New Forum Member Looking for Valk Information

[GMan215]

Greetings to all of You!  I am in the market for a new bike and do a lot of long distance riding.  I had intended on buying a GL 1800 but became interested in the Valkyrie IS after doing some on line research.  However, I have some questions about it that I am hoping some of you with the riding experience can help me with.  First, were there any model years with recalls by Honda?  What kind of MPG should I expect?  Has anyone ever installed an electronic cruise control on their IS?  Regarding aftermarket accessories, I imagine they are becoming more difficult to find but was wondering if there are any common websites and/or links I could take a look at.  That's it for now other than the biggest question:  Where can I find a good IS for sale?  I am located in Upstate NY and am willing to go as far as CO for a good deal.

Oh, if there is anyone in the Syracuse, NY area that has one I could at least look at and maybe throw a leg over to check the fit, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks for any information you can help me with.

Ride hard.

Ride long.

Ride SAFE.

GMan

[NITRO]

The IS would certainly suit your needs for long distance riding. There were no recalls as far as I am aware. MPG depends on your riding style more than anything, but around 30 mpg seems about average. If you're riding near the bike's limits, you can get close to 17, if you're staying under 65, into the high 30s. All depends on you. You can find info about the electronic cruise control by searching the forum-many have done it.

Check out directline for a good selection of accessories. http://www.hondadirectlineofshadyside.com/stores/byProduct.asp?str=2&ID=374880491  There are many, many others out there.


What the classified here as well as here http://members.vrccservices.com/classifieds/classifieds.php?ID=0001 for used valks. Craigslist and ebay are other possibilities.

Good luck!

[GMan215]

Thanks for the quick!! response and the links.  I sold my last bike in the spring (daughter got married, needed some cash) so I'm anxious to get back in the saddle.

GMan

[NITRO]

Where are you located, Gman?

[MP]

There are some good IS's out there.  Great bike.  No recalls.  Ebay is available for accessories.  Quite a few still available new.

MP

[GMan215]

I am located in the snow belt of Lake Ontario - Syracuse, New York.  I intend to retire from the fire service sometime next year (2011) and hit the road to Alaska!  Needless to say, I need a good, reliable ride.  It's in the teens today with about a foot of snow on the ground and still falling.

Ride hard.

Ride long.

Ride SAFE.

GMan

[don07tncav]

Welcome to the site Gman, here's a link to known Valk issues. http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/Known%20Valkyrie%20Problems.htm

[GMan215]

Thanks for the link to the shoptalk.  I will hang onto that for future reference.  I have about 3 or 4 Valkyrie IS I'm currently interested in and will let you know how things progress.

Another question for all of you road warriors,  is the Honda CB the best alternative?  Can another brand be wired into the harness to function in the same manner (this is in case I don't get one with a CB already added on)?

Thanks again.

Ride long.

Ride hard.

Ride SAFE.

GMan

[MP]

The honda CB is best.  Plug and play!  However, others can be made to work.  Valkyrieblingandmore.com  adapts Yamaha CB's to work.  He changes the plugs and wires.  He also uses a Y, so that you replace the standard radio antenna, and Y's the CB and radio together, to use just one antenna.  The OEM CB uses a seperate antenna, which is probably a little better.

Go for the IS!  The Valkyrie is a great bike.  I have a 97 Standard, which you can see in my Avitar, although it now has IS hard bags, and a trunk, painted to match, on it.  I should update the pic.

I also just bought a 2001 maroon/black IS to put a Hannigan sidecar on for my wife.  I have posted pics of it on a thread.

I always like my 2003 HD Heritage Classic, 100th Anniversary model, but I sold it when I was running semi all over the US, and never got to ride it.  When I went back to farming, I wanted another bike.  Actually, I NEEDED another bike!

I bought the Valkyrie, and like I say, I LIKED my HD, but I LOVE my Valkyrie!  Very good bike, draws lots of attention, pisses off HD riders, because in a parking lot of 100 bikes, 97 of which are HD's, 2 others, and my Valk,  my Valk draws the crowds!  LOL   

Go for it, you will NOT regret it.

MP

[MP]

Gman:

Really try to make out Reunion in LaCrosse, WI next June.  You will learn more about the Valk's in that week than any other way.  Great people, great bike.  What more can you ask out of life?

If you can only make a few days, that is OK too.  I, and several others, are planning on getting there the Saturday before, and getting in some extra riding, and BS'ing!  LOL  Join us!

MP

[MP]

Here is another great resource:    http://www.valkyrienorway.com/MODEL%20DIFFERENCES.html

Also, go to rattlebars.com, and look around the Valkyrie part of the site.  Need to do some digging, but he has GREAT info about the bike, how to do electrical mods and add-ons, etc.

MarkT at horseapple.com has great info too.

MP

[don07tncav]

I picked up the Yamaha Venture Roayal CB off of ebay and it's basically plug and play. The plugs all match the Valks and all I needed to do was extend two wires. Used a firestick antenna and a bracket a country welder fixed up for me. works excellent.