The Honda Valkyrie is a motorcycle manufactured from 1997 to 2003, designated GL1500C in the United States and F6C, for Flat Six Custom, in other markets. It was built in the United States at Honda’s motorcycle plant in Marysville, Ohio.
Honda Valkyrie at a glance
| Maker | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | 1997–2003 |
| US designation | GL1500C |
| Other markets | F6C, Flat Six Custom |
| Engine | 1,520 cc liquid-cooled flat six |
| Engine origin | Gold Wing fourth generation |
| Carburettors | six 28 mm, one per cylinder |
| Valvetrain change | solid lifters instead of hydraulic |
| Built in | Marysville, Ohio |
| Reverse gear | offered in Japan |
| Standard | naked model from 1997 |
| Tourer | GL1500CT with screen and hard bags |
| Interstate | GL1500CF from 1999, with fairing and 26-litre tank |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Valkyrie; the Rune variant is covered in the same source.
History of the Honda Valkyrie
A flat six cruiser
In the 1990s there was a resurgence of interest in cruiser motorcycles, which generally feature a V-twin engine. The idea of an American cruiser-styled motorcycle with a flat six engine came from Josef Boyd. The Valkyrie’s engine is a 1,520 cc liquid-cooled horizontally opposed flat six shared with the fourth-generation Honda Gold Wing, unlike the V-twin usually found in cruisers.
Engine changes from the Gold Wing
In its transplant from the Gold Wing the most notable engine changes were a new camshaft, solid lifters instead of hydraulic ones and six individual 28 mm carburettors, one per cylinder, which increased power and torque. The Valkyrie was offered with a reverse gear in Japan.
Standard, Tourer and Interstate
On introduction in 1997 Honda offered a naked Standard and later a Tourer with a windshield and lockable hard saddlebags, designated GL1500CT. In 1999 the Interstate joined the line with a fork-mounted fairing, a larger 26-litre fuel tank, a rear trunk, a stiffer frame, better shocks, an AM/FM radio, radiator pods for wind management and a wired intercom; optional CB radio and fog lights mounted in the pods were available. It was designated GL1500CF. As sales dwindled the Interstate and Tourer were dropped after 2001, leaving only the Standard, which in 2003 was offered only in black and was the last year of the original Valkyrie.
Design and features
- Flat six engine: 1,520 cc shared with the Gold Wing.
- Six carburettors: one 28 mm unit per cylinder.
- Solid lifters: a change from the Gold Wing’s hydraulic system.
- American built: made in Marysville, Ohio.
Honda Valkyrie versions
- Standard (1997): the naked Valkyrie.
- Tourer GL1500CT: screen and hard saddlebags.
- Interstate GL1500CF (1999): fairing, trunk, radio and 26-litre tank.
- F6C: the name used outside the United States.
The Valkyrie uses the engine of the Honda Gold Wing and sits in Honda’s cruiser range beside the VTX. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.
Sources
- Honda Valkyrie, English Wikipedia: engine, models, production, equipment
