Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 14 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Equipment. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
14 reports
87,000 miles · Aug 27, 2008
Power TrainSuspension
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 A…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10239920
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
MOTORCYCLE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED A LEAK DUE TO INTERNAL DEFECT IN TANK. DT
NHTSA ODI #769564
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1998
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
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 …
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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.
NHTSA ODI #700691
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 1998
Equipment
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
NHTSA ODI #523372
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1997
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER/TACHOMETER POORLY DESIGNED; AT DUSK/DAWN FACE IS NOT READABLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #523366
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 1997
Equipment
THE NUMBERS ON THE SPEEDOMETER CANNOT BE SEEN AT DUSK OR ERLY DOWN DUE TO POOR LIGHTING OF INSTRUMENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #523313
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 1997
Equipment
CANNOT SEE INSTRUMENTS AT DUSK OR EARLY MORNING. IT WAS THIS WAY FROM THE FACTORY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #523305
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 1997
Equipment
THE INSTRUMENTS ARE UNREADABLE DURING DUSK/DAWN CONDITIONS DUE TO A FAULTY LIGHTING CONDITION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #523304
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 1997
Equipment
THE TACHOMETER/SPEEDOMETER GAUGES ON THE HONDA F6 VALKYRIE ARE HARD TO READ EVEN IN DAYLIGHT DUE TO THE COLOR AND THE STYLE OF THE LETTERING ON THEM. AT NIGHT, IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO READ THEM. THIS CONDITION PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD, IN THAT IF THE RIDER ATTEMPTS TO READ THE GAUGES, HIS ATTENTION IS DIVERTED FROM THE ROADW…
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THE TACHOMETER/SPEEDOMETER GAUGES ON THE HONDA F6 VALKYRIE ARE HARD TO READ EVEN IN DAYLIGHT DUE TO THE COLOR AND THE STYLE OF THE LETTERING ON THEM. AT NIGHT, IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO READ THEM. THIS CONDITION PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD, IN THAT IF THE RIDER ATTEMPTS TO READ THE GAUGES, HIS ATTENTION IS DIVERTED FROM THE ROADWAY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #523303
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1997
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER/TACHOMETER CHANGE COLORS WHEN BACKLIT. AT DAWN AND DUSK WHEN AMBIENT LIGHT IS EQUAL TO THE BACK LIGHT, THE NUMBER CHANGE FROM BLACK TO A FLOURESCENT GREEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #523329
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 Honda Valkyrie Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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