Here's Why The Honda Valkyrie Failed...Twice

Today we're taking the Honda Valkyrie out and discussing why I believe the bike was not as successful as it could have been. For the record, I'm a huge fan of the Honda Valkyrie. This bike is exceptionally smooth and absolutely flies!

tags: honda valkyrie walk around revie

Shout out to these rad companies that have supported the channel in one way or another:

Follow Her on Instagram: @jackiesmotogarage
Follow me on instagram: @jonsmotogarage

--- This is an affiliate link so all purchases support Jon's Moto Garage :)

...

[cliffordkorzep]

I have owned a valkyrie for nearly 20 years now. I am 6'8" 260lbs. so when I saw the size of it, that is what attracted me to it. I think many riders are intimidated by it. I love how the engine hangs out on both sides. I have four other bikes in my garage, but i am fairly sure I will never sell my valk. I wish they would redo it with an 1800 cc engine and sixth gear.

[georgefischer]

I have three Valks and all three have 70K+ miles. I wanted a Valk when I first saw spy shots in 1995. It's too bad that I can no longer ride them due to having had two spinal chord surgeries that have left me weak and with several neuro-muskuiar issues. But being that after 50 years of riding motorcycles, I found that the Valkyries to be my absolute favorite motorcycle of all time.

[jamespolucha]

I am a Harley-Davidson mechanic, well retired and the day I got to ride one of these I fell in love with it, I bought the interstate model which is like the full dresser model for $2000 with 5000 miles on it now it has 90, 000 miles and coast to coast once a year and never had any problems ever, it’s a well built motorcycle little heavy and poor gas mileage but who cares it out performs most big touring bikes wish they would come out with a naked gold wing I think it would do very good

[michaellee]

I've had two Valkyrie's, not a failure in my experience. Their basic Goldwings on a budget... so if you are looking to ride across country without coughing up a lung, this is the way to go.

[moto_keni]

"Failed"? No, it didn't fail. It succeeded, succeeded wildly, for the demographic at which it was aimed. A touring barge that is stripped down to become a hotrod missile isn't for everyone. Hemi Cudas....Shelby Mustangs....were they failures? Nope. But they were Godsends for those folks that truly appreciated them enough to own one.

[brucebarlow]

I smiled the whole video. I love my Valkyrie Interstate. I’m glade Jon likes it too. I ride 60 miles per day to work, mostly interstate. This bike is my soulmate. Take care of it and it’s a forever bike.

[tomhengel]

I will never give up my valkyrie or my guns😀

[funcar]

The Valkyrie was never a “me too” bike. I love my ‘98 standard. It does everything I want - and then some.

[grumpygnome]

I own a 2003 bought it last year with just 11, 000 miles. At first it seems like a giant beasts when you get on to ride but after you get rolling it's actually pretty easy to ride. I'm a short old fat guy and I can still sit on it flat-footed.

[johnmoates]

My valkyrie literally failed on me. It made a big knock one day when I started it up. It broke the starter gear. I dug the broken gear out and push started it for 2 years. I pulled out in front of a car that was doing 45 mph. The car hit me from the side. If the motor hadn't been stuck out so far it would of crushed my leg. I flew off and landed on my feet unharmed. Totaled the car. Picked up my bike and started it back up and took off.

[motorman]

The Valkyrie was far superior to other heavy weight cruiser/touring motorcycles of the day, in performance, smoothness, and even reliability. And, it was priced right. So why didn't it sell? Because people who wanted a bike of this type wanted an American style V-twin. If they couldn't, or wouldn't pay the money for a Harley, they wanted a bike that looked like a Harley with a big V-twin. They could get that from Yamaha (1600 V-twins) Or Kawasaki with the big Vulcans and even Suzuki. Thus, those bikes sold very well. Honda's American Classic sold pretty good also, but had a smaller (1100cc) V-twin compared to the other metrics, but cost as much as those bikes. The Valkyrie didn't sell well because there wasn't enough of a market for this type of motorcycle. IMHO.

[toofastnobrakes]

My dad still has his original 1998, midnight blue and ivory. He loves that bike and it still runs like a champ

Edit: both he and I are 6’5” 34in inseam on him and 35 for me. We both fit on this bike comfortably

[tardisrider]

Actually for how big it is I thought it felt fairly light and manageable.

[jamesalbinson]

We also have a 2003 Valkyrie. From our experience your review is tight. A big, strong tank of a bike built in Ohio perhaps to make a statement by Honda. We also own a 2013 F6B which offer nice updates, lower center of gravity, better rear suspension and much more plastic bodywork. These 1st gen Valkyrie bikes are pre iPhone, analog and old school muscle cruisers that are a kick to ride.

[jameslfuertes]

I have over 120, 000 miles on my 1997 bumble bee Valkyrie and even rode it to Alaska from Ohio.

[one]

I have owned 2 in my life. A blue and white 2001 model and now a 2003 black model with air pods and after market pipes. It sounds like a prime mover and I love how smooth it feels. I loved the jerky idle of my Fat Bob before but now the time is right for me at 65 to re own a Valk. 60, 000 miles and it’s a beast. I bought it recently and it’s 22 years old in August.
Getting to know my Valk all over again and I get on it every chance I can. Keep posting. Cheers from Sydney, Australia 👍

[valykrie]

My brother and I have driven Valkyries all over NA - twist that throttle and it becomes a time machine. The most fun you can have without laughing .

[bkruger]

I have owned and ridden all sizes and types of motorcycles. I have ridden Continental US coast to coast numerous times, as well as western Canada.
I have loved every motorcycle I have ever owned, but my 2001 Valkyrie is in a class all by itself. It is an amazing machine. It is incredibly powerful and reliable and yet it’s smooth power and its no frills chassis makes it ride, handle and feel like the way a motorcycle is supposed to feel. You get the full exhilaration of riding a motorcycle in its raw unmolested state. I have always loved my Harley Davidson, but they’ve become so commonplace that they are almost cliche, and when I’m on it I feel like one of the “herd” a “follower”. But my Valkyrie turns heads. Other riders approach me and want to know all about it. Then when the see it perform, they are always blown away. They affectionately refer to it as a “Beast”. It is certainly among the coolest and most unique motorcycles ever build.
I love the bike….and I enjoy the fact that they are uncommon.

[irvinmartin]

I owned a 2001 Valkyrie Interstate. Red and charcoal two-tone. I bought it used in 2006 and I loved it. I used to call it my “Happiness Machine”. Was it my idea of the perfect touring bike? Far from it. It rode like an old pick-up truck, and sucked gas like one too. (33 miles per Imperial gallon was typical.) Unlike a Gold-Wing, or Electra-Glide it’s handling didn’t lighten up once you were moving. You never forgot you were riding a near 900 pound bike. But I loved every minute that I was on it. Especially that sound. A Porsche like moan, rising to a howl as it rev’d out. It was equally at home while riding with either my Harley or Honda riding friends.
Sadly, it also became the only bike on which I’ve ever had a serious accident. It was totalled, and I was lucky not to have been sent off to Valhalla myself. But I still miss it, and would probably still own it if not for that event. Just try to find one on the market. Everyone who has one is keeping it.

[guzforce]

This bike is NOT a fail, ever! Actually, this is a huge success, pure mechanic piece of art with am unbeatable exhaust symphony played by six orchestras! We do not talk about a fail almost 20 years later with so awesome numbers. Non-haleydavidson, from any year, will ever be close to the perfection achieved on the Valkyrie! I love mine so much and it is just perfect to go on highway or mountains, with great drivability and power delivery!