Submitted by  J. Moore

It all started one early morning in Florida. 4 riders and 3 trailering. 7 Harley's (2000 Ultras) and one lonely Valk Interstate. (Fat Lady) Daylight had just peeked its head over the horizon as we pulled onto the interstate.  I listened to the jabs and sticks about the rice burner, as the loud piped slow moving HD pulled out. I waited like a Cheetah stalking it's prey for the right moment.. Then without warning the Fat Lady with a mind of her own throttled down and zzzzrrroooooomws by the HD's with ease. I asked the guys in the truck why they didn't ride (600 miles) they said what if someone breaks down? was the reply. On a Valk not Hardley, but then I recalled on the last several trips to the mountains, HD's did tend to break down. Now keep in mind these are all (7) brand new with less than 5000 miles on any of them.  

We pulled into the metropolis of Atlanta on Hwy 285, my bladder was speaking loudly to me so I used my CB, to alert the HD guys of my stop. They all laughed about the old guys bladder (50). I said I would catch up, no problem with the Lady. I stopped, took care of business. I got back on the 285 and hammered down. Traffic was a little thick (understatement) and I kept announcing my presence over the CB. Thinking I was really behind I gave the Lady a little more fuel and we breezed through and around Atlanta. No sign of the HD boys. I decided after being stuck in traffic in a small Georgia town just outside of Atlanta (our pre-determined route) I had missed them and they were too far ahead. So I settled back for a great Valk ride. At 7pm I pulled into our destination Bryson City N.C. I went to the hotel guess what no HD's. I finally made a few phone calls back to Florida and found out one of the HD's broke in Atlanta. (Good thing they brought the trailer). They pulled into the hotel around Midnight, and weren't making as many jokes about the Fat Lady but they still hadn't learned their lesson. 

Meanwhile I continued my strategy of lying low and waiting. I humbly rode my Valk in the back of the pack, mainly to pick up parts off the HD as they fell off (just kidding, not that many parts fell off). We rode to the HD dealer in Asheville to LOOK at Harley's I said "lets go to Hendersonville to the Big Honda Dealer, they whined and moaned but we went. However (the plot thickens here) Everyone was riding on Hwy 40 (less one broke HD that was still in Atlanta.) When all of a sudden one of the HD boys wasn't with the pack. We couldn't raise him on the CB. I contacted a Trucker on 19 and he said he saw a HD on the side of the rode behind us. What could this mean????? We turned around and met with our brother. The HD wouldn't go. His bike still had a one week warranty left (the Atlanta break down didn't) They called HD and took his bike back to Asheville. The electrical system was broke (starter) had to leave it over night. What to do? We are only 50 miles from the hotel, no truck, just 5 Harley's now and one Valk!  . No you say!!! Yes I say !!! Would the HD guy ride on the back of the Fat Lady?????? The answer isn't that easy, the HD mechanic was appalled that he would even think of such an abomination. However, extra money for a hotel, food. The HD mechanic finally told him shave your legs and he climbed on the back of the LADY. 

Oh, OH, Oh, I can't begin to tell the ridicule he endured. The HD guy's turned on him. It was like a pack of wolves turning and eating their own. Whistles, he was called sweet thing and other things I can't repeat on this "G" rated story page. Needless to say he was impressed with the Lady. Two people each over 200 lbs. and the Valk went up the mountains with ease. (I could almost here her laughing) She sensed the moment was hers. When we finally got to the Honda Dealer in Hendersonville the HD guy's were impressed with the Valks and some began changing there tune. 

Now that the trip is over and we are home one guy has his Ultra up for sale and another sold his and is buying a Valk. The Fat lady performed like the Lady she is, I rode back by myself 600 miles (11 hrs) No problems. This is a true story, I was an Ultra Classic owner, my HD broke down last year in Panama City in front of the Honda dealer I traded on the spot for the Valk Interstate and have not looked back. HD look nice, sound fast, but the Valk is nice, is fast and out performs all other bikes in it’s class, but that is just one humble guys opinion.