[TwelveBagger]

Newbie to the forum. I currently ride a VTX1800 bagger and a Magna 750. Before I got these bikes I was really interested in the ST1300, but I took one for a test ride and didn't like the riding position. I was looking for a bike that had cruiser-like ergos but designed for good handling and performance. Everything that sparked my interest either put me in a sport-bike forward lean or was a gigantic Goldwing-like touring machine. I've always liked the idea of the Magna with the sporty v-4 in a cruiser chassis with decent handling. But it's too small for any kind of long distance riding. The VTX has a great motor, comfort and long distance capability but is quite large and only so-so in the handling department. I always thought if I could marry these two bikes together and add a little of the ST, that would be a great bike. I wrote a letter to Honda hoping they would make an updated midsized Magna using the V-4 motor out of the new VFR1200. It looks like they were thinking somewhere along the same lines and the CTX1300 is the result. I am jazzed about this bike and look forward to seeing it at the motorcycle show when it comes to Seattle in a couple months.

Anyway, greetings to all here. Looking forward to the commentary and opinions when this bike becomes available to ride.

 

[Gizmo]

Good to hear from a fellow Magna rider. I am VERY interested in the CTX 1300 for the same reasons, especially because of the "quirks" of the ST 1300.

 

[sleepngbear]

Welcome aboard, 'Bagger!

Since there's nothing else really quite exactly like the CTX1300 out there at the moment, I think you're gonna find a lot of other members with the same reasons for being here -- looking for that 'marriage' between a cruiser and that beautiful V-4 that isn't a land yacht. I, too, had been dreaming of something like a modernized and upsized Magna, but the more I look at this machine, the more I think Honda did better than what I could have dreamed up.

Stick around -- things are only gonna get more fun around here.

 

[DonaldD]

Some people have been comparing the CTX 1300 to the Valkyrie. I can't see them being that similar though since they are both made by Honda. That being said, I really think the CTX 1300 is very unique in look and function. It will be a big draw to the bike.

 

[sleepngbear]

Some people have been comparing the CTX 1300 to the Valkyrie. I can't see them being that similar though since they are both made by Honda. That being said, I really think the CTX 1300 is very unique in look and function. It will be a big draw to the bike.

I agree, they're two pretty different animals. The CTX1300 is probably closer in class to the F6B. I also see the similarities between the new CTX and the DN-01; but something about the CTX appeals to me a whole lot more.

 

[Gizmo]

I agree, they're two pretty different animals. The CTX1300 is probably closer in class to the F6B. I also see the similarities between the new CTX and the DN-01; but something about the CTX appeals to me a whole lot more.

The new CTX is a BETTER value than the DN-01. (Lower cost/better mileage/easier to handle-less weight/equal in power -chain vs shaft drive). The DN-01 was "unique" if nothing else. It was definitely a "learning" experience for Honda.

 

[cheeken]

Welcome to the forum! any photos of your motorcycles?

 

[DonaldD]

I can see the comparison with the DN-01 much more than the Valkyrie. The front fascia looks much more similar to the CTX 1300. @Gizmo makes it sound like the bie wasn't very popular though. What was the problem(s)?

 

[sleepngbear]

I can see the comparison with the DN-01 much more than the Valkyrie. The front fascia looks much more similar to the CTX 1300. @Gizmo makes it sound like the bie wasn't very popular though. What was the problem(s)?

I always thought it was pretty nice looking. I think it's biggest problem was that it was marketed as a 'crossover' bike, that turned out to be more machine than scooter riders wanted, but too scooter-like for 'serious' bikers. All the drawbacks of both, with very few added benefits. Another case of an answer to a question that nobody ever asked (which curiously is what many say about my MINI Paceman...). I don't see the CVT being a huge draw, either (I know, I know, some people really like it). And then there was that $15k sticker.....

 

[Gizmo]

The bike was NOT cost-effective. Not enough bike for the money. At $15k, only the "special" $$ people would be interested in having this piece of machinery in their garage. This is the reason, 4 years later, you can find this bike for sale for about $6-7K, used, IF you can found one. Not too many of these bikes were sold here in the States. When people who originally bought these bikes ($15k), tried to sell them , they lost money, BIG TIME!

 

[Bigdawg]

I liked the look of the DN-01, but was not excited by the power and I did not see any way to fit a tall wind screen which is a deal breaker for me since I prefer the option of touring.

 

[cheeken]

Don't like how it looks

And if you think the CTX looks top heavy

That thing looks insanely top heavy.

 

[TwelveBagger]

Welcome to the forum! any photos of your motorcycles?

I created an album in the photo gallery with my two bikes. Anybody else willing to do the same? I'd love to see what everyone else is riding.

 

[sleepngbear]

I created an album in the photo gallery with my two bikes. Anybody else willing to do the same? I'd love to see what everyone else is riding.

Nice rides. Glad somebody finally broke the ice.

 

[Gizmo]

Don't like how it looks

And if you think the CTX looks top heavy

That thing looks insanely top heavy.

It may look heavy but you would be surprised just how low the weight is and how easy it is to move around. (It does weight about 600 pounds, not the easiest thing to get off of you when you "accidentally" lay it on top of your legs!)

 

[sleepngbear]

It may look heavy but you would be surprised just how low the weight is and how easy it is to move around. (It does weight about 600 pounds, not the easiest thing to get off of you when you "accidentally" lay it on top of your legs!)

Is it any lighter if you intentionally lay it on top of your legs?

Sorry ... couldn't help myself. Again.

 

[Gizmo]

Is it any lighter if you intentionally lay it on top of your legs?

Sorry ... couldn't help myself. Again.

No ... it's about the same!

 

[sleepngbear]

The more I look at (and ogle and drool over) this CTX1300, the more it reminds me of my first bike, a 1985 GL650 Silverwing. Ergos look very similar, and although it's obviously modernized to the nth degree, it's basically the same class -- a lighter weight tourer for those who want comfort and storage, but not the all-out mass of the big 'Wing. Engine and drive train are even familiar -- longitudinally mounted, liquied-cooled V (albeit with half the cylinders and displacement), shaft drive, 5-speed.

This little 650 could move for all that extra stuff that was bolted on. It spanked a couple of Harleys in its day (the big bad noisy-a$$ 1340-cc), and I even wheelied it once (by accident, I swear).

But I'm kinda thinking that throwing a leg over the CTX1300 is gonna be like coming home.

 

[rosy thorn]

The more I look at (and ogle and drool over) this CTX1300, the more it reminds me of my first bike, a 1985 GL650 Silverwing. Ergos look very similar, and although it's obviously modernized to the nth degree, it's basically the same class -- a lighter weight tourer for those who want comfort and storage, but not the all-out mass of the big 'Wing. Engine and drive train are even familiar -- longitudinally mounted, liquied-cooled V (albeit with half the cylinders and displacement), shaft drive, 5-speed.

This little 650 could move for all that extra stuff that was bolted on. It spanked a couple of Harleys in its day (the big bad noisy-a$$ 1340-cc), and I even wheelied it once (by accident, I swear).

But I'm kinda thinking that throwing a leg over the CTX1300 is gonna be like coming home.

no body wheels by accident LOL

 

[SoCalRyder]

The more I look at (and ogle and drool over) this CTX1300, the more it reminds me of my first bike, a 1985 GL650 Silverwing. Ergos look very similar, and although it's obviously modernized to the nth degree, it's basically the same class -- a lighter weight tourer for those who want comfort and storage, but not the all-out mass of the big 'Wing. Engine and drive train are even familiar -- longitudinally mounted, liquied-cooled V (albeit with half the cylinders and displacement), shaft drive, 5-speed.

This little 650 could move for all that extra stuff that was bolted on. It spanked a couple of Harleys in its day (the big bad noisy-a$$ 1340-cc), and I even wheelied it once (by accident, I swear).

But I'm kinda thinking that throwing a leg over the CTX1300 is gonna be like coming home.

sure seems like the CTX1300 has a good seat height, something that should work for a wide range of people.