New member, new Valk owner...

[The Anvil]

...and I just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Jamie, I'm 38 years old and from southern NH, married, two girls 8 and 17 months. I'm an aircraft mechanic by trade. I just bought a 1997 Valkyrie from my riding wingman who just deployed to Kuwait with the MA ARNG. I am loving this bike to death right now. Not only is it a joy to ride (I find myself deliberately taking long, out of the way detours on my ride home from work) but it gets all kinds of admiring/puzzled looks and questions wherever I go.

For reference I've owned a 1991 Katana 600, 1993 ZX7, 2002 CBR954RR, 2005 DRZ400SM, 1999 FLSTF and 1999 X1 Lightning (which I still have) and the Valk is my favorite of the lot so far. I look forward to picking some brains about maintenance and modifications.

Jamie

[NITRO]

Welcome Anvil! You've certainly have come to the right place to learn about the Valk. Feel free to ask any questions as you'll likely have lots as you get to know the bike.

And, as for all the cycles you've owned, the Valk is the best, right??

[MP]

Welcome aboard!  Glad you found us.  Congrats on your new beauty.  I have been a member of the Valk Community for two years now, and loving it every moment.

Hope to ride with you some time.

Join in the fun here.

MP

[The Anvil]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

"Best" is a relative term. Each of my bikes was special to me in it's own way. The Katana my first streetbike, the ZX7 had the most work and time in it, the 954 was a flawless performance machine and did NOTHING wrong, the DRZ400SM showed me that you can have an enormous amount of fun on a low horsepower single, the Fatboy introduced me to cruisers, a segment that I'd previously ignored and the Buell is a Buell and they have their own special charms.

But what I love about the Valk (aside from the performance and comfort) is that it's a cruiser but it's not trying to emulate H-D. It's doing it's own thing. I like the Triumph Rocket III for the same reason.

[The Anvil]

At this point in time and after almost 1000 miles I can safely say that this is (overall) the best bike I've ever owned. I'm amazed at how I can hustle this huge beast through twisty sections. Logic tells you that something this big should not handle this well, but it does. Honda, why did you ever stop making this bike???

The only issues I have so far is that my left shoulder, in the scapula area (blade) begins to ache after about a 1/2 hour and it occasionally pops out of gear. Both of these things might just be me though. I have all kinds of aches and pains from doing a physically demanding job and since the bike has very little flywheel effect I try to get shifts done quickly and might occasionally rush them, not making a positive enough engagement.

[caphillips]

Might consider extending the handle bars several inches, should make it less stressful on your shoulder from not reaching as far.

[The Anvil]

Actually a couple of people have mentioned that but thing is, I actually have really long arms and I'm not reaching at all. I find that by leaning back and straightening my arms the pain actually subsides. I think that if anything maybe I need shorter bars? But like I said, it could just be me.

[NITRO]

If you don't have a back rest, that might help. Or maybe just change the position of the bars (angle) rather than switching out the risers.

[TAZ]

Congrats Anvil, sound like you got your smiley mood back in your life, very good.  If your not smiling and grinning all the time something is wrong with you as that bike will bring out the little kid in everyone and you won't be able to sleep and wanting to ride every time you can.  I have had mine since Spring of 1998 and joined the VOA right after getting it.  Best club around I tell ya.  To this date I am in second heaven riding my bike and taking every kind of trip I possibly can.  Run a can of SEAFOAM thru it once a month and that will really keep her running great and a touch of Marvels Mystery Oil in the gas and oil.  I have noticed that if I put in BP or Shell premium gas I tend to get better gas mileage.    Like mentioned if you don't have 3in extenders for your handlebars get them and if no utopia backrest get one, those really improve on not getting pain in shoulders and lower back.  If you have stock seat and don't like it there are some great aftermarket custom seats that are really good.  Russell DayLong seats are very popular and super comfy on long trips, then there is the Utopia Big Bboy Seats that too are very popular and they break in quickly.    There is Mustang and Corbin seats but are rock hard for a very long time so alot of folks steer clear of them.

Bakers Airwings are perfect for keeping you cooler in the summer and warrmer on those chilly days.  Butler mugs for holding your beverage to beverage bottle or whatever is also a perfect add-on.  Those are just acouple of things to add....oh so many really you can do but these are some really nice add-ons for the Valk.

Well get the heck out and ride and stop reading this now......HAVE FUN!

[The Anvil]

Thanks guys. I may crank the bars forward a bit in the clamps. I don't want to mess with too much though because I really love the handling so I'll avoid risers or changing the bars completely, at least for now. I actually have a Corbin saddle with a removable backrest. I'll try using it.

I've also noticed (though it could just be placebo effect) slightly better startup, idling and slightly better mileage on premium gas.

[Valker]

If it's stock, it'll do better on regular.

[ossvalk]

if you have time to stop by americade this year you can meet me and a bunch of other Valk owners

The valk judging is at the roaring brook ranch 10am friday

The POWWOW is being held in Vermont also that week and Gman and I will be in Lake George Thu -Sat am before heading to the POWWOW

Should see lots of Valk owners there  I have an 01 interstate black and pearl grey  The bra should still be off the bike that week