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

[Valker]

when teaching my MSF courses, and about 95% of them have reentered the riding world and enjoyed it thouroughly. 20 years is actually a shorter lay off-I have many that are coming back to riding after 30 or more years. Take an MSF course (the new BRC is best) and that will do the most to make you safer and more comfortable. I can get you into mine if you are ever around Amarillo ;-)
Eric

I got my first rode bike when I was 16 (1976)  27 years ago.  Except for a period of about one year, while living in Miami I have always owned one. Through five kids, several jobs,  one college education (at the age of 30) and a divorce the  one thing that has helped to keep me sane is the riding.  Now in my mid forties I find I am more cautious and think more about possible negative consequences of riding, like injury,  accidents or even death. However for me the joy of riding and the positive side of it still outway all of the negative.  Take a chance, you can do alot of things to make riding as safe as possible and the benefits are great!!

I did what you did, going back to a bike after 20 years (when the kids were grown and I had a lot of insurance). Best thing I can recommend is to take the MSF course, even if it is just a refresher. I forgot a lot in 20 years, and learned a bunch I never knew. Then, spend mucho time in big parking lots early in the morning. Oh, and have a blast!
Doug

I'm new to the club and boards. Hadn't had a bike for years but have many past years with my hiney on Japanese bikes as well as a couple Harleys. I went out 4 months ago and test road about anything with two wheels. I ran into a "99" Standard new in the crate at Cycle barn in Seattle, rode it, bought it. Its an extraordinary piece of machinery, its classic, and a bit cultish...sounds like something that will survive time to me. I too saw the Rune at the Seattle cycle show, lots of glitz but I wouldn't own one.  My guess the club will survive, perhaps smaller and tighter, who knows, time will tell, in the mean while I plan to enjoy this new club I joined. I plan to be in Sipapu in July. Hope I will get to put some faces on some of  the members who post on the boards! Thanks for having what looks to me to be a great club.
Fulltilt

[kavalk]

This is a great question and I have enjoyed reading the replies.  The continual availability of the Valkyrie will rest with the interest of consumers as you have all noted.  My first motorcycle was the Valkyrie which I purchased in 1998.  I have used the bike for just about every purpose from cross country rides to runs to the grocery store, wedding parties and dog food purchases.  It has been as versital a vehicle as I have ever owned.  

I have since owned a Yamaha V-Star (650cc) and a Honda VTX.  Both have since been sold.  I found the Valkyrie more useful and functional.  I have now moved on to a Honda ST1300.   The bike's quicker handling and better environmental protection as compared to any of my previous bikes has driven my decision making process.  

Alas, I do have my Valkyrie up for sale (although I am not agressively pushing it).  This is due to certain economic situations, mostly personal and the less than favorable handling characteristics of the Valkyrie.  A test ride of the newest version of the Gold Wing would validate this notion.  I will miss the bus/truck like abilities of the Valkyrie as I have no plans currently to purchase a trailer for the ST1300 and will not use the Escapade trailer with the bike.  Honda also sells the ST1300 as a two up bike, but in no way can it handle a passenger with the accomodations the Valkyrie offers.

So this is one consumer's take on the ownership of a Valkyrie and the changes faced by ongoing life events.  I think the likelihood of the Valkyrie to have staying power with the likes of it predecessors is very good.  Most of that belief is supported by the bomb-proof 1520cc , 6 cylinder engine.  If for no other reason, I hate to sell the bike.  I have informed my local dealer not to concern himself with keeping at least one Valkyrie on the sales floor because I would be first in line to buy a last year in production standard for use as a one bike does it all keeper.

That ST1300 is one nice ride. One of the most well thought out in Hondas line-up. BR

Thanks to those of you that replied to help with my dilemma on whether to buy or not. I went back and forth so many times that I was making myself sick. So, I now own a 2003 Valkyrie. Since picking it up 4 hours ago it's felt very, very good.

thanks again,
Jim

[PaulXX]

I am surprised that there is so little hope expressed for the furture of the bike! With all the hoopla surronding the Rune I would think that it would indicate a positive interest in contunuing the marque from the Company. If they sell all the Runes, as I am sure they will, I would think that a standard 1800 Valk at least will be forthcoming in a year or so. Sure the Rune is a styling exercise but I can't believe that there will be no follow on.

 I mean they could take the Rune frame/motor and drop the fancy front end and other trick bits and make a reasonable platform for a continuation model that would still grab a lot of attention. I know that I would seriously consider trading up. I always felt that the original Valk was a way to move more of those fancy engines. It was really a simple concept, take the Wing strip it down to the basics and ship it. They should be able to do that again without too much trouble.

The only reason that they might not is that it might hurt sales of the Wing and the VTX but I stiil think that they would get enough to make it worthwhile from those who wanted a bike that was trully unique, and not a Buick or another oversized v-twin.

Oh well whatever I GOT MINE  and the heck with what the Company wants to do.

Ride On,
PaulXX

Congrats on your purchase Jim. I too debated the purchase of a Valkyrie or even getting back on a bike after 17 years until I was dizzy. However, it only took about 5 miles down the road from the shop I purchased the bike at to know "ya this is a good thing". Still only have about 700 miles on it. The rain in Seattle is driving me nuts, day in, day out, it will be nice to ride it rather than look at. Have fun and ride as if your life depends on it.
Fulltilt

Nobody can know how long the Valkyrie will remain in production except the top brass at Honda, because only they get to see the numbers upon which the final decision to continue or stop will be made. Will the VOAI last only as long as Valks continue emerging from that plant in Maryville, Ohio? Two entirely different issues... linked to be sure, but not necessarily cause and effect.

Our organization has gone through some strenuous, often difficult, growing pains. It's been tempered, molded, tested and retested all along the way; it has had its epitaph written many times by doubters; but, it continues to survive. Indeed, I would argue it's actually stronger in many ways now than it's ever been.

FLDave said it well above, so I won't attempt to rephrase his words here. I will add this, however: I don't have a clue if the Valk will continue in production into the future or not. As for the VOAI, though, well, that's an entirely different matter. As long as we want it to continue, it will. At a minimum FLDAVE and I will be around for the long haul, and who knows, perhaps a few others will stay on with us... How about you?

DDT

Jim, yes I had the same thoughts before starting to ride again.  Then my daughter said it the best.  "Live life while you can." You can't just sit around and wish you had done it.  So At 56 I'm still ridin' and the wife is 60 and still ridin'.  LIVE TO RIDE, RIDE TO LIVE.

I dont think we have seen the last of the Valk. I think Honda is going to answer our prayers and come out with a 1800 Standard. Why else would they come out with the Rune. Its got no where to go but down the road. You cant add anything to it unless you make it yourself. I think they used to Rune as a stop gap measure till they are able to get a new Valkyrie together. I may be wrong but I hope not. As for the Valks that are already here I have a feeling they they will be around for a long time. I'm a member of a Suzuki forum like this one. Its for the 77 to 85 GS models. Those were one tough engine and some great bikes. Mine is a 81 GS 850 GL with over 45,000 on the clock. I rescued it for $100 and now it runs strong. Last year it took me from Denver to El Paso and back with no problems. The hardest thing to find for those that are restoring them is the side covers.  Now if I can find parts for a 21 year old bike that stood alone then in another few years (if they dont come out with an 1800 Valk) then we should be able to find parts for our Valks. After all these were based on one tough engine. I wouldnt worry too much about parts in 20 years, they'll still be there IMHO.

As for the longevity of the club, I guess as long as there are Valkyries riding the road, the VOAi will be around.
Even if Honda doesn't come out with something other than the Valkyrie Rune, history would show us that bike clubs tend to grow after a little dip as new enthusiast jump into the used ownership market and with the true loyalists, there tends to be more grouping and riding together.  

Take the Honda PC800.  Honda dropped it twice with the last being 1998 and its club today is bigger than it was when it was still in production.  

For some reason this also seems to breed two bike garages, a Valkyrie and something else....go figure!

Contribute what you can, ride when you can and above all have fun at both.

Ride safe and ride often.........NightHawk

Guys, I'm new, just checking out the site because I have a good friend who is nuts over his Valk and has convinced me to get one. There is a concenses here that they are going away, but I checked a large dealer in Fl who sez they have orders in the bank for 04's,
still only in black. But available.
What's the real deal?

['KC']

Jim; FOR ME the question is never weather or not to ride, that is a given.  The only question is how much to ride.
I try to ride every day, and I have actually missed one (1) day so far this year because of ice, but I shouldn't have to worry about that again for a while.  I've managed to put some 9,000mi. on mine since the beginning of the year.
My better half used to ask when I was going to quit riding, but she got tired of the same patt answer. "When I am dead, or physically unable."