If you moved on from a Valk, what do you ride now?

[Hyde]

Wasn't sure where else to post this! So ive had my 1999 Tourer for a year and a half, finally have it setup the way I want. Changed the bars, built some pipes, Batwing fairing with a powerful stereo, big GL1200 bags, belly tank, Darkside, tons of stuff! I love almost everything about it, gets a lot of attention, it's comfortable, plenty of storage, ok power until triple digits, but the mileage is HORRENDOUS.

As much as I love it that's starting to become a deal breaker for me. Even with 8 gallons of fuel on board I'm looking for a gas station at 150, a lot of this is due to my riding style I know, long periods of 80-85mph. A lot of the places I ride are 80mph speed limit and the guys I ride with all get significantly better fuel mileage. For example on the way to Sturgis and another Ironbutt ride earlier this year I got 20mpg on each of them. Even relaxed River road riding I get 33-34 which is less than stellar, but seems normal for these bikes.

Sorry for the long vent, I guess realizing my dream bike isn't fitting my dreams is hard, Ha! Back to the original question, if you moved on from a Valk, why did you and what do you ride now?

[DirtyDan]

Multiple sclerosis = walker/wheelchair

Ride while you can

One day...........

Dan

[DIGGER]

Love my Valk with no thoughts of changing.     However lately been eyeballing the Indians.....but would probably stay with Honda

[The emperor has no clothes]

These bikes don't get the best mileage. But that said, I think there is an issue with yours. I've had my Interstate loaded, pulling a trailer, 2up, going 90 and still got 24mpg.

[..]

After my first Valkyrie I rode an ST1300 (R.I.P.) for 135,000 miles. 7.2 gallons and a constant 42 mpg.

BUT a Valkyrie makes me smile very time.

[MarkT]

I agree you likely have an issue - though my story isn't as good as Meat's.  I have gotten as low as 17mpg pulling a Timeout camper.  But it's really heavy and boxy.  Usually get about 28 pulling the HF cargo trailer, even at 80.  That's with a ATT tire which lowers the rpms.  My normal mileage not pulling trailers, mixed city/hwy is 34. That gives me 250 until I hit reserve with a belly tank. I'm not buying more bikes.  I've found the ultimate one for me.

[da prez]

Hyde , your bike needs to be set up. At the worse , I got 28 mpg. High speed with a trailer. My overall average is 38 to 42 now. There is someone near you to help if you ask. Vacuum leaks and carb sync. De smog if not done.

        da prez
 
 

[Sorcerer]

After 13years and 113,000 miles I wanted something different, new. In November 2012 the F6B was released. April 2013 I went into a Honda dealer and made, what some would say a mistake and sat on a black F6B Deluxe. What stopped me at that time was MSRP. I had decided that I’d wait a year and see if I could catch a deal on a hold over. Then in the last week September 2013 the wife pissed me off. Time to do something for myself. That and the price had dropped 2 grand. Pulled the trigger and traded in my 98 Valk on a black 13 deluxe. People have asked me how I like the F6B. Well I tell them that I liked it enough that when I totaled out my 13 in 2016 with 35,000 miles on the clock I replaced it with a yellow 2014 F6B. I had secretly had always wanted a yellow bike and I really like the yellow on the 2014. I did buy the 14 used with only 7,000 miles. When I put her to bed last month the clock read 35,000 miles.
As to your first part of your post, I 80 in South Dakota, 85 mph, 2 up, pulling a Cycle Mate 1000 trailer. Bike had tour bags with a small wind screen. Into a sustained ( unknown at the time) 40 mph head winds, 19 mph. Was an eye opener in the middle of nowhere.

[Hyde]

I also run an ATT, I'm 300lbs though, a barn door for a fairing and the biggest hard bags I've seen. In over a half a ton rolling and loaded. If there's actually something wrong I haven't found it yet, I've certainly been looking.

De-smog is done, haven't synched the carbs yet though. Bike only has 22k on it, the last 10k have been me, I've been tinkering but haven't found anything wrong

[Hyde]

After my first Valkyrie I rode an ST1300 (R.I.P.) for 135,000 miles. 7.2 gallons and a constant 42 mpg.

BUT a Valkyrie makes me smile very time.

One of the guys I ride with was on an ST1100 for a long time, he got 49mpg all the time. He's moved on to an FJR1300 now. I'm not very into the sport touring styling but man they work

[sandy]

Two years ago I bought a '97 Tourer. It ran rough and got bad mileage. After numerous cans of B12, I finally cleaned the carbs. I soaked the jets in brake cleaner and blew out the jets with 130 PSI air. New bowl O rings and intake runner gaskets, and now I still get 32.5 around town. But on my last highway trip I got 39.5 at 65 MPH. The route home was on freeways at 80 MPH, and I still got 37.5. My advise is that you go through the carbs and clean the jets.

[hubcapsc]

It was hard to make it comfortable, but now my 2014 Valkyrie is as
all day comfortable as the 1500, gets better gas mileage, is a bit
quicker and faster, six lug-nuts for the rear wheel, all LED lights, other
modern stuff...

-Mike

[cookiedough]

My loaded I/S gets 35 avg mpg worse being 30, but my 98 tourer with more miles at 80000 backfires, etc. and still will avg. 32 mpg worst 28 even if beaten on and not tuned up with taller, flatter (less racked back) windshield on it.  Much below 30 avg mpg and something must be wrong IMO?  I babied my 1998 tourer one tankful and still not able to get over 32 avg mpg so I will continue beating on it making it LOUD and ROAR still get 30 mpg or so.

For those that get less than say 25 mpg even loaded down with trailer/high winds, doing 80+ mph interstate, I would think something is a miss?   although heading into a 30 mph wind does not help surely since our SUV V6 normally gets 26.5 avg mpg easily on interstate doing 75 mph but just recently heading into a strong wind all intestate only got 23.5 avg mpg that tankful.  But, our Valks do not have too bad of wind blockage as compared to a vehicle.

Do you keep your rear tire at 42 psi (even up to 45 psi?) and front tire around 40 psi?

If I ever move onto another cycle,  will be either F6B, newer Valk,  or used Goldwing, might even consider a kawasaki concourse or honda st1300 if the price was right used.  Once I get older and can no longer handle a Valk,  might consider downsizing to a mid sized cruiser like a honda ctx700.  At least with that you will get OVER 60 avg mpg - there you go problem solved!!!! 

[Bighead]

I have had my '97 since new......never got great mileage probably 35 at best and 32 at worst.....I didnt buy it for gas mileage....in '04 bought a VTX 1800....kept it as a solo ride until 2010...traded that in on a Street Glide....50 mpg at any speed loaded or not.....but not enough power to pull a greasy string out of a cats ass....sold that bike and bought a '99 Interstate in 2012....average about the same as standard maybe 36-37 mpg......last year bought a Goldwing....nice ride many more modern features....about 40 mpg.....wife stayed on my ass to sell one my 3 bikes....sold the Interstate to a friend ( I will probably own it again one day )......so now I still have my '97 and a wing.....guess which gets ridden more? .....the '97 Bee  after all the other bikes since I bought the '97 Valk I still Love her the most
If I could only keep one of the two I have a '97 valk or my '16 wing I would keep the Valk

[Davemn]

2016 Triumph Tiger 800 XCX. Really fun bike. I ride many gravel roads. This bike is perfect for me now.....light, more power than the Valkyrie, corners better. I put 600 miles on the Valkyrie last summer. I would sell it but it’s not worth much so I keep it.

[cookiedough]

Multiple sclerosis = walker/wheelchair

Ride while you can

One day...........

Dan

Sorry to hear that Dan.  My co-worker who sits next to me has M.S. and copes with it as best as he can pretty good spirits.  Work made him get a powered electric wheelchair since he told me he kept falling down at work and just told me a few days ago his hand strength is down to 13 psi not much and keeps dropping items like his pen/paper, etc..   Am sure is frustrating for him but he is in pretty good spirits, or so it seems otherwise.    He says going poddy is a _itch as well but they have gotten special taller seats with handholds to help him there as well.  He is only 51 years old and just started going bad a few years ago.

[old2soon]

           Did NOT buy my Phatt Ghurl with fuel mileage in mind. Mid 30s IF I stay outa the carbs and stay Under 75 M P H. BUT on my I/S from full tank to reserve in bout 125 miles. Put her into triple digits and held her there. Short answer? Ya wanna play ya gotz ta pay!  RIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

ST1300.... Superior in every way to any 1500 Valkyrie... Faster, more nimble, better mileage, quicker, etc.

But.... it moved my body, but not my soul.

So I traded it for a 2nd Valkyrie...

[JimC]

ST1300.... Superior in every way to any 1500 Valkyrie... Faster, more nimble, better mileage, quicker, etc.

But.... it moved my body, but not my soul.

So I traded it for a 2nd Valkyrie...

I like that !

Jim

[Hook#3287]

1st choice F6B, second, new gen Valk.

[Robert]

Went from this



To this


I really loved my 01 and some mentioned here what bike would you go to if you didn't have your valk? It got me thinking so I tried quite a few bikes then they came out with the 14 Valk and I didn't like it. About a year later Corbin came out with bags and that did it for me. I did like the kawi Concurs but the riding position just didn't do it for me, St1300, Bmw was almost there, 2 cylinders didn't cut it and so I was a happy camper when I was given the alternative of my 14 Valk. I guess if anything happened to my Valk today it would be a toss up between the New Wing or another Valk.

 They are really good bikes, reliable,fixable, easy to maintain, not the fastest but fast enough and no slouch, good handling, comfortable and easy to keep clean. All the way around a good bike. At the price they are going for you get years of wing reliability at a very inexpensive price. Lets just say I could buy 2 Valks for the price of one wing.

[Westernbiker]

I had three different Valks, loved them all but wanted more power and hated the way they ran when I got in high altitude, especially when I was towing the trailer, it really sucked then! I now ride an F6B and I LOVE it! It has incredible smooth power, it just does everything very well. It does not get the attention my Valks got but then again, I did not buy the bike for everyone else, I bought it for me. I have traveled on this bike and it just goes! Up mountain passes at 10K feet with no hesitation and accelerating like no tomorrow. Push the handle bars and throw it into a turn with pegs scraping and it flows right through the turn. Ultimately you must find the bike that is right for you. Figure out what you have to have and what you don't really need in a bike and go from there. The choice is all yours! 

[RDKLL]

My signature says it all. I had 2 Valkyries, first was a '98 I bought new and totaled in '03. Got another '98 in '04 and I still have it. We wanted to do more sporty riding on the twisties where we are now in AZ and we bought a '17 KTM Super Duke GT. Come to find out Andrea is more comfortable on the KTM than the Valk...on the Valk she is leaning back a bit and it is painful on her tail bone. Dont care about mileage, heated grips, heated seats, cruise control, traction control and ABS...love the new bike but the Valk is cooler...it is now a bobber. Will be getting a '19 KTM Q4 next year.

[solo1]

This won't be much news to any one, from an old retired rider.

My '97 Valk, bought new, was the best overall bike that I ever owned.   Overall fuel mileage averaged 32 mpg over the years.  That dropped to 26 mpg when I installed a sidecar.  It had the Interstate carb fix but not the 6 degree timing wheel, stock muffler except the piggies cut.

The best fuel mileage on my bikes was a '46 Matchless with 60 mpg, KLR, 56 mpg, St1100 46 mpg, and the last bike, 2006 Vstrom 1000 at 45 mpg.

The Valk, in spite of the poor mileage, was the one with the best smile.

Just for kicks, my 2002 Miata gets 31 mpg and also lots of smiles.

[Dave Ritsema]

Starting in 1998

Went from this for 3 years



To this for 8 years



To this for 2 years



To 2016 to current



My two Valkyries were the best looking bikes of the bunch and got more comments from onlookers than any other bike I have ever owned. More importantly they connected me with a bunch of people that will be friends for life.
The F6B was a fabulous machine that was my favorite bike to ride, nimble, low center of gravity, great acceleration and perfect ergonomics with an Ultimate seat. My wife however was not comfortable on the back as she was used to being tucked into the trunk on the Interstate. If I rode solo all the time I would have kept this bike for a long time.
The GoldWing was a compromise making my wife comfortable and being a modern machine that offered the features that I wanted. As stock I despised the seating position but after an Ultimate seat that pushed me away from the bars and some floorboards I am quite happy with the comfort.

[msb]

I have often thought about what other type or model of bike I would  get if for whatever reason I would have to replace my Valk. I've had it for 17 years now and it's still a thrill to throw a leg over each and every time I ride ....whether it's just a quick local jaunt, a day or overnight ride, or one of the several long multi day/week rides we do each year. I also love keeping it up, both in terms of  appearance and mechanical shape. Obviously a newer bike would have definite advantages for much of the riding we still do and I do like the F6B's a lot. I've also thought that I'd enjoy an adventure tour bike such as the Triumph Tiger or African Twin. But....if tomorrow was the day that I'd have to go out and purchase another bike as my main ride, I'm pretty sure I'd be looking for another low milage 1500 Valk. Just something there  that I can't explain,  that I don't get when I sit on or test ride other bikes. I think I would miss that feeling....what Serk said, it's got soul, and has got into mine.

[Patrick]

Rode the Valk for 18yrs and got 40-42 mpg if I rode normally.

Gave the bike to a family member after not being able to ride it due to an illness.  Have not yet got another but am considering a Triumph. Used to ride them and have always had a thing for them.

[Jess from VA]

what do you ride now?

Anyone I can, if she'll let me. 

And 2 '99 Interstates.  (I ain't changin')

[3fan4life]

I have more bikes than I can ride.

As a matter of fact I'm kind of in the Dawg House right now due to a recent purchase that "wasn't" pre approved by the spousal unit. 

Eventually, I do need to start thinning the herd.

However, I can't imagine not having a Valk in the stable.

I have other bikes that are faster and handle better, but none of them put the grin on my face that the Valkyries do. 

[DirtyDan]

Multiple sclerosis = walker/wheelchair

Ride while you can

One day...........

Dan

Sorry to hear that Dan.  My co-worker who sits next to me has M.S. and copes with it as best as he can pretty good spirits.  Work made him get a powered electric wheelchair since he told me he kept falling down at work and just told me a few days ago his hand strength is down to 13 psi not much and keeps dropping items like his pen/paper, etc..   Am sure is frustrating for him but he is in pretty good spirits, or so it seems otherwise.    He says going poddy is a _itch as well but they have gotten special taller seats with handholds to help him there as well.  He is only 51 years old and just started going bad a few years ago.

47 (48 in March) going into my 9th year with MS. I’ve fought it off on the road more then once (14,15,16) my ride back to Kingman from Morgantown (via NJ) was my last (baring some miracle).

I’m gonna keep on keeping on (like a bird that flew   )

Thank you

Dan

[F6Dave]

I still own 2 old Valks, but wanted something newer for long trips.  The F6B is as close as I could get to the qualities of the original Valkyrie.  I love it.  This picture was taken at Arches NP in October of 2017.

[Beardo]

Like most here...once you have a Honda 6 cyl, you’re sorta hooked. I looked at Harleys and considered an R1200RT or K1600 but Honda’s smooth 6 and reliability won out.

[Fazer]

Kingman Arizona, from NJ


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Re: If you moved on from a Valk, what do you ride now?
« Reply #29 on: Today at 12:33:50 PM »
Reply with quoteQuote
Quote from: cookiedough on Yesterday at 08:58:32 PM
Quote from: DirtyDan on Yesterday at 06:50:34 PM
Multiple sclerosis = walker/wheelchair

Ride while you can

One day...........

Dan

Sorry to hear that Dan.  My co-worker who sits next to me has M.S. and copes with it as best as he can pretty good spirits.  Work made him get a powered electric wheelchair since he told me he kept falling down at work and just told me a few days ago his hand strength is down to 13 psi not much and keeps dropping items like his pen/paper, etc..   Am sure is frustrating for him but he is in pretty good spirits, or so it seems otherwise.    He says going poddy is a _itch as well but they have gotten special taller seats with handholds to help him there as well.  He is only 51 years old and just started going bad a few years ago.

47 (48 in March) going into my 9th year with MS. I’ve fought it off on the road more then once (14,15,16) my ride back to Kingman from Morgantown (via NJ) was my last (baring some miracle).

I’m gonna keep on keeping on (like a bird that flew  Smiley )

Thank you

Dan

Dan--sorry to hear about the progression of your disease.  I met you at Morgantown, my first Inzane and apparently your last.  I was unaware of your situation then, and have only learned about thru these forums.  I have enjoyed your posts as well as the brief discussions we had.  I believe I commented on your vest, the Beverly Hillbilly pack job on your bike, and one of your posts about cracking the front cover in a crash.  Keep it real, and know you have friends that are thinking about you.

Vaya con Dios.

Greg

[Savago]

All good advice provided by the forum members.

In my case, I still have an I/S@99 as it is the best SPG (Smiles Per Gallon) bike I've ridden (being a Ducati X-Diavel a close second).

For long rides I prefer to use my STeed (Honda ST1300@2009). The transversely mounted V4 engine is a dream, the suspension modern and comfortable, the storage gargantuan (i.e. each pannier can fit a full face big helmet), technology (i.e. fuel injection, combined brake system, electronic windshield) and Exxon Valdez class gas tank (7.7 gallons with consistent 42 to 46 mpg) makes it one of the best cross-country bikes ever made. All that and the bike is pretty flickable and agile in the city traffic!

For riding bad roads the workhorse is a reliable weestrom DL650. Cheap, simple and gets the job done.

The I/S now is used only for short and leisure rides, where it makes 30 to 33mpg in average. Once in 2015 I twisted its tail in a day trip where I started the day in Oregon and finished the day in Montana (the 'Interstate' did justice to its name after crossing 4 states in a single day).

That day it made 24 mpg in the first leg and 22mpg in the second leg of the trip.
 

The noble STeed in the Joshua Tree National Park (California):

[vanavyman]

I've been riding my 2009 Goldwing Level 4 with Full Monty Traxxion most of the time


But still love riding my Interstate in the Summer: 


I'd expect us to end up with just a Goldwing after retirement in a few years, but not sure Trish will agree now that she has gotten attached to her Valkyrie Interstate Trike.  May end up keeping all 3.



Dan

[Hyde]

Thanks for all the input everyone, I expected a bunch of f6b answers. Even taking mileage it of the concerns I'd like fuel injection, coming over the great divide outside Butte Montana those 6 carbs turned the big girl into a blubbering pig. I have been looking at a vtx1800, an f6b is more than I want to spend right now.

Who knows maybe I'll tinker a little more and stick with my true love!

[Willow]

Thanks for all the input everyone, I expected a bunch of f6b answers. Even taking mileage it of the concerns I'd like fuel injection, coming over the great divide outside Butte Montana those 6 carbs turned the big girl into a blubbering pig. I have been looking at a vtx1800, an f6b is more than I want to spend right now.

Who knows maybe I'll tinker a little more and stick with my true love!

Something is definitely wrong with your Valkyrie.  I have been across the divide on multiple Valkyries.  None ever lost significant power at altitude. 

Get those carbs fixed.

[Disco]

My current Valkyrie count is 4.      I know, you don't have to tell me.      Two are keepers and two are fixer-uppers that will be sold. 

After 11 years, >100K miles, and 48 states on the 2000 bumblebee "Tourer", I wanted something different.  I really want a new 'wing, but the timing isn't right for the outlay and I really don't want year-1 of anything.  So after a process of elimination of several sport touring contenders and selling my under-used F800GS to make room, my current primary ride is a 2016 FJR1300ES.

Obviously, a very different ride and riding position, but the fuel injection, automotive cruise control, linked ABS, traction control, Tour and Sport mode, electrically adjustable windshield and suspension, removable saddlebags, almost bullet-proof engine churning out <40 mpg and 140 hp on regular gas, and 6th gear are really sweet.

The 778 page service manual is a bit daunting, though!   

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I went with a 2016 F6B Deluxe. Electronic cruise control, center stand, heated grips and self canceling turn signals were factory on it. Top speed is higher than the new Wings but is limited by chip to 125 mph so it's slower than my old Valk in that regard.

Cornering is superb, I didn't lose anything on acceleration. The wife says the OEM seat is more comfortable than the Ultimate seat on the Valk was, my comfort is probably a little less due to highway peg placement and no drivers backrest but it's still all day comfortable.

I put 9000 miles on it this year and I'm glad I bought it so far. Of course, I still have the son's Valk & Duc in the garage that I can ride when I want.

[hubcapsc]

The 778 page service manual is a bit daunting, though!

I've had my 1500 Valkyrie eleven years too... working on it has never
been incomprehensible... then came the modern motorcycle...



-Mike