Honda VTX 1300-C
Written: Aug 03 '03 (Updated Aug 03 '03)
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Pros: Great looking bike that handles well in most situations. Honda reputation for reliability.
Cons: Uncomfortable seat, excessive vibration at certain RPM ranges, annoying quirks (see review text).
The Bottom Line: Good choice for around-town cruising or short-haul commuting, but not a good road bike in stock form, nor is it the great value it 1st appears to be.
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| soonerdog's Full Review: 2002 Honda VTX |
NOTE TO READERS: I'm including my review of the 2004 Honda VTX 1300-C here, as there is no appropriate category elsewhere.
This is a great looking motorcycle that will run with the Big Boys whether your route leads up & down the boulevards or out into the wide open spaces. But, while it will get you where you want to go with style and decent handling, you'll probably be glad to get off once you arrive.
The VTX 1300-C is just not very comfortable. Beyond an hour or so, vibration and poor seating begin to take their toll on a rider. While aftermarket products such as custom seats, highway pegs/floorboards and better handlebar grips would undoubtedly help, it's a shame that a bike of type isn't a bit more 'rider friendly' from the outset!
The VTX 1300 also has some annoying little quirks that, while not initially apparent, begin to make themselves known once the 'new bike thrill' starts to fade. These include; a bothersome lean to the left as one motors down the road (apparently due to excessive weight on the right side of the bike), an annoying gear box 'clunk' when shifting from 1st to 2nd & back, excessive drive train lash when throttling up or letting off the gas and a little too much 'bounce' in the front suspension to suit my tastes.
VALUE for $$$
It's safe to say I was disappointed with my 1300-C. Being priced from $600 to $1200 less than bikes in the 1500/1600 cc range, it initially seemed to be a great value. However, once I had ridden it for several hundred miles and compared it to the bikes some of my friends were riding, it became clear that the old adage, "you get what you pay for" applied here.
Honda has obviously elected to take some shortcuts with the 1300 VTX in order to keep the price down. Compared to a Kawasaki Mean Streak (a similarly styled bike), the Honda might cost a few hundred less, but comes up short in several respects. The Mean Streak boasts fuel injection, air-adjustable rear suspension, dual front discs, auto-off turn signals, inverted front forks, tank-mounted ignition switch & several other advanced features not found on the Honda. Furthermore, the Kawasaki motor is not only stronger power-wise, but much smoother & more responsive, too.
TECHNICAL
Honda, in an attempt to reproduce the classic cruiser feel and sound, elected to utilize a single-pin crank in the VTX 1300 engine. This means that both pistons are attached to the same point or pin on the crankshaft, rather than having separate connections as they do in the VTX 1800. While the objective is accomplished to some degree, efforts to tame the excessive vibration inherent in such a design fall short. The designers also chose to use a carburetor for fuel delivery, rather than the more advanced option of fuel injection. To the average rider, these factors mean: 1) Faster fatigue while riding; 2) Poor performance with altitude changes unless manual adjustments are made to the fuel delivery system. This is not to say that the systems don't work or that they are unreliable, just that they are somewhat of a compromise and that a potential buyer should be aware of them.
I can't say that I would never recommend this bike. It is a suitable 'around town' ride that will draw a lot approving looks from observers. However, in my opinion, there are better choices available, although they may cost slightly more.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 8300.00
Condition: New
Model Year: 2003
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Epinions.com ID:
soonerdog
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Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 1 member
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