As I write this, there are three hours left on American Honda Motor’s embargo on posting photos or writing about its new Valkyrie—and I’m amazed there’s nothing yet on the Internet. There’s been no speculation about a new Valk that I could find, so you’re probably as surprised as I was when I got these photos of the new model.
The first Valkyrie used a simple formula well-known to American hot-rod builders: take the frame and motor of a big, heavy car and chop away everything you don’t need. That first iteration was built right here in the USA from 1996-2003 and still has legions of fans. It used the flat-six, liquid-cooled 1520cc motor and five-speed gearbox from the old GL1500 Gold Wing (1988-2000), but with a different tube-steel chassis. It weighed in at 682 pounds dry—much lighter than its touring brother. Owner forums for the Valk are still active (hot topic: using a car tire on the rear wheel), and one thing is clear: these folks love their bikes. They handle well (for something so heavy), are comfortable, reliable, smooth, fast and have a heck of a presence—for a while, it was the biggest, baddest cruiser you could buy. “Surely, with this motorcycle,” speculated Motorcycle.com’s Andy Saunders in 1997, “Honda has reached the limit of cruiser size.” How quaint.
Honda killed the old girl in 2004, but that year a limited-edition custom called the Rune arrived—you may remember it. At $27,000, it was kind of a legacy bike, a made-to-order custom designed more to showcase the brand than to dominate the heavyweight cruiser market. Still, it was good-handling and luxurious-feeling, something Editor Edge and I took great pleasure in riding.
Another possible direction was the EVO6. Honda displayed this concept bike at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, and it made a big splash—how can an 1800cc, six-cylinder sporting standard not? It was missing the clutch lever and gearshifter—would the next Goldwing use an automatic transmission?
If anything, the new Valk is a Rune for the masses, as it uses much the same formula, albeit for a broader audience. The frame, swingarm and powerplant are all from the GL1800, but with lighter, more minimal bodywork. A low 28.8-inch seat and blacked-out one-inch cruiser bars scream “cruiser,” but an 45mm cartridge fork, twin-spar aluminum frame, radial tires (130/60-19 in front, 180/55-17 in back), single-sided Pro-Arm with linkage rear suspension and 310mm discs with four-piston Nissin calipers (that look like what Honda used on its sportbikes from the late ’90s to the mid 2000s) all scream out “sportbike.” After all, the GL1800’s Large Project Leader, Masanori Aoki, came from the sportbike side of Honda, developing bikes like the NSR250R and CBR600F3.
All that development nets a bike that weighs in at 750 pounds—154 pounds lighter than the GL1800. Heavier than the original Valk, perhaps, but it does have a lot more power—the GL1800 makes over 100 ft-lbs of torque at the wheel, and the number stays above 90 from 1500 to 5000 rpm—and a six-gallon tank, bigger than the ‘Wing’s.
Other features include removable passenger seat with grab rail, included solo cover, black-out treatment on the frame and engine, LED lighting (everywhere, including the headlight), a multi-function LCD instrument cluster and those big shrouds covering the side-mounted radiators (which duct heat away from the rider). The styling could be controversial, but it is growing on me, and I actually really like that big front wheel.
Pricing is not yet set, but Honda says it will be in the range of $17,000, undercutting the F6B. It should be available in US dealers next spring. I’m also really looking forward to riding one, but maybe not as much as the many Valkyrie fans—Christmas may have come early for them.
Gabe Ets-Hokin is the Editor of City Bike magazine, and a frequent freelance contributor to MotorcycleDaily.com.
Looks like it has big fat cheeks. Those air cleaner shrouds draw my eye away from what is not a bad-looking bike. I dunno….I am pretty open to all of the new stuff. You can’t fault them for trying new designs but this one is lost on me. Maybe I’m just getting old.
They are not air cleaner shrouds Those are engine heat radiators. Cooling air flows into the front openings and is pulled through the radiators by the low pressure created on the exit side. That is why the extractor side is larger in area, to efficiently pull that hot air out and away into the slipstream.
That ugly piece of scrap metal is NOT a Valkyrie, it’s a rune. Their is nothing but the drive train shared by the two distinctively different bikes when they were out before. I still got my 99 VALKYRIE and I’ll just keep on riding my REAL Valkyrie thank you.
It doesn’t resemble the Rune, at all. I prefer this new Valkyrie over my ’98. It isn’t just about looks either. This new Valk will outperform our old Valks hands down. Welcome to the 21st century and keep looking forward.
Duh? Things advance and change. All the time. Just because it does not look like you old Valkyrie (always wanted one) does not mean it is not one. This is the most beautiful bike I ever saw if you ask me.
never owned, but loved the look of the Rune, and the Interstate 6 cyl bikes. I bought a Vn2000, (2053cc v twin) 850 lb kawasaki and also have a Concours 14. I sat on a FD6, was kind of attracted, and then Reality set in. That bike is in between what I already have: A heavy 2053cc Cruiser and a much more sophisticated faster sport touring bike C14 ABS sport touring. Honda needs to step up and make a bigger faster ST, and then a new engine design in that ST and the new cruiser they build to replace the Wing.
Sorry, but that bike looks like Whoopie Goldberg and Rosie O’Donnell spent an inordinate amount of time hitting the Valkyrie’s designers with their ugly hammers during the design process. It has to be a tie between that bike and the Victory Vision for most cringe worthy lines.
Having said that, it is a Honda and I’ll bet it works very well on the road.
Hah! Victory Vision looks like an Edsel on two wheels with that huge horse collar looking opening on the front end. That and the endless swoopiness of the lines makes it ugliest motorcycle of all time in my book.
But we are here to talk about this new Honda. All I have to say is – I’m not liking it.
still prefer the old valkyrie rune…
welllll not sure about it yet, another color maybe, a round head light maybe, cleaner rear fender treatment maybe, but I’ll bet it is a BLAST to ride. And I will be testing it soon, and then the F6B again (loved it) and the new wing ( loved it too) but for a heavy cruiser it should come with ABS, CC, and a lot of options…. and colors lots of colors..
Hmmm wonder if the air filter is easier to get to?
Wonder how much it costs too? after all it is a stripped down model!
I am going to have to test ride it to see if it is worth trading in my 2007 VTX1800F. This is the first bike that I have even considered a replacement for the VTX I am riding.
I think it will make a good naked trike, especially if the Valk comes with an auto box.. good for lady riders who can then carry the cooler box to bike rallies.
I for one am so glad that Honda didn’t change the frame from the GL/F6… it would have been a shame to monkey with perfection. If you havn’t ridden a GL1800 you will be in for a massive treat when you mount the Valkyrie. It is too bad that the color of paint gets more discussion here than the mechanical merits.
I will never sell my 98 standard and have been offered way more then what it is worth. I really like a classic looking bike and this new Valk is not for me.It just is the F6B even more stripped down.
It seems that when people think cruiser they just think H.D. Finally they style something truly unique and everyone wants to bash the styling. I like the styling. It needs bags and a windshield but I’m sure that will be available. This is what Japanese cruisers should have been like all along. Between this and the CTX1300 I think Honda is finally making bikes I would actually buy.
One thing I will say about Honda’s, their styling may not make such a great first impression, or have much wow factor, but if you look at them long enough, they start growing on you.
This Valk looks alot better than when I first laid eyes on it. Due to the slow as hell news cycle, I’ve been kinda of forced to look at this dang bike more than I care to, but I have to admit, it has grown on me.
Also, probably one of those bikes that looks better in person than in photos.
Yep, if I had the dough, I’d buy it.
I owned and loved my 99 Valkyrie for 62,000 miles; had drive shaft issues on that particular bike a couple of times, but Honda made it good; Valkyrie riders remember the four prototypes that Honda introduced as the upcoming new Valkyrie. The Rune (Ruined Valkyrie) was one of the four and the least exciting, but, again, Honda did not listen to it’s customers and riders; it introduced the Rune and it was flushed down the toilet. Now, they’re coming out with a “stripped down” Gold Wing that looks like a tank caught in a blue pain ball fight. I’m on a Busa now at 67 years old and luvin it. No, it’s not as comfortable for long distance riding as the old Valkyrie, but until Honda comes up with something that we “boomers” will like, I’ve sworn off of Honda’s. Ron in Raleigh, NC
Looks like something Judge Dredd would ride. The thing that make the original Valkyrie great was that it plopped that flat six and a big middle finger in otherwise traditional “cruiser” bodywork. This looks like something they cobbled together to get rid of some overstock.
“This looks like something they cobbled together to get rid of some overstock”
The original Valkyrie(1997-2003) was a unit devised to get rid of GL1500 overstock.
But, we loved it.
What happened a simple adaptation of the EVO 6?
Hope shattered again! As old Valk interstate rider I decided to update to the Rocket III. Really wanted to think Honda would give us the classic Valk look with new technology so I could be a Honda guy again. Oh well maybe after this one goes the way of the last try Honda will consider old school again.
Meh. I’m sure someone will want it though.
Cruiser ergonmics should be illegal.
The more I look at this bike the more I’m intrigued with it.
The straight-on front view reminds me of a Grumman F-14 Tomcat coming at ya.
Looking forward to some actual ride evaluations.
Yuck, I really wanted to like this bike. I like Valkyries, I like Goldwings and I like the FB6 but this thing is butt ugly.If I were in the market for a big power cruiser I’d buy a Rocket 3 without giving this this a second look.What’s up with the rear fender?The back seat and basically the whole ass end of the thing looks like an afterthought.Would it really have been that difficult to put the new motor in the old Valkyrie?
i could easily see someone buying one of these then binning the headlight, plastics, and the wheels and finishing it off with proper kit. which i’m now starting to think, maybe that’s Honda’s intent…? it’s a blank canvas for the customizer crowd. you might not even need to go that far…? just bolt on pieces from any year shadow or VTX and you’re off to the races.
I think the bike would be a hoot to ride. The only problem I have with it is the color choice. How menacing is a bike that’s baby blue?
Can you say ugly? No matter what you call it, this is a bloated monstrosity. Honda design has lost its way. Off with their heads!
I’m sure it is a great riding bike but the look just isn’t working for me. Way too much plastic and the proportions and lines are awkward. Loved the look of the old Valkyrie, as well as the Triumph Rocket III. Come on Honda, you can do better.
No wonder people buy more Harley’s than Hondas.
Makes sense.
It would be difficult keeping leather handle bar streamers attached to this baby.
Chaps would clash, too.
It’s a gigantic ugly scooter!
Honda needs to consult their aero division when creating commercials wherein the torque of the Valkyrie purports to reverse the rotation of the planet. The earth would have brotated in a polar direction as depicted. Shoulda been on runway 9.
Oh yeah, the bike, I like it. More each time I view it. Eager to see it in other colors and more metal in the engine compartment.
I’m probably waving good bye to the times when the 954RR was the only bike I could dream about….
will probably be now a sv650 life-goer….
yet still you have to love the looks of this bike…
way to go honda!!
i wish more cruiser riders would start riding these types of bikes , they look cool and would be a lot quieter
Don’t park it next to a Ducati overnight. In six months you’ll have a litter of Yamaha mini bikes, and the Duc will try to press charges.
Seriously, I owned a Valkyrie for a few years. Great bike. Smooth as glass, trouble-free and great for touring. The only downside was a serious appetite for petrol.
I would like to see it made like the older original Valkyries ! Lots of chrome and old school styling !
When I saw the article title I was so excited. I recently purchased a used Valkyrie and have loved them since they were introduced. But I am so not liking the look of this bike. Leaves me cold. Kinda makes me think of the Boss Hoss bike…
You must be joking. The Boss Hoss??? If anything the old Valkyrie sort of resembled the Hoss… and yes, I’m a former Valkyrie rider, “98 Blue and Cream.
I like this, but like the F6B even more.
The side radiator shrouds, headlight and overall plasticky look kill it for me. It might be fun to ride, but who wants to risk exploding bystanders’ eyeballs? The chrome-free cruiser look has been done elsewhere and better.
Not the side covers. It’s the headlight, or lack there of, which ruins the look of the bike. It was just oh so close. Looking at the new Valk is like looking at the awesome body of bodybuilder. From the feet up to the shoulders, his body is just awesome, but get to the head, and it’s just 2 sizes too small. Despite his awesome body, he looks ridiculous because of his miniature head.
In a nutshell, that’s the new Valk. Any big size headlight would have worked – 2 side by side, 1 on top of another, or just one really big one, round, square, or triangle – it doesn’t really matter, just make the dang thing bigger. The smallish headlight puts too much emphasis on the shoulders and makes the bike look porky and too plasticky.
Too bad cause the rest of the bike is pretty spot on. The seat is a work of art and the front fender is thing of beauty. Dang small headlight ruins it all.
I think I’ve found my next big purchase ( I’ll be keeping my XR650L ). The more I look the more I like this machine. Those cold air intake/ hot air extractors look great!
Honda has done a fine job of reinventing the Valkyrie. This thing looks fast just sitting there and of course we know that it really is fast.. and smooth.
I think I’ll even order mine in ” I don’t need to compensate for anything” blue.
It’s just like the F6B.
Could look interesting “ripped and stripped” – but at face value just another fat f*#k
Am I the only one, or would any of you like to see Honda take this powertrain and create a stripped down, wholly minimalist semi-sporty Classic Naked with it, sort of in the vein of a Griso, or a Barry Bonds-esque Bonneville? A GL1000 for modern times, basically. I’m talking ditching all the Buck Rodgers styling. Purely elemental: upside down forks, radial brakes, a bare minimum of fenders/bodywork, and maybe even a pair of round headlights to match the opposed cylinder heads.
What would such a thing weigh fully fueled, figuring on shaft drive and a six-gallon tank? 650 lbs or so? Seems like it would be a surpassingly nice ride, with massive stomp and smooth comfort for days, and just about anyone could still handle it in a parking lot.
I agree with you. Somehow, the naked bikes have become just as “styled” as any other bike, just with smaller bits o plastic. Many of the newer naked bikes would look a lot better in my eyes if they just had a round headlight, and lost some of the other little chin spoilers and junk around the side of the tank.
Strip it and rip it! Even the Monster and Speed Triple that started out that way have gotten styled for their latest versions.
Pull it all off, hide the wires along framework, and stick a round headlight bucket on it. Heck, stick an old 80’s rectangular light on the front and call it a “retro naked”.
My thoughts exactly. The old V was pretty cool, and
an update in similar guise with the even bigger motor would be the ticket. A look of motorcycling muscularity demands less plastic.
re: “Am I the only one, or would any of you like to see Honda take this powertrain and create a stripped down, wholly minimalist semi-sporty Classic Naked with it, sort of in the vein of a Griso, or a Barry Bonds-esque Bonneville? A GL1000 for modern times, basically. I’m talking ditching all the Buck Rodgers styling. Purely elemental: upside down forks, radial brakes, a bare minimum of fenders/bodywork, and maybe even a pair of round headlights to match the opposed cylinder heads.”
wait, is your google search NOT allowing you to type in the phrase “EVO6″…?
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/honda-evo-6-concept.jpg
re: “Another possible direction was the EVO6”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_herring
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bait-and-switch
I wondered what Honda would do with the GW once they pulled production out of Ohio and back to Japan. Obviously, they’ve been woodshedding, what with the F6B and now this new iteration of the Valk.
The lynchpin of what you could or couldn’t do styling-wise are those radiators. Great idea with them ‘side-drafting’, if you will, but without a big fairing can you do it without making it look like chipmunk cheeks? Or do you redesign and put one radiator in front? Evidently they chose the former to maintain that GW look. Hard not to make this size and wheelbase and engine NOT look like it needs ‘Southern Pacific’ livery . . . . but looks nice in the photos, will have to see one in the flesh.
The Joy of Six. Man, would I LOVE to wade thru Sturgis on one of these.
I like it! It isn’t enough to sway me from my Rocket III but it is nice to see more big, unique bikes with power and decent handling out there. I just wish there were more competition for the Diavel and Griso out there.
Uncomfortable engine heat is a big issue plaguing modern bikes.
This may be the first unfaired bike to eliminate it from the rider.
Headlight from the GROM?
Wow…more and more new bikes. We are truly living in the “Best of Times.”
And kudos to a big corporation making a video of a bike doing a burnout and no “disclaimers”…..another choice for the new bike buyer!
re: “Wow…more and more new bikes. We are truly living in the…”
…austerity era.
Looks like a Buell 1125CR got busy with a Goldwing to me…….but I like it
I have Valkyrie Interstate 2000 I think the old style is much better, more attractive,
this one(first look) just another Goldwing
For the love of God, what has happened to motorcycles??
Maybe it’s a mid-life crisis. Could it be any wider? Something about the width of contemporary motorcycles. They make a barn door look aerodynamic. They’re motorcycles in name only.
Quick paint job. What do you think?
http://richsimons.com/images/valkurie_black.jpg
Better than the blue, but I’d prefer it in a glossy metallic rather than matte black.
Awesome. I had the ’97 Valkyrie Tourer (green and cream) and LOVED it. Had to sell it when I moved overseas for a few years. I think that riding a Valkyrie is one of those bucket list biking experiences for everyone. Just a hoot to ride. Sure its comfy and smoothe and stuff but its best party trick was to drag R1’s etc from the lights. Humongous torque + super taker wheelbase = fastest thing off the line ever. OK, so you got smoked after 50m but you had made your point.
I also totally applaud Honda for continuing to carve their own path in terms of styling. The gormless aping of a tired HD aethetic is just embarrassing. This my friends will be a hit.
Really? We’re bullying people into submission if they like the look of this bike? Not many people liked the Diavel when it was intro’d either. Fantastic motorcycle! I’m intrigued by this bike too… much like your mother likes the way you look and doesn’t care about critical, subjective opinions to the contrary. Good for Honda and their competitive innovation.
I liken Harley Davidson to an American television company that, in the year 2003, is still trying to market and sell 1950’s style black and white vacuum tube powered entertainment models, all the while claiming that these are legendary televisions, American made (with Japanese vacuum tubes and power supplies inside) and that since these vacuum tube televisions may cost as much or more than a brand new 40″ gas-plasma flat screen TV from Japan, that it is the quality of the unit and the service of the distributor which should give you peace of mind in buying such an outdated piece of technology at ridiculously inflated prices.
Harley is the only company in the world who can make a profit by stamping out the same tired old designs year after year. If Honda or Yamaha or Porsche or BMW or Ferrari did that, then those companies would go out of business in short order. Not Harley, because Harley sells non-technological stagnation, at a premium. It’s not a motorcycle for smart people, that’s for sure, or those who understand anything about motorcycles. Working on a Harley doesn’t take a lot of brains, just a hammer, a crowbar, some duct-tape, and a can of WD40 to loosen up the rusted old nuts and bolts.
I have found (through many long years of experience with the owners of these ridiculous, self-propelled, primigenous icons of ignorant pop culture) that the words “intelligent” and “Harley rider” are almost always mutually exclusive and therefore cannot logically be used together sympathetically in the same sentence without breaking a lot of basic rules of proper English grammar. In fact, if the term “intelligent Harley rider” isn’t an oxymoron, it very well should be.
Professional athletes worry about tax breaks and who their next big dollar sponsor will be while teachers, police officers, and firefighters have to worry about how to put food on the table for their families and their children. Those who entertain us are taken care of more than those who nurture and protect us. We won’t cry for an American soldier that falls in combat in Afghanistan defending our very way of life, but we’ll slather our vehicles and bodies with a stylized number “3”, dedicate large stretches of highway as a memorial, and build a ten foot statue to a redneck race car driver who’s biggest contribution to civilization was the ability to drive really fast in a counterclockwise motion around a big circle and make a living doing it by charging people even dumber than him to watch him do it.
We have front page news stories of athletes walking out of their games, of refusing to play for the poor, befuddled, bewildered herd and choosing to strike (or as I like to refer to it, demand ransom) for yet more money from the already placated herd because they think that they are not being paid a fair amount to play a game for a living. Meanwhile, outside the stadium, homeless combat veterans sleep in urine soaked cardboard boxes in dark, cold alleys because their country (and the society that is willing to pay otherwise laughably inept individuals millions of dollars just to play a game) has forgotten the real heroes of civilization completely
“We won’t cry for an American soldier that falls in combat in Afghanistan defending poppie fields”
There, fixed that for you. As for the rest of it, Harley riders = dumb therefore you = smart. Got it. Self-righteous much?
“Harley is the only company in the world who can make a profit by stamping out the same tired old designs year after year.”
Hey, cool is cool. Remember the popular kids in High School? Well, generation after generation, their personalities are all the same – obnoxious, rude, self-obsessed – and they are all pretty useless, and have been since the beginning of time. But they are still cool. When you are cool, you are cool, and everybody still likes you, even if you are a totally useless lump of flesh and the “same tired old design year after year”. Look at Hollywood and its cookie cut out stars if you are in need of any more confirmation.
Also, don’t knock old tech. Overexposed, genuinely air cooled, naked V-twin’s are equivalent to 2 nicely shaped legs shooting down from a very short, leave nothing to the imagination mini-skirt or like 2 Brazilian, round mound buns left out to air dry for all to see in a thong bikini. Imagine an urban environment without the mini (what else would guy’s eyes stare at and drool over? The local dog whizzing on a tree?), or a Brazilian beach where all wear frumpy, granny undies? Utterly intolerable, isn’t it? I say, if those ladies don’t mind their hot legs and buns being air cooled, despite the occasional uncomfortable draft which come their way, then everyone ought to just leave Harley and their air cooled engines alone as well. Why mess with something which is already so close to perfect?
“I have found (through many long years of experience with the owners of these ridiculous, self-propelled, primigenous icons of ignorant pop culture) that the words “intelligent” and “Harley rider” are almost always mutually exclusive and therefore cannot logically be used together sympathetically in the same sentence without breaking a lot of basic rules of proper English grammar. In fact, if the term “intelligent Harley rider” isn’t an oxymoron, it very well should be.”
I’ll have you know, the vast majority of Doctors and Lawyers, when they ride, they chose to ride Harleys. Now if those people cannot be said to be “intelligent” then who among us can be said to be intelligent, when those bastions of high IQ are excluded. Now most middle aged M.D.’s I’ve met may have trouble stringing 2 sentences or coherent thoughts together, but that does not mean they are not intelligent. I may just mean that they, in their middle years, are writing a few too many scripts for themselves and their dull, boring, dreary lives.
Lawyers? They have no issue stringing 2 thoughts or sentences together, but have trouble stringing two of them together without the thoughts of how to lighten your wallet or how to befriend your attractive G.F. or wife behind your back creeping into their over opportunistic, parasitic, diseased minds. But again, this is not a sign of a lack of intelligence. Just that they tend to have little character, are greedy, and are definitely oversexed.
I prefer the F6B myself but this Valkyrie is nice too. Don’t forget it has a good frame, good & reliiable engine and good handling (I guess) probably better then most cruisers out there.
Sure it won’t attract all motorcycle riders but it will surely attrack a good % of cruiser riders though.
Ps. I ride sport bikes & sport touring/adventure bikes and I like Honda’s product! lol
Not that I dislike it, but if you name a car Mustang, it better have some Mustang styling ques. It doesn’t pay tribute to the name Valkyrie. They will get new buyers but probably won’t bring Valkyrie owners in to trade “up”.
I for one must disagree. As a former Valkyrie rider I’m very interested in this bike. These bikes are way beyond “the look” category.. it really is all about the ride experience. Also, this Valkyrie, like the original, has its own presence, whether people like it or not. The Valkyrie has always been the bike for riders who appreciate power AND handling.
Aside from the headlight enclosure, a good looking, straight forward enough big street bike.
A bit BKing-ish up front…but all things considered, I find it very interesting. I like these low slung power cruisers coming from Honda. Probably deadnuts reliable, 100 ft lbs aint bad at all, even at 700+ lbs, that thing’ll probably really scoot. Paint is paint. There will likely be more colors if you’re not into blue. I say keep it up Honda, one of these days, when I get tired of riding your XRs, I’ll pony up for a blvd power cruiser!!
I think it’s gorgeous and I absolutely love the blue paint. Seems like y’all are just piling on because you think it’s cool to pile on. It’s different and doesn’t look like anything else. I bet it’s a blast to ride. If you like your old Valkyries, more power to you. If you like the F6B, it’s available. This is a different machine, isn’t a Harley wanna-be, and definitely won’t appeal to that style of rugged, individualistic rider who all happen to dress and act exactly alike.
+1
+2
+3
Sorry, this is just plain ugly. If this is the design future for Honda, I’m moving on.
Horrendous.
goodbye
Nooooooooo Scotty, don’t beam yourself up just yet…the Starship Enterprise is resisting this Valkyrie invasion with phaser torpedo launch and antimatter mines. The Captain is insisting you report immediately to control
Not piling just to pile. Piling cause this bike could have been so much better. Functionally, I’m sure there will be few big bikes, if any, which are its equal. How many big bikes can handle the way this one does, and yet beat just about any bike off the line in a real world setting, while still being a supremely functional, relaxing, dead reliable daily ride? Few if any.
Honda’s are just too dang politically correct and too generic in its overall lines. Staring at a Honda too long is akin to watching C-span all day long – and about as exciting. The lines of practically all Hondas waffle too much, always backing off from fully expressing what the bike is only allowed to hint at. Give this bike more committed, angular lines, as Moto Guzzi did with the California 1400 Custom, show more of the dang engine and its headers a la the Rune, and then you have the beginnings of a truly gorgeous bike.
The present bike is good looking in the way a mannequin can be good looking. Yes, it looks nice but something is missing. A mannequin no matter how perfect its lines maybe can never equal the beauty of a real live person. Hey, acrylic boobs may never sag and be perfectly proportioned, but I think I speak for most guys when I say, “Give me a real boob any day, even if a bit saggy, misshaped, and mismatched”. In the same sense, what’s the point of a naked bike, if just about every bit of it, including the engine, is shrouded in plastic?
Honda could have done better. They just did not want to put the work and effort in, thinking most people would be satisfied with this lukewarm effort of theirs.
To quote Arnold in Predator “You’re one ugly motherf****r.”
You said it, the thing is Ugh Lee.
Another Honda answer to a question nobody asked.
I think I will keep my bike with the beak
Only one word: ugly!
I owned a 99 valk and a 04 rune then a 02 GW traded it for 13 F6B, awesome bike
better looking than this mutant they’re calling a valk, mufugly!
I am sure some will like it, just not my idea of how a motorcycle should be.
I have always thought less weight on a motorcycle was the goal, not increasing the weight.
I have a friend that loves his Valkrye, but the one thing he protests the most about it is the weight.
Why not build this bike at a 650 lb limit or even less?
Enough plastic! this is what constitutes a naked version of a two wheeled car.
Man, between this thing, the normal GL1800 Goldwing, the FB6, the CBX1300 and the CBX700, Honda seems absolutely hellbent on competing with…themselves! How many monster-sized, oddly styled pseudo-cruiser/touring barges are they going to trot out here? And aren’t we supposed to be in the midst of a major economic downturn, thus prompting all those CB500/NX700 budget bikes? Suddenly there’s a huge market for giant, expensive, state-of-the-art flagship-style rides?
When did that happen?
In any case, at least this one looks a whole lot better than the FB6 and CBX1300. Lacking any sort of stunted fairing/windshield combo, the front-to-back/top-to-bottom proportions aren’t so crazily off-kilter. In fact, if Honda would simply ditch the Baby Boy Blue paint and replace it with metallic black or the CB1100F’s gorgeous pearl red they’d have themselves a really nice-looking steed, for what it is.
“How many monster-sized, oddly styled pseudo-cruiser/touring barges are they going to trot out here? And aren’t we supposed to be in the midst of a major economic downturn, thus prompting all those CB500/NX700 budget bikes? Suddenly there’s a huge market for giant, expensive, state-of-the-art flagship-style rides?”
Not for all. Supposedly, we are splitting into two, with the divergence between the have’s and the have not’s becoming ever wider. You asking the question suggests you are not among the have’s (I’m not either), but believe me, there are a large group of people out there who are doing better than they ever have, with more $$’s than they know what to do with. An eternal truth: when most get poor, some as a result have to get richer. The money has to go somewhere. Happened during the Great Depression, and is happening now.
Honda market research seems to have concluded that these have’s all have about the same cookie cutter tastes – one which is not very good to begin with. So they don’t feel as if they have to try very hard to impress the people with $$’s these days. According Honda’s best data, their tastes are all the same and they are lousy.
Spot on, Jake.
Well put. The Dow Jones is teetering on crossing the $16K threshold, the money from our pockets has gone somewhere, to the rich. Welcome to the new America. They can afford to buy this bike and ride it 5 times a year like some corners of the Harley crowd have been doing for years, Honda just wants a piece of that market.
Good luck to Honda, other that the headlight I like the new Valk. I will not be buying one but I wouldn’t be surprised if plenty of others take one home.
Goose
re: “Suddenly there’s a huge market for giant, expensive, state-of-the-art flagship-style rides?”
look closer, this actually the embodiment of all that is austerity.
Harley Davidson accounts for way more than half of the big bikes sold in this country selling a life style. If Honda wants a piece of that market, they need to build stuff like this. In this economy, people seem to have plenty of money or no money, hence the good sales numbers for bikes under $5K and good numbers for Harley.
These days I focus a lot of my “motorcycle time” on vintage type motorcycles. For me one of the coolest vintage bikes is a 1970s stripped gold wing. That bike is just an awesome motorcycle. I think that the aesthetics on the new stripped gold wing would be greatly increased if some where along the side of the bike one could see through to the other side of the bike. Nothing quite sexes up a stripped down motorcycle quite like a minimalist look.
Bland to sad styling. Honda needs to outsource design work like they did in the 80’s.
Looks way better than the old Valk. Old Valk looked like church organ pipes on 2 wheels. Honda did a good job styling on this bike. Only controversial area is the front. Looks as if Honda was going for a slightly art deco, locomotive look, but just came up a bit short. Headlight needed to be slightly bigger and more aggressive looking to completely pull off the look, use of metal rather than plastic parts would have helped also, but as we all know, Honda has a policy against aggressive styling on its bikes.
So in real world riding, from stoplight to stoplight, will this bike get the better of sportbikes, even the new KTM 1290, due to its down low grunt and long stance for better traction and launching?
Bike also sounds as if it will handle far better than a bike of its size should. Seems like a perfect all around bike for guys who insist on big, torquey, naked bikes.
The cost-cutting look of giving virtually the entire motorcycle a black finish and the plain looking paint job are out of place on a bike occupying this position in Honda’s lineup. Where’s the pizazz?
Bike seems to be a sport/cruiser bike for Honda’s line up, sort of like the Speed Triple of the cruiser world. Guys who are attracted to such performance seem to like the menacing, back to basics, bad in black look. Not so sure the black out look is due to cost cutting. Plastic parts? Yes. Black out? Not so sure.
I don’t get “menacing” from this bike. I mostly get “shrouded in plastic covers”.
Yea, I see what you mean. The old Valk had too much of the engine showing. It looked like a person with a bad set of teeth who was in dire need of some cosmetic dentistry. The new Valk has too little of the engine showing. It would have looked a hell of alot better, and more expensive, if it showed as much of the engine as the Rune did. Honda just did not want to put the effort out.
Plastic covers is short for cost cutting and short cuts. The black out if not menacing, then it expresses a seriousness of purpose. It’s more menacing than if it were all chromed up, but no one can turn menacing into soft and cuddley better than Honda.
Could I make my own by buying a late-model Wing and stripping off the fairing and bags?
if you want it to look like Lord Vader without his mask
As a current Valkyrie owner, I can say every one of us has wondered what an 1800cc powered Valk would be like. So, I can say this bike is interesting,and while I see numerous things I don’t like about it, it does have possibilities and I will certainly check it out when it hits the showrooms. Might even consider buying one (once they are out of production).
Not my thing, but a refreshing go at the heavyweight market.
coffee cup in background, picture with rider seated. finally a gold wing without all the fluff….
Just sold my 4th Valkyrie—I obviously enjoyed those bikes. Liked the styling of the Tourer best, though I always thought that big chrome forward-facing engine cover should have been visually diminished. The Rune was kinda wierd; I got excited about the EVO6 concept; and I quite like the new F6B. This new Valkyrie, to my eye, looks like some kinda transformer toy. Sorta like the B-King (and it didn’t last very long, now did it?)
“The Rune was kinda wierd”
Yeah, a friend of mine saw them when they first came out and said, “Look, Honda took the Valkyrie and Runed it”. This latest version looks a bit like a slightly shortened Rune with toaster ovens clapped on the sides. I prefer the 2000 Valk I owned. It was one of my favorite bikes. Smooth running engine, great brakes and the Cobra 6 into 6 exhaust sounded killer.
I really like the old Valkyrie… This new version seems to me very ugly! (just me) The front seems to be borrowed from a Suzuki B King. The big front wheel associated this odd looking fork does not fit well. The feeling of a bad copy of an Indian for the back. The visual treatment of the engine compartment is awesome and inspire adventure! Overall the front and the rear are just plain ugly!
Had owned an early 2000 Valkyrie that I converted to light touring duties. It was one of four bikes that I owned at the time and I did enjoy it for a few years. Had installed a 6-into-6 Cobra exhaust, made it sound like a NASCAR! Very distinct sound and I liked the looks of the bike. Not so much with the new one. I consider the 2014 Triumph Bonneville LT a good looking cruiser and that 1700cc twin should offer some nice grunt.
From an engine/chassis standpoint, I’m sure it will be a hoot to ride. I don’t care for the front-end styling though…the headlight cowl and radiator shrouds remind me of the Suzuki B-King, which never really did it for me. And that blue paint isn’t doing it any favors, either. Maybe it would look better in a deeper, more aggressive color.
Starting with the Rune, and carrying through to the F6B, CTX and Valkyrie, Honda has really been pushing to redefine cruiser styling. I’m more of a sport/standard guy myself, but having known many cruiser owners over the years, I just don’t see any evidence that this is what the cruiser market wants.
re: “Honda has really been pushing to redefine cruiser styling.”
right then, ice skating up hill. fair play to attempt it with their new and smaller offerings, but “hayabusa front fenders” have little place with their flagship chassis/engine. unless of course they do it right (see wiki entry for EVO6). this one is not.
should’ve kept the traditional cruiser (read classy) styling cues like the valk of old. triumph R3 owners know what i’m talkin’ ’bout. they’re close, so I issue them one free “do over”.
I’m not a cruiser guy, but think this bike looks okay. One thing I have noticed over the years is riders who ride cruises, are less enthusiastic with change, than riders who ride sport bikes. So it works in Honda’s favor to throw all they have at the CBR but they need to go slow for the cruiser line-up.
Is that a Simpson helmet? How retro!
I was thinking the same thing
Bart Simpson?
Tain’t my cup o’ tea.. but then again neither is jock itch.
Excellent! Honda taking their cue from Harley and building several models based on one excellent motor and frame.
This is a Valkyrie? Nope, they just used a past name on a dumbed down version of the FB6. No cues to the past Valkyrie except maybe the handlebar connection. I guess it’s now let’s-see-how-many-models-we-can-make-from-one-platform-time-for-Honda. Not interested.
I had a chance to put some miles on a buddy’s Valk some years ago and for such a long, large, and relatively heavy bike I was impressed. As soon as the wheels started turning it felt like 200 lbs. dropped away. Smooth, torquey, and Honda quality. For someone looking for such a bike it had to be on their short list. I’d like to swing a leg over this one also.
This is what a modern Indian looks like!
put down the waterpipe
Those snap off signal lights will be replaced over and over. I would like to be the guy that supplies those. Guaranteed repeat sales!
The original Valkyrie, with the 1520cc flat SIX, was a potent machine. I loved mine. However, when I got a chance to demo the GL1800, it was admittedly hard for me to keep loving my Valk as before. The GL1800 simply dusted it in both power and handling.
Its nice to see the Valkyrie on this improved platform. Too bad they couldn’t hint at some intake runners and at least expose the six headers to link back to the original. It would have made it more “Valkyrie”. I like it anyway.
computer says NO.
That lovely engine in a body unburdened by bags, radio, speakers, a ton of plastic and an armchair for the pillion? Yes please – Sign me up!
Sorry but I don’t like it. I was hoping that they would have made the VAlk in a cruiser style like the old Valk. Looks like too many other bikes out there.
Interesting, but I’ll take aF6B
Unless I’m mistaken somehow,(wouldn’t be the first time), that’s not an inverted fork as stated in the article.
good catch starmag, that is a conventional fork, with ’60s style metal fork covers (probably plastic on this model).
Not gorgeous, but certainly better looking than an F6B, and with a better name also. A naked touring bike seems like a small niche,(how are you going to put a windshield on that?), but Honda is finally taking a cue from Harley and making several bikes from one platform. We all know by now that Honda can make a new platform for each new model, but this seems sensible for our current “economic recovery” times.
Love it. Was a big fan of the old Valkyrie (never owned one though) but not of the Rune so much (yecch!). This Valkyrie is very nice. probably one of the most beautiful bikes ever.
most beautiful bikes ever? Thats funny
Yeah I think Francois stopped in Paris and had too much wine before looking at this one. Qui qui! It looks hideous. But, how does it ride? Part of the problem is that blue paint. The designer woke up on the wrong side of the bed. It looks like a Sumo wrestler. Maybe a childhood aunt who fed him bugs. What in the heck are all those scoopy things all over it? And the front and rear fenders? Seriously? Now if you get some artist to paint some custom something or other all over that body work, perhaps.
lots of cool bikes this year. Kind of feel like a kid reading my first issue of Motorcyclist.
It is kind of like that, I had been thinking the same thing.