Rad Rume

RAD RUME

First came the Valkyrie, Honda’s six-cylinder stab at super-cruiser Valhalla. Now we have the Rune, a street-going spin-off of the Valkyrie-based T2 concept bike (“Custom Fever,” May, 2001). Named for an early Anglo-Saxon word meaning “mystery” or “secret,” the Rune differs from the “tribal tail-dragger” T2 showbike by way of new paint (Candy Black Cherry, Illusion Blue or black) and lack of tattoo-style graphics. The twin-spar aluminum frame, single-sided swingarm, trailing-link fork, massive exhaust and fat radial rubber, however, still feature prominently. Lending production authenticity, turnsignals, reflectors and a license-plate holder are now in place, with taillights cut into the wraparound rear fender. Look for the NRX1800 Rune in dealerships this coming spring as an early release ’04 model. -Matthew Miles