Today on Drive315 we're doing a head to head comparison of the 2003 Honda Valkyrie vs 2004 Honda VTX1800R. 💥Smash the SUBSCRIBE button and the NOTIFICATION 🔔
Thanks for watching and subscribe! Yeah the valkyrie is superior, my favorite thing about the valkyrie is how fast the engine revs… Stay tuned more videos to come with it
Thanks for watching and subscribe! Yes its a marvelous bike! I really enjoy the feel and power from that 6 cylinder engine! The only problem mine had is that one of the forks was leaking some oil (very little).
I literally went out and test drove the 1800 last week and then today I showed up and bought the Valkyrie. The 1800 is a beast. The Valkyrie is made with precision.
Great comparison you did. The V-Twin design was put in the first motorcycle in 1902. Not much has changed really. The low horizontal 6 cylinder engine has many refinements over a V Twin. Virtually no vibration compared to the twin. Even though I've been a lifelong Harley rider for a cruiser I'd rather take the Valkyrie out.
I enjoy watching your videos. My best friend of 41 years passed away suddenly last November. He owned a 2002 Valkyrie that he bought new and I just acquired it from his wife in July. It only has 12000 miles on it and I absolutely love this bike. I’ve only had one person who actually knows what kind of bike it is. Keep the videos coming!
Enjoyed your video, been riding since 1977. I had a VTX 1800C for 3 years. Fantastic bike. Replaced that with a Triumph Rocket III Touring which I had for 7 years (high/tall weight - became too much/too heavy, I'm 61), then bought a Goldwing in 2016 which I still have and a 2001 US/Texas import Valkyrie in 2020. Of all those bikes, the Valkyrie is out front for me - quirky, eye-catching, rare. Currently looking at the Cobra 6 into 6 pipes, but that's £1,200 here - about $1,500 in the States. Hope you keep both the VTX and the Valkyrie. I regretted selling the VTX for many years!
I do enjoy all my bikes, but the valkyrie has that authentic flat 6 feeling, revs super fast and in general feels superior to vtwins. Im surprised you prefer the valkyrie even over the goldwing and rocket Thanks for watching and subscribe!
Had a Valkyrie with the Cobra pipes for 2.5yrs. Wrecked because of a negligent pedestrian after about 6 months, fixed and kept going. Have a VTX1800 right now and after taking a year trying to get used to it am looking for a Valkyrie again. Absolutely should have held onto that thing. Completely agree with your synopsis. They're both great bikes with very key differences.
Thanks for watching and subscribe! Yeah every once in a while honda makes a unicorn kinda bike or car, special and super high quality. For example the honda s2000 (man i love that car). But yeah the Valkyrie felt more special, but my vtx1800 was in brand new condition, like new! The Valkyrie had some corrosion when youre up close to it. I didn’t ride much and was afraid that the carbs would need servicing so i decided to sell it
I have a 2001 Valkyrie. I want a fuel injected VTX. I did not know the the VTX and the Valkyrie both have inverted forks. The Valkyrie loves twisty mountain roads. It handles awesome and has better clearance.
Thanks for watching and subscribe! The vtx1800 is fuel injected, but in my opinion the valkyrie is the one of the two im more likely to ride. I just love how quick it revs up, its got alot of power and character! I have 7 bikes currently, check them out on my channel!
Indeed . We just came back to florida from a trip to the Tail of the Dragon . I rode my 97 Valkyrie , one friend his vtx 1800 and my other friend his harley vrod. it's true the Valk has the best clearance and handles very well. At the end of the day the vrod guy was very tired of riding . Us honda guys were in good shape. Go Valks !
I have a 2003 VTX1800C with Vance and Hines exhaust and Cobra ignition, she'll run 170 to 180, I've had it to 150 and had throttle left. I call her the Beast.
I have 97 Valkyrie and I love it ❗️35k miles on it. All chrome, all around installed by the previous (or the original owner), and came with 3 boxes of original parts. I’m the 3rd owner. Paid $4,500 in 2020. Last year I walked away from buying the 1800 VTX . I guess it wasn’t worth it. It had more miles and wasn’t maintained. Love your video ❗️ Valkyrie is a keeper ❗️❗️❗️
I absolutely love my Valkyrie, she's my forever bike! With care and regular maintenance she'll last forever too. Can't beat a Honda motor for reliability and longevity. There is a guy in Colorado that has a Valk with a million miles on it! Fast off the line, she likes to get up to speed quick. Smooth riding thanks to that flat six engine means you don't fatigue out at high speeds riding cross country. I have the full touring package plus towing and a tagalong trailer for her and regularly camp off the back of the bike travelling all over. I've ridden a lot of bikes in my 22 years of riding, from metrics to Harleys and everything in between. The Valkyrie is the best bike ever built hands down and I will never give her up!
Love my Valkyrie. Super smooth. Awesome power. Handles and brakes beautifully. I'm only a little bloke and after a few months on it I'm totally at home on it.👍
Agree with the Valkyrie choice. Hard to convince someone unless they've lived with or owned one. I am not a fan of anything with a V-Twin for all the reasons you point out here. I've had my '99 Valkyrie Interstate since new and now have over 150K miles on it. Still have not found anything I would replace it with. Thanks for posting.
I've had both too. Dont forget the VTX is injected and is rev limited to 5700 and the f6 is carbutreted. i loved both. still have the valk and miss the vtx.
Thanks for watching! I just prefer the way the valkyrie engine revs/sounds for some reason, but both truely are great bikes! You can buy my vtx1800 its for sale
I prefer the vtx just because its a actual vtwin. Thats also why it vibrates more. Valkyrie has a bixer engine. Still good but more like a suped up sport bike engine on a cruiser platform. Vtx is more of a true OG cruiser.
Thanks for watching and subscribe! The valkyrie revs like a sport bike but has a much smoother and torqier engine. Has 100hp and 100ft-lbs of torque, sportbikes typically have 1/3 the torque compared to hp
Love the Valkyrie and hopefully I will be able to add to my garage as well. I have a 1981 Honda CBX 6 cylinder with only 2,700 miles. :) Great video keep them coming.
I’ve got a 98 tourer, love the Valkyrie! I just wish it had better fuel range, if you ride it aggressively you’re looking at high teens for gas mileage. I’ve logged as low as 17mpg, but it’s oh so fun!
Thanks for watching and subscribe! Yeah i love it too. I am aware that its a gas guzzler for a motorcycle, but haven’t even ridden it enough to fill it up yet (except a little with a gasoline can). Check out all my bikes on my channel
You need to tune that bike! I ride mine hard and dirty and I'm getting 37 mpg average. Having it tuned up and keeping the RPMs low while cruising gives the best gas mileage. I get hard on it on acceleration, off the line I vanish, blink and you'll miss me. However, keeping the RPMs as low as possible while cruising gives better fuel economy. For most city riding I'm doing I have her at about 2000 rpm. 3000-4000 rpm highway depending on traffic and how much opportunity I have to open her up. I was surprised at how fuel efficient she is when properly tuned up. Kept expecting low 20's but keep getting high 30's consistently. Bear in mind, I live in gently rolling plains, constant rapid elevation changes like mountains or steep hills will likely impact this heavily.
Get the ECT mod for the Valkyrie. I’m really curious what will be your next bike to get you off the Valkyrie. It will get to you and you will love it more and more after every ride. 👌🏻
I have a 2003 VTX 1800 which I bought new and still has less than 5k miles. I haven’t ride a Valk but I love my VTX. Also have HD but still like the VTX the most.
Thanks for watching and subscribe! I prefer hondas in general, but i will tell you the valkyrie is way more precise and feels way more sporty. The vtx is a fine motorcycle too, but honestly the engine isn’t as special as in the valkyrie. It has almost no vibration and revs fast like a sport bike, with 100ft lb of torque. Its just felt more special in my opinion, and handled turns better because the engine mass was do low in the valkyrie
I have a 2993 VTX1800S since 2016, wanted one since I first rode one in 2002. Definitely a beast, way faster than any of my prior H-Ds. I've always been intrigued by the Valkyrie, and am considering adding one in the next few months. I will need to add floorboards and a heel-toe shifter if I do since I lost my left leg a few years ago and my prosthetic leg doesn't have any ankle function, rendering pegs and a toe shifter useless for me (would never get it out of first gear).
Thanks for watching and subscribe. I think the valkyrie is even faster than the vtx1800, but the main reason I liked it more is because the valkyrie is so smooth, very low vibrations and revs very fast like a crotch rocket almost. However my vtx1800 was in 10/10 condition and I valued that alot too. Ive sold both bikes, but i will get more. Thanks for watching and subscribe!
Thanks for watching and subscribe! I love my valkyrie, it’s actually a special bike… but the condition on my vtx1800 is totally 100% Valk is like 80% condition wise haha
The v-twin will never compare to the 6 cylinder, v-twin wined out super quick, like you said the Valkyrie is like a two wheeled sports car, that's why I'm on my second Valkyrie couldn't find a cruiser that filled that void the Valkyrie left me, I got a Interstate now and can't see myself on anything else for a cruiser...
Having owned a Vtx 1800 and ridden it 25000 miles. It was an amazing bike. Nothing sounds like valkerie with 6 outlet pipe system. I ended up going to the dark side on my Vtx because I pulled a pop up camper and it wore out back tires in less than 6000 miles.
Thanks for watching and subscribe! I always saw the valkyrie as a cruiser style bike, with a special engine (the engine looks like artwork, and revs like a racecar engine)
I own a 1999 Valkyrie, just quit 247,000kms (clutch exploded) and a 2002 VTX 1800C. I personally like the VTX better the Valkyrie may be smooth but the VTX is the comfort king, fits me like a glove.
@@Drive315 I bought it off the original owner he had 210,000kms on it and had the same bike same color just with lower kms he replaced it with, the engine still runs like a clock, I'm keeping it and fixing it yes.
The VTX is the easier to live with, but it is playing catch up with the rest of the large V-twins out there, the Valkyrie is Honda saying: “this is the best and most original thing I can make to standout in this segment, wait a sec, it looks like you liked that one so here’s its successor” and showed the Valkyrie Rune.
Nice comaparison.Glad I went with the Valkyrie about 10 yrs ago. It cruises easily at 30 or 90 in 5th gear. Tuned the exhaust a little and glured to mounted a car tire on the rear this spring. What a difference. Much smoother ride and feels like you are glued to the road especially on curves. Helps to have a good carb guy.
The Valkyrie Tourer…I wish mine was a Tourer….or The Interstate. I agree with your choice. The VTX1800 sounds pretty good. The VTX1300 is not bad. Valkyrie sounds like a European sports car. Mine has the Cobra 6 into 6 and the sound is intoxicating. I wish it was warm enough to ride.
Thanks for the side-by-side comparison. I would have preferred some more details though. In particular, I would have liked to hear about the handling at low speed, or the stability at high speed, the braking (looks like neither have ABS, and rear drum), the fuel consumption (neither have a fuel gauge, but the VTX seems to have a low fuel light), and the effects of the riding position (seems like the VTX has traditional forward controls and the Valk has a more standard riding position, with the pegs behind the engine). If I had to choose one, I think I'd keep the Valkyrie.
I rode Harley-Davidson all my life until one day I rode a Valkyrie and I was hooked, I have 2 now an interstate and a tour model , I probably had 10 Valkyries at one time they are just an amazing bike, I’ve never enjoyed riding as much as I do now , I bought an interstate for $2000 and rode (ride) it Coast to Coast once a year, just can’t get off it
The Valkyrie does have lower center of gravity,but it’s so balanced is why it feels and handles better/lighter. Also although they have similar HP and torque the Valkyrie 1500 always says wheel horsepower and torque where if wheel is not specified it’s engine horsepower,which is lowered by 20-25% lost before it gets to wheel.
Thanks for watching and subscribe! The valkyrie has a much more energetic type of engine, revs so fast but smooth at the same time. Valkyrie is very precise and powerful, but the vtx has more like a sledgehammer kinda raw power
The valkyrie is so smooth. The Goldwing has the same engine I still would chose the valk. I've had my valkyrie for about 8 year's now and I'm glad bought it. I have been looking at some VTX 1300 recently but I don't want to go down on horsepower. I probably keep the Valkyrie till I can't handle the weight anymore. You are right it's not like any V Twin
Thanks for watching and subscribe! The valkyrie really has a special engine, but both bikes are very high quality. I think it mainly comes down to user preference.
I bought a VTX1800c when they first came out, test drove one then had to order and wait, 2002 (picked up in 2001). 22 years later (about 40k miles) one of my fork seals just started leaking. I guess after replacing them, they will outlast me. I love that bike, I have sat on many and ridden a few Harleys but everything feels small and loose compared to my VTX, my soul has bonded with that engine. Also they don't make them anymore, but Jardine pipes sound amazing on a VTX, more deep than loud, most I have seen have vance and hines, loud but not deep.
I feel the opposite i prefer the vtx 18000c over the Valarie, maintenance is much easier, foot position to me is better, i prefer the seating position on the vtx as well i switched to a saddle man seat as i found the stock seat a tad bit to wide for me, i also love the sound of the V twin especially with my exhaust.and mine handles fantastic to me the valkyrie like my new goldwing feels like im on the bike ..well thats just me Btw im comparing this to a 1999 interstate vs my 2003 vtx1800c
I own a VTX and a Valkyrie and IMO both are fantastic motorcycles. If I had to let one go it would probaly be the Valkyrie, because of the carbs and this crappy fuel that degrades so quickly.
Thanks for watching and subscribe! I sold both bikes now, but i can tell you both bike’s absolutely fly and are very fast. If i had to pick a winner id say the valkyrie would win, it just revs so fast and feels way more sporty overall
I have a 2019 Harley Davidson Road King And I have a 1998 Honda Valkyrie. The Valkyrie is an awesome bike I always wanted one now I do and I have no regrets buying the Valkyrie 👍👍👍
05. We swapped my wife's 97 Goldwing in got her a VTX 1800F. I still had my 99 Valkyrie Interstate which was my second Valkyrie. She could smoke me on that VTX from a dead start & the Valkyrie is no slouch. The Motorsickle's are night and day difference. I rode both. I'm on my third Valkyrie if that tells you anything. People would ask us what is the difference between her Goldwing & your Valkyrie. I would simply say Lincoln versus Hot Rod Lincoln. Her VTX was also a Hot Rod. You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda Valkyrie. Keep the Shiny Side Up.
The Saddleman bags that came with my vtx1800, leak, by the way they were manufactured. Bought watertight Viking bags for my Raider. They have a nice top key lock, but, they don't flex for more room , like the Saddleman bags. Gotta be some best of both world bags out there. Gotta wear a backpack on my R1, so, there ya go. 😏
Thanks for watching and subscribe! You know i was worried about 6 carbs too, but it’s designed more clever than you’d think. I never had an issue with carbs, if you keep the bike in a garage and water doesn’t get in the gas you will be fine. A valkyrie can sit for years and start up fine !
I've got the VTX and love it....but if Honda had offered the Valk, with the fuel injected 1800 flat six from the second Gen, in the first Gen body style....I'd own one today.
Are those stock pipes on the Valk? Sounds a lot beefier than mine. I'm looking at maybe adding some Cobra 6 into 6's or something just to give it a bit better sound.
@@Drive315 yes I have and it does fly. Just prefer the VTX. I liked the F6 goldwing over the Valkyrie. If I'm on a touring bike I want all the bells and whistles. You should do a video on that one!
the X does feel heavier, very common with big V twins. I have had 3 VTX 1800s, ended up keeping a 2005 1800C spec 3 in black. I always wanted a Goldwing but the foot control ergonomics aren't friendly to me, I wear a size 13 US and I felt like I was hitting the head when reaching in to downshift almost every time Ironically The 1800X felt lighter than my Old Suzuki S83. and they have a big weight difference. the heads on the Suzuki were much taller and on a standstill she always felt like a tipper. I only dropped my first 1800X (2002 Sunset Orange Retro) on wet grass once, engine guards saved the day. Had a huge laugh after I inspected her to make sure she didn't get dinged.
Thanks for watching and subscribe! I have 7 bikes now. The vtx1800 definitely feels way heavier than any of my other bikes, but its not a big deal since im tall and heavy myself
.. First bike was Suzuki C50T 805 cc Went and got a 2nd bike same Specs 2016 Boulevard 97 miles thought of the BMW K1200 but didn't want high maintenance costs Like the VTX thought about the C109RT Boulevard Spoke with other cyclists including police Riders so started looking at the Gold Wing Just out of luck the Valkyrie became available So I pick mine up tmr Looking like it'll be my last bike Thanks for your video way Kool ...
what side bags do you have on the Valkyrie? they look great! I currently have the Corbin beetle bags, but I don't like the looks of them. they make the bike look like a bumble bee from behind.
Thanks for watching and subscribe! They are the tourer trim ones, the windshield and saddle bags are original honda parts that come with the “tourer” trim. They are very nice looking and high quality. I sold the bike but stay tuned i still have several bikes
I also have a 04 1800s and my other bikes are concours 1400 and 1000. The vtx feel way lighter than both my concours. Especially the 1000 with its7.5 gallon tank. The thing that the vtx does is pull hard at low rpm’s and keeps pulling. My concours are high revving inline 4cyl’s and way more hp. The 1400 I have is almost double the hp. The 1000 is extremely top heavy but I road it all over the country on a 4 month trip and did nothing but change oil and put gas in it.
Thanks for watching and subscribe! I actually sold my vtx1800 , but still have my vtx1300. The 1800 is much more powerful, but the vtx1300 is much lighter and less “top heavy “ than the 1800. Check out my current 4 bikes in my garage!
The only thing throwing me off valkyrie are carbs... Noone around knows how to do carbs, i dont have time to learn them and injected vtx will be my choice for turn the key and just go, without any concerns
I had a ‘99 Valk Tourer and ended up selling it. Couldn’t adjust to making every other ride a trip to the gas station to fill that large tank. The thing burned as much fuel as my Ford Expedition. Let that sink in.
Thanks for watching and subscribe. To me the Valkyrie is far more enjoyable to ride, the throttle response is real nice and feels like a precision machine, the vtx1800 feels kinda plain in comparison (like other vtwin cruisers). Most people who own both bikes say they prefer riding the valkyrie
The only drawback to the Valkyrie (besides being huge) is finding someone who will sort out the carbs. When sorted they run sweet! A small sports car with that drivetrain would be cool.
Mine ran sweet, and revs very fast. I think they dont maintenance as much as people think, for the 1 year I owned mine it was always reliable and all i did was change the oil once. Amazing motorcycle but i sold it to make room in my garage. Subscribe!
DavidWilder Is the Carb master Jared Hinkle is also. Just take the car back off the bike mail it to him when it comes back it is absolutely perfect and put it back on and enjoy
The last year for the Valkyrie Tourer model was 2000, so your 2003 has had the saddlebags and windshield added to make it a "Tourer". Original Tourer models have a "Tourer" emblem on the windshield, and the rear fender does not have reflectors on the sides because the reflectors are provided by the saddlebags. Regardless, nice bikes, both!
Thanks for watching and subscribe! I did know that my bike had the tourer accessories added to it, but its really the same thing. However, i did not know that 2000 is the last year they made the tourer trim
Thanks for watching and subscribe! I sold both bikes now, currently i own a grom, fz07, and a vtx1300c… I know the valkyrie was a special bike but I really didn’t want to eventually spend money on it for the carbs or front shocks since it is getting to be an older bike and I didn’t really ride much!
Thanks for watching and subscribe so you can check out all my other bikes. I’ll be honest, the bike came with them on there and i no longer own those 2 bikes so i dont know which footpegs those are (i believe my vtx1800 had alot of cobra brand parts that were high quality!). Check out my channel!
Thanks for watching and subscribe! There are some 6cyl honda motorcycles with over 300,000 miles on them! I love how fast and precise the 6cyl feels, the throttle response is super fast compared to the vtwin
Thanks for watching and subscribe! Yeah i agree, the Valkyrie is a special bike and extremely high quality. I currently have 3 other motorcycles, and an electric bike check out my channel if you want to
Thanks for watching and subscribe! Yes i know the Valkyrie is a much more lively and special machine, but both are very high quality in their own way. In the video you probably cant tell, but the Valkyrie was like 7/10 in terms of condition and has some corrosion, whereas the 1800 was a 10/10 , literally like new.
I like the V2 more. Because of the Sound while driving. I've also a vtx1800 , a 1800 Intruder and a bmwk1600gt. The cruiser only for coffee tours and the 6Zyl. Bmw for the grand Tour
Love my 05 1800n2. I'm sure the valkrie handles better, lower center of gravity and I know it's quicker. Just hate the riding position. Mid controls on the valkrie and the width of that motor was a no go for me. Just like a goldwing or f6b, hate the riding position. If i wanted mid controls, I'd just go with a st1300. As far as the vibration factor, compared to my fxdfse harley, the vibration is next to none. And how you can compare a six cylinder to a 2 cylinder is beyond me. 2 totallly different bikes meant for 2 totally different riding experiences. My VTX has never left me wanting for more power. You just need to know how to ride it.
Thanks for watching and subscribe. I compared them because they are around the same size, both have big engines, and both sold by the same company at the same time.
I just rode my son's 1800 for the first time the other day and I was really surprised at how much I didn't like it. It's a real brute with lots of power but I found the ride quality to be harsh and unrefined. Not what I expected from a Honda and made me wonder if they're all like that.
Thanks for watching and subscribe! They’re definitely not all harsh and unrefined… mine is smooth and suspension is nice, they are older bikes but definitely some nice ones out there
