[TennesseeSmith]

I only rode about 60 miles today. I had to work.

I have decided that I really like this bike. I rode some of the nice local roads after work. I got my first bit of cross wind and noticed that the bike handled it better than I did. The bike basically ignored the wind while my helmet pulled my head in various directions.

I've noticed that the chicken strip on the rear tire is much closer to the edge than the strip on the front. I've scrubbed the rear tire almost all the way to the outside and I have nearly an inch left on the front.

I am a bit concerned about the narrow foot on the side stand.

I'm making peace with the saddle bag fasteners.

The plan for tomorrow is to ride the Trophy in the morning for reference. Then I'll ride the CTX after lunch. I'll carry the Garmin Montana with me to see how much speedo error I have.

I have a small deflector I bought a couple of years ago from Touratech. I'll see if I can mount that to the shorty screen. But it looks like it will come back at a low enough angle that it won't make any difference. I may try adding a Laminar Lip this weekend. I spent a lot of money on various screens for the CTX700 and never got it right. I'm hoping the wider fairing on the 1300 makes for better windshield designs.

 

[sleepngbear]

Nice. And I'm jealous!

But I'm taking the day off from work on Friday and hope to burn up a good chunk of those break-in miles.

 

[firstime911]

I only rode about 60 miles today. I had to work.

I have decided that I really like this bike. I rode some of the nice local roads after work. I got my first bit of cross wind and noticed that the bike handled it better than I did. The bike basically ignored the wind while my helmet pulled my head in various directions.

I've noticed that the chicken strip on the rear tire is much closer to the edge than the strip on the front. I've scrubbed the rear tire almost all the way to the outside and I have nearly an inch left on the front.

I am a bit concerned about the narrow foot on the side stand.

I'm making peace with the saddle bag fasteners.

The plan for tomorrow is to ride the Trophy in the morning for reference. Then I'll ride the CTX after lunch. I'll carry the Garmin Montana with me to see how much speedo error I have.

I have a small deflector I bought a couple of years ago from Touratech. I'll see if I can mount that to the shorty screen. But it looks like it will come back at a low enough angle that it won't make any difference. I may try adding a Laminar Lip this weekend. I spent a lot of money on various screens for the CTX700 and never got it right. I'm hoping the wider fairing on the 1300 makes for better windshield designs.

I'm thinking to purchase Wunderlich Wind deflector ...
Wind Deflector K1600 GT/GTL | BMW Wunderlich America

Hope it will work well without changing the wind sheild

 

[TennesseeSmith]

The one I have is not adjustable. It just adds a little bit of length at the same angle of the existing screen. I think yours will be far more effective.

 

[bob]

That one would be more universal fit but concerned a little about width.
One reason I was thinking this MRA X-creen Tour Bolt-on Variable windscreen might work for me being significantly wider and taller, though it likely won't extend above the existing screen any more. Also it is adjustable. Also concerned about clamp on deflectors blowing off so like the idea of a bolt on version, and hardware is not overly massive but minimal. If I do this it would stay on all the time so bolt on is OK with me.

 

[CEETEEX]

Ken,

I read your posts on here as well as the CTX forum about finding the perfect touring bike and I was curious as to why you sold the Goldwing? There seems to be no better bike for that than the Wing.

BTW, the view of the area around your home looks phenomenal.

 

[CEETEEX]

Honda has it categorized as a Touring bike, wonder why they have not placed it yet.

 

[cheeken]

you need to be posting more photos

 

[TennesseeSmith]

Ken,

I read your posts on here as well as the CTX forum about finding the perfect touring bike and I was curious as to why you sold the Goldwing? There seems to be no better bike for that than the Wing.

The Gold Wing was killed by a deer on August 24, 2012. If you are going to hit a large mammal, it's best to do it with a 910 pound bike. But for the solo riding I normally do, I don't need anything that big. The other disadvantages of the Gold wing include poor fuel efficiency and massive cost. To get ABS, you have to pay more than $4000 above the cost for the base model.

I thought the Trophy would be a better fit for my style of riding so I ordered one from the shop in Knoxville. He went out of business and took my order with him. I had a Wee Strom and I just rode that as my primary transportation waiting for Honda to replace the ST1300 with something that might be OK for touring. They didn't make a Sport/Tourer, but they came out with the CTX700D which showed a lot of promise. I ordered that and waited for months because my local dealer is not high on the favorite motorcycle dealers list with Honda. I finally got that bike in August of 2013. After the first trip to Nashville, I knew the bike would not be able to be the tourer I wanted and I found a Trophy in Lexington. Since all of the local Suzuki dealers were shut down in the bankruptcy of American Suzuki, I traded the Wee for the Trophy.

The Trophy was the perfect fit for me. It was as if the Triumph engineers designed the bike just for me. I was extremely happy for the first six weeks. Then the bike stranded me. Then it stranded me again. Then it spent several weeks in the shop 90 miles away. I paid $19,000 for that bike in October and it's practically worthless now because everyone knows it's one of the bad Trophy's.

I first saw the CTX1300 spy photos on the ST LiST. I figured the bike wouldn't fit as well as the Trophy, but it would run every day just like all the other Hondas I've owned. I traded the little CTX for the big one because I can't get anything for the Trophy. After I get the 600 mile service on the new bike next week, I'll put the Trophy in the shop in Lexington for replacement of the ECU and a new head for the motor. Maybe that will make it a bit more reliable.

The plan is to use the CTX1300 for daily transportation and touring. I will use the Trophy for occasional riding not too far from home and running the twisties.

I am really happy with the new bike. I think a windshield may be all it needs to become a proper touring bike.

 

[CEETEEX]

I agree with everything you said about the Wing, that is why I sold mine. I have the Concours 14 now and that is satisfying my needs. I thought about selling it and the CTX700 to buy a CTX1300 but my wife wants her own bike so it will be a while before I could buy the CTX1300. I sat on one last week and it was very comfy in the showroom, weight was down low (opposite of the ST1400 I had), bars were perfect, pegs perfect. I didnt care for the bag latches but practice probably helps. I love that V4 and it is reliable. I thought the factory box was gonna be 39L, but I would probably use the Givi E55 from my C14. Lastly I am sure Cee Baileys will have a shield out shortly. The Honda looks narrow, just as the CTX700 is. Glad you like the 1300, it looks like a great improvement over the 700 for comfort and power.

 

[firstime911]

I like your idea,
my initial plan is to have CTX1300 as my first bike and to keep it and use it as much as possible., small trip like 40km or a weekend small of 400km
and later next year will buy BMW K1600GTL exe/ Harley Davidson CVO roadking or whatever new bimmer touring that come out as the full touring for long distances, Still love the bimmer

 

[sleepngbear]

Damm, Ken, that's a lot of big time stuff to be replacing in such a new bike. I'd probably have ditched it by now and taken the beating just to not have to deal with it.