Saving for that down payment...

[dr_bar]

what will a $20,000.00 bike do that the virago in your avatar wont do????

Depelete his funds by 20k...

Then again maybe he's after a full dress tourer. In which case I'd almost understand, those are some purty bikes.

Yup, purty it is...

[Sev]

Haha, I'm smarter then I thought

[bikeguy joe]

Haha, I'm smarter then I thought

See, I told ya'......

[paul246]

dr_bar

That's a beautiful bike you've selected, plus, IMHO, an excellent value for the buck. I have always admired that V-4 for its smoothness and durability. Very nice indeed. You might consider a used bike that again, IMHO, is an even better machine. You can pick up a good used Valkyrie Interstate for about half the cost of a new Royal Star. Both of these bikes have great reviews, but the Valkyrie always comes out tops. Stand out areas include roll on power, handling and brakes. I have ridden both of these bikes and I own a Valkyrie standard. As far as longevity no worry, some fellows are at the 300K mile point and have yet to do anything to the engine other than regular maintenance.

[scan]

Paul - I have to say I have a thing for the Valkerie, and was angered by its demise by Honda development, but it really is mostly for very big riders. I was at the dealership drooling over a black "F6" with a full dressed package. I sat on it and the weight wasn't really my issue. It was the highway pegs! I had to sit like I was a female at the Gyno and my inner legs had to rest on the engine. I think a football player or basketball guy would not have this issue, but most people could not reasonablly mount usable highway bars. For those who don't give a tar about highway bars, it is a great highway bike (speed, perfomance, and stability. They made good use of that Goldwing powerplant. It is a most beautiful bike, and the engine is smooooooooooth. Opposed 6 is sweet. Cruisers are not my flavor, but I love any standout bike, and the Valkerie was a standout bike for sure.

[Gummiente]

Paul - I have to say I have a thing for the Valkerie, and was angered by its demise by Honda development

That was a puzzling move on their part, for sure. I test rode a Valkyrie the first year they came out and while it wasn't my cup of tea it was a VERY impressive ride. What really baffles me is that whole "Rune" thing... what a gawdawful looking bike that is! Local Honda dealer still has a brand new '04 sitting in the showroom, unloved and unwanted.

[scan]

Paul - I have to say I have a thing for the Valkerie, and was angered by its demise by Honda development

That was a puzzling move on their part, for sure. I test rode a Valkyrie the first year they came out and while it wasn't my cup of tea it was a VERY impressive ride. What really baffles me is that whole "Rune" thing... what a gawdawful looking bike that is! Local Honda dealer still has a brand new '04 sitting in the showroom, unloved and unwanted.

Yeah, here in Ohio too! At my local dealer we have a Rune - untouched. I have never even thought about that bike. It is too exoctic, and useless for anything but "bar posing".

[paul246]

With reference to the Rune; we Valkyrie riders really don't consider the Rune to be a Valkyrie, totally different bike altogether. But don't dismiss the Rune so quickly as a lost child, it was a styling exercise married with the best technology to prove what a large corporation is capable of producing in small numbers. Honda did it because they can and periodically will produce exotics. The 1800cc engine is absolutely magnificent, the front fork, while not necessarily to everyones' taste performs brilliantly, and there is enough available torque at any point to launch it like a missile. It is a narrow focus speciality bike that was built by capable and qualified engineers. It may seem expensive at around 25KUSD, but consider the R+D and proven high performance capability of the Rune when comparing it to the plethoria of 65K plus customs out there.

BTW, sorry to move this thread further off topic.

[dr_bar]

You can pick up a good used Valkyrie Interstate for about half the cost of a new Royal Star. Both of these bikes have great reviews, but the Valkyrie always comes out tops.

The only thing I didn't like was the fact that in order to stretch out your legs, as scan said, you need those darn highway pegs. I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would pay for a fairing, then be forced to stick your legs out into the slipstream to get comfortable. With the Venture's V-4 configuration, there isn't that problem, as there is plenty of room behind the fairing to stretch out. Although, with that said, the Valkerie is a beautiful bike.

[cb360]

Those are some beautiful bikes. Maybe one day I'll have a bike like that - I bet they're a lot of fun.