[postoak]

The one complaint I have about the Valkyrie is that in 1st and 2nd gear the throttle has to be carefully controlled or the ride gets jerky in traffic. I've read that this is due to the way the ECU is programmed in order to reduce emissions. I've also read that putting in O2 Sensor Eliminators can smooth all this out.

Has anyone done this and what was the result?

 

[Kidd]

I'll take off in second or quickly shift into second to eliminate what you are writing about .

First gear is jumpy

 

[mrtappan]

I used first gear the first day I owned the Valkyrie...... after that, I just have always started in second. First gear was so short it was a headache to use.

 

[postoak]

I'm not talking about taking off from a stop but rather when in creeping traffic where you slow down and speed back up over and over again.

 

[headpeon]

You might try adjusting your throttle free play one way or another. Mine doesn't seem to do what your describing at least not compared to other bikes I've owned.

 

[mrtappan]

I just think you're simply not used to how the engine feels. My Valkyrie seems to ride exactly like the countless Goldwings I've ridden. That's nothing unusual. The flat six is a lot more responsive than a Vtwin and maybe even a bit more than some inline fours.

 

[shrubbo]

postoak, I think you hit the nail on the head. It has to be carefully controlled and I think mrtappan may be right unless there is something wrong with yours.

The engine is very responsive so it is going to do what you tell it to do with your right hand very quickly. How could it do anything else unless it had a lot less power? Especially in first gear. You can pull a sailor of your sister with first gear

I have ridden the Valk many times at a crawl and it doesn't seem to be difficult to ride slow and smoothly but it can go to **** quick if you let it especially with the slack in the drive line so carefully controlled it is.

Don't forget you don't need it be in first and second gear, perhaps try a higher gear? I have taken off in 5th on an incline with no shudder so it is not like it won't do it. It is an amazing engine.

 

[postoak]

Now that I have become aware of the issue, I have become more careful about rolling off the throttle as well as rolling on. It's fine.

I got my eliminators in the mail today but doubt I will install them as it is a PITB.

My strategy on use of 1st gear on starts is to use it if I am behind traffic. If I am at the head of the line, I skip it and start from 2nd, quickly switch to 3rd, and then just twist the wrist until I'm as close to the red-line speed of 98 mph as I desire.

I still don't like using 1st when coming to a stop. It delivers a chirp unless you are under 10 mph, and by then you are so close to stopping you might as well just push in the clutch and leave it in until you are at a stop.

 

[mrtappan]

I used to have a V-max and it was bad about barking the tires when down shifting. I never noticed it on the Valkyrie but I don't use first gear. I sometimes shift into it on accident when I'm not paying attention. It's so annoying. It's a useless gear to me. If I was going to do a little stoplight to stoplight racing I might use it but other than that it goes to waste.

 

[Sleepngbear]

Well I paid for a bike with 5 speeds, and g*dd*mm*t I'm gonna use all of 'em.

 

[mrtappan]

I'm trying to keep my first gear in perfect unused condition. I'm hoping they'll come out with a reverse gear and maybe I can trade them out.

 

[shrubbo]

Well I paid for a bike with 5 speeds, and g*dd*mm*t I'm gonna use all of 'em.

hahha me too

 

[turboyoshi]

I'm trying to keep my first gear in perfect unused condition. I'm hoping they'll come out with a reverse gear and maybe I can trade them out.

That actually would be useful to me. I'm just a tad short for this bike, so a reverse gear would be nice to have. I think first gear is somewhat useful though, at least compared to other bikes I've tried. I can cut into heavy traffic and get up to about 40mph before I have to shift. With my m50 I definitely could not do that. Thankfully, I don't have to do that kind of thing very often, but it's nice to have the option. When your bike is your only form of transport, it's important to have such versatility.

 

[mrtappan]

Must be nice to be light..... my first gear doesn't come close to 40mph....... not remotely close......

 

[shrubbo]

I had a play today, first gear is good for around 65kph which is about 40mph. I am a long way from light