American cruiser - Valkyrie

[awayatc]

Got a new to me 1998 honda valkyrie 1500 cc 6 cylinder tourer in my garage today....

I am more then impressed:
Very big large and wide....
Makes my Harley look small.
6 cyl sound like a ferrari.
All the bits look very solid and well made.
It says that is made in The USA....

I have fallen deeply in lust.

Anybody has/had one?

[AllanB]

Cobra USA did a nice custom back in the day (excuse the yellow) http://www.cobrausa.com/inside_cobra/cobra_customs/2/honda/25/valkyrie_six_shooter/

There were also a set of three punched out as concept bikes I remember the drag inspired one well.

Honda produced a concept version some years back - looks fantastic still and a shame they did not build it. Image below.

The Rune had the same donk.

And I remember a famous Aussie Moto GP star riding one around a Aussie track (I think it was Bathurst) frying the rear tyre as a pubic display.

Any plans for yours?

[awayatc]

Great pics....
Mine has panniers and tons if aftermarket billet quality bling
Cream and red chev colours.
Similar to the big bagger look I like.
So gonna keep it pretty much as is.
Previous owner gave bike plenty of love so she still looks brand new. ...
Not a scratch on it.
Shame I forgot how to embed a picture.

[AllanB]

Wow - that's a clean one! I presume it was someones pride and joy.

[Paul in NZ]

Vicki and I did a Blue Wing Honda track day at Manfield on one... Hilarious fun... No seriously we REALLY enjoyed riding it. No real engine noise just a big giant hand in a velvet glove pushing you down the straights... Corners? Far out - ground more chrome off the undercarriage than I've seen in a lifetime but hardly a complaint from the big barge - huge fun...

[old slider]

Great pics....
Mine has panniers and tons if aftermarket billet quality bling
Cream and red chev colours.
Similar to the big bagger look I like.
So gonna keep it pretty much as is.
Previous owner gave bike plenty of love so she still looks brand new. ...
Not a scratch on it.
Shame I forgot how to embed a picture.


Wow!!, looks fantastic, I am with you, don't mess with it too much.

check out the yellow one in sidecars for sale at Tardme, plus 2-3 for sale in motorcycles

[awayatc]

Bike came from south island.
Previous owner was getting to old, was his pride and joy.
Lots of after market quality parts on it.

Unfortunately weather has been horrible, so haven't been giving her a proper run yet,
But my garage looks amazingly sunny.....
Looking forward to a good long blast or two

[thehovel]

"And I remember a famous Aussie Moto GP star riding one around a Aussie track (I think it was Bathurst) frying the rear tyre as a pubic display. "

If memory serves me right it was 1975, Rob Holden and the bike a new GL1000
Regards Richard

[AllanB]

If memory serves me right it was 1975, Rob Holden and the bike a new GL1000
Regards Richard

Hmmmm I'm think Wayne Gardner but I may be very wrong.

[pritch]

Very impressive, as you say lots of extras. You won't be able to hide on that.

[martybabe]

Haven't owned one but, I rode with one on an epic trip down the forgotten highway once. Very accomplished machine that goes and handles much better than it has any right too.

Looks like you got a beauty there mate. Enjoy,

[ruaphu]

Nice bike man, great looking machines and sound awesome with that flat six burbling away. They must be getting near cult status (worldwide) by now being somewhat unique.

See ya round the mountain at some stage on our barge, lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JimO]

i remember the tv add for them

[BMWST?]

so it would be a version of the gold wing wing engine yeah?

[awayatc]

Yes goldwing dink. ... with factory hotted up cam's and 6 carburateurs. ....

Been for a blast all day today....

Can't get the grin of my face.
She can bloody well go Allright. ...!
A lot quicker then my harley.

[pritch]

Honda brought out a new model Valkyrie a year or two back but it looks very ummmmm modern(?). The earlier ones look like a bike..

[Tazz]

So,how much you selling the Harley for? :lol:

[WristTwister]

Honda brought out a new model Valkyrie a year or two back but it looks very ummmmm modern(?). The earlier ones look like a bike..

It's still tame compared with the NM4 (http://powersports.honda.com/cruiser/2016/nm4.aspx)

[mulletman]

It's still tame compared with the NM4 (http://powersports.honda.com/cruiser/2016/nm4.aspx)

:puke: :puke::puke:.... Gimme that old Valk anyday :woohoo:

[ellipsis]

A lot quicker then a harley.

...so is my '78 GL1000...I still own an HD though...

[awayatc]

Can't afford to keep both....
My job had contract cancelled.
So Harley goes ..
Hoping for a reasonable offer on TM.
As does my wee 18 ft fishing tinny....

[RDJ]

Good for you.. I rode one once from LA to San Diego (delivering it for a dealer) and loved it on the open road... smooth and gutsy. Enjoy!

[old slider]

Can't afford to keep both....
My job had contract cancelled.
So Harley goes ..
Hoping for a reasonable offer on TM.
As does my wee 18 ft fishing tinny....


Bugger about the contract, put the HD rego on hold, never know what pops up in the next year or so. insurance should be way cheaper if its simply in storage.

[awayatc]

Last summer was first time ever I took insurance on a bike....
In an ideal world I keep a lot of bikes....
But in the real world the harley and valkyrie are similar bikes, so 1 is enough. The harley is more fun around town and feels lighter....but the valkyrie is better on the open road touring.
Hard panniers, nice pleasant for the ears quiet rumble , better suspension, shaft drive ,bullet proof engine
And the bulk of it looks quite impressive.
After 8 happy Harley years time has come for her to go...

[old slider]

Last summer was first time ever I took insurance on a bike....
In an ideal world I keep a lot of bikes....
But in the real world the harley and valkyrie are similar bikes, so 1 is enough. The harley is more fun around town and feels lighter....but the valkyrie is better on the open road touring.
Hard panniers, nice pleasant for the ears quiet rumble , better suspension, shaft drive ,bullet proof engine
And the bulk of it looks quite impressive.
After 8 happy Harley years time has come for her to go...


All good.

Have to admit the new beast looks quite impressive.

[leathel]

I have got close to buying a Valc a couple of times, once was out bid the other time just didn't have the coin and I couldn't sell other stuff of in time

Super smooth beasts with plenty of torque without the V twin vibe

Most owners keep them a long time :)

An old test ride from Hammond

https://youtu.be/qd983V9P6Cc

[awayatc]

wee update....

Changed handlebars, added compulsory Stebel horn and usb charger, removed Windscreen...(i am going to fast behind to much cover), cut some bits of it so it can be quickly mounted.
added override switch for cooling fan...just in case.
Serviced it, and put on new timing belts....very simple and straight forward.
Maybe old belts were out a tooth? maybe less drag without the screen, maybe just that few good runs cleaned of the deposits andloosened her up, but she goes a hell of a lot smoother and faster now!
Am thinking about the timing advance mods that can be made..but not sure if she needs it (6 degrees trigger wheel, or electronic engine coolant sensor mod)

Love the sound ( Very user friendly quiet)
great panniers (12 pack doesnt even touch the sides on way in...)
Brakes are decent
Very light and surprisingly agile in the twisties!
Ground clearance quite good for a big cruiser, but i still touch down the pegs ........
20 liters 95 get you 280 k's ish, not great but do-able.(carry spare 2 liters in panniers)
Leg room is a little bit cramped for taller people (am 6.2"), but will ad highway pegs, and reupholster seat.
Side stand bit to upright for my liking....Harley was more confidence inspiring, as in not tipping over!

Riding the old girl however is great fun!
It is quite addictive to rev her through the gears deeply into the red at 6500.
4th gear gets you at 140 kph indicated, and 5th very happily picks up from there.
rock solid and stable.

when she is parked up she gets a fair bit of attention to, a few pictures allready being taken.....
relative rarity and sheer bulk....
havent seen a second one like her.

Ready to clock up a few more kms this summer...
Wouldnt mind a larger fueltank...
but that probably will never happen....
All up I am very happy with the "Valk", she outperforms the old Harley in every way......

BUT i still miss the Harley every now and again.....



take care

[AllanB]

It's still tame compared with the NM4 (http://powersports.honda.com/cruiser/2016/nm4.aspx)

It runs a 200 rear tyre!

It is probably a really good machine that everyone should ride. But it also screams ......... gay

[mossy1200]

It's still tame compared with the NM4 (http://powersports.honda.com/cruiser/2016/nm4.aspx)

That's not going to help avoid gaydars

[leathel]

wee update....

Changed handlebars, added compulsory Stebel horn and usb charger, removed Windscreen...(i am going to fast behind to much cover), cut some bits of it so it can be quickly mounted.
added override switch for cooling fan...just in case.
Serviced it, and put on new timing belts....very simple and straight forward.
Maybe old belts were out a tooth? maybe less drag without the screen, maybe just that few good runs cleaned of the deposits andloosened her up, but she goes a hell of a lot smoother and faster now!
Am thinking about the timing advance mods that can be made..but not sure if she needs it (6 degrees trigger wheel, or electronic engine coolant sensor mod)

Love the sound ( Very user friendly quiet)
great panniers (12 pack doesnt even touch the sides on way in...)
Brakes are decent
Very light and surprisingly agile in the twisties!
Ground clearance quite good for a big cruiser, but i still touch down the pegs ........
20 liters 95 get you 280 k's ish, not great but do-able.(carry spare 2 liters in panniers)
Leg room is a little bit cramped for taller people (am 6.2"), but will ad highway pegs, and reupholster seat.
Side stand bit to upright for my liking....Harley was more confidence inspiring, as in not tipping over!

Riding the old girl however is great fun!
It is quite addictive to rev her through the gears deeply into the red at 6500.
4th gear gets you at 140 kph indicated, and 5th very happily picks up from there.
rock solid and stable.

when she is parked up she gets a fair bit of attention to, a few pictures allready being taken.....
relative rarity and sheer bulk....
havent seen a second one like her.

Ready to clock up a few more kms this summer...
Wouldnt mind a larger fueltank...
but that probably will never happen....
All up I am very happy with the "Valk", she outperforms the old Harley in every way......

BUT i still miss the Harley every now and again.....



take care

Well a few weeks back I managed to grab 1999 one with 8500 miles on the clock, British import so doesn't have the Valkyrie badge (F6C instead) but still US made


http://s222.photobucket.com/user/leathel-one/media/Bike%20work/IMG_2526.jpg.html (http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd316/leathel-one/Bike%20work/IMG_2526.jpg)


What bars did you change too, I am thinking of getting some made as I have not found exactly what I want (and still not too $$)

I have some hard bags to fit to mine that I had for another project that will match the bike and I will match the existing colour

They sure are additive to ride, plenty of go!

Yup wide and not as easy to move around the parking lot, and while they do get attention I do prefer the look and ease of shifting in the shed of the Shadow ....until I ride it, the Valk is just so smooth to ride :D

I am thinking I might fit the boards of the other bike so I can fold the board up when shifting the bike around as the pegs are just plain in the way...I will also fit highway pegs and boards for the wife.

I may fit a small screen but yes you need to feel some wind as even with no screen ts so so easy to be well above the speed limit!

[awayatc]

Great looking bike my friend...
8500 mIles ...
Hasn't been broken in yet.!
Great score.
Got my handlebars from Nelson.
Sat on my bike with hands in prefered position, took measurements from there.
Found 1 bar close to those measurements for around the $100 mark.
Am at sea..can't check further details at moment.
Take care

[leathel]

Great looking bike my friend...
8500 mIles ...
Hasn't been broken in yet.!
Great score.
Got my handlebars from Nelson.
Sat on my bike with hands in prefered position, took measurements from there.
Found 1 bar close to those measurements for around the $100 mark.
Am at sea..can't check further details at moment.
Take care

Handlebar company? That is who I am looking at using anyway... pretty sure they are from Nelson. Wont be ordering the bars until after the break and I am back at work (so they dont get delivered when the shop is shut :) )

But I don't like the factory ones so they must change

[awayatc]

Yes the handlebar co.
The heated handgrips are actually in the handlebars themselves.....
And The controls have a wee pin in them that lines up with a hole in bars....
So a bit of carefull measuring in order.

But yes the original bars are like a bloody wheelbarrow.
Couldn't get used to that at all....