Story of my Buddies 2004 Rune Purchase (in 2004) and Aftermath aka Beating by Honda

689 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Skip, 3 d ago

AutoRune

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago

So my buddy heard of the mythical Honda Rune being offered and he said Honda promoted it as a one year only release (2004) limited number and numbered by VIN he bought number 20 in Red!
He said $25k back then was a crazy price for any bike and was like $75k today but Honda promised an engineering, performance and art marvel showpiece
He took delivery and loved the bike but within a very short time Honda announced another model year release 2005 at least doubling the size of the pool of Runes in existence this was not happy times for the original Rune owners because prices never went up as a one year limited showpiece was likely to do!
In fact he ran into a high school buddy at a Phoenix bike meet who told him he just bought a brand new still crated 2005 Rune in 2006 for $18k out the door price !
My Buddy held the Rune for 8 years hoping to break even but he sold it in 2012 with 153 miles for $15k as he needed money to build his bike garage.
I was surprised to hear from an actual owner and to hear what Honda promised and what actually came about!
In wish I knew him in 2012 I'd love to have bought that Rune knowing how he pampers his collection

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RUNE~GEARHEAD

· #2 · 1 mo ago

"If 25k is like 75k today? Using that, that would mean the Goldwing Tour today would sell for 50K+, which it doesn't.

A dealer in Arkansas was still selling in the crate Runes in 2008, one could be purchased for 16.5k.

" Honda announced another model year release 2005 at least doubling the size of the pool of Runes in existence "

While to date Honda has never released the number of Runes produced and probably never will. It's clear to see by the data/information already collected that the number of Runes produced for the 2005 model year is but a fraction of the number of Runes produced for the 2004 model year.

Honda Promised?"

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AutoRune

Discussion Starter · #3 · 1 mo ago

all interesting points Mr Gearhead maybe $75k is high for 2005 I guess I think it was back when George Washington was President lol

I think it's safe to say the dollar value has halved since 2005 and I think thats conservative calculations so say $50k but heck $25k today is a lot for any bike IMO

I bought two new RAM Cummins in 2007 for $33 and $35k and they are north of $75k today

I'm simply sharing a story as told to me and thats what he felt re more than one year of Rune sales

It's possible a salesman at a Honda dealership gave him a BS story re production that happens every day and on any Sunday lol

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RUNE~GEARHEAD

· #4 · 1 mo ago

.....

.....🏍"

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RUNE~GEARHEAD

· #5 · 1 mo ago

" I'm not sure how Honda has any blame in the value of a bike, limited production/number or otherwise or in your words of this story..."Beating by Honda". I purchased early (not as early as RedValk or the late Chuck), the rumor or talk of a model year 2005 Rune was always out there. Below is an early story (Oct 2003) about the Rune and the hint of a possible 2005 model year Rune. From article... " Honda only plans to build about two Runes per dealer for 2004, and is taking a wait-and-see attitude toward 2005. "

Everyone, OK, many hope or want a vehicle buy to be one that someday maybe will be an item that brings a nice return. That's a risk on the buyer. The 2004 Model Year still has its value as the first year of a bike for collectors, more so than the 2005 as the last year that came with some changes to it form the 2004 model year. (IMO)

It's too bad they didn't get to enjoy the Rune and put some miles on it while owning it."

2004 Honda Valkyrie Rune Road Test | Rider Magazine | Rider Magazine

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MO Rune Rider

· #6 · 1 mo ago

bought two new RAM Cummins in ........ and they are north of $75k today

Having been burnt severely by Lee Iacocca in the 80's, I'd rather invest heavily in a modern plastic Tonka toy truck and retrofit a mid-sized AA battery motor in it before I'd give even 75 cents for a junk mopar product. IMHO, there ain't nothing produced by mopar worth more than 75 cents, including their precious disposable lamb trucks. I wouldn't accept good money to haul one to the salvage yard, I consider them that worthless.

Meh...............just sayin'...........

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RUNE~GEARHEAD

· #7 · 1 mo ago

MO Rune Rider said:
I consider them that worthless.

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RuneSki

· #8 · 1 mo ago

I purchased my Rune October 2003. I will look up the exact date at a later date.
Rich

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RedValk

· #9 · 1 mo ago

Bought my first Rune (first one in Alabama...one of the first purchased in the USA...the 2nd or 3rd one purchased as detailed on this board......) in early August 2003. I've never looked back................and bought another one later in Feb 2004.............

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Dr. Dave

· #10 · 1 mo ago

I purchased my first Rune in November 2003 (IB), and the second in September 2007 (CBC).

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RUNE~GEARHEAD

· #11 · 1 mo ago

"I'm ready for the next one."

Font Cuisine Material property Food Fashion accessory

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Skip

· #12 · 1 mo ago

Bought my first (IB) on Sept 26, 2007 near Seattle. It was in the crate so I returned Oct 6 to move it from the dealer to storage near the border (while I did the importation paperwork) brought it home Oct 12.
Bought RuneWreck (IB) Feb 9, 2010, in Edmonton.
Bought Blacky on July 16, 2012 (Vancouver)

Still have them all (plus my '96 Shadow 1100)

skip

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AutoRune

Discussion Starter · #13 · 4 d ago

Skip said:
Bought my first (IB) on Sept 26, 2007 near Seattle. It was in the crate so I returned Oct 6 to move it from the dealer to storage near the border (while I did the importation paperwork) brought it home Oct 12.
Bought RuneWreck (IB) Feb 9, 2010, in Edmonton.
Bought Blacky on July 16, 2012 (Vancouver)

Still have them all (plus my '96 Shadow 1100)

skip

wow thats amazing the dealers actually sold them in the crate (I've heard of others also sold that way) vs assembling them for floor display

To me I would have it on display at my Honda dealership forever not caring if they ever sold it's such a bravo move on Honda's part these bikes should be celebrated !!!

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Skip

· #14 · 3 d ago

AutoRune said:
wow thats amazing the dealers actually sold them in the crate (I've heard of others also sold that way) vs assembling them for floor display

I wasn't clear.
I saw an IB on display in the showroom and fell in love. It was a bit shopworn and had chrome wheels. I asked if they had a cleaner one without the chrome. Apparently they had one still in the crate, so I had them build it for me.

skip

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