Honda NRX 1800 VALKYRIE RUNE reviews

.I’ve owned 24 motorcycles in my life, and this Rune is the one I loved the most. For the past 10 years, it has given me a riding experience unlike anything else. The Honda Rune isn’t just a motorcycle — it’s emotion, presence, and pride every time you turn the key. This Rune is #49 of only 1500 ever produced, making it one of the earliest and most desirable examples. Magazine after magazine has voted it one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever built, and you feel that every time you walk up to it. How It Feels to Ride The moment you sit on the Rune, you feel its uniqueness. The 6-cylinder engine is incredibly smooth — no vibration, just a steady, powerful flow. Twist the throttle and the bike moves with effortless strength. It’s calm, confident, and surprisingly easy to control. I’m 5’7”, and my feet sit flat on the ground. The balance is excellent, and I’m 100% comfortable handling the weight. On long rides, especially the many trips I took from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, the Rune feels like it’s gliding. You always have extra power and always feel safe and stable. What I Love Most The presence — people don’t just look at this bike; they stare. The smoothness — the 6-cylinder engine feels alive and refined. The reliability — it starts instantly, even after sitting. The uniqueness — nothing else on the road looks or feels like a Rune. The confidence — stable, powerful, and comfortable in any situation. This motorcycle gives you a feeling that stays with you long after the ride ends. Condition Show less

I've had 3 of these Honda Valkyries, GL1500C over the years. I've taken them to Valkyrie Rallies all over the US, down the Tail of the Dragon a few times, to Van Couver, BC, Canada from Houston, TX. I have found them to be extremely fun, fast, reliable, powerful. I'm a big guy nowadays, so I don't look as ridiculous on a big bike, and I need a bike that can carry my weight, plus a passenger on occasion, plus luggage! One of the best things about this model bike is the support community. If you log onto the VRCC (Valkyrie Riders Cruisers Club) they have technical info and a knowledge base to get you through any problem. I love that a lot of those guys have 300,000 miles on a Valkyrie! Changing the air filter is a real pain. There's not a lot of clearance between the top of the shift lever and the bottom of the 6 cylinder engine that's mounted just above that lever. Just enough for a regular boot. If you had one of those boots with the extra thick sole, there'd be no way to fit it in there. Of course, everything is adjustable, but still. There's less and less aftermarket parts available as time marches on and these haven't been made since 2002, but there's still stuff out there. An old school Valkyrie will perform, it's a lot more nimble than it looks, it's smooth and well balanced, powerful, fast and torquey. It's getting harder to find aftermarket parts. And dealerships won't work on bikes that old, usually. Although private shops will, of course. I don't know what other bike can cruise across country so fast and smooth and reliably for $4K or less. Show less

I've owned 2 now and loved both, best road trip was florida to sturgis rally to Michigan easy rider rodeo and back to florida 6000 miles in 2 weeks. That was 0n 07 vtx 1800 0 issues , I'd like to take a ride up to Alaska someday Show less

This is a reliable and fun bike to ride. Easy and in expensive to maintain. Lots of power and comfortable. The stock seat is a bit uncomfortable after about 45 minutes so I recommend buying one with an aftermarket seat, or purchasing your own. Show less

Very easy to ride, engineering and worthy from Honda is 2nd to none. Powerful, and that SOUND of the 6x6 exhaust, crazy. It is a Porche big block motor so it sits wide in front of you, but the looks and feedback from the sound is incredible. Reliable, duh, it’s a Honda and has everything you need for a short trip, bike across town to the long winding road, whatever you need, it is ready! Show less

Awesome motorcycle! Steering handles very well. Very responsive. Tires 40/40 psi Avon Vipers. Getting 38 mpg. Great for such a beast! Lots of power. Throttle is immediately responsive. All of this chrome really turns heads. Love this bike! Show less

I just purchased my 2003 Honda VTX 1800s sometime October 2022. I've been in a couple bikes before sportsters crotch rockets. And test drove numerous ones and road couple of my buddies throughout the years. But not one of them out of couple dozen I've rode in my life. Compare to my 2003 Honda VTX 1800s. It handles great it rides smooth and a Powers just amazing. It demands respect. I love my bike I get compliments on it everywhere I go if I'm on my bike I pull in somewhere not once did I not get a compliment on it. If you get a chance to test drive a 2003 Honda VTX 1800s do not pass it down. I promise you it will not be a waste of time. Go jump on one and I guarantee you won't want to give her back. Safe travels y'all Show less

When Honda came out with the VTX I wanted one. It took a few years, but during the summer of 2004, they had too many left over 2003's and they had what they called a "Fire Sale". At the time, I lived in Indianapolis, and I drove to Illinois to pick-up a brand new 2003 VTX 1800. With .2 miles, I pulled the bike out of the dealership garage into the rain. After a few other stops that were a mini-vacation, I got the bike home with nearly 500 miles on it. This was the first brand new bike I had ever purchased, and I vowed to ride it to six digits. I have to say those 100,000 miles came with only regular maintenance. No major issues ever. I took my VTX as far west as Carlsbad, NM, north to Lake Superior, south to the Rio Grande, and along the east coast. Besides never letting me down, the bike is always a joy to ride. Powerful and nimble. It is as comfortable on the highway as it is on the backroads twisting and weaving. I wore down one set of floorboard back to foot pegs to prove the handling and fun factor. One of the best features is the linked braking. The back brake also works the center cylinder in front brakes, this brings the bike down in corners and to stop in a level fashion that gives you good grip with the front wheel. You can trail brake much better. It makes you a better rider. After 18 years and 110,000 trouble free miles I finally moved on to another ride. Time for someone else to enjoy the VTX and all it has to offer, and it still has lots of life to give. Show less

Bought this bike six months ago, in December…not the best riding weather for TX. I’ve ridden 200-300 miles so far. Been taking it slow as this is my first motorcycle to own. Rode my buddy’s XR 500 dirt bike quite a bit in my late teens, so let’s get a street bike! I’m a big guy, 6’5” 340lbs. So I looked for a big bike. My size 17 foot has had some challenges finding a good home on the right peg while not accidentally riding the brake pedal. It came with a hyper charger so the very top of my right calf, just under my knee hits the intake. But once I acclimated myself to the leg/feet ergonomics I must say it is an exhilarating ride. I haven’t yet had the back tire chirp on me but then I’m not exactly popping the clutch either…could be weight related. It does however haul ass when the throttle is twisted! I wish it were a bit more nimble, but again I weigh 340, so what am I going to fit on that I can just flick the back end around for maneuvers. At this point I love this bike. Show less

I am an old Harley guy, until l picked up Valkyrie, what a bike. Yes best bike ever built.. the power, smooth ride, beautiful machine. I have owned around 10 Valkyries. My last one was a Marron and cream.broke my heart to see her go. I am 70 now and not as strong as I used to be.ride free and safe Valkyrie riders, enjoy the best bike ever. 500k miles is not unusual.. Show less