http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Honda/Honda-F6C-Valkyrie-1996-2006/ MCN overall verdict 4 The Honda F6C Valkyrie is one of those traffic-stopping motorcycles that non-bikers are simply fascinated by. Basically a stripped down Honda GL1500 Gold Wing, with lower gearing and six carbs, the Honda F6C Valkyrie is actually reasonably good fun to ride and some might say it's best made motorcycle in America. The Honda Rune 1800 looks like some kind of Dan Dare spacecraft - mental. Engine MCN rating 3 Owners' rating 5 The Honda F6C Valkyrie's big problem for many cruiser riders is that it just isn't a V-twin. Instead a burbling flat six Honda GL1500 Gold Wing motor seems to sanitised for most, too damn quiet. Sure, the Honda F6C Valkyrie's 100bhp motor is enough to send the thing whizzing along an unfeasible speeds, but it's easily out accelerated by the Triumph Rocket III, any old Yamaha V-Max and a whole boatload of rival power cruiser motorcycles these days. The Rune 1800 isn't really any faster. Ride and Handling MCN rating 4 Owners' rating 5 Here, the Honda F6C Valkyrie surprises many riders. So long as there's plenty of advance planning, the motorcycle can be made to go around a corner fairly fast ( for a cruiser) and still offers a luxurious ride on motorways. The Honda Rune 1800 is more ponderous, but then you'd want to travel slowly so people could stare for longer. Equipment MCN rating 4 Owners' rating 5 Huge brakes, beefy forks and a proper two person saddle are some of the useful features on the Honda F6C Valkyrie. It could use the reverse gear of the Gold Wing and there's no screen as standard on the Honda F6C Valkyrie. Naturally there's a whole phone book of accessories to be had, from both Honda and US aftermarket motorcycle accessory suppliers. Sci-fi bodywork on the Rune looks stunning. Quality and Reliability MCN rating 5 Owners' rating 5 The Honda F6C Valkyrie rarely goes wrong, ever. It is a beautifully made motorcycle, with lavish chrome, thick paintwork and an engine that can cover 100,000 miles with basic oil/filter changes. The main problem with the motorcycle is keeping its hundreds of nooks and crannies clean. Double that cleaning time on the Honda Rune 1800. Value MCN rating 4 Owners' rating 5 For most of its life it was available as a personal import from the USA, and there aren't that many around, which keeps resale values high. Honda F6C Valkyrie motorcycles with the hard luggage touring kit on seem to be sought after. Buy a good used motorcycle and you can five years biking for about two grand in depreciation. The Honda Rune 1800 costs big bucks and is for Lotto millionaires and poseurs only. Insurance Insurance group: 14 Model History 1996: Honda F6C Valkyrie launched. 1997: Honda F6C Valkyrie Touring appears in US. 1998: Honda UK officially import F6C Valkyrie. 1999: Honda F6C Valkyrie Interstate launched in US. 2003: Honda UK drop F6C Valkyrie from their range. 2004: Honda Valkyrie Rune 1800 Ltd Ed launched in USA. 2005: US factory discontinues Honda Valkyrie Rune production.

Specifications Top speed 115mph 1/4-mile acceleration 12 secs Power 100bhp Torque 87ftlb Weight 309kg Seat height 740mm Fuel capacity 20 litres Average fuel consumption 33mpg Tank range 120 miles Insurance group 14