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Look Out Lloyd

13K views 53 replies 25 participants last post by  Tech23 
#1 ·
Honda's now producing bikes with "earth stopping" power. Now who's got the best dyno chart, huh?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2aEZgLssEc

With the lines of this thing, probaby better to paint it all black. Accentuating them with contrasting colors gives me a headache.
 
#2 ·
Transformer

Honda loves their plastic don't they? I was almost excited till I saw it. I thought it was going to unfold into a civic. :D

Just what they need, another power cruiser when they are seriously lacking with their mid size bikes. Hell of a motor but fire the design team. It looks like Suzuki's version of the naked Hyabusa (B-King) that was discontinued. :confused:
 
#3 ·
#4 ·
got that right. That six cylinder engine is just FUGLY. seems like they could do something with their design team. like bury them neck deep in the sand and let the executives practice their golf swing or something.
 
#5 ·
Well, being a Victory owner, I'm hesitant to cast stones against a bike that is obviously a far cry from conventional aesthetics. Isn't that what drew many of us to Vic to begin with?

But where Victory broke the mold with something like the Vision to build a radical new design that was also the pinnacle of function, Honda seems to want to just shock the crap out of us all.

I liked the original Valkyries (never had the opportunity to ride one, but I thought they were nice to look at), and I though the Rune was pretty sweet. This guy seems to be keeping with Honda's new trend started by the FB6, but I don't think Honda loyalists are going to care much for it and it certainly doesn't seem geared to crack the more traditional power-cruiser market. Altho "power-cruisers" seem to be in pretty short supply these days.

For my $17k, I'd still come back to Victory and get saddlebags and a windshield and cruise control, thanks.
 
#12 ·
Well, being a Victory owner, I'm hesitant to cast stones against a bike that is obviously a far cry from conventional aesthetics. Isn't that what drew many of us to Vic to begin with?
An XR looks pretty damn conventional really. Take off the name badges and ask a non-riding or weekend warrior type what it is and I'll bet you get 10 out of 10 "it's a Harley" responses.

A Vision did bring some fresh styling to our pastime, but let's compare shall we:

The organic shapes of a well developed woman who bones you want to hop and hump on all day:




Randomly shaped puzzle pieces that happen to fit together.

 
#8 · (Edited)
Thanks for the link. I wasn't aware they were going to bring the Valkyrie back. Very nice. Honda builds some of the best bikes on the planet when it comes to performance and especially reliability. I don't think sales figures will be any better than the original incarnation though. In my opinion the same size bike in a Magna would do much better. I like the looks of the Valkyrie although they are not to my personal style but I'd sure like to have one for a day. I also looked at a few other videos. The classic looks of the CB1100 are going to give Triumph a poke in the back as well.
 
#11 ·
Thanks for the link. I wasn't aware they were going to bring the Valkyrie back.
Um yeah, kinda like Vic brought a 1941 Indian back. Only problem is, cept for the name, there really ain't much that hasn't changed...DRAMATICALLY.

Very nice.
If the looks of a plastic Rune turn your wheels then I guess so.

Honda builds some of the best bikes on the planet when it comes to performance and especially reliability.
I hope there's sumpin there an owner can take pride in...
 
#10 ·
Huh, and i thought it was ugly in the video! damn the still pic is worse! Like the wanna be chopper they built a few years ago, this one looks like the back half was thought about, then , oh no we still have to build the front, and jammed it on there. To me by looking at it it needs to be longer from the seat forward, looks like it got smashed in like a pugs face.

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#16 ·
I had a Valkyrie and loved it. But I think it was a classier looking bike than this new one.



I'm not a big fan of Honda's new look on the Gold Wing variants, with all that bulk and plastic in the engine area.
 
#17 ·
With a Traxxion suspension and some Avon Cobra tires I bet it will give your thumper Kingpin a real run for the money. If they did not screw up the front end geometry it should handle all that and a bag of chips....

Got to see it in the flesh.

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#21 ·
Space? No saddlebags.

No hard saddlebags? Let me guess the radiators are mounted on the sides of the fuel tank and above the engine correct? That's what it looks like. I bet the fuel tank is below the seat and the fuel tank or space above the engine is actually a trunk. Just like some of the other bikes they are producing now. The commerical where he is smoking the rear tire is kind of a joke. I would like to see how much the tire could spin without power braking and taking out from a normal standing start like most people do. I know a RocketIII will smoke it from a start without powerbraking and a BossHoss if you can hang on,ha,ha.thumb up
 
#25 ·
The commerical where he is smoking the rear tire is kind of a joke. I would like to see how much the tire could spin without power braking and taking out from a normal standing start like most people do. I know a RocketIII will smoke it from a start without powerbraking and a BossHoss if you can hang on,ha,ha.thumb up
Smoking a tire is not the measure of performance. Acceleration requires traction.
The Rocket III has a timing retard in the 1st couple of gears so you don't get all the power, however, that is easily remedied....
In a short run the BH-350 will spank the BH-502, since the 502 just smokes the tire and won't go anywhere while the 350 will hook up and accelerate. I actually prefered their 'Supersport' with the 350 because it's a bit smaller/lower/lighter.

Supersport:


 
#22 ·
They should have brought back the Rune. That was the last cool bike Honda built before all the plastic came along. They still fetch big money too if you can find one. Not very practical but a nice custom job from Honda back then led people to think they were in the game and had hopes for more bikes that people wanted to own. At 25k off the showroom floor they went quick. Times were different 10yrs ago.

Maybe Honda feels they need three different style wings. A full dresser, a bagger, and now this bag less bike to compete.
 
#23 ·
Lemme see...6 spark plugs or 2. Hmmm.
 
#26 ·
I looked at an F6B before I bought my XC. It had bags and a shield, but because of the width of the flat six, no provisions for floorboards or highway pegs, uncomfortable back seat, no cruise control, and no ABS. At least the F6C has ABS as an option, and it's not billing itself as a touring bike.

The F6C appears to be basically a B with the bags and shield removed and presumably a hopped-up engine. So development costs were minimal. Hpnda's street lineup has really gotten stale, so I'm glad they're expanding it.
 
#29 ·
The lack of cruise control is a problem with the CXT too. Personally, for a little single person bagger, I'd prefer the lighter CXT over the FB6. The fact it has an ABS option would make it an easy choice for me. But the FB6 does come in a rockin color scheme this year:

 
#31 ·
Pretty much everyone says the Honda 'Wings and such really need a six speed tranny... I see they haven't done that... still.

Front fenders of that shape are usually used to protect the sliders on an inverted fork... which this bike doesn't have, so the fender looks rather silly as does the rear one... but that's a styling thing.

It will be difficult for Honda to draw buyers for this bike, as the typical cruiser types are all giddy about V-twin rumble... but maybe it will sell to 'Honda people'... but a 'Wing without any utility? Maybe the performance aspect will draw a few buyers but there's always the Rocket III for the "my dick is bigger' crowd (cheaper too). I 'get' the F6B since baggers are all the rage, but I'm not really seeing the market for this.
 
#32 ·
I 'get' the F6B since baggers are all the rage, but I'm not really seeing the market for this.
The Valk never was a huge seller. But the incremental costs to make it are not that high, so if Honda can attract some extra buyers that they wouldn't have otherwise seen in the showroom, then they're brought another buyer into the fold. And maybe that buyer will buy a dirt bike for the kid or a Wing for himself next time. It's basically about covering as many bases as possible.
 
#35 ·
Just left my local Honda dealer. I brought up the new Valk and the guys in sales say they just found out about it today. Apparently the guys that sell them are the last to know when a new Honda comes to the board. No matter, none of them were excited about it any way. The F6B seems to do well with this dealer. They are more excited about the new CTX1300. They think Honda is on track with it.

Well It looks like Honda wants to get out of the HD look a like contest and get back to what they used to do. Build higher power cruisers with 4 and 6 cylinder motors. Ya gotta giv'em credit for that at least. They just gotta get out of the Crayola box with these colors !

The 2013 new/old CB 1100 for 10k is the one I like. Love the burgundy and silver with chrome fenders. This store sold 16 this year and their 900 Triumph line is their big seller too. The old timers are coming in and wanting to re-live their youth so these bikes fly off the floor for under 9K.
 
#36 ·
The 2013 new/old CB 1100 for 10k is the one I like. Love the burgundy and silver with chrome fenders. This store sold 16 this year and their 900 Triumph line is their big seller too. The old timers are coming in and wanting to re-live their youth so these bikes fly off the floor for under 9K.
I like the CB's looks, but I'm in with your dealers. The CTX would be the Honda of choice for me.
 
#37 ·
I like it.....and I bet it will be a performer.

Ive always been impressed with the 1800 wings.....it may be an unpopular opinion on these forums but I believe them to be the better engine over the Vic twin.

In fact the only reason I originally bought a Vision instead of a GL1800 was ergonomics. My knees rubbed the fairing on the Wing.....and the Vic fit like a glove. Easily the most comfortable motorcycle Ive ever ridden.

......then when the F6B came out I rode one....complete different ergonomics and it fit me. I was all jazzed on it then.....NO cruise control....WTF Honda.

So Im riding a Cross Country. Fits me just as good as the Vision....cruise.....and its made in Iowa (my home state).

.....add some damn cruise Honda.
 
#38 ·
When Honda did their big update on the 'Wing in 2013, they didn't address what the owners have been screaming for. Two simple things:
six speed transmission
electric windshield

Yes, the update was nice... but they forgot the things most owners REALLY WANT. The fuel mileage is not so great. Boy, an overdrive 6th would help that situation. The windshield is adjustable for height but you have to do it manually and it's a pain. These are simple things... easily done...

I think Honda will come out with an all new touring bike soon. These F6B and Valkyrie models are probably just Honda using up parts.
 
#40 ·
This ^^^^

I just can't see how any motorcycle manufacturer today can build a bike without a 6 speed transmission. I won't even consider a bike without a 6 speed anymore. I know it is costing them a lot in sales without it. As a former Valkyrie owner I can tell you that riding down the highway sucked. The bike would be turning 3500 rpm and the gas mileage was terrible. The lack of the 6th gear was the only negative thing about that bike. But it was bad enough to keep me from owning one right now.
 
#43 ·
I owned a Valkyrie Interstate from 2000 - 2007. Very nice bike, especially for touring. I liked it because it was its own bike; I mean, it had no tupperware like the Wing, so it was a completely different bike (and looked a lot better for it, IMHO).

I got rid of it because it was getting too heavy for me... when stopped, or moving around a parking spot or the garage. Both the seat and C of G were much higher than my XCT. Also, my extended warranty was up, and I didn't want to deal with six carb diaphragm replacements someday, etc.

And one leg position gets old after an hour or so. Valk riders do/did mount highway pegs on assorted brackets attached to the front or underside crashbars. I tried it myself for a while, but it was a long -- and spread out -- reach.

I think there might be merit to Half Crazy's suggestion that they're using up engines. The old base Valk came out something like five years before the Wing went from the 1520 to the 1800 engine, so I think Honda did that then, in addition to attracting a new audience. The brand new Valk seems to me too close to the F6B.

I went with a Burgman 650 -- sort of a mini Wing: great weather protection, storage, AND, to out-do the Wing, an electric windshield -- from 2007 - 2012. But I'm super pleased with my XCT: very low seat (lower than the Burger!) and C of G, plenty of room to move your feet, plenty of power, smooth ride, good handling, factory cruise, mondo storage, EFI, adjustable passenger mini-boards... Hard to beat.
 

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#44 ·
I went with a Burgman 650 -- sort of a mini Wing: great weather protection, storage, AND, to out-do the Wing, an electric windshield -- from 2007 - 2012.
I rode with a Vision guy from another forum last year. He is a very large individual and also rode a Burgman prior to buying the Vic. He really liked it and rode it all over the country. Said people didn't believe he'd actually ridden when he show up to places like Florida with Ohio plates. He said it would run circles around the Vics, but I think he was exaggerating a bit about that.

My FIL owned one before he died. Throwing a leg over a bike just got to be too much for his hips. I rode it, but couldn't get used to the feeling of those tiny wheels. They don't provide enough stability IMHO and I had a hard time holding a line with it.
 
#45 ·
One of my riding buddies dad has a silver wing, got to an age where he was not strong enough to handle his goldwing. That thing is a blast to ride, especially after you get used to not changing gears! I don't think it would out run my XR but I have no doubt it can keep up with it.
 
#47 · (Edited)
Well, this is getting a little far afield from the new Valk, but what the heck -- some scooter talk.

1) The Big Burger was a lot of fun, great bike. I did a bunch of day trips to NYC (about 150 miles from here -- Albany, NY, area), which is a massive heat-sink in the summer. Absolutely no heat comes off, except by your right ankle at stops, and the twist-and-go saves your left hand in grid-locked traffic (and nice for stopping on steep hills elsewhere, and you can't screw up max off-the-line starts).

Add a topcase and, with the underseat storage, you have more than 100 liters of space. Great grocery-run machine.

About as good weather protection as my XCT. And electric windshield AND electric-folding mirrors.

Not optimal for two-up riding: could use more power, and the built-in passenger boards require the passenger to be both bow-legged and pigeon-toed. And you have to watch the wheel bearings, what with all the extra RPMs.

Real top speed over 100: 101 per Motorcycle Consumer News and my GPS (although I felt if I had a little more time, I could've upped that to, oh, 102 or 103). The 15" front / 14" rear were stable at that speed in a straight line; stable in sweepers at 90 or so. MCN noted (this is back in 2004) that it was quicker to 60 and in the 1/4 mile than a 750 Honda cruiser they tested the prior month, despite the Burger's weighing more and giving away 100cc or so.

(For those of you not familiar with it, the 650 Burgman has a frame-mounted parallel twin, 638cc, DOHC, eight-valve, fuel-injected, engine. This is not your father's swingarm-engined Vespa.)

Pics: sparking the centerstand at Deals Gap; my GPS, after coming back from a MotoGP weekend at Indianapolis in 2008 in one day on the Burger; loaded for bear, for a two-up week to Canada.

2) I've ridden the T-Max at Americade. A little better handling than the Big Burger: it has 15/15 wheels and is a lot lighter. OTOH, even with less weight, the Burger is faster, off the line and top end. Really. Not as much storage, either, in the T-Max. The T-Max certainly looked better, especially in black-and-yellow. That's me on a T-Max at Indy.

3) This summer, I put the 650 BMW GT scooter (15"/15") through its paces, unescorted, courtesy of the local Beemer dealer (where I know some of the people). Nice engine, but not really very impressed. And the seat height is ridiculously high. Makes me wonder who they think their target audience is.
 

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