[ctx1300admin]

From the moment we published the 2014 Honda CTX1300 Revealed story, virtually all the comments about the bike have been negative. From its looks to its engine and everything in between, it seems that many of you aren’t a fan of Honda‘s latest entry into the cruiser(ish) market.

Of course, all this judgement is based on pictures. What’s the bike like in person? Plenty of us are guilty of changing our opinions after seeing something in the flesh. Chief Editor Kevin Duke is at EICMA 2013, where he sends back his first impressions about the CTX1300 after seeing it for the first time. Check out what he thinks about the bike in the video below.

 

[CorenHanes'64]

I have sat on the CTX700 I'd imagine the seating position would be similar. Looks really comfy and upright. The only difference I can see here with the CTX 1300 is there are no black abs plastic covers on the header pipes coming down the sides.

 

[PanzerRider]

I have sat on the CTX700 I'd imagine the seating position would be similar. Looks really comfy and upright. The only difference I can see here with the CTX 1300 is there are no black abs plastic covers on the header pipes coming down the sides.

By the looks of it the CTX 1300 is virtually identical to the current CTX 700. However it was brought up that the seat height is a tad bit higher by just an inch or so and beside the obvious change in higher displacement.

I like how it looks without the black covers on the headers, it might change come release we'll see.

 

[sleepngbear]

From the moment we published the 2014 Honda CTX1300 Revealed story, virtually all the comments about the bike have been negative. From its looks to its engine and everything in between, it seems that many of you aren’t a fan of Honda‘s latest entry into the cruiser(ish) market.

Make no mistake about it -- I am a fan. A HUGE fan. I had kind of given up on Honda coming out with anything of interest to me for the last few years, so I hadn't been following the news very closely until I saw the new Valkyrie in Cycle Riders. Then I saw mention of it being the second new model for next year, so curiosity got the better of me and I went hunting. It was only a few days ago that I first saw the new CTX, and I think my jaw dropped three or four dozen times. This is the bike I've been wanting Honda to build for probably 10 years, and they've done it better than I could have hoped. The only question for me is, since I've only had my Thunderbird for less than two years now, whether it will be a 2014 or a 2015 purchase.

 

[cheeken]

really? are opinions negative?

I think its a nice looking motorcycle

And the engine should be nice

Only complain is how come it didn't come in CVT

apart from that what is there to complain about?

 

[sleepngbear]

really? are opinions negative?

I think its a nice looking motorcycle

And the engine should be nice

Only complain is how come it didn't come in CVT

apart from that what is there to complain about?

Must be where they hang out.

Haven't seen any really negative opinions yet -- but then I only heard about the thing three days ago.

As for the CVT or DCT that a few people have relented about it missing, I'm more of a traditionalist -- I'm glad that it stays with a clutch. I've always preferred having to do it all myself. Even in the cage -- I'll take that third pedal over paddle shifters every day of the week. The few things that I've seen people criticize are things that I find make it even more desirable. To be honest, losing the clutch might have been a deal-breaker for me.

A 6th gear on the CTX might have been nice, but then that leggy V-4 doesn't really need it. As I recall, 5 speeds was plenty in the ST1300.

 

[Bigdawg]

I'm with you. I am only interested in a motorcycle with a clutch.

 

[Gizmo]

I'm with you. I am only interested in a motorcycle with a clutch.

Clutchless for me .... something DIFFERENT!

 

[cheeken]

Maybe its just the older guys here who just want something comfortable to ride and not have to deal with shifting

CVTs are very smooth

But I agree even if they made it CVT I think a traditional manual should have been an option as well

Did they let anyone sit on the thing at EICMA? (apart from the pretty ladies)

 

[sleepngbear]

OK, I would ride that no matter what kind of transmission she came with.



Sorry, couldn't help myself.

 

[Firenzen007]

It's okay Sleepngbear, I'd do seconds.

I mean; I second your motion, so-to-speak.

 

[PanzerRider]

I'm with you. I am only interested in a motorcycle with a clutch.

I can agree with you on that one btu have you tried a DCT transmission yet?

 

[Firenzen007]

I've Not Tried DCT but Some Reviewers are Impressed!

I can agree with you on that one btu have you tried a DCT transmission yet?

On my just recently getting current on some of the latest bikes including Honda's with their DCT, I noted two separate articles that really stood out.

One was about a test someone did, taking one of Honda's DCT bikes offroad and apparently the DCT enabled it to smoothly go an impressive number of places it would not have otherwise. Clearly as that article called out, it was also about seasoned riders best leveraging the toolset of DCT, too.

In another item, the reviewer said he found himself really appreciating not having to bother anymore with even thinking about shifts. And that was after he was strongly predisposed against the concept of "an automatic.". That reviewer further called out something to the effect that, even though he had bee riding so long that shifting for himself was "something he didn't have to think about...," like most of us, I'm sure...he was surprised with how much more he was actually able to better enjoy riding and focusing on other aspects like the road and his line. All because of DCT effectively lightening his load, as one way to summarize.

So those two pieces did open my own eyes and mind a bit on the subject, too.

 

[cheeken]

I can see where not havin to shift can have its benefits sometimes. Maybe I'm just getting old

 

[sleepngbear]

On my just recently getting current on some of the latest bikes including Honda's with their DCT, I noted two separate articles that really stood out.

One was about a test someone did, taking one of Honda's DCT bikes offroad and apparently the DCT enabled it to smoothly go an impressive number of places it would not have otherwise. Clearly as that article called out, it was also about seasoned riders best leveraging the toolset of DCT, too.

In another item, the reviewer said he found himself really appreciating not having to bother anymore with even thinking about shifts. And that was after he was strongly predisposed against the concept of "an automatic.". That reviewer further called out something to the effect that, even though he had bee riding so long that shifting for himself was "something he didn't have to think about...," like most of us, I'm sure...he was surprised with how much more he was actually able to better enjoy riding and focusing on other aspects like the road and his line. All because of DCT effectively lightening his load, as one way to summarize.

So those two pieces did open my own eyes and mind a bit on the subject, too.

Interesting. But now are you talking about a DCT or a CVT? As I understand it, you still have to shift a DCT, but it's all electronical like and just doesn't require manually clutching. Whereas a CVT doesn't shift at all 'cos it has no actual gears.

But anyway ... I guess I could see a benefit to not shifting. I'm not quite ready to let that part of it go just yet.

 

[Bigdawg]

I can agree with you on that one btu have you tried a DCT transmission yet?

I've ridden scooters and missed the shifting. It's what I've been doing since I started riding more than 40 years ago. It seems strange to ride on 2 wheels and not shift. I reflexively do it. I also like shifting when I think it's right, not when the bike decides to.

 

[westgl]

The CVT is actually shifting, well shifting is a bad word for it, as everyone thinks gears, lets say changing gear ratios.

A belt between two tapered cones, as the belt rides up one side of the cone at each larger or smaller section of the cones that is a different gear ratio.

I have both a Car and Bike that has a CVT.

The DCT can be an Auto shifter like on the NC700X/CTX700.