I remember when the Honda Rune first came out my dad had a storage shop right across from the Honda dealership and they got two in stock truly a breathtaking bike looking at it through the camera does not do it justice they really are like spaceships
I worked at a Honda dealership at the time as a mechanic. I changed the oil and filter on one. Took it for the test ride. Lost my sunglasses looking back coming onto an on ramp with throttle pined in 3rd gear on I 135 here in Kansas. Just all balls. Torque sent straight down from God in heaven. Wasn't even mad about the glasses. Coolest I ever felt on a bike. Our salesman was outside waiting on me when I got back. Noticed my glasses were missing straight away. Told me I looked like the Terminator rolling in. The bike was black. Coolest thing ever.
Love mine, 2004 candy black cherry. I bought it in 2012 with 10,000 miles and it’s got about 48,000 on it now. Still looks like new and the maintenance is minimal.
Honda bikes were the bees knees back then. I own a VFR800Fi and it is the smoothest bike i ever ridden. Plus it is so extremely reliable and fun to ride.
That chrome Rune was used in a music video by a russian rock band called Pilgrim. It was last seen for sale on a russian website in 2008 for 1.2m rubles.
Absolutely my favorite motorcycle. Color, styling, all of it. I ride a 2005 VTX1800N in Nova Blue. It's probably the closest thing I will ever get to riding a Rune. I visited the Barber Motorsports Museum last year and took the most pictures of the Runes that they had on display. It's definitely the coolest motorcycle ever made.
I was 11 - 17 when those were built but I specifically remember seeing the runes as a kid and just being blown away by them! I’ve always thought they were one of the most gorgeous bikes ever made!
a few days ago another bike youtuber tried to shit on this bike, and now his entire comment section talking about how he's wrong and this bike is sick.
It's a pretty garbage bike, especially with what Honda could have done at the time... this was the moment Honda stopped taking risks, especially since the Rune was such a commercial failure, showing Honda not only completely gave up on performance in their cruisers, but also gave up on styling beyond what looks like what Honda already had, just slightly modified.
@vtxgenie1 commercial failure 😂 it was a limited run for 2 years, it was a demonstration of what Honda could do, and having ridden one, and knowing 2 people who own them, they are far from garbage
Wow! I had no idea of the story of this motorcycle. I now realise how fortunate I've been to get up close to one in the flesh. The one I saw was in a red colour.
These bikes were made in Marysville, OH. The Valkyrie, which I owned for 4 years was brought about by Joe Boyd and his team of American Engineers at the Marysville Bike Plant. The original Valkrie was a true street rod and tourer, I owned a 97 Valkrie tourer. They had magnificent color combos and were so smooth you put a nickle, side up, on the chrome heads covers and start the bike and it would still stand. Sadly when the 1832 motor was introduced into the Goldwings, they did not incorporate that Fuel injected motor into the Valkrie, and upgrade it a bit. Instead they closed that line after 2003 model. Thats a beautiful blue Rune you have there Sean, and hope you keep it for a good long time.
I got to tour that plant back in the day. I worked for a Oki Telecom and we were a tier one supplier for Honda. I spent 10 years working for Oki and having to deal with their exacting demands upon quality because Honda demanded nothing less. Oki Telecom was a wonderful employer and took care of thier people. They did so much for me. I was diagnosed with cancer at 25 years old. Surgeries, chemotherapy the whole nine yards for over a year. All the time I had to take of for work? They paid for every day I missed. In one year I was out of work for three months total..... They paid every dime. They even took up a collection for me and was handed $5000.00 cash...... Holding back the tears. I don't own any Oki products anymore but I always grin when i still see one of their dot matrix printers in service. As far as Honda? Always been my go to vehicle.
With the massive increase in motor accidents starting in 2021 I finally gave up riding, my final bike was my best one it was the Honda Valkyrie 2014. Brand new and I got one in 2018, I rode that thing for years and loved every second of it. Not a smoother bike (Rune was the same thing in ride quality and engine). I dont think people truly grasp just how good that engine and transmission is. Even better since its a shaft driven bike its 0 maintenance pretty much. I hope whoever got my old Valkyrie rides it every day and loves it more than I did.
That bIke is an absolute beast! Looks fantastic! Sounds phenomenal. Those are Rivco highway pegs! You are right. Beautifully sculpted too. You in that AGV full coverage really looks pretty cool. Way to go!
Japanese cruisers are so slept on imo. I love HDs too but some metric cruisers deserve so much more love than they get by most Americans. I would love to own one of these wild Hondas someday. In the meantime i am very happy with my Vulcan 1700 though.
You cannot beat Japanese engineering even if it's reversed engineering. A buddy of mine worked at Kubota America in the forklift plant. Every new model year, Kubota would rent all the new flagship Toyota lifts on a long term lease. Get this. They would take those forklifts apart down to the frame. Analyze every part and rebuild them and take them off rent.
I'm a 22 year old dude that was looking into buying a new Harley a while back. At the dealership, the cheapest bike i saw was 13k and it had the most god awful fairing I've ever seen. It was ugly. They only got worse from there. And then, HD went woke, so i bought a used but excellent condition Honda Shadow. I'm so glad that i did.
Those highway pegs are made by RIVCO and are awesome. I have them on my 2014 Valkyrie and blend into the lines of the bike as if they were from the factory. Highly recommend if you have a Goldwing or Valkyrie.
Highway pegs are an extra set of foot rests, usually placed well forward of the stock pegs. They allow you to stretch your legs out into a more comfortable position when you’re on a long stretch of road and don’t need to manipulate the foot controls.
I miss my Valkyrie, it felt like it had a lower center of gravity, easy in the corners. I just sold my Ultra Classic and now you got me thinking of another Valkyrie for my next bike. 😢
The funny thing about all that is it was mostly just modified already existing Honda parts, they were afraid to step too far away from traditional styling. The headlight for example is just an angular, stretched version of their vtx1800 headlight.
I have an identical blue Rune I imported to the UK. The guy who got to design the headlight had complete freedom of design and chose Edvard Munch for inspiration. Fascinating bike!
In my opinion one of the best looking Cruisers EVER built! A factory concept that is a reality! I had a buddy that rode the snot out of his with close to 100k miles on it. As Always, May God Bless you and yours! 😇
I have a honda supermagna 750 cc, the thing is from 1988 (9yrs older than me). But it rides so lovely, and no one even thinks the bike is this old. I love honda, had a vfr750 before and had lessons on a cbr650😊
I heard Leno has 5 of them. My buddy bought his for 15 grand. It's now worth 24, the original price. This bike is in full interstate dress and he's ridden it all over the west. It's the most beautiful Rune/motorcycle I have ever seen.
the story on the design and manufacture of the exhaust is crazy... lost wax casting. these bikes are works of art and most remaining are treated as such. thank you honda for creating the rune.
When the Rune first came out I got to spend an evening drinking with one of the Honda 'Big Wig's responsible for them and he was SO proud of the bike. For sure they took lots of time and investment to build...but when I heard the price I figured that they'll never sell big numbers just because they were too expensive.
When my friends mom passed , he and his brother inherited a tidy little sum. The brother went out and bought a brand new Harley Heritage Classic but upon my advice, my friend and I went to the Honda dealer where I showed him the Rune. He bought it immediately and has never looked back. He added some custom features like a heated seat with passenger, saddlebags and trunk/backrest for passenger. Gorgeous machine, gets treated like royalty at Sturgis. I really hate him now. lol
An old co-worker of mine had this bike in the same color and everything. I thought it was pretty crazy & over the top...then he traded it in for a Boss Hoss with a 6.2 liter 420hp v8 🤯
I absolutely adore it. I had a chance to buy it on 2016 for a very reasonable price and I didn't go for it. And I have been regretting that decision since then. Tried to kill the pain with F6B Gold Wing but its was not the same. Now Runes in perfect shape are around 40k USD here... Anyway, this is my dream bike of all times.
There's a blue one for sale near me for $24k CA with 11k miles. Knowing the background of the bike I'd love to get it for a collector's item but there's no way I could justify paying 24k for a bike I wouldn't really want to ride.
those leading arm-trail front ends are really cool. Just by changing the rake and adjusting where the wheel sits you can make a bike run soooo smooth and buttery straight-upwards. Bet she rips in corners too. Like its 10% of the battle to make it look like that, and 90% of the battle making it run good.
A few years after these went out of production, my neighbor and his friend got word of several tucked away in the back of a Honda warehouse still in the crates! My Neighbor got a black one and his friend got the red.
It’s a Honda! You can enjoy it as overbuilt. Some of the exotic cars and motorcycles your afraid to ride often as they require more routine maintenance than a Honda.
There was one of these at the Greater Cincinnati Interntional Airport right inside the main entrance for a period of time. I remember seeing it when I flew in and out. Only time I ever saw one in the real world.
A rolling work of art ... and testiment that ... whilst most Japanese manufacturers traditionally 'conform' or 'copy' ... Honda can think outside the box ... eg Fury, CTX etc ... 🤔
The Greatest motorcycle for the road Honda ever made is the VFR 800 . I've owned 3 of them ( out of my 26 bikes ) ...road it from Chicago to Key West and North Carolina to the West coast only changing tires , a chain or two and brake pads . They are agile , fast enough and at 80 mph smooth as glass . I of course pay omage to the Honda Mini Trail which was the greatest engin ever made ( and I worked for Kawasaki ) . All four big 4 Japanese manufactueres made incredible machines ( Ninja 900 , the GPZ line , Ninja 1000 and the Ninja H2R - The Yamaha FZR's incredible and the Suzuki GSXR"s lightining quick . But I can ride the Honda VFR 800... buy it for 3 or 4 thousand in primo shape and sell it 2 years later ( Like the older BMW boxers ) and get nearly every penny back as long as I take good care of it . They are just amazing bikes and I dearly love them . PK
There’s a Rune at the place I bought my bike at, and I’m always in awe of it. It’s the Cherry color, and it’s just beautiful. I don’t have a place to store something that nice, but it’s something I would love.
I have a 2014 Valkryie and love it. It had the rear rack that I removed as it looks best stripped down. I'm not adding a screen but would like some bags. The bike is smooth and powerful. Would love a Rune.
I remember the first time I saw the original Valkyrie and thinking it looked amazing. The Valkyrie Rune....was the most beautiful thing I had seen at the time. Ironically it's named after the Valkyrie but is so big it's difficult for women to ride. I could do it but then I couldn't afford one lol. That blue is incredibly beautiful.
Hello Sean. I have a 2003 GL1800 Goldwing and I bought the same flip out highway pegs on your Rune only not chrome. I liked the looks of them better than the Kuryakyn pegs it had. That bike you have is a beauty.i ride the heck out of my Goldwing when I’m not on my Vmax.thanks for the great videos on your channels. Be safe.
1. The only aftermarket part I know of are side bags. There's someone that makes them and they look dope AF, the follow the line of the bike and cover the back wheel, looks factory. 2. Pretty sure that the headlight isn't plastic, or any of the parts he knocked on. 3. I don't think he has enough banners and cartboard cut outs of him in his garage :)
I remember walking into our local honda dealer back in 2003 and seeing one of these and seeing the price tag😮. To me these bikes look hideous and i still feel that way, but i do appreciate the level of engineering and craftmanship that went into them.
You may not be a fan of the Japanese bikes but they do make some amazing and beautiful motorcycles. You have to respect Honda's commitment to actually knowing from the beginning they were going to lose mad money by making and selling the Rune. It's like, "Here, come on in and buy something amazing, but before you leave, we'd like to take $90,000 off of the MSRP, just for trying it out." That's legit.
best day at my shop with a rune is we had a 03 rune, 03 1800vtx and a 03 1300vtx all in the purple/blue color all owned by dif owners, all at the same time
I had one too, was a steal for 9500 new in 2015. That thing was fast as hell. I eventually sold it because I wanted a sports car and I didn't ride as much as I wanted to.
Ok, I'm not disputing that this is one of the coolest bikes ever to come out of a factory, but isn't this something like the third of fourth one you've had?
I worked at Plano Honda in sales 1999-2001 and I remember these. I weighed about 170 and all these big Hondas cruisers where a little scary to push around.
I'm thinking about cleaning that beast after a decently long ride. All the nooks and crannies with bug guts in em. Trying not to smear road tar, keeping that chrome shiny, it all adds up to one heckuva chore. So fair weather riding it is. After all, that's what she deserves. NO RAIN. What a magnificent machine. If I had the means, I'd be riding one daily (weather permitting).
I was sitting on it, wanted it badly, but I just came back from Wis To a local Minnesota Honda dealer in White Bear Lk, that I used to work with in the eighties and just arrived with VTX in enclosed trailer, brand new all cash deal for 07' Stage3 VTX+1800 VT NEO in rare Aztec art work from factory over burgandy - It's tough to know what to do in that moment, after just layed out $10K cash moments ago. In the end, I probably should have traded it in and taken the Ruin Home instead. I still have the 1800 VTX, Lots of cool mods were done electricaly to keep the headlight off during warmup, but daylight perimeter LED lights fabbed up inside headlight was more than enough to light up area at night. But it's critical for alternator to recover the battery on any Scoot, and not be forced at max doing it, plus keep a high output High draw Headlight On during warmup, which takes a good 10-15 minutes, or fuel injection won't let the huge twin to idle down. Custom windshield I modified for a more streamlined air resistance when cruising 90 all day - or stock, it's a huge brick wall all day like from Tampa to Mpls, 1700 miles and all night long for 3.5 nights. being It's too hot during the day with mid 90's. I don't like it, and neither does the Scoot, plus the rear end after 500 miles to a wayside rest stop to soak off bugs, testing rear end temp every stop, and you can't set hand on it at all. That sucker is really hot under that much load all day at 90. It took 93mph just to barely pass convoy of semi's. That's brutal as well all day with just them 24/7 entire 1700 miles and of course dodging the deer they took out every ten mile markers. This is the scary part during all night tours, with those bastards, they will pop out of no where, if you don't warn them with high output horns every 1000 ft. Best of Luck with the beast, some carb cleaner added to every tank of fuel all summer/ fall will get the system cleaned up pretty good. Spot check spark plugs every 1000 miles to make sure oxygen sensors are not putting in too much fuel. Fuel manager add ons are a joke. They just dump fuel in. Cheers
I was glad when you nabbed the one in Crofton. I almost bought it 5-6 times!!! I was thinking about sandblasting and powder coating all of the trashed chrome.
There was a Blue Rune in for service, about a month ago, at a Cycle Shop in my area. When Sean mentioned the rarity of the bike, followed by the fact that the blue is the rarest, I said to myself, "Self, didn't we just see one of these recently, at the shop?" "Yes we did," I replied..."I wonder if it is the same one?" "It's got to be!" I said, "How many of these bikes are running around? Most spend their lives in climate controlled comfort." Cool bike. I wish I new more about it when I was standing right next to it! I would have taken a closer look at it than I did, gol durn it.
This is the coolest bike Honda ever made IMO. Especially compared to plain and quirky Grom and Monkey they make now this bike looks like it was made by somebody other than Honda.
There are so many look alike toys. So many manufacturers afraid to step out of the box. I love unique things. I owned a Lambo over a Ferrari. A Lambo is in your face. Look at the Cybertruck. Big 3 auto afraid to step out of the box. Big 3 stays with retro. Cybertruck outselling Ford Lightning and Rivian EV truck. Cybertruck Lambo of trucks. Rune is the Lambo of motorcycles. Many people might say too futuristic but I love unique not seen everyday items. They keep their value.
I just keep looking at your Yamaha MT01 as you walk past it in the shop. Love that bike, saw it at the Toronto Moto Show back when it was first coming out. The Rune looks amazing but soo over the top!
it had its moment in the sun but it is now number three in my books. My all time favourite is and always will be my 1982 Honda CBX. It is just better than anything before or after and still draws crowds not that I often stop for anyone to look. The rune fits a niche market and has its adherents but that's cruisers for you. It is just one of those things - some like it low and slow, some like style and some like sport touring. Still a nice bike but with the Great Wall bringing out a boxer 8 in a touring, sport touring, bagger and cruiser variant you'll be having to make a hard choice to chose a boxer 6 over an 8...more is always better for some and the Souo is more in spades. You have your favs, I have mine. I should also mention the Horex V6 and Benelli 900 sei as in the top five for me. If I had to pick one nHonda, the Rune would be in the top 5 pick but I've never been a cruiser fan. Speed and distance do it for me and the Rune is a home to donut shop ride at best. If you can't cross the country riding one - it is just a lookie-lou's bike. As for Honda's best ever made, the Rune is 3rd after the CBX and the CB1300...but you have your own decisions to make there. I'd also give a nod to the Valkyrie but that's up to you too. There may be those that chose the RC166 but again, it was a rare bike even when they made them for the track. I'll stick with the CBX as the best of the best from Honda
Great bike as long as you don’t want to replace the front tire. Custom size and a pain to get your hands on plus it takes half a day to remove and install. The engine is also quite a bit different from the gold wing with 6 throttle bodies and some other performance changes. The rear tires can be done with the fender on but it takes 3 people to do
Basically the Rune is the Lexus LFA of the motorcycle world.
TRUE
That's exactly how I explain it to people that don't know. Well stated
YES!! Perfect
I’d say that’s an Aprilia RSV4 lol
It'd be true if they made a unique engine for the bike.
I remember when the Honda Rune first came out my dad had a storage shop right across from the Honda dealership and they got two in stock truly a breathtaking bike looking at it through the camera does not do it justice they really are like spaceships
Yeah when I saw one it felt like a piece of art. I'd feel bad riding it lol.
I worked at a Honda dealership at the time as a mechanic. I changed the oil and filter on one. Took it for the test ride. Lost my sunglasses looking back coming onto an on ramp with throttle pined in 3rd gear on I 135 here in Kansas.
Just all balls. Torque sent straight down from God in heaven.
Wasn't even mad about the glasses. Coolest I ever felt on a bike. Our salesman was outside waiting on me when I got back. Noticed my glasses were missing straight away. Told me I looked like the Terminator rolling in. The bike was black.
Coolest thing ever.
Sean throwing out two videos in one day? You maniac!
2 shitty video's
Love mine, 2004 candy black cherry. I bought it in 2012 with 10,000 miles and it’s got about 48,000 on it now. Still looks like new and the maintenance is minimal.
Honda bikes were the bees knees back then. I own a VFR800Fi and it is the smoothest bike i ever ridden. Plus it is so extremely reliable and fun to ride.
Me too, 2000 VFR800. Love this bike. Smooooth, handles well, and has good acceleration.
VFR800 love my '07 ❤😂
I really think the vfr1200 looks awesome and want to ride one someday
*And a much better bike than the Rune whether you are riding to the grocer or riding to the next country.*
That chrome Rune was used in a music video by a russian rock band called Pilgrim. It was last seen for sale on a russian website in 2008 for 1.2m rubles.
Absolutely my favorite motorcycle. Color, styling, all of it. I ride a 2005 VTX1800N in Nova Blue. It's probably the closest thing I will ever get to riding a Rune.
I visited the Barber Motorsports Museum last year and took the most pictures of the Runes that they had on display. It's definitely the coolest motorcycle ever made.
I was 11 - 17 when those were built but I specifically remember seeing the runes as a kid and just being blown away by them! I’ve always thought they were one of the most gorgeous bikes ever made!
a few days ago another bike youtuber tried to shit on this bike, and now his entire comment section talking about how he's wrong and this bike is sick.
Bart
It’s a weird bike. Really cool looking imho.
It's a pretty garbage bike, especially with what Honda could have done at the time... this was the moment Honda stopped taking risks, especially since the Rune was such a commercial failure, showing Honda not only completely gave up on performance in their cruisers, but also gave up on styling beyond what looks like what Honda already had, just slightly modified.
For sell
@vtxgenie1 commercial failure 😂 it was a limited run for 2 years, it was a demonstration of what Honda could do, and having ridden one, and knowing 2 people who own them, they are far from garbage
Wow! I had no idea of the story of this motorcycle. I now realise how fortunate I've been to get up close to one in the flesh. The one I saw was in a red colour.
These bikes were made in Marysville, OH. The Valkyrie, which I owned for 4 years was brought about by Joe Boyd and his team of American Engineers at the Marysville Bike Plant. The original Valkrie was a true street rod and tourer, I owned a 97 Valkrie tourer. They had magnificent color combos and were so smooth you put a nickle, side up, on the chrome heads covers and start the bike and it would still stand. Sadly when the 1832 motor was introduced into the Goldwings, they did not incorporate that Fuel injected motor into the Valkrie, and upgrade it a bit. Instead they closed that line after 2003 model. Thats a beautiful blue Rune you have there Sean, and hope you keep it for a good long time.
I got to tour that plant back in the day. I worked for a Oki Telecom and we were a tier one supplier for Honda. I spent 10 years working for Oki and having to deal with their exacting demands upon quality because Honda demanded nothing less.
Oki Telecom was a wonderful employer and took care of thier people. They did so much for me. I was diagnosed with cancer at 25 years old. Surgeries, chemotherapy the whole nine yards for over a year.
All the time I had to take of for work? They paid for every day I missed. In one year I was out of work for three months total.....
They paid every dime.
They even took up a collection for me and was handed $5000.00 cash......
Holding back the tears.
I don't own any Oki products anymore but I always grin when i still see one of their dot matrix printers in service.
As far as Honda? Always been my go to vehicle.
With the massive increase in motor accidents starting in 2021 I finally gave up riding, my final bike was my best one it was the Honda Valkyrie 2014. Brand new and I got one in 2018, I rode that thing for years and loved every second of it. Not a smoother bike (Rune was the same thing in ride quality and engine). I dont think people truly grasp just how good that engine and transmission is. Even better since its a shaft driven bike its 0 maintenance pretty much. I hope whoever got my old Valkyrie rides it every day and loves it more than I did.
That bIke is an absolute beast! Looks fantastic! Sounds phenomenal. Those are Rivco highway pegs! You are right. Beautifully sculpted too. You in that AGV full coverage really looks pretty cool. Way to go!
Japanese cruisers are so slept on imo. I love HDs too but some metric cruisers deserve so much more love than they get by most Americans. I would love to own one of these wild Hondas someday. In the meantime i am very happy with my Vulcan 1700 though.
Love my 1700 Vulvan Vaquero!
You cannot beat Japanese engineering even if it's reversed engineering.
A buddy of mine worked at Kubota America in the forklift plant.
Every new model year, Kubota would rent all the new flagship Toyota lifts on a long term lease.
Get this. They would take those forklifts apart down to the frame.
Analyze every part and rebuild them and take them off rent.
I'm a 22 year old dude that was looking into buying a new Harley a while back. At the dealership, the cheapest bike i saw was 13k and it had the most god awful fairing I've ever seen. It was ugly. They only got worse from there. And then, HD went woke, so i bought a used but excellent condition Honda Shadow. I'm so glad that i did.
It impressed me that you rode the Rune on the road. That's a museum piece.
Those are Rivco aero pegs.
The purr of that motor is fantastic. I'll take that any day over a flappy Harley.
Hey, from SW IL, I took a BRC-II class where the instructor rode a chromed Honda rune. He was part of the combat vets association.
Rune is such a cool bike man, always wanted to ride One, never even been around one in person lol .been riding for 35 years, never seen one ....
Those highway pegs are made by RIVCO and are awesome. I have them on my 2014 Valkyrie and blend into the lines of the bike as if they were from the factory. Highly recommend if you have a Goldwing or Valkyrie.
Can you explain to me what highway pegs do? I am more of a car guy, so don't know much about bikes.
Highway pegs are an extra set of foot rests, usually placed well forward of the stock pegs. They allow you to stretch your legs out into a more comfortable position when you’re on a long stretch of road and don’t need to manipulate the foot controls.
I miss my Valkyrie, it felt like it had a lower center of gravity, easy in the corners. I just sold my Ultra Classic and now you got me thinking of another Valkyrie for my next bike. 😢
Fortnine did a very detailed video on the Rune awhile ago. The exhaust itself is a work of art.
yeah, I remember from that video the Rune radiator is a metallurgical masterpiece.
The whole front end with that headlight so unique. That exhaust and rear drive unit is art
The funny thing about all that is it was mostly just modified already existing Honda parts, they were afraid to step too far away from traditional styling. The headlight for example is just an angular, stretched version of their vtx1800 headlight.
I have an identical blue Rune I imported to the UK. The guy who got to design the headlight had complete freedom of design and chose Edvard Munch for inspiration. Fascinating bike!
In my opinion one of the best looking Cruisers EVER built! A factory concept that is a reality! I had a buddy that rode the snot out of his with close to 100k miles on it. As Always, May God Bless you and yours! 😇
Sean was spot on, honestly, I believe the robot designer of lost in space series owns a Honda Rune
As a big fan of the Honda Valkyrie (i still miss my totaled out '15 Valk), the rune has a special place in my heart.
I have a honda supermagna 750 cc, the thing is from 1988 (9yrs older than me). But it rides so lovely, and no one even thinks the bike is this old. I love honda, had a vfr750 before and had lessons on a cbr650😊
I’m proud to have seen this recently in the wild…so cool!
I heard Leno has 5 of them. My buddy bought his for 15 grand. It's now worth 24, the original price.
This bike is in full interstate dress and he's ridden it all over the west.
It's the most beautiful Rune/motorcycle I have ever seen.
Finally a good video like you used to do! I want more of this!
the story on the design and manufacture of the exhaust is crazy... lost wax casting. these bikes are works of art and most remaining are treated as such. thank you honda for creating the rune.
When the Rune first came out I got to spend an evening drinking with one of the Honda 'Big Wig's responsible for them and he was SO proud of the bike. For sure they took lots of time and investment to build...but when I heard the price I figured that they'll never sell big numbers just because they were too expensive.
When my friends mom passed , he and his brother inherited a tidy little sum. The brother went out and bought a brand new Harley Heritage Classic but upon my advice, my friend and I went to the Honda dealer where I showed him the Rune. He bought it immediately and has never looked back. He added some custom features like a heated seat with passenger, saddlebags and trunk/backrest for passenger. Gorgeous machine, gets treated like royalty at Sturgis. I really hate him now. lol
Honda best on earth
They truly are. Them and Yamaha are in a league of their own.
As soon as they came out Ive always wanted one. I remember that commercial. Riding in the desert, flying through the sand sideways. I want that bike…
4.2 for 0 to 60 for a 900lbs 20-year old bike is actually really good, in my opinion 👍🏼 Gorgeous machine 😍
An old co-worker of mine had this bike in the same color and everything. I thought it was pretty crazy & over the top...then he traded it in for a Boss Hoss with a 6.2 liter 420hp v8 🤯
I think I just came that is probably the most beautiful muscle cruiser ever
Yeah and I think anyone else can agree but his hair still looks amazing
I absolutely adore it. I had a chance to buy it on 2016 for a very reasonable price and I didn't go for it. And I have been regretting that decision since then. Tried to kill the pain with F6B Gold Wing but its was not the same. Now Runes in perfect shape are around 40k USD here... Anyway, this is my dream bike of all times.
The variety of textures in the kislux pack is impressive. From smooth leather to textured suede, there's something for everyone.
Not everything is exclusive. The display was the same on my VTX1800. That was the smoothest v-twin I’ve ever ridden.
When you see the robots that Honda makes it gives you the idea that motorcycle's and car's aren't what matters most to Honda.
There's a blue one for sale near me for $24k CA with 11k miles. Knowing the background of the bike I'd love to get it for a collector's item but there's no way I could justify paying 24k for a bike I wouldn't really want to ride.
those leading arm-trail front ends are really cool. Just by changing the rake and adjusting where the wheel sits you can make a bike run soooo smooth and buttery straight-upwards. Bet she rips in corners too. Like its 10% of the battle to make it look like that, and 90% of the battle making it run good.
A few years after these went out of production, my neighbor and his friend got word of several tucked away in the back of a Honda warehouse still in the crates! My Neighbor got a black one and his friend got the red.
I had an '85 V-65 Magna. Awesome bike. I loved it. $4,100.00 brand new. What I really want some day though, is a CBX.
I saw the concept bike at the Chicago motorcycle show before it came out and you're correct. It's literally almost identical!
The roof collapsing on that one bike...RUNED IT!
Had a VTX 1800 loved that bike I remember seeing the Rune in the dealership was truly a work of art
Seems like it's been a couple videos since I've heard the verse section. I'm not very religious but it's a nice touch.
When the Rune first came out the thing that wowed me most was the radiator grille.
It’s a Honda! You can enjoy it as overbuilt. Some of the exotic cars and motorcycles your afraid to ride often as they require more routine maintenance than a Honda.
This is the bike that hooked me to my 2013 goldwing after I sold it my rune... nothing else came close IMHO....
My favorite bike of all time. Like the '94 CB1000 I finally got, I know this bike would fit me precisely.
There was one of these at the Greater Cincinnati Interntional Airport right inside the main entrance for a period of time. I remember seeing it when I flew in and out. Only time I ever saw one in the real world.
It's always a good day when SRKcycles posts a video
A rolling work of art ... and testiment that ... whilst most Japanese manufacturers traditionally 'conform' or 'copy' ... Honda can think outside the box ... eg Fury, CTX etc ... 🤔
road dog at wheels through time is worth the trip alone. that museum is INCREDIABLE
The Greatest motorcycle for the road Honda ever made is the VFR 800 . I've owned 3 of them ( out of my 26 bikes ) ...road it from Chicago to Key West and North Carolina to the West coast only changing tires , a chain or two and brake pads . They are agile , fast enough and at 80 mph smooth as glass . I of course pay omage to the Honda Mini Trail which was the greatest engin ever made ( and I worked for Kawasaki ) . All four big 4 Japanese manufactueres made incredible machines ( Ninja 900 , the GPZ line , Ninja 1000 and the Ninja H2R - The Yamaha FZR's incredible and the Suzuki GSXR"s lightining quick . But I can ride the Honda VFR 800... buy it for 3 or 4 thousand in primo shape and sell it 2 years later ( Like the older BMW boxers ) and get nearly every penny back as long as I take good care of it . They are just amazing bikes and I dearly love them . PK
There’s a Rune at the place I bought my bike at, and I’m always in awe of it. It’s the Cherry color, and it’s just beautiful. I don’t have a place to store something that nice, but it’s something I would love.
I understand why people who like goldwings & big touring bikes like it but it doesn't do much for me.
I have a 2014 Valkryie and love it. It had the rear rack that I removed as it looks best stripped down. I'm not adding a screen but would like some bags. The bike is smooth and powerful. Would love a Rune.
I remember the first time I saw the original Valkyrie and thinking it looked amazing. The Valkyrie Rune....was the most beautiful thing I had seen at the time. Ironically it's named after the Valkyrie but is so big it's difficult for women to ride. I could do it but then I couldn't afford one lol. That blue is incredibly beautiful.
Hello Sean. I have a 2003 GL1800 Goldwing and I bought the same flip out highway pegs on your Rune only not chrome. I liked the looks of them better than the Kuryakyn pegs it had. That bike you have is a beauty.i ride the heck out of my Goldwing when I’m not on my Vmax.thanks for the great videos on your channels. Be safe.
1. The only aftermarket part I know of are side bags. There's someone that makes them and they look dope AF, the follow the line of the bike and cover the back wheel, looks factory.
2. Pretty sure that the headlight isn't plastic, or any of the parts he knocked on.
3. I don't think he has enough banners and cartboard cut outs of him in his garage :)
Three days ago, I saw a black Rune at Cherokee County Cycles in Andrews, NC. It was for sale, only had two miles on the odometer.
I remember walking into our local honda dealer back in 2003 and seeing one of these and seeing the price tag😮. To me these bikes look hideous and i still feel that way, but i do appreciate the level of engineering and craftmanship that went into them.
Personally I prefer the Honda VTX 1800. But the Rune is their greatest bike for sure.
I am a Goldwing guy myself and I do love the Rune and wish I could have ridden one.
You may not be a fan of the Japanese bikes but they do make some amazing and beautiful motorcycles. You have to respect Honda's commitment to actually knowing from the beginning they were going to lose mad money by making and selling the Rune. It's like, "Here, come on in and buy something amazing, but before you leave, we'd like to take $90,000 off of the MSRP, just for trying it out." That's legit.
as a service writer at a honda shop that still works on these...... the brake are the achilles heel of these bikes
best day at my shop with a rune is we had a 03 rune, 03 1800vtx and a 03 1300vtx all in the purple/blue color all owned by dif owners, all at the same time
I have the 2014 version of the Valkyrie
Me too - dark red metallic.
It’ll only b sold after I die.
I had one too, was a steal for 9500 new in 2015. That thing was fast as hell. I eventually sold it because I wanted a sports car and I didn't ride as much as I wanted to.
well the honda valkyrie is one fine motorcycle ever day every where.. valkrie owner for 20 years
Ok, I'm not disputing that this is one of the coolest bikes ever to come out of a factory, but isn't this something like the third of fourth one you've had?
I worked at Plano Honda in sales 1999-2001 and I remember these. I weighed about 170 and all these big Hondas cruisers where a little scary to push around.
I'm thinking about cleaning that beast after a decently long ride. All the nooks and crannies with bug guts in em. Trying not to smear road tar, keeping that chrome shiny, it all adds up to one heckuva chore. So fair weather riding it is. After all, that's what she deserves. NO RAIN. What a magnificent machine. If I had the means, I'd be riding one daily (weather permitting).
I was sitting on it, wanted it badly, but I just came back from Wis To a local Minnesota Honda dealer in White Bear Lk, that I used to work with in the eighties and just arrived with VTX in enclosed trailer, brand new all cash deal for 07' Stage3 VTX+1800 VT NEO in rare Aztec art work from factory over burgandy -
It's tough to know what to do in that moment, after just layed out $10K cash moments ago.
In the end, I probably should have traded it in and taken the Ruin Home instead.
I still have the 1800 VTX, Lots of cool mods were done electricaly to keep the headlight off during warmup, but daylight perimeter LED lights fabbed up inside headlight was more than enough to light up area at night.
But it's critical for alternator to recover the battery on any Scoot, and not be forced at max doing it, plus keep a high output High draw Headlight On during warmup, which takes a good 10-15 minutes, or fuel injection won't let the huge twin to idle down.
Custom windshield I modified for a more streamlined air resistance when cruising 90 all day - or stock, it's a huge brick wall all day like from Tampa to Mpls, 1700 miles and all night long for 3.5 nights. being
It's too hot during the day with mid 90's.
I don't like it, and neither does the Scoot, plus the rear end after 500 miles to a wayside rest stop to soak off bugs, testing rear end temp every stop, and you can't set hand on it at all.
That sucker is really hot under that much load all day at 90. It took 93mph just to barely pass convoy of semi's. That's brutal as well all day with just them 24/7 entire 1700 miles and of course dodging the deer they took out every ten mile markers.
This is the scary part during all night tours, with those bastards, they will pop out of no where, if you don't warn them with high output horns every 1000 ft.
Best of Luck with the beast, some carb cleaner added to every tank of fuel all summer/ fall will get the system cleaned up pretty good.
Spot check spark plugs every 1000 miles to make sure oxygen sensors are not putting in too much fuel.
Fuel manager add ons are a joke. They just dump fuel in.
Cheers
The Honda RC51 is one of my favorite bikes of all time
I was glad when you nabbed the one in Crofton. I almost bought it 5-6 times!!! I was thinking about sandblasting and powder coating all of the trashed chrome.
It's not only exactly what I want, it's the exact color I want. Beautiful 😮
There was a Blue Rune in for service, about a month ago, at a Cycle Shop in my area.
When Sean mentioned the rarity of the bike, followed by the fact that the blue is the rarest, I said to myself, "Self, didn't we just see one of these recently, at the shop?"
"Yes we did," I replied..."I wonder if it is the same one?"
"It's got to be!" I said, "How many of these bikes are running around? Most spend their lives in climate controlled comfort."
Cool bike. I wish I new more about it when I was standing right next to it! I would have taken a closer look at it than I did, gol durn it.
Looks like a spaceship! So futuristic 😊
@srkcycles are you gonna reopen the dealership?
Been watching you from the start. I have a 2001 Valkyrie, mint. Nice review here, your best. Keep being crazy.
This is the coolest bike Honda ever made IMO. Especially compared to plain and quirky Grom and Monkey they make now this bike looks like it was made by somebody other than Honda.
There are so many look alike toys. So many manufacturers afraid to step out of the box. I love unique things. I owned a Lambo over a Ferrari. A Lambo is in your face. Look at the Cybertruck. Big 3 auto afraid to step out of the box. Big 3 stays with retro. Cybertruck outselling Ford Lightning and Rivian EV truck. Cybertruck Lambo of trucks. Rune is the Lambo of motorcycles. Many people might say too futuristic but I love unique not seen everyday items. They keep their value.
When hitting dead spots , and considering fuel , consider limitations in delivery if you are using a fuel filter.
Thing is straight from the future and made with love
Despite the Rune being a gigantic bike it still looks small with a full-sized man on it. Can see it truly wasnt made to ride 2-up
The Honda Rune….What a unique motorcycle.
I just keep looking at your Yamaha MT01 as you walk past it in the shop. Love that bike, saw it at the Toronto Moto Show back when it was first coming out. The Rune looks amazing but soo over the top!
it had its moment in the sun but it is now number three in my books. My all time favourite is and always will be my 1982 Honda CBX. It is just better than anything before or after and still draws crowds not that I often stop for anyone to look. The rune fits a niche market and has its adherents but that's cruisers for you. It is just one of those things - some like it low and slow, some like style and some like sport touring. Still a nice bike but with the Great Wall bringing out a boxer 8 in a touring, sport touring, bagger and cruiser variant you'll be having to make a hard choice to chose a boxer 6 over an 8...more is always better for some and the Souo is more in spades. You have your favs, I have mine. I should also mention the Horex V6 and Benelli 900 sei as in the top five for me. If I had to pick one nHonda, the Rune would be in the top 5 pick but I've never been a cruiser fan. Speed and distance do it for me and the Rune is a home to donut shop ride at best. If you can't cross the country riding one - it is just a lookie-lou's bike. As for Honda's best ever made, the Rune is 3rd after the CBX and the CB1300...but you have your own decisions to make there. I'd also give a nod to the Valkyrie but that's up to you too. There may be those that chose the RC166 but again, it was a rare bike even when they made them for the track. I'll stick with the CBX as the best of the best from Honda
Great bike as long as you don’t want to replace the front tire. Custom size and a pain to get your hands on plus it takes half a day to remove and install. The engine is also quite a bit different from the gold wing with 6 throttle bodies and some other performance changes. The rear tires can be done with the fender on but it takes 3 people to do
I did it myself.
Is it adaptable? Can you put a touring seat on it,or different handle bars, storage bags, for 2 up touring configuration?
That bike is....
BEAUTIFUL.
Yep The Rune is Cool , but I’ll take that Repsol Edition cbr behind it , especially if it’s the 1000 !! Mmm Hmmm!!
No, the ultimate bike Honda made was the 1992 NR750
As a VFR owner, I want one, if I ever have an extra $120,000. 😅
Such a sexy bike.
not gonna watch the video for time constraints, but leaving a comment and a like for anti-clickbait labeling (honda valkerie RUNE) Srkcycles common W
I miss my 1997 Valkyrie std. loved that bike!!!
This very model was my most fav bike for many years.