Some bikes just feel right from the first ride, and the '98 Valkyrie Tourer is such a motorcycle. From the moment you sit on the comfortable wide seat, place your feet on the large rubber covered pegs it's love at first ride. The bike will cruise around town effortlessly, as the long low chassis with it's very comfortable seating position just feels natural. The first time you twist the throttle and pump large quantities of fuel to the 1520cc liquid-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine you'll more than likely giggle as we did. The engine pulls everywhere but hits even stronger from 3,500 RPM up to the rev limiter which kicks in at about 7,500 rpm. What could be better than a civil and comfortable cruiser with enough power to rip your arms off - or to flat track across a dry lake as in Honda's TV commercial. Built around a pumped up Gold Wing engine, the Valkyrie certainly carries it's own special character. The large displacement engine is fed by six separate 28mm CV carbs, the cam timing is more radical, redline is higher, and the cruiser uses a more free flowing six-into-six exhaust system which produces an exhaust note all its own. Valve adjustment is by screw and lock-nut adjusters, camshafts are belt driven and the alternator pumps out a whopping 546 watts. The Touring model adds a full-size windshield and saddlebags over the standard model.The most memorable aspect of this bike, aside from its stump pulling power, is how this unique package blends so well to produce an extremely competent motorcycle. Though it takes more steering input than say a standard motorcycle, handling is sharp and rather quick for a bike of this size. The bike is nimble in most parking lot situations as well as extremely competent, stable, and balanced on the highway.The windshield is one of the best we've ridden behind - bar none. There's no visible distortion, and it doesn't cause any noticeable swirling of the air like with some full screens. After numerous careful washings, the windscreen held up well with no noticeable scratches appearing. This windscreen provides very good protection from the elemants. In fact, you could travel just about anywhere with a pair of riding pants, winter gloves and an electric vest.
