Honda VTX 1300 Opinions...

[mbroyda]

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I'm looking for some opinions on the VTX 1300 preferably from people who have owned / ridden one.
whats good? whats bad? whats ugly?

Thanks in advance

 

[randy2009]

Hi,

A must for the VTX is a new seat. Ultimate seats out of toronto are good (that is what I have) also Mustange seats have good reviews. Beyond that, depends on what type/length of riding you plan on doing. Longer the rides the more comfort items you need.

 

[Yukoner]

When I rode my buddy's brand new 2005 VTX1300 I was taken aback by how gutless it was. He ended up dumping the bike soon after and buying a Harley that had a bit more grunt. Personally, if I were going down the cruiser path -- it would be a Triumph Rocket.

 

[RedDogDarren]

They are okay but the Vulcan 900 is better in my opinion. The 9 is lighter, better ride, at least as strong in the engine and should be cheaper. If memory serves the 900 also has better cornering clearance. The 1300 was a very underwhelming experience for me, I like the old Volusia 800 more.

 

[HDRod]

Honda VTX 1300 is a beautifully-appointed machine with plenty of refinement that doesn’t skimp on muscle. Honda VTX 1300 is a liquid-cooled 1312cc V-twin engine. The VTX series, inspired by the Zodia concept from the 1995 Tokyo Motor show, began in 2002 with their larger version.


New Honda Bikes
==============

Thanks Honda.

 

[Veej]

An awesome bike...obviously I own it....

But seriously my first bike was a Honda Shadow, and knowing honda and their insane reliability factor my second choice was also Honda.

I was thinking of getting into the HD and the Triumph scene as looking into the V-Rod and the Triumph Thunderbird, both awesome bikes but the deciding factor for me was I didn't want a Garage Queen.

I wanted something that was a Iron Work Horse that kept on ticking, especially with our short summer I don't want something that needs a Spa treatment every spring and is high maintenance. Honda is renowned for their reliability factor especially for their bikes. Now that I'm getting into doing long trips south (yep possible with the VTX) I wanted something that even if it did break down in the U.S. somewhere there were plenty of dealers to get the machine fixed, something HD is ok with but not all will work on HD bikes plus I'm not familiar with their reliability factor, and for the Triumphs well good luck trying to get a parts or a mechanic in some U.S states, even here in GTA only one place to go for them and their parts.

If I could own more than 1 bike yep sure I'll choose the others for my stable, but I can only afford one and I ride hard right into late December as I commute on the damn thing, hell this year I've ridden in January also.

So my choice was one made out of need for a hard iron core no nonsense bike that needs no pampering, no space for a garage queen here.

I even rode the VTX 1800 but found it too top heavy, the 1300 is nimble enough for Downtown traffic and powerful enough for the 401 and the country roads....I love the damn thing.....

I did do some changes to it, like put in a leather mustang seat, changed the pipes to Cobra Side Swept, and a Spike Air intake....I love working on it also, I did all the customization myself and do the yearly maintenance and oil/filter changes, it's good to know your ride.....

 

[RedDogDarren]

Very nice looking VTX Veej.

 

[LannyNguyen]

Veej, how are those airfilters when it rains?

 

[RedDogDarren]

Veej, how are those airfilters when it rains?

Since Veej hasn't answered yet.......

I had the Thunder set-up on my VN2000, almost the same as his. For the rain, they say as long as it is oiled you should be fine. BUT this is just for a light, short rain shower. Extended or heavy rain they supply you with a fine mesh "sock" that fits over the filter.

The problem is that these socks are usually designed to fit over the bare filter, and not the cool looing covers like the spike or the one I had. Perhaps Veej had one that fits over that chrome cover?

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