| Tokyo, October 13, 1998 --- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced the launch of the modified Valkyrie 1520 cc heavyweight touring bike, manufactured by Honda Motor's US production subsidiary, Honda of America Manufacturing (HAM). The '99 export model, which incorporates a reversing system, will go on sale in Japan on October 14.
The Valkyrie Tourer, an upgraded version of the Valkyrie for long-distance
touring, fitted with an extra-large windshield and rear saddlebags, will be launched
as an addition to the series on November 10.
Both bikes in the Valkyrie series incorporate the largest displacement engines
fitted to any models in Honda's entire motorcycle range. They are the top-of-the-series
models within the Honda American-style custom-bike line-up.
The incorporation of an exhaust air-injection system in both models serves
to clean up exhaust emissions enabling the bikes to comply with new stricter Japanese
motorcycle exhaust emission regulations due to be enforced from October 1999.
Valkyrie

Valkyrie Tourer
Domestic annual
sales target: 600 units
Main features of the '99 Valkyrie
Horizontally-opposed
6-cylinder engine delivers large amounts of power smoothly at low, medium and
high revs
Featuring the same quiet, super-smooth and ultra-powerful liquid-cooled 4-cycle
horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder 1,520cc engine as used in the Gold Wing SE, the
Valkyrie produces a maximum power of 100 PS at 6,000 rpm - with the rich, flat
torque profile that a high-displacement engine typically produces.
An exhaust
gas cleaning system is fitted to enable the bike to comply with new Japanese motorcycle
exhaust emission regulations
Some modifications have been made to the exhaust system, in the form of a new
exhaust air-injection system. This re-injects air into the exhaust ports to allow
unburned pollutant gases such as hydrocarbons (HCs) and carbon monoxide (CO) to
be oxidized. This greater degree of combustion reduces harmful emissions considerably.
After the Honda VFR and Gold Wing SE, the Valkyrie is the third bike to be released
by Honda in Japan in the over-250cc class that complies with the motorcycle exhaust
emission regulations being enforced from October 1999.
The new reversing
system is exclusive to the Japanese import model
Both models in the Valkyrie series feature a handy reversing system, ideal for
garage parking or maneuvering into tight spaces. Incorporating the same system
as used in the Goldwing SE, this feature is unique to the Valkyrie models imported
into Japan.
Main features of the '99 Valkyrie Tourer
Long-distance
touring modifications
Based on the Valkyrie, the Valkyrie Tourer is fitted with an extra-large windshield
and double rear saddlebags to make it more suitable for long-distance touring.
Body colors:
- Valkyrie: black etches out the brilliance of the chrome while giving the bike
a serene appearance
- Valkyrie Tourer: luxurious high-class black with a Pearl Twilight Silver two-tone
combination
Main specifications:
| Model |
Valkyrie |
Valkyrie Tourer |
| Type |
Honda of America BC-SC34 |
| Length x width x height |
(m) |
2.555 x 0.980 x 1.185 |
2.555 x 0.980 x 1.460 |
| Wheelbase |
(m) |
1.690 |
| Ground clearance |
(m) |
0.155 |
| Seat height |
(m) |
0.740 |
| Curb weight/dry weight |
(kg) |
343/319 |
359/335 |
| No. of riders |
(person) |
2 |
Fuel economy (km/l)
[60 km/h test on flat ground] |
22.0 |
21.5 |
| Minimum turning radius |
(m) |
3.3 |
| Engine type |
SC34E liquid-cooled 4-cycle horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder OHC |
| Displacement |
(cm3) |
1,520 |
| Bore/stroke |
(mm) |
71.0 x 64.0 |
| Compression ratio |
9.8 |
| Maximum power output |
(PS/rpm) |
100/6,000 (SAE) |
| Maximum torque |
(kgm/rpm) |
13.5/4,500 (SAE) |
| Carburetor type |
VPK0 |
| Starter |
self-starter type |
| Ignition |
full-transistor battery ignition |
| Lubrication |
forced pressure and wet sump |
| Oil capacity |
(l) |
4.3 |
| Fuel tank capacity |
(l) |
20 |
| Clutch |
diaphragm spring |
| Transmission |
5-speed return |
| Gear ratios |
1st gear |
2.666 |
| 2nd gear |
1.722 |
| 3rd gear |
1.291 |
| 4th gear |
0.964 |
| 5th gear |
0.805 |
| Reverse |
8.846 |
| Drive ratios (primary/final) |
1.591/0.939 x 2.833 |
| Rake (degrees)/trail (mm) |
32o10'/152 |
| Tire sizes |
Front |
150/80R 17 (72H) |
| Rear |
180/70R 16 (77H) |
| Brakes |
Front |
hydraulic twin disc |
| Rear |
hydraulic disc |
| Suspension |
Front |
telescopic |
| Rear |
swingarm |
| Frame type |
diamond |
|