1997 Honda Valkyrie Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Honda Valkyrie, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical538.5%
- Powertrain (other)430.8%
- Brakes17.7%
- Fuel system17.7%
- Interior & seats17.7%
- Suspension17.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MOTORCYCLE DISPLAYS (GAUGES) ARE POORLY LIT. BACKLIGHT ILLUMINATION IS VISIBLE IN NEAR OR TOTAL DARKNESS, BUT AT TIMES OF DIM LIGHT, SUCH AS FOUND DURING DAWN OR DUSK, THE TACHOMETER/ODOMETER/SPEEDOMETER ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO READ DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BACK LIGHT AND REFLECTED LIGHT ON THE METER ARE EQUAL. *AK
THE NUMBERS ON THE SPEEDOMETER CANNOT BE SEEN AT DUSK OR ERLY DOWN DUE TO POOR LIGHTING OF INSTRUMENT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA VALKYRIE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE AND STATED THAT THE REAR SPLINE WAS DETERIORATING ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH PREVENTED IT FROM RETAINING LUBE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE AT 60,000 MILES. AT 87,000 MILES, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR END ONCE AGAIN AT 98,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 104,000 MILES AND IS BEGINNING TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST AND STATED THAT ALL THE REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 09/24/08. *LJ THE FINAL DRIVE DOESN'T HOLD A LUBE. UPDATED 09/26/08. *JB
SPEEDOMETER/TACHOMETER POORLY DESIGNED; AT DUSK/DAWN FACE IS NOT READABLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON A WET STREET. A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I APPLIED THE FOOT BRAKE (REAR BRAKE) HARD. I DID NOT APPLY THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER AT ALL. THE FRONT WHEEL LOCKED-UP AND THE MOTORCYCLE IMEDIATELY WENT DOWN. I BELIEVE IT IS A DESIGN FLAW FOR A FRONT WHEEL TO LOCK-UP WHEN A RIDER DOES NOT APPLY THE FRONT BRAKE. A MOTORCYCLE CAN BE HANDLED WITH THE REAR WHEEL LOCKED, BUT A MOTORCYCLE WILL GO DOWN IF THE FRONT WHEEL LOCKS. IN MY OPINION, THE LINKED BRAKE SYSTEM IS VERY DANGEROUS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MOTORCYCLE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A LEAK DUE TO INTERNAL DEFECT IN TANK. DT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
INSTRUMENT LIGHTING IS TOO DIM/UNEVEN. AS A RESULT, SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER ARE UNREADABLE IN LOW AMBIENT LIGHT CONDITIONS, SUCH AS TWIGHLIGHT AT DAWN/DUSK AND RAINY WEATHER. RIDER NEEDS TO SPEND TOO MUCH TIME TO READ HIS SPEED AND ENGINE RPMS INSTEAD OF PAYING ATTENTION TO ROADWAY AND ENVIRONMENT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA VALKYRIE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE AND STATED THAT THE REAR SPLINE WAS DETERIORATING ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH PREVENTED IT FROM RETAINING LUBE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE AT 60,000 MILES. AT 87,000 MILES, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR END ONCE AGAIN AT 98,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 104,000 MILES AND IS BEGINNING TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST AND STATED THAT ALL THE REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 09/24/08. *LJ THE FINAL DRIVE DOESN'T HOLD A LUBE. UPDATED 09/26/08. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .