Newbie on a quest

[Rurnt]

Hello all:

I'm on the fence regarding the purchase of a Rune. I've got buddies that like it and others that don't get it and quite honestly I'm torn but I really love what Honda did. It took major league moxy to pull it off.

Is there any reason not to buy a Rune? That's a loaded question here but as a long time rider I've had my butt on just about everything from a BMW to a Vincent. (the Vincent didn't run).

Seriously, I've been made a very nice proposal on a 2004 "leftover" still on MSO and no miles. It's brand new.

When I first saw the RUNE back in '93 I was blown away by the design; especially the front end.

I did a tour on a '93 Gold Wing back in '94 and have never forgotten how smooth the bike was on the highway.

So, is the Rune the answer or am I kidding myself?

I'd love some candid answers.

Thanks,

Tom

[Rurnt]

Bump. Anyone?

[jumpin' Jack]

The reason NOT to buy a Rune:
A dislike for the coolest factory offer ever
A dislike for people always asking "what is IT!"
A strong desire to ride something without any power
A strong desire to ride a lumbering mishandleing piece of Iron
A lack of desire to polish and shine your pride and joy
and so on and so on.

Bottom line the Rune is a fantastic ride, awe inspiring look, killer power, great handleing response.

Jack

[Rurnt]

Thanks, Jack!

I figured the replies would be a little "one sided". In all honesty the bike is just too cool pass on. The price is right too. I would have loved to have bought one when they first came out but many dealers were "market value adjusting" the prices.
Honda (car) dealers did that on the S2000 and some are now choking on old inventory. I always wondered if the Rune got a little tainted by that as well.
No matter; it speaks for itself.

Tell the truth. How does it "pull"?

Tom

[Skibum]

Tom
I'll try to answer
It all depends on what you want
A touring cross country bike it not No luggage room and no amenities
A sport bike? no no no
I like the Rune because it's a big heavy cruiser that I can throw around in the twisties and run the interstates at 85 -90 with out breaking a sweat. I've had it up to the 135 top speed and it was as stable as if going 65.
The Rune has it's ground clearance issues as I found out in the hills of NC and Tenn. I've never had a problem around here in the back roads of Jersey or anywhere else but the Snake took a bite out of my baby. I never lost traction from the tires but the corners where just to tight for the foot pegs (had them pushed up to their limits).
I have to admit I was pushing her to the limits, as the road had it's grip on me and I was in the zone
(Damn voices in my head kept saying, "faster, tighter, counter steer, counter steer")
The Rune is also a looker.
Everywhere you go, questions will be asked and lookers will gather.
Down side to this is you feel obligated to keep her clean and believe me there is a lot to clean. There is a soot issue from the exhaust, but a little Windex or other cleaner and it comes right off, its just you need to do it after every 200 to 300 mile ride.

And then there are the tires. Yummy yummy eat them up yum.
We are getting around 6000 out of the front and 12000 out of the stock rear.

Don't get me wrong, I love my RUNE. It's the best custom cruiser on the market and I wouldn’t give it up for anything.
(Well maybe $30,000 from an a**hole in a Hummer, but that's another story. Right CHUCK?)

I would recommend you get your hands on one and just let her work her magic on you. You'll never regret it.

[f6rider]

i live and ride in a vvery boring flat part of ohio most of the time. during the recent rune ralley in erwin tn this past laborday week end i got a new found respect for my rune. it was very stable in truck traffic ahighway speeds. it did not blow around at all. i put in a 600 mile day on he way own down, wearing a back pack and i was suprised i wasnt beat up and felt really good after the long days ride.
we were taken on a 200 mile ride on some very twisty roads. i was astounded at how well this bike handled. i never felt like the bike was unstable in any situation. it went exactly were i put it and i found i could ride it hard as i could with total confidence. this is a hoot. a blast to ride.
just as much as its good looks. if you are worried about what your friends think about what you ride then maybe this bike isnt for you. however if you love ride and you want the best power/sport cuiser that will provide you with a big smile everytime you ride it then may be it is for you.
the only down side is lack of accessories. but i have managed two trips this year with out wanting for much.

good luck with your decision, i am glad i have mine.

john wodarski

nrx1800 da
gl1800a

f6rider

[Rurnt]

Thank you, John. Ground clearance issues? Hah! First time I saw one I knew the bike was not a high speed canyon carver. I've been riding "dressers" and a Gold Wing so I can also appreciate a heavy bike. What I like is the fact that the thing is ON THE GROUND like a snake. Low center of gravity is a nice thing.

FWIW, I restore old bikes (mostly pre-/5 BMW's and the occaisonal Guzzi or Ducati) and I have a lone 10 year old HD Electra Glide that I've had since new. I can't sell it because it's part of the family and it gives me the opportunity to look the dealer in the eyes when he asks why I don't buy a new one?
I ask them: "Has something changed?" :wink:

Tom

[Rurnt]

if you are worried about what your friends think about what you ride then maybe this bike isnt for you.
f6rider

Dear John:

I dance to my own music. I ride my antique BMW's to Harley events.
One of the best Daytona bike weeks I ever remember was my buddy and I on our old bikes. This was when the "Crystal Burger" was in business at the end of Main St. and Atlantic. All the hot-shoe bikes were there and we rolled in on a '59 R69 and a '72 R75/5 tricked out like a police bike.
All evening we caught kids looking but pretending not to be looking. And then a bunch of Germans showed up (drunk) and just about woke everyone up shouting Yah! B M W!!!

I've also shown up on a Moto Guzzi to a stuffy BMW event. A guy asked me why I rode it to the event? I told him my BMW wouldn't make it. :roll:

Thanks very much for the input as it is appreciated.

Tom

[Bonnie]

Hi Tom. I am on my 2nd Gold Wing and have put 112,000 miles on them and I also own an 1800 VTX, and put 17,000 miles on it and then bought a Rune 6 weeks ago. I have put 3500 miles on it. It is the most favorite, awesome, coolest, prettiest, most powerful motorcycle I have ever owned.

Before I owned it, I was apprehensive about the weight and being able to back it up. I was worried it wouldn't corner good because it is so long and the fenders are so low. But, those fears no longer are present. It handles easier than the Wing and the VTX. The Wing corners the best though, of all 3.

But the Rune is so fine. I want to own it the rest of my life. If I ever get too old to ride, I'll keep it just to stare at it.

Everyone was right-everywhere I ride it people come over and gather around to look at it. It is the talk of every bike gathering I am at.

Get it, it is the most extreme fun I have ever had on a bike in 29 years of riding!

[Rune 005]

Tom,

I used to ride when I was young, then I got married and my wife was deathly afraid of bikes so there went my riding for 33 years. When I lost her to cancer 2 years ago, I decided I was going to ride again. So I went to the Honda riding school to get my license. That was the first time I saw the Rune. I fell in love at first site. Even though the one they had there was black cherry. Got my license bought a 96 Magna 750 rode that for a year and a half, when I bought My beautiful Blue or should I say Burple Rune. I have had her for 3 months and have put about 2000 mile on her. The reasons I can see not to buy one would be:

It’s nearly impossible to keep it under 80 on the highway; she really wants to cruise at about 85. You let off the gas and slow down, then before you know it you look down and she has crept back up to 85 again.

If you are planning on doing any long rides, you are going to want to replace the stock seat, the stock seats are good for 350 to 400 miles in a day tops.

You are going to want to get a set of cruiser pegs, the toes can get toasty being perched under those cylinder heads on a hot day. When it’s cold they make a great foot warmer.


And that is really it. The low profile is great for us people with short legs, I know this guy in town he owns a Harley repair shop, I mean this guy is Harley through and through. He just bought a Burple Rune from Thumper. They are great bikes, all you have to do is ride one and see for yourself. If you are anywhere near Southern California come to Plam Springs the first weekend in Oct.

[Rurnt]

So, I guess the ball is in my court.

Thanks to everyone!

Tom

[Dr. Dave]

I agree with all of the answers so far.
I would like to add to the plus and minus list.
These bikes are so bad ass fast, and torque heavy; and then you add in the addicting noise that it makes at high speed it's virtually impossible to avoid speeding tickets. (big ones!)
Every place you park it you have to fight off the crowds of questioners.
When you are in Wyoming at Sturgis time running hard and slaying hogs one after the other, you have to really pay attention to where that next gas station is.
Rear tires are expendable.

[asacuta]

My radar detector and laser jammer have prevented more speeding tickets than I can count. Both should be considered if you buy a Rune.

It's funny to watch the police try to figure out what's wrong with their laser gun. After an alarm, I usually turn the jammer off a couple of hundred metres before I reach the trap so the police can at least get a speed lock before I pass them. By this time I'm down to legal speed. If I'm feeling lucky, I'll jam them them almost right to the gun.

[RuneSki]

Tom,
John forgot to mention that he was doin' the twisties w/ his wife on the back of the bike, I was behind him and thank goodness he didn't hit a crown or a stone w/ his MUFFLERS or he would have gone sideways. That boy can lean that baby and ride the curves as well as anyone I have EVER seen.
You won't be disappointed when you buy the Rune.
Rich K ( Rune Ski )

[Skibum]

Tom,
Rich forgot to mention that it was a BLACK Rune that he was behind.
Those BC Runes just can't seem to get past the fastest color.
BLACK

[Rurnt]

When they get this cheap I'm not haggling over the color too much! :lol:

Tom

[mysticrune]

Rich if you would have caught up with the front of the pack you would have seen my counter balance leaning skills,Maby I could teach SKIBUM how not to scratch the pipes. :idea: :lol:

[DonnaM]

You won't be sorry!! BUT, Mystic Rune learned all his new riding tricks from me!! I love this bike and all the friends I have made riding it! It is the best. I had a custom Corbin seat that allows me to use a Tourmaster Bag for trips. I rode to Erwin and took all my gear with no problem. I have been on trips as long as 12 days with only that bag.

Nothing is as much fun as being in the mountains on this bike.

[bigv]

Tom,
This could be the greatest bike ever produced!!! The only folks knocking it are those that have never driven one or from those that can't afford it. Fortunately their opinions only reinforce the passion I have for this machine. Without ever having to spend a dime extra on any mods, you will own one of the most unique motorcycles ever; try that with a Harley. :lol:
Would love to know what this great deal is you're hinting to all of us but rest assured that even those few that paid MSRP +, you still got a great deal if in fact you've put some miles on it rather than letting it sit in the garage collecting dust.
BigV

[dog]

No other bike will stir heads for the next ten years or so.........as the RUNE does,maybe if you're listening rune_giant all this hype will help you own a Rune too! It's time to stop selling and start buying. Then you'll have a real bike to make measurements on your own for us to buy in days to come. Tom it'll be the best money ever spent on a Ride.......................you should be able to get one for an excellent price as many of us did. ie: Ohio $16895.00 add a few accessories and one can still be way under the retail pricing. Good luck and try and get a choice of color!!!!!!! dog

[WIZ]

tom, get one never regret!!!!!!!