[joeyb]

Hello,

Took a 2014 for a test ride the other day. Felt like a Datsun 810 on 2 wheels. Smoothest strongest bike I ever rode. Anyhow 5 miles isn't a heck of a lot to decide on buying one of these machines so I thought I'd ask a few questions.

How does this bike.compare to a Gold Wing or an F6B for long distance comfort. That is seating position. I had K1200LT with a Russel Day Long seat custom fit to my rear end and still had back pain and male equipment fatigue. Traded it for a Road Glide. I like the Harley for the way it sits but its like riding a boiler down the road and it's going bye bye. Anyhow, Im a rider and not a bar hopper . Like to go long and far if my back, rear end, and business can take it.

I have ridden a Gold Wing but only around a country block about 4 years ago. Felt a little confined. The Valkyrie seemed to be less confining but I was getting such a charge out its power I forgot to pay attention to how far forward I was leaning.

Any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated .

 

[shrubbo]

Hiya. I have not ridden a Gold wing so I can't compare but I can tell you my own personal experience. Your miles may/will vary.

The seat is horrible. Felt great for the 40k or so then it just goes south in a big way. After a 70k stretch I was a fair way in the other direction from happy and ended up getting my seat reshaped to alleviate the pressure points. That allowed me to do 1100k+ day trips but I wanted something better. I have a Corbin saddle on order as we speak.

I like the seating position and I have no complaints except the pain in the butt. I have the Rivco Aero hwy pegs installed so I can stretch my legs on the longer stretches. These where a great addition for me. No back pain to speak of.

I love the handling of the thing. It was very surprising for me the first time. I have titanium peg savers installed so there is an opportunity to go nuts or to have that extra bit of lean if you stuffed it up.

Note: After market stuff is few and far between.

Anyway it is all really subjective so best of luck to you. Personally I love this bike.

 

[mrtappan]

Realistically, you'd probably be happier with an F6B. They don't feel as "cramped" as a Goldwing thanks to the lack of a full rear seat/trunk. They are basically the same bike. Performance is almost identical (possibly better if you get an F6B with exhaust/fuel remapping).

The Valkyrie, in my opinion, was a bike that looked to me on paper like it would do "Everything I wanted." In reality, it's a decent bike..... that died early due to no aftermarket support. I bought mine based on the old Valkyrie having a huge amount of aftermarket support but that didn't happen for this model. The 2014/2015 Valkyrie is basically "an optionless F6B" to me. For reasons unknown, Honda failed to put cruise, reverse, and a center stand on them. All things that wouldn't affect the overall look of the bike but would have made it far more functional. Even now, finding OEM accessories for the Valkyries is a bit hit and miss.

Mechanically, I have no complaints. Since they have the redesigned (2007+) alternator drive gear, they shouldn't have any major problems in the long run. Maintenance is minimal and easy. Occasionally they need valve adjustment due to the solid lifters but its fairly easy to do even for a novice mechanic. There are plenty of videos about repairs for the Goldwing/F6B which apply to the Valkyrie. Other than the air box setup on top of the engine, they are mechanically identical. Doing an oil change on a Valkyrie/GW/F6B is, without exaggeration, a ten minute job. They handle well, but so does the F6B and Goldwing. The only slight "mechanical" advantage I see the Valkyrie having is the lack of body panels you have to remove to do stuff. Sure it's a bunch.... but it's no Goldwing. I have to lay down a tarp in the shop to keep track of all the junk that comes off a Goldwing to work on it.

 

[Sleepngbear]

I haven't actually ridden a Wing or F6B, but I've sat on a few of each. As has been noted, the Valkyrie seating position is a bit less cramped, with a slightly more forward reach to the bars. Now I don't like a long reach and have swapped bars and risers on many other bikes I've owned, but I find the Valk's riding position very comfortable. The slight forward lean actually helps with no windshield. It all works so well that I currently have no plans for a windshield.

The seat, on the other hand, leaves something to be desired. I can go a couple of hours at most before major butt-burn sets in, mostly on my tailbone. I'm probably going to look into a Corbin over the winter, but I may check out other options too, like Mean City Cycles, who's done awesome work on a couple of other seats for me.

Other than the seat, I just can't say enough about this bike.

 

[postoak]

When I first got my Valkyrie, I was squirming after 45 minutes in the saddle. But I think it must conform to your butt after a while. I did a 2 1/2 hour ride today and never thought about seat comfort. It's not a bike I'd get as a touring bike though. I find the straight up and down body position to get fatiguing after a while. Note that the Yamaha FJR1300, one of the most successful tourers ever, has a 11 degree forward lean for someone with my dimensions. Also note that some of the low-distance tourers that have no body forward lean have seat backs to aide in comfort.

 

[bigbird]

I own an F6B, have driven a few full 'Wings, and have test driven a Valk for about an hour.

My feelings are, if you want an around town hot rod that is very powerful, smooth as silk, and decent handling for its weight, the Valk is the way to go.
If you plan anything longer than an hour on the highway, the F6B is the bike.
If you want to cross the country with a passenger and all the comforts of home, the full 'Wing is the machine.

The full 'Wing's seat was too short and uncomfortable for me; its stepped ridge dug into my lower back.
The F6B seat is large, wide, and easy to slide around on.
The Valk's seat was harder and thinner, not as comfortable for me.

The F6B's combination of good wind protection (with an aftermarket windscreen, of course), the audio system, cruise, and the hard side bags make it a great highway bike.
The Valk is missing all of those things.

 

[joeyb]

Thanks for the inputs. Went and looked at F6B today. The Valkyrie is pretty cool but I'm probably going to have to go with something a little more old mannish. I do like the lack of bs on the Valkyrie. Except it needs a windshield which I have seen is possible. Plus the corbin bags and seats and maybe my Road Glide tour pac with some mounting mods. I'll have to read up on handle bar riser possiblility's

 

[145236]

An F6C VALKYRIE with detachable luggage is what works best for me. [ Givi v46 top case ]
I am planing to mount Givi side cases in the winter.
Right now I'm trying to spend all my free time riding in what's left of this season.
other possible projects include the install of Honda CTX1300 handle bars and switches plus exhaust mods.

 

[MURICA]

I like that rack, who makes it? I'm sure the aftermarket will pickup too no, it's only a 2yr old model, and a Honda, so that's a huge plus I'd imagine.

 

[145236]

The rack is a genuine Honda rear carrier for the F6C Valkyrie. It also has a Givi "Monokey" universal mount bolted to it. It is a very solid trunk holder