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SPOFF
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« on: July 31, 2011, 07:39:46 PM » |
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And a lot of people no longer have any idea what kind of bike I'm riding. Has anyone else noticed this? I've been riding my 97 Bumblebee a lot this year and I get strange comments. The oddest one was a guy in a car, yelling at me at a light, wanting to know if that was a GoldWing engine in my "custom" cruiser. He must of thought I built it myself?
Motorcyclists have forgotten that Honda once made a cruiser with a GoldWing engine. The other thing I've noticed is Valk's are worth more used than they were 5 years ago. Not that this matters to me. Mine's not for sale. I plan to bury my Valk next to my coffin 40 years from now.
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Bobbo
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« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2011, 07:55:50 PM » |
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Even when it was in full production, I would still get people asking if it was a Boss Hoss, Custom V6, VW engine, or other car engines, and one even thought it was an airplane engine! The others would just say "Nice Harley!"
At some local watering holes, after checking it out closely, some would step back and say "THAT'S a Honda?!"
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Bugslayer
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« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2011, 08:35:46 PM » |
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There's not a lot of Valk's around here. I can go weeks without seeing another one. Even when I go to a motorcycle related event, I'll be one of just a few Valkyrie's out of hundreds of bikes..... just the way I like it...  |
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9Ball
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« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2011, 02:11:26 AM » |
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unfortunately, that's also true at some Honda dealers.
Last year I went to the parts counter at a local Honda only dealer (since gone out of business) and asked for a drain washer for my 99 Valkyrie. The "kid" behind the counter asked "what brand bike is it?" One of the owners overheard the conversation and piped in "it's like that old black one we have for sale out front."
Sign of the times....
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VRCC #6897, Joined May, 2000
1999 Standard
2007 Rocket 3
2005 VTX 1300S
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Stars and Stripes
Member
Posts: 75
Stars and Stripes VRCC #32857
Grain Valley , MO.
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« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2011, 03:55:32 AM » |
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Just went on a ride and a guy asked me if that was Honda's new model. NO!, a 1999 Valkyrie Interstate  |
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Its nice to be nice if your naturally nice
Dark Side # VRCCDS0251
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thewoodman
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« Reply #5 on: August 01, 2011, 05:40:42 AM » |
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I was sitting in traffic wating fo a light to change beside a tri-axle dump truck, when the driver, with a Harley shirt on , hollers down at me: "HEY! THAT'S THE QUIETEST HARLEY I'VE EVER SEEN!"
Then, his expression changed, got kinda confused look on his face when he realized that it wasn't a V-Twin, but some kind of real motor idling beside him. He just looked back down at me and mouthed, 'damn'.
And off we went on down the road.
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 The first step in getting somewhere is deciding that you are not going to stay where you are. TheWoodMan |
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Big IV
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« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2011, 05:58:43 AM » |
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I was at a Sheetz gas station in PA, and a guy in a van pulled up beside of me and said, "now there is something you don't see everyday, a six cylinder motorcycle." He looked approvingly and longingly at my engine. My reply, "actually sir, I do see one everyday."
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"Ride Free Citizen!"
VRCCDS0176
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old2soon
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« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2011, 07:16:24 AM » |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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The Anvil
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« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2011, 07:40:25 AM » |
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I've never had anyone mistake it for a Harley. But I have had three people say "remember the commercial for these things withe guy doing the powerslide...".
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16460
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2011, 07:59:47 AM » |
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I've never had anyone mistake it for a Harley. But I have had three people say "remember the commercial for these things withe guy doing the powerslide...".
Yeah, I remember it well. That's the commercial that really got me interested in a Valkyrie.
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« Last Edit: August 01, 2011, 08:01:49 AM by blackrams »
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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Serk
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« Reply #10 on: August 01, 2011, 08:02:01 AM » |
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I've never had anyone mistake it for a Harley. But I have had three people say "remember the commercial for these things withe guy doing the powerslide...".
Yeah, I remember it well. That's the commercial that really got me interested in a Valkyrie. Going to try and find a copy of that commercial but, I doubt I'll find it, I'm close to computer stupid. Here ya' go:
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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designer
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« Reply #11 on: August 01, 2011, 08:04:51 AM » |
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2002 Valkyrie Std
K&N Filter, Audiovox Cruise, I/S bags and trunk, Cee Bailey shield +2, ECT mod, radiator pods, driving lights, rattlebars kick shifter ,I/S ICM
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16460
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #12 on: August 01, 2011, 08:06:59 AM » |
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I've never had anyone mistake it for a Harley. But I have had three people say "remember the commercial for these things withe guy doing the powerslide...".
Yeah, I remember it well. That's the commercial that really got me interested in a Valkyrie. Going to try and find a copy of that commercial but, I doubt I'll find it, I'm close to computer stupid. Here ya' go: ValkyrieSlideYeah, thanks. While you were posting, I found it and posted it also. Thanks anyway. Love that commercial, who says you have to have naked ladies and sex to sell. That fat lady is sexy all by herself. |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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old2soon
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« Reply #13 on: August 01, 2011, 10:09:19 AM » |
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Thanks to every body that posted the valk video. Makes me want to go and buy another one.  Ah well we all got our little dreams-oh wait-got a phat ghurl in my garage.  MY BAD.  RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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Serk
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« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2011, 10:12:55 AM » |
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Not quite as "Woah!" as the power sliding commercial, but just for completeness, here's the "other" Honda Valkyrie commercial:
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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The Anvil
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« Reply #15 on: August 01, 2011, 10:16:59 AM » |
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Boy does that second commercial have a real 70's car commercial feel to it or what? I kinda like it.
Gives you a better look at the bike too.
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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Chattanooga Mark
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« Reply #16 on: August 01, 2011, 10:58:41 AM » |
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Honda would only have to add EFI, cruise and a 6th gear to start production of the Valkyrie line again. Seems so simple yet so far away from reality. Oh well, enjoy them while we can.
Mark
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« Last Edit: August 01, 2011, 11:00:18 AM by Chicago Mark »
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...do justice, love kindness, walk humbly... The Bible: Read, Apply, Repeat 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour, in all its pearl white beauty www.bikersforchrist.org |
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The Anvil
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« Reply #17 on: August 01, 2011, 11:36:32 AM » |
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Honda would only have to add EFI, cruise and a 6th gear to start production of the Valkyrie line again. Seems so simple yet so far away from reality. Oh well, enjoy them while we can.
Mark
Well, sort of. The engine has been out of production for a while now so who really knows what has happened to the tooling. But they certainly could use the current GW engine. I've been thinking for a while about how I'd do the new Valkyrie and it would be based on the current GW: 1.) 2000cc (if the current GW engine can handle that, I don't know if Honda built in any headroom) with EFI with a goal of around 125/130. 2.) Steel frame like the original Valk. 3.) 6 speeds. 4.) Belt drive. I know, I know. But the belt gives the people looking for a wider rear tire more options without major fabrication, final drive ratio options and custom wheel options. 5.) Electric reverse as an option. 6.) No bigger than a 200mm rear tire stock. I know wider tires look cool but I'm not a fan of the handling. 7.) Radial brakes up front with ABS as an option. The current rear brake is fine but a 4 piston unit would be a nice upgrade, not for the power but for the added fade resistance. 8.) A more effective headlight. Those are the big things I'd focus on. I would also make it in two flavors; a tourer with hard saddlebags (think Road King) and a sportier muscle cruiser (think Victory Hammer) with a more aggressive riding position and stripped down look. Why no Interstate? Well I think it would be a bit too much like the GW to differentiate itself very well. I think Honda could also offer a plug and play top case and batwing fairing through Hondaline that could effectively turn it into a modern day Interstate. |
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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BradValk48237
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« Reply #18 on: August 01, 2011, 12:47:50 PM » |
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Anvil, You have the right idea for a new Valk...except the Belt drive.... They would have to re engineer the current trans to make the belt work... drive train is all linear at present... have to do like a right angle transfer case at the back to change the 90 degrees to make the output hook up with the belt drive. Kinda the opposite of what they do with a V-twin to run a shaft... More moving parts.... more weight.... Or turn the motor 90 degrees and add a primary belt......  Brad |
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The Anvil
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« Reply #19 on: August 01, 2011, 12:51:16 PM » |
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Anvil, You have the right idea for a new Valk...except the Belt drive.... They would have to re engineer the current trans to make the belt work... drive train is all linear at present... have to do like a right angle transfer case at the back to change the 90 degrees to make the output hook up with the belt drive. Kinda the opposite of what they do with a V-twin to run a shaft... More moving parts.... more weight.... Or turn the motor 90 degrees and add a primary belt...... Brad Good point. But remember that a belt drive is going to be lighter to begin with so the weight would likely even out in the end. But turning the output 90 degrees could pose a space issue. |
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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musclehead
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« Reply #20 on: August 01, 2011, 01:03:08 PM » |
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it seemed to me I was getting some pro valk comments around '04 or '05, people actually knew what it was.
I'm sure by now it has passed out of collective consciousness
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'in the tunnels uptown, the Rats own dream guns him down. the shots echo down them hallways in the night' - the Boss
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BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« Reply #21 on: August 01, 2011, 01:14:07 PM » |
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Anvil, You have the right idea for a new Valk...except the Belt drive.... They would have to re engineer the current trans to make the belt work... drive train is all linear at present... have to do like a right angle transfer case at the back to change the 90 degrees to make the output hook up with the belt drive. Kinda the opposite of what they do with a V-twin to run a shaft... More moving parts.... more weight.... Or turn the motor 90 degrees and add a primary belt...... Brad Since we're building a new 1800-2000cc Valk, remember that the shaft drive reduces hp by 15%.  |
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Chattanooga Mark
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« Reply #22 on: August 01, 2011, 02:00:46 PM » |
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Yea, you're right about the 1520 motor being out of production for such a long time now. Likely easier just to use the current GW 1800 motor. I'm thinking the Valkyrie Interstate would be a great counter to the non Gold Wing folks like me that would like a great 2-up touring bike but don't like all the plastic of the Gold Wing. I much prefer the more traditional looks of the Valkyrie. Catching a breeze in hot weather is also a must IMHO.
I have no idea what manufacturers like Honda do with 'non current' manufacturing drawings etc. But it can't be that hard to put something so similar back into production. Putting another high dollar long distance bike into their line-up likely isn't and won't be on Honda's radar for a long time.
Belt drive would be fine and an ABS option would be great!
All the best,
Mark
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...do justice, love kindness, walk humbly... The Bible: Read, Apply, Repeat 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour, in all its pearl white beauty www.bikersforchrist.org |
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Chattanooga Mark
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« Reply #23 on: August 01, 2011, 02:23:04 PM » |
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Seems more like a baptism to me where rebirth is the chosen outcome.
Anyone know any descision makers at Honda??
Mark
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...do justice, love kindness, walk humbly... The Bible: Read, Apply, Repeat 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour, in all its pearl white beauty www.bikersforchrist.org |
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The Anvil
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« Reply #24 on: August 01, 2011, 02:48:05 PM » |
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Yea, you're right about the 1520 motor being out of production for such a long time now. Likely easier just to use the current GW 1800 motor. I'm thinking the Valkyrie Interstate would be a great counter to the non Gold Wing folks like me that would like a great 2-up touring bike but don't like all the plastic of the Gold Wing. I much prefer the more traditional looks of the Valkyrie. Catching a breeze in hot weather is also a must IMHO.
Well that's why I think it would be cool to offer doodads that can effectively turn a new generation Valkyrie tourer into an Interstate. The problem as I see it is making production viable. It complicates things to add a third variant to the lineup, both from a production standpoint AND dealer inventory, but offering build parts is both taking a page from H-D and still offering the product to the existent but relatively small market for IS buyers. It would also allow you to pick and choose. Personally, I'd like to have a fairing but not necessarily a top case. So rather than drop a full grand on the upgrade I could just drop 500 on one piece, then later I'd still have the option of adding the top case if I wanted to. It seems like it would work to me. But I don't work for Honda.  |
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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BigAl
Guest
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« Reply #25 on: August 01, 2011, 03:18:20 PM » |
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Coming down the road on a Interstate I could almost mistake it for a Harley Electraglide. OR Road Glide with its Dual Headlights.
But the engine does give it away.
New they cost about as much as a comparable Harley.
Just have more performance for the buck.
Harley will always be the American Motrcycle, even though not totally made in America.
By the time they are dethroned, gas will be illegal and motorcycles will be replaced by hover craft.
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Hoser
Member
Posts: 5844
child of the sixties VRCC 17899
Auburn, Kansas
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« Reply #26 on: August 01, 2011, 06:34:11 PM » |
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I believe that the Rune was to be the next Valk, utilizing the 1800 FI of the Goldwing. Honda's mistake was to assume that not many riders wanted the touring capability of the old Valk, along with more traditional styling, instead of the "styling" of the Rune. hoser  |
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I don't want a pickle, just wanna ride my motor sickle  [img width=300 height=233]http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/ |
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The Anvil
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« Reply #27 on: August 01, 2011, 06:38:25 PM » |
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I believe that the Rune was to be the next Valk, utilizing the 1800 FI of the Goldwing. Honda's mistake was to assume that not many riders wanted the touring capability of the old Valk, along with more traditional styling, instead of the "styling" of the Rune. hoser Yeah and that styling was too polarizing. And by polarizing I mean almost everyone hated it. The price was also kind of outlandish. I'm not saying it wasn't worth it, but you're gonna have a hard time getting that kind of money out of most people for a Japanese bike. Personally, I like elements of the Rune. But the bike as a whole doesn't do it for me. |
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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