Honda VTX 1300 / VTX 1800 Motorcycles Forum banner

Preformance Upgrades

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21K views 46 replies 23 participants last post by  ctgblue  
#1 ·
I was wondering what performance upgrades are available for the 1300 engine? Doe anyone make an after market cam? Please help; i feel the need for MORE speed.:choppersm
 
#2 ·
Some will tell you if you need more speed go to an 1800. I'm not much of a mech so I can't really help you but I have seen kits made for the 1300 to add nitrous if you want to go that route. Good look on your search.
 
#3 ·
You can always go http://www.efrracing.com/hondaVTX1800Turbo.html

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But generally speaking I'd prefer a crotch rocket if I need to get my 1800 to be faster than it is... first things first, change what you wish, like pipes... perhaps a Hypercharger (some claim helps a little with power) intake...

Take it to a good dyno machine and have them tune up your ride... it'll definitely improve its performance... beyond that... spends gobs of money on a nitrous system (which will likely ruin your engine over a much shorter period of time), gobs of money on a turbo system like above, or get a spare ride (crotch rocket).

Happy hunting.

Mort
 
#21 ·
You can always go http://www.efrracing.com/hondaVTX1800Turbo.html

Image


But generally speaking I'd prefer a crotch rocket if I need to get my 1800 to be faster than it is... first things first, change what you wish, like pipes... perhaps a Hypercharger (some claim helps a little with power) intake...

Take it to a good dyno machine and have them tune up your ride... it'll definitely improve its performance... beyond that... spends gobs of money on a nitrous system (which will likely ruin your engine over a much shorter period of time), gobs of money on a turbo system like above, or get a spare ride (crotch rocket).

Happy hunting.

Mort
Well said Mort, I don't understand why the people who want to have a bike as fast as a crotch rocket didn't buy one. Maybe they didn't spend enough time test driving bikes before getting one. Personally the 1800 has more speed and acceleration than I'll ever fully use. I don't like a bike I need to lay on the tank and shift behind me anyway.
 
#4 ·
Why the need for speed? The 1300 has ample power and will cruise all day with anything on the road. Not really any upgrades to give you the big bang for the buck that you seem to crave except to paint it BLACK if it is not already that way. I'm sure the BLUE CREW will give you the same advice.....
 
#6 ·
Agree with previous posts, especially painting it BLACK :stirpot:. And welcome from Northern Indiana, where you located? There are a good number of members in the area, some really great guys. Check the Home Page for a Meet and Greet this Sat. in Edwardsburg, Mi. Ride Safe
 
#12 ·
Man!!....These things come in groups don't they?? :rolleyes:....The most you're gonna get from a 1300 is MAYBE 8-10 hp...And that comes with just exhaust mods, airbox mods and carb tuning...You're not gonna make it a street terror, scaring 'Busa and V-Max owners...


BTW..There's another thread posted this week from a guy wanting to bore and stroke out his 1300....Being that these are liquid cooled bikes, not much to gain there either...
 
#13 ·
With the bore & stroke @ 89.5 x 104.3 you're not gonna get much more than a few more hp's even with proper dyno tuning. Here's an overview on the 1300 by Motorcyclist Magazine:


verdict: In many ways the VTX1300 is a better bike than its 1800cc counterpart. Styling is nearly identical, but the drivetrain is smoother, handling is much more responsive, and the sound is classic V-twin.






A wide range of riders adapted comfortably to the riding position, thanks to the low-rise handlebar and flexibility of the floorboards. Few found a sweet spot on the saddle, however, because the seat is contoured so that almost no backsides fit it comfortably. Petite riders might adapt. We expect the aftermarket to quickly provide remedies for this, which is the only significant comfort shortcoming of the 1300S. You'll also feel a bit of vibration, though few riders felt it intruded, even on long rides. The suspenders--dual preload-adjustable dampers in back and covered 41mm legs in front--do an admirable job of absorbing large pavement jolts, but the ride gets a bit choppy over smaller seams and cracks.







Although the whole package looks nearly identical to the 1800...there is a tremendous difference in feel.



Honda claims 76 horsepower at 5000 rpm for the VTX1300. (Our tester cranked out 60.3 hp at 5000 rpm and 77.4 foot-pounds of torque at 3000 rpm on the SuperFlow dyno.) Acceleration is comparable with the stronger 1100s (such as the defunct Virago). Power flows smoothly from just off idle, with plenty in hand for top-gear passing on the highway. Throttle response is smooth and predictable. The gearbox and clutch work smoothly, but there is a bit of lash in the drivetrain, which can induce some lurching in throttle transitions. Indeed, chassis jacking with throttle changes is much less noticeable than on the 1800. In a class where sound can be as important as performance, the single-crankpin layout of the engine joins with carefully tuned intake and exhaust systems to produce a solid exhaust note and a traditional cruiser cadence. We like it.Heavy bikes with a single front brake usually mean lethargic stops, but Honda has teamed what is probably the biggest brake rotor (13.2 inches) of any cruiser with an effective two-piston caliper to produce strong, straight stops with good control. The pedal for the rear brake is bigger than that of many cars, but it is easy for most feet to cover and the brake provides good power and control.
 
#18 ·
I will get a Busa at some point... just gotta figure out what to do with my wife...

... ;)
 
#20 ·
I just sold my 1983 V65 for my 1800. That V65 made it 4,000 miles round trip to Sturgis and numerous rallies in the two years I had it. It was NEVER beat by anything that I rode with including EVO Harleys. I paid $2000 for it, and sold it two years later for $2200. I put elbow grease into it, but never cracked the motor. Yes, a Suzuki and new Vmax would beat it, but dollar for dollar, I had a blast on a bike that was approaching 30 years old and ran like the wind. I wish I would have kept it, but needed the cash for the VTX. I love my VTX, but it's for different riding. The V65 was plenty fast, still probably was running 11's and a classic.
 
#26 ·
http://www.aftcustoms.com/images/VTX_1.jpg AFT Customs Performance Kit for VTX 1300. Cams and Pistons 11:1 ratio. Easy mod to do, only down side is you have to send him your cams to get reground. So bike down for that time about a week.
I have this. I like it. Am at 69HP and 78TQ. Gotta love all the guys who can't even stay on track about the right motorcycle bashing the guy who wants to tweak his ride.


How about if you don't have a answer to the question just drive on. Telling him to buy an 1800, busa, or v65 was never a part of the question.
 
#24 ·
Last Friday I put in a stage 2 jet kit and a K&N filter. I had already bored out my stock pipes and pulled out the baffles. Prior to jetting the carb and putting in the K&N filter I had l weak torque until I hit 4000 rpm. My max speed was 120. Yesterday, I buried the speedometer at over 130. Strong and quick torque through to the top end. Very responsive for passing. I cant wait to ride with by buddies when they pull their bikes out for the summer. They will be going to the Honda shop. Serves them right for not manning up and riding through the winter.
 
#25 ·
I'm not certain, but horsepower is what gets you to attain higher speeds... torque is what gets you to launch from stop, thus you're higher top speed would indicate less torque (as it is a balance) and instead more horsepower to attain that top end.

Words perhaps, but ya know.

Mort:cheers:
 
#29 ·
#32 ·
I have this kit and I got a 15% boost in HP if the starting point for bone stock 1300's are 60HP. I believe that if I get my bike professionally dyno tuned and get a set of 2-1 pipes or pipes with a crossover of some sort I will see a little bit more out of it. I think my HK Big 3's, while sounding great, are not the ideal "performance" pipe. This week or next I am going to take my heads to a machine shop and get them port and polished. Well ported if we can find a valve/spring combo that will work. But certainly polished.
 
#34 ·
Ive been going on poker and benefit rides with my 1300 and It seems when we come up to a stop and turn everyone gets on it and I'm the passer, No Harley has passed me so why would you need more.
We have what is called the Chosen Few bike gang in our town and they have complimented my bike.
I am interested in the cams to have a more lopey Idle if they do that. As far as the pistons I'm not interested.
 
#37 ·
Ive been going on poker and benefit rides with my 1300 and It seems when we come up to a stop and turn everyone gets on it and I'm the passer, No Harley has passed me so why would you need more.
We have what is called the Chosen Few bike gang in our town and they have complimented my bike.
I am interested in the cams to have a more lopey Idle if they do that. As far as the pistons I'm not interested.

And I'm on mine, wringing it out, trying to merge on a 70mph freeway and almost getting eaten by trucks every time.
Seat of pants test rides, newer Harley Dyna 96's and especially 103's, will eat the VTX1300's lunch.
720+lbs of bike, 250lbs of me in full leathers and gear, = not enough power in the 1300. Hole saw mod, K&N freeflow, tune, still not enough, just sounds better.

So like others, who like the feel of the bike but actually like acceleration, performance mods would be nice.