Honda Valkyrie 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

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 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

I love this flat 6 beast! The Valkyrie ride like a sport bike, it's a breeze when you are cruising, very stable and a lot of fun on the road. Overall very fast, powerful, and comfortable. Over the years I owned several motorcycles, but this one is a real keeper!!! Show less

i have always had a honda motorcycle. i have been riding sense the 60's. loved the valkyrie when it came out in 97 couldn't afford it then. 2007 bought a 97 still own it now has 65k on it. never let me down is still a thrill to ride even at 66 years old. when i can't hold it up on 2 wheels i will have it converted to 3 wheels. lots of respect for this bike from many other brand owners. still gets lots of attention no matter where i go. will never get rid of it. Show less

I purchased this bike new in 2001. It still looks and runs like new and still catches the eye of others. It has 1520cc of power, runs very smooth and is extremely dependable. It's great for city and highway driving but due to the fact that it has 6 cylinders, it can be just a tad heavy on slow moving corners because of the wide engine. Overall, a great ride for one or two. Show less

I've owned two Runes and three Goldwings and a 1500 Valkyrie. Needless to say, I'm a fan of the flat 6. I was very excited to see that Honda was brining back the Valkyrie, however, when I saw one in person, I was disappointed in the looks of it. While it had a beefy stature that I liked, I thought it lost much of it's charm. Fast forward several years: I decide to sell my Rune and I was in the market for another cruiser. I looked at Suzukis, Yamahas and Honda's other offerings. I was initially considering the F6B...very seriously. But, since I already have a 2005 Goldwing (which I keep in another state at a vacation home), I wanted something different. The look of the Valkyrie started to grow on me. I straddled the beast and it felt well balanced, minimalistic (in a good way), and broad shouldered. I knew I found my next bike. Without test driving it, I just bought it. It's a screaming joy! Crazy fast, super balanced. Honda scored again. The beast is back! Show less

The stock pegs/valve cover placement make foot placement cramped and uncomfortable for distance, no problem for short local rides. So I installed Rivco Aero Highway Cruise pegs for the ride home. The Rivco pegs are marvelously comfortable and well worth the investment. Most notable was the high-pitched whine of the flat six, zero vibration at 60-65, and the exceptional balance and feel of the 750 pound Valkyrie. Felt like a 650 pound sportbike. It shifts and rides very smoothly but seems like it could use an overdrive at 80 mph. The windshield is too short and caused buffeting. The bags provided ample storage space and cargo rack worked well. Needs a Throttle Lock, bought a Brakeaway, not yet installed. Overall very fast, powerful, and comfortable with cruise pegs installed, a must if you are tall. At night the LED headlight disappointed a bit, as a thin, horizontal decorative strip bisecting the headlamp causes the low beam to fall short on the road. Show less