[TheTaylorEffect]

In the two short weeks I've had my 2014, I have been really surprised by attention it draws (which is not something I was looking for - and definitely not something I'm used to).

People are generally pretty polite about it, but the number one question seems to be "Hey, what the hell is that thing?" or if someone is familiar with the bike the very close seconds is "Don't see too many of those around."

For those of you that have owned your GL1800C's for years: is this common?
Any funny stories you'd be willing to share?

 

[Richmonder]

Because the badging on the Valk is so limited, it can be hard to discern just exactly what it is. You have to get pretty close to see the "VALKYRIE" insignia on the side panels, and otherwise all there is is the sticker on the back fender and the Honda wing symbol on the radiator pod covers. So, unless one is pretty familiar with this model, it can be hard to figure out what it is. Even the "VALKYRIE" insignia may not be enough to clue many people in to what it is.

I get a lot of compliments when I'm just hanging around places. People will come up and ask all kinds of questions about it. I think mine was the first one my local dealer had seen in its shop, and to my knowledge, it's the only one in town (Richmond, VA), though I have seen one F6B. When I first got it, I was rolling it out of the driveway when a neighborhood guy I had never seen before came riding down the street on a Honda Monkey. We both stopped in our tracks and looked at each other. He was first to speak, and said "Is that a VALKYRIE?!" I said yes, and he couldn't believe his eyes. I was astounded that someone actually knew what it was. And we became friends immediately. Turns out he lives about three blocks away from me, and had we not had that chance encounter, we may never have met. I find that when people are really curious and I start telling them of the 6-cylinder horizontal opposition, they're just blown away. I always say the bike is a wolf in sheep's clothing, and it belies the monster within.

That said, I don't believe you ever formally introduced yourself here. Please do so, and throw up some pics and post on the VIN# thread!

Richmonder

 

[tngarren]

There are only a few bike pics that you can post on an H-D forum and not be scorned: V-Max, Rocket III, 2nd Gen Valk. Most will not recognize the Valk but it strikes fear in their hearts nonetheless

 

[Buster]

Many people think mine is a 2018 generation GoldWing and want to know if it is DCT.

 

[KUGO]

After riding a blacked-out HD "customized just like everyone else's" dresser for many years, I've had fun with this bike in regards to the OP's comment. I have very subtly personalized my '14 black model so that there is no badge or other indication anywhere visible on the bike that says "HONDA". None. I left the "Valkyrie" insignias on the sidepods, but blacked out the letters themselves on the outward-facing aspect of the insignia, i.e. the chrome side parts of the lettering are still there and make a nice outline of the name without shouting it. I've never posted photos of any kind here, but I'll maybe get motivated enough to try in coming weeks if any are interested. The name of my bike, which appears on the start-up display, is Mjolnir. The round red Honda wing tank side-emblems are covered with custom decals that are Norse compass points in black and gold, as is the gas tank emblem, but with a silver medallion, struck with the same compass, epoxied to the external gas flap over the HONDA announcement. The engine casing's "HONDA"s are replaced with Rivco pegs and the included replacement casing panels with no badging, and my "HONDA" on the back fender has been replaced with a Nordic symbol of the Mjolnir. People walk around it and rarely come up with its true identity, unless they are Honda/Wing/Valk mavens. The flat-six always brings questions of Bimmers, but most just guess away incoherently. All seem suitably impressed. "Don't know what it is, but it's bad-ass" is a common comment. Again, don't see any reason to replace this bike with something less fun. Keep 'em guessin'!

 

[Tazmool]

I did something similar with my Valk, de-badge and black out, love the look and most people don't know what bike it is, only the "Valkyrie" badge tipps off anyone who knows of the bike.

I like the idea of blacking out the Valkyrie badge as well... hmm....

Tazmool

 

[KUGO]

I did something similar with my Valk, de-badge and black out, love the look and most people don't know what bike it is, only the "Valkyrie" badge tipps off anyone who knows of the bike.

I like the idea of blacking out the Valkyrie badge as well... hmm....

Tazmool

I used a large, high-quality, black "permanent" marker with the "chisel point" for the Valkyrie lettering black-out. It was easy to apply, you put on however many coats you like (each extra coat decreases translucence a bit; it a cool effect that you can still read the script, but it's not blatant). I left the sides of all the lettering alone. It catches the light, but is still subtle. I park indoors, but I've not had to reapply mine for five years. My bike is black, but some of you may also consider using a blue or red Sharpie marker.

 

[Ride-Of-The-Valkyrie]

In the two short weeks I've had my 2014, I have been really surprised by attention it draws (which is not something I was looking for - and definitely not something I'm used to).

People are generally pretty polite about it, but the number one question seems to be "Hey, what the hell is that thing?" or if someone is familiar with the bike the very close seconds is "Don't see too many of those around."

For those of you that have owned your GL1800C's for years: is this common?
Any funny stories you'd be willing to share?

Yes, it's pretty common in my experience. People have even come up to me in restaurants to ask me about it. This happened just a couple of days ago. I had my helmet sitting on the table and guy came up and asked me about the bike. I think it's great! I think the most common question is "is it a six cylinder?" Also, where are you from and where are going. I'm happy to answer any questions they have.

 

[Geepers]

Most will not recognize the Valk but it strikes fear in their hearts nonetheless

Yup. Just today I pulled up to a red light alongside a Harley with straight through pipes. It went green and he absolutely gassed it, deafening everything within a hundred yards. I sat perfectly upright and silently pulled away from the line, staying exactly alongside him the whole way, staring straight ahead while his machine was screaming it’s rocks off. I could TASTE his frustration 😎