CTX1300 vs Valkyrie 1800
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CTX1300 vs Valkyrie 1800
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Which one to get?
The Rocket or the Cruiser? Decisions! Decisions!
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Both are made by Honda. The CTX1300 is priced a bit lower than the Valkyrie if I am not mistaken.
I would go with the CTX1300 personally, but I do really like the look of the Valkyrie. It looks like some type of war machine.
I would go with the CTX1300 personally, but I do really like the look of the Valkyrie. It looks like some type of war machine.
Good eyes. Plus that's a girl riding it and we all know 1300 CC is TOO bike for a girl to handle! Just kidding!! I figure that the CTX 1300 will have better handling characteristics than the Valkyrie. Looking at the Valkyrie, all I see is a monster of a bike that looks cool and is VERY impressive (war machine) yet I would lean towards the F6B for something like that.
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275 Posts
I doubt it, it would be rare that police use this. Maybe in Texas or Dubai, can't see it happening anywhere else.
The cops by me are going from the ST1300 which they seemed to really like, to the new Kawasaki 1400 Concours.
I had a GL1800, for several years, I went through the suspension on it, and they do handle pretty well for a big heavy bike.
MUCH better than a GL1500 bike does.
But my 86' GL1200 4cyl. handles just as good or better than my GL1800 did.
I am sure a much lighter version 1800 like the Valk, with a even lower CG, with a much upgraded suspension, The new Valk has larger cartridge forks on it stock, that is a really good upgrade.
Old GL1800 Goldwing was 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, less weight means more thrust for lift off, better handling, and better braking.
They put Larger Rotors and 4 pot calipers, instead of 3pot, on the New valk., They must know it is much faster than before.
Also more ground clearance for the new Valk from the old GL1800 goldwing, humm sounds like the new Valk is made to handle fasst corners to me.
But i will find out with a test ride
Here is a picture of my 86' GL1200, it used to have front fairing, saddle bags, and a trunk, but now it is naked, it went from 700-Lbs down to 560-Lbs wet.
That weight drop made a Big difference, in handling and how fast the bike is, and how much better the brakes are.
I had a GL1800, for several years, I went through the suspension on it, and they do handle pretty well for a big heavy bike.
MUCH better than a GL1500 bike does.
But my 86' GL1200 4cyl. handles just as good or better than my GL1800 did.
I am sure a much lighter version 1800 like the Valk, with a even lower CG, with a much upgraded suspension, The new Valk has larger cartridge forks on it stock, that is a really good upgrade.
Old GL1800 Goldwing was 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, less weight means more thrust for lift off, better handling, and better braking.
They put Larger Rotors and 4 pot calipers, instead of 3pot, on the New valk., They must know it is much faster than before.
Also more ground clearance for the new Valk from the old GL1800 goldwing, humm sounds like the new Valk is made to handle fasst corners to me.
But i will find out with a test ride
Here is a picture of my 86' GL1200, it used to have front fairing, saddle bags, and a trunk, but now it is naked, it went from 700-Lbs down to 560-Lbs wet.
That weight drop made a Big difference, in handling and how fast the bike is, and how much better the brakes are.
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I have to say it will be a hard decision for me between the new Valk and the CTX1300.
Honda has really been engineering some excellent bikes.
This is a Giant push, for the top dog to basically kill off the competition.
So many bike companies are Hurting big time.
And Honda just keeps coming out with some really great bikes.
I am Not a fan of that Baby blue on the Valk. it would have to be a different color, But who knows it may look better in person
Honda has really been engineering some excellent bikes.
This is a Giant push, for the top dog to basically kill off the competition.
So many bike companies are Hurting big time.
And Honda just keeps coming out with some really great bikes.
I am Not a fan of that Baby blue on the Valk. it would have to be a different color, But who knows it may look better in person
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In Europe, the official price for a CTX 1300 is 17,8' € (=23,3' US$) and for a F6c 21'€ (=27,5' US$).
The real price is much less because the CTX 1300 is a failure around here for the time being, I bought mine 20' $ brand new.
Still, after 5000 km/8000 miles in two months with the CTX, I'm getting bored (84,8 HP is enough to drive peacefully but not enough to break away from packs of cars all cruised-controlled at 135 km/h (= 84 mph). I'm looking for a F6c because of the flat six, the power (110 HP here in France), the torque (16 vs 10,6), the fork so much stronger (45 mm), the handling as easy as with the CTX, and the fact that if I keep the CTX any longer, I won't be able to sell it at a decent price.
:350x700px-LL-66dd6d
The real price is much less because the CTX 1300 is a failure around here for the time being, I bought mine 20' $ brand new.
Still, after 5000 km/8000 miles in two months with the CTX, I'm getting bored (84,8 HP is enough to drive peacefully but not enough to break away from packs of cars all cruised-controlled at 135 km/h (= 84 mph). I'm looking for a F6c because of the flat six, the power (110 HP here in France), the torque (16 vs 10,6), the fork so much stronger (45 mm), the handling as easy as with the CTX, and the fact that if I keep the CTX any longer, I won't be able to sell it at a decent price.
:350x700px-LL-66dd6d
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How about the F6B?I'm looking for a F6c because of the flat six, the power (110 HP here in France), the torque (16 vs 10,6), the fork so much stronger (45 mm), the handling as easy as with the CTX, and the fact that if I keep the CTX any longer, I won't be able to sell it at a decent price.
Similar bagger styling with factory luggage, and a lot more legroom compared to the F6C
As far as keeping it lowering it's resale value - I don't agree. The biggest depreciation hit you take is in the first year. Value plummets the minute you've left the showroom and stabilizes over time.
Trade-in value (with warranty intact) is a different story, if you intend on trading the CTX in on a flat six Honda.
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To tell the truth, I've never been interested in the Wing (except the 1100 but I was too young at the time :wink, too big, too expensive (42 000 US$ here ) for the long time beemer I am. The F6B is nicer than what I thought but it is still too big. As I have no car but only one bike, I need a real case on the bike (helmet, shopping, business stuff etc.) and the F6B can't do it (and it is too heavy).
So I traded my black CTX for a red Valkyrie yesterday :smileygarden_de_ban
, too big, too expensive (42 000 US$ here ) for the long time beemer I am. The F6B is nicer than what I thought but it is still too big. As I have no car but only one bike, I need a real case on the bike (helmet, shopping, business stuff etc.) and the F6B can't do it (and it is too heavy).So I traded my black CTX for a red Valkyrie yesterday :smileygarden_de_ban
F6B does have very large paniers. Plenty big to hold a helmet and shopping/business stuff. The Valk doesn't, but the one in the photo looks to have the bracket for a top case. Still doesn't have paniers (I'd rather have those, but that's me). I'm sure there's a bracket for a top case for the F6B, but as you said it's still too big for you.
Enjoy the new ride. I do like that color on the Valk.
Enjoy the new ride. I do like that color on the Valk.
I'm in the throws of purchasing a replacement for a Harley RoadGlide which I found too top heavy and never got really comfortable with relative to low speed handling. I'm debating between the CTX1300 and the 2015 Valkyrie both of which can be had (new) for about the same price. Since you've had both: I'm curious as to your thoughts about each. I am an experienced rider but not overly aggressive. I do like the touring bike ride and would have to put a windscreen on the Valk. From a center of gravity and handling perspective, which of these two bikes do you prefer? Thanks,To tell the truth, I've never been interested in the Wing (except the 1100 but I was too young at the time :wink
So I traded my black CTX for a red Valkyrie yesterday :smileygarden_de_ban
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First, the best thing is to ride both of them so you will see which one appeals you the most.
I had a BMW R1200 GS 2013, and after a terrible accident (it's a miracle I didn't get hurt though I was thrown over the bike, circa 90 mls/h) I needed a quieter bike. I tried the CTX once, was astonished by the smoothness of the bike. I test rode it a second time, loved the design so original and beautiful, so I bought it. I had the CTX for three months and 3,100 mls and it was enough to understand that the CTX for me is undermotorised, that the bumpers are too stiff and that there is no way to improve it (asked a dealer and the answer was no).
So I wanted to trade it for a Valk 2014. Though the bike looks impressive, it handles easily, power is OK, torque is fine, I rarely drive over 3,500 rpm (90 mls/h ?). Four years later, I still own it, with nearly 60,000 mls on the clock and no trouble at all whatsoever. I don't have any regret at all, the CTX is a funny bike if you drive really slowly and always on silky roads.
The only problem with the Valk is that you can find a brand new Valk 2014 or 2015 on Craig's list for less than 9,000 $ (INSANE !!) and this means that if you buy one, you won't be able to sell it, because nobody knows (except the owners !) how excellent the Valk is and because you will not want to sell it !
Of course I have a windshield on the Valk so I can travel all day from Paris to Marseille (about 10 hours) quite easily.
If you take a look at the Valk board (I'm a member there too), you will see how enthousiastic the owners of the Valk are (though they often change the saddle, buy Corbin cases and regret how little the aftermarket is). Most of them say that the Valk is the best bike they ever had.
I had a BMW R1200 GS 2013, and after a terrible accident (it's a miracle I didn't get hurt though I was thrown over the bike, circa 90 mls/h) I needed a quieter bike. I tried the CTX once, was astonished by the smoothness of the bike. I test rode it a second time, loved the design so original and beautiful, so I bought it. I had the CTX for three months and 3,100 mls and it was enough to understand that the CTX for me is undermotorised, that the bumpers are too stiff and that there is no way to improve it (asked a dealer and the answer was no).
So I wanted to trade it for a Valk 2014. Though the bike looks impressive, it handles easily, power is OK, torque is fine, I rarely drive over 3,500 rpm (90 mls/h ?). Four years later, I still own it, with nearly 60,000 mls on the clock and no trouble at all whatsoever. I don't have any regret at all, the CTX is a funny bike if you drive really slowly and always on silky roads.
The only problem with the Valk is that you can find a brand new Valk 2014 or 2015 on Craig's list for less than 9,000 $ (INSANE !!) and this means that if you buy one, you won't be able to sell it, because nobody knows (except the owners !) how excellent the Valk is and because you will not want to sell it !
Of course I have a windshield on the Valk so I can travel all day from Paris to Marseille (about 10 hours) quite easily.
If you take a look at the Valk board (I'm a member there too), you will see how enthousiastic the owners of the Valk are (though they often change the saddle, buy Corbin cases and regret how little the aftermarket is). Most of them say that the Valk is the best bike they ever had.
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@ledany said the bumpers are too stiff and that there is no way to improve it (asked a dealer and the answer was no).
Just another point of view on this one comment.
Dunno if bumpers means suspension or forks. You'll find plenty of discussion here about both.
Suspension - one can easily adjust the rear shock by hand. Most commenters I've read say that once they adjust it, usually to about 3 of 5, it's OK. I have always run mine at 3 and am satisfied.
Forks - some CTXs have a stiff fork for a while, others don't. Most times the stiffness goes away after some miles. I found the forks stiff on a demo ride. At someone's suggestion, I had the dealer replace the fork oil on my new CTX with number 5w. Have never had that problem in the 36k miles I've ridden it.
Looks like both the CTX and the Valk are selling for low dollars/euros. Guess you can't go wrong with either from that standpoint.
Just another point of view on this one comment.
Dunno if bumpers means suspension or forks. You'll find plenty of discussion here about both.
Suspension - one can easily adjust the rear shock by hand. Most commenters I've read say that once they adjust it, usually to about 3 of 5, it's OK. I have always run mine at 3 and am satisfied.
Forks - some CTXs have a stiff fork for a while, others don't. Most times the stiffness goes away after some miles. I found the forks stiff on a demo ride. At someone's suggestion, I had the dealer replace the fork oil on my new CTX with number 5w. Have never had that problem in the 36k miles I've ridden it.
Looks like both the CTX and the Valk are selling for low dollars/euros. Guess you can't go wrong with either from that standpoint.
There have been more than a few rebuilds and replacements posted about on this forum that vastly improve the suspension to the point of near that of the best on any bike available. Don't expect ANY dealer to know anything about this bike other than how much money they can get out of you for it. The recent Valyrie models (f6c) are little more than stripped down Gold Wings (f6 and f6b) with no real changes to the engine. They just weigh less so the existing engine can do a little more. But still, an 1800 bike will have more power behind it than a 1300 bike will. So if you need that extra umph then there you go. Ride what you want and feel best with.
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