You've *never* seen a bike like this unless you've seen a bike like this. Exactly like this in fact. Meeting a Honda Valkyrie Rune face to face for the first time is rather like walking into your favourite sci-fi and interacting with the characters. The lines between fantasy and reality just blur around the edges enough to make you wonder what was in that cup of coffee you had 5 minutes ago.
This bike doesn't try and steal your admiration. It forces you to pay attention. The chrome leaps off almost 50% of the surface of the machine and most of that is engine! Even Harley's don't have this much chrome. Nor do they have so much elegance either.
Honda's other huge Cruiser offerings don't exactly fire the imagination it has to be said. But they've never built one like this before either. 6 cylinders and 1.8 litres of solid thumping motor in a beautifully styled retro chassis. Then they've built all the weighty bits into the base keeping the centre of gravity low and well placed. When you sit on her she doesn't really feel heavy at all.
Take a ride out on a bendy road and she comes into her own. Which I have to admit is surprising for a bike designed for use on the straight roads of the USA. But point a Rune into a bend and she catapults you out the other side with ease. The smooth engine takes everything in its stride and the comfy seat is simply perfect even after hours upon hours of riding.
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 sometimes, only sometimes, one of the few of these bikes which were privately imported come up for sale. In fact, right at this very minute, one is sitting in a used motorcycle showroom in Leicester. Sitting and waiting for her next gleeful owner to arrive, to drool and to buy.
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.
This bike doesn't try and steal your admiration. It forces you to pay attention. The chrome leaps off almost 50% of the surface of the machine and most of that is engine! Even Harley's don't have this much chrome. Nor do they have so much elegance either.
Honda's other huge Cruiser offerings don't exactly fire the imagination it has to be said. But they've never built one like this before either. 6 cylinders and 1.8 litres of solid thumping motor in a beautifully styled retro chassis. Then they've built all the weighty bits into the base keeping the centre of gravity low and well placed. When you sit on her she doesn't really feel heavy at all.
Take a ride out on a bendy road and she comes into her own. Which I have to admit is surprising for a bike designed for use on the straight roads of the USA. But point a Rune into a bend and she catapults you out the other side with ease. The smooth engine takes everything in its stride and the comfy seat is simply perfect even after hours upon hours of riding.
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 sometimes, only sometimes, one of the few of these bikes which were privately imported come up for sale. In fact, right at this very minute, one is sitting in a used motorcycle showroom in Leicester. Sitting and waiting for her next gleeful owner to arrive, to drool and to buy.
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.
About the Author:
John Vincent is fighting for freedom, liberty and space for his bikes. He also deals with information and advice on mopeds or used motorbikes in the midlands.
0 comments:
Post a Comment