The rear swap is for 2 reasons, one gives a quicker jump off the line for accelleration, the other is for a reduction of a couple hundred rpm for better mileage. The 13 is a lot lighter, so should be a bit more nimble, but on a twisty mtn. road the 18 handles just fine. My $.02.
1300 vs 1800 handling
Ok I seen alot of vs threads but none on witch has a better handling I'm riding a 13 c and was curious to if the 18 was better in the curves. anyone know and I also seen somewhere on here that ppl was taking the final drive from the 13 and putting it on the 18 why they doing that also? Tia
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Honestly that helped thanks just nice to know it can keep up with the 13 in the curves but yea I'm cures on why honda didnt swap the final out themselves if the 13 was better
Whoa. Nobody says it's better. Different strokes for different folks. I happen to be in the minority that LOVES a Darkside car tire on the rear. Doesn't mean it's any better, except for superior traction/ braking in wet or dry conditions, quadruple or better the mileage of a MC tire, half or less the cost of an MC tire, but other than that, they may be equal. LOL FWIW, it does require a bit of counter steer in the twisties, but nothing excessive, and after the first couple hundred miles, I never notice the difference. I can scrape pegs with the best of 'em.Honestly that helped thanks just nice to know it can keep up with the 13 in the curves but yea I'm cures on why honda didnt swap the final out themselves if the 13 was better
Nether did I just wanted to know if it keep up in the twisties like the 13 and yea darkside I'm still on the fence with that lol I get it especially for the mileage but I push the mc tires I have now to thier limit in the curves 😅
Been Darkside since about 2010...Boards scrape the pavement before I run out of tire grip.....
Not all car tires are designed the same, some have stiffer sidewalls, some have a more square-to-the-pavement look. The more round the profile, instead of squareish, the better it will handle leaning in twisties.Nether did I just wanted to know if it keep up in the twisties like the 13 and yea darkside I'm still on the fence with that lol I get it especially for the mileage but I push the mc tires I have now to thier limit in the curves 😅
Yea I honestly didn't know that kinda interesting 🤔 thanks for the info👍
Read as much as you can about a given subject, ask as many questions as you like, and then make the decision that is best for YOU.Yea I honestly didn't know that kinda interesting 🤔 thanks for the info👍
I like how it went from wich exhaust is better to darkside talk lol ether way ur not wrong and it's what I normally do especially when it's gonna cost some $
Hahaha! No rule that sez a thread has to stay on track! This forum is really a 'crazy train', thanks Ozzy.I like how it went from wich exhaust is better to darkside talk lol ether way ur not wrong and it's what I normally do especially when it's gonna cost some $
Lol yea I've seen why I like being on here ✌😎
I haven't read every reply here but I own both and have about 25k miles on my 1300 since 2020 and about 2k miles on my 1800 since going darkside only about 4k miles on the 1800 before darkside.
My 1300 has progressive rear suspension and racetech gold up front with thick oil and stiff springs.
My 1800 has original (2003) rear and clapped out/blown front suspension.
The 1300 is extremely nimble. The 1800 on a mc tire is far more powerful and a lot heavier. I feel less sure of myself when scraping floorboards on the 1800 regardless of tire. I think the required speed for stability in such an aggressive lean is a bit higher on the heavy bike. I've rarely scraped the boards on my 1800 but my 1300 I've gone too far in roundabouts a few dozen times. So far that I'm actually riding on the sidewall and feeling the rear tire slide free. Feels like I'm literally milliseconds from watching it slide away from me as I get run over.
I've never done close to leaning that far in the 1800. Due to the previous motorcycle tire shape and dilapidated nature of the rubber, I did have the rear break free a few times when leaning to a moderate degree and accelerating. It has so much power that it can quickly get away from you.
I've ridden on a few bikes with a ton of combined mileage. I'm no expert but far from a beginner. The 1300 feels like a sport bike compared to the 1800. As far as handling goes.
My 1300 has progressive rear suspension and racetech gold up front with thick oil and stiff springs.
My 1800 has original (2003) rear and clapped out/blown front suspension.
The 1300 is extremely nimble. The 1800 on a mc tire is far more powerful and a lot heavier. I feel less sure of myself when scraping floorboards on the 1800 regardless of tire. I think the required speed for stability in such an aggressive lean is a bit higher on the heavy bike. I've rarely scraped the boards on my 1800 but my 1300 I've gone too far in roundabouts a few dozen times. So far that I'm actually riding on the sidewall and feeling the rear tire slide free. Feels like I'm literally milliseconds from watching it slide away from me as I get run over.
I've never done close to leaning that far in the 1800. Due to the previous motorcycle tire shape and dilapidated nature of the rubber, I did have the rear break free a few times when leaning to a moderate degree and accelerating. It has so much power that it can quickly get away from you.
I've ridden on a few bikes with a ton of combined mileage. I'm no expert but far from a beginner. The 1300 feels like a sport bike compared to the 1800. As far as handling goes.
They both are great you have to pick them up according to your requirements. 1300 is the lighter and older version as compared to 1800. I mostly preferred 1800 because it provides better mileage and the best performance. While on the other hand, 1300 is also much better.
I will respectfully disagree with two important aspects of this post. The 1800 does NOT "provides better mileage". I am sure that this poster means fuel miIeage. The 1800 provides substantially WORSE fuel mileage and a shorter range than the 1300.They both are great you have to pick them up according to your requirements. 1300 is the lighter and older version as compared to 1800. I mostly preferred 1800 because it provides better mileage and the best performance. While on the other hand, 1300 is also much better.
The second point on which I disagree is the statement that the 1300 is an "older version as compared to 1800". They were produced at about the same time and, if you want to be exact, the 1800 is a bit older. According to Wikipedia (yes, I realize it is not always accurate but I looked at other sources as well which confirmed the Wikipedia info), the 1800 was first produced for the 2000 or 2001 model year (both years are cited in Wikipedia) while the 1300 was first produced for the 2002 or 2003 model year (again, both years are cited). Thus, the 1800 model is 1-2 years older than the 1300 model but the real key is that they are both about the same age - very early 2000s.
Lastly, I have no clue what this poster means by, "on the other hand, 1300 is also much better". Better than the 1800 I suppose but at what?
I
I agree with vinish on mileage though. I can only get my 1300 down to about 30mpg and my 1800 has only gotten me up to 30mpg. So if you drive like a bloody psychopath everywhere on the 1300 and drive like a scared Grandma on the 1800 then maybe you'll get better fuel economy inn the 1800. Only someone truly insane would ever do that long term.
I could see them meaning the 1300 is an older design in that it is carbureted, utilizing older technology. In my opinion carbureted can be better at everything except power delivery when comparing identical engines.I will respectfully disagree with two important aspects of this post. The 1800 does NOT "provides better mileage". I am sure that this poster means fuel miIeage. The 1800 provides substantially WORSE fuel mileage and a shorter range than the 1300.
The second point on which I disagree is the statement that the 1300 is an "older version as compared to 1800". They were produced at about the same time and, if you want to be exact, the 1800 is a bit older. According to Wikipedia (yes, I realize it is not always accurate but I looked at other sources as well which confirmed the Wikipedia info), the 1800 was first produced for the 2000 or 2001 model year (both years are cited in Wikipedia) while the 1300 was first produced for the 2002 or 2003 model year (again, both years are cited). Thus, the 1800 model is 1-2 years older than the 1300 model but the real key is that they are both about the same age - very early 2000s.
Lastly, I have no clue what this poster means by, "on the other hand, 1300 is also much better". Better than the 1800 I suppose but at what?
I agree with vinish on mileage though. I can only get my 1300 down to about 30mpg and my 1800 has only gotten me up to 30mpg. So if you drive like a bloody psychopath everywhere on the 1300 and drive like a scared Grandma on the 1800 then maybe you'll get better fuel economy inn the 1800. Only someone truly insane would ever do that long term.
Just a thought: The earliest 1800's were sold as a 2002. I guess that means they could have been in showrooms in mid to late 2001, but sold as a 2002 model. Just like cars have done forever.
Hey PaXman11, keep in mind that on a 2003 VTX1300, that was the only year they used an electric fuel pump. I could never figure out why, especially on a bike equipped with a carburator. I get 40-45 MPG on mine depending if I am in the throttle or not.I
I could see them meaning the 1300 is an older design in that it is carbureted, utilizing older technology. In my opinion carbureted can be better at everything except power delivery when comparing identical engines.
I agree with vinish on mileage though. I can only get my 1300 down to about 30mpg and my 1800 has only gotten me up to 30mpg. So if you drive like a bloody psychopath everywhere on the 1300 and drive like a scared Grandma on the 1800 then maybe you'll get better fuel economy inn the 1800. Only someone truly insane would ever do that long term.
I completely acknowledge your statement. Thanks for correcting me. 🤗I will respectfully disagree with two important aspects of this post. The 1800 does NOT "provides better mileage". I am sure that this poster means fuel miIeage. The 1800 provides substantially WORSE fuel mileage and a shorter range than the 1300.
The second point on which I disagree is the statement that the 1300 is an "older version as compared to 1800". They were produced at about the same time and, if you want to be exact, the 1800 is a bit older. According to Wikipedia (yes, I realize it is not always accurate but I looked at other sources as well which confirmed the Wikipedia info), the 1800 was first produced for the 2000 or 2001 model year (both years are cited in Wikipedia) while the 1300 was first produced for the 2002 or 2003 model year (again, both years are cited). Thus, the 1800 model is 1-2 years older than the 1300 model but the real key is that they are both about the same age - very early 2000s.
Lastly, I have no clue what this poster means by, "on the other hand, 1300 is also much better". Better than the 1800 I suppose but at what?
40-45MPH How is your vtx 1300 set up what mods have you done and at what elevation are you at please?Hey PaXman11, keep in mind that on a 2003 VTX1300, that was the only year they used an electric fuel pump. I could never figure out why, especially on a bike equipped with a carburator. I get 40-45 MPG on mine depending if I am in the throttle or not.
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