[flytrap]

About every four years I change my motorcycle concept. The last four I had a 2010 Bonneville SE, a great little naked bike that was easy to ride and absolutely dependable. It was cool for short jaunts but not so hot for trips longer than 50 miles. Bonneville gone and the search for a replacement is on. I'm way past sport bike ergos due to age, knees, ankles, wrists (everything else) and decided that I would search for something a little more relaxed. I initially focused on the Triumph Trophy SE but the roll out of that machine has been pretty rough in terms of recalls. Then I started to focus on the CTX 1300 and have read pretty much all the published info, but there is nothing like personal experience; today I actually got to sit on a CTX 1300. I'm 6 feet tall. The first touchdown on a potential bike is sort of like trying on a new pair of shoes. You know instantly if there is a good fit and if it don't fit that first time it probably won't get any better. In short, perfect ergos for my frame. Totally relaxed, no pressure points and a very good seat. The salesman told how no one could see the mirrors until they adjusted the bars to some mark. Indeed, I adjusted the mirrors a bit and they gave a pretty good rear view. Easy to stand it up and move it around...actually a lot easier than I thought it would be considering the weight. The linear and low form of the bike reminds me of some of the early HD Road Kings with a little bit of early BMW K-bike brick look thrown in. I've always liked that look. The bags and little pockets seem kind of cheap and not so well-made. I liked it but couldn't ride it because it just came out of the crate and was not yet ready for action. I was also able to immediately sit on a 2013 VSTAR 1300 deluxe, a nice v-twin bike with a bat wing fairing, bags and a high windshield...really high. The ergos on this bike were very similar to the CTX1300. The VSTAR seat was bad news but the bags were high quality, top notch. The price of the VSTAR ($13K) is probably similar to the standard CTX. The VSTAR also had floor boards that I previously thought were for geezers on HD's but now I'm a geezer and I kind of see their value in terms of letting one move the feet around a bit while resting them on a flat surface. Let's face it, motorcycle choice has some logic and calculation involved but it is mostly gut and emotion. The CTX stirred my gut. The VSTAR was nice but just reasonably nice. Next step: do a test ride. The deal breaker on the CTX might be wind management. You can always get a better seat, but sometimes the wind issue is a physics problem that doesn't get solved. More later.

 

[sleepngbear]

There's only one thing you can do now. Take that first touch to the next level and get it out for a ride.

 

[ShadowRider]

The comfort and maneuverability on the CTX1300 are outstanding, as is the power. Hopefully the windshield issue will be fixed soon as it is my only big problem remaining. As far as being able to buy a better seat, I thought that was true, too. But on my Shadow, even buying a Mustang seat and an AirHawk cushion did not help enough. (I have a condition in my legs that made sitting for more than 30-45 minutes unbearable.)

The CTX1300 seat, however, is PERFECT for me. I admit I only have a little over 100 miles on the bike so far, but unlike the Shadow, I have never felt like I needed to get up and stretch my legs. I really do think I could ride all day, stopping only for gas and bathroom breaks. This was a big deal because I am getting older, too, and comfort is worth a lot to me.

 

[SoCalRyder]

There's only one thing you can do now. Take that first touch to the next level and get it out for a ride.

Yup, have to get it out on the road, that's where it's really at!

 

[Panther Dash]

So when do you think you'll be able to get out for a test ride?

Thanks for giving us your thoughts on just sitting on the CTX1300. I am drawn to the CTX1300 partly because it looks really comfortable to ride, so having that confirmed is great news.

 

[Davetac1]

You kids are all alike cause ya just can't take it,unlike the youngsters on here such as myself. Dave!!!

 

[ShadowRider]

You kids are all alike cause ya just can't take it,unlike the youngsters on here such as myself. Dave!!!

Hey, Dave, I'm pushing 60 pretty hard, and us old guys like those easy chairs, ya know!

I have a problem with my legs (well, to be more accurate, it's probably my rear end) that causes pain when I sit for too long. Google "ischial bursitis" and you'll see the kind of thing I'm talking about. I even get it from sitting in my desk chair (one of the drawbacks of being an IT guy for 35+ years). The stock seat on the Shadow was killing me--30 minutes and I was squirming in pain. Riding with a group was impossible because they didn't want to stop all the time just for me, so I've been a solo rider for the last 3 seasons. The Mustang seat and the AirHawk helped a little bit; on a good day I might get 45-60 minutes between stops.

I was afraid the CTX1300 would not be much better, but man, what a HUGE difference it makes! Everyone talks about how comfortable the seat is, and they are NOT exaggerating a bit. It is at least as good as my Gold Wing was, probably better (though it's hard to compare because I sold the Wing in 2005). And the engine is so smooth that there is no vibration to make your hands (or anything else) numb. The day after I got the bike I rode for several hours and didn't have a bit of pain. The more upright position is even improving my posture, something my trainer says will help with my lower back pain, too.

Maybe I can write off the bike as a medical expense…

 

[Davetac1]

I hear ya steve,I hear ya.But unlike an old distinguished gentleman such as yourself, [I'm only a kid at a mere 67 years of age ,but feel like I'm 25] my 52 years mounted on two wheels has taught me to strive for COMFORT.[I really don't care about top end speed or goin round corners at warp factor III] And comfort is what all three of my Ventures provided and that was for dam near 500,000 miles. Even my Tbird,SE, which I wouldn't have bought if it didn't offer me atleast some comfort, ain't too bad as my hands, my back side,nor my feet, tingle after 2 or 300 miles in the saddle. And the factory floor boards,which all the afore mentioned machines had,provided me the option of moving my feet around so my legs don't cramp.If you read one of my posts,I commented on those things which the CTX doesn't have,including a tall windshield.But,these things can be altered to fit an individual's needs.But I still have to see one in order to find out if these things I mentioned are doable on this machine.I believe they are,but won't know for sure until I have shaken hands with one. Dave!!!

 

[bob]

Really strange thing is happening here. flytrap mentions his motorcycle concept changes every 4 years. Well, I think mine does too. Like a swinging pendulum. Started out with just a bike, any bike. Followed the cruiser trend for a year and changed again... to a Goldwing. Changed again to something smaller, much smaller... a Burgman 650. Then swung back to bigger but not too big, my ST1100. When I first saw my ST I thought, wow, what a long and lean looking bike. Not too tall but still a tad taller than my GW. Lately I've been struck by how not so long and lean it looks to me, and rather taller than my earlier impressions! In fact I was walking out to it when leaving work the other day and surprised myself with how short and tall it seemed at the moment and how big that fake gas tank looked and how cramped or scrunched up my legs started to feel on the pegs, as if it was just another big sport bike! And those handlebars! They suddenly seemed sooooo close together (they are narrower than the ends of the mirrors). The pendulum has swung a little more, but not swinging as far as before. Still liking a smidgen bigger yet close to what I have. But lower and longer and just as nimble.

What bike satisfies this?



Wait, I think I know. The CTX1300!






(gotta come up with $14000 somewhere)

 

[Davetac1]

You would say that Bob! lol You old guys are all alike. lol lol Duh!!! Dave!!!

 

[bob]

Hey, I'm only 8 years behind you and catching up
Like you said Dave!!! Anything you need to make it more to your liking can be added.

But the trick is to find the right base to start with and sometimes that takes a few tries to get there. You've been taking 52 years so far. You'll only know about this one after a little time in the saddle. And I agree with that and look for the opportunity to do just that.

 

[Davetac1]

I'm sure the CTX will go like ten basta*** and give a nice ride, Bob. That's a given and I haven't even seen one yet. Honda's reputation preceeds itself. I've driven and serviced many Honda's over the years, as well as many other makes and models. So I know Honda builds a good machine,not to mention, other equipment which they also manufacture and which I also own. Dave!!!

Now if we were talkin about that other foreign machine,henry Donaldson,or Harvey Dickenson,or something like that,lol,we'd be talkin a different story!! Dave!!!

 

[bob]

That reminds me of a Honda Shadow one of the Safety Course instructors used to ride (may still ride) around here. Was painted black and gold/yellow and on the tank there was a familiar badge that looked very similar to the standard from Milwaukee...
and the name on that badge was... Hardly A Davidson!

Of course then there is also the round logo with red and another color (not blue) that was embellished with
HMW... Honda Motor Works. Some of the ST1300 crowd has that on their tank

 

[cheeken]

welcome!

i think if you do have problems with wind protection there will be lots of options for larger windscreens in the future.

 

[SoCalRyder]

Just have to be patient, contacting companies that can make it will be a good idea, maybe get a group buy going on to jump start the process

 

[ShadowRider]

Just have to be patient, contacting companies that can make it will be a good idea, maybe get a group buy going on to jump start the process

I have already been in contact with National Cycle, who makes AWESOME windshields for bikes. I will be working with them, loaning them my bike for short periods even, to help them come up with a windshield that I hope we will all love. I'd like to see one like this windshield that they make for the Gold Wing, including the vent. What do you think? They seem very open to listening to our needs…

 

[bob]

That shield will work for some. I would want a shorter shield... somewhere in between this one and stock (if any) with a vent that is more like the vent in the front fairing of the GW in the photo, the vent that is just below the Honda logo, in the shield. Or I might just stick with the stock shield. I really want to test ride to see what I would want. I just don't get over near the dealer often enough.