First Ride: 2003 Honda Rune review
Honda doesn't build £17,000 'custom' motorcycles. Honda doesn't create a design study and work 'backwards' towards a production machine. Of course, all of this was true before the Rune
Click to read: Honda Rune owners reviews, Honda Rune specs and to see the Honda Rune image gallery.
Manufacturing motorcycles isn't entirely about making money on products that sell in large numbers - part of it is about building a brand image. This is why Honda is involved in brand-strengthening motorsports activities to the tune of tens of millions of pounds a year. Those activities are intended to strengthen the Honda brand, but standing alone, they lose money.
The most effective way to draw attention to a brand, however, is to build an exciting product. A product that's different... even a bit outrageous. It might be easy to conclude that the Rune is nothing more than an image builder for Honda. Purely a 'loss leader', like a racing programme. It would be easy, that is, if the Rune didn't function as well as it does, because it's a marvellous motorcycle from a functional perspective, as well as a style perspective.
The Rune's 1832cc six-cylinder engine (derived from the GoldWing, but modified for even higher performance) is the heart and soul of this bike. Honda claims this massive power plant puts out more torque than any other production motorcycle engine. With six separate 32mm throttle bodies and a huge, 6.9 litre airbox feeding this angry beast, it also breathes more freely through a higher-flowing (and superb sounding) exhaust system.
With all that torque and horsepower (Honda isn't quoting power or torque figures), the Rune has that special, omnipotent feeling... sort of like a big-block V8 American engine in a lightweight car. Just a whiff of throttle sends the Rune surging forward, while a full handful of throttle makes it leap towards the next corner. Indeed, the six-cylinder engine is remarkably smooth and composed, and features a powerband a mile wide. Once above 30mph, you can leave the Rune in fifth gear and still have healthy acceleration on demand.
The Rune's chassis is a pleasant surprise. A very stiff aluminum diamond-shaped frame helps stretch the wheelbase to 1750mm, the longest in Honda's line-up. It also remains remarkably composed under pressure. Indeed, the Rune has one of the stiffest chassis available from a cruiser. The brakes are the largest ever put on a production motorcycle by Honda, in terms of total brake rotor diameter. Dual 330mm discs up front, and a single 336mm disc out back. Three-piston calipers in front work through Honda's linked braking system with a two-piston caliper in the rear.
