In 2004, from Honda's motorcycle plant in Marysville, Ohio, a limited edition machine named NRX1800 Valkyrie Rune escaped through the gates, powered by a massive 1,832cc engine and with a significant departure from the original design and purpose of the Valkyrie.
The 2004 machine packed a futuristic and eye-catching design, with a wide and angular front fairing, a low and streamlined rear end, and a long wheelbase. In addition, the model featured a single-sided swingarm that added to its distinctive look.
Other features of the 2004 Honda NRX1800 Valkyrie Rune included a digital instrument panel for speed, engine rpm, fuel level, and trip information. In the appearance department, the bike had a long, teardrop-shaped fuel tank, five-spoke cast aluminum wheels, a single seat, and a pulled-back handlebar for a comfortable riding position.
The front wheel was fitted with two 330 mm full-floating discs engaged by three-piston calipers for stopping power and a non-adjustable trailing bottom link front fork that handled suspension.
The rear wheel, which was almost completely hidden, featured a 336 mm disc squeezed by a dual-piston caliper for optimum braking performance and a Pro-Link non-adjustable shock absorber that provided the rear-end suspension.
The 2004 Honda Valkyrie Rune had at its core a massive 1,832cc liquid-cooled opposed six-cylinder engine fed by a Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system and boasted 118 hp with a peak at 5,500 rpm and 167 Nm (121 lb-ft) brute torque at 4,000 rpm.
Attached to the engine, a five-speed manual transmission managed the power and sent it to the rear wheel through a shaft drive, resulting in a top speed of 198 kph (123 mph).