If anybody should know about the Honda Valkyrie Rune motorcycle, it’s Jay Leno. One of the very first models is a prized item in his collection. He even featured a 2004 Honda Valkyrie Rune on Jay Leno’s Garage. It’s similar to the one recently for sale on eBay.
Leno said:
It’s one of the most unusual motorcycles ever produced, especially from a major manufacturer.
Nobody thought Honda would build the Rune. Hondas were hard to beat for performance, but the Japanese manufacturer was known for playing things safe with styling. That stereotype came crashing down when Honda unveiled the 2004 Valkyrie Rune.
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Honda launched the Rune during the displacement wars of the early 2000s. The Rune was unlike any other power cruiser on the market. The bike is edgy and avant-garde, with a striking trailing bottom link suspension system anchoring the front end. A single-sided swingarm provides an unobstructed view of the custom back mag wheel.
The motorcycle is big and imposing. Its massive metal fenders and huge 6.1-gallon tank wrap around a 1832cc flat-six engine. Each of the six cylinders is fed by its own 32mm throttle body. That helps the engine put out 109 pound-feet lb-pounds-ft of torque to the seven-inch-wide back wheel. All that power is a good thing, considering the big Valkyrie tips the scales at nearly 900 pounds.
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The Honda Valkyrie Rune showcases what the company’s engineers could accomplish with no expenses spared. According to Honda, nearly every external part is found only on the Rune.
- The big chrome headlight and master cylinder housings are particular to the bike.
- The radiator grille is integrated seamlessly into the design, adding hot rod appeal.
- Its stainless-steel mesh throttle cables and brake hose are a first for a Honda production bike.
- The modern digital display is tucked cleanly into the tank console and has a non-glare digital readout.
Its innovative trailing bottom link suspension transfers the axle load through pushrods and a link to two upper shocks. One shock houses a main spring, and the other a sub-spring and damping system.
On the backside, its Unit Pro-Link rear suspension system features technology that trickled down from Honda’s MotoGP race team. The dual 330mm front discs and 336mm single rear discs were the largest ever mounted on a Honda.
Honda used a lost-wax casting technique to make the exhaust. With that approach, the mold is broken after the exhaust is made. It’s the same technique used to make fine art bronze sculptures.
The 2004 Honda Valkyrie Rune deserves classic status for its build quality, smooth power delivery, and comfortable ride.
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Leno said:
It’s like driving my dad’s Buick.
The Rune achieved its goal of painting Honda motorcycles in a different light. It’s still a commanding bike, an attention-getter guaranteed to attract a crowd everywhere you go. With almost 20,000 miles under its belt, the example on eBay is a captivating capsule of Honda’s cruiser culture.
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