Lets start at the beginning. I have been riding for about 5 years now and have owned 6 bikes. That's right 6 bikes in 5 years. Now that I'm on a Valkyrie that trend of finding a new bike every year is going to end. I started out riding sport bikes and went through an old Yamaha FZ 700, then a Honda VFR 750, and a Honda VFR 800. I loved the speed and performance but didn't like the lack of comfort, the poor two up riding, and the whole "you own a crotch rocket so you must be going through a mid-life crisis". I also didn't feel a particular bond with other sport bike riders since most were much younger than I (I just turned 35). So, I traded in my VFR 800 for a Honda Shadow Spirit 1100. Great bike with better two up riding and comfort but no performance. I found myself missing some of the fun of motorcycling and getting bored. Now, don't get the wrong impression here. I'm not one of those people who has to go 100 mph to have fun on a bike but I do like to feel a little jolt when I twist my right wrist. 

With the depression of not being able to find the right bike setting in I tried to compromise my need for performance with my need for comfort and two up riding by getting a standard (now referred to as naked) bike. I traded my Shadow in on a Suzuki Bandit 1200. This bike has all kinds of performance but still lacked the other qualities that I wanted not to mention the fact that it has very little in the way of styling. This was my low point. I was almost at the point of giving up the sport of riding.  Then I got lucky.

I was wondering around my local Honda Dealer when Jamie (the salesman who had sold me several bikes) showed me a used "98" Valkyrie. He told me that I could take it out for a couple of hours but warned me that if I got on this bike I would come back and buy it on the spot. Well, he was only half right. I rode the Valk and instantly fell in love. It was all there!  Performance, handling, comfort, and incredible head turning styling. I came back to the shop and told Jamie I was hooked. I was so taken that I decided not to buy the used Valk but rather to purchase the brand new one on the show room floor. Two days later I was riding home on my new bike with the biggest grin I have ever had on my face. As they say, this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship. 

A few weeks later I stumbled across this site and instantly joined (VRCC #7499). What a BONUS! Not only do I feel like I own the best bike ever made but I also feel like I belong to this wonderful collection of people  who share a common love. I have posted messages on the site and received very helpful responses. I have read a posting from a member who has lost a loved one and then read the flood of responses from concerned members. I have participated in the Chat Room and received a warm welcome from everyone. Like I said, a great group of people!

So now I find myself happier and more excited about motorcycling than I have ever been in my like. I can't wait until July so I can take off for Ohio and meet some of you in person. 

Life is good again.       

So Thank You Honda for making the Valkyrie. Please don't ever consider discontinuing the line. But more importantly Thank you VRCC and its members for making me feel welcome in your group and bringing me a part of this sport that I didn't think I would ever have. A true sense of family. 

Sincerely

Ron H. (VRCC #7499)