new valkyrie

[jdp]

man just had a chance to ride the FB6 wow what a nice ride,why why wont Honda make it look like the old valkyries, seems like such a large following with the old valkyries honda would at least try it.

[mrtappan]

Because Honda got lazy on the new Valkyrie.  Why design a new bike when you can strip your Goldwing and add a body kit?  Bang!  New Valkyrie. 

Still a fun bike, just not a creative piece of engineering.

[Willow]

Be fair, guys.  To us it seems like a large following because we're in the middle of it.  To the Honda sales people it didn't seem so.  Three to four years after the discontinuance of the classic Valkyrie one could still find some available in the crates at a few Honda dealerships.

The Goldwing Valkyrie and the F6B are essentially additions to the Goldwing offerings to fill the niches of what would have been the Standard and Tourer models of the classic Valkyrie line.  I wish them well.  I believe there are still a lot of buyers out there that appreciate the technology and design of the Goldwing but are just not yet interested in the full blown touring version that has long been available. 

[jdp]

Dont get me wrong, i like them all but i just like seeing the motor and not so much plastic, and maybe if they put the radiator in the front not on the sides, maybe one day, maybe

[wiggydotcom]

Don't see them moving the radiators. There are strategic and functional reasons why Honda moved them to the sides.

[cookiedough]

As far as plastic all over, look around at all the cars and even the trucks being made all plastic lower panels for most of them and cheap plastic all over inside as well.  Plus, the darn plastic to replace seems like costs just as much as the sheet metal for pete's sake, but shouldn't be that pricey. 

Honda is just following the industry even though most of us do not agree with the norm.  We like to be different and stand out, thus us liking the older Valks all chromed out and shiny engine, etc.

I too have ridden the F6B, and love the comfort and speed and reliability, looks so-so with cheap plastic galore, can take it or leave it.  Until my 2001 Valk I/S starts nickling and diming me to death,  it will be mine for a tad bit longer.     It was an odd feeling though driving the F6B with a fixed fairing in front, took a few miles to get used to not having the fairing follow the way I was turning, was a tad shaky at first.  I do not wish for any more speed than going near 60 mph in 2nd gear, that thing is a rocket, fast enough for me for sure, no need for a crotch rocket.

[Serk]

Dropped by one of the local Honda shops the other day looking for some gloves (Sheesh are they proud of their gloves!) and was eye-balling the new Valk...

Salesdroid comes up to me, we chat a bit, asks me what I ride say a "Classic Valkyrie"...

They ask me what I think of the new one...

"I love the specs, but hate the look and way too much plastic."

"Oh, so you don't like cruiser style motorcycles?"

"*Blank Stare* from me"

.....

They thought the "Classic Valkyrie" was some sort of Gold Wing sport bike crotch rocket thingy (Guessing an ST1300 maybe?). I took 'em to the door and pointed out my Valk in the parking lot.

"Oh... THAT'S what the classic Valkyries look like?!?! Wow... I had no idea!"

Yeah...  Our bikes (And some of us) have gotten that old.

[Robert]

Be fair, guys.  To us it seems like a large following because we're in the middle of it.  To the Honda sales people it didn't seem so.  Three to four years after the discontinuance of the classic Valkyrie one could still find some available in the crates at a few Honda dealerships.

The Goldwing Valkyrie and the F6B are essentially additions to the Goldwing offerings to fill the niches of what would have been the Standard and Tourer models of the classic Valkyrie line.  I wish them well.  I believe there are still a lot of buyers out there that appreciate the technology and design of the Goldwing but are just not yet interested in the full blown touring version that has long been available.  

Willow as usual is spot on   With that said I like the look of the new Valk takes a bit but with the bags I really like it.