Changing Of The Guard

[Sodbuster]

I'm sure some of you long time users on this board have noticed some members (old & new) bowing out or found interest in a different motorcycle over the last few years but let it known that those still here are valued for there infinite wisdom with these very unique and exhilarating machines. It's great to come here and read about how much new members enjoy their NEW to them Valkyrie !!

I know this machine isn't made any more and maybe some of the excitement isn't there like it was when in production but it's now taken on a different persona as a machine for the ages.  It's up to us to keep these machines running so someone else down the road can enjoy them as much as we are and have that deer-in-the-headlight look when they first ride the "fat lady" !!!!

Long live the Dragon 

[The Anvil]

Good post. But in some ways I think the excitement is MORE palpable. Not many bikes come out, fail to meet manufacturer's expectations (whether realistic or not), are killed off and then develop the kind of cult following the Valk has.

But you're right. We're sort of the "caretakers" of the breed if you will.

[old2soon]

Got mine June of 2010 rode 12202 miles first full year of ownership and that excitement in anticipation of a ride is STILL there. In fact if the weather people got it right looking at blowing the cobwebs out of both of us tommorrow. I agree with maintaining it properly but someone else gets AFTER i'm takin my dirt nap. Only 2 things put a grin on my face like the Valkyrie duz and i can't fer the life of me member what the other one twas.   RIDE SAFE.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Absolutely no other cruiser out there I'd rather own or ride.I bought the one below in June 1998 and its still my favorite ....Long Live The Dragon.

[Challenger]

I feel the same way! Nothing else trips my trigger like the Valk, I have a 99 I/S and a 2000 STD, I've looked at and ridden several new bikes and nothing compares to the Valk, Just my opinion.   Joe, you got any chrome left under there?

[art]

I cannot think of any other motorcycle I'd want more than the valk.There are other interesting bikes I would like to have like a new triumph thunderbird or another  bonny america but the valk is king .I'll have it until I cannot ride anymore.2002 w/ 130000 miles an still going strong

[YoungPUP]

The wife asked what I'm going to replace the Valk with, and I told her an Interstate.  Unless hell freezes, and honda builds a new one thats worth a damn, then my Std will become the parts mule, for the next one.

[Farther]

I told my wife that my Valkyrie is going to be a classic like the '57 Chevy Nomad!  I'm going to keep it as long as I can.

[Brewer]

As a new rider and Valkyrie owner (98), thank you all for the collected knowledge.

Cheers

[Sodbuster]

As a new rider and Valkyrie owner (98), thank you all for the collected knowledge.

Cheers

Welcome aboard !!

[tbone]

I agree with all, This bike rocks. I have ridden for 25 years and have actually been happiest the last 3 years with my I/S. I have put on more miles and found more friends. This group has been awesome. I have not ridden a better bike or been around a better group of people. I am ready for the next ride, well at least when my ankle heals and winter goes away.

Tbone

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Agree. There are bikes out there that I'd like to "also own", but none that could replace the valk. To me, as opposed to being a "sport touring" bike, the valk is a "touring sport" bike if you will.

I think the Valk is the "vincent black shadow" of our times and will be legendary even after most are no longer on the road.

[biguglyman]

The Valkyrie restored my love of riding.  I liked my Gold Wing but it just didn't make me look for excuses to ride any more.  After 40 years of riding I was getting jaded, fat, and lazy.  Still fat...

[Moonshot_1]

In the past few years I've got to ride a number of different bikes.
Different brands and different models and all of those were pretty good bikes.

But when it comes to the Valkyrie, I can't think of any other motorcycle that excels at such a broad range of standards. Speed, acceleration, handling, reliability, style, elegance, comfort, engineering, and the list goes on.
It may not be the best at any one of those, but it excels in all of them.

Destined to become a classic.

[MNBill]

Traded my Valk for a Victory. I still hang out here, great ride posts and brotherhood on this board. I also know if I want to ride this group does not care what you ride, MN ride I went on had a great bunch of people and a well planned ride. Now that I am retired I hope to join more of the rides in other areas.

[Bill]

Totally Agree. I have always had at least one valk. since they came out in 1997. During that time I have traded various Wings and been without them for awhile, but never have I been without a Valk. in the garage nor will I be.

[rmrc51]

Nothing will ever replace my Valk Trike. She'll be with me until I take the 'big ride'.

I have to agree with the sentiment here as there's no other MC out there that can come close to comparing itself to the Valkyrie! Truly a unique machine that we must maintain and no doubt, it will attain collector status. As far as I'm concerned, it already has! 

[czuch]

Yo killin me here.
I'm in the middle of a condiditon that prevents me from riding.
Last Saturday I was in the garage sitting on the Valk making the Varoom noises when in walks the lovely wife.  She got all caretakerie and brought me out a Bourbon and coke then got all emotional. Did I hit the Jackpot or what??!!
First ride will be to Deming for lunch at Irma's.
(Her favorite eatery.)

[x]

A fantastic machine.  After 15 years of riding this beast, I still once in a while feel that giant tank between my knees and remember the first ride I ever made on the Valkyrie... seemed so large... it had a whine... and it went like crazy!  And to cruise down to breakfast on a Sunday morning with this giant beast of a bike between my legs... well... what can I say... I laugh out loud at the beauty and amazement of such a wonderful motorcycle.  It growls, it purrs, it tracks every corner... I've ridden many fine bikes... but none are the Valk!  Hail Valkyrie!!!

[ValkFlyer]

You boys are breaching to the choir  ....What was once motorcycle of the decade is now far beyond that and one of the most special bikes one can own.  As much as I hate to admit it I've got to say she's pretty much an obsession with me. I won't be as bold as to say that I'll own her until I'm pushing dirt......but it won't be because I gave up on her.  Getting or having another bike is fine, but not at the cost of my Valk.......In fact... selling my Valk would be like selling...wellllllllll I won't go there.....Painful though   

[Oss]

pretty sure I joined in 03 but I was called Ossiningvalkyrie and later Ossvalk
Oss is easier to type

while there is no other bike I would find comfortable on all day, multi day or week riding
it is not the motorcycle I think of when needing an urban assault vehicle in the Bronx and
negotiating the highways like 95, the cross bronx or even the Grand Concourse

For those I prefer the ABS never lock up a tire no matter what, run flat tire, heated grips,  narrow enough to get between lanes of trucks 2004 bmw 1150rpt that I have had just about 2 yrs now

But ONLY for that kind of riding or when its freezing out and I dont want to bother with the heated gloves

For EVERYTHING else its the Interstate hands down   Only 73000 but I am workin on it
With the Russell Day Long seat and the MickOPegs I can ride all day every day
and love every minute of it

I can only lean it like Joe does in my dreams wish I could get my dumb head straightened out to do that like you do

[bigguy]

My favorite quote from this board on the Valk from Anvil

No EFI, no digital ignition, no mulitvale aspiration, no shower injectors, no downdraft intake tract, no exhaust powervalves, no turbos... nothing. The Valk is a beautiful dinosaur, a T-Rex with double D's and loose morals. But it's still a dinosaur.

Dragons is sort of dinosaurs. Right?

[BigAl]

Learning is good.

All the talk about certain people.

Not enough people have seen the twisties to really be that good.

Come to tennessee and I will give the wisdom I have learned and you will be good on the

twisties as anyone alive.

Viva la Bikers that want to learn the masters Jedi Twistie Skills.

Anyone can do it with enough practice and fortitude.

[Irish-Valk]

Great post.
I got back on two wheels after raising my family and to help resolve the mid life crisis. Had been drooling over the Yamaha Wildstar (Roadstar) and eventually bought one new, 12 years ago. I loved that bike but on one of my trips I came across the Valkyrie and was besotted by it. 4 years ago I yielded to the temptation and bought a '99' I/S on eBay with 21k miles (without seeing it). I had it shipped from the US to Ireland, keeping my fingers crossed that I hadn't purchased a melon. It arrived and turned out to be everything I had hoped for. I loved it from the first time I drove it.

I've spent a good bit of money on accessorise and bling to make my own. Every euro spent has made the bike look better and made me love it more. Although the bike is now 13 years old it is pristine. I parted with my beloved Yamaha last year because I found it wasn't being used. I ride with a friend who drives a much younger 1800 Wing. The Goldwing is also a lovely bike but I have to say that everywhere we go the Valk seems to steal the thunder, and they have been on a couple of long trips together across Europe. The Valk always turns heads and attracts a crowd where ever it's parked.

This is one of the greatest motorcycles of our time and they're timeless. Anyone that is not familiar with my bike thinks it is new and can't believe that the model ceased production nearly 10 years ago. The Valkyrie is a legend & I believe are iconic machines to be remembered in history. It beholds us enthusiasts to enjoy these legends and  maintain as many of of them as possible in good condition so that we can pass them on to the next generation to enjoy.

Honda Valkyries are heavy beasts, they are thirsty, but they have a presence, they are extremely reliable and are a joy to ride. I would not be without mine and will never be parting with it. Even when I get to the stage that I can't drive it any more I'll find a way to keep it so that I can at at least look at it and clean it and perhaps sit on it once in a while (that could mean building on an extra room.

Ride safely... Enjoy your Valkyrie and accept that you are privileged to own such a machine..  

[Sodbuster]

WOW .... this is very cool, love hearing how others have such an interest in this machine as much as I do.

OH, and the reference to being a dinosaur .... didn't dinosaurs have BIG balls ??   

[Dubsvalk]

The gentleman I bought my Valk from told me that when I was ready to sell it, let him know.  His financial situation was temporary and he would like to hae it back.  I told him that this Valk will not be available until I'm either dead or am unable to ride any more.  It is just that special!
Dubs

[grandpaweaver]

A new rider and new Valkyrie owner. I quit riding almost 50 years ago but dreamed about getting back into it for the last 4 or 5 years. Every time I saw or heard a MC go past my shop window the dream was rekindeled. When I decided to get back into this insanity I didn't know what I wanted until I saw my first Valk. Spend over a year shopping and dreaming about owning one until several months ago when I found one here. No turning back now, Love the bike, enjoy this board and can't wait for spring.

And I agree its our Responsibility to maintain these fat ladies for future generations to enjoy

[R J]

I bought MGM the day after I got out of the hospital for bypass surgery.

While in the ICU unit, the wife read motorcycle articles to me.   Valkyrie kept coming up.   The way they had me strapped in bed and all the hoses coming out of all the orifices, I couldn't see the pictures too well.

To make a long story short, she was reading one day and I told her I wanted one.  Unbeknown to me, she called the stealer and asked about one.   She took a trip to the dealership and looked at it still in the crate.  1st one he had received.    She told him to put my name on it for the next 3 weeks, as that was probably when I'd get out of the hospital.    Rest is history, bought it, and currently it has 242K miles and has had less than a thousand miles put on in the past 2 years.      Son, daughter and Kamikaze put these miles on MGM the last 2 years,  thanks everyone, I loved watching ya take off and come back.

[Sodbuster]

.... She took a trip to the dealership and looked at it still in the crate.  1st one he had received

Wouldn't it be cool to have a photo of that !!

[Sodbuster]

Good post. But in some ways I think the excitement is MORE palpable. Not many bikes come out, fail to meet manufacturer's expectations (whether realistic or not), are killed off and then develop the kind of cult following the Valk has.

But you're right. We're sort of the "caretakers" of the breed if you will.

All the more reason to keep at least SOME of these beasts in as near perfect original/OEM condition as possible with nothing that can't be put back to OEM including original unmolested exhaust systems.

[Chrome]

Hey Sod

Wouldn't it be cool to have a photo of that !!

One of my best riding buddies did just that. He has pics of his first Valkyrie in a crate at the dealership and took pics  of the dealer assembly.Cool stuff.
Adrian

[Valkahuna]

Learning is good.

All the talk about certain people.

Not enough people have seen the twisties to really be that good.

Come to tennessee and I will give the wisdom I have learned and you will be good on the

twisties as anyone alive.

Viva la Bikers that want to learn the masters Jedi Twistie Skills.

Anyone can do it with enough practice and fortitude.

Al,

I believe many already have the skills to lean that far. What stops many, myself included, is experience from our younger days, where something we had NO CONTROL OVER (gravel, other traffic, road conditions, unfamiliarity with the road) bit us in the arse, and a well executed turn ended up in an accident).

What is the true difference is what you call "Fortitude", which also could be called balls, and many other macho names. I prefer to call it risk assessment, and the older I get, the more this assessment swings over to the side of common sense (for me anyways). I love twisties, but find I can enjoy them just as much without leaving parts of my undercarriage on the road (no, I don't mean foot pegs - but solid stuff), and having every curve be the thing that could deprive my grand kids of their Grampy.

It's a matter of personal choice, which is as it should be. 

Now, for the real meat of this thread, our beloved Valks. A long time ago, a term was coined in the MC press - UJM, or Universal Japanese Motorcycle. It was to describe a bike that basically did all things well. Other than my Valk, the closest other bike I've had to this description was my 1984 Honda V65 Sabre. To this day, that bike hods the distinction (for me) of stretching out my arms more than anything else that I have ridden that was docile and street worthy. The Valk comes close in that department, but outdoes the V65 in comfort, curb appeal, touring ability, and other areas.

Until the Valk came into my life, I was really not that excited about what was available. The Valk is unique, and that "uniqueness" is unfortunately also its undoing. The $$$ that Honda realized from its manufacture and sales unfortunately did not justify its existence in Corporate Honda's eyes, and they dropped it from their line-up.    While we love it like no other bike, this situation has not changed, and even if Honda (or someone else) would make another Valk, the appeal to the "general MC community" would still be too low to make it worthwhile. 

So, bottom line is that I hope that there are enough of us out there that we can keep it alive for ever. Maybe as we all get older, we'll become a club sort of like a "Ford Model A Club". 

I know I'll not be selling mine any time soon.

[Sodbuster]

Hey Sod

Wouldn't it be cool to have a photo of that !!

One of my best riding buddies did just that. He has pics of his first Valkyrie in a crate at the dealership and took pics  of the dealer assembly.Cool stuff.
Adrian

Think he'd be willing to share some of those pic's ??  I know I would like to see them !!  That would be something cool to see on one of the VRCC calenders 

[PJR]

Bought my 2000 I/S in April 01, new from dealer. Put about 73000 on it to May 2010, hung a sidecar on so my wife would go along more. It now has 87000 after a trip to Sturgis and Yellowstone this year. Oh, and this past winter, the wife thought I should have another bike for just 2 wheelin. Yep, you guessed it, another Valk, 98 maroon and tan std. with only 22000 on it. My riding friends tried to convince me to get a harley like them. I told them they just don't trip my trigger.
Long live the Dragons

[Brewer]

As a new rider and Valkyrie owner (98), thank you all for the collected knowledge.

Cheers

I have been reading and visiting the archives. Now I want to say thank you again

Found the answer of how to get the fuel filter out ... Leaky OEM petcock replaced with a manual from Pingle. The Archives saved me, I do not know how many, hours.

Love the bike and this is a great group. I hope to meet and ride with you.

Brewer, one of the new guys.

[John Schmidt]

After having ridden/owned numerous two-wheeled contraptions over the last 60+ yrs., I can honestly say this Valkyrie is the best of the bunch. I've had it for 9 yrs., haven't been able to put that many miles on it due to caretaker responsibilities at home, but that's OK. It means I'll have it longer, and at my age it most likely will be the last bike I'll own....barring an unforeseen tragedy.

As for total miles on two wheelers over the decades, I have no idea. I do know it's way up there in six figures, maybe beyond, don't know....don't care. Back in the day, about the only thing that worked on some of my early noise makers was the engine. You got to know your bike speed by the pitch of the engine, sorta like wind in the wires of an old biplane. That took the place of a speedometer and/or a tachometer.

As with many of you, I've traveled many roads on two wheels, the sound of the engine rumbling on through the night still moves me inside. Below is an excerpt from something I wrote years ago, the entire piece is about traveling alone either by plane or by bike. This is but a few lines of it:
=================================
As the sun completes yet another day's work,
            the boundaries come closer.
            The road unfurls only within the grasp of your headlight.
            The patchwork below is replaced by the
            dying embers of a thousand campfires.
            Yet as the blackness surrounds, the second act begins.
             Bathing the earth in gold, softening the boundaries.
             You press on, the force that moves you coming from without.
             This I have done many times, often by myself.
             Never alone.

Come, fly with me.....
==================================
I had recently gone through a divorce, having lost out to a man ten yrs. her junior. I had ferried a C-172 back to Orlando from the midwest for a friend and missed her company....she was also a licensed pilot and we had many hours together in the cockpit. I tied the plane down, checked in, got on my bike and took off. Had no idea where I was headed, it was late Spring and warm, I had a good credit card and a pocketful of cash, a travel bag of clothes strapped on the back. I rode west for nearly 30 hrs. straight, stopping only for gas. Finally, in a small burg in SE Colorado I stopped in a Mom & Pop motel at 4:00pm, checked in, then crashed for about 24 hrs.  When I awoke, I made a fresh pot of coffee and wrote the above prose. I choose not to show the entire thing.

Sorry for the long-winded epistle. Traveling on the Valk always brings those days back for some reason, maybe its the roar of the pipes passing through the night.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

After having ridden/owned numerous two-wheeled contraptions over the last 60+ yrs., I can honestly say this Valkyrie is the best of the bunch. I've had it for 9 yrs., haven't been able to put that many miles on it due to caretaker responsibilities at home, but that's OK. It means I'll have it longer, and at my age it most likely will be the last bike I'll own....barring an unforeseen tragedy.

As for total miles on two wheelers over the decades, I have no idea. I do know it's way up there in six figures, maybe beyond, don't know....don't care. Back in the day, about the only thing that worked on some of my early noise makers was the engine. You got to know your bike speed by the pitch of the engine, sorta like wind in the wires of an old biplane. That took the place of a speedometer and/or a tachometer.

As with many of you, I've traveled many roads on two wheels, the sound of the engine rumbling on through the night still moves me inside. Below is an excerpt from something I wrote years ago, the entire piece is about traveling alone either by plane or by bike. This is but a few lines of it:
=================================
As the sun completes yet another day's work,
           the boundaries come closer.
           The road unfurls only within the grasp of your headlight.
           The patchwork below is replaced by the
           dying embers of a thousand campfires.
           Yet as the blackness surrounds, the second act begins.
            Bathing the earth in gold, softening the boundaries.
            You press on, the force that moves you coming from without.
            This I have done many times, often by myself.
            Never alone.

Come, fly with me.....
==================================
I had recently gone through a divorce, having lost out to a man ten yrs. her junior. I had ferried a C-172 back to Orlando from the midwest for a friend and missed her company....she was also a licensed pilot and we had many hours together in the cockpit. I tied the plane down, checked in, got on my bike and took off. Had no idea where I was headed, it was late Spring and warm, I had a good credit card and a pocketful of cash, a travel bag of clothes strapped on the back. I rode west for nearly 30 hrs. straight, stopping only for gas. Finally, in a small burg in SE Colorado I stopped in a Mom & Pop motel at 4:00pm, checked in, then crashed for about 24 hrs.  When I awoke, I made a fresh pot of coffee and wrote the above prose. I choose not to show the entire thing.

Sorry for the long-winded epistle. Traveling on the Valk always brings those days back for some reason, maybe its the roar of the pipes passing through the night.

She still with that dude ? Is she the Mother of your children ? If this ain't any of my business...Thats cool 

[Chattanooga Mark]

There are VERY few motorcycles that could replace the Valkyrie Interstate IMHO. Once in a while I go looking at the Victory Cross Country Tour and I am waiting to see the upcoming Moto Guzzi California 1400. But then I get back to the garage. Once I see, sit on and ride the Valkyrie, I wonder why I bother looking elsewhere. It simply can't be beat for a 2 up tourer with just about anything else available.

But I do enjoy riding my Moto Guzzi Griso 8v. 

Happy New Year,

Mark

[John Schmidt]

No and yes! In the end, I got the house and most of the stuff in it. She got the new Mustang convertible and the payment book.

She never remarried, but after a few years I found Rita...my present wife. One of the sweetest gals you could ever hope to meet and my girls love her like their own. My life is good! 

[Jason O]

Hey Sod

Wouldn't it be cool to have a photo of that !!

One of my best riding buddies did just that. He has pics of his first Valkyrie in a crate at the dealership and took pics  of the dealer assembly.Cool stuff.
Adrian

Think he'd be willing to share some of those pic's ??  I know I would like to see them !!  That would be something cool to see on one of the VRCC calenders  

Sorry, I had to.