I'm thinking hard??

[FreezyRider]

The other missing "gotta have it" feature of the Valkyrie (at least for me) is self-cancelling turn signals. I'd constantly be "flashing" people if it weren't for those!

[midnightventure]

My DR doesn't have self canceling signals and now I catch myself canceling on the Venture.

[Sunrayman]

Ok, I read all the post and saw it was gone...

 

Yes it was worth nearly the price. BUT, Let me tell you before you plunk down on another you find...

 

I went from a Suzuki 750 GS, to a 1981 Honda Gondwing to the GWRRA Chapter Commander's 1986 Honda Aspencade (all tricked out with tractor trailer lighting back then, which I gave $5,000.00 for my 40th B-Day in Orlando, Fl. - Bike Week Visitor for 15 years straight!)

 

...to a 1999 Honda Valk without the fairing.. which I paid $10,000.00 cash to a meticulous German gent who nearly toothbrushed the thind with 26k miles. When I saw it, I HAD to have it, and he said I p.o'ed about five other guys trying to raise the scratch! The CHROME and MOTOR alone gathered the interest of just about every Harley guy out there due to the non-Harley v-twin motor design but the bad ass looks.

 

I had DIDN'T buy the Interstate due to the UGLY look of the side bags and trunk which looked like afterbirth rather than integration, so I took off the leather-lyke side bags and got tons of compliments, AND since I was taking CAD classes far away in Tampa, I had to RAG on the Valk. After 125mph breaking the fairing worried me.... I imagined the windshield hitting my face in pieces. The bike has GOBS of torque coming out of the hole. THAT's IT.

 

Now, I come to the surprising conclusion, and the REASON I am on this site. Having followed the Goldwings to the logical conclusion interms of looking and acting like a motorcycle rather than something wrapped in fiberglass, ready for scooter outerspace and designed for the FAT lady in the back, I remembered a Venture Royale doing a HUGE wheelie at the traffic light on the way to Bike Week Daytona Beach, 2000, and looking at the sleek design, and integrated electronics, I thought to try to find one after my VALK started to rust on the chrome....

 

I read every word of every magazine published back then and ended up buying sight unseen (just photos) a 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale from Hinshaw Motors f0r $1,600.00 plus $600.00 freight from Oregon to Florida! I called the dealer Sales Manager and he told me to forget buying the $23K Harley Full Dresser and this bike was worth every penny.

 

Ok, when I got used to the top heavy Venture, I rode that thing like it was demon possessed! To work every day in HEAVY Chicago traffic! Till 15 degrees below zero as long as there was no salt or snow! WOW! I have never had such fun on a bike! PERSONALLY, I would buy TWO 1st generation Ventures for $2,500 to $3,500 each in my favorite color, (heh,heh,heh, I have the 1986 "Warthog" and the 1989 "Trailer Queen" brown/black and blue respectively) YES I am biased and I hope you consider this bike before you plunk down on a Valk...

 

By the way, I had the pleasure of sitting on the FIRST V-MAX in Florida at RC Hills Motorcycle Dealership years and years ago. While too young a platform for me, the V-4 has all the torque and top end I have ever wanted) Perfect styling, performance, price, and features.

 

I hope my input makes a difference cause your hard earned $$$$'s will go FAR with a lower priced 1st Gen!!!

 

Sunrayman:sun1: