@NicePantsLance - until BMW came out with their K1600, the Honda F6C and CBX 1000 were the smoothest bike engines ever made. The only thing that makes the BMW better, is a deeper scrub angle. If you're not looking to carve deep, I still prefer the F6C. 100k miles is nothing for those engines. The main thing, is to have the carbs tuned for modern gas. Most gas is E10 now... which runs a tad lean on carbs calibrated prior to 2008. It also doesn't lubricate the top cylinder as well. 1997 is the year to own (first year production). They changed the cams in 1998 for better bottom end torque, and lost a lot of throttle response. The cams are a direct swap. Should you ever decide to service them, order the 1997 part number. It'll probably be a voluntary thing... as I've seen these engines with over 200k miles and no rebuild.
Thats wild!! You have a ton of knowledge on Valks 👌 ive always wanted to try one of those K1600's!! The sad part is i dont have any bmw dealers near me 🥲
@NicePantsLance - highly recommended. I like BMWs in general. They build bikes for the rider... not for magazine headlines. Stable, smooth, forgiving... they check all the boxes to build confidence. They've mastered the art of suspension geometry/tuning in nearly every class.
This is a GoldWing cruiser, so 250,000 miles on it would be no problem with regular maintenance and expect another 150,000 miles. What a fantastic bike for a niche crowd.
You should try slowing down to 35mph in 5th gear and then just roll the throttle back up to the desired speed, no bogging down. The gearing on this bike is awesome. Not like any other bike, which you have to down shift to get that smooth acceleration. I have a 2003 with a car tire on the rear. We call that the dark side. Handles great.
Do you have to run cage rubbers at super low PSI? I just don't get how cornering traction works with a square profile tyre. Maybe it doesn't and that's the point? 😂
I just bought my first Valk, it’s a ‘99 interstate. Honestly I had no idea what I was getting, so in love with this thing. My other bikes are already jealous
The Valkyrie has always been one of my favorites, actually thinking about buying one right now. Good video brother but hey some constructive criticism, clean your windscreens for your videos, and Sean at bikes and beards would probably not belch during a review.😂other than that still slapping the like button.
Hahaha fair play 😁 if it means anything, i gave my buddy a ton of crap for not cleaning his bike before letting me use it! Ive since bought the bike from him so now the windshield is completely removed 😁
@@NicePantsLance you won't regret it. No ethanol gas is a must,I have never had a carb problem. Was at Doc's legal country drags on Sunday My wife wants me to run the valk next year!! Big fun!!!
Cool fact: the Valkyrie was an American-built motorcycle. Oddly enough, they built a few of them equipped with a reverse, that worked like the old Goldwing reverse (side shift that used the starter motor for power)... stranger still, is how reverse was only available on export models.
Wow very good to know! I've heard that these were more American than some of the Harleys of the time. Reverse is a neat function! I've never really needed it myself, but its wild how technologically advanced Honda was back in the 90's
It's amazing isn't it? That a two cylinder V will "shake, rattle and roll", but a flat 6 boxer is as smooth as silk... The motor is from the Goldwing, perhaps that's why.... 😅
Man, you get a hold of all of the good bikes. You've got the best network of biker buddies. Great channel, you've been on many bikes I've been interested in. Have you linked up with any over RU-vidrs? All of these uploads are fun and informative.
Thanks bro 🤘 I appreciate the kind words! Haven't met up with any others. Not too many motovloggers in NY unfortunately lol I will be going to Americade this year so maybe I'll bump into a few!
Nice bike I went from Harleys to gold wings to Valkyrie. Everything you say is true, until you ride one you just don't know. It's a whole different riding experience, I don't know why that bike never took off better than it did. I never see one out in the wild when I'm riding. So that just makes me look better at all the stops. Ride Hard Die free
I have owned Harleys most of my riding days and that's been since the late 60's early 70's. I have owned two Valkyries in my life until recently, I sold my Harley Softail and bought a 2000 Valkyrie. I am telling you that I loved my Harley's, but this Valkyrie, and the other Valkyrie bikes I have owned are a better riding, more powerful, smoother bike, I doubt I would ever go back to a Harley. The older I get the more I want a smoother more comfortable ride. The mid controls took a little getting used to, but I put a set of Kuryakin ergo Hiway pegs on the engine guard and it made this an incredible ride. If you haven't ridden a Valkyrie you need to ride one to see what he was saying on this video, plus what all the other comments that were said are all about. If I ever get another bike, I will keep this one with the other one. Ride Safe and Ride often!
@@NicePantsLance yes because these machines are setup very good to begin with and we tinker with them and get them out of wack. On a crisp morning it should start right up and it will go right into fast idle without us having to do anything then in a few minutes it should settle down. That choke is there for when it's big time cold. That's all. I've got a supercharger on mine but I'm really thinking about getting an Interstate Model that hasn't been messed with. Just stock. I love the Valkyrie but I also really like my Streetglide. Each of course built on different philosophies excellent by their own right. ENJOY 👍
Could've spent ten minutes cleaning her before making a video that'll last for eternity on the internet. Hurts my heart to see her in such a sorry state... Other than that, nice test ride mate. Maybe a bit to much "oh my goodness" for my liking, but we all have our ticks.
I agree. I would have cleaned it before the video, but its not my bike lol that's the condition it was in when he let me borrow it. I don't wash strangers bikes for free
My condolences! I usually fill her up with 90 octane non-ethanol. Carburetors hate ethanol, so i try to use the non-ethanol stuff. Sometimes gas stations have it labeled as "recreational fuel"
Also you can take a lot of that mass off fiberglass rear fender front fender though I said a ape hangers on it lose that light bar you know things like that. A smaller seat makes the world a difference. I know the first thing I had to take off mine was the stock bars. Those have got to be the most uncomfortable bends I've ever ridden. 10 inch Apes with a set of Built Well grips. Stainless steel lines, EBC brakes, cyclops 10,000 watt lumens headlight. It's good to put everything on there lightwise as bright as you can. Riding in the city can be rough at night if no one sees you.
When i do these reviews, im just telling you what im feeling at the time. Besides, i literally OWN the bike now lol Its not that there's vibration in the entire bike. Its just that you feel vibes in the handlebars when you give it the business at low rpms. Otherwise its so still that you could balance a wine glass off the cylinder heads and give it a rev without spilling 👍
You can still find basic maintenance items in store, but its getting hard to find other parts. Its better to shop for parts in the facebook buy/sell groups
Pff Notting sounds better then a honda cbx1050 6-6 excaust. Also biggest baddest muscle cruiser will be a bosshoss also feels like driving a us refrigerator
@@NicePantsLance yeah I’ve had a few rocket 3’s always fancied trying a Valkyrie because of the sound of it but feel after having the rocket I’d be disappointed.
I will admit, the Valkyrie engine sounds fantastic. Even more so than the Rocket, and I love how the rocket sounds. That flat-6 motor has a power delivery that's so buttery smooth its unbelievable. A ton of power and torque, and it's got a very linear and usable powerband. If massive torque isn't a priority, the Valkyrie might actually be a better option! I am biased though, I used to own a 2018 Rocket 3 and it's still the best bike I've ever ridden
I blasted the owner for giving me a dirty bike lol I wouldnt be caught dead detailing another mans bike just for a short video. Good news is that i now own the bike and i took off the windshield 😁
@NicePantsLance more cracking without. Just a little louder drilling the holes a little bigger. From the factory the baffling wasn't punched through all the way on some of them.
Try reading the video title next time. This is a First Ride video, not a "Honda Valkyrie Raw Audio" video. If you want pure exhaust sound, try looking up a video that says it. This is a ride and review type video. Don't blame me because you didn't read the title and description
I wish my Valkyrie had a sixth gear! As it stands I can already vanish off the starting line, blink and you'll miss me! Add a sixth gear for low RPM highway cruising to save on gas and I'd be ecstatic.
I absolutely love my Valkyrie but I sure wish it had better fuel range, if you ride aggressively she’s a thirsty girl…. I’ve gotten as little as 17 mpg! 😱
You want to see smooth, with it on the side stand,stand a nickel on the right valve cover then start the bike and Rev it. I had my valkyre for 19 years and miss it terribly..
@@NicePantsLance you can get a goldwing in like sport trim or something that comes with no cases or backrest or any extras, which is probably the closest you'll get to a 2022 valkyrie, when they brought back the valkyrie in like 2013 or 2014 it was the same flat six 1800 and same frame as the goldwing
I know I'm a little late to the party but, I really loved your reaction to this motorcycle!! Those Cobra 6 into 6 pipes sounds spectacular. I had a 2014 F6B goldwing 1800. That thing rolled like a fat sport bike lol. 😎
Just watched your video, nice work. I live in Greece NY and have a 97 Valkyrie. I haven't seen your friend's bike around, the old style are not common. Maybe I'll see him at a bike night or something.
Just make sure thats all thats wrong with it! It seems pretty suspicious that *only* the forks bent after rear-ending something, but if everything else truly checks out then its a steal! 🤘
Have a 93 GL1500SE, and a 99 Valkyrie interstate, only motors I’m aware that you can place a nickel on its edge while engine is running and it would stand there.
“The bike is huge”…. Yeah size matters. Search honda nickel trick. Bike is heavy, but extremely well balanced and easy to ride. With a little practice, they are pretty manuverable…just takes practice. I agree about best sounding motorcycle. The bikes are amazing Nice video
Oh....the sound. I guess that sh-t will end when they jam electric bikes down our throats. WILL NOT give in to that. The mechanical nature is a big part of it for me.
