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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128224
2004 Honda Valkyrie Rune Features Engine Liquid-cooled horizontally opposed fuel-injected 1832cc six-cylinder Six 32mm Denso throttle bodies with 12 laser-drilled holes for better fuel atomization 6.9-liter airbox Chrome cylinder head covers Twin front-mounted radiators Rotary Air Control Valve (RACY), automatic d)oke function Six-into-two exhaust system Low maintenance shaft drive Five-speed transmission (Above) The taillights are flush mounted LED units that not only keep the rear fender looking clean, but also offer a lot of illumination and longer life than ordinary bulbs. (Left) The Rune's fork incorporates a trailing link axle setup, primarily for the unique styling, but the fact of the matter is that the twin upper-mounted shock setup actually works. because the idea was to keep the suspension completely hidden like the T2's. In this case the Unit Pro Link from the RC211 V MotoGP fit the bill and not only met the styling requirements but the functional necessity as well. There are many more issues that the designers piled on the engineers to Chassis Diamond-shape aluminum frame Trailing bollom link front suspension relays loads through pushrods and links to twin upper shocks, one housing spring and other housing sub-spring and damping system Unit Pro-Link rear suspension inspired by RC211 Y MotoGP bike's Dual 330mm front discs Single 336mm rear disc 'J Twin three-piston front calipers Single twin-piston rear caliper Linked front and rear calipers which when the rear peddle is applied, the inner piston on ; each front caliper is also activated Chrome or Spec 47 silver wheels 180/55R17 rear tire 150/60R18 front tire Additional Features Honda Ignition Security System (H.I.S.S.) featuring chip-impianted keys, only allowing the bike to start with the two original keys by disabling the ignition system Remote steering lock system is activated by pulling a lever on the left side of the bike with the key in the off position and the bars turned to the left. Is automatically disabled when key is in the on position Chrome-plated clutch and brake master cylinders and levers Seamless 6.2-gallon fuel tank Twin 55-wall bulbs in single headlight, one for low beam and both in high-beam mode Tank-mounted instruments Including speedometer, fuel, tripmeter and odometer Two available handlebars, rear-set and forward-set Handlebar-mounted indicator lights for oil pressure, fuel injection, high beam, turn signals, coolant temperature, and locking system LED flush-mounttaillighls Low 27.2-inch seat height a Honda. No matter how radical a '<====:...:====-=:...::::::=====-__..-/ solve, and many of them went through the same painstaking process between the engineering and design departments. However, in the end as is obvious, they basically created a production version of the T2 true to its identity. The 1832cc flat six Gold Wing-derived motor is as smooth and torquey as anything out there and provides more than enough power to move the Rune along rather quickly. That front end is way out there. At least that's the feeling you get from the mile-long headlight stretched out in front of the cockpit. At times you feel like a medieval knight with a jousting lance, just trying to keep the thing from jabbing the taillights in front of you. The bike is so long that at times you feel like you're being chauffeured around, and then you to work, which goes without saying, nians start splitting lanes when this, happens, but in this case I was told' and the Rune is no exception. ahead of time, only if it was absolute-, l I think there is a false perception about the Rune's handling. People still view the bike as a "show bike" and don't believe that it actually works that well. To a certain degree I understand this skepticism, because looking at the bike, it's so long and low that one would never dream of riding the thing on a twisty road. On We departed Honda's headquarters Iy necessary. As it turns out, riding in J in Torrance, California, and headed bumper-to-bumper traffic was very, out to Malibu for a morning in the informative. The Rune wasn't botl"\-, saddle. With any other Honda we snap to your senses and realize that you're the one riding the thing. Just don't crack open the decanters of booze while you're back there. BUT HOW ODES IT WORK? Usually, as you all know, we Califor-' beast the company builds, it's going ered by the slow moving traffic at all. I would get a test unit for a few weeks As a matter of fact, I could trickle' to ride at our own leisure. Not the along at five miles per hour and nob Rune. They only have two press units even dab my feet on the tarmac forI and therefore were taking the media long stretches. Another trait that on chaperoned rides. At $25K who could blame them. Besides, I was made this quite easy is the Rune's~ excellent clutch and heaps of low-endz truly excited to get to ride the bike, torque. ,'II have to admit I was; because I wanted to see what all the shocked at how well-mannered the fuss was about. bike was, just perfectly balanced and We headed north on the 405 park- Z ing lot - I mean freeway - and hit unfazed by it all. After 25-30 minutes of traffic w';' bumper-to-bumper traffic right away. needed a pit stop, and I also swapped the other hand just remember that it's The T2 is the bike that became the Rune, staying true to its fonn throughout the design and engineering phases. 34 JULY 23,2003' eye I e n eVIls J