Has anyone ever wondered why Honda could not build another Valkyrie?

[Momz]

Honda gave use the Rune and the GL1800. The Rune uses a GL1800 motor and a similar frame. Of course the Rune had very little utility and the cost of the front suspension and other ancilaries are/were prohibitiveily expensive.

But a Rune/GL1800 based Valkyrie could bring new/former Honda riders back into the flock. They could have used the same inverted fork or one from another sport bike, built a rear subframe that could hold a nice fender and dual seat with a back rest. A simple exhaust system would do wonders for sales and aftermarket vendors.

Honda dropped the big VTX and gave us four new 1300 models that don't seem to be selling well; they also gave us the DN01 that I've never seen on the road. While other manufacturers are trying to build bikes that some of us may want, Honda gives us bikes that dealers are going to have to sell at fire sale prices.

Does anyone out there think along the same lines as myself?

[SANDMAN5]

Does antone out there think along the same lines as myself? 
 
 
 

Just about everyone here!!

[Tx Bohemian]

Does antone out there think along the same lines as myself? 
 
 
 

Just about everyone here!!

I agree also.

I just learned from this board last week (a member asking about the difference between  a C and  CD model) that the sales were falling off so bad Honda didn't produce an Interstate for the last couple of years of the Valks production run.


As I see it times have changed since '02-'03 and I also think if Honda would produce the Valkyrie again with modern upgrades (FI for one) it might be a good seller. Of course I'm a bit onesided about these bikes.

[JP in SC]

At this point, MotherHonda is just a car company with motorcycle building as a hobby. If she loses your bike dollars it's no biggie, she'll more than make it up on Accords and Civics.

[bscrive]

I for one would be interested in a new Valkyrie Interstate model especially if it is FI .  The only problem is that it would compete with their own product, the Goldwing, so I doubt it is going to happen.  I believe that is why they scrapped the IS in the first place.  Although, the one thing that I love about my IS is that you still feel like your deriving a bike not like the Goldwing, where you feel like you are driving a car.  If they do build a new Valkyrie they really need to fix the slow speed steering.  To drive the bike in traffic is a pain and tiring.  Less rake I guess would do it.

[ChromeDome]

The company is being run by the Marketing Department and they think that V-Twins are the way to go unless it is already an established model (GoldWing, ST, the racers) ... or at least that is my take. Got no proof but they sure seem to act that way.

[Hoser]

I think thier mistake was to think Valk riders would like the Rune, did not take style into consideration.  They did name it the VALKYRIE Rune after all.  Should have made it look like the original, and left off the pricey hideous fork. The fender is also ugly. That 1800 is a great engine. Hoser 

[hubcapsc]

I was talking Valkyries (not new Valkyries) with the Honda shop dude in Greenville
SC the other day... his impression is that about 10% of customers think Valkyries
are the most awesome things going, and 90% of customers think Valkyries stink.

stink must = ugly or not-v-twin or some other subjective problem 

-Mike

[FloridaValkRyder]

Honestly, If I was not able to own my Valk I/S, or any Valkyrie, I would get a brand new 'Wing with all the goodies. I get to ride one occasionally, love it or hate it, FI and reverse is just great!! We will never see another Valkyrie  . We all love them because they are unique, short-lived, fun to ride Dragon that most people will never have the joy of owning and riding!

[Jay]

I guess it's a good thing these bikes will run many hundreds of thousands of miles.  I may get the urge to get a new bike, but I don't ever plan on selling my Valkyrie.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I bought my first Valkyrie in June 98...The local Honda dealership still had 98's / 99's on the floor in 2002....They did'nt sell well so my bet is you will never see a new Valkyrie  

[DarkMeister]

youses guyses are depressing me.......

90% think it stinks? Was a poor seller? Oy... Wonder why I love it so much.

[Dag]

THE STORY OF THE VALKYRIE

A friend of Joe Boyd believe we'd have an all-new, radical, Valkyrie 1800 today, if Joe Boyd had lived.

http://valkyrienorway.com/STORY%20OF%20THE%20VALKYRIE.html

[BIG--T]

youses guyses are depressing me.......

90% think it stinks? Was a poor seller? Oy... Wonder why I love it so much.

I'm with you on that..I don't get it! Where can you get a bike that has it all in one package. It's as smooth as a wing and like the I/S doesn't have all the tupperware that a GW has. If they ever came out with a GW that looked like an I/S or an Ultra Classic with all the chrome showing and all the luxury I'd be first in line! I have toyed with the idea of buying a wrecked wing, throw the tupperware away and keep the fairing and bags and chrome her out. Well I guess it don't hurt to dream!

[The Anvil]

I have no idea where Honda's head is at. If the Valk wasn't selling then so be it, but this being America, there is no replacement for displacement and killing off the VTX1800 motor in favor of the 1300 was something akin to suicide.

Meanwhile the rest of the lineup is boring and staid. Technologically speaking they're state of the art top to bottom but completely lacking in soul and character. I think Honda vastly overestimates the desire for automatic transmissions on motorcycles at least here in the US of A.

[Fritz The Cat]

Scooters can be dangerous.

Fat Guy Falls Off Scooter	powered by Aeva

[BIG--T]

Honda is right on the money with an automatic motorcycle that is part scooter.  it might not be your money, though.  Go to a big university and see how many students ride motor scooters.  University of Florida has thousands of those things.  Tim Tebow had one.  

Those students are going to graduate and be able to afford faster wheels.  That new automatic Honda is something they can get right on and roll.  Anything with a clutch is like dial-up internet.  There are some students that ride regular motorcycles, but ten times the amount have scooters.

The new automatic Honda is the start of a trend.

The automatic scooter has appeal for many but I remember when Honda put out a 750-4 automatic in the 70'S that went over like a snowball in hell! 

[BIG--T]

I have no idea where Honda's head is at. If the Valk wasn't selling then so be it, but this being America, there is no replacement for displacement and killing off the VTX1800 motor in favor of the 1300 was something akin to suicide.

Meanwhile the rest of the lineup is boring and staid. Technologically speaking they're state of the art top to bottom but completely lacking in soul and character. I think Honda vastly overestimates the desire for automatic transmissions on motorcycles at least here in the US of A.

If Honda keeps going like they are I think they'll go under. They don't have a true cruiser line, a 1300 Stateline cruiser and a Fury chopper and I've just seen one Stateline in my area. They depend on the GW and sportikes where Yamaha , Kawasaki and others have a vast array of different models, including the Venuture which I like and the Kawa Vascero which I know nothing about but they have the I/S / Ultra Classic look.

[Chili Pepper]

Nobody wanted that 750 automatic.  In Baltimore they had to auction those off, as nobody would just go in and buy one.  Moto Guzzi had a Guzzi-matic at that time that was supposed to be good, but that brand always stayed in it's own niche.  

Is Today's automatic Honda really a big scooter that looks loke a motorcycle?  Don't know.  

I'll have to draw up a "2012 Valkyrie".  It would have a lot of black where chrome used to be, and maybe a hardtail look with a huge exhaust.  That's the style-trend that guys find attractive right now.

That DN 01 Momz was talking about. I sat on one down in Memphis last year while we were waiting for the rear fllat on the Valk to be fixed. It definitely caught my eye just because of the styling and it wasn't until I sat on it and reached for the clutch that I realized it didn't have one...lol.

 

[DarkMeister]

BIG--T? Great minds think alike! Ha! I was just thinking, looking at current Gold Wings, that somewhere under all that dressing lurks a potential Valkyrie.
Speaking strictly of 'looks', the Valkyrie is perfect in my eyes. It's more than chrome, or paint or such. It's the way the lines flow so perfectly for a unique look that speaks power, grace, appeal. Not many others carry it off so successfully.
In those rare moments of introspection I compare to a few others and they fail. Wing looks nice from ten feet away. Reminds me a bit of the BMW LT's I used to ride. But the view from the seat ruins it, for me anyway. That box-like fairing on each side...shudder.
Another one that draws the eye is HD Ultra. Beautiful lines from the fairing back - till the bags. To me they look an afterthought. Smooth, flowing look from the front is broken with boxy baggage, all angles and lines and stuff, just an opposite look to the front aspect.
Someone mentioned the Venture RSV. They look great and I had one. For all of six months. Hard to explain, but I found the look nice, but lacking in substance under the dressing. Got bored real quickly.
So yeah - I can't see Honda creating another Valk, but if they did I'd be lining up. We here are a small and limited, albeit devoted, market. But I still wonder if the Wing's plastic hides a potential babe of a Valk.

[BIG--T]

BIG--T? Great minds think alike! Ha! I was just thinking, looking at current Gold Wings, that somewhere under all that dressing lurks a potential Valkyrie.
Speaking strictly of 'looks', the Valkyrie is perfect in my eyes. It's more than chrome, or paint or such. It's the way the lines flow so perfectly for a unique look that speaks power, grace, appeal. Not many others carry it off so successfully.
In those rare moments of introspection I compare to a few others and they fail. Wing looks nice from ten feet away. Reminds me a bit of the BMW LT's I used to ride. But the view from the seat ruins it, for me anyway. That box-like fairing on each side...shudder.
Another one that draws the eye is HD Ultra. Beautiful lines from the fairing back - till the bags. To me they look an afterthought. Smooth, flowing look from the front is broken with boxy baggage, all angles and lines and stuff, just an opposite look to the front aspect.
Someone mentioned the Venture RSV. They look great and I had one. For all of six months. Hard to explain, but I found the look nice, but lacking in substance under the dressing. Got bored real quickly.
So yeah - I can't see Honda creating another Valk, but if they did I'd be lining up. We here are a small and limited, albeit devoted, market. But I still wonder if the Wing's plastic hides a potential babe of a Valk.

Well said! Surley there is someone in the world that has one or at least tried to make one!

[rainman]

I for one would be interested in a new Valkyrie Interstate model especially if it is FI .  The only problem is that it would compete with their own product, the Goldwing, so I doubt it is going to happen.  I believe that is why they scrapped the IS in the first place.  

couldn't say it better I for one was a slow about getting a valkyrie it was not till 07 that I test road a valkyrie I/S feel in love with it after ridding her for only a total of a1/2 mile.  three weeks later I traded my 04 goldwing in on my first valkyrie now I have 2 and looking for the third one. Like someone said in this post thing have changed from 02-03

[Jabba]

There are pictures of a 1800 wing conversion into a "Valk" somewhere.  He was / is a VRCC member.  I am not a search "Guru", though I did try and failed.

Someone on here will find it and post it.

Please?

Jabba

[hubcapsc]

There are pictures of a 1800 wing conversion into a "Valk" somewhere.  He was / is a VRCC member.  I am not a search "Guru", though I did try and failed.

Someone on here will find it and post it.

Please?

Jabba

I think they called that thing the Xwing... I can't find it either... when I looked last time, I found this, though:



-Mike

[BIG--T]

That just looks like the trunk/seat is missing or is it just me?

[R J]

At this point, MotherHonda is just a car company with motorcycle building as a hobby. If she loses your bike dollars it's no biggie, she'll more than make it up on Accords and Civics.

I don't know about your area, but KIA is kicking Honda's arse in sales here.  Have a friend who works for the DMV and in that county, she says KIA is selling 2 to 1 over Honda, all models that is.    This is only the KIA vs Honda comparison.  I've also noticed there aren't that many new Honda's on the street.   She also said Toyota was a big seller.

I know my daughter tried to buy a Honda and she didn't come out ahead with them and went to KIA for comparing window stickers and ended up trading for the KIA for almost $3k difference.  Window stickers were exactly $48.75 difference.    Honda was higher.   She is getting 34.4 MPG driving to and from work and to the kids Day care and school.   The Mazda she traded in got 24.8, same 4 cylinder Turbo motor.

[WylieGibbs]

This question has been asked at least 10 different times.

Go to Inzane and look who is there, OLD FART BIG WHITE GUYS.

At best we have 5-10 years of riding left. You dont develop and market a product that is going to die in short order.

Jiminy Christmas get over it. You are not pushing the market unless your are talking about adult diapers and nursing homes.

Ride fast...........they are not coming back.

WG

[roadhamr]

the concept of a powerful tour capable motorcycle platform is not at all out of style or passe. take a look in the marketplace. the Valkyrie concept with the 1800 would be great. can they put it in a conventional frame and still make it work and remove some of the bells and whistles to appeal to a different crowd? I have an Interstate model but would not consider a Goldwing because of the styling. i have ridden alot of different wings and they are great, but they are not a Valkyrie Interstate. if Honda makes another Interstate i would imagine it would be on a different platform altogether. just please make it a 6 speed!

[Tx Bohemian]

That just looks like the trunk/seat is missing or is it just me?

I agree.  Kinda looks like a mix but more Goldwingish.

I have no idea what a GW looks like under all the fairing and bags so maybe this is not even possible but...

Seems to me with the vast knowledge on this board, the ability to rig, and the availability of after market parts you could take a GW and strip it down to a frame, motor, and drive then add Valk type stuff.

Might be a good project for a GW that had a front end collision to where the forks, front fairing and such would need replacing anyway.

[BIG--T]

That just looks like the trunk/seat is missing or is it just me?

I agree.  Kinda looks like a mix but more Goldwingish.

I have no idea what a GW looks like under all the fairing and bags so maybe this is not even possible but...

Seems to me with the vast knowledge on this board, the ability to rig, and the availability of after market parts you could take a GW and strip it down to a frame, motor, and drive then add Valk type stuff.

Might be a good project for a GW that had a front end collision to where the forks, front fairing and such would need replacing anyway.

I wish there was a MC salvage yard close by. Like you I have no idea what a GW looks like  under all the plastic. Dunno, once all said and done, the GW might look better!

[hubcapsc]

What's under the plastic isn't designed to be seen. Apparently the guy had
to fab a bunch of stuff to enable him to take off that goldwing's trunk and backseat.



I often wonder what it would be like to have 1500 wing mufflers on a Valkyrie, but the headers aren't
chromed, they're hidden under cowling...

-Mike

[BIG--T]

What's under the plastic isn't designed to be seen. Apparently the guy had
to fab a bunch of stuff to enable him to take off that goldwing's trunk and backseat.



I often wonder what it would be like to have 1500 wing mufflers on a Valkyrie, but the headers aren't
chromed, they're hidden under cowling...

-Mike

Mike I really don't see the point of his taking the trunk off? Thinks he's trying to get a little Ultra Classic look with the quick disconnect?

Are the wing's mufflers quiter than the oem Valks?

[Black Dog]

I knew I could find it...  Here is a thread about the stripped down 1800 Wing, that a few of us have seen at the CBR ride.  Stripped of tupperware, and a few home made mods...  Nice effort.

Here is the thread, with a few pics...

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,30152.0.html

Black Dog

[The Anvil]

At this point, MotherHonda is just a car company with motorcycle building as a hobby. If she loses your bike dollars it's no biggie, she'll more than make it up on Accords and Civics.

I had to look up the numbers.  I was surprized to find that Honda made 16 million motorcycles in 2010.  Obviously most of these did not go to the USA.

That's just it; Honda's doing fine. They're just concentrating their motorcycle efforts elsewhere.

[ValhallaIamComing]

I think the bottom line is that Honda and all other Asian manufacturers are far more focused on sportbikes than cruisers... also a new Valkyrie's biggest competition would be the Goldwing... which is counterproductive for Honda.

[The Anvil]

also a new Valkyrie's biggest competition would be the Goldwing... which is counterproductive for Honda.

I don't really think that's the case. The standard and tourer models are not much like a Goldwing at all. The Interstate (as has already been mentioned) aped on the GW territory to some degree, but even the Interstate is much more of a motorcycle than the two wheeled Accord that the wing is.

[roadhamr]

i sold both wings and Valk interstates during their heydays and the Valk did not encroach on the wing's sales at all. they attracted a very different crowd.

[lucky_1_chris]

BIG--T? Great minds think alike! Ha! I was just thinking, looking at current Gold Wings, that somewhere under all that dressing lurks a potential Valkyrie.
Speaking strictly of 'looks', the Valkyrie is perfect in my eyes. It's more than chrome, or paint or such. It's the way the lines flow so perfectly for a unique look that speaks power, grace, appeal. Not many others carry it off so successfully.
In those rare moments of introspection I compare to a few others and they fail. Wing looks nice from ten feet away. Reminds me a bit of the BMW LT's I used to ride. But the view from the seat ruins it, for me anyway. That box-like fairing on each side...shudder.
Another one that draws the eye is HD Ultra. Beautiful lines from the fairing back - till the bags. To me they look an afterthought. Smooth, flowing look from the front is broken with boxy baggage, all angles and lines and stuff, just an opposite look to the front aspect.
Someone mentioned the Venture RSV. They look great and I had one. For all of six months. Hard to explain, but I found the look nice, but lacking in substance under the dressing. Got bored real quickly.
So yeah - I can't see Honda creating another Valk, but if they did I'd be lining up. We here are a small and limited, albeit devoted, market. But I still wonder if the Wing's plastic hides a potential babe of a Valk.

Well said! Surley there is someone in the world that has one or at least tried to make one!

Google "naked Goldwings". There are guys doing very cool things with the Wing. Some are pretty Valkyriesque.

[The Anvil]

i sold both wings and Valk interstates during their heydays and the Valk did not encroach on the wing's sales at all. they attracted a very different crowd.

Yes. Valkyries attract beer drinkers and pretzel eaters and Goldwings attract Peter Egan.

[hubcapsc]

Google "naked Goldwings".

Well... I'm still traumatized from when I googled "scaffolding erection", and there's
the painter who googled "latex bondage", but... OK...

-Mike