trade your valk towards a GL1800?

[don07tncav]

Happy B-Day Jack!

My dad bought a Kawa 1800 cruzer this summer. Tried to talk him into a Valk but he liked the Vulkins ride better. Late 70's, both hips replaced and a knee replaced in the past couple of years. He had a blast on the bike all summer and wishes he took it to FL with them for the winter.

[cookiedough]

True story:

This was mid-September, and the gnats off the lake are horrific that time of year.   (Totally black with gnats).  /quote]

I've never seen anything worse on the road than traveling the great river road around Prairie du Chien WI along the Mississippi River heading north a few years ago (lucky for me pulling a boat and not riding a cycle) during the time of the year that the mayfly hatch covers the entire road.  The car tires (and boat tires) literally skid all over the road due to the disgusting mayflies covering the road like a blanket.  It is like driving on ice almost -  very disgusting.  A cycle would be very dangerous if you hit the right week.  Sorry to change subject.

[MrBones]

Well thank all of you for the B-day stuff. Have been on two wheels since 1945 when I had to go to work. (Yes things were different then) But got to ride alot of bikes (most of which were HDs bought a new one in 54 for $1500. Unheard of price) Then switched to Hondas. After trying a 1953 Triump Thunderbird. $650. out the door. Was a great bike in all ways. Although in '53 the Corvette was also $1500. But my bride was PG and could not fit in the seat. So anyhow enough for memories.

[Dag]

If you want to drive a motorcycle, the big scooter (actually the worlds bigger scoter) would be the right thing.
If you want to ride a motorcycle, the Valkyrie is the thing. 

[stratmarshall]

Yea, I heard the big scooter thing before. Kinda looks like 1 for sure. Took the valk out last week, only 25mpg! That blows I had a fiat that got better mileage, but wasn't near as fun to drive. Gonna have to rent a wing for a day and decide for myself. Got several months to wait till it warms up around here.
Thanks for all the ideas keep them comming. Strat/Marshall a winning combo.

[timk519]

How long did it sit? It could be the gas had lost it's "fizz" and took the MPG with it.

[Challenger]

I thought I hammered mine hard one day and was upset when I got 30, Gets about 36 at 75 and 40 at posted speeds two up. I'm confused! But then again I don't ride like I used to.

[cookiedough]

I average 35-36 mpg 1-up and with the misses loaded down to probably over maximum weight capacity, I have gotten only about 33-34 mpg.   I've heard the fuel injected 1832cc goldwings get a little better, but still not over 40 mpg.  I'm sure I could squeeze upper 30's out of my interstate if I drive 55mph, but like Van Halen's song goes, 'I can't drive 55' and that is the truth.

[stratmarshall]

It had only been sitting for 7 weeks witha full tank of fresh gas. It started right up and ran strong.
Just terrible gas mileage. It was in the lower 40's though.

[Dragonrider]

Mine got 27 until I cleaned the carbs & installed the trigger wheel - now it's 34-36.  My old K1200LT never got less than 52… but you really paid for it in other ways…

[Dragon2000]

I already put in my 2 cents however I crossed over to my Dragon from a 88 Venture Royal. It had all of the toys but did not even come close for power and handling.

Steve

[timk519]

I already put in my 2 cents however I crossed over to my Dragon from a 88 Venture Royal.

My prior ride was a Venture Royale as well. It was an "ok" bike except when it was hot out, then it was brutally hot to ride!

[MarkT]

I have both, Valk since '97 and wing since '02.  About 100k on both.  I've seen some good advice here.  I wouldn't want to part with either of them.  They really are different rides.  I use them differently.  The Wing - everything I would otherwise use a car for, including groceries.  Long distance rides - touring. Trips.  When I need to haul a lot.  Love the cruise and the great lights.  More range.  Better mileage.  More power at speed, faster passing.  Blows around by the wind some. Faster handling in the twisties, both from the sport bike geometry front end, weight forward bias and skinny front tire, as well as more cornering clearance before hard parts touch down. Love the ABS brakes.  Quick like a cat, especially for such a big bike.  Back seat much more comfortable (than a standard, Mustang seats).  I'm OK on the stock seat, as it's flat and firm enough - even for Iron Butt rides. Not for stylin.  Attracts old men.  "He he.  Twenty three skidoo.  I used to ride a Gold Wing, afore I lost my teeth..."  yada yada.
Did I mention the brakes?  You can SLAM on the front brake, with feet on the highway boards, on gravel, and all it will do is slow down.  Very quickly.  No discernable pulsing.  Not so good on deep loose gravel with that skinny front tire and weight forward bias.  In fact a loose gravel road will have your pucker factor near the top of the scale.  Maintenance is a PITA with plastic in the way.  Doesn't need much in the way of accessorizing - has most of what you'll want already.  Though I did add a number of things anyway.  Electrical comfort & safety & convenience things, not much chrome.  Electric jacket & gloves on both bikes. You need the wing to fit you - I'm lucky at that, at 6 ft with 31" inseam.  The fairing gets in the way - I also have highway boards and baker wings and that doesn't work so well with the fairing.  Also you need the lower, shin wings from Baker, or the heat out of the lower radiator vent will positivly COOK your ankles.  Especially on a hot day.  I thought my skin was blistering, it hurt so much. The wing is not as comfortable to me as the Valk on long rides, after I got Deerslayer set up with comfort options - pullback risers, highway pegs, throttle lock.  Not to mention suspension (Progressive front & rear-air) & seat improvements (I'm on the 4th seat, an Ultimate Big Boy, but I was happy with my custom seat [Rood mod, see my web site], and the Mustang after I finally got it broken in), sound system, baker wings and tilted windshield.  I also have some really great lights on the Valk, about as good as the wing (130 watt headlight, aircraft landing lights for spots, plenty of power with a Compufire alternator).  I use a Zumo 550 and Ipod with preamps on both bikes - usually play MP3's from the Zumo now, so not the Ipod so much anymore.  Both bikes set up with powerful amps and 4 speakers.  I just love annoying club riders who don't like MY classic rock.  I'm thinking of one jerk right now.

Valk - for stylin.  Attracts chicks.  and bikers.  Grudging respect from dirtbag types.  Not so much the geezers.  Quicker through the gears (at least mine is, but I'm running a Valk back tire on the wing, so lost a little acceleration).   Lots of fun to customize - though it's a lot more challenging now that so many companies don't support it anymore.  Not affected by the wind much.  Easy to service.  Sounds and looks great.  

I won't sell either of them.  Though if I HAD to, the wing would go.  It's replaceable and to me, not so special.  Deerslayer is my baby.  Gonna be BURIED on it.

[Dragonrider]

I agree, but I've got a Spyder instead of a 'wing.  Holds more stuff - and with my Givi bags, holds as much as my car! Is a hoot to drive, and the only thing to have in traffic (lane splitting is a $400 ticket here) - but when it comes to hitting the long road, the Valk is the only way to go.  Just my $0.02