Honda 1500 Valkyrie Tourer: Detailed Specs, Background, Performance, and More

Every conversation about a motorcycle starts with its engine, performance, styling, and model. Many riders love to own a bike for their daily commutes around the city, while others use a motorcycle to explore uncharted roads and scenic highways. The only motorcycle built to fulfill these requirements that riders need is the ultimate touring machine.

Motorcycle touring is the best form of tourism, but choosing a motorcycle for this purpose is a difficult decision. Some riders love to travel alone, while others like to join a motorcycle touring community. Many people love to take shorter trips and travel gradually so they witness every possible sight. On the other hand, some riders take motorcycle touring to the extreme by traveling thousands of miles.

While discussing touring motorcycles, the Honda Valkyrie Tourer is top on the list. This bike is equipped with a larger engine displacement than any Honda motorcycle ever made, a comfortable riding position, and custom-built options like a large windshield and hard saddlebags. Read on to know everything about this bike, including detailed specifications, background, performance, and more.

The Honda Valkyrie is a motorcycle that was first manufactured in 1996 and introduced to the market in 1997. It was termed GL1500C in the U.S. market and F6C in other markets. This motorcycle came with a 1520 cc (93 cu in) liquid-cooled, horizontally opposed flat-six engine, an uncommon V-twin engine equipped to cruisers and had previously been used for the Honda’s Goldwing.

In this evolution of the Goldwing, there were many notable changes to the engine including the camshaft and six 28 mm carburetors, one for each cylinder. These changes were implemented to increase the power and torque of the engine. The Honda Valkyrie was also offered in the Japanese market, but in this variant, the bike was equipped with reverse gear.

Originally the bike was made in the United States at the Honda motorcycle plant in Marysville, Ohio. During its introduction in 1997, the company offered the Valkyrie Standard model or the Naked Standard. Later, the Valkyrie Tourer model was launched with a factory-custom windshield and lockable hard saddlebags. This model received the ID GL1500CT.

In 1999, the company added one more model to the Valkyrie lineup, the Interstate Valkyrie. This model came with a front-mounted faring along with a massive fuel tank and trunk. This model was designated as GL1500CJ.

Afterward, when the sales began to dividend, the company continued with the Valkyrie Standard model after dropping the Interstate and Tourer model after 2001. The Standard model continued to be sold in only a black color scheme until 2003 when it was discontinued.

2003 was the last year for the Honda Valkyrie, having remained in production from 1996 to 2003.

The Honda GL1500CT Valkyrie Tourer has a liquid-cooled 1520 cc six-cylinder engine that has amazing power and decent cruising comfort. It is derived from the Gold Wing engine and uses six carburetors, updated camshaft timing, and a streaming exhaust system to increase engine output.

Chrome details applied to specific engine parts such as the manifold, timing belt cover, and reshaped headcovers enhance the custom styling. This massive engine is coupled with a five-speed transmission with close ratios and a quiet, virtually maintenance-free shaft drive for excellent performance.

The engine is fitted with simple-to-service screw-and-locknut valve-clearance adjusters and breathes through a six-into-six exhaust system, featuring three individual outlet pipes within a single muffler-like casing on both sides. Its six separate pipes create a booming sound to demonstrate the engine's high power.

The engine also has maintenance-free electronic ignition, hydraulic clutch, shaft drive, and a belt-drive camshaft to lessen the cost and servicing time. Moreover, the electrical accessories of the bike gain a boost from the engine’s powerful 546-watt alternator.

If we look at the chassis and suspension of the bike, there is a strong chassis that holds the engine together and ensures good handling. Its large 45 mm inverted front forks provide 5.1 inches of wheel travel while the dual rear shocks with five-position prebuilt adjustability provide 4.7 inches of wheel travel.

The Valkyrie Tourer grips the road with its large-section radial tires, offering a smooth ride while its polished aluminum hollow-cast wheels show off the vehicle’s unique style. The bike has excellent stopping power thanks to its dual disc brakes at the front and one disk brake at the rear. Both are equipped with twin-piston calipers.

This bike has a massive, long-range 5.3-gallon fuel tank and a two-piece custom seat with a removable passenger seat and rear backrest to give you a relaxed and pleasant ride. The rider also sits in a comfortable riding position with its low yet wide-diameter handlebar and low 28.9-inch seat height.

Additionally, the bike features a powerful 60/55-watt halogen headlight, chrome-case-enclosed tachometer and speedometer, reliable push-to-cancel switch, large-diameter handgrips, and two-tone or black solid-color finishes. Some special features include

• A large-size clear Lexan(R) windshield with chrome-plated mounting brackets.
• Color-matched, weather-sealed saddlebags, each with a 35-liter capacity.

The Honda GL1500CT Valkyrie Tourer has a liquid-cooled 1520 cc six-cylinder engine that has amazing horsepower and decent cruising comfort. It is estimated that this bike can go up to 131 mph or 211 km/h.

The Honda Valkyrie Tourer has a massive, long-range 5.3-gallon fuel tank and gives you a relaxed and pleasant ride with its two-piece custom seat with a removable passenger seat and rear backrest.

Honda evolved the Valkyrie Tourer from the Valkyrie Standard. To make this transition, the company only added a windshield and hard saddlebags to the Valkyrie Tourer. It is estimated that this muscular machine weighs around 324 kg (714.3 lbs).

Honda created the Valkyrie tourer from a Valkyrie standard, to make this move the company only added the windshield and hard saddlebags to this bike. Aside from the colors and backrests, the bikes were practically identical. Motorcycle enthusiasts always praised the Valkyrie for its excellent chrome plating, powerful engine, smooth suspension, and reliable performance.

Many riders loved the custom style of their bike and want to use them in good condition. Others like to customize their motorcycle by adding aftermarket parts they choose. To make your bike more suitable for your lifestyle, there are several accessories available like luggage racks, fairings, handlebars, crash bars, and rider passenger backrests.

As the Valkyrie Tourer is designed for touring and long motorcycle roads, it has a large and comfortable seat with a detachable passenger seat segment. It is possible to mount a sissy bar for relaxed touring and attach a luggage bag to help store your belongings.

You can also attach a pair of premium quality saddlebags and use your bike for urban riding. There are hundreds of ways to customize a motorcycle, but it all depends on the individual rider’s choice.