Posted by CS on August 29, 2010, 1:59 pm
Just got home with my new 1999 VI. Picked it up in lower Utah and rode it
back today.
By the way, it's damn HOT in lower Utah. It was between 103 and 108 from
there to Vegas, where we stayed overnight. I was hauling ass to get out of
the heat, I was unfamiliar with the bike, and there were nasty, violent
headwind gusts, so I got less than 20 mpg, and I didn't give a damn. heh
Now I have to rebuild the brakes, get new seats, get a cup holder, and tidy
up a few little things, and she'll be ready to do battle on Los Angeles
freeways.
Seems he was one of those guys who never uses the rear brake, so it's
probably frozen. The fronts work very well, but the fluid is the color of
motor oil. This seems to be typical of Jap bike owners, who think 'low
maintenance' means 'no maintenance.' I'm very glad I watched a mechanic do
my Star calipers, so this time I can do it all myself.
It came with Mustang seats, but no backrest, and they're for shorter guys
anyway. Ultimate makes a seat that sits back further and has a backrest.
Unfortunately, the Valkyrie is unforgiving of tallness.
How the guy survived without a cup holder is beyond me. Brakes and comfort
are minor compared to convenient access to a refreshing beverage.
I can't believe how this thing rides. When I first start it it feels like
the engine is impatient to get going. The straight 6 into 6 pipes sound
great and aren't nearly as loud as most straight pipes I've heard, but I'll
be watching Ebay for some quieter stock pipes. Then again, I'm a little
paranoid about hitting the starter while the bike is running, because I
simply cannot feel the engine.
The seller included Scalia Bluetooth sets for two helmets, oil and two
filters, a cover, tank bra, tool and tire repair kit.
Not bad for $7,800.
Some folks think I was crazy stupid for traveling 400+ miles to buy a bike
based on two bad pictures (the bike looked black in one, blue in the
other...it is black) and a short description. The way I see it, the seller
lives in Utah (very low scumbag-to-honest-person ratio), has a 99.8% chance
of being Mormon (based on location, name, and conversation), and, since I
was driving with my sister, at worst, if I didn't find the bike acceptable,
the worst that would happen is a 240 mile wasted trip and a weekend in
Vegas. Besides, if there's anybody who can do something crazy stupid and
not end up completely screwed, it's me!
CS
Posted by Twibil on August 29, 2010, 2:10 pm
> Just got home with my new 1999 VI. Picked it up in lower Utah and rode it
> back today. (snip)
> CS
Cool!
Thanx for the post.
Posted by The Older Gentleman on August 29, 2010, 2:20 pm
> Just got home with my new 1999 VI. Picked it up in lower Utah and rode it
> back today.
I have a hankering for one of these thigns myself. My neighbour has one.
>
> By the way, it's damn HOT in lower Utah. It was between 103 and 108 from
> there to Vegas, where we stayed overnight. I was hauling ass to get out of
> the heat, I was unfamiliar with the bike, and there were nasty, violent
> headwind gusts, so I got less than 20 mpg, and I didn't give a damn. heh
Jesus. That's worse than my old Kawsaki H1.....
>
> Now I have to rebuild the brakes, get new seats, get a cup holder, and tidy
> up a few little things, and she'll be ready to do battle on Los Angeles
> freeways.
>
> Seems he was one of those guys who never uses the rear brake, so it's
> probably frozen. The fronts work very well, but the fluid is the color of
> motor oil. This seems to be typical of Jap bike owners, who think 'low
> maintenance' means 'no maintenance.' I'm very glad I watched a mechanic do
> my Star calipers, so this time I can do it all myself.
>
> It came with Mustang seats, but no backrest, and they're for shorter guys
> anyway. Ultimate makes a seat that sits back further and has a backrest.
> Unfortunately, the Valkyrie is unforgiving of tallness.
>
> How the guy survived without a cup holder is beyond me. Brakes and comfort
> are minor compared to convenient access to a refreshing beverage.
Um, in that heat, I suppose so. It's not a priority fitment on any bike
in Europe....
>
> I can't believe how this thing rides. When I first start it it feels like
> the engine is impatient to get going. The straight 6 into 6 pipes sound
> great and aren't nearly as loud as most straight pipes I've heard, but I'll
> be watching Ebay for some quieter stock pipes. Then again, I'm a little
> paranoid about hitting the starter while the bike is running, because I
> simply cannot feel the engine.
>
> The seller included Scalia Bluetooth sets for two helmets, oil and two
> filters, a cover, tank bra, tool and tire repair kit.
>
> Not bad for $7,800.
About five grand UK. Similar money here, I think.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Kawasaki GT550 Suzuki TS250ERx2 GN250 Damn, back to eight bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
Posted by Vito on August 29, 2010, 2:57 pm
|
| > Just got home with my new 1999 VI. Picked it up in lower Utah and rode
it
| > back today.
>
| > By the way, it's damn HOT in lower Utah. It was between 103 and 108
from
| > there to Vegas, where we stayed overnight. I was hauling ass to get out
of
| > the heat, I was unfamiliar with the bike, and there were nasty, violent
| > headwind gusts, so I got less than 20 mpg, and I didn't give a damn. heh
|
| Jesus. That's worse than my old Kawsaki H1.....
And the main reason I didn't buy one when they came out. Owners I talked to
were getting under 25 mi/gal (US).
| >
| > How the guy survived without a cup holder is beyond me. Brakes and
comfort
| > are minor compared to convenient access to a refreshing beverage.
|
| Um, in that heat, I suppose so. It's not a priority fitment on any bike
| in Europe....
|
Yes, but y'all stop at a pub every 20 miles or so .... <g>.
Posted by The Older Gentleman on August 29, 2010, 3:00 pm
> And the main reason I didn't buy one when they came out. Owners I talked to
> were getting under 25 mi/gal (US).
My neighbour gets about 30-35mpg Imperial, but then he admits he tools
it gently.
> | Um, in that heat, I suppose so. It's not a priority fitment on any bike
> | in Europe....
> |
>
> Yes, but y'all stop at a pub every 20 miles or so .... <g>.
<Shuffles feet>
Guilty as charged.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Kawasaki GT550 Suzuki TS250ERx2 GN250 Damn, back to eight bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
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> back today. (snip)
> CS
Cool!