Honda Valkyrie 1500 (Honda GL1500C Valkyrie)
The Honda Valkyrie 1500 was first introduced in 1996 and was produced until 2003. The model had a factory designation - Honda GL1500C '', was sold in the United States under the name - Honda Valkyrie 1500, and in other countries it was known as - Honda F6C. The abbreviation F6C stands for - Flat Six Custom - a cruiser with a 6-cylinder boxer engine.
The motorcycle was based on the engine from the luxury tourer Honda GL1500 Gold Wing with a number of changes and improvements. First, the engine was equipped with 6 carburetors, one for each cylinder (instead of 2 for Gold Wing 1500). Secondly, the engine received new camshafts, which significantly increased the dynamics of the motorcycle and increased the maximum engine speed. Thirdly, instead of hydraulic lifters, the Honda Valkyrie 1500 receives the usual valve clearance adjustment (screw-nut). Fourth, the bike gets a new 6-6-2 exhaust. As a result, the engine began to produce "clean" 100 hp. (on the wheel) and almost 140 Nm of torque.
In addition to engine improvements, the Honda GL1500C Valkyrie gets a new super-rigid steel frame, modified gearbox ratios and loses reverse gear (except for the version for Japan - it had the ability to reverse reverse gear).
The Honda Valkyrie 1500 was produced only in the USA, at the plant in Marysville, Ohio. Most of the motorcycles were destined for the North American market, the rest were exported to Europe, Australia and Japan. The motorcycle became one of the first high-volume cruisers with an atypical layout for this class, in particular a 6-cylinder boxer engine. Nevertheless, the model turned out to be extremely successful and immediately gained wide popularity. A total of 48,420 motorcycles were produced and sold, of which only 6,670 were. ended up on the market in Europe and Australia.
Among other features of the Honda Valkyrie 1500, in addition to the 6-cylinder boxer engine, an inverted fork should be distinguished (the right feather - as a guide, the left - responds to damping), a timing belt drive, the presence of a motorcycle fall sensor (turns off the ignition when falling on its side), hydraulic clutch, disc brakes front and rear, 20L fuel tank (Interstate version - 26L) and 334 kg unladen weight (regular version).
The main modifications of the Honda GL1500C Valkyrie:
- Honda GL1500C Valkyrie
- Honda GL1500CT Valkyrie Tourer
- Honda GL1500CF Valkyrie Interstate
- Honda GL1500CD Valkyrie Deluxe
Despite the presence of interesting modifications of the Honda GL1500C Valkyrie motorcycle, they were not in great demand, and therefore were quickly discontinued. The basic classic version of the Honda Valkyrie 1500 remained available on the market until 2003, after which it also disappeared from sales. Instead, in 2004, Honda releases a limited edition model Honda NRX1800 Valkyrie Rune, built on the basis of a new version of Gold Wing 1800, and at the end of 2013 presents a new reincarnation of the F6C model - Honda GL1800 F6C Valkyrie.
The main competitors of the Honda Valkyrie 1500 in the class:
Photos
Specifications
Specifications Honda Valkyrie 1500:
| Model | Honda GL1500C Valkyrie (F6C) |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle type | luxury tourer |
| Release year | 1996-2003 |
| Frame | steel |
| Engine type | 6-cylinder, 4-stroke, boxer |
| Working volume | 1520 cm³ |
| Bore / stroke | 71.0 x 64.0 mm |
| Compression ratio | 9.8: 1 |
| Cooling | liquid |
| Number of valves per cylinder | SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Fuel supply system | carburetor, 6x Keihin CV, 28mm |
| Ignition type | fully transistor |
| Maximum power | 100.0 h.p. (73.5 kW) at 6000 rpm - on wheel |
| Maximum torque | 134.0 Nm (13.5 kg * m) at 4500 rpm - on the wheel |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Drive type | cardan |
| Front tire size | 150 / 80R17 (72H) |
| Rear tire size | 180 / 70R16 (77H) |
| Front brakes | 2 discs, 296 mm, 2-piston calipers |
| Rear brakes | 1 disc, 316 mm, 2-piston caliper |
| Front suspension | 45mm inverted fork, 110mm travel |
| Rear suspension | linkage with two shock absorbers (preload adjustment), stroke - 120 mm |
| Motorcycle length | 2525 mm - GL1500C / CT
2660 mm - GL1500CF |
| Motorcycle width | 980 mm - GL1500C / CT
970 mm - GL1500CF |
| Motorcycle height | 1185 mm - GL1500C
1485 mm - GL1500CT 1490 mm - GL1500CF |
| Wheelbase | 1690 mm |
| Saddle height | 740 mm - GL1500C / CT
730 mm - GL1500CF |
| Minimum ground clearance | 155mm - GL1500C / CT
150 mm - GL1500CF |
| Acceleration to 100 km / h | 3.86 sec. - GL1500C
4.12 sec. - GL1500CT 4.37 sec. - GL1500CF |
| Maximum speed | 210 km / h - GL1500C
190 km / h - GL1500CT, GL1500CF |
| Fuel tank capacity | 20.0 L (including reserve - 4.3 L) - GL1500C / CT
26.0 L (including reserve - 4.0 L) - GL1500CF |
| Motorcycle weight (dry) | 309 kg - GL1500C
324 kg - GL1500CT 351 kg - GL1500CF |
| Motorcycle weight (curb) | 334 kg - GL1500C
349 kg - GL1500CT 380 kg - GL1500CF |
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