I’ve just seen what may possibly be the most individual, and maybe a little scary, motorcycle ever built. And it’s a Honda! The Valkyrie Rune looks like something that leapt out of the pages of a 1980’s sci-fi comic. Or a Sylvester Stallone film based on it. Wide tyres, wide tank, wide bars, wide everything! It’s a beast which begs you to break the law. So it can judge you.
It’s the look of the thing that first grabs your attention. It’s huge, it curves elegantly everywhere and there’s just *so* much chrome! This is one Cruiser that knows which target audience it’s aiming at. Big, brash and glittering it shouts ‘look at me’ with every beat of that throbbing exhaust note.
It’s not just a big bike though, it’s a heavy bike. It weighs in at about 350kg but the engineers at Honda have done an excellent job of keeping all the really heavy parts down low in the frame which makes her feel balanced and poised when you ride her. She could so easily have been heavy and sluggish but she’s certainly not.
The engine is smooth as ice cream after being whisked. And there’s just so much torque it’s ridiculous. Leaning into a bend and squeezing the throttle pushes you back into the comfortable seat and drives you out to the straight with punch. It can keep you entertained for hours and without the aches and pains you might expect from a long road ride.
So why doesn’t everyone have one then? Because Honda designed and built them for Americans, who as we know only ride Harleys (or mopeds), and didn’t think there was market for them in the UK or Europe. So we have to either import one by ourselves – if we can find one – or hope that they come up for sale and then catch them before they are gone again.
However, a bit like waiting for ‘Nessie’ on the shores of Loch Ness they do from time to time show their faces and at the time of writing there’s one up for sale in the Midlands based showroom of Fasttrack Motorcycles. She’s patiently sitting in the window waiting to be bought. Or maybe she’s waiting for her next victim.
Actually seeing a Honda Rune in reality was what shocked me into writing this mini review. I have honestly never seen anything like it in my life. You really wouldn’t be surprised to see a blaster-touting Dredd come walking by and fly off on her at any moment believe me.
There you go then. I’m presenting you with a once in a lifetime opportunity here. Go take a trip to Leicester and have a look at a Honda Rune and see what I mean. And then if you have thirteen grand ready to spend I wouldn’t think you mad if you did. I certainly would if I had it.
Tags: Honda, midlands, motorcycle reviews, motorcycles, rare motorcycles, road test, Rune, Sports, used motorcycles, Valkyrie