[csdexter]

(only realized after my 5th-or-so post that I didn't introduce myself. Terribly sorry, fixing now)

Howdy from Ireland!

I'm originally from Romania, been here in Ireland for the past 3 1/2 years with work. I got my motorbike licence in 2009 (EU "A" category, which means I can ride whatever I want as long as it has two or three wheels ) and have been riding ever since: a Yamaha Virago XV535 back home, a Harley-Davidson Sporster SuperLow XL883L and a Yamaha Royal Star Venture XVZ1300TF here.

Why the CTX1300?
Because it is my humble opinion the Honda CTX1300 has everything I love about the XVX1300TF and nothing I hate Specifically, the "CTX" concept: it was about bloody time somebody realized that "sport-touring" isn't everybody's cup of tea and that a bike like the CTX1300 is dearly needed to fill a growing gap in the market.

It is also my humble opinion that Honda and Yamaha struck a deal to have the former release the CTX1300 now and the latter the new Venture next year but I don't care -- I was planning to switch to Hondas anyway ;-)

Well, that's it

 

[sleepngbear]

Bout time you got around to introducing yourself.

So far, the CTX1300 seems to be getting a pretty positive response, in concept anyway, since I don't think anybody outside of Honda and a couple of actors has actually ridden one yet. It sure is good to see its not getting the kind of "what the heck is Honda doing now" response like they got with the DN-01.

 

[bob]

welcome... again. Don't remember if I said that in another posting somewhere.
I agree with all that has been said about how it was due for someone to come out with the concept like the CTX1300, and even better that it was Honda. Since realizing my GW was a bit much to handle around town I've been also looking for what the CTX1300 portends to be. As much as the GW excels at LD riding I am hoping the CTX comes close to that. I know it will be great around town given how it carries the weight low and other details about it. My ST1100 was an attempt to fill that desire but it just isn't quite there yet. Close, but not there. I want a more relaxed ride. Soon we'll all get to sit on and ride one to see just how well it fills that gap.

 

[csdexter]

(...) It sure is good to see its not getting the kind of "what the heck is Honda doing now" response like they got with the DN-01.

You haven't been reading the right half of the Internet It's actually full of "WTF is that? Is THAT a bike? Come on Honda, what've you been smoking?!?" with regards to the CTX1300. Which, incidentally or not, is exactly why I absolutely love the concept and design idea -- but that's just me, I've always had non-mainstream opinions and likes

It is my, once again, humble opinion that Honda hit the jackpot with the CTX1300 by managing to do what neither of the other Japanese "design bureaus" succeeded: marry bleeding edge technology with the cruiser concept. Notwithstanding my utmost respect for the Yamaha engineers who managed to design a bike once and then mass-produce it for 14 years straight (if we ignore the historical fact that the engine is nearly identical with the one used in the 1300 Venture Royale, which is nearly identical to the one in the first V-Max etc.) with no changes, it was about time the industry moved on and as somebody said, it's for the better that is was Honda to lead that change.

 

[sleepngbear]

You haven't been reading the right half of the Internet It's actually full of "WTF is that? Is THAT a bike? Come on Honda, what've you been smoking?!?" with regards to the CTX1300. Which, incidentally or not, is exactly why I absolutely love the concept and design idea -- but that's just me, I've always had non-mainstream opinions and likes

Yeah, there is a bit of that in the other bike forums, particulary Honda forums (VTX, ST, and V4Musclebike that I know of). There's always that with riders who are loyal to their type of riding. But outside of those places, the vast majority of what I've seen has been positive curiosity.

It is my, once again, humble opinion that Honda hit the jackpot with the CTX1300 by managing to do what neither of the other Japanese "design bureaus" succeeded: marry bleeding edge technology with the cruiser concept. Notwithstanding my utmost respect for the Yamaha engineers who managed to design a bike once and then mass-produce it for 14 years straight (if we ignore the historical fact that the engine is nearly identical with the one used in the 1300 Venture Royale, which is nearly identical to the one in the first V-Max etc.) with no changes, it was about time the industry moved on and as somebody said, it's for the better that is was Honda to lead that change.

I'm glad it was Honda to lead the way this time, too -- I'd hate to have had to switch brands again. While I've been disappointed with Honda's offerings since they replaced the VTX with that horrible new custom 1300 series, I've always been extremely confident in their quality and reliability.

I've been saying for years that if money were no object, I'd buy me a VTX1800 and a ST1300 (or VFR1200, either would do) and pay somebody whatever it would cost to put the go bits of the latter into the former. So the CTX is no VTX -- that's ok. It's close enough; and the VTX frame would have to have been so heavily modified that it would probably end up with what we have in the CTX1300 anyway. Looking at all the specs and details, it's better than anything I could have come up with.

 

[Crableg]

Csdexter, welcome, lots of CTX talk here. Have fun...

 

[ShadowRider]

You haven't been reading the right half of the Internet It's actually full of "WTF is that? Is THAT a bike? Come on Honda, what've you been smoking?!?" with regards to the CTX1300.

Yeah, no kidding. Some of the comments I read made me wonder what THEY were smoking. If that's all you read, you'd think the CTX1300 was the ugliest motorcycle ever built, and that Honda is doomed and will be out of business by the end of the month. As a long-time Apple fan (I did Mac support for 25 years), I've heard that kind of stuff before. And of course, everyone knows that Apple is doomed and will be out of business... LOL

To each his own, I guess. Personally I think that most sport bikes, old-school cafe racers, most Harleys, and especially Indians are not very attractive. ("Ugly" is such an ugly word.) I admire the futuristic styling of some of the Victory bikes. And I fell in love with the CTX1300 the minute I saw the photos. It appeared to me to be the bike I always wanted. I had my GL1200 for 18 years, and I expect to keep the CTX for a long time, too, which means it will most likely be my last bike, as I'm pushing 60 and won't be able to ride forever. I guess they'll have to bury me on this one.

 

[ShadowRider]

You haven't been reading the right half of the Internet It's actually full of "WTF is that? Is THAT a bike? Come on Honda, what've you been smoking?!?" with regards to the CTX1300.

Yeah, no kidding. Some of the comments I read made me wonder what THEY were smoking. If that's all you read, you'd think the CTX1300 was the ugliest motorcycle ever built, and that Honda is doomed and will be out of business by the end of the month. As a long-time Apple fan (I did Mac support for 25 years), I've heard that kind of stuff before. And of course, everyone knows that Apple is doomed and will be out of business... LOL

To each his own, I guess. Personally I think that most sport bikes, old-school cafe racers, most Harleys, and especially Indians are not very attractive. ("Ugly" is such an ugly word.) I admire the futuristic styling of some of the Victory bikes. And I fell in love with the CTX1300 the minute I saw the photos. It appeared to me to be the bike I always wanted. I had my GL1200 for 18 years, and I expect to keep the CTX for a long time, too, which means it will most likely be my last bike, as I'm pushing 60 and won't be able to ride forever. I guess they'll have to bury me on this one.

 

[cheeken]

welcome to the forum

so when is the order going in?

 

[csdexter]

Tomorrow, if I'm lucky. I've already done a round of asking around and the order will go to the only dealer that visibly made an effort to find out all informations I asked for -- the other two short of did not even notice I was in their shop.

 

[csdexter]

Done. Deposit is in, accessories ordered but not quoted (apparently, Honda Ireland was "out at lunch" at that time and they couldn't even give out part numbers without putting their sandwiches down), now waiting order confirmation and ETA from the dealer.

Also got a nice trade-in on my current bike; let the waiting begin.

 

[sleepngbear]

Congrats!!!!!

 

[csdexter]

Dealer just called back, upstream said "it'll take some 5 months". They reckoned that's bullshit and will continue calling around, even trying to get it from the UK if need be.

If nothing gives, I'll just get my deposit back (this is part of the agreement) and go get it myself from the UK (exporting it VAT unpaid and paying VAT and VRT in Ireland).

Why do I always have to do the work other people are paid to myself?