Jay thinks you guys know your stuff. I guess he hasn't watched that many Bikes and Beards videos. : ) We tease because we love. I'm sporting one of my B and B t-shirts as we speak...or as I write. (The one with Sean fighting off a bear with a motorcycle.)
I almost never do group rides, however one of the few was organized by a guy in 2005 who had one of these bikes. He was clearly in love and sunk a lot of his hard earned money into it, this was not a wealthy guy. There I am on my 1985 Nighthawk 650 and I was in awe when I met him & the Rune. He led the dreamy ride through seven covered bridges in Southeastern Pennsylvania & many of us felt like we were in a parade with him out front. It really is rolling sculpture.
I bought a 2004 Rune in Candy Black Cherry 10 years ago with 3k miles on it. This bike gets attention anywhere it goes. One of the things I love about it the most is it is a conversation starter. It doesn't matter what kind of bike they are riding, or if they even ride anything. People are drawn to this bike and want to talk about it. It has made me very proud to have. My daughter has already claimed it when I die. LOL
I have the same experience with my 87 Magna in "LOOK AT ME!" red. It looks like the day it rolled off the show room far and people will actually talk to me at red lights and gas pumps.
When I seen Jay take a little rest on the bike in the beginning, it really came to me that he’s 70. I hope he can do this for many many many more years! One of the best channels on TH-cam
Jay Your killing me!!!!!! I/m a Truck Driver & The Terminal I Drive out of always has Jay Leno’s Garage on & we can’t get any drivers in their trucks cause we’re all watching you! I look around and see guys quietly watching and i know their being inspired! Like me I just Paid off my first Truck A Kenworth T680 & now i have to start saving for a RUNE! I have @ GoldWings I have a 1989 with 355k miles on the odometer and a 2010 with 44k, but i think ill sell them both for a RUNE!
My daughter-in-law's father owned a Rune that he bought new. I am a longtime HD owner and have ridden +250,000 mile across North America. When he offered the Rune for a ride, I gave him the nod, got onboard, fired it up and was impressed by the feel. It is a beast... no doubt about it. However, it is butter smooth, and downright comfortable. On the road, it has a deep well of raw power... very smooth. All said and done, I prefer HD... I have for many years and miles, but I will always remember the Rune with a smile.
Before this amazing machine came out I had rode a Valkyrie for many years. I always loved the sensation of riding the Valk because it felt like you were sitting on the top of a gas turbine. It was so smooth and so un-Harley. The Rune was just more of everything, Honda's great art piece. What a great bike, thanks for bringing out your Rune and letting us all enjoy it Jay.
I loved the older Valkyie's. Anytime you would see one it was a showstopper. The look the sound everything was just great. I was a little to young to even have drivers license at that time but but fast foward many years and a few different bikes and I'm currently on a 2014 Valkyrie. Coming from a harley V-rod which I enjoyed very much the Valkyrie is just a refined machine. So smooth with so much power it has really increasing my riding putting on about 6k last summer. Happy to be in the family!
@@RogerDiotte Think about it, a flat six perfectly balanced into a shaft drive. 100hp and 100 FPT. Off the line it would surprise sport bike riders and you could get your knee out into the corners. It's a big bike but most of the weight is down low (except the lardass on top). No Harley V twin wannabe sound, It sounded more like a Porsche on two wheels. And it would pull, oh how it would pull. One of the best engines Honda ever made.
@@PaulLemars01 Reaaaaaallly...man that sounds so GOOD! Nice description! Yea as I grew older (near 60 lol but still full piss and vinegar) I kind of see new lines in bikes and albeit I recall I said...hmm what's that bike all about and NOW I'm really yearning for that era and this is such a great idea they did in that era! Regarding the era lol I am riding an 84 Shadow lol...and tweaked it up nicely and heading from Canada down into New York State shortly so I'm confident I'll cruise no probs but the main thing is even though it's a Shadow it's the era that I'm rooting for!
Great bike! I think they were made in Marysville, Ohio. I have a 1999 Honda Valkyrie Interstate and it's by far the best motorcycle I've ever had. I'm glad you are doing well Jay!
@@povertyspec9651 Marysville would be a whole lot smaller and less vibrant if Honda didn't set up shop there back in '79 (I think there's around 4000 workers). My '02 VTX 1800C was built there too.
A good friend of mine bought one of these, and it immediately caught my eye! The most beautiful bike I've ever seen, in my opinion. He loved it, drove it all over the country.
I used to be a cyclist years and years ago starting in my teens and ending in my late 20's. Now I'm nearly 63 and I've been considering a bike. This is a bike that I wouldn't mind owning. Take care Jay, love your videos!
I worked at a Honda/Kawasaki shop when these came out. We had one that got damaged in shipment-just a small dent-. Customers flipped out about the bike and everyone had to sit on it but NO ONE wanted to buy it. It did eventually sell but I'm sure the shop owner didn't make any money from that sale.
I owned the very FIRST Rune. It was donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs in Broward Florida and auctioned off at the Bike Builders Charity Dinner in Feb 2003. I bought it and owned it for 6 years and then had a storage issue as I WON 3 other bikes in raffles and sold it in 2009. It was head turner for sure. Arlen Ness designed the rear end and was present when I won it. Recently Rick Case, who was Chair of the dinner passed away. He was delighted that I got it.
I love when Jay talks about vehicles in his collection that he got when they were new... And has had them for a decade or more. Thanks for the fun video, Garage Team!
I came across one of these recently. In the minute I was admiring it someone else walked in and bought it flat out. I had no idea how special they are. Absolutely beautiful 👌
But that's okay and shouldn't be a secret about that shout out they are a good group to watch and there's several several more these days also and even private people! But JAY will always be someone unique to have with us....yes I can't imagine not having him....he's so into his stuff and gets to play and bring it to us and we get a history lesson and man....what a channel....there's ZERO TV I need but this kind!
I first saw one of these in Toronto. It was at Snow City Cycle for collision repair. Even in its roughed up state it was still a sight to behold. Truly a stunning ride!!
This is my beloved motorcycle. I almost bought it back in 2016, the bike had around 8k miles on the clock, had beatiful custom accessories from Corbin etc. but the insurance premiums were ridiculously high for this bike in Poland and I quit. Now I know it was the biggest motoring mistake I have every made. Havent't stopped regretting this decision... i simply love it.
Thank's Jay for this video, very interesting and well done. I am one of the (very few) French owner of a Honda NRX 1800 Rune 2004. I confirm that it is a fantastic bike, unique in design and manufacturing quality. I have just added some of the few accessories specifically built for this bike (mainly RIVCO) such as chromed caliper covers, "muscle car type" central wheel nut, etc. May be the only one weak point is weight, difficult to handle at very low speed. But as soon as you reach a normal speed the bike becomes very handy et is incredibly confortable. This bike was, is, and will remain unique in motorbike history. Best/Olivier/Paris Region
I helped arrange for a French rider to get a Rune from the Escanaba Michigan dealer in the US. The buyer had many tribulations in making the deal happen, but he did eventually land his Rune in France. He sent me a small token of his appreciation to a rune rally in Erwin Tennessee, where we had approximately 40 Runes.
Wow I had forgotten this Honda. What a beautiful bike. Way beyond anything I could safely ride but boy would I like to have one. Jay I'm jealous that you are able to ride all these amazing bikes. Thanks for showcasing the Rune. So cool!
I had a 2002 GL18000 Gold Wing which has the same motor. Fantastic motor. Smooth, torquey and just a pleasure to ride. Those single sided swing arms are awesome. When it comes time to change the tire on the Gold Wing, put the bike on the center stand and it takes minutes since you don’t have to worry about a chain and the brakes are not in the way, so all you have to do is take the lug nuts off ( comes with a tiny lug wrench) and the wheel and tire come right off. Super easy. Easily one of my favorite bikes. I rode a Yamaha R1 in to the dealership and rode the GL out. The contrast was awkward at first, but within 5 miles I was hooked. The only thing the rune needs is passenger accommodations and a little fairing shield IMO. The Valkyrie is another bike that uses the same engine and is another awesome bike.
Actually, from the standpoint of being a long time mechanic on several brands, Jay's Rune isn't sounding quite right to me. It has too much pulse in the exhaust note, I would expect more of a six cylinder hum or song but I don't hear that in this one. Perhaps it has been manifolded to be this way but it doesn't fit what I hear in other sixes and expect from this one.
@@geepeerces I can get that but here's what I'm relating to in the present day: There's currently a fella in my neighborhood who's riding a Honda Gold Wing six with a relatively mild sounding aftermarket exhaust, 3 into one. It has no discernible singular exhaust pulse, he rides it by almost every day (yes, in cold weather too). You may be correct, just a particular trait of how the mic was picking up Jay's. I thought it worth a mention, my ears have been very trustworthy over the years...;-)
@@whalesong999 note the shape of the two pipes, each one kinda megaphones the sound out to one side, and there's quite a lot between them, so you're likely only hearing the one thats on your side. every 'wing I've seen, both pipes aim backwards so the sound will be more acoustically merged. anyways, note he hardly had to raise his voice when talking while riding, and the bike volume is very subduded. as a former BMW rider (R1100RS for 90K miles), I approve of that.
A very good friend of mine has wanted one of these since they came out. Fast forward to last month, and his dream has come true. He found a red one for sale in Texas, he went down with a trailer to see it and said "Shut and take my money!" I have seen one, in red, from a distance. I can not wait to see my friend's up close in person!
I bought a brand new Gold Wing in 2003. Right beside my bike on the showroom floor was a Rune. It sat there for a long long time. I like the Valkyrey in the cruiser style too. What a motor!!
Lmao how is this not more obvious. Of course there's nothing broken, you haven't even used it enough to break anything! Put 50k miles on it then tell me how well everything works. Who are we kidding, it's a Honda. It'll ride until everything is broken and then drive itself to to the junkyard in the next century.
I have the Red and White 1997 Valkyrie Tourer, to date the only new bike I have ever purchased. I bought it as a turn key update of my 1963 R90/2 conversion hot rod that would wheelie even with the heavy Earls forks. It was what I had hoped the R1200C would be and have finally been realized in the R18. But for 130,000 miles it toured and ran and pulled trailers, cargo and tent and in general did everything I asked of it, including my original goal of pulling a 10,000 pass at 60 plus, two up, pulling a tent trailer with power in reserve. And for a bonus I got an electrical system worthy of the name, with power for driving lights and loud horns and wonder of wonders, heated riding gear. To many of us, the Rune took our workaday Honda Road King upgrade and made it a bit too fancy for us. We'd been content with rubbing Harley riders noses in what a superior bike performed like.
I used to have an old Frankenbike with a gl1100. It was my daily driver in my early 20’s. Ever since then I had loved the Honda box engines. I have a 2014 Valkyrie 1800 now. It’s my favorite bike. I’d love to as a rune to my garage in the future! Way to go on being awesome to the max Mr Leno!
Thank you Jay... when I was so close to have the money to finally buy a Rune (after 10 years saving money), then you publish the video and everyone goes crazy buying one and prices skyrocketed...
Na, I think that’s just a few things off the top of his head. He can walk through his collection and rattle off how everything works in detail. And he’s as nice as he is knowledgeable. 👍👍👍
@@clayfarnet970 No doubt he knows his stuff, but when he states that the fuel tank is 6.1 gallons or the exact brake calipers on front and back it's a little suspicious.
He's reading some notes hes prepared, they don't show his face when he's going off the notes. You can tell when he's talking from off the top of his head. Some vehicles he doesn't need notes for, some he does.
I’ve been riding for 50 some years and I ride every day if it isn’t raining. At 74 and VERY retired I don’t have to leave the house if the weather sux. In all the time since they made this glorious motorcycle I’ve only ever see two on the road. There was a guy in Shreveport in Shreveport and I would see his scoot at the movies in the parking lot once in a while. I’d love having a Rune and a Fury in my garage but I don’t know that I’d ride this one more than once or twice a month. Now, if I had one of those late run CBX’s, I’d be up on the Cherahola Skyway once a week
Too funny that you mentioned the Buick 225. I live in Little Rock and when this bike was first introduced at my Honda Dealer a Honda executive from California accompanied the bike for its "reveal". He was quite proud of the bike and since I had ridden my 79 CBX there to get an oil filter he naturally made a comparison between the the six cylinder bikes old-vs-new. When he asked what I thought of the Rune I told him I thought it was very beautifully done but reminded me of a 56 Buick fitted with handlebars. He was crestfallen.
So there's actually one that has been on sale at the motorcycle dealership near me for 24k.. been on there for 2 years... Now i know why they wont budge on the price.
The Honda Valkyrie Rune looks absolutely stunning, beautiful, retro, alien, powerful, muscular, and extremely well built! Why isn't Honda making more of these.
Love it, at the time I had my Yellow 2001 Goldwing ABS#674. That was my daily driver 60-70 miles a day. My current bike is the 2014 Honda Valkyrie, the Rune's kid. I love this bike, but the Rune as you say is just out of this world!
I used to ride and had tons of friends who rode, but never knew anyone with one of these. I've always thought they're just beautiful works of art, really cool to see they ran as great as they looked. Kudos for putting the money into developing something like this. Thanks for sharing Jay!
As a life long biker, I'm a Harley rider, BUT, I do appreciate a good bike no matter who made it. I've seen these (never riden one), and Jay is right, it's a work of art. Thx Jay!!!
My first motorscycle came home from the dealer (Bernardi Honda) in the trunk of my Mom's Chrysler Newport boat -- a '68 Honda CL90 Scrambler. I was 14 at the time, and a few years before people began using the expression 'dirt bike,' I bought it with lawn-mowing money planning to ride off-road ...as it turned out, two summers pushing across rough terrain and swamps -- and the thing never broke.
I am not a bike guy, don't know much about them... Only watch their videos if Jay puts it. That said, this is the most beautiful bike I've ever seen. Really liked it
I have a 1978 Goldwing with low miles. A sport bike it ain't. I guess it's north of 700 pounds with the aftermarket fairing, box, and, and bags. I have friends who own Valkyries, but I have never seen a Rune before. That's a pretty bike. Ride on, Jay.
I was extremely sad when I found out that Honda quit building the Valkyrie. I remember listening to the bike on their headphones at the Honda shop. It sounded to me like a old Chevy pickup truck with a 327 V8 going down the road.
When I turned 16 I went to the Honda dealer for some parts on my ‘76 XL250. I saw the Rune in the showroom, I wanted one so badly. I recently rebuilt a ‘97 Valkyrie, I love it, but the Rune is still on my list.
These are generally unloved by many cruiser riders, and I've only owned one cruiser, but this bike's just about at the top of the tree for me. I don't really get the hate. So what if it's a bit different, it's a quality motorcycle
I've ridden 3 Rune's. An amazing marvel of engineering. Goldwing motor with different cams, remapped ignition & timing, six individual throttle bodies and free flowing exhaust. It rides well except for the rear suspension. Front suspension is nearly flawless although heavy. Rear pro-link does not work well on this bike. Rides harsh (might just be the shock). Standard sport bike tire on the rear with an expensive one-off sized tire in the front made by Dunlap. Very difficult to change the front tire without damaging the chrome parts. It also has the awful linked braking system. I passed up a good buy on one (stupid of me). I ride a 2014 Honda Valkyrie and they fixed all of the challenges from the Rune on this production bike. It's an amazing ride. I love all of the Valkyries. Love the electric motor like boxer 6 engines. They have 2 Rune's on display at the Barber Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, AL. A must see.
I live in small town Alabama and I know two people who own these bikes. The fact that there were only a few thousand in the south east is amazing. I did not know these bikes were so rare.
Watching this bike go down the road looks like a back massage to me. The total opposite of how my lowered softail felt - which probably contributed to my current back issues.
Jay, Thank you for sharing your collection with us. I am happy that you don't just keep the cars and bike's for show but, you actually drive them (the way they were meant to be driven). I didn't see any T-Birds on your TH-cam channel.....it could also be my age getting to my eyes....LOL! My first and only love that I keep kicking myself for getting rid of was a '94 LX with the 4.6L. It wasn't that fast but, it was a good looking car and a great driving car. I did put a little work into it when I was young, cold air intake, shift kit, and removed the mufflers in order to install 2 twin Borla exhaust tips (you would think it would sound horrible, it had a nice low rumble to it). Hopefully you can create a series of 'History Lesson's' of particular name plates (icons and flops) going through the various body styles, mechanical enhancements, driver love affairs (or divorces.....not fond of the 2000's retro T-Birds at all), what made them so great or horrible. Stay healthy!
@@mahlok8210 The big four (we only missed Suzuki) are comparable. They have a huge lineup with good and bad bikes. But for reliability and overall build quality, it really is between Honda and Yamaha.
You just can’t beat a Honda for reliability. My 79’ CT90, 84’ CT110 and 07’ VTX1300R sit around forever and when I want to ride them they fire right up and just run. This was a wild Honda for sure.
Speaking as an import auto mechanic Honda's biggest problem was a failure to train their technicians. When I wasn't working for independents I was working for Subaru and/or BMW. Both of these companies would not let an untrained mechanic touch a new car. I made thousands of dollars fixing Honda automobiles the local dealer was unable to fix on their CVCC engines. Their technicians could not tell an exhaust valve from an intake valve. The first time I lined one out the owner was thrilled and started spreading the word that I could make those little engines purr. I had 8-10 of those showing up a weak for a 15,000-mile service.
![F.HERO Ft. JSPKK x ลำไย ไหทองคำ x M-PEE - ไม่สนิทบิดหมด (Thai Riders Anthem) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kPJZ0UihBfk/mqdefault.jpg)
![เปิด อาณาจักร หมื่นล้าน "สาระตั้ม" l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3XE0nPF4YkQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Im Sean from Bikes and Beards and I approve this message.
Damn congrats on the shoutout.
You've made it Sean! 🤣
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Hell ya! The shoutout was well deserved!
Time for a collaboration 🤷🏻♂️
Jay, let me know when you want to sell me your Rune. and I ve been dying to test drive a Y2k bike.
Go Sean! You’ve hit the big time. God bless.
Take yours to Cali and ride with Jay!
@@bowtiepower4951 Agreed. Strike while the iron is hot. Not is the time for a collab with Jay while you're on his mind!
looks purdy. but I still prefer my '99 Interstate. I only have 100,800 miles on it.
Thanks Jay
Jay thinks you guys know your stuff. I guess he hasn't watched that many Bikes and Beards videos. : ) We tease because we love. I'm sporting one of my B and B t-shirts as we speak...or as I write. (The one with Sean fighting off a bear with a motorcycle.)
I think this bike as aged so well
I love how they did a futuristic yet retro design
Futuristic and retro. Exactly my thought.
Is that similar to a vintage modern classic?
Come on it looks like a joke
@@ArtVandelayOfficial It was a bad joke and it didn't sell
You gotta love that front fork!
Jay giving Bikes and Beards a shout out is freakin awesome. Go Sean.
So cool right !!!!
I almost never do group rides, however one of the few was organized by a guy in 2005 who had one of these bikes. He was clearly in love and sunk a lot of his hard earned money into it, this was not a wealthy guy. There I am on my 1985 Nighthawk 650 and I was in awe when I met him & the Rune. He led the dreamy ride through seven covered bridges in Southeastern Pennsylvania & many of us felt like we were in a parade with him out front. It really is rolling sculpture.
I can literally feel the landscape as you described it
Just imagine that amazing parade of amazing Hondas and other bikes!
I bought a 2004 Rune in Candy Black Cherry 10 years ago with 3k miles on it. This bike gets attention anywhere it goes. One of the things I love about it the most is it is a conversation starter. It doesn't matter what kind of bike they are riding, or if they even ride anything. People are drawn to this bike and want to talk about it. It has made me very proud to have. My daughter has already claimed it when I die. LOL
This is a timeless machine art! Envious of you to own this. My turn someday!
@Georgia Guardian let me know when. We'll go riding together.
I have the same experience with my 87 Magna in "LOOK AT ME!" red.
It looks like the day it rolled off the show room far and people will actually talk to me at red lights and gas pumps.
Is it affordable these days? I don't know whether it's too expensive or not.
My Goldwing is the exact same colour as your rune! Wild they used the Rune colours on a Goldwing.
When I seen Jay take a little rest on the bike in the beginning, it really came to me that he’s 70. I hope he can do this for many many many more years! One of the best channels on TH-cam
I feel ya brotha... Feel the same way fr. Got allot of love for Jay and this really is like one of the best channels.
As long as Jay makes videos I’ll be watching them.., again and again
Oh FOR SURE.....So lucky I'm living with Jay alive....oh man!
Jay Your killing me!!!!!! I/m a Truck Driver & The Terminal I Drive out of always has Jay Leno’s Garage on & we can’t get any drivers in their trucks cause we’re all watching you! I look around and see guys quietly watching and i know their being inspired! Like me I just Paid off my first Truck A Kenworth T680 & now i have to start saving for a RUNE! I have @ GoldWings I have a 1989 with 355k miles on the odometer and a 2010 with 44k, but i think ill sell them both for a RUNE!
My daughter-in-law's father owned a Rune that he bought new. I am a longtime HD owner and have ridden +250,000 mile across North America. When he offered the Rune for a ride, I gave him the nod, got onboard, fired it up and was impressed by the feel. It is a beast... no doubt about it. However, it is butter smooth, and downright comfortable. On the road, it has a deep well of raw power... very smooth.
All said and done, I prefer HD... I have for many years and miles, but I will always remember the Rune with a smile.
The bike was actually built in Marysville OH.
For real??
I came here just to say that.
Well they used to make motorcycles there when Jays bike was manufactured. Aw the fond memories of the Honda Homecoming in Marysville Ohio.
Lol I was like wtf when did they move marysville to Indian Anna
Ohio, Indiana, Nebraska. What’s the difference when you live in California? Haha
almost 20 years old now. what a beast - i love the old valkyries the most 97-99
Before this amazing machine came out I had rode a Valkyrie for many years. I always loved the sensation of riding the Valk because it felt like you were sitting on the top of a gas turbine. It was so smooth and so un-Harley. The Rune was just more of everything, Honda's great art piece. What a great bike, thanks for bringing out your Rune and letting us all enjoy it Jay.
I loved the older Valkyie's. Anytime you would see one it was a showstopper. The look the sound everything was just great. I was a little to young to even have drivers license at that time but but fast foward many years and a few different bikes and I'm currently on a 2014 Valkyrie. Coming from a harley V-rod which I enjoyed very much the Valkyrie is just a refined machine. So smooth with so much power it has really increasing my riding putting on about 6k last summer. Happy to be in the family!
You had ridden…
Jesus Christy....I love this, "a Gas Turbine"! Man I so wanna sit on it and RIDE now!
@@RogerDiotte Think about it, a flat six perfectly balanced into a shaft drive. 100hp and 100 FPT. Off the line it would surprise sport bike riders and you could get your knee out into the corners. It's a big bike but most of the weight is down low (except the lardass on top). No Harley V twin wannabe sound, It sounded more like a Porsche on two wheels. And it would pull, oh how it would pull. One of the best engines Honda ever made.
@@PaulLemars01 Reaaaaaallly...man that sounds so GOOD! Nice description! Yea as I grew older (near 60 lol but still full piss and vinegar) I kind of see new lines in bikes and albeit I recall I said...hmm what's that bike all about and NOW I'm really yearning for that era and this is such a great idea they did in that era! Regarding the era lol I am riding an 84 Shadow lol...and tweaked it up nicely and heading from Canada down into New York State shortly so I'm confident I'll cruise no probs but the main thing is even though it's a Shadow it's the era that I'm rooting for!
Great bike! I think they were made in Marysville, Ohio. I have a 1999 Honda Valkyrie Interstate and it's by far the best motorcycle I've ever had. I'm glad you are doing well Jay!
Yes, Marysville, Ohio is correct. They also make the Acura NSX there (which will be discontinued soon).
Valkyrie Interstate is an awesome bike that they should have continued to make. This, is just pure ugly and unnecessary.
Wait what? This is American made
@@povertyspec9651 Marysville would be a whole lot smaller and less vibrant if Honda didn't set up shop there back in '79 (I think there's around 4000 workers). My '02 VTX 1800C was built there too.
@@Hazztech Yes, GoldWings were build in Marysville Ohio and in Japan. The Valkyrie is kind of a GoldWing stepchild.
A good friend of mine bought one of these, and it immediately caught my eye! The most beautiful bike I've ever seen, in my opinion. He loved it, drove it all over the country.
I used to be a cyclist years and years ago starting in my teens and ending in my late 20's. Now I'm nearly 63 and I've been considering a bike. This is a bike that I wouldn't mind owning. Take care Jay, love your videos!
And just like that, the Rune used market just went haywire.
Thanks for the ride, Jay. That was awesome. What a beautiful piece of functional engineering and art.
I worked at a Honda/Kawasaki shop when these came out. We had one that got damaged in shipment-just a small dent-. Customers flipped out about the bike and everyone had to sit on it but NO ONE wanted to buy it. It did eventually sell but I'm sure the shop owner didn't make any money from that sale.
I owned the very FIRST Rune. It was donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs in Broward Florida and auctioned off at the Bike Builders Charity Dinner in Feb 2003. I bought it and owned it for 6 years and then had a storage issue as I WON 3 other bikes in raffles and sold it in 2009. It was head turner for sure. Arlen Ness designed the rear end and was present when I won it. Recently Rick Case, who was Chair of the dinner passed away. He was delighted that I got it.
My retailer owns one so it's in his showroom. A real beauty. Timeless design just as the 1989 Batmobile.
That fork design is a master piece. One of Honda's best cruisers.
You would never know what year it was designed and built, it’s beautiful.
I love when Jay talks about vehicles in his collection that he got when they were new... And has had them for a decade or more. Thanks for the fun video, Garage Team!
I just love this channel. These Pandemic Edition videos particularly. Mr Leno sir, may you always remain under-stressed in this application.
I came across one of these recently. In the minute I was admiring it someone else walked in and bought it flat out. I had no idea how special they are. Absolutely beautiful 👌
I never learned how to ride a motorcycle. And I've never watched a motorcycle video. But I had to watch Jay talk about it
Love how Jay is still somewhat a normal person. Shows he watches youtube a lot lol. Ole srk cycles are going to get a few more subscribers 😁😁
Yeah thats a huge shoutout. He must be proud haha
But that's okay and shouldn't be a secret about that shout out they are a good group to watch and there's several several more these days also and even private people! But JAY will always be someone unique to have with us....yes I can't imagine not having him....he's so into his stuff and gets to play and bring it to us and we get a history lesson and man....what a channel....there's ZERO TV I need but this kind!
I first saw one of these in Toronto. It was at Snow City Cycle for collision repair. Even in its roughed up state it was still a sight to behold. Truly a stunning ride!!
I love the rune. I saw one in person once. A truly beautiful work of art.
I remember the TV ad for this bike of a guy sliding across a dry lake bed. This thing was epic.
That was the real Valkyrie not this POS
@@mrkmh1 it was? I must be getting old.
@@mrkmh1 just looked it up. Yep! You're dead right! Man, I am getting old.
This is my beloved motorcycle. I almost bought it back in 2016, the bike had around 8k miles on the clock, had beatiful custom accessories from Corbin etc. but the insurance premiums were ridiculously high for this bike in Poland and I quit. Now I know it was the biggest motoring mistake I have every made. Havent't stopped regretting this decision... i simply love it.
For few years I've been riding Gold Wing F6B instead, cool bike but too much plastic. 🙂
I got a 2007 Honda Shadow 750 and that bike runs like it's brand new. Love Honda.
This does not look like its from 2004, it looks so modern and well styled, you could tell me it was made yesterday and i would believe it
Thank's Jay for this video, very interesting and well done. I am one of the (very few) French owner of a Honda NRX 1800 Rune 2004. I confirm that it is a fantastic bike, unique in design and manufacturing quality. I have just added some of the few accessories specifically built for this bike (mainly RIVCO) such as chromed caliper covers, "muscle car type" central wheel nut, etc. May be the only one weak point is weight, difficult to handle at very low speed. But as soon as you reach a normal speed the bike becomes very handy et is incredibly confortable. This bike was, is, and will remain unique in motorbike history. Best/Olivier/Paris Region
Yeah, I could buy it being "difficult to handlee at very low speed" since it weighs a THOUSAND POUNDS ready to ride.
I helped arrange for a French rider to get a Rune from the Escanaba Michigan dealer in the US. The buyer had many tribulations in making the deal happen, but he did eventually land his Rune in France. He sent me a small token of his appreciation to a rune rally in Erwin Tennessee, where we had approximately 40 Runes.
Wow I had forgotten this Honda. What a beautiful bike. Way beyond anything I could safely ride but boy would I like to have one. Jay I'm jealous that you are able to ride all these amazing bikes. Thanks for showcasing the Rune. So cool!
Honda's message with the Rune: "Anything you can do we can do better, including customs."
including ugliness ... although a suzuki madura is hard to beat
Custom that only millionaires can afford
I'm doing motorcycle stuff in college so this was helpful, thank you Jay. I'm not much of a Honda guy but this makes me want to get on it and ride.
Honda is Legend.
Hey Sean! We are selling one! Chicagoland area, one owner, and 2k miles.
As a fan of cruisers, this beats them all
My husband has one of these bikes and absolutely loves it!!!! He isn’t a tall man and it “fits” him well.
Always thought the Rune was pretty crazy alright....no surprise that Jay has one! 😜😁
Always a pleasure to listen to Mr. Leno talking about bikes or cars. This motorcycle is unique and beautiful. Hats off to Honda.
The headlight looks like a old cartoon character yelling "AWOOGA".
Or a version of Edvard Munch's painting - The Scream... ;-)
Like the face of the robot in the latest "Lost in Space".
Or a urinal upside-down
@@DoctorZisIN damnit, cannot un-see :(
@@Xfade81 My apologies for the visual.
I had a 2002 GL18000 Gold Wing which has the same motor. Fantastic motor. Smooth, torquey and just a pleasure to ride. Those single sided swing arms are awesome. When it comes time to change the tire on the Gold Wing, put the bike on the center stand and it takes minutes since you don’t have to worry about a chain and the brakes are not in the way, so all you have to do is take the lug nuts off ( comes with a tiny lug wrench) and the wheel and tire come right off. Super easy. Easily one of my favorite bikes. I rode a Yamaha R1 in to the dealership and rode the GL out. The contrast was awkward at first, but within 5 miles I was hooked. The only thing the rune needs is passenger accommodations and a little fairing shield IMO.
The Valkyrie is another bike that uses the same engine and is another awesome bike.
I've heard one of those straight piped and they sound incredible.
Yea, that was my only disappointment with it: way too civilised an exhaust note. It needs to growl a bit. Cmon!
Actually, from the standpoint of being a long time mechanic on several brands, Jay's Rune isn't sounding quite right to me. It has too much pulse in the exhaust note, I would expect more of a six cylinder hum or song but I don't hear that in this one. Perhaps it has been manifolded to be this way but it doesn't fit what I hear in other sixes and expect from this one.
@@whalesong999 dual 3-into-1 running at a ridiculuosly low RPM most of the time...
@@geepeerces I can get that but here's what I'm relating to in the present day: There's currently a fella in my neighborhood who's riding a Honda Gold Wing six with a relatively mild sounding aftermarket exhaust, 3 into one. It has no discernible singular exhaust pulse, he rides it by almost every day (yes, in cold weather too). You may be correct, just a particular trait of how the mic was picking up Jay's. I thought it worth a mention, my ears have been very trustworthy over the years...;-)
@@whalesong999 note the shape of the two pipes, each one kinda megaphones the sound out to one side, and there's quite a lot between them, so you're likely only hearing the one thats on your side. every 'wing I've seen, both pipes aim backwards so the sound will be more acoustically merged.
anyways, note he hardly had to raise his voice when talking while riding, and the bike volume is very subduded. as a former BMW rider (R1100RS for 90K miles), I approve of that.
I owned a 97 Valk and a 99 Valk Interstate. Put 135 K miles on both. Could never pull the trigger on a Rune....SHOULD HAVE!!! Thx for the trip Jay.
What a great guy, Jay, giving a shoutout to Srk cycles!
A very good friend of mine has wanted one of these since they came out. Fast forward to last month, and his dream has come true. He found a red one for sale in Texas, he went down with a trailer to see it and said "Shut and take my money!" I have seen one, in red, from a distance. I can not wait to see my friend's up close in person!
All Jay needs now is a Judge Dredd outfit.
Yep. First thing I thought. Joe Dredd in his weekend denim gear out for a spin. Or is that Jay Dredd. 😁
He has the chin for it.
And add a mini-gun to each side as well.
That was funny as heck.... 🤣🤣🤣🤣
That’s what I always think of when I see a Rune.
I bought a brand new Gold Wing in 2003. Right beside my bike on the showroom floor was a Rune. It sat there for a long long time. I like the Valkyrey in the cruiser style too. What a motor!!
Jay: "I have this motorcycle for 17 years with no issues" odometer shows only 523 miles!
Lmao how is this not more obvious. Of course there's nothing broken, you haven't even used it enough to break anything!
Put 50k miles on it then tell me how well everything works.
Who are we kidding, it's a Honda. It'll ride until everything is broken and then drive itself to to the junkyard in the next century.
@@donjuandemccarthy2041 More than that, it's a Gold Wing.
30 miles a year is probably about right when you have in the realm of 400 vehicles to drive.
Let's hope that was the trip odometer... although it will usually say "Trip A or Trip B" in that case.
I have an 03' GSXR1000 I bought new around the same time Jay bought that. I passed 84000 miles last summer.
I have the Red and White 1997 Valkyrie Tourer, to date the only new bike I have ever purchased. I bought it as a turn key update of my 1963 R90/2 conversion hot rod that would wheelie even with the heavy Earls forks. It was what I had hoped the R1200C would be and have finally been realized in the R18. But for 130,000 miles it toured and ran and pulled trailers, cargo and tent and in general did everything I asked of it, including my original goal of pulling a 10,000 pass at 60 plus, two up, pulling a tent trailer with power in reserve. And for a bonus I got an electrical system worthy of the name, with power for driving lights and loud horns and wonder of wonders, heated riding gear. To many of us, the Rune took our workaday Honda Road King upgrade and made it a bit too fancy for us. We'd been content with rubbing Harley riders noses in what a superior bike performed like.
Was there a reference to the McLaren F1? I may have missed it? Nice bike.
Operator sits in the middle just like the F1
Geez, this video just makes me smile. You can really translate the appreciation and joy Jay gets with this bike.
Thanks for doing this! I've had my Rune for 10 years....
Just love 6 cylinder bikes, had a KZ1300. This Rune is something else, truly magnificent!
It is such an integration of design with the flow of every piece.
I used to have an old Frankenbike with a gl1100. It was my daily driver in my early 20’s. Ever since then I had loved the Honda box engines. I have a 2014 Valkyrie 1800 now. It’s my favorite bike. I’d love to as a rune to my garage in the future! Way to go on being awesome to the max Mr Leno!
My absolute all-time favorite motorcycle❤
The Rune is absolutely stunning, both retro and modern!
Thank you Jay... when I was so close to have the money to finally buy a Rune (after 10 years saving money), then you publish the video and everyone goes crazy buying one and prices skyrocketed...
Love it when Jay has reviewed the spec sheet on his own vehicles before the video. He can rattle off stats on stuff like an MIT grad.
Na, I think that’s just a few things off the top of his head. He can walk through his collection and rattle off how everything works in detail. And he’s as nice as he is knowledgeable. 👍👍👍
@@clayfarnet970 he is exactly the same in person-extremely warm
@@clayfarnet970 No doubt he knows his stuff, but when he states that the fuel tank is 6.1 gallons or the exact brake calipers on front and back it's a little suspicious.
He's reading some notes hes prepared, they don't show his face when he's going off the notes. You can tell when he's talking from off the top of his head. Some vehicles he doesn't need notes for, some he does.
Well he did get the place of manufacture wrong. It was built at Marysville Ohio motorcycle plant. (No longer in operation).
I’ve been riding for 50 some years and I ride every day if it isn’t raining. At 74 and VERY retired I don’t have to leave the house if the weather sux. In all the time since they made this glorious motorcycle I’ve only ever see two on the road. There was a guy in Shreveport in Shreveport and I would see his scoot at the movies in the parking lot once in a while.
I’d love having a Rune and a Fury in my garage but I don’t know that I’d ride this one more than once or twice a month.
Now, if I had one of those late run CBX’s, I’d be up on the Cherahola Skyway once a week
I watch Bikes and Beards/ SRK Cycles too. Those guys are always so fair and honest with everyone. Love`em.
Too funny that you mentioned the Buick 225. I live in Little Rock and when this bike was first introduced at my Honda Dealer a Honda executive from California accompanied the bike for its "reveal". He was quite proud of the bike and since I had ridden my 79 CBX there to get an oil filter he naturally made a comparison between the the six cylinder bikes old-vs-new. When he asked what I thought of the Rune I told him I thought it was very beautifully done but reminded me of a 56 Buick fitted with handlebars. He was crestfallen.
So there's actually one that has been on sale at the motorcycle dealership near me for 24k.. been on there for 2 years... Now i know why they wont budge on the price.
Most went in the teens as leftover bikes.
@@Dave-sw2dm Getting to be collectable now. Hugely impractical. 9 were imported to Australia and 3 are currently on sale.
i just looked on craigslist\offer up in my area, nothing. There are a few on Ebay, 16k -24k.
The Honda Valkyrie Rune looks absolutely stunning, beautiful, retro, alien, powerful, muscular, and extremely well built! Why isn't Honda making more of these.
Jay, you didn’t do your classic pull away scream. It doesn’t feel complete. Thanks Jay.
I have #528. Currently 99,000 miles on it. Still looks and runs like new.
One of the coolest channels on YT, without a doubt! Hey Jay, you cool too!
I have never, ever, seen this Honda model before. Jay is right, it doesn't look like anything else. It have a shape that you can't stop look at it.
Really miss you on the Tonight Show,never been the same without you.
Love it, at the time I had my Yellow 2001 Goldwing ABS#674. That was my daily driver 60-70 miles a day. My current bike is the 2014 Honda Valkyrie, the Rune's kid. I love this bike, but the Rune as you say is just out of this world!
correction. Bike was built in Marysville OHIO, not Indiana.
I think he confused it for Merrilville.
So, if it’s okay for you to correct Jay, is it okay for me to correct your awful grammar?
@@Uncle-Bull Jay is not a god, you know. People make mistakes all the time and that's okay
I used to ride and had tons of friends who rode, but never knew anyone with one of these. I've always thought they're just beautiful works of art, really cool to see they ran as great as they looked. Kudos for putting the money into developing something like this. Thanks for sharing Jay!
After the dream... best Honda ever...my favorite any Valkyrie
As a life long biker, I'm a Harley rider, BUT, I do appreciate a good bike no matter who made it. I've seen these (never riden one), and Jay is right, it's a work of art.
Thx Jay!!!
Just found a 05 Goldwing with 6k mi. Maroon. Gonna buy it
My first motorscycle came home from the dealer (Bernardi Honda) in the trunk of my Mom's Chrysler Newport boat -- a '68 Honda CL90 Scrambler. I was 14 at the time, and a few years before people began using the expression 'dirt bike,' I bought it with lawn-mowing money planning to ride off-road ...as it turned out, two summers pushing across rough terrain and swamps -- and the thing never broke.
My friends dad has one .. straight pipes. My god talk about sound. Its absolutely wonderful almost like a big block v8 !!
I am not a bike guy, don't know much about them... Only watch their videos if Jay puts it. That said, this is the most beautiful bike I've ever seen. Really liked it
Built on a wonderful base. Tom Cruise had one? I wonder how many inches they had to lower it so he could fit
Kevin Barry you mean Jack Reacher?!😂
Does he jump on it like he does couches?
@@andysp8845 Jack Reacher is 6’4”. No problem.
I have a 1978 Goldwing with low miles. A sport bike it ain't. I guess it's north of 700 pounds with the aftermarket fairing, box, and, and bags. I have friends who own Valkyries, but I have never seen a Rune before. That's a pretty bike. Ride on, Jay.
I was extremely sad when I found out that Honda quit building the Valkyrie. I remember listening to the bike on their headphones at the Honda shop. It sounded to me like a old Chevy pickup truck with a 327 V8 going down the road.
When I turned 16 I went to the Honda dealer for some parts on my ‘76 XL250. I saw the Rune in the showroom, I wanted one so badly. I recently rebuilt a ‘97 Valkyrie, I love it, but the Rune is still on my list.
Front headlight... inspiration: Munch's Scream!!
Things that make you go AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
Makes me think of an upside-down urinal...
@@DoctorZisIN Do you think it was wise to change your headlight to a fog lamp? Umm what?
same thing for the MT-01
The Cone head style headlight sets the bike off.
It's obnoxiously awesome royalty motorcycle ! And it tics off boxes that doesn't even exist, and that's what I call a motorcycle !! 🇸🇪💚🇺🇲
523 odometer miles in 17 years! 30 odd miles a year. Considering the number of vehicles Jay owns, that's a lot.
I have seen many custom bikes but nothing like that from Honda.Jay is right it's Kinetic art on 2 wheels,really awesome!
These are generally unloved by many cruiser riders, and I've only owned one cruiser, but this bike's just about at the top of the tree for me. I don't really get the hate. So what if it's a bit different, it's a quality motorcycle
Agreed. It’s the making of a collectible and turns out I was right.
I've ridden 3 Rune's. An amazing marvel of engineering. Goldwing motor with different cams, remapped ignition & timing, six individual throttle bodies and free flowing exhaust. It rides well except for the rear suspension. Front suspension is nearly flawless although heavy. Rear pro-link does not work well on this bike. Rides harsh (might just be the shock). Standard sport bike tire on the rear with an expensive one-off sized tire in the front made by Dunlap. Very difficult to change the front tire without damaging the chrome parts. It also has the awful linked braking system.
I passed up a good buy on one (stupid of me). I ride a 2014 Honda Valkyrie and they fixed all of the challenges from the Rune on this production bike. It's an amazing ride. I love all of the Valkyries. Love the electric motor like boxer 6 engines.
They have 2 Rune's on display at the Barber Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, AL. A must see.
Built in Marysville, OH. (In the mid-90's I had an office between the auto plant and the motorcycle plant.)
Exactly what I was going to say... Honda is in Marysville OHIO (not Indiana), slip of the tongue I'm sure.
I live in small town Alabama and I know two people who own these bikes.
The fact that there were only a few thousand in the south east is amazing.
I did not know these bikes were so rare.
Wish I could ride. Mine is in the living room until spring. Thanks!
Watching this bike go down the road looks like a back massage to me. The total opposite of how my lowered softail felt - which probably contributed to my current back issues.
I saw one at a dealers show room years ago used. The bike is humongous in person.
Jay,
Thank you for sharing your collection with us. I am happy that you don't just keep the cars and bike's for show but, you actually drive them (the way they were meant to be driven).
I didn't see any T-Birds on your TH-cam channel.....it could also be my age getting to my eyes....LOL!
My first and only love that I keep kicking myself for getting rid of was a '94 LX with the 4.6L. It wasn't that fast but, it was a good looking car and a great driving car. I did put a little work into it when I was young, cold air intake, shift kit, and removed the mufflers in order to install 2 twin Borla exhaust tips (you would think it would sound horrible, it had a nice low rumble to it).
Hopefully you can create a series of 'History Lesson's' of particular name plates (icons and flops) going through the various body styles, mechanical enhancements, driver love affairs (or divorces.....not fond of the 2000's retro T-Birds at all), what made them so great or horrible.
Stay healthy!
I love British bikes, Italian bikes and Harleys are so cool but when all is said and done Honda and Yamaha make the very best motorcycles.
Kawasaki
@@mahlok8210 The big four (we only missed Suzuki) are comparable. They have a huge lineup with good and bad bikes. But for reliability and overall build quality, it really is between Honda and Yamaha.
You just can’t beat a Honda for reliability. My 79’ CT90, 84’ CT110 and 07’ VTX1300R sit around forever and when I want to ride them they fire right up and just run. This was a wild Honda for sure.
These bikes always reminds me of the Judge Dredd bikes.
I am!...the law!...drop!...your weapons!...these blocks!...are under...arrest!
Speaking as an import auto mechanic Honda's biggest problem was a failure to train their technicians. When I wasn't working for independents I was working for Subaru and/or BMW. Both of these companies would not let an untrained mechanic touch a new car. I made thousands of dollars fixing Honda automobiles the local dealer was unable to fix on their CVCC engines. Their technicians could not tell an exhaust valve from an intake valve. The first time I lined one out the owner was thrilled and started spreading the word that I could make those little engines purr. I had 8-10 of those showing up a weak for a 15,000-mile service.