Honda Valkyrie GL1800C



The Gold Wing 1800 stripped down to its hot rod heart. Bigger, badder and better than ever, the Valkyrie is back...

The Valkyrie name is legendary, and the machine first introduced in 1996 has a hard-core following to this day. Now for 2014, the Valkyrie takes that unmistakable swagger to a whole new level. It's a winning formula: Take a legendary machine, strip it down to the essentials to shed pounds, wrap it in minimalist bodywork and power it with an engine that produces ground-shaking torque and an unmistakable six-cylinder howl. The core of this remarkable custom is Honda's unique 1832cc liquid-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine that also powers the Gold Wing and Gold Wing F6B. With an awe-inspiring power-to-weight ratio, aluminum twin-spar frame and suspension system tuned for serious riders, the Valkyrie is all about unparalleled performance and style. With a curb weight of 750 pounds, the Valkyrie is a welterweight with a heavyweight punch, that also includes modern touches; LED headlight, taillight and turn signals, multi-function digital LCD instrumentation and available Anti-Lock Braking System. The Valkyrie is one totally cool ride that's set so far apart from anything else on the market it has to be experienced to be believed.


Honda launched the original Valkyrie by riding it down the stairs into a smoke-filled underground Blues club in Chicago. Yes, it had that kind of cachet. The press were stunned, here was a motorcycle no one expected; the mild mannered Gold Wing super-tourer stripped down to its hot rod heart. The original Valkyrie was the love child of an in-house skunk works team at Honda, who knew that the Gold Wing platform had the potential to offer so much more to performance minded cruiser riders. So outrageous was its performance that even American V-twin riders nodded in grudging respect when they encountered one of these 1500 cc six-cylinder brutes on the street. First released in 1996, the Valkyrie was a strong favourite with press and riders alike, all the way through till 2003, and was renowned for the siren music that emanated from its six concealed exhaust outlets. Then suddenly, it was gone, and legions of fans were left singing their own blues.

Well faithful fans, the wait is finally over, the new GL1800C Valkyrie is here, bigger, badder, and better than ever. Staying true to the original concept, the new Valkyrie is based on a Gold Wing stripped down to the bare essentials. The glorious 1832 cc flat-six is retained, as is the rigid twin-spar aluminum frame and aluminum single-sided swingarm. The rear shock has been retuned to sportier settings and the stout 45 mm cartridge front fork has been lengthened and features upgraded internals. Bigger ABS brakes provide the stopping power while one-inch taller wheels and repositioned footpegs increase cornering clearance. At a full 150 lbs less than a Gold Wing, the Valkyrie really hauls and it looks good doing it with LED lights throughout, minimalist bodywork, blacked out engine, shorty exhaust and removable passenger seat. Power, handling and performance with long distance comfort and a unique style all its own, the new Valkyrie is destined for greatness.


The goal for the F6C’s engine was to produce a rush of acceleration at a split-second’s notice from a standing start. It also needed to provide epic, unforgettable drive from low rpm in top gear and offer up super-smooth throttle response everywhere in the rev-range.

Honda’s 1,832 cc horizontally opposed SOHC 12-valve six-cylinder unit has a real head start in the power delivery department. Fed by PGM-FI controlled fuel-injection with twin 40mm Keihin throttle bodies, it employs an F6C-specific 6.6-litre airbox and panel-type air filter. Bore and stroke is set at 74 mm x 71 mm, with compression ratio of 9.8:1.

Location of the radiators proved an interesting challenge, as they could not be front mounted. Side mounting was the natural solution with airflow managed by optimized channeling within the side cowls.

The five-speed gearbox (which employs 5th as very much an overdrive for relaxed cruising) delivers the engine’s torque via shaft drive. The hydraulic clutch lever’s pull ratio has been revised to offer a lighter action – for stress-free operation.

Over 10 exhaust systems were prototyped during development, with countless internal structures and end-caps. The engineers were searching for a perfectly balanced exhaust note with dual personality – a throaty growl at low-rpm and high-pitched crescendo at maximum rpm. In the end they were very satisfied with their efforts, and the result. The left hand muffler has a slightly larger 3.8-litre volume, the right 3.3-litre.


The F6C engine is Euro III compliant. For improved environmental performance in addition to the air injection system reducing the oxidation reaction of unburned gases, the Honda Evolution Catalysing System 3 (HECS3) employs a three-way catalytic process and ensures greatly reduced nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide output levels.

The Valkyrie F6C employs the bare minimum of chassis needed to bolt a rider to its mighty motor. Constructed from lightweight multi-box aluminum sections the twin-spar frame is aided by the engine’s low centre of gravity (it also acts as a stressed member) to create superbly balanced handling at all speeds.

A new aluminum subframe lowers the F6C’s tail. Easy ground reach – seat height is just 734 mm – and a comfortable, carefully shaped seat that’s just 300 mm wide at the critical portion aids rider confidence at standstill.


The 45 mm telescopic forks are matched to a Honda Multi-Action System (HMAS) monoshock that can be adjusted manually for spring preload; it works through Pro-Link on the single-sided aluminum swingarm. Spring and damping rates front and rear have been modified to suit the F6C’s weight reduction and urban cruiser intent.

Compared to its siblings, the F6C’s steering geometry is stretched out: rake is set at 29° 50' with 114 mm trail. Overall dimensions are 2,473 mm (L) x 942 mm (W) x 1,154 mm (H) with wheelbase of 1,707 mm.

For improved stability in naked form the front/rear weight bias has been adjusted to an effectively even 49.9/50.1, and the engine support beam’s rigidity balance subtly adjusted (made ‘softer’) for improved rider feel through the chassis. Wide, rubber-mounted swept-back handlebars provide leverage and control.


To deliver the required grip levels with neutral handling characteristics an F6C-specific 19-inch cast aluminium front wheel wears a low profile 130/60-R19 tyre, the 17-inch rear a wide 180/55-R17.

The brake system features twin 310 mm floating front discs and opposed four-piston calipers, plus a rear 316 mm ventilated disc/three piston caliper with 2-channel ABS for safe stopping in slippery conditions.

The Valkyrie F6C’s bold look is chiseled and purposeful. Flowing organically from the solid front quarter it builds on the frame and engine’s strong, burly form and the twin rear mufflers define and underscore the rear quarter. The F6C has a clean and un-cluttered custom look and boasts full LED lighting – headlight, taillight, running lights and indicators – providing great visibility plus unique light signatures. All instrumentation is housed in a stylish dash with ‘negative’ LCD display.