at least the Zombie apocalypse)

[rockbobmel]

Unless some major mistake is made (i.e. running with no oil, botching a belt replacement job, etc), the engine should last forever.



My guess is that the issue will be that gas will be too expensive to keep running this bikes in 20-30 years...

You know, this got me thinking.   With all the hybrids and electrics popping up, fossil fuel may take a back seat- eventually lowering the demand- and price. We may be OK in the long run..........

[Gideon]

My Valkyrie Interstate has 57,000 miles on it.  I'm almost 55.  Doing the math I figure I'll never have to buy another motorcycle (until I need a trike).  How far will these things go with decent maintenance?  I plan, starting this year, to ride it a lot more than I have been.  I did 300+ miles on Saturday. We're going to the Myrtle Beach rally this month as well.   

Why would you buy another bike to trike? ???
Your Valkyrie would make a great trike !!!

[Dr K]

Just turned my IS into a trike for my wife 90,000 miles on it she loves it   

[Galex]

the BEST way to keep a Honda Valkyrie alive and healthy is to ride it all the time.  I let my mechanic service mine 1x / year just because... She will wear me out before I wear her out thats for sure...

[SPOFF]

It might be worth mentioning how long a Honda runs WITHOUT maintenance. I have a 1997 Bumblebee I bought new, so it's 20 years old, 51,000 miles. I have had medical issues the last 8 years (10 eye operations between both eyes, losing 70 percent of my vision) so the Valkyrie hasn't seen as much use lately. And it has seen no maintenance in 10 years. Only this year is the "neglect" finally catching up. I need a full carb clean. I've flushed out the brakes and clutch fluid. I need to change the coolant. I'm on the second battery. That's about it.

PS: I delight in telling people my Valkyrie is 20 years old. It looks brand new. Given my failing vision, though,  eventually I'll need to trade or sell the Valkyrie for a bike that is MUCH smaller. Today most of my riding is on a Honda PCX scooter at 35 mph or below.