[bob]

Here is a somewhat longer review from CycleNews that just showed up tonight.

First Ride Honda CTX1300 Four Bikes in One

Review starts on page 34 (click on the headline for the CTX1300 on the front page) and goes through page 42. There is a full page add for something else in the middle so you do have to "flip" past that for the rest of the review.
There is a icon on upper right to make the online mag full screen which helps a little if the print is small.
Some insight given here not in other reviews.
Very good review... again!

 

[cheeken]

wow that is a long read

love it when they let you read full mags online

dont know why everyone doesnt do that

thanks for sharing

 

[ShadowRider]

Yeah, that is an awesome review with lots of details. They obviously loved the bike. Apparently they had it up to 100 mph! I don't think I will be trying that for myself--I'll take their word for it.

 

[bob]

I've had my ST up to 85 mph and that was enough to know it was capable of almost twice that.

I noted they commented that the airflow off the shorty screen went over their shoulders. That would be fine by me. The implication in the next paragraph is that the test rider is 5'11" and I'm 1 1/2" less so that would be ideal. I would be fine with the airflow on my helmet and even a little below as long as it is smooth and without buffeting as seems to be the case. I always use a full face helmet and never ride with the visor up (bugs, rocks, snow/sleet/rain, etc). Even in hot weather if the visor was up then all that hot air would be heating up my skin so I prefer to block that. Just a breeze please, from the helmet vents (mine work good), to evaporate sweat to cool but no direct wind in the face.

 

[SoCalRyder]

Yeah, that is an awesome review with lots of details. They obviously loved the bike. Apparently they had it up to 100 mph! I don't think I will be trying that for myself--I'll take their word for it.

How high have you gone?

 

[sleepngbear]

Nice article. Again.

I had my ST1300 up to 110 once. Had the VTX1800 around 100 a few times -- really didn't dare go more than that on that machine, although I think it was supposed to be good for around 130. Had the VFR up to 125 once, too. Once up there was really all I needed. I prefer the rush of good acceleration to flat-out top end speed. Although some day before I kick the bucket I would like to take something up close to 200 just to see what it's like. Some day.

 

[bob]

... Although some day before I kick the bucket I would like to take something up close to 200 just to see what it's like. Some day.

That would likely be right before you kick the bucket! Right?

 

[sleepngbear]

That would likely be right before you kick the bucket! Right?

If it is, I will surely go with one big smile on my face.

 

[ShadowRider]

I noted they commented that the airflow off the shorty screen went over their shoulders. That would be fine by me. The implication in the next paragraph is that the test rider is 5'11" and I'm 1 1/2" less so that would be ideal. I would be fine with the airflow on my helmet and even a little below as long as it is smooth and without buffeting as seems to be the case.

Well, now you have hit on the biggest problem I have with my bike. Bob, you and I are the same height. I also wear a full-face helmet with the visor down. On Sunday I took the bike out on the freeway to see how it would do at higher speeds. As soon as I got the bike up to 55, I had to hang on for dear life. The air pressure coming over the so-called windshield was so strong it felt like I was going to be blown off the bike! The faster I went, the worse it got. I got up to 65 but could not go any faster. By that point it felt like my helmet was being pulled up off my head. I was relieved to get to my exit so I could slow down and relax my grip a little.

I'm kind of a big (wide) guy. I wear a size 50 jacket and have broad shoulders. Maybe that has a lot to do with the problems I was having. It seemed like the reviewers from the magazines were mostly slim guys, and they didn't seem to have as much of a problem with the shorty windscreen. Maybe you won't, either. But in my case, I've pretty much decided that I'm going to have to avoid riding above 50 or so until I can get a taller windshield installed. That kinda sucks, but riding at higher speeds is just too much work and is not at all fun for me. So I hope Honda or one of the aftermarket manufacturers gets their act together very soon and offers a decent taller windshield for this bike. I have a feeling that both Ken and I will be on the lookout for that replacement windshield.

 

[bob]

maybe one of the wind screen deflector add-ons mentioned in other posts here on top of the shorty screen. Would keep the look closer to original if not too heavy on the mounting hardware and push the airflow higher also.

 

[annubissl]

Nice article. Again.

I had my ST1300 up to 110 once. Had the VTX1800 around 100 a few times -- really didn't dare go more than that on that machine, although I think it was supposed to be good for around 130. Had the VFR up to 125 once, too. Once up there was really all I needed. I prefer the rush of good acceleration to flat-out top end speed. Although some day before I kick the bucket I would like to take something up close to 200 just to see what it's like. Some day.

after watching the Isle of Man TT and seeing those biked hit 185+ on those winding roads... i'm good. lol i will leave the triple digits to the professional racers. besides, 75 mph is more than enough on my island's roads. You need to have near superhuman reflexes to travel any faster than that and still dodge the taxi driving cagers.

 

[sleepngbear]

after watching the Isle of Man TT and seeing those biked hit 185+ on those winding roads... i'm good. lol i will leave the triple digits to the professional racers. besides, 75 mph is more than enough on my island's roads. You need to have near superhuman reflexes to travel any faster than that and still dodge the taxi driving cagers.

Oh, I certainly don't intend to go that deeply into triple digits on a bike. I'm not that crazy. Any more. Gotta be in a cage, and it's gotta be on a track. Some day.

Although... there was a guy, on the VTX forums I think, who had a VTX for 'normal' riding, and a Hayabusa for the times he needed to feel really alive by being so close to death.