[ksmillertx]

It's in French so you'll have to translate...

http://www.lefigaro.fr/automobile/2...25-honda-ctx-1300-une-routiere-americaine.php

It's short and subjective. I'm eager to get some "real" objective reviews by the established bike magazines. I'm hoping an upcoming edition of Rider shows up with a CTX on the cover...

 

[SoCalRyder]

Looking forward to that edition of rider with a CTX on the cover

 

[bob]

Fair review, I use chrome on my tablet so was able to translate to English by default. Final recommendation is to try it for yourself before discounting it, it may surprise you.

 

[cheeken]

isnt that the same for all things

try it before you judge it!

 

[sleepngbear]

Let's see how this works -- translated in Chrome (thanks for whoever said that Chrome does this in another thread -- I never knew that!):

GT Mi, mi custom, the CTX inaugurates a new genre inspired by some overseas productions.
The bike is a lot more academic than one might imagine.Genres and categories are scrupulously respected. We must have the weight of a manufacturer like Honda to challenge an established order. This is what he has done by launching the CTX range, presented at the Milan show in November, and available in two displacements: 700 and 1300 cm3.
CTX, we tested version 1300, represents a new genre, the "baggers", a kind of derivative models néocustoms tourism.More compact, lower, they have a more consistent look across the Atlantic to taste their first market. This transfiguration has been attempted on the Goldwing, she gave birth last year to F6B. The line of a bagger wants purified. "The motto of the baggers is" less is more ". All items that were not absolutely necessary were deleted, and the others received a new form.Topcase without protruding, with a short windshield, this bike displays a more refined "silhouette, Honda says about laF6B.

The CTX 1300 is similar to the Pan-European, and kept its heart, a four-cylinder V nearly 1,300 cm3.Machine grand tourer par excellence, launched at the edge of the year 2000, a handling imperfect tarnished the reputation of the "Pan" (a recurring sway under certain conditions, such excess heavy weight), which Disabled his career. CTX 1300 renews in Americanizing. Exercise is relevant?

First finding, the CTX 1300 is much lower than the Pan-European, which also means a lower center of gravity, which is not to interfere with the handling. Above all, the bike is available in all sizes. A biker 1.70m ask both feet flat on the red light, and a person of 1.60 m will still be comfortable. The bike seems to be divided into two horizontally. Downstairs, mechanical, top, trim plastic. The assembly of the latter does not suffer criticism, and selected materials give a small automobile air dash. This beautiful aspect of the front contrast with much smaller bags of quality. They are moreover very easy to close if they are somewhat satisfied.This is clearly a point again.
We discover two speakers located on either side of the meter and tachometer: owl, we will be able to listen to world news. And no, there is no radio, even as an option. In contrast, a Blutooth connection with a smartphone is assured. The unit will recharge in a small storage compartment on the right tank. Radio application can obviously be used, provided there is a stable 3G connection, which is still less convenient than "motoradio" as the Goldwing or even F6B. Radio or music, the sound becomes inaudible anyway from 100-110 km / h, but the speakers are nice city.

Startup reveals nothing but the sound, friendly and cozy character of the engine. Derated to 84 hp against nearly 110 hp on the Pan-European, he gained a little torque and greatly velvety. He is at ease in all speed ranges and recalls in many respects the propellant of F6B with two cylinder less. A true rediscovery. It animates smoothly this engine still 338 pounds fully fueled. Power enough to reach swiftly legal speeds, and more. The windshield truncated one aesthetic markers bagger kind, protects correctly to 130-140 km / h meter, but you can change it to a higher bubble option.

The large handle that comes to you is involved in the handling of the bike, and the driving position turns relaxing, at least for the driver. This is not the case for the passenger, who must cling to the driver not to be ejected. The fault lies with a position of the rear footrest hung too high and too? forward, and a lack of splash or topcase, both available options for stalling the back of the passenger or the passenger. In all cases, it will be essential to try the rear seat to the spouse before buying the bike, so do not risk disappointment.
The CTX 1300 is conducted on the recovery rather than on power. Rear suspension is a model of comfort, but not too soft. Depreciation is one of the strengths of the bike, with a front-to-back agreement very successful, even if the fork if reveals a drier than the combined shock absorber (preload adjustable) Subsequent hair. Weight distribution (52% front 48% rear) is ideal.

This results in an outfit very frank way. CTX 1300 immediately puts confidence, and its main limit discovers curve when the leg begin to rub. Consequence of the lowered line, the ground clearance is not very high, but you can not have everything. Attention in urban traffic mirrors, even if they are placed higher than on other bikes or scooters (Burgman 650, for example), increase the width of the machine. If fret, do not panic: the hulls déclipsent and back in place very easily.

Another source of irritation is the lack of controls on the handlebars to control the onboard computer and the "device" connected Bluetooth system of the machine. All these keys are arranged on the tank, which is less ergonomically satisfactory. But the main regret still unable to benefit from the excellent dual clutch Honda box, this particular VFR and CTX 700, but incompatible with the V4 online. We will be consoled with the TCS traction control.With ABS, it brings a real plus to secure the bike.
So, should we buy the CTX 1300? It costs about € 2,000 more than a Pan European, but is more agile and safer. It is however € 6,500 less than a F6B for an engine slightly less pleasant, comfort and carrying capacity similar. Nevertheless: the CTX 1300 is expected at around 13 000-13 500 €, but Honda has set its price close to € 5,000 earlier. The price of the CTX 13300 is comparable to that of aBMW R 1200 RT, or if you want a low motorcycle than a Harley-Davidson Dyna FLD Switchback.Two well-established machinery and each enjoys an excellent reputation. In short, he will love the CTX 1300. And for that, it will be necessary above all to try.

DATA SHEET
Engine: 4 cylinders in 90 ° V DOHC, 1,261 cm3.
Power: 84 hp at 6000 rev / min.
Torque: 106 NM at 4500 r / min.
Transmission: 5-speed, toggle.
Seat height: 735 mm.
Kerb Weight: 338 kg.
Maximum speed: 190 km / h (estimate).

translated from http://www.lefigaro.fr/automobile/2...25-honda-ctx-1300-une-routiere-americaine.php.

 

[rosy thorn]

ah so thats the answer....

Derated to 84 hp against nearly 110 hp on the Pan-European

 

[bob]

Tonight I added the plugin Google Translator for Firefox that will translate any web page from any included language (there are a lot) to the language of my choice. It doesn't work on PDF files opened from a web page though, only the web page itself so it does work on this one.

 

[Davetac1]

After reading the translated version above [thanks Ed] I'm still somewhat confused due to the way it's written in French,then translated in English. I think I understood some of it,but not enough to get a thorough understanding of it.Dave!!!

 

[bob]

Yeah, it also does kind of get lost in translation when co-workers around here start speaking in french... especially when they are frustrated!

 

[sleepngbear]

Yeah, it also does kind of get lost in translation when co-workers around here start speaking in french... especially when they are frustrated!

I think that's a different, ummm, dialect of French those coworkers are speaking.

 

[sleepngbear]

After reading the translated version above [thanks Ed] I'm still somewhat confused due to the way it's written in French,then translated in English. I think I understood some of it,but not enough to get a thorough understanding of it.Dave!!!

It definitely loses something in translation (some of it is quite good for a laugh, too), but you get a bit of an idea of what they're getting at. I'm sure some english-speaking friends will be sharing their preview experiences soon!