[happytrails]

I and many others I suspect are hoping for more feedback from new CTX1300 owners. Regarding the nearly complete obstruction of mirror visibility, as a result of the handlebar placement. See my post I saw, I rode, my review. & related photos in the gallery. Are the all being shipped this way? Is this in fact, Honda spec.??

 

[bob]

I could accept it may be Honda spec for shipment. But I'd be surprised if Mother Honda intended them to not be adjusted down for safety! Dealers can sometimes be so narrow minded about specs at just the wrong time for things like this.

 

[ShadowRider]

This morning I sent an email to my dealer's service department to verify some things (like my pickup date this coming Saturday). I let them know about the handlebar positioning issue, and suggested that they should actually sit on the bike and make sure the mirrors were not obstructed. Thanks to forums like this, and the input of other people, I may have avoided a problem that would keep the delivery from going as smoothly as I'd like. And now the dealer techs know to look for this issue so that other buyers won't have to deal with it. Thanks to everyone who contributes to this forum!

 

[sleepngbear]

Before even turning the key, I had planned on sitting and positioning myself and making sure everything is just right before taking it for that first and all important test ride, giving special attention to the bar position thanks to what I've seen here. It will be my bike, so it's not like I'm riding some demo. No reason I can see why they wouldn't adjust it to my liking for me right there. This dealer has always been good about stuff like that.

 

[mhillmango]

My ST1100s are the only bikes I have owned that have had rear visibility... all the rest of them gave a wonderful view of my elbows!

 

[ballward]

mirrors

Mirrors on CTX1300 are perfect no visibility problems at all tested by guys from 5'2" me at 5'11' and tallest 6'4" and all could easily adjust the mirrors to give perfect rear view Bike not modified in any way straight from Honda
I pick mine up Tuesday can't wait!

Once bike is uncrated the DEALER has to adjust the handlebar position as per page 16 of the set up instructions There is a punch mark that has to be aligned with the top surface of the lower holder This has to be done correctly for proper mirror positioning then you just push the glass to adjust the mirrors to your liking.
ballward

 

[ballward]

I and many others I suspect are hoping for more feedback from new CTX1300 owners. Regarding the nearly complete obstruction of mirror visibility, as a result of the handlebar placement. See my post I saw, I rode, my review. & related photos in the gallery. Are the all being shipped this way? Is this in fact, Honda spec.??

See my response below
Cheers
ballward

 

[ballward]

I could accept it may be Honda spec for shipment. But I'd be surprised if Mother Honda intended them to not be adjusted down for safety! Dealers can sometimes be so narrow minded about specs at just the wrong time for things like this.

Agreed Bob The problem is NOT with Honda
Cheers
ballward

 

[ShadowRider]

When I sat on my bike for the first time today, before it left the dealer, both mirrors were TOTALLY obscured by the handlebars and/or hydraulic tanks. I asked them to adjust the handlebars downward and they did, just a little. I was still not really happy but took the bike anyway. I had a terrible time getting it home, as I could see almost NOTHING behind me. Before I got all the way home I pulled over and fiddled with the mirror positions inside the housings, which helped tremendously! I was able to get the rest of the way home without problems.

So maybe the solution is as simple as adjusting the mirrors the way you want them, as you would in a car…

(Smacking palm on head…)

 

[Davetac1]

Doncha mean: "Dawn breaks on marble head"! lol lol Dave!!!

 

[bob]

So maybe the solution is as simple as adjusting the mirrors the way you want them, as you would in a car…

(Smacking palm on head…)

Um, DUH! You better be smacking hand on forehead.
don't you always adjust the mirrors the first time? Of course they won't be right for any rider until adjusted... the mirrors i mean. The bars need that punch mark aligned right and all should be good then. I've known about the punch mark on many handlebars to align and properly position them.
I am thinking there are many smaller Honda shops with techs (or the high school kids they hire to assemble) who don't know about that punch mark and/or don't really read very well.

 

[Davetac1]

Maybe the high school the high school kids attended don't teach reading skills!!lol lol But I'll betcha they teach Spanish! lol lol Dave!!!

 

[ShadowRider]

Don't you always adjust the mirrors the first time?

I was SO hung up on the warnings about the handlebars arriving and being way too high that adjusting the mirrors pretty much was forgotten--though I do remember asking the tech if the mirrors were adjustable, like in a car. I guess I had a bit of tunnel vision on this issue.

Sometimes the best answer is the most obvious one...

 

[Davetac1]

I agree with ya Steve,having been there and done that myself.[many times] However,I call it a "BRAIN FART".lol Of course,ya have to have a brain to have that.So!!! Before my two associates, Uncle Bob and Mr. Ed capitolize on that statement,I'm gonna beat em to the punch."WHAT BRAIN" Ha! Ha! Very funny. lol Dave!!!

 

[sleepngbear]

Bob, you needs to up that bounty.

 

[bob]

Just playing with you Steve. So what you are (originally) saying there is that once the handlebars were adjusted to your liking you can see the mirrors themselves just fine?

Dave!!! Dave!!! Dave!!! Ed and I aren't that insulting, but we did already know about that!!!

BTW- Seems appropriate that once we all get our CTX1300 bikes we should plan a get together someplace central... or may in 2 places between the middle and east and then also the middle and west. May take a year (or two) for some of us to get one though.

 

[ballward]

I and many others I suspect are hoping for more feedback from new CTX1300 owners. Regarding the nearly complete obstruction of mirror visibility, as a result of the handlebar placement. See my post I saw, I rode, my review. & related photos in the gallery. Are the all being shipped this way? Is this in fact, Honda spec.??

Please see ballward on the topic of mirrors They are NOT a problem except when the dealer does not follow the instructions

 

[ballward]

Um, DUH! You better be smacking hand on forehead.
don't you always adjust the mirrors the first time? Of course they won't be right for any rider until adjusted... the mirrors i mean. The bars need that punch mark aligned right and all should be good then. I've known about the punch mark on many handlebars to align and properly position them.
I am thinking there are many smaller Honda shops with techs (or the high school kids they hire to assemble) who don't know about that punch mark and/or don't really read very well.

Please see ballward of yesterday mirrors are just fine dealer needs training

 

[happytrails]

I'm glad to hear the feedback of dealer set up related to handlebar adjustment on page 16 as mentioned.
Surely the dealer I referred to in " I saw, I rode, My Review" did was not aware for set up procedure. I guess its close to my adjustment down apx. 2 1/2" , cables clearing storage compartment lids when open & bars hard over.
Thanks for feedback. Good idea for everyone to address this with dealer prior to delivery. How often we don't bother reading the instructions. NOT OK FOR ANY DEALER. Make no assumptions!!

 

[ShadowRider]

Just playing with you Steve. So what you are (originally) saying there is that once the handlebars were adjusted to your liking you can see the mirrors themselves just fine?

I was hoping that would be the case, and that I just needed to get used to it. But no, after riding for several hours today it is very clear that the handlebars are STILL blocking the mirrors substantially. I am constantly having to either crane my neck or scrunch down in order to see the road behind me clearly. No amount of mirror adjustment would fix this.

So I think I still need the handlebars adjusted downward. The tech at the dealer seemed to adjust them a very small amount downward, but it was not nearly enough. I think he was hesitant to adjust them very far away from factory spec to avoid any possible liability issues.

If I can find the right sized Allen wrench (it looks like perhaps a 6mm, maybe larger) I will carefully pry off the chrome covers and adjust the bars myself. Riding the bike with the handlebars as they are currently positioned is just not safe.