The best V twin ever
Written: May 19 '03
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Pros: Power, refinement, quality, charisma
Cons: Pegs can drag in tight corners (no big deal)
The Bottom Line: This is the best V twin ever. If you can afford one, do not miss your chance to ride a VTX 1800.
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| go_skoot's Full Review: 2002 Honda VTX |
Here are some comments after a few months' VTX riding. I have a 2002 VTX 1800 C that I ride daily on local errands with occasional longer trips. The VTX is a truly great motorcycle.
If you can, get a test ride on a VTX from your local dealer, but keep in mind that your first impression will be modified once you own one and get used to the bike. The first impression is that the bike is heavy, but surprisingly easy to ride even though it requires some muscle to maneuver in the parking lot or other slow speed, tight quarters situations. Don't let any lingering worries about the mass of the bike keep you from buying one. It takes about two weeks to get used to the weight and then you don't think about it any more.
Getting out on the road you might feel that the VTX has "abrupt" throttle - small throttle changes result in big effects so the first ride can seem jerky at first. That's the result of lots of power, lots of torque and a perfectly responsive fuel-injection system that makes instantaneous changes to whatever you command with the throttle. As you get used to the bike you'll find yourself liking the instant response and will have no trouble riding smoothly. By the way, when you read about "arm-straightening" torque in reviews they are not kidding - do not open the throttle suddenly wide open on this powerplant without first learning what to expect with some slower roll-ons. It is impressive.
I'm not a "loud pipes" guy. I'm a middle aged professional living in an upscale town with mostly professional, educated friends and I sure don't want to get known as someone who blasts eardrums when pulling up to a nice restaurant to have lunch with my wife. I like the deep rumble of the VTX stock exhaust just fine as it is. To me, it is the sound of real power without having to bark about it. If you have different tastes, there are lots of aftermarket exhausts to dial up the volume.
If you are a sportbike rider you will probably drag the pegs on more aggressive corners. With the stock pegs you can't corner a VTX as low as the bike would be happy to go. The sacrificial acorn nuts under the pegs touch down first so it's no big deal. You either take your corners at a more mellow clip than you would on your sportbike or you install the L&R Extreme ($200) or other forward control kit ($500 ) to relocate the pegs and controls slightly upward and more forward for more clearance. I used to touch down every now and then until I got used to it. I'm 6'2" and find the stock controls very comfortable, but some tall guys like a more "stretched" feel and will install a forward control kit for more legroom.
The VTX has superb ergonomics for a wide range of riders and will especially appeal to taller riders who feel cramped on other bikes. For a stock seat, I like the comfort of the stock Honda VTX seat.
Shorter riders may feel that they have to reach forward a bit too much for the handlebars. That's easy to fix by installing pullback risers (about $110) from either Rivco or Aeromach to move the bars back and up a bit. I prefer the Rivco risers because they look almost exactly like the stock risers, but a lot of guys prefer the Aeromachs. Either one is easy to install and both work with the stock cables. Seat height on the VTX is low enough that my 5'6" wife can easily plant both feet on the ground. She gets the feet-forward, stretched look with the stock controls. My sales guy at the local dealership is 5'4" and rides a VTX 1800 no problem.
Speaking of wives, if you ride two up you might consider a passenger backrest. I like the clean look of the bike with no backrest, but given the power of the bike and the tendency of newbies to get excited with the throttle a backrest might be a good idea to make sure your passenger stays with you during fast launches. I don't have one and just ride a bit more conservatively when my wife is on board.
I've heard some criticism of the ignition key switch position on the VTX. I like it right there, out of the way and somewhat sheltered from the elements, where a small key fob won't dangle on the tank. You only use the switch to turn the beast on and off so it's not like you need it in your field of view, which is better kept clean for control information that is essential. Once you get used to the bike you don't even look at the switch when reaching down to turn it on or off.
I've also read some criticism that the VTX does not include a tach. I like the clean look of a single instrument (speedometer) and have no problems judging shift points and power from the sound of the engine. With a bit of experience you'll be doing the same, especially considering that it's probably a better idea to keep your eyes on the road than down looking at a tach. If you want a tach there are plenty of aftermarket tachs available that look sharp.
There are lots of aftermarket products for the VTX, and a terrific online community at sites like vtxoa.com. Just about anything you want to know about the VTX is available online. The rattlebars.com site has a VTX set of pages giving all sorts of tech details as do many other web sites.
I haven't had trouble filling the tank on the VTX, although I understand how it would be easy to splash with a gas pump that does not allow a slower fill. You just have to get to know those gas stations (most of them) that allow a more relaxed fill. I get about 110 miles before the reserve light goes on, leaving about 30 miles to find the next gas station.
Downsides
- This is not a beginner's bike, although it is easy to ride for intermediate or experienced riders.
- Shorter guys will probably prefer the VTX 1300, although many short guys ride the 1800 just fine.
- This bike turns heads everywhere I go and I will often return to the parked bike to see one or two guys walking around it and admiring it. That's generally a postivie, but be ready for lots of attention and questions, which can be a hassle sometimes when you're in a hurry and don't have the time to tell them all about your ride.
Comparisons
Besides the VTX, I've ridden Valkyries, 1800 Goldwings, ST1300, Shadow Spirit 1100 and a Harley V-Rod. These are all great bikes but I like the VTX best of all.
The VTX has way more charisma than a Valkyrie. The Valk is a bit too smooth for me and I really like the rumble of the massive VTX twin over the turbine whine of the Valk. It's a joy to just turn on the engine in the VTX, hear the sound and feel the power pulses in idle. You don't get that same visceral, reptile brain kick out of the Valk engine. The VTX C seems more agile than the Valk as well, probably as a result of the sportier tires on the C model (the VTX 1800 Retro has the same tires as the Valk). I suppose if I went across the US a lot I'd prefer the smoothness of the Valk in the long run, but I don't do intercontinental rides. These days I do mostly short trips in-state so I prefer the rumble and charisma of the VTX over the long-distance smoothness of the Valk. Plus, the VTX is a lot more comfortable for tall guys than the Valkyrie (I get cramped on a Valk unless it has the Rattlebars peg-lowering kit).
The 1800 Gold Wing is a sportbike disguised as a Winnebago - it handles great and has lots of power, but just too much "stuff" for me right now... and it has too-bland personality compared to the VTX. Also, I have a lot more legroom on the VTX than on a Gold Wing. If you are a candidate for the VTX you are probably not considering a Gold Wing.
If you ride a Spirit you'll have no trouble stepping up to the VTX. Just take it easy until you get used to the X and you'll see it's yet another Honda bike you won't ever want to part with. Although I fit well on an 1100 Spirit the lack of power I always found a bit frustrating.
The V-Rod is a very cool bike but comes off feeling much smaller than the VTX. I like the extra mass of the VTX on the road and the VTX clearly has better brakes than the V-Rod. However, the V-Rod is a lighter bike and thus easier to twirl around the parking lot in low-speed maneuvers. Most of the time the V-Rod should be run at about 3,000 to 4,000 RPM so it ends up having a higher tone to the revs than the VTX, which is usually cruised at lower RPMs and thus has a sound with more low-end thump to it. In this respect the VTX sounds slightly more "Harley" to me than the V-Rod. I also like the convenience of pulling up to a gas pump and filling the VTX while remaining seated, without having to get up and flipping the seat up to get to the gas fill as must be done with the V-Rod. From a visual styling perspective I don't like the pseudo-tank (it's the airbox) on the V-Rod in place of where I expect a serious gas tank to sit. I like the big tank and headlight on the X and I like the immensely solid look of the VTX risers, triple, and front forks over the somewhat lighter look of the V-Rod. I guess most important of all, a good deal on the VTX will have you out the door for about half the cost of the V-Rod and you ride out on legendary Honda, no-maintenance, hassle-free quality.
Conclusions
I just love this bike. My wife and I will sometimes set up chairs in the garage early Saturday morning and have our coffee sitting there admiring the VTX while talking. My VTX is black, totally stock and it has the coolest hot-rod style around while still retaining great comfort and an easy ride. It shows that primitive, wild-beast power and technological refinement can live together in the same intense bike.
The VTX is a great bike for how most of us ride, which is mainly local trips with the occasional couple hundred miles out and back trip. It works fine for very short trips as well, like scooting out for some milk at the local grocery or making a drop at the post office. I have heard guys say they cruise it very long distances but I've not yet tried that (looking forward to it this summer).
Honda has created the finest, most technologically advanced V twin engine ever for the VTX. The whole bike has really good build quality and is well thought out. It is low maintenance and absolutely, rock-solid reliable. I'm really pleased with this purchase and in 30 years of riding, much as I have enjoyed the company of many cool bikes, this is the best bike I've ever owned or ridden. Thanks, Honda!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 11,750
Condition: New
Model Year: 2002
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Epinions.com ID:
go_skoot
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Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 0 members
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