EICMA 2013: Honda CTX1300
The latest addition to the company's new CTX family tree, complete with a grunty V-four engine, new chassis and an F6B-like long and low stanceOur intel was right: Honda has taken the V-four engine from its ST1300 to provide the heart and soul for its new CTX1300, which has been unveiled at the biggest motorcycle show on the planet in Milan.
Honda says the CTX1300 is “poised neatly between the laid-back feel of a pure cruiser and the functionality of a touring bike”.
The engine features modifications to bolster low and mid-range torque, and Honda says it also has a more “characterful sound” from the exhausts. There’s a five-speed transmission, tall gearing, and it’s shaft-driven.
The longitudinally-mounted 1261cc water-cooled, 90-degree V-four produces peak power of 83hp (62kW) at 6000rpm and 106Nm of torque at 4500rpm.
There’s a new steel double cradle frame, 43mm inverted forks, preload-adjustable twin rear shocks and aluminium swingarm. Combined anti-lock braking and traction control are also available, but it’s not yet clear whether those features will be standard in all markets. Five-stage heated grips are fitted as standard equipment, as are self-cancelling indictors.
The styling takes cues from the short-screened Gold Wing F6B, and there’s also a low seat height (735mm) and standard-fit twin rear panniers. The twin-speaker stereo system is Bluetooth compatible.
The 19.5-litre fuel tank is located under the seat, and Honda claims a range of over 330km between fill-ups.
The frame – a brand new steel double cradle split downtube – has rake and trail of 28 degrees and 118mm. The wheelbase is 1645mm with front/rear weight distribution of 48/52 percent, and the kerb weight is 338kg.
Cast aluminium wheels – 18-inch x 3.5-inch front and 17 x 6.25-inch rear – sport 130/70 and 200/50 tyres. Twin front 310mm discs and three-piston calipers are linked to the rear 316mm disc/three-piston caliper by combined anti-lock braking, which activates the front and rear wheels at the same time by application of the rear brake pedal.
The CTX1300 also features the Honda Ignition Security System (HISS). If the ID chip embedded in the motorcycle’s key and the ECU do not match, the engine will not start.
The CTX1300 will be available in the following colours: Candy Prominence Red, Darkness Black Metallic or Pearl Sunbeam White
A variety of Honda genuine accessories will be available, including a high screen, fog light, rear carrier, back rest, top box, and chrome galore.
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