Honda VTX1300
If you've fancied yourself on a low-riding V-twin, you could do worse than Honda's VTX1300It's taken a long time, but the assorted Japanese cruisers have well and truly established themselves as a market force to be reckoned with in the local bike scene, and with some good reasons. As a generalisation, they are reliable and perform their function well enough, while often being considerably cheaper than the brand which started the whole craze - Harley-Davidson.
Something that has helped the cruiser sector no end is the profile of the riders and the change in our road culture in recent years. The riders have become older and (arguably) less concerned with race track performance, while our often over-zealous revenue-raising from speed cameras and the like takes much of the shine off owning a performance bike.
Honda's VTX series is straight out fo the V-twin cruiser manual in many respects. It's running a 52 degreee four-stroke V-twin that's designed for low and mid-range power delivery, tied to a conventional (and fairly heavy) rolling package in a steel frame. No rocket science, but that's what the market demands.
For many, the shaft final drive is a real bonus, eliminating what might otherwise be the most regular maintenance chore - oiling and adjusting a chain.
So how does it ride? Typically low-aggro Honda would about sum it up. In this case the engine fires at the touch of a button, requiring a good dose of choke on cold mornings. The twin likes a little time to get up to temp before it's performing at its best, as does the transmission.
Once warm and rolling, the low end power is good, and the mid-range pretty lively for this class of bike. Remember that 1300cc qualifies as a mid-range cruiser these days. The top end, before you finally hit the rev-limiter, results in noise rather than significantly more performance - so the trick is to short shift towards the upper end of the fat mid-range.
The clutch is surprisingly light while the gearbox shifts nicely, so long as you don't rush it unduly. Overall it's a very user-friendly package on the mechanical front.
Fuel consumption is modest at around 16-17km/lt.
Handling is about what you might expect. The suspension is set for comfort rather than pin-sharp accuracy, and the longish wheelbase means the steering is fairly slow. However it turns predictably, with no sign of slow-speed fall-in that can hit some cruisers.
However the combination of low seat height and generous legroom comes with an inevitable penalty, which is modest cornering clearance. I found it a little frustrating, as the chassis could clearly cope with more, but such is the nature of compromises. If you're not a fan of belting through corners, it won't be an issue. As it is, the lean angle clearance is at the lower end of the scale for cruisers. What you get in return is an ultra-low seat for a machine this size.
Braking is respectable for this class with reasonable power and good feel in the dry.
Styling has some strong art-deco cues and looks really good in the flesh - the pics really don't tell the whole story. Finish is of a high standard and will make the owner feel pretty good about the purchase. It's priced at a shade under $18,000, which is smack in the middle of current cruiser pricing and offers a pretty interesting option.
FACTORY LISTING OF ENGINE FEATURES
- The VTX engine is a 1312cc liquid-cooled 52° V-twin that delivers strong low-end and mid-range torque with ample power for passing and relaxed cruising.
- Newly designed powerplant features a single-pin crankshaft to accentuate the VTX's engine character.
- Dual two-axis primary counter-balancers minimise harsh engine vibration without eliminating the powerful pulse feeling transmitted by the VTX's traditional V-twin design.
- The engine mounting system uses carefully matched hangers to eliminate unwanted vibration, while preserving the powerful character of the V-twin engine.
- Each three-valve cylinder head features two 31mm intake valves and a large, 40mm exhaust valve to produce optimum flow for the incoming air/fuel charge.
- Simple-to-service screw-and-locknut valve clearance adjusters.
- 38mm constant velocity (CV) carburettor offers crisp throttle response at all engine speeds.
- Electronic control unit (ECU) provides 3D ignition maps for each cylinder, creating ideal spark advance settings for superb rideability.
- Coolant-heated carburettor improves rideability and ensures smooth operation in cold conditions.
- Two spark plugs per cylinder for efficient combustion at all engine speeds.
- A unique dry-sump oil system utilises a closed-crankcase design and places the oil tank inside the gearbox case. The result is a freer-revving enginefor improved power, and a lower engine height, allowing optimum rider ergonomics and a low, 686 mm seat height.
- Handsome chromed two-into-two exhaust system produces a deep exhaust note.
- Radiator with cooling fan maintains consistent engine temperature for optimum performance and long engine life.
- Maintenance-free automatic cam-chain tensioners.
- Reliable electric-starter system.
- Sturdy clutch utilises a rubber clutch-centre damper to assure smooth and quiet gear shifting.
- Five-speed transmission with carefully selected gear ratios for relaxed cruising and exciting roll-on performance.
- Shaft final-drive system provides smooth, low-maintenance operation.
- New driven flange design at the final-drive gear eliminates final-drive noise and wear and simplifies rear wheel installation.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model Name: VTX1300 2006 Model
Engine Type: 1312cc liquid-cooled 52° V-twin
Bore x Stroke: 89.5mm x 104.3mm
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
Carburettor(s): 38mm CV
Ignition: Solid-state digital with three-dimensional mapping, two spark plugs per cylinder
Transmission: Five-speed
Final Drive: Shaft
Wheel Base (mm): 1669 mm
Seat Height (mm): 686 mm
Fuel Capacity (litres): 18 litres, incl. 3.8 litre reserve
Front Tyre: 140/80-17
Rear Tyre: 170/80-15
Front Suspension: 41mm fork; 130mm travel
Rear Suspension: Dual shocks with five-position spring preload adjustability; 94mm travel
Front Brakes: Single 336mm disc with twin-piston calliper
Rear Brakes: Single 296mm disc with single-piston calliper
Dry Weight (kg): 300
Price: $17,890 (includes GST)*
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