perception of other riders

[movinbs]

What do you think the perception is of the Valkyrie to other riders?   What do you think the HD and Yamaha roadstar crowd really think when they see a Valkyrie?  I read articles from riders saying how everyone really admires their bike, and I've had a few HD guys that make some nice comments about mine.

[old2soon]

I've been in contact with folks that are curious-folks that already know and folks-SMALL number-that hate it cause it's a rice burner!  The haters I DO NOT even waste my time with cause they ain't gonna change anytime soon.  On my P G R missions I see a lot of new-name a brand BUT the majority are H/Ds. Some of the factory colors boggle the mind. I've been known to walk up to other riders and start talkin-AND I'm so shy and retiring-bashful even!  My biggest question to other riders is WHY must you constantly rev the engine? Won't it idle?  One of the P G R guys I ride with is an old time dyed in the wool Harley rider but he has told me more than once he has looked on line at Valkyries. May or may Not surprise if he shows up with one.  RIDE SAFE.

[Chrisj CMA]

I don't personally care what anyone thinks.  I think the rider has more to do with the respect than what he/she rides.  You act the fool and it really doesn't matter what you ride, you wont get much respect.  

That being said, I know that bikers of the "other" brands generally respect the Valkyrie but still yet I have been shunned as a rider of "Jap Cr@p"  just for owning a machine that says HONDA on it.

We will encounter folks from all points of the respect spectrum.  My point of view is....What they think of me (or my bike) is none of my business.

[MP]

Generally, it is a pretty good reception. I really only have had a few times when someone really disliked a "rice burner". I ignore them.  Most are impressed.  Most ride HD, naturally. I like HD's.  Right now, I think if I could not have a Valk, it would be a HD.  I like a MC, that looks like what MY idea of an old school MC looks like.

What others think really does not matter to me.  I have had a number of HD riders tell me they really like it, but could not own one because they want to be with the "HD crowd".  Their loss, not mine.

I love the look when I ride with HD's, and we go into a grill for lunch.  Maybe 50 bikes, all but a couple HD's, and mine the only Valk.  Cannot tell you how many times when we come out, there will be several people in the parking lot, praising my Valk! One time my buddy, as we came out, noticed it, and said "aw sh*t, NOT AGAIN"!  He said it with a grin, no problem.  That motor just jumps out at people.  What a masterpiece, all done up in chrome!

MP

[RONNIEB]

One 80 year old pure HD friends says only thing wrong with my valks is they don't say HD ON THE TANK

[BobB]

One 80 year old pure HD friends says only thing wrong with my valks is they don't say HD ON THE TANK

That can be corrected.

My experience has been that the Valk is well accepted.  Those riders in the know, are aware of its performance.  Some H-D riders quickly turn away but I have had some literally oggle my Valk.  I won by popular vote the Peoples Choice Award at a small bike show last summer.  The opposition was nearly all Harleys.  One fellow was giving me crap about needing six cylinders to get down the road when he needed only two in his H-D trike.  I replied that I have nothing against V-twins, I have one in my lawn mower.  Only chuckles, no swings...

[old2soon]

One 80 year old pure HD friends says only thing wrong with my valks is they don't say HD ON THE TANK

That can be corrected.

My experience has been that the Valk is well accepted.  Those riders in the know, are aware of its performance.  Some H-D riders quickly turn away but I have had some literally oggle my Valk.  I won by popular vote the Peoples Choice Award at a small bike show last summer.  The opposition was nearly all Harleys.  One fellow was giving me crap about needing six cylinders to get down the road when he needed only two in his H-D trike.  I replied that I have nothing against V-twins, I have one in my lawn mower.  Only chuckles, no swings...

        Remind him-there is getting down the road and then-THERE IS GETTING DOWN THE ROAD!  I'll take CAPITAL letters anytime!  RIDE SAFE.

[signart]

One 80 year old pure HD friends says only thing wrong with my valks is they don't say HD ON THE TANK

That can be corrected.

My experience has been that the Valk is well accepted.  Those riders in the know, are aware of its performance.  Some H-D riders quickly turn away but I have had some literally oggle my Valk.  I won by popular vote the Peoples Choice Award at a small bike show last summer.  The opposition was nearly all Harleys.  One fellow was giving me crap about needing six cylinders to get down the road when he needed only two in his H-D trike.  I replied that I have nothing against V-twins, I have one in my lawn mower.  Only chuckles, no swings...

        Remind him-there is getting down the road and then-THERE IS GETTING DOWN THE ROAD!  I'll take CAPITAL letters anytime!  RIDE SAFE.

I just tell 'em my Valk will run just like a Harley if I take 4 plug wires off.

[Firefighter]

I've had HD riders say my bike is beautiful, heard a few HD riders say don't race with a Valkyrie, some say its too quiet, most don't say a thing. I've had non motorcycle people say nice Harley, so I explain it's a Honda.
I like the made in America idea, and think alot of HD's are beautiful bikes, but don't think they are as comfortable on long rides, think the bags and fairing looks too old school for me, but the worst is the way they shake at idle, can't be good for anything. I know they work, but that out of balance firing sequence is not for me.  Firefighter

[Robert]

One 80 year old pure HD friends says only thing wrong with my valks is they don't say HD ON THE TANK

Doesn't make a difference because people always ask if its a Harley. It also doesn't make a difference what they think, like many others here have said. My choice was based on 6 cylinders rather than 2 and the longevity of the engine. I am happy to report, that I am confident in my correct decision with every mile ridden and every other bike I see.

[Bighead]

Who really gives a crap? To me it is about riding not entering in any contest or Nut showing contest just ride what you like at let it be. and as far as made in America the Valk was built in OHIO.

[..]

Who really gives a crap? To me it is about riding not entering in any contest or Nut showing contest just ride what you like at let it be. and as far as made in America the Valk was built in OHIO.

 

[MP]

I had a young gun with a new HD giving me jazz on my first bike run the first year I had my 97 Valk.   Finally, he wanted to know if I wanted to run for pink slips.  this was in about 2007.  The leader, a long haired, bearded, guy riding a true hard tail, was standing there.  He looked at the young guy, and said "you better not do it.  That Valkyrie will eat your lunch!"  We all have become good friends.

MP

[Red Diamond]

I recall being at several locations this past summer, Show Low Az., Kayenta Az., and Little Bighorn Battlefield, met some pretty rough looking bikers in those areas. They are the ones who initiated conversation with me, none of the conversations were about my bike. Turns out to be very friendly people inspite of my first impression thoughts. It's not about the bike, unless you are out to impress.

[DIGGER]

Who really gives a crap? To me it is about riding not entering in any contest or Nut showing contest just ride what you like at let it be. and as far as made in America the Valk was built in OHIO.

Just curious....was the Valk MADE in Ohio or ASSEMBLED in Ohio?

[Tailgate Tommy]

I was stopped at a light a couple of weeks ago and a guy with an old school looking black Harley with the big chrome headlight. He had the
Harley outfit, bandana, loudish pipes and looked the part. I looked at his bike and gave him a smile and a nod.  All he said was "You got the big one out". It was all I could do to not start laughing...

[BF]

I get a lot of the....is that a V8 or a V6 questions. 

[hubcapsc]

Who really gives a crap? To me it is about riding not entering in any contest or Nut showing contest just ride what you like at let it be. and as far as made in America the Valk was built in OHIO.

Just curious....was the Valk MADE in Ohio or ASSEMBLED in Ohio?

They used to give tours of the factory. There's regular members here who've seen them making
and painting the saddlebags there. The motors have MADE IN USA stamped on them. There's
lots of electrical stuff, suspension stuff, carburetor stuff that's made elsewhere.

-Mike

[Bighead]

Who really gives a crap? To me it is about riding not entering in any contest or Nut showing contest just ride what you like at let it be. and as far as made in America the Valk was built in OHIO.

Just curious....was the Valk MADE in Ohio or ASSEMBLED in Ohio?

They used to give tours of the factory. There's regular members here who've seen them making
and painting the saddlebags there. The motors have MADE IN USA stamped on them. There's
lots of electrical stuff, suspension stuff, carburetor stuff that's made elsewhere.

-Mike

Yes and the same with the all Mighty HD. Most any aftermarket part sold is made Offshore.

[MP]

Who really gives a crap? To me it is about riding not entering in any contest or Nut showing contest just ride what you like at let it be. and as far as made in America the Valk was built in OHIO.

Just curious....was the Valk MADE in Ohio or ASSEMBLED in Ohio?

They have a higher US content than HD!  That is why the early Valks have "Made in USA" on them.  HD got that changed, by law. So that the Valk could no longer have made in usa.

MP

[Rudy]

Almost all of my encounters have been positive. I've had a handful of HD riders tell me they bleed HD but the Valkyrie is one bike they wouldn't mind owning.

[Crackerborn]

There are only a few times a year I will travel in a pack. Usually I prefer the wind, the road and the ride to be my companions. If some wish to chat at the pumps, sure I will, since it gives me a chance to hydrate and just because I ride solo does not mean I am antisocial. Since acquiring the Lady those chats seem to take a different direction than when I rode the V-twins or in lines. I get more casual interest from the cagers and the V-twin crowd that actually travel further than the corner tavern are the usual mix of personalities.

Their perception of the Girl? Who cares, there are plenty of roads I haven't seen the end of yet and the Big Girl is my ride to find the end this road and the beginning of the next new road.

[John Schmidt]

Just yesterday at a stoplight a guy pulls up in his pickup, looks at the Valk and says "nice bike, how come it's not a Harley?"  I just smiled and said "just lucky I guess." Light changed and I was gone. If they want to be impudent, I'll return the favor. If they want to be sociable, I'll return the favor. As others have stated, I really don't care what you ride. Their taste is none of my business. I get a lot of looks as well. A few months back I was parked in a busy downtown spot near a bunch of restaurants. While I was inside a couple HD's pulled up and backed in next to the Valk, both riders stood there and looked but said nothing. When I came out, there was at least six people milling around the Valk taking pictures of each other standing next to it. I heard one girl tell her guy to stand on the other side so she didn't get "those funny looking other bikes" in the picture. I waited until most were gone before walking out to leave. By then another 3-4 gathered and it started all over. I just step back and smile....let them do their thing. Another 20 min. stop ended up taking about 45 minutes. 

[Jess from VA]

Couple months ago, I had a 30-something guy in a rodded, headered, sidepiped new Challenger, pull up next to me (on my right) at a light and yell over... Dude, that's what I'm talking about, what a sweet god damn bike, holy crap I love that thing, what a freekin' beauty (these may not be the exact words but they are very close) (with two thumbs up and a big smile).  He was downright excited and animated about it (and perhaps under the influence of a white powdery substance).  I calmly said, well thank you.

Then the light changed and he just stood on the pedal, smoked his wheels, burning rubber, fishtailing away and did not get off it one bit for quite a distance (in a very busy, urban, cop heavy, 4lane, 45 mph zone).  Not the place to ever, ever race (or even speed).  I just eased out the clutch and rolled away, LMAO.  Very nice compliments from a nice lunatic.

I've had many nice compliments from riders of all brands (and I nearly always return the compliment, even if I'm not in love with their bike).  Most of the few Hog guys who didn't like it gave me their backs and said nothing.  And I've also had a couple of occasions where the Hog guys ignoring me had their gals come over and ooo and ahhh over the bike .... which is especially amusing.

And I had a Hog guy staring at the motor say, man do you think that engine is big enough? To which I replied, well, it's only a little 1500CC, and yours is a 1900CC or better so it ought to beat mine easily.  And then his buddy elbowed him in the ribs and said, Dude, it's a trick, that's a Valkyrie and you don't want to race him, take my word for it.  

[BobB]

Who really gives a crap? To me it is about riding not entering in any contest or Nut showing contest just ride what you like at let it be. and as far as made in America the Valk was built in OHIO.

Just curious....was the Valk MADE in Ohio or ASSEMBLED in Ohio?

In the '90s, the federal guideline to have Made in USA on products was that assembly and at least 50% of the parts needed to be made within the US.  H-D could not meet that requirement and our Marysville Ohio assembled Valkyries could.  In 1997-98 H-D lobbied Congress to up the parts requirement to 70%.   After all, we could not have a rice burner with that label on it when the all American motorcycle could not.  Of course, Congress bit on it.  So early '98 Valkyries have Made in USA cast in the engine case, next to the serial number, and later ones do not.  My '98 Tourer was assembled in October of '97 and I can proudly point to the label.

[Jess from VA]

I believe the cutoff date is early and late '99.  Both my '99 Interstates have Made in USA on the crankcase.

Lobbyists buying politicians has been going on forever.  I don't know how to stop lobbyists, but politicians who take so much as a free lunch ought to have their fingers cut off (with bolt cutters).

In undergrad, I interned for our second most senior State senator (two days a week).  He would not attend any free lunches by lobbyists.  But he let his couple interns attend any we had time for.  I got some unbelievable lunches.  He told us to take good notes and report back anything we thought might be good for the people of the State (there wasn't much to report).  He also told us if we made any promises or assurances in his name, he would cut off our fingers with bolt cutters.

[FLYING6]

Say no more. . . Our Valks are on the road, that's where a bike belongs.

There are only a few times a year I will travel in a pack. Usually I prefer the wind, the road and the ride to be my companions. If some wish to chat at the pumps, sure I will, since it gives me a chance to hydrate and just because I ride solo does not mean I am antisocial. Since acquiring the Lady those chats seem to take a different direction than when I rode the V-twins or in lines. I get more casual interest from the cagers and the V-twin crowd that actually travel further than the corner tavern are the usual mix of personalities.

Their perception of the Girl? Who cares, there are plenty of roads I haven't seen the end of yet and the Big Girl is my ride to find the end this road and the beginning of the next new road.

[Raverez]

What do you think the perception is of the Valkyrie to other riders?   What do you think the HD and Yamaha roadstar crowd really think when they see a Valkyrie?  I read articles from riders saying how everyone really admires their bike, and I've had a few HD guys that make some nice comments about mine.

Well, when you see another bike, what do you think of it?

Personally, I only care what I think of my bike. It is mine because I like it not because of what others think of it.

[DK]

I meet interesting people because of my Valk, both riders and ordinary passerby.

Only last week, I had stopped at a defunct country grocery in the Arkansas Delta alongside a U.S. Highway when a car sped by, slowed and made a U turn and pulled in beside me.

The passenger rolled down his window & said "Need help? "I told (driver) that was a triked Valk" - "nice bike" & started a discussion. He was obviously knowledgable about bikes but had a lot of technical questions about the Valk.

Turned out, he was a regional manager of a South Carolina agri irrigation company headed to the LR Airport to turn in his rental car & return home. He owned an 1800 Goldwing & the driver was a Harley rider.

Although the event was mainly one rider checking if another needed help, it was consistent with my experience that the Valk is not thought of as a generic American or Japanese bike. Other bikers know what it is and others just like the way it looks. It stands apart in either situation.

My affinity for the Valk is pretty much like my affinity for old 911's and LandCruisers. I love the design and engineering build quality and uniqueness and it pleases me to be around others who recognize quality in machinery.

[DK]

I meet interesting people because of my Valk, both riders and ordinary passerby.

Only last week, I had stopped at a defunct country grocery in the Arkansas Delta alongside a U.S. Highway when a car sped by, slowed and made a U turn and pulled in beside me.

The passenger rolled down his window & said "Need help? "I told (driver) that was a triked Valk" - "nice bike" & started a discussion. He was obviously knowledgable about bikes but had a lot of technical questions about the Valk.

Turned out, he was a regional manager of a South Carolina agri irrigation company headed to the LR Airport to turn in his rental car & return home. He owned an 1800 Goldwing & the driver was a Harley rider.

Although the event was mainly one rider checking if another needed help, it was consistent with my experience that the Valk is not thought of as a generic American or Japanese bike. Other bikers know what it is and others just like the way it looks. It stands apart in either situation.

My affinity for the Valk is pretty much like my affinity for old 911's and LandCruisers. I love the design and engineering build quality and uniqueness and it pleases me to be around others who recognize quality in machinery.

[Hooter]

What Chris said.     Who cares what somebody else thinks about anything I do or have. I have 2 Harleys and my Valk. I like em all equally and ride each one for different things. Don't like what I'm on, don't look at it! Or, as one of the guys I ride with says, "snort me".

[slider]

The day I that The gurl came home with me was one of the best days of my life,She never says no,rides great,never argues,ask for little and is a beautiful creature.Guys we are lucky to be in possession of such a fantastic beast.