Opinions wanted on Valkyrie purchase

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Hi everyone. I'm new here, and not a Valk owner yet. I'm looking for some thoughts to help me decide what I really need.

So, I've been riding for about 20 years or so. I remember the first time I saw a magazine ad for the Valkyrie back in 96 or 97, and told myself I'd have one someday. Back then, I was still playing with sportbikes and "naked" bikes. Well, current bike is a 2006 Triumph Scrambler. My son is now 7, and I believe it's time to introduce him to being a passenger. He's excited, and the wife is even OK with it      That said, the Scrambler is definitely not the bike I had in mind for that task, with the high pipes and all.

So, destiny being what it is, I'm led back to the thought of Valkyrie ownership. Sadly for those that are trying to sell, but good for me, the prices are pretty darn low on the used market these days.

I've been thinking Interstate. Benefits being the upper case with somewhat wrap around armrests for the passenger, as well as a fuel gauge, radio, and dual beam headlight. Well, Interstates don't show up as often as standards and Tourers, and I honestly dig the look of a tourer, or a std with hard bags added. We will do trips, but not likely to do any serious cross country stuff until retirement (if I live that long).

I'd feel a bit more secure with my son on the IS, but what about a standard with a backrest? I think I'll probably get one of the belts that the rider wears that have handles for the passenger either way.

So, hold out for the IS and get that security, plus a radio and fuel gauge? If I buy a Std or Tourer, will I be kicking myself?   And no; prices are good but I can't afford both. Already tried to work those numbers, but the wife wants a new bathroom. In that area, prices have not come down, sadly.

What do y'all think?

[Bighead]

you won't be disappointed in either :cool dude: I have both and love them both

[Jess from VA]

All other things being roughly equal between models (miles, add-ons, condition), interstates generally run about a grand more than a std or tourer (or they used to).

Know that if you find a nice std with bags and shield or Tourer, with a passenger sissy bar and pad (most do), you can buy a set of bolt up armrests (to the sissy), that may actually be more secure for a small (or large) passenger than the interstate back seat (which does not really have armrests, just a trunk pad and bumps for the speakers that may be a bit tall for 7yo elbows.  But the interstate is probably more secure for a small passenger if the std/tourer does not have the add-on armrests.

The interstate 6.9gal tank is nice (over 200 mi to reserve) (vs 5.3), and so is the radio and fuel gauge, and fairing if you like them (but the std/tourers generally come with a nice big shield that gives good protection). And the interstate comes with an intercom with already wired plugs for driver and passenger to plug into helmet speakers and mics (controlled from the handlebars).



https://www.bigbikethings.com/Armrests_Universal_Fit_1/p4325477_16647557.aspx

Not much of an armrest, and IMHO, the other thing that would be good for helping secure a smaller passenger in back is the driver's backrest, regardless of which model you get (like in hard braking).  Some but not all bikes will come with a drivers backrest (with or without aftermarket seats). The seats in both these pics are hard Corbins.


The other thing you may have to work on is your passenger's reach to pegs.  There are adjustable height rears but they may be expensive.  Or you add (removable) blocks to the existing pegs.  And many kids have scuffed up the bag lid paint with their shoes, so if the bike you get has bag racks on top, those offer some protection for the paint.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I never thought about a driver's backrest, but that makes perfect sense. Thanks for that info. Just the kind of stuff I was looking for.

He's a tall kid for 7. I'm 6'4", and his mom is about 5'10" or so. No idea where he gets it from      I have had disturbing dreams about gritty shoes grinding into the tops of the side bags. We'll have to figure that out when we fit him up on whatever the purchase is.  I wasn't aware that the IS had an intercom system built in. Another check in the IS column...

[Rams]

Welcome to the Valkyrie forum.

I'm a Tourer fan, having said that, I'll back up and advise you that no mater which you choose, you'll love it.   Most of us that have them end up wanting another one anyway.   Many have more than one in their stables.   I've been trying to figure out what other toy I'm willing to give up for two years to make room for another one (I want a Valkyrie trike) in my shop.    One or both of my auto-cross cars may find another home this summer.   Regardless, that boy will love riding with Dad.  

While I'm at it, you should give serious consideration to coming to INZANE this year in Roanoke.   You'll see more Valkyries gathered than anywhere else in the universe and some wonderful riders there who love to talk motorcycles.   Hope to see you there with your entire family.

Rams

[Gavin_Sons]

I'm a fan of all of them.  While i ride an Interstate I would also like to have a Tourer. I like the fairing and radio the Interstate offers but i like to looks of a tourer. The ultimate for me would be a Tourer with a woodys fairing. I also have a 7 year old son. He is much smaller than yours though. 42 pounds and 45 inches. Yeah, less than a pound an inch  He can not touch the floorboards yet so he has only been on a couple rides around our neighborhood sitting on my lap.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Interstate. For all the reasons Jess mentioned.

[RDKLL]

Again like everyone said, the Valkyrie is a great bike no matter the model. I am doing just the opposite...have had a Valkyrie Tourer for almost 20 years and went looking for a Sport Touer , VERY heavy on the sport and got a KTM Super Duke GT. No matter how much my wife and I love the heated seats and suite of safety items the Valkyrie will ALWAYS be the coolest...pre purchase welcome to the Valkyrie world...

[hubcapsc]

I like Tourers. My wife has armrests similar to the ones Jess posted, she
loves them. When I need more storage, I just slap on the ugly-but-functional
Givi trunk.



My bike looks like this most of the time:



The most important thing is to get a good one. Mine was kind of tired
when I got it, rusty headers and many other rusty chrome parts, rash on the
engine guard... no need to go through all that...

-Mike

[northernvalk]

I waited 3 years to find an interstate....lots of tour/std available.  I say get the IS and peel off the parts you don't want in case you want them later. Cheaper and easier than piecing one together.

[Mr Whiskey]

I say get the IS and peel off the parts you don't want in case you want them later. Cheaper and easier than piecing one together.

Ditto, not that hard to "super valk" an IS,
best of both worlds!

[Serk]

As inexpensive as they are these days.....



I've had a standard 17+ years now, I'm considering picking up an Interstate if the right deal rolls along just as a spare.

As far as the kid on the back, I've got a backrest on mine, my eldest daughter has been taking short trips since she was 6, longer trips since she was 10, and at 14 took a 3500 mile trip with me this past summer to Inzane.



My 6 year old triplets have been riding since they were 4, but just around town sorta stuff for now.

Howdy and welcome, nice to have another non-midget around here! I'm 5'19", spousal unit's shrunk a bit to around 5'10", and my 15 year old daughter is 6'...

[Jess from VA]

Another small pointer.  I never had the add on armrests (I have interstates), so don't know much about them at all (other than they exit).

When I found the picture above of the blue and cream std with armrests, they looked to be mounted kind of high on the sissy (for a 7yo).  Nothing in the Big Bike Things link said their mount was adjustable/flexible height wise on the sissy bar.

Now look at the pic of the red and white bike, and you see his passenger armrests are mounted lower than the first pic.  They look to pivot from the bottom of the sissy pad, while the blue bike looks to have them mounted at the top of the pad.

They made less interstates for less years than std/tourers, and about 80% of all interstates were made in the first year of production in 1999 (both of mine are '99s).  So as you say, interstates can be a bit harder to find (close to you).  So if you really want one, you may have to travel further to get one. And looking at pics and talking to a seller is never as good as seeing it in person.  

So here's the deal.  If you find a prospective candidate that is a bit of a trip to go look at, you can ask for volunteers on here (who live closer or right in the same town) to go have a look at it for you, and to report their findings back to you.  This has happened on here many times (and usually, some other member doesn't run out and buy it out from under you.... but no guarantees).  

For my 2d bike, I got on the Amtrac train (with a bag of bike gear), rode up the eastern seaboard, the owner picked me up at the train station, and drove me to his house where I bought his bike, and rode it home.  Planes and trains and automobiles (trucks with trailers).

[Ramie]

I've had a Standard and an Interstate loved them both.  Loved riding the Standard to work and back, mine was a little more responsive and quicker than the interstate but in the end I couldn't ride two bikes so I sold the standard and kept the Interstate.
Love the interstate with larger tank, more carrying space, intercom, radio, CB, a little softer ride.

[msb]

I waited 3 years to find an interstate....lots of tour/std available.  I say get the IS and peel off the parts you don't want in case you want them later. Cheaper and easier than piecing one together.

I agree with northernvalk here....if you like the added features of the IS, go for it. You can always modify  it without great expense  if you later want a more stripped down look. The IS fairing with dual headlight is the best looking fairing on any bike in my mind, and a stripped down "Supervalk" is an awesome look. I like the look of my IS, which is why I haven't changed it in the now just over 16 years I've had her. With the driver back rest, the back seat is very secure...my daughters rode with me many times back in the day, and on our long multi day/week tours the Mrs even manges to catch a few zzzz's back there  on occasion. 

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Thanks for all of the replies.

SuperValk...  that seems like a fantastic plan. Sort of the best of both worlds. I remember seeing a pic of a black IS in SuperValk mode with a short, dark-smoked windshield and thinking it looked pretty killer.

I'm certainly not above taking a road trip for the right bike. I've never done the fly-in, ride home thing, but probably not too many better bikes to do it for than a Valkyrie. Even though we're talking about 15-20 year old bikes, you don't hear about too many leaving you stranded on the side of the road.

Thanks for the thoughts and welcomes. Much appreciated.

[Rams]

The one thing I was envious of the I/S had that the Standard and Tourer  didn't have was the larger fuel tank capacity.   5.3 gal. versus 6.9 gallon.   I satisfied that by putting the I/S tank on my Tourer and followed that up with an Ultimate seat.   The one thing I don't like about the I/S is the fairing.   It's a matter of taste, just doesn't do it for me but, that's me, not you.

Obviously, your choice depends on what you want and what you find.   As I said, I'm a Tourer fan.   It fits my personality better (I think).   Honestly, IMHO it depends on where you want to end up.   I think the Standard and Tourer are more customizable to one's own personal taste but, if the I/S offers what you want, then it's most likely a better choice.   Hope you find what you want.   Good luck.

Rams

[semo97]

If have not road one on the road and around town, do it before you buy. they are a different cat then your TS. We have an Interstate in the family and I picked up a tourer a month ago. I have rode an ST1300 for 7 yrs. now and just had to have another valk for me. They both are different handling bikes.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I haven't had a chance to ride a Valkyrie yet, but I have owned/ridden lots of bikes. None, obviously, will compare apples to apples with the Valk, but I do have experience on cruisers and touring bikes. Experience on Electrglide, Yamaha Warrior, Kawasaki Mean Streak, Triumph Rocket III touring, and a few other V-Stars and Shadows here and there. I like the cruiser/touring bike feel, but need the power with it or I get bored quickly. I think the Valkyrie is made for me.

[da prez]

Oilburner , welcome to the group. We need more brothers and sisters. I , personally do not care for the interstate. I have rode them and do not have any problems with them. It is a personal choice. My ride before the Valk was a Wing Interstate. I work on Valks . (also HD's and all other brands) There are members in your area. Get in contact with them. Ask questions and they will tell you what to look for , or help with. Watch the classifieds. If you do not mind a fly and ride , contact atticrat. Bikes can be shipped.   D O   N O T send a payment for a bike before having someone fingerprint the bike. There are members most everywhere. Just ask and you will get help.

                                                 da prez

[Oldfishguy]

Welcome.

Good group of folks here; extremely knowledgeable about the machine as well.  It sounds like you know bikes so this will be a good pick for you.  Now it is just a matter of the model and color of the machine.

I went through the same process about four years ago.  I decided on the Interstate version because of the aforementioned reasons, and then to pick a color . . . I went after the reverse black and red.  Not many of these made so utilized "Search Tempest" on Craigslist and after a few months spotted one in Colorado that looked good.  I made a deal over the phone, bought one way airline tickets for my wife and myself, had the owner pick me up at the airport, did a short test ride, paid in cash, then rode 375 miles towards the Black Hills that day.  Those are GREAT trips.

You will find the Interstate a bit more top heavy than the Tourer version.  And the fairing is connected to the forks unlike newer machines where the fairing is connected to the frame.  So, low speed is a bit more challenging with the IS because the weight up top moves as you turn the forks.  It is manageable though, just takes a bit of practice.  And as a previous poster said, if you find a machine you like in another state just post up on the board here and someone will go take a peak at it for you.

Best of luck.

David

And take a few classes, it helps on the slow speed stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u_cY0ja1s4

[hubcapsc]

I think supervalks look cool, but when I'm working on my bike,
I'm real glad there's no built-in fairing and no pods on the radiators...

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

They are big heavy bikes, and I owned and rode all kinds of other bikes before I got my first valk.

But big and heavy aside, the Valk is an easy dream to ride with the flat 6 weight low in the frame.  And you can shift all you want, or go from 15 to 120 and back in fifth and never shift at all.

My first valk, I got a ride to PA (3-4hrs), did a short around-the-block test ride, and rode it home that day.  I'd never even sat on one before that day.  It was easy peasy.  The only thing I had a bit of trouble with coming from Vtwins, the Valk likes to ride around about a 1-2000 RPMs higher than twins, so I kept shifting for a nonexistant 6th.  And I still do it from time to time (and I'm not alone).  And the best part of all... they are fast as you would ever need.

Another pointer:  A lot of guys have sawed and cut and drilled (butchered) the stock exhaust to get more noise (the stock valk is pretty quiet).  Other than cutting off the three little piggies at the end (after the 2d baffle, under the 18" tips in back), to me the noise is terrible, and can really drone on long hauls.  And while the pigs can be repaired, none of the other more aggressive mods can be.  So I recommend a bike with unmolested exhaust or just a piggie cut.  Now some guys have a more extensive glass pac mod, and some of those are not too loud and raspy like the home-done drilling and cutting.  And some used bikes will come with Cobra 6 into 6 pipes that are loud with baffels and really loud without baffles.  I like looking at them, but I don't like their noise much.  A lot of guys have and love them.  YMMV

Or not.




Cobras


Cobras have slash cut ends, the better (and much rarer) Two Brothers Racing pipes (TBR) have turn out ends) (still too noisy for my taste) (from our member Bug Slayer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byujw-LV9Ng
 
Here's some glass pacs. (with and without Mark T's silencers... he's also a member who builds custom exhaust to order)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssP_ZnE4O8E


    

[Gryphon Rider]

I bought my Tourer new about a month or two before my wife became pregnant with our first kid, and for six or seven years I was a motorcycle riding instructor, so I've thought a lot about children's safety on the back of motorcycles.  I wanted to start my kids riding at 5 or 6, but my wife and I negotiated that the oldest could start riding when she was ten years old; my second (and last) kid was allowed to ride at nine.  I bought a youth-sized full-face helmet, a proper armoured youth-sized jacket, ladies XS armoured gloves, Ladies size 5 motorcycle boots that don't look feminine, and found some XS chaps that I shortened and added hip padding and hockey shin pads to because I couldn't find armoured motorcycle pants that were small enough.

It is VERY easy for a child to fall asleep on the back of the bike, even at 10 or 12 years old.  If they will fall asleep in the car, they will fall asleep on a bike.  I adjusted my right mirror so I could see my child's eyes and know when their lids were getting heavy.  Since then I've put intercom headsets in all our helmets so we can converse, which keeps them awake.

About those belts that fasten your child to your back:  They are great for keeping your child from falling off, but keep in mind that if you are in a crash and you leave the bike, tumbling or sliding down the road, your kid is going to be your back's air bag or skid plate.  I'd rather my kid separate from me and only have to scrub off or absorb the energy of their own mass.

One important consideration is that for a passenger to be stable, they have to be able to easily reach the foot pegs.  Here's what I did.  The upper pegs are the original Tourer/Standard passenger pegs; the lower ones are Interstate passenger pegs, which stick out a little farther.

[Willow]

If you've been attracted to an Interstate and get a Standard or Tourer instead you;ll spend a long time second guessing yourself.  I have both.

Hold out for an Interstate.  They're are several available, some at good prices.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

About those belts that fasten your child to your back:  They are great for keeping your child from falling off, but keep in mind that if you are in a crash and you leave the bike, tumbling or sliding down the road, your kid is going to be your back's air bag or skid plate.  I'd rather my kid separate from me and only have to scrub off or absorb the energy of their own mass.

The belt I'm thinking of doesn't attach the child to me. It has handles that he can hold on to, just so he has a solid grip on something, rather than just an armrest. Great tips, though. Thanks. I like the modified footpeg setup. I'm an auto tech with a fair amount of fabrication experience, so I'll see what I have to do once I make a purchase and size him on it. And full gear will be mandatory.

[NewValker]

Welcome Ken!
  I have an IS and started my 2 grandkids out riding at 6 years old.
Got them kid size helmets and gear and made footpeg extensions. They bolt on using one of the existing footpeg bolts.
  I have them hold the backrest so I can feel their hands, if hands move, I ask them what’s up? Everything ok? Keeps them awake.
  The longest ride was to Mt. Greylock in western MA. Made a couple extra stops to keep boredom at bay & see the new to them sights.
  They love going for an ice cream ride, and one day I picked one of them up at school, should have seen the smile as his friends just stood there mouths hanging open!
  I’d give you the foot pegs but got a 5 year old grand daughter waiting for her turn lol

Craig

[The emperor has no clothes]

Welcome Ken!
  I have an IS and started my 2 grandkids out riding at 6 years old.
Got them kid size helmets and gear and made footpeg extensions. They bolt on using one of the existing footpeg bolts.
  I have them hold the backrest so I can feel their hands, if hands move, I ask them what’s up? Everything ok? Keeps them awake.
  The longest ride was to Mt. Greylock in western MA. Made a couple extra stops to keep boredom at bay & see the new to them sights.
  They love going for an ice cream ride, and one day I picked one of them up at school, should have seen the smile as his friends just stood there mouths hanging open!
  I’d give you the foot pegs but got a 5 year old grand daughter waiting for her turn lol

Craig

Love taking my grandson to school on the bike.

[The emperor has no clothes]

There is a nice low mileage green & silver I/S in the classifieds right now. Hard to get accessories with it. Pod lights, chrome scuff bag covers, etc. it's a long ways from you though.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Just saw that. Actually found one in Maine. May be taking a road trip one of the next few weekends. A bit closer than Seattle. Been meaning to hit Bob's Clam Hut one of these days anyway. Miss their clam plate.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Just saw that. Actually found one in Maine. May be taking a road trip one of the next few weekends. A bit closer than Seattle. Been meaning to hit Bob's Clam Hut one of these days anyway. Miss their clam plate.

Ivar's in Seattle has great fried clam strips though. 

[Hook#3287]

They love going for an ice cream ride, and one day I picked one of them up at school, should have seen the smile as his friends just stood there mouths hanging open!

Awesome story Craig

Hey Ken, welcome to the world of Valks.  Realize your starting a new love affair.

You've already found the best place for Valk info in the world and can get some political knowledge also.

I have all three models and they are all great bikes.

I use the I/S for 2 up & trips and the others for banging around.

The main difference I've found is the I/S is more top heavy than the others.  While riding, no problem, it's the low speed maneuvering that it's apparent.

You got some time before the roads are ready to be tamed, so keep your eye open for a deal.

Something will come along.

You're not a dentist by any chance?
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/bar/d/rare-1999-mb-slk230-sport-for/6464980169.html

[cookiedough]

I/S:  200 miles with larger gas tank is nice,  more top heavy but for me only when loaded down with all 3 bags and passenger on back,  slower than the std/tourer (barely), love the radio and fairing, love the extra top trunk for storage capacity, fuel gauge is nice vs. std./tourer does not have one,  I/S stock exhaust is quieter than stock std/tourer exhaust (just barely though).

For me, either one is fine but I prefer the I/S for my needs.  Nothing wrong with tourer/std. though if the right deal comes along, go for it.  1-2K extra for the I/S in my opinion.    4-5k for std/tourer and 6-7K for I/S (give or take all depends on mileage/condition/sparkles on bike.)

[Savago]

If you can afford, I would go with an I/S (I have a black 99).

Besides what was mentioned (bigger gas tank, radio, trunk, etc), its headlights are one of the best I've ever seen in *any* bike (specially if you have also the rare fog lights).

Riding in the night is no problem at all thanks to it (original bulbs are 45W, I use 55/60W bulbs but I heard you can use up to 100W with no problem).

I traveled with my teenager daughter with the bike totally loaded (cloths for 1 1/2 week of roadtrip) and it is truly amazing how well the bike handled.

I use the radio plugged in a cellphone to listen to music along the trip and bluetooth headsets (Sena), so we are able to talk to each other while riding. I personally don't like the idea of using a cable connecting the helmet to the intercom system (but most people who use it say the intercom works pretty well).

You can easily install one of those USB adaptors to be able to charge the phone while riding.

I recommend that when you buy the bike that you install some air horns (it is the best way to handle bad drivers).

Another tip is to have a middle /large tank bag where you can store a camera + a small cooler bag with a soda/chocolate/water (helps to calm down cranky kids in a long day of ride).

[KUGO]

"It is VERY easy for a child to fall asleep on the back of the bike, even at 10 or 12 years old.  If they will fall asleep in the car, they will fall asleep on a bike.  I adjusted my right mirror so I could see my child's eyes and know when their lids were getting heavy.  Since then I've put intercom headsets in all our helmets so we can converse, which keeps them awake." - Gryphon Rider[/i][/i]

Hello, All.  After listening and learning (a LOT, thank you very much) on this forum for just a bit more than a year since I bought my '14 black Valk, and having only posted once before since joining, I'd like to share a true personal story pertinent to the quote above from Gryphon Rider.  (Warning: this will be a bit of a long "short" story, but I feel it is important for adult riders with smaller passengers to know what happened to me.  I've ridden for well over fifty years on lots of different bikes.  This was a lesson I'd like you all to learn from MY experience, rather than your own.)

Back in the late 1980s I was living in Geneva, Illinois and had invited my 12-year-old nephew from Iowa to visit.  Took him up for a daytrip on my bike (a '80 murdered-out-before-it-was-cool, lowered FLH) to Union Grove, Wisconsin's wonderful Great Lakes' drag strip where I used to race my (also black) '80 Corvette that had a professionally built 600+ HP, street-driven, 383 nitrous-enhanced motor.  It was my 365/yr daily driver in the Chicago suburbs for several years until I rolled it, at speed, at that same drag strip in about 1986 or so.  (Right rear U-joint snapped shifting into second. Lost contact with the right rear wheel as it passed by, and as it went right I went left.  Rolled four times at just over 100 mph, over the guard-rail, yada, yada.  All I have left is the steering wheel and car keys.  And me.  Have it all on a video that someone in the stands took and gave to me, although after watching a couple times I put it away.  Made me sick inside.  Same car I had driven to Indianapolis from the Chicago area for the 1984 Super Chevy Sunday drag races, where I took first place (street tire class) over several hundreds of trailer-queened entrants.  Drove down, won, drove back, with my wife in the passenger seat for it all but the 1/4 mile excursions.  (Got a custom Super Chevy embroidered jacket, $100, and magazine props for my efforts.)  I tell you all this to lay a little cred for myself when I tell you I'm not a newbie on the road or track, car or bike.  And the following STILL happened to me.
I'll call my nephew "Tyler" in this narrative, to protect his innocence (and my guilt).  We had had a wonderful day together at the drags and by the afternoon we were ready to head home, about a two hour ride.  Wisconsin dairy backroads are one of America's most wonderful, well-maintained road networks.  The dairy farmers HAVE to get the milk out EVERY day, even in the harshest winters, and Wisconsin does a yeoman's job of keeping their roads as perfect as possible to make that happen.  GREAT for two-wheeled vehicles to smoothly carve the countryside in the milder seasons.
We were maybe a third of the way home when I noticed I should start looking for gas.  Wisconsin backroads, late Sunday afternoon, if you see an open station, you stop NOW, regardless of brand.  I pulled up to a two-pump country station that had its lights on.  Didn't even put the kickstand down, but pulled up, grabbed the nozzle and lifted the lever, only to find that the station (and pump) had shut down for the day.  I thought, "No big deal.  Got enough fuel to make it to whatever little town was next."  I put the nozzle back on the pump, shifted into first, yelled "hang on" to Tyler, and headed back south.  After about fifteen minutes I was entering another small, though larger town close to the Illinois border.  Although I was looking for gas, I saw several options and was no longer concerned.  Saw a Taco Bell and hollered back, "Hey, Tyler!  Want some tacos before we gas up?"  No answer as I pull in to Taco Bell.  I do the quick (my passenger's knee/my wallet/cell phone/back pocket-knife. etc.) left-hand swipe-check, and there is NO passenger on my motorcycle.  Go ahead and read that again.  And you STILL will not know how to empathize enough to understand just what a horrible feeling I had about where my nephew was, in what shape he was in, and (oh, yeah) how I was going to explain all of this to my wife's sister, "Tyler's" mother.  (Hi, Julie!)
Not even thinking about my gas level, I 180ed out of Taco Bell and blistered my way back up the road, frantically looking in both ditches as I went.  Longest few minutes of my life.  (At least at that time.)  Got all the way back to where I had pulled over for gas at the closed station, and there was Tyler, sitting on the concrete curb by the gas pump.  You can probably figure out the rest, but he had hopped off the bike when I'd pulled up to the pump.  He'd had to go to the restroom and just hopped off without letting me know.  My Harley weighed about 800 lbs., dry, and I didn't even feel a difference in the bike's suspension/rake when he, at only about one hundred pounds, wet, vacated the premises.  I won't add to the length of this narrative any more, but would like to make a couple of points to, hopefully, prevent any other uncle or (insert relationship here) from losing either nephews or years off of your life:
Have an agreement with any passenger to always let you know if they are dismounting the bike.  If they are heavier than my nephew, this can prevent toppling your ride if you aren't ready for the transition.  If they are lightweights, it can prevent the above scenario from happening to you in some form.
For the next Christmas, I had my wife take a picture of me riding by on the bike, by myself.  I blew up the pic, framed it, and sent it to "Tyler" for Christmas.  It had a title underneath the shot saying, "Uncle Ted and Tyler riding the bike back from Wisconsin!"  He treasured that and it was a great family "remember when" story.

Thanks, everyone, for a great, informative forum.  I have had many bikes of all styles/kinds and enjoy my Valkyrie probably more than any of the others, all things added up.  This forum has only enhanced the positive experience.  I almost smelled some spring in the air today in south/central Illinois.  Try not to lose any passengers this year.  Just keep a hand on their knee.
 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Whew ! I was a little worried that it was going to end up worse. Thanks for sharing your story. 

[Jess from VA]

Kugo, since he was not hurt, I am free to say that is a pretty funny story.... after you get past your abject terror when discovering he was missing.  

It instantly reminded me of yet another version of the movie...... Home Alone.    (Kevin!!!!!!!)

I don't take passengers on my bikes at all anymore, but when I did, I had some pretty strict rules for them to follow.  Like no getting off without telling me.  In fact, no putting your feet down for any reason, unless we are falling over, or I tell you you can get off.

Many years ago, visiting a roommate's family home, he rolled out a beater raked and extended Sportster with no front brake and offered it to me for a ride.  I knew better than getting on such a machine, I knew how to say no, but lacked the ability.... of course I wanted to ride it.  It was rural northern MI, with no traffic, and as long as you realized it had practically no brakes (or suspension) and took it easy, it was only a mildly shitty and noisy (straight pipe) ride.  When I got back from a short 15 minutes, his young nephew (11-12) asked to go for a ride.  I knew better than that too, but he had a helmet and jacket, and the family seemed unconcerned, and I didn't want to be an ungrateful guest, so sure we'll go for a little slow ride.  And of course, when I was 11-12, I was absolutely hooked on motorcycles, and I almost never got to go for a ride with anyone.

Fast forward 20 minutes, and I come to a blind hairpin reasonably slow, but not slow enough (with no brakes), so I make a snap decision to exit the road into some farmer's mowed lawn rather than risk a git off on the pavement.  The grass is wet and the bike fishtails left and right and so forth, and I hold it up with my outrigger legs, and get it to a stop.  The kid is white faced scared and jumps off.  Then the farmer comes out on his porch with a shotgun, yelling at me.  I can't understand what he is saying exactly, but something about the Hells Angels or Communists invading his home.  

I yell back an apology and say I did not see the big curve, I have not rutted his lawn, and I turn the bike around to get out of there, and tell the kid to get back on.  And he's like, NO WAY I'M NOT GETTING BACK ON, GO GET MY MOM TO COME BACK AND GET ME.  I'm like, please get back on, do you not see the shotgun and the agitated man holding it?  So he reluctantly gets back on and we leave for home.  I stop up the road, and say, look I'm sorry about all that, but it turned out all right and no one was hurt, and you know you really don't need to tell your mom about this when we get back home. And he just stares at me.  So we pull into the home after an uneventful return trip.  He jumps off, the waterworks start, and he runs for the house yelling...  MOM, MOMMA........and can't wait to report his traumatic experience riding behind the evil man out front.

So much for raked Sportsters with no brakes, and so much for passengers.  

    

 

[baldo]

I've had a Standard and an Interstate loved them both.  Loved riding the Standard to work and back, mine was a little more responsive and quicker than the interstate but in the end I couldn't ride two bikes so I sold the standard and kept the Interstate.
Love the interstate with larger tank, more carrying space, intercom, radio, CB, a little softer ride.

I've said it before, but man, that color combo is really sharp!

[baldo]

"It is VERY easy for a child to fall asleep on the back of the bike, even at 10 or 12 years old.  If they will fall asleep in the car, they will fall asleep on a bike.  I adjusted my right mirror so I could see my child's eyes and know when their lids were getting heavy.  Since then I've put intercom headsets in all our helmets so we can converse, which keeps them awake." - Gryphon Rider[/i][/i]

Hello, All.  After listening and learning (a LOT, thank you very much) on this forum for just a bit more than a year since I bought my '14 black Valk, and having only posted once before since joining, I'd like to share a true personal story pertinent to the quote above from Gryphon Rider.  (Warning: this will be a bit of a long "short" story, but I feel it is important for adult riders with smaller passengers to know what happened to me.  I've ridden for well over fifty years on lots of different bikes.  This was a lesson I'd like you all to learn from MY experience, rather than your own.)

Back in the late 1980s I was living in Geneva, Illinois and had invited my 12-year-old nephew from Iowa to visit.  Took him up for a daytrip on my bike (a '80 murdered-out-before-it-was-cool, lowered FLH) to Union Grove, Wisconsin's wonderful Great Lakes' drag strip where I used to race my (also black) '80 Corvette that had a professionally built 600+ HP, street-driven, 383 nitrous-enhanced motor.  It was my 365/yr daily driver in the Chicago suburbs for several years until I rolled it, at speed, at that same drag strip in about 1986 or so.  (Right rear U-joint snapped shifting into second. Lost contact with the right rear wheel as it passed by, and as it went right I went left.  Rolled four times at just over 100 mph, over the guard-rail, yada, yada.  All I have left is the steering wheel and car keys.  And me.  Have it all on a video that someone in the stands took and gave to me, although after watching a couple times I put it away.  Made me sick inside.  Same car I had driven to Indianapolis from the Chicago area for the 1984 Super Chevy Sunday drag races, where I took first place (street tire class) over several hundreds of trailer-queened entrants.  Drove down, won, drove back, with my wife in the passenger seat for it all but the 1/4 mile excursions.  (Got a custom Super Chevy embroidered jacket, $100, and magazine props for my efforts.)  I tell you all this to lay a little cred for myself when I tell you I'm not a newbie on the road or track, car or bike.  And the following STILL happened to me.
I'll call my nephew "Tyler" in this narrative, to protect his innocence (and my guilt).  We had had a wonderful day together at the drags and by the afternoon we were ready to head home, about a two hour ride.  Wisconsin dairy backroads are one of America's most wonderful, well-maintained road networks.  The dairy farmers HAVE to get the milk out EVERY day, even in the harshest winters, and Wisconsin does a yeoman's job of keeping their roads as perfect as possible to make that happen.  GREAT for two-wheeled vehicles to smoothly carve the countryside in the milder seasons.
We were maybe a third of the way home when I noticed I should start looking for gas.  Wisconsin backroads, late Sunday afternoon, if you see an open station, you stop NOW, regardless of brand.  I pulled up to a two-pump country station that had its lights on.  Didn't even put the kickstand down, but pulled up, grabbed the nozzle and lifted the lever, only to find that the station (and pump) had shut down for the day.  I thought, "No big deal.  Got enough fuel to make it to whatever little town was next."  I put the nozzle back on the pump, shifted into first, yelled "hang on" to Tyler, and headed back south.  After about fifteen minutes I was entering another small, though larger town close to the Illinois border.  Although I was looking for gas, I saw several options and was no longer concerned.  Saw a Taco Bell and hollered back, "Hey, Tyler!  Want some tacos before we gas up?"  No answer as I pull in to Taco Bell.  I do the quick (my passenger's knee/my wallet/cell phone/back pocket-knife. etc.) left-hand swipe-check, and there is NO passenger on my motorcycle.  Go ahead and read that again.  And you STILL will not know how to empathize enough to understand just what a horrible feeling I had about where my nephew was, in what shape he was in, and (oh, yeah) how I was going to explain all of this to my wife's sister, "Tyler's" mother.  (Hi, Julie!)
Not even thinking about my gas level, I 180ed out of Taco Bell and blistered my way back up the road, frantically looking in both ditches as I went.  Longest few minutes of my life.  (At least at that time.)  Got all the way back to where I had pulled over for gas at the closed station, and there was Tyler, sitting on the concrete curb by the gas pump.  You can probably figure out the rest, but he had hopped off the bike when I'd pulled up to the pump.  He'd had to go to the restroom and just hopped off without letting me know.  My Harley weighed about 800 lbs., dry, and I didn't even feel a difference in the bike's suspension/rake when he, at only about one hundred pounds, wet, vacated the premises.  I won't add to the length of this narrative any more, but would like to make a couple of points to, hopefully, prevent any other uncle or (insert relationship here) from losing either nephews or years off of your life:
Have an agreement with any passenger to always let you know if they are dismounting the bike.  If they are heavier than my nephew, this can prevent toppling your ride if you aren't ready for the transition.  If they are lightweights, it can prevent the above scenario from happening to you in some form.
For the next Christmas, I had my wife take a picture of me riding by on the bike, by myself.  I blew up the pic, framed it, and sent it to "Tyler" for Christmas.  It had a title underneath the shot saying, "Uncle Ted and Tyler riding the bike back from Wisconsin!"  He treasured that and it was a great family "remember when" story.

Thanks, everyone, for a great, informative forum.  I have had many bikes of all styles/kinds and enjoy my Valkyrie probably more than any of the others, all things added up.  This forum has only enhanced the positive experience.  I almost smelled some spring in the air today in south/central Illinois.  Try not to lose any passengers this year.  Just keep a hand on their knee.
 

Great story......and very well written. There are some pretty good wordsmiths on this site, you're definitely right up there....

[Hook#3287]

For the next Christmas, I had my wife take a picture of me riding by on the bike, by myself.  I blew up the pic, framed it, and sent it to "Tyler" for Christmas.  It had a title underneath the shot saying, "Uncle Ted and Tyler riding the bike back from Wisconsin!"  He treasured that and it was a great family "remember when" story.