Honda Valkyrie
 | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Also called | GL1500C, F6C |
| Production | 1996–2003 |
| Engine |
1,520 cc (93 cu in) liquid cooled SOHC flat-6 71 mm bore × 64 mm stroke Compression ratio 9.8:1 |
| Top speed | 131 mph (211 km/h)[1] |
| Power | 100.0 hp (74.6 kW) (rear wheel)[1] |
| Torque | 102.3 lb·ft (138.7 N·m) (rear wheel)[1] |
| Transmission | Five-speed, shaft drive |
| Suspension |
Front: 45 mm inverted fork, 130 mm travel Rear: Dual shock, preload adjustable, 120 mm travel |
| Brakes |
Front: Dual 296 mm floating discs, 2-piston calipers Rear: Single 316 mm disc, 2-piston caliper |
| Tires |
Front: 150/80R-17 Rear: 180/70R-16 |
| Wheelbase | 1,690 mm (67 in) |
| Seat height | 735 mm (28.9 in) |
| Weight |
300 kg (660 lb) (dry) 721 lb (327 kg)[1] (wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 20 L (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal) |
The Honda Valkyrie is a motorcycle that was manufactured by Honda from 1996 to 2003. It was designated GL1500C in the US market and F6C ("Flat Six Custom") in other markets.
The Valkyrie engine is a 1,520 cubic centimetres (93 cu in) liquid cooled, horizontally opposed flat-six engine transplanted from Honda's Gold Wing model, unlike the V-twin engine commonly found on "cruiser" style motorcycles. In its transplant from the Goldwing, the most notable engine changes were the camshaft and the change to six individual 28 mm carburetors, one for each cylinder, changes which increased power and torque.
The Valkyrie was offered with a reverse gear in Japan. The Valkyrie was made in the U.S.A. at the Honda motorcycle plant in Marysville, Ohio.
Other models
Standard, Tourer and Interstate
On introduction in 1997, a naked Standard and later, a Tourer model were offered. The Tourer included a windshield and lockable hard saddlebags.
In 1999, the Interstate model was added to the lineup, which included a fork-mounted fairing along with a larger capacity fuel tank and a trunk at the rear of the motorcycle.
As sales eventually dwindled, the Interstate and Tourer models were dropped after 2001, leaving only the Standard model remaining. 2003 saw the Standard offered only in black and was the last year of the original Valkyrie.
Rune
Honda introduced a limited edition model in 2003 named the Valkyrie Rune with a 1,832-cubic-centimetre (111.8 cu in) engine. It was a major departure from the original Valkyrie in styling and purpose.
This model was produced at the Honda motorcycle plant in Marysville, Ohio.
EVO6 concept
Honda presented the EVO6 concept motorcycle at the Tokyo Motor Show 2007. Based on the flat-six 1,832 cubic centimetres (111.8 cu in) engine from the Goldwing, the EVO6 produces more power than its touring ancestor. The EVO6 features Honda's Human Friendly Transmission (HFT) transmission that can be operated in a fully automatic mode or a six-speed manual mode.
Reintroduction
The Valkyrie was reintroduced in November 2013 as a redesign of the GL1800 Gold Wing.[2]
At the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda revealed their new 'naked' version of the GL1800, as the 2014 Valkyrie, using the same 1832cc six-cylinder engine as the Gold Wing but weighing 70 kg (150 lb) less.[3] The new Valkyrie has increased rake and trail, front and rear suspension revised for the reduced weight, 50/50 weight distribution and large tires after the fashion of sport-bikes.[4] Going beyond the naked bike genre, the Valkyrie's horsepower-to-weight ratio puts it clearly into the muscle bike class. It's expected to be on sale by Spring, 2014, for about $17,000 for the base model (the model with an anti-lock braking system will cost more).[5][6]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Performance Index Winter '12/'13 Edition" (PDF), Motorcycle Consumer News, Bowtie Magazines, January 2013
- ↑ Blake Conner (November 20, 2013), First look: 2014 Honda Valkyrie, Cycle World
- ↑ "Revealed: Gold Wing F6C". Visordown. Immediate Media Co. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
The Gold Wing F6C has a new aluminium subframe, new styling and steering geometry and radiators mounted on the sides instead of the front.
- ↑ "Honda Launches 2014 Honda Valkyrie". Bikeland.org. Bikeland Media. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
Veteran reviewers agree the F6B and the Gold Wing already carve corners far better than anyone who hasn't ridden them can believe. The Valkyrie goes beyond the F6B in handling and other areas, especially in stripping weight; down to a svelte 750 pounds wet.
- ↑ Cook, Marc (19 November 2013). "2014 Honda Valkyrie | FIRST LOOK". Motorcyclist Online. Source Interlink Media. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
Like the original, which debuted way back in 1996, the new Valky bases off the Gold Wing, picking up the existing SOHC, 12-valve opposed-six-cylinder engine trussed into an aluminum twin-spar frame. This time, though, the styling isn't American Retro—it's more like Gold Wing meets Transformers.
- ↑ Wilson, Andrea (20 November 2013). "2014 Honda Valkyrie First Look". Cycle News. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
The engine configuration – combined with where it's mounted in the Valkyrie's aluminum twin-spar frame – makes for a low center of gravity. That, combined with a low seat height of 28.8 inches, is designed to add great handling in addition to performance.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Honda Valkyrie. |
- Hod Rod Hearts: Meeting of the Muscle Motorcycles; The motorcycle superpower summit: Harley-Davidson V-Rod, Honda Magna, Honda Valkyrie, Honda VTX1800C, Kawasaki Mean Streak, Yamaha V-Max, Yamaha Warrior at MotorcycleCruiser.com
- Motorcycle Test: Honda Valkyrie 1500 F6 at MotorcycleCruiser.com
