Hello People

[tommyboy]

I have a confession to make. At this time I do not own a VTX but am working on the wife and the finances. I presently own a VT1100 that I either want to sell or just keep around in case someone wants to ride with me.

Anyway. The VTX 1300S is one of the most beautiful out of the crate bikes I have ever seen and I was hoping that I might get some honest opinions from whoever wants to provide them.

I promise to keep everyone posted as to when, not if, I can see my way clear to buy one of these babies. Right now I have 3 kids in college and one getting married in July. Not much extra money floating around.

Thanks,

Tommyboy

[Mer]

Anyway. The VTX 1300S is one of the most beautiful out of the crate bikes I have ever seen

I agree!! The VTX was (and still is) my dream bike. I hope you get your bike soon! Oh....and WELCOME!!

[chazb458]

Not sure what all I was expecting out of Honda other than a fun reliable ride. Those two items are in the bag. As for the rest, pleanty of power and looks right out of the crate and a much better value then some of it's competion.

[JohnNC]

I've owned 4 bikes previously; 3 Hondas and a Suzuki. I just got back into a bike and picked the VTX1300S. I rented a HD Fat Boy and rode a friends V-Star 1100 before selecting the VTX. You can get 2 VTX's for one Fat Boy!

Like chaz said, the Honda reliability is a given, but what I like is the RIDE. It's powerful, handles awesomely for a 700# bike and looks better than anything else right out of the crate. There's lots of after market goodies, too. I'll have this bike for a long time.

Good luck in lining up your resources. You couldn't get a bettter value or overall bike than the VTX, imho. Welcome to the board!

[VTXcitable Boy]

You won't be sorry. The 1100 is a good Bike. It will keep up w/ the 1300. It won't however come close to the handling and power. I almost bought an 1800. Glad I didn't.I can run w/ the 1800 anyday. That is unless the person wants to crank it on.I just can't see well enough to get that agressive. I used to own a Norton comando. If you know the Bike it will hurt an 1800.You can get 97 hp out of it. Now that's a bike eater. Also rode a 900 Kawi. Whoa. 142 mph w/ 2 up! The need for speed is a fickle game. I could talk for hours about muscle cars, handleing and money. My opinion? Git what you want. Geezerism is starting to set in for me. I like my 1300 S because if you need the power you can get it. Roll that throttle and snap those gears. The only one who's gonna catch you is a maniac. I carry ballbearings in my vest for the bad ones. I keep a six pack at home for the nice ones. You buy this bike you'll die of smileitis. She'a keeper, even if you sell the 1100. My tenth bike, and the best. Jmo. wildman.....

[Big-X]

I agree with the others, the 1300 is an excellent bike. I bought my 1800 because my wife and I want to ride in the mountians and we wanted the extra power to pull us ok. But the 1300 is perfectly balanced and sweet, she wants one now.

[tommyboy]

I really appreciate everyone's comments. I also found an article on the internet from some bike magazine that basically said the same thing as all of you except it was a bit more technical. I saw some nice customizing options on this website as well. Who's bike is it that has the whitewalls and all the chrome? I tried to find it last night to show my wife and could not find it. I think it's black.

Thanks again,

Tommyboy

[xkartracer]

I had a Yamaha Virago after high school in '82 it was short lived I had other things
to do.I caught the bug again for riding could not bring myself to do the Harley thing which most of my friends ride I tried a 750 shadow,1100 ace fell in love with the 1300 it is powerful enough has the looks and handles Great.Todd/'04 1300s.

[JohnNC]

I really appreciate everyone's comments. I also found an article on the internet from some bike magazine that basically said the same thing as all of you except it was a bit more technical. I saw some nice customizing options on this website as well. Who's bike is it that has the whitewalls and all the chrome? I tried to find it last night to show my wife and could not find it. I think it's black.

Thanks again,

Tommyboy
I think you saw NC Hammer's tricked out ride. :icon_cool Very cool bike! You can find him on many threads and just click on his profile in the left column, picture gallery in there somewhere. `Hope this helps

[tommyboy]

Thanks John. I found it and showed the wife. Those white walls really make it sparkle.

[NC Hammer]

I really appreciate everyone's comments. I also found an article on the internet from some bike magazine that basically said the same thing as all of you except it was a bit more technical. I saw some nice customizing options on this website as well. Who's bike is it that has the whitewalls and all the chrome? I tried to find it last night to show my wife and could not find it. I think it's black.

Thanks again,

Tommyboy

Thanks for the compliments. I have spent alot of time picking the right goodies for my bike. Since this picture I have added a clear brake light lens and the Kuryakin clear turn signal covers. Also added Kury grips, spotlight visors, to conform to the headlight profile, and a Robert Wilson type 2 tank bib.

The first few accessories I bought were FUNCTIONAL. The windshield & lightbar, highway bars, hard bags and the Ultimate seats. After that it was looks. Various items came from the Christmas list and from an occsional whim on my part. I wasn't sure I would like the white walls until I had them. Man they make a difference. I put on the white walls the day before the 2004 Honda Hoot at 12,000 miles. Everyone liked the look. The guys I ride with started calling it that gangster bike because it reminded them of the old '20s gangster cars.

I was and still am looking for that 'clean & classy' look. I think it's there.

I'm not real happy with her right now because at this years Hoot (2005) I got a flat in the rear tire. Had use my Honda Riders Club membership to get it trailored to the Knoxville dealership. $278 for a rear tire and it was black. Boy did they stick it to me!. Now I have white on the front and black on the back. It looks like crap. I have just ordered new whites from HDL at $189.95 FOR BOTH. I have just over 22,000 on her now and have about 8,000 to go before I can put on the new tires. I just can't bring myself to trashing that black tire until I wear it out a little. But I'll be ready this spring to get her looking good again.

As far as how I like the bike: I love it! I have ridden 2 up plenty of times and have had plenty of power, etc. Allbeit most of the ladies were under 140lbs. I understand BigXs desire to have that extra power and I agree. Most of the time I ride solo. I ride with 2 guys that have 1800s and I stay with them just fine (sometimes I even lead, LOL). I fill my tank every other time we stop for gas. I am getting an average of 45 mph.

Advice: Buy what you want. Wait for what you want if $$ are tight. Pick an overall look and build up to that look. DON'T SETTLE FOR beacuse you don't have the $$. Look at other VTXs, sit on some, ask about accessories before you buy. There's plenty of folks out here that will be happy to give you their opinions. Some things may cost a little more but if you wait, you won't be saying, "I wish I had that windshield, or I wish I had those seats." Don't go cheap. You're going to have this bike for a long time.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Here's another look:

http://www.vtxcafe.com/gallery/data/500/19Bike-7-18-04-1-800-med.jpg

[Mer]

SWEET!!!!! Very nice!!

[ROSHOLT1]

Great looking bike Hammer, what is the web address for HDL ?

[NC Hammer]

http://www.hondadirectlineusa.com/vtx/index.asp

[roadhag]

nc hammer....extremely classy ride!!! would love to take that "look" route but do not think my silver retro would do that idea justice...so still perusing for the right looks/ideas
tommyboy...take some time and peruse the photos...is a blast and very informative to see all of the differnet ideas/schemes everyone has taken...really will help to give you a plan to shoot for...best of luck

[NC Hammer]

I Have a few ideas if I had to do it again. Even though black is fastest, I would get a Red Retro (yes, with spokes, even though they're a pain to clean). I'd still go with the Honda windshield, lightbar, visors, Lindby bars, Honda deluxe backrest, fender tips, tank trim, lay down plate and clear lenses all around. What I would do different would be the leather stuff. Light Brown or Tan for the Ultimate seats with fringe and studs. Matching tank bib and bags. Between the light brown, red, black and chrome. Everyone would stop thinking my bike is a Harley Fat Boy and think it's an Indian. I could even put that funky light thing on the front fender and mabey even a few pinstripes . (LOL)

[roadhag]

it's the seats...most definitely....tan saddle seats with the
red inlays that would match the bike color....aahhh , the
dreams begin

[NC Hammer]

Hmmmmm...... now when does that CD mature???

Another 1300 in the garage.... Sounds good to me.

[VTXRI]

Just couldn't day anymore than what was said.. the 1300S style looks and power. The add ons and mods you do can anywhere from mild to wild.. I like the old scool look of the retro S and with the V&H pipes people know you are coming.

Here is a picture of my bike.. this one is blue with white walls and now I have 59 Caddy Tail Lights.. gotta update the picture

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/ejk002/WhiteWalls567x348.jpg

[NC Hammer]

Gotta love those Wide Whites. They look good on all colors.

Nice Ride Rhode Island. I imagine it's startin to get a little cold up there.

I grew up in NJ and rode for a few years (Sussex Cty) 1971 Yamaha 650.

Now I'm enjoying the Carolina weather and riding all year. I just installed wind deflectors for my hands. I plan on taking them back off in March. They don't look as bad as I thought they would. And they work pretty good. My hands still get cold on that early morning ride to work, they just don't get numb anymore.

[roy]

I've had my 1300 c for 3 months, now have 6000 miles on it. rode the iron butt, any and all rides I can find and for the price it's the best on the market. Only thing hard to find is accesories but if you look hard enough you'll find almost everything you want. buy and enjoy. Roy Baton Rouge , La

[DAR]

I love my 1300R - The main difference is that I'm not going to have to clean those spoke wheels ( to each his own). I got more than I thought when I bought it. Great choice. Now get in there and just buy the thing. Think in terms of how to do it instead of why you can't.

[JawzX01]

I just bought my about a month ago. I love it and like everyone else said, it handles great and (you can see for yourself) it looks great. (I picked up a VTX1300R because I like the retro/"toury" look)

It has plenty of power and it is just awe-inspiring to ride... I mean really, I can't get enough of it.

If you want to save some cash, you might want to look at some used VTXs... You can probably saved $1500 or so... I know they are out there... Why I don't know, but they are. You might pick one up that that has a little modification on it (negotiate against that), but already-there mods aren't the worse thing in the world.

Good luck and hang in there,
Frank

[AutoMovt]

The Retro 1300 is a great bike right out of the box, and now there are tons of aftermaker add-ons to make it your own. Good luck with getting the funding.