What if the new Valk was called something else?

[BamaDrifter64]

Would you look at Honda's newest bike differently?  It's not the same as our Valkyries, and although it's called the same name, it's not a replacement of the bike we love.  However, if you can get past the use of the Valkyrie name, just look at the bike objectively.  I don't like all the plastic, but a 1800cc, 6 cylinder horizontally-opposed engine with fuel injection, single-side rear arm, ABS, and almost 100 lbs. lighter than a F6B?  That's friggin' AWESOME!!!

[Serk]

IMHO it is called something else... It's not a "Honda Valkyrie", it's a "Honda Goldwing Valkyrie"...

[carl1up]

when I bought my valk a few years ago they called it a Goldwing    on steroids.

[wizard -vrccds#125]

Honda made a try at the RUNE calling it a Valk ! That didn't work eather !   

[Freep]

I was just thinking this very thing.

If it were the Silver Wing, no, wait. . . been done. 

Hmmm. . . if not Valkyrie, what? 

Slepnir? After Odin's 8-legged horse? Mmmm. .. probably not. 

How about Falcon? Ford ain't using it. . . 

I DO think there would be a whole different discussion going on were it called anything other than Valkyrie. Probably a much smaller and less passionate discussion as well. 

[alph]

yeah, it was called the F6B, with a different front end!! 

[Valhalla]

The Valk is the F6C , then there is the un-named F6B...to me the next generation should be the F6D. D for Dragon and make it a real awesome bitch. Classic lines, and trick paint.  I don't get the plastic things, air intake filters or whatever they are supposed to be.  Why not clean lines, chrome valve covers, direct injection intakes with 6 individual...never mind.  I will just start an aftermarket industry for people who care how their bikes look.

[Freep]

The plastic things are the radiator surrounds, the single front radiator now replaced by the two side mounted units.

[hueco]

I don't know. Maybe all the genius at Honda ran out of catchy names. I mean. What do you do to outdo a name that means carrying a fallen warrior to Valhalla?    The new 'Valkyrie"? It ain't a Valkyrie to me. It does'nt even look like a Valkyrie. JMHO.

[Thespian]

 Wow looks like they used the same seat from the first Valk,   Good looking bike if you like BMW's. They should have taken from the VTX line for there look. IMO. 

[BamaDrifter64]

You guys just aren't getting the intent of my original post.  Forget your hurt feelings that they've named it the same as our beloved Valkyrie.  Let's say they called it the Shadow instead.  And let's recognize it for what it is, not a chopped Goldwing like the F6B, but basically a stripped GW.

So now that we're at that point, objectively look at this bike.  Yes, I don't care for the plastic either.  Don't like how they did the radiators, headlight or instrument panel.  What do I LOVE about this bike?  Cruiser with 1832cc horizontally-opposed 6 cylinder engine - the same engine for the GW in a setup that is 154 pounds lighter than the GW!  This bike will haul proverbial ass!  FUEL INJECTION!!!  Single-side swing arm!  4-piston brakes with ABS!  Hopefully factory-installed cruise control will be an option.

It won't replace a Valk, because it's NOT a Valk...but we all would love our Valks with these technology improvements.  Face it...that's not gonna happen.  A lot of you liked the F6B for what it was...get past being pissy because they named this a Valkyrie and look at this bike for what it is, not what it isn't...this bike is going to be a very well-disciplined cruiser...that will win almost every redlight to redlight race. 

I won't replace my Valk with one...but I sure wouldn't mind parking one beside my Valk!

Just my $.02.

[carl1up]

I have 2 98 standards 1i have customized the other stock. I also have a gl1800, which I think is Hondas best kept secret, very powerful smooth great handling big bike. the valk was a 1500 wing stripped down cammed up and carbuerated .the difference in power was great, the valk winning of course. if the new valk handles,rides,and is at least as powerful ill have another valk in the house. cant wait to test ride.-----------------carl

[t-man403]

I'm really of opinion that the use of the name "Valkyrie" is more troubling for us than the actual bike. 

The "Cult" following of the big bad "Valk" is about to be invaded somehow and we don't like it  . I know that when I stop for gas, lunch, supper or a beer somewhere, the only Valkyrie in the row of bikes is mine! I am the only one out of all the bikes that come and go that day, that has a Valkyrie. I love that!!  It also goes without a doubt, that 95% of all the other riders, will stop a check out the "Valk" as they walk by  . The "Valkyrie" is definitely unique and will stay that way due to the styling of the new version.

[Freep]

You guys just aren't getting the intent of my original post.  Forget your hurt feelings that they've named it the same as our beloved Valkyrie.  Let's say they called it the Shadow instead.  And let's recognize it for what it is, not a chopped Goldwing like the F6B, but basically a stripped GW.

So now that we're at that point, objectively look at this bike.  Yes, I don't care for the plastic either.  Don't like how they did the radiators, headlight or instrument panel.  What do I LOVE about this bike?  Cruiser with 1832cc horizontally-opposed 6 cylinder engine - the same engine for the GW in a setup that is 154 pounds lighter than the GW!  This bike will haul proverbial ass!  FUEL INJECTION!!!  Single-side swing arm!  4-piston brakes with ABS!  Hopefully factory-installed cruise control will be an option.

It won't replace a Valk, because it's NOT a Valk...but we all would love our Valks with these technology improvements.  Face it...that's not gonna happen.  A lot of you liked the F6B for what it was...get past being pissy because they named this a Valkyrie and look at this bike for what it is, not what it isn't...this bike is going to be a very well-disciplined cruiser...that will win almost every redlight to redlight race. 

I won't replace my Valk with one...but I sure wouldn't mind parking one beside my Valk!

Just my $.02.

Exactly.
Almost.

I disagree with the 'cruiser' appellation. That term for me connotes a retro-styled, as in '40s Indian, Harley or Excelsior (heheheh), modern tech motorcycle.

I think it's more of a naked bike, like the Z1000 or Cb1000f. The fact that it's a naked version of a luxo-tourer rather than a sport bike alters the definition not at all.

And I would definitely have one 'cause when my daughter moves out and takes her Shadow with, the Valley Girl could get lonely. And that would be sad. Were the Valley Girl to be abducted by aliens, I'd probably replace her with a F6b because that bike fits my needs better, or a Rocket III which I see as the English equivalent to the original Valkyrie.

[Skinhead]

Honda can name it what ever they want, to me the Goldwing Standard is what it should have been.  I take no offense for them calling it Valkyrie.

I think however by the time you buy the "Goldwing Standard", add bags, wind shield, tunes, CB Luggage rack or trunk, it'll get spendy fast.  I know a lot of folks don't need all that, and want a commuter bike, I want the long distance cruiser.  So I would probably opt for the Goldwing or F6B.  In my old age I like heat, so heated seat, grips, storage area, I'd probably go for the wing. 

I do however love my IS and '03 standstate, so I ain't in the market until I need a part I can't get.  YMMV n'at.

[8Track]

I explain my '99 Valkyrie standard to other people by characterising it as a stripped down, performance enhanced Goldwing with a good dose of retro styling.

The new Valkyrie is the same thing except they've traded retro styling for modern styling.

Given the popularity of modern looking cruisers like the V-Rod and the Suzuki M-109, I think Honda are onto a winner with the new Valkyrie. Clearly the Honda VTX line wasn't selling that well and the Fury based replacements didn't do well either. I think there is definitely a message there that Honda is responding to. The buyers of new cruisers are now either wanting a Harley, or something quite different to one. The days of people buying Harley clones are seeming to fade.

The retro market seems to have moved on from cruisers - primarily due to a lack of performance  Cafe bikes are where its at now. I predict that Honda will bring out a new retro styled bike to fill that hole in the market, and it will use performance as its point of difference. The V4 based Magna will come back using the 1200cc V4 motor. I reckon it will straddle the market niches of Muscle Bike, Cafe Racer, and Traditional cruiser.

Cheers,

Mark

[WNGD]

Would you look at Honda's newest bike differently?  It's not the same as our Valkyries, and although it's called the same name, it's not a replacement of the bike we love.  However, if you can get past the use of the Valkyrie name, just look at the bike objectively.  I don't like all the plastic, but a 1800cc, 6 cylinder horizontally-opposed engine with fuel injection, single-side rear arm, ABS, and almost 100 lbs. lighter than a F6B?  That's friggin' AWESOME!!!

You're right that a 1800cc, 6 cylinder horizontally-opposed engine with fuel injection, single-side rear arm, ABS, and almost 100 lbs. lighter than a F6B is a nice package. But the design is still butt ugly and calling it a "Goldwing Valkyrie" is sacrilege for that abomination. It's not just that it's called a Valkyrie, it's U-G-L-Y. The Rune was polarizing but a thing of absolute beauty compared to this things.

[WNGD]

I explain my '99 Valkyrie standard to other people by characterising it as a stripped down, performance enhanced Goldwing with a good dose of retro styling.

The new Valkyrie is the same thing except they've traded retro styling for modern styling.

Given the popularity of modern looking cruisers like the V-Rod and the Suzuki M-109, I think Honda are onto a winner with the new Valkyrie. Clearly the Honda VTX line wasn't selling that well and the Fury based replacements didn't do well either. I think there is definitely a message there that Honda is responding to. The buyers of new cruisers are now either wanting a Harley, or something quite different to one. The days of people buying Harley clones are seeming to fade.

The retro market seems to have moved on from cruisers - primarily due to a lack of performance  Cafe bikes are where its at now. I predict that Honda will bring out a new retro styled bike to fill that hole in the market, and it will use performance as its point of difference. The V4 based Magna will come back using the 1200cc V4 motor. I reckon it will straddle the market niches of Muscle Bike, Cafe Racer, and Traditional cruiser.

Cheers,

Mark

You think the V-Rod is POPULAR??? It must be an Australian thing because I very seldom see them on the road. This new bike could have been the Goldwing Sport and I'd have less trouble with the name but still think it's butt ugly, performance or not; I'd then lean more towards the f6b