Honda’s $225 Million Mistake – Rune Review

The 2004 Honda Valkyrie Rune makes zero business sense.

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Directed and Edited by Luke McAdam

[XPsychowaffleX]

You gotta hand it to Honda for designing a bike not for money, but as a sort of "thank you for appreciating art for what it is: ART." The design team, the engineers, every single person that had a hand in this knew they were making something so unique and special that those who could find one would always cherish it

[CZ]

Only Fortnine could make me want a bike I didn't even know existed 11 minutes ago.

[jackb]

"Own experiences rather than things"
You can always count on FortNine for some life philosophy with a motorcycle review. Amazing work as always love you guys.

[IlllIlIIllllIllIIIlIllI]

For $27, 000 and how much they spent to make each one, they absolutely were art pieces made of appreciation.

[colindowd]

You really do have to own one to appreciate the craftsmanship of a machine like this.
Mine is 2004 with 34K on the clock and no corrosion on the chrome, what so ever.
Yes, parts here in the UK are virtually non existent. Mine came with one ignition key and took a year to find keys then had to cut them and programme them myself as honda UK didn't have a clue. Still has a resale value of £22, 000

[ChrisUhlik]

I loved my Rune, but after 20 years, I found myself riding it just once a year or so. To many other bikes that weigh less than half as much and have luggage capacity. The Rune was perfect when a bunch of friends go on a tour for several days. Everybody gets to ride it for a few hours. Bliss! But not so useful for any one trip with just one motorcycle. Great memories. And Thanks F9 for reviving those fond memories.

[markpfeifer]

I'll never fault a manufacturer for taking a styling risk. We need more bikes that don't look like everything else.

[roundlake]

"So what good is owning a dream thing if you don't live the dream"

As true as it gets, too many things we buy that are expensive are never put to good use as we get afraid thanks to how expensive or valued they are.
I’m glad my grandfather taught me otherwise when I got my first ride on his dream bike only dressed in a suit as we just had been to a funeral. Many said it was foolish and he just laughed and said that’s the point. I can repair the bike if he drops it, but I can never make this memory again.

Best man I will ever have known, bless you grandpa and merry Christmas FortNine!

[SeraphimCramer]

This video is brilliant for highlighting not only a brilliantly designed motorcycle, but also Ryan's personal expertise about motorcycles in order to notice all the little details & handling that make this bike more than just a sculpture.

[Hubris]

I wish the very best of the season to Ryan and the entire team. You have all built one of the best motorcycling channels out there and your fans rush to watch every new release because of the amazing writing, great cinematography, and Ryan's down-home delivery. Hopefully you're enjoying time with those you love.

[joec]

The Rune is still the only cruiser I was ever enamored with. I remember seeing one amidst a sea of custom v-twin monsters at the Hollister cruise in 2004 and it was the only bike that stopped me dead in my tracks. The styling may be "of the era" but its presence is undeniable. Great video!

[SaimonZ]

I don't know how you keep doing it. Unbelievable production quality video! Just like all those that came before and apparently those to still come.

[BikesandBeards]

this is one of the greatest motorcycles Honda has ever made.

[itsjustcam]

I always eagerly await new Fortnine videos because they're not only a gripping and informative story but they're a cinematic masterpiece, each and ever one of them. Your videos tick every box and scratch every itch. They're perfect.

[BrodyCox]

I worked Techline at American Honda Motorsports for a couple years and we used to absolutely dread getting calls on the Rune specifically. They were few and far between, but when they happened, the whole crew knew not to get wrapped up in your case if they could help it.

[Shaneosaurus_Rex]

Just wanted to let you know, I started watching this channel because of a recommended video a couple weeks ago, and now I’m taking a riding course and getting my license next month. I just wanted to thank you for all of the info you provide to all of us newbies, and helping break old thoughts and habits for those who’ve been riding for years.

[duanedickey]

Loved the back and forth:
Work the bike, realize it is a collector, worry about using a trophy piece, realizing that its beauty and design can only be fully appreciated by using the thing.
Well done my friend…well done.

[animtorfiddler]

Thanks for this glimpse. When my dear Brother was 7years old, our Uncle Bill took him for a ride on his Harley Police cycle. I don't know if that was the "Electra-Glide" but similar.
My brother never got over that. So at about age 21, he bought a brand-new Honda 750. He then undertook to transform it into a Chopper. Worked for a few years at a Honda Dealership, learned parts, procedures, tools. Took the thing apart and reassembled it as a Chopper with a long front end and a sissy bar. Took it apart again, and painted hobbits and Wizards and Orcs and Dragons and Castles on every paintable surface, including the INSIDES of the Gauges. Even did Runes on the Chrome with a fer-Pete's-Sake Dremel Tool. Rode the thing for 25 years until he was slowed down by a stroke. When he recovered sufficiently, bought a Shadow touring bike of 1990s vintage. He loved those bikes almost as much as his guitars. I suppose if he coulda played the guitars while cruising on his cycle, he would've done that 'till he expired.

[FourIntoOne]

You gotta love Honda for doing stuff like this. That parts price list nearly as expensive as the plastics on my Africa Twin when I binned it last year lol...

[RVAMotorsports]

Your content, information, and production quality is better than ANYTHING I've seen on any medium. If this was a television show, I'd be a couch potato like I haven't been since I was a kid!