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« on: October 04, 2005, 02:31:37 PM » |
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I recently got married and my new bride loves to ride with me but I fear my current scooter is a little too uncomfortable for the long hauls... I have a 2000 Suzuki Intruder 1400 (tricked out a little with 10" over forks ;-)
I'm looking to get in the touring class and have considered the 'Wing but I'm just not there yet... I have just recently taken an interest in the Valkyrie because of it's 'cruiser' styling...
I will definitley poke through the posts here (I've been a big fan of intruderalert.com for years) but would like some quick info first if I may...
1) what is the last year the traditional Valkyrie was built ... 2003??? ... did the Rune take over in 2004 or what's the two minute history on this ride.
2) does the Valk perform like the comparable 'Wing
3) how is the OEM seats on these ... are aftermarkets the rule nore than the exception? (first thing I dirched on my bike was the stock brick!)
4)... just anything that would make me "join the club"
Cheers and many thanks...
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Guest
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« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2005, 05:13:19 PM » |
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That's a good looking Intruder. I bought a 1400 Intruder, new, end of March '98. Loved the bike but it didn't take long to figure out it just wasn't enough motorcycle. By September I was the proud owner of a black & chrome '98 Valkyrie Tourer. 7 years and 99,000 miles later I still love this bike. I am not sure whether 02 or 03 was the last year for the Valk. The Rune was a production run limited, I believe, to 2500 units with no intention of bulding more. The Valk will outperform a 1500 wing with no trouble. Well, except gas mileage maybe. Those carbs get real thirsty when you twist that right grip. The two things most often changed on a Valk are the seat and the risers or handlebars. I have H-D FLH bars on mine with stock risers and a Corbin seat. Have had this setup for almost all of those 99k miles. What else can I say. Performance and reliability and nobody that knows anything about motorcycles confuses it with a Harley. So, come in and have a life changing experience on board a Valkyrie.
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canon
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« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2005, 06:52:59 PM » |
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The Valk out performs the comparable Wing, mine can not be passed by my bud on his 1800 wing as hard as he trys.
2003 was the last year for the Valk as we know it. The Ruin isn't for me, goofy looking bike IMHO for what it's worth. Haven't bought the aftermarket seat yet, stock works for me for about a hundred miles before break time. Just buy one you shouldn't be sorry, I'm not.
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Bill
Valks Forever
Hero Member
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Gender: 
Posts: 454
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« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2005, 05:14:54 AM » |
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I'm on my third valk., and they all have definitely out performed their Goldwing counterparts. '03 was the last production run of the Standard, and '01 was the last of the Interstates. I haven't had a problem with the stock seats, so have not changed them out, but I have gone with the risers which helps alleviate the shoulder ache on the long hauls. If you are into tupperware and lots of plastic, the Wing is the way to go-it has lots of power and torque and handles extremely well for its size and weight. But if you are serious about a Goldwing, make sure you check out the service bulletins for the 1800's. In some years there were frame cracking issues and recalls, ECM upgrades, bank angle sensor mounting problems, engines overheating during parade duty, and others i can't remember. The valk. is an extremely rugged and bullet proof bike as long as you keep up with the basic maintenance schedules.
Good luck on your decision.
Bill
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BC
Midland, Mich.
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John-LXII
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« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2005, 09:47:32 AM » |
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The Valk is a great bike, as others have already told you.
The day after my wife and I got back from a 2,500 mile trip to Tennessee on the bike this past June I was cleaning the bike and putsing around, while she was out running errands, as we had been away for the week.
That night she told me she was a little disappointed because it was such a beautiful day and I didn't ask her to go for a ride. I thought after a week in the saddle (stock seat on the way down, Ultimate seat on the way back) she wouldn't want to get back on the bike for a while, but I was wrong.... In my opinion, that's a true testament to the comfort of the Valkyrie.
For the record, I previously drove a Magna 750/4 and she wouldn't ride for more that 100 miles at a time. She's the one that suggested going to TN for the Honda Hoot and we're talking about either going back in '06 for the VOAi Ride-in, or heading to Sturgis.
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'KC'
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« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2005, 03:26:03 AM » |
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For 2up, I recommend the Interstate, I have owned two of them. They are as fast as you need, and they are more comfortable than the others especially for 2. They have a nice sound system, and an intercom which is nice on the road, so you don't have to screem at your passenger as you ride.
I put some 72000 on my 1st, a '99, and currently have some 75,000 on my 2000. I like to ride my bikes. It's been a slow last couple of years. I should have had about 94,000 on it by now.
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« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2005, 08:56:55 AM » |
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Great insites... thanks all... I will continue to research this bike. I'm kinda wishing it was still in production... I'm really looking to buy new or nearly new... we'll see what I can dig up.
I'm guessing aftermarket components should be available for some time yet... just in case I find one but not configured to my liking.
Once again I will search this site for links but if anyone could point me to one of the more popular one(s) I would appreciate it.
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John-LXII
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« Reply #7 on: October 07, 2005, 09:28:50 AM » |
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