How strong is it and what does the future look like.

Just one of those things that run through my head but i'm sure I am not the only one asking this to themselves.
Since the last Valk rolled off the assembly line some time ago and so many people have sold their Valkyries i have to wonder what kind of future this holds for current Valk owners. Surely the aftermarket will soon gear itself way down because so many new bikes show up on the road. Examples like the VTX, VTX retro,Retro S, VTX 1300R andnow the VTX1300 just to name a few of just Hondas new line of cruisers. The aftermarket as it has always taper off in a hurry while trying to keep up with the demand for the current lines.

Just how strong is the VOAi now as compared to two years ago. While I have been out of commision for the past year or so I did drop in and veiw the old board but didn't see a lot of responce. I wasn't really able to keep up but did notice a trend of just a small handful of people posting. There are a lot of old regulars I see have gone MIA. I hope to see a good many people in Helen GA this year because I won't be getting any art work this year at bike week Myrtle Beach so it clears me up for the Helen ride. Any input would be great. BR

I too have wondered about the future of the valk.  I know aftermarket products will decline quickly. what about the value of our bikes, will it decline  as there become fewer on the road or will it go up.  Maybe Honda will make a standard valk again in the future with the 1800 motor. I some how doubt it but you never know.  One thing I know for sure I will hold on to mine for along time, even if I purchase a 2nd bike. I made that mistake when I bought the valk. I should have kept my former bike also.

Its like any other club, the VOAi will be as active as you make it.  Sure our Valks are on the chopping block perhaps we'll evolve into the vintage class and 25 years from now wire and duct tape will get our valks through a one block parade at the old timers festival, LOL.  
Who knows what the Rune will become?  
The baby boomer period for this phase in our lives (reliving 60's) is almost over perhaps there's a nice touring car in the future to travel with and join clubs etc...(hope not)
It's my analogy the Valkyrie was created to entice a certain group of consumers into helping Honda satisfy their engine contracts in lieu of getting stuck with a surplus stock of 1500 engines.  Who'd  have thought they created a machine so adaptable to our wants causing us to sky-rocket into forming clubs and become completely awestruck with the performance and style enhancing our joy in the sport.  
Since the wings are now 1800 they created a new market for people to trade their present wing for something new and exciting, but alas many of us former wingers would chose not to go back to a wing after having a Valk.  
Honda's purpose of the Valk turned on them, they created the ultimate machine, a monster (dragon) on the road, and pure pleasure to any metric enthusiast.  
We don't want to give them up and maybe Honda desn't want to make them anymore, BUT the fact is there are still many valks around and the VOAi is still around, so lets enjoy it now while we can.  
If you wonder about tomorrow too much...... you'll miss today.  

Take care and ride when you can...
Zots  #1375  

[FLDave]

BR,
Since you asked, here are some of my thoughts:

There is no doubt that the lack of support from Honda for the Valkyrie will take its toll in the coming years; but I believe that there is such a strong core of Valkyrie zealots that organizations like the VOA will continue to exist for quite some time.  Hal from Direct Line told me last summer in Helen that some of the after-market vendors were eliminating their Valkyrie products because they saw that demand for their product would significantly decline as the sales numbers dropped.  Undoubtedly that will continue to happen as the demand declines.

Before my Valk, I had a Honda Pacific Coast that I just loved.  There is still a very active PC Owners group despite the fact that the PC hasn't been produced AT ALL since 1998.

I am still convinced that the Valkyrie was too successful in that it was holding down sales to the GoldWing; so they have eliminated that situation.  Attendance was down in Helen last June; but from my inquiries to people that didn't attend that did go to LaCrosse the previous year; the overwhelming reason was "not enough" whether it was money or time.  The VOA is like any other organization and follows the 20/80 rule; where 20% of the people account for 80% of the activity in the organization.  The important thing is that we ALL need to be looking for those opportunities to spot potential members and welcome them wholeheartedly into the VOA in order to keep pumping in fresh blood.

Well, the sun is shining again, so I believe I will go out and take a ride!

Seems most of the Valk boards aren't as busy as they used to be. The trend seems to be getting away from bike specific forums and going to all inclusive forums i.e. Big Bike Riders. Someone mentioned on the BBR the other day that I wasn't as busy as it is at times. This phenomenen isn't exclusive to the VOAl  Many valk and wing riders are there. Many are from the VOA and VRCC. I still frequent all the boards periodically. Many good friends made here and I'll be around for a long time the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, as they say.

Thanks for the replies guys, I see i am not the only one to notice the decline of intrest in the Valk. personally I like mine for the same reason that I did when I bought the first one. Solid and simple like a Motorcycle should be. It just concerns me that as time goes on there won't be enough intrest to keep groups together. I guess its just a fact of life that things happen. I just hope that enough people hang on to their bikes to keep the intrest alive. BR

That has got to be one of the best questions posted on this board.  My response is that .. who knows?  I've had the following bikes in my past:  67 CB160, 71 CB350, 73 CB500, and after raising my family, my valk.  I've also had a 66 tempest, 67 GTO, 68 GTO, 70 Torino GT, yadda ... yadda .. yadda.  The problem is this:  I sold all of the above for pennies assuming (at the time) that they would never really be worth much.  Well if anyone knows anything about these bikes/cars, they ended up being worth a lot, and are very respected.  I'm keeping my valk because I think it will have the same future and it is just a wonderful bike.  It doesn't offend the Harley folks because it's not a 'V2win' clone (AKA VTX), and it expresses a sense of individuality because it's not like any other bike.  If it ends up being a failed experiment of Honda's, I don't care!  My valk has given me memories that I will treasure forever.  I want to cruise with the VOAI folks someday, but I know that my lifestyle may not provide that.  I'm a member because I think I should support a good group.   I think that the Valkyrie and the VOAI will settle into a group of very dedicated enthusiasts.  Just my $0.02 worth

Bob B

I'm not really too worried about Honda's discontinuing of the Valkyrie. Yeah, there may be less and less aftermarket stuff specifically geared toward the Valk.

I'm ok with that. It's been a while since I bought any Valk-specific aftermarket stuff anyway. I've had a lot of success adapting other aftermarket stuff to my Valk- many accessories are either generic or can be adapted to any big cruiser with little modification.

I'm as guilty as anyone else about buying Valk-specific doodads (ask Crossroads sometime about how I funded their trip to the first VOA ride-in ;) ) but, ironically, I get tired of seeing the same accessories on every Valk. If the aftermarket vendors stop making as much Valk stuff, it'll certainly be less convenient, but will also drive more business to the independent customizers (like Wayne's World, for example)

The resale value dropping? Cool. I have no plans to resell my Valk, so that's not a concern. If the resale value on Valks drops, then it means that replacement parts will be cheaper and easier to come by.

As far as the user groups go, I see no reason why we won't  be here in 20 years. Look at the Virago Owners Club for example- they have an active community for bikes from the mid-80's and are still going strong. As long as there's those of us still convinced that this is the great bike it is, there'll be those of us that want to share information and camraderie with others of a common interest.

--TMIB

[RevRider]

I wonder what the actual number of Valks sold in the U.S. is?  

It seems like the Honda CBX still has quite a following after all these years, and I am hoping our wonderful Valk will carry on.  

I for one am a little saddened that Honda has departed from the Valk, going to the Rune, which will really be a novelty bike - probably being geared to those who are willing to put $25k down for 2 wheels.  It is beautiful, but...

I am surprised that more riders didn't get one.  It's such a unique ride, great power, great comfort, beautiful to look at, and unusual.  I see so many VTwins that I consider them boring, really.  Everyone has a twin...

I hope maintenance parts will stay bountiful, if Honda will at least do that, I will be satisfied...

Anyway, just my 2 cents worth...

RevRider

[Valker]

...with maintenance items. Oil filter is the same for Valk and Wing (also my son's 500 Ninja) so will be available. Most everything of importance is used on other models. Even if they weren't, Honda is the best OEM for keeping old parts available.You can still order a gas tank, side covers, etc. for CB350 Hondas from the 60s.

[RevRider]

Valker,

Good to hear on the parts!  My plans are to keep this one along time.  

I am a bike enthusiast, would like to add another ride to the Valk...looking at some old time CB1100F, Sabres or the CBX...

RevRider

Originally posted by Valker
[B Honda is the best OEM for keeping old parts available.You can still order a gas tank, side covers, etc. for CB350 Hondas from the 60s. [/B]

Try ordering an OEM saddlebag for a Valkyrie. Hmmmm? BR

Well, I just bought my "new" Valk (a '97 with 11,600 mi) and am enjoying the heck out of it.  I bought it on Jan 2nd and have put about 1500 miles on it (some pretty decent riding days in SC even in the winter).   Though Honda has stopped production, I believe in "carpe diem"-- sieze the day and make it great!!  I look forward to lots of miles on the Valk and am a new member to VOA.  We've got the best bike on the market so ride and show it with pride!  Hope to see you in Helen and/or Knoxville in June for the Honda Hoot's 10th anniversary.

There's no certainty that ANY bike model will still be produced in two years. I've had Hondas and Harleys before, (twenty years ago), and the issue was always the bike itself. I test drove the Valkyrie a month ago and was solidly impressed. What a beautiful piece of machinery. We personalize a bike by sitting on it, not buying something that anyone else can also buy.

My personal issue now is deciding to ride again, or not. Twenty years is a long time. I'm not too old, but reason and caution keep poking their ugly heads in. Has anyone had this same dilemma prior to buying? I'd like to hear from you and see how you resolved the problem

thanks all,
Jim

p.s.- my local dealer still has two Valkyries left, and the price is very nice.  j

caution and reason sticks their heads in my mind on a regular basis. Last year I saw 3 accidents in a 2 week period. Asked myself "what in the world are you doing riding a motorcycle?"
Thought about hanging up my keys, not permanently but for a short period of time until all the accidents were over with.
Well, just can't help it, I ride every chance I get and still want more. I just try and watch with all my senses, use the SIPDE method, trust my skills and the good Lord. We had a friend who died in his sleep about a month ago. My outlook is when my time to go comes, wheather I'm sleeping, riding, working or anything, that's when I'm going. I try not to ride in a manner that tempts and teases death because I want to be here to ride another day.
It's a great sport and from riding before I'm sure you know that, just make the decision that's right for you and we'll see you in Helen Ga, or Sipapu NM later in the year.