Rick’s Valkyrie Road Trip – Travels on the Dark Side
Say ‘Dark Side’ to most people and they think of Star wars. Say it to a Valkyrie rider and they’ll think you’re talking about fitting a car tyre (yes, really) to an F6C.
The following is a rider’s account from Rick, a Valkyrie pilot living in the US.
My first distance trip on the Valk was down to Peoria, Az. from Moses Lake, Wa. I had recently gone darkside after a rear flat, using a Federal 535 directional 205/55/16 tire and figured the best way to break it in was a nice long trip. Left Moses Lake about 9 AM on May 15th, weather was cool but not terribly bad.
Left: Rick’s Valk packed and ready
Had my my doubts about the car tire and the handling but figured you’ll never know if you don’t try. It certainly handles different, not really bad but just different. Didn’t like it at all in the city, with all the tar snakes, ruts, pot holes etc. to be found on highly traveled roads. Seemed pretty squirrely and a bit of a handfull. Darksiders say it takes awhile to break in the tire, and it does indeed.
Day 1
I had planned on taking 3-5 days to get to Peoria, but at the rate I was going, I’m doubting it’ll take that long. Things like getting passed by a Harley, will get the juices flowing and the bike say’s let me loose, ain’t no V-twinkie gonna show me the way. One I flew past him, my senses returned and I settled down to a comfortable 75 or so. With this smooth riding machine and that plush Ultimate seat miles just floated by.So, first day 500+ miles, way cool.
Day 2
Up early to black clouds and a soaked parking lot, but as though the clouds could read my mind, the sky soon cleared. Hit the bricks, following the storm I hoped I wouldn’t catch up with.
Needn’t have worried; the weather stayed fine where I was, just like I wanted it. The motor was humming along and the day was looking good. Took a turn out of Ely and saw a sign saying next fuel stop was 140 miles. Went back and took another route! Scenery was great so it was a blessing.
I was getting more OK with the Car tire. Curves were getting gentler, city riding was kinda like riding a steel grated bridge, let the bike do it’s thing and just relax. I certainly don’t think I’d take it racing but definitely livable. Bike is running flawless, cobra pipes letting the locals know I’m around, but not too loudly.
Yes, that really is a car tyre… welcome to the Dark Side!
Needn’t have worried; the weather stayed fine where I was, just like I wanted it. The motor was humming along and the day was looking good. Took a turn out of Ely and saw a sign saying next fuel stop was 140 miles. Went back and took another route! Scenery was great so it was a blessing.
I was getting more OK with the Car tire. Curves were getting gentler, city riding was kinda like riding a steel grated bridge, let the bike do it’s thing and just relax. I certainly don’t think I’d take it racing but definitely livable. Bike is running flawless, cobra pipes letting the locals know I’m around, but not too loudly.
Yes, that really is a car tyre… welcome to the Dark Side!
Day 3
Fed my belly, loaded my gear, fed the bike and hit the road. ….Holy crap, it was 1pm and I was there already.. I guess I should have done more site seeing, but I find it really difficult to stop, riding my phat lady is just too much fun. This bike is a joy to ride, smooth, comfortable and of course beautifull.
The last few miles were really scary, I thought I’d lost a wheel bearing so some such dastardly thing and really took it easy getting to my daughter’s place. Once I pulled in it was evident what the problem was. I was bring the new AZ roads with me, lol. I peeled the majority of that crud off the tires, and it still took a couple of hundred miles to get it thrown off the tires. Anyway, I had arrived and it had been a blast.
The last few miles were really scary, I thought I’d lost a wheel bearing so some such dastardly thing and really took it easy getting to my daughter’s place. Once I pulled in it was evident what the problem was. I was bring the new AZ roads with me, lol. I peeled the majority of that crud off the tires, and it still took a couple of hundred miles to get it thrown off the tires. Anyway, I had arrived and it had been a blast.
An easy Trip
The trip down was somewhere over 1300 miles, and I could have made it in two days riding without any problem at all.. the car tire is different and I love the look.
I averaged 34 mpg for the trip, used no oil, lost no air and had no problems whatsoever. This bike was meant to be ridden, although cumbersome below 5 mph, especially with the car tire, the weight seems to just disappear once you are rolling.
I certainly like being able to actually see what’s in the rear view mirror and have absolutely no buzz from the handle bars and that associated numbness of the hands. All in all there’s hardly a bike that could have been more pleasure and fun on such a long trip as the Valkyrie.
I averaged 34 mpg for the trip, used no oil, lost no air and had no problems whatsoever. This bike was meant to be ridden, although cumbersome below 5 mph, especially with the car tire, the weight seems to just disappear once you are rolling.
I certainly like being able to actually see what’s in the rear view mirror and have absolutely no buzz from the handle bars and that associated numbness of the hands. All in all there’s hardly a bike that could have been more pleasure and fun on such a long trip as the Valkyrie.