Test rode a Honda VTX1300

The Honda dealer's open house offered the following bikes for test
rides - slightly used Goldwing, VTX1300, and a VFR800 (I think that's
the model; more a sport tourer).

I rode the VTX1300 and my son rode the VFR800 with it's VTEK-something-
engine that runs on 2 cylinders until it detects you need mroe
performance and then it kicks in the other two.

Not quite. The engine runs on two valves per cylinder until the revs reach
between 6000 and 7000, then on 4 valves per cylinder thereafter. (The switch
point depends on the year of the bike). It always runs on all 4 cylinders
though.

That makes more sense, but the salesman explained it to us the other
way.

Product knowledge obviously isn't his forte then.

I really liked the VTX1300 when it came to power and lack of vibration
when compared to my Aero 750. It was cool to never get out of 3rd gear
even up to 55mph, though I did cycle through all the gears just to
make sure it was a 5-speed :)-

With my 750, I'd be in 5th gear by 55mph, usually, though I might stay
in 4th if I think I need extra passing power between 55-65.

I think you need to leave the gear selector alone:-)

And if I had the VTX1300, I could almost do that :)-

You could indeed.

Greg

The 1300 pulled well in any gear; I felt like I could haul axx as
needed.

The handling was pretty much on par with my Aero 750 even though the
VTX1300 is a good 130-140lbs heavier. The one leg lean at lights was
no problem and I did like the VTX1300's slightly higher seat position.

The VTX1300 came across as quieter than my 750, especially as I
accelerated.

Easily cured:))

The brakes felt spongy; I looked at the view window for brake fluid
and it was clear; it looked like the brakes were low on fluid.

It took me a little to get used to the heel-toe shifter as my foot is
much shorted than the space between the toe-heel parts and I had to
keep sliding my foot back and forth. Loved the floorboards, though. I
wouldn't need hiway pegs on an engine guard with the VTX1300 as I have
with my 750. That'd save me $200 right off the bat in customizations.

The handlebar position seemed wider than that on my Aero 750, but I
liekd it better. I tend to slouch alot on my Aero, but felt a little
more upright on the VTX, but not to the degree I did when I test rode
a Victory Vegas recently. Of all 3, the Victory Vegas had the most
upright (even a forward lean) posture of these 3 bikes and I found it
comfortable as that upright position totally relived any pressure in
my wrists that lead to occassional numbness.

The ride on the VTX1300 was slightly better than my 750 in that bumps
didn't translate as badly to my body, probably because of the
increased mass of the bike. Still wasn't what I'd calla Godlwing ride,
though.

The VTX1300 had much less vibration in the handlebars and foot pegs at
speed than my 750, which would mean more comfort on longer trips.

I don't thik i'd need to swap out the seat, whihc would save me
another $400 in customizations, thouhg the passenger pillion looked a
bit wimpy, but not as bad as the stock one on my Aero.

Plastic fenders just like my Aero, though.

These guys wanted $9700 for a 2007 along with $450 in setup and
another $500 or so in taxes. I can pick up a new 2007 in Chatanooga
for like $7200 out the door... compared to their $10,650 out the door.

That's a no-brainer then.

And the cool thing is that I could sell my bike, sell a guitar amp, a
guitar+synth and get into it without dipping into savings.

Greg