FIRST LOOK
P32
2014 HONDA VALKYRIE
A
fter a 10-year absence,
Honda is back in the
muscle-cruiser
market
with the return of the Valkyrie.
And based on its specs, it appears Honda was serious about
the "muscle" classification as its
taken the same engine that powers the Gold Wing and Gold Wing
F6B – the 1832cc liquid-cooled
horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine - and made it leaner,
stripping it down to its essentials
to give it a curb weight of 750
pounds. That's 154 pounds less
than the Gold Wing.
So same horsepower. And
less weight. Hello horsepow-
er-to-weight ratio. Honda also
added more torque, claiming
the Valkyrie engine package out
performs the Wings in that department as well. To feed the
power, the new Valkyrie is fuel
injected with two 40mm throttle
bodies and six high-pressure
programmed fuel injectors.
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 to impressive
performance numbers.
Suspension-wise the new Honda has a Pro-Link rear single shock
with adjustable pre-load and a nonadjustable 45mm fork up front.
That and its sportbike inspired
Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm
are aimed at sportier riding. Its aluminum wheels are fitted with Dun-
Retur
THE VAL
