The New Honda Valkyrie

[ChromeDome]

Went to the Chicago International Motorcycle show and checked out Honda's new version of the Valkyrie and it just doesn't work for me. I got the feeling that Honda just slapped this together with a bunch spare plastic parts lying about in the hopes that people would just stop asking about a new Valkyrie. I was very disappointed and would be surprised if the model lasts more than 3 years.

[Popeye]

Tom,  I stopped by the Honda exhibit to see our friends from Fox Valley Cycles.  John asked me what I thought.  Told him I liked it even less in person.  Still butt ugly in my book.

Popeye

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I've not seen one in person however I seem to like everything but the rear fender and maybe some nice hard saddlebags would " fix " that 

[John Schmidt]

I haven't seen one in person yet, but I'm not discouraged with its appearance. I have complete confidence in our bunch of riders and their creativity, just look at what we all have done to the Valkyrie we now ride. I'd say give it a couple years, I'll bet there will be some real head turners cruising around town. I'm with Joe on the back end of that thing, front fender also; both too big and bulky. Totally unnecessary. Get a nice cut down rider's seat, narrow rear fender and some Corbin type bags in back and you have a nice start. Then move to the frontal view....that's even worse in my book. Cut down the fender in overall length and narrow it down by getting rid of those humps on either side. Put a straight fender on it similar to the VTX we adapt to the Valk. Still trying to figure out what the Sam Hill they were doing with the headlight and gauge cluster area. But if I could afford one, what I've listed would be where I start.

[rainman]

I'll bet there will be some real head turners cruising around town.

You said it John head turners around town that is the only thing I see this bike being good for is a ride around and through town or riding to the local bar Sorry it don't do a thing for me don't even want to see one. The only way you could go  on a weekend outing is to pull a trailer  .
Happy with what I got.

[3fan4life]

Saw it at the DC Show in January.



I like it but I'm not in love with it.

It definitely should be a ROCKET SHIP.

And, It does have possibilities.....................

So does the CTX 1300



This bike could make a great commuter or tourer.

[..]

The side radiator pods are vomit inducing.

How one can customize around those.................................?

[rainman]

The side radiator pods are vomit inducing.

How one can customize around those.................................?

+10

[Pepmyster]

I'm going at the end of Feb to our show, but, we cannot compare our Valkyries to this one. They should have called it something else. I mean, they are 2 different bikes all together. I am not fond of this look myself.

[jimmytee]

The side radiator pods are vomit inducing.

How one can customize around those.................................?

I'm just guessing here because I have only seen the pics, but those radiator shrouds seem to be larger than what they need to be for functionality. If that's true, then I could see a much smaller shroud made of aluminum and possibly chromed. A shroud that does not protrude so far forward and out.

[John Schmidt]

Those shrouds work as air scoops in front, making them stick out so far. Seems to me they could have been flat against the radiator with numerous louvers to catch air. Having not seen the bike I'm just making presumptions here judging by the pics I've seen.

[WNGD]

That bike would need a better looking butt just to move up to butt ugly....
Regardless of what name they slap on it, they stopped making true Valkyries in '03, or '05 if you count the Rune which if anything, is better looking than this monstrosity imo.

[lordofchaos]

I too was at the DC show in January. The main impression I came way with is that it's all front end. When I sat on it, there was just so much bulging bike in front of me, and it seemed like nothing at all behind me. I'm sure I could get used to it, but it really is something where you have to not compare it to our current Valks, cause it's really just a different beast. Of course, I seem to recall the GoldWing guys saying the same thing when Honda intro'd the original 1800 Wings. It's not bad, just different. I will be very interested to see what the creative types come up with, because I really just couldn't even visualize things like bags and better seating for a passenger (would NOT put the wife on the back of a stock 2014 Valk)...

[BF]

Sorry, I hate it. 

The ONLY thing that it has in common with our bikes is that it's made by Honda and it has the name Valkyrie on it....that's it. 

It's just a stripped down Wing with a bunch of seriously fugly plastic slapped on it. 

Guy's that buy that obomination (and I'm betting it won't be that many) will be going to the Wing forums for support...not here.  Ugly as it is, it's still a Wing. 

It has more in common with this bike (and this bike looks better too)......

[98pacecar]

Saw it at the DC Show in January.

Looks,,, A LOT,,,,        like this...  both,,,  ugimous...    

[WNGD]

Sorry, I hate it. 

The ONLY thing that it has in common with our bikes is that it's made by Honda and it has the name Valkyrie on it....that's it. 

It's just a stripped down Wing with a bunch of seriously fugly plastic slapped on it. 

Guy's that buy that obomination (and I'm betting it won't be that many) will be going to the Wing forums for support...not here.  Ugly as it is, it's still a Wing. 

+1+1+!

[paul246]

Sorry, I hate it. 

The ONLY thing that it has in common with our bikes is that it's made by Honda and it has the name Valkyrie on it....that's it. 

It's just a stripped down Wing with a bunch of seriously fugly plastic slapped on it. 

Guy's that buy that obomination (and I'm betting it won't be that many) will be going to the Wing forums for support...not here.  Ugly as it is, it's still a Wing. 

+1+1+!

Good thing I didn't let my "hate" of the looks of my '98 Valkyrie stop me from owning and riding one.

When I first saw the bike in the flesh I laughed to myself about the over-the-top goofiness of its styling and proportions. It looked to me like a bike trying so hard to mimick and out puff a Harley cruiser that it reached the point of near ridiculous.

However, by keeping an open mind and doing some research on the bike's performance I decided to lay down some coin and give it the old college try. The rest is history, I thoroughly enjoyed my years on my Valk.

Today we have a new Valk to think about. I know one thing for sure, this bike is no woman's frock, so looks will once again have to take a back seat to performance.

[BF]

Sorry, I hate it.  

The ONLY thing that it has in common with our bikes is that it's made by Honda and it has the name Valkyrie on it....that's it.  

It's just a stripped down Wing with a bunch of seriously fugly plastic slapped on it.  

Guy's that buy that obomination (and I'm betting it won't be that many) will be going to the Wing forums for support...not here.  Ugly as it is, it's still a Wing.  

+1+1+!

Good thing I didn't let my "hate" of the looks of my '98 Valkyrie stop me from owning and riding one.

When I first saw the bike in the flesh I laughed to myself about the over-the-top goofiness of its styling and proportions. It looked to me like a bike trying so hard to mimick and out puff a Harley cruiser that it reached the point of near ridiculous.

However, by keeping an open mind and doing some research on the bike's performance I decided to lay down some coin and give it the old college try. The rest is history, I thoroughly enjoyed my years on my Valk.

Today we have a new Valk to think about. I know one thing for sure, this bike is no woman's frock, so looks will once again have to take a back seat to performance.

Really?  You hated the way the Valkyries looked?  It was love at first sight for me.  The first time I ever saw one 15 years ago I thought it a great looking bike and in no way did I think it resembled a Harley in any way.  I thought Honda it a home run with it.  

Performance alone does not dicate to me what I ride.  What I ride has to have some soul.....and I think my bike has it in spades. 

The current/new Valkyrie looks more like a Transformer from my grandson's box of toys.  

[signart]

I never would have investigated my Valkyries' performance had it not looked so un-Harley. I knew it had a Classic style all it's own. Now, since it's evident there will never be a new Valkyrie, ours will be legendary.

[hubcapsc]

I think our Valkyries look just like Harleys... This one my father is on in 195(6?) looks
so much like my Valkyrie, from the front fender to the solo seat to the bags that
it is scary...



Our Valkyries seem classically styled to me, based on all that came before, and the
new ones, not based on anything that came before...

-Mike

[Rams]

I've studied every picture from every angle I could find on this "Valkyrie".   But, I still haven't seen one in person.   I've gotta be honest, I like everything about this Valkyrie except the styling.   I don't like the head light surround, I don't like the side mounted radiator pods, I don't like the fenders or the exhaust styling, I'm not wild about the tank shape nor the instrument cluster and I'd really like to see that engine also  but, other than that, I love it.    I admit, it has potential.   Just not in the looks department. 

[Bighead]

Ron I don't think anyone would question performance so what is left after that? Looks

[paul246]

Ron I don't think anyone would question performance so what is left after that? Looks

You hit the nail on the head. Performance first, looks second.

Form follows function.

[signart]

Nope. If food don't look good, I ain't eating it. If the bike don't look good, I ain't buying it.

[Rams]

Ron I don't think anyone would question performance so what is left after that? Looks

Exactly my point.   

But, for me, style matters. 

[WNGD]

Careful now, if you have offered your opinion on the new Valkyrie previously on any other thread, further opinion will not be tolerated and you will be met with the full force of chastisement......   

[Rams]

Dang,

OK, I'm putting the flame suit on now.

[Regis]

Shoulda called it a Goldwing Sport model .

[rainman]

Shoulda called it a Goldwing Sport model .

+10

[..]

This is what they are trying to emulate

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/ducati/2014-ducati-diavel-ar161374.html

[Rams]

Well, you may be correct, I don't know.   I'm sure it's a performer.   But, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it doesn't fit my idea of a Cruiser.    I know my Valkyrie isn't the fastest thing on two wheels but, I also know she's one of the finest cruisers and one of the most stylish ever built.   

Would never trade my Valkyrie for that.    I won't say no trade is possible but it's gonna have to not only out perform my Valkyrie but, look better.   That is a matter of personal taste and there isn't anything on the market so far that is even close.