[bob]

Here's one I haven't watched before but did just now. It's in Japanese but with sub-titles so you can follow along easily. Rather interesting explanation from the director of Honda's design team.

Designing the CTX Concept

 

[mhillmango]

Great video - thanks for sharing. Really like the part about the face resembling an Eagle. Hats off to Honda, everything the designer in the video said makes a lot of sense.

Strange that my local dealer has had a Black Standard CTX there for two weeks without selling it, but then again, considering the low quality of their staff it doesn't surprise me.

I was really close to scooping up a CTX700 as my single mount, but couldn't get over the foot-forward ergos. Hoping a CTX is in the works, with DCT, and standard ergos - anyone heard any rumors?

 

[Jimmytootall]

Thanks Bob interesting video Jim

 

[sleepngbear]

Great video - thanks for sharing. Really like the part about the face resembling an Eagle. Hats off to Honda, everything the designer in the video said makes a lot of sense.

Strange that my local dealer has had a Black Standard CTX there for two weeks without selling it, but then again, considering the low quality of their staff it doesn't surprise me.

I was really close to scooping up a CTX700 as my single mount, but couldn't get over the foot-forward ergos. Hoping a CTX is in the works, with DCT, and standard ergos - anyone heard any rumors?

I don't think we're going to see a DCT on this bike any time soon. They usually design those hand in hand with the motors -- that is, the drive train is designed with a DCT in mind from the ground up. If it wasn't designed with it, it probably won't get it. At least that's been my experience with Honda. They seem to have salvaged everything they could of the ST's drive train, so much so that they offset the whole thing from the engine back 10mm to the right to accommodate the 200 rear tire. If they do decide to build one of these with a DCT, I would expect it to be an entirely new engine and drive train.

What do you mean by 'standard ergos'? The CTX1300 is about as standard as it gets, I think. The bars are a comfortable reach and let you sit straight upright, and the pegs are neither too far forward or too far back. What would you want to see changed?

 

[mhillmango]

By 'standard ergos' I was talking about the CTX700.

I agree the CTX1300 is standard, but at nearly double the price I have reserved it for the first purchase post winning lotto ticket.

 

[bob]

The CTX700 has the classic/typical cruiser feet way forward (feet directly below or in front of grips) leaning back somewhat position. You would be the first I've heard call it standard. Or did you mean it as typical and customary for a cruiser? That's fine. A lot of riders I know do like that position but I just have never heard any of them call that "standard ergos", they have called it "cruiser ergos" (as far as seating category names go). I couldn't ride like that, back pain happens. Did that a few bikes ago for a year and traded for the official standard of "Standard" or Touring seating... a GW with feet in "standard" position (between grips and center of seat) and sitting straight up. That's what I like about the CTX1300, it is standard/touring. My current ST1100 is at the limit for me being the other way... feet in the "sport-touring" position (feet under center of seat or just behind) and leaning a bit forward. Ok for shorter trips or "performance riding" but getting a bit cramped for LD. Of course, "sport" position would be with feet definitely behind the seat center and leaning way forward. Just my opinion.

 

[mhillmango]

Uh oh, caused all kinds of confusion. Nothing new, wife tells me that all the time!

- I like the CTX700 but do not like the cruiser ergos. Would buy one in a heartbeat if it had standard ergos.

- Wish Honda would make a bike with the look of the CTX700 (and price!), with standard ergos, and DCT. Say, an NC700X without the adventure look?

- Love the CTX1300, love that it has standard ergos. Too costly $$ for me currently. Would be fabulous as a 2nd bike.

 

[bob]

Ah yes. I was a bit confused there for a moment. I agree with you that the CTX1300 is pricey but thus is the way of buying new rather than used. This is THE hangup with my wife giving the go-ahead for me. If I was talking the price of the CTX700 she might be inclined to say "whatever" and let it go at that.

 

[mhillmango]

Ah yes. I was a bit confused there for a moment. I agree with you that the CTX1300 is pricey but thus is the way of buying new rather than used. This is THE hangup with my wife giving the go-ahead for me. If I was talking the price of the CTX700 she might be inclined to say "whatever" and let it go at that.

Although the CTX1300 is pricey, (which is subjective for us all of course), I still think it is a good value for the price. Honda's 3.99 APR makes it tempting.

The video suggests the idea/concept of "CTX" being relaxed, slow and more comfortable riding. Guessing that is the reason for things such as cruiser ergos and shorty windscreens.

It also suggests there are more CTX models to come. Bravo

 

[bob]

I think when they said "slower" they are meaning more relaxed. Which is just the kind of riding I do. Yep, I am definitely no speed demon.

I agree it is a very good value for the price. Financing, however, is a negative for us. We never finance anything any more unless it another house. Pay cash only. We do use credit cards but only to buy what we already have the cash on hand for. IOW, plastic only provides the convenience of not carrying that much cash around in our pockets or purse. Any finance percent is just extra money gone to us. If I could get 90 days same as cash 0% I might consider that for this purchase. Get a few more months of interest earned before letting that money go (as little as that is).

I like the idea that there will be more transcendent models that create new categories of bikes. Fits in with the idea of bringing in more riders that might otherwise not consider it or have not been tempted by existing styles of bikes.

 

[sleepngbear]

Got me wondering now what kind of variations could be in the works for the CTX. I think it's just begging for this kind of treatment. Even more of that V-4 exposed? Oooh, yeah.

 

[MarkH]

The shorty windscreen does go along with the design intent of relaxed riding, but for me that means going less than 50 mph to avoid wrestling with the wind. They also designed in, according to the Honda promo video, "more performance and better handling than you get with a traditional V-twin cruiser." I'm finding that 65-70 is about all I can manage on my freeway commute, with both relaxation and performance compromised. This bike screams for an electrically adjustable windscreen.

 

[sleepngbear]

Mark, never ridden a bike with no windshield at all? Now THAT's a wind blast.

 

[MarkH]

Yes, I went shieldless just once. When I first got my Tiger last year and experienced the buffeting that was a common complaint on that bike, the first thing I tried was going shieldless. It was an improvement, but not what I wanted for my commute and long day rides. Being a noob, I needed to concentrate on developing my riding skills without the distraction of total body buffeting.

 

[Faccons]

Yeah Yeah Yeah , Big up Honda, another lovely creation.

 

[4265]

I have seen this video and I do mention it in one of my videos on my channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7yrgw3fLIs . I was having problems with the mic audio that I think I have it fixed now.