Bike folks: Honda VTX1300C -- input, please?

[bestseller92]

A Honda dealership near where we live has new, never sold, no mileage 2007 Honda VTX1300C cycles for $7499 each.

I haven't ridden in a while, but I've had the cycle itch for a few years now, and this price is hard to pass up.

I wonder if anyone here has any experience with the VTX, and if so, how is the reliability, etc. I don't want a bike I have to work on constantly. I'd like to be able to just take off when I get the itch and go down any road that looks interesting, for a week or two at a time. I'd really like to cruise around old Billy the Kid country in New Mexico or visit the ancestral 1800s family home area of Trigg County, Kentucky. I've heard that the 1300s are fully adequate for these kinds of trips.

Thanks for any info.

[fightingquaker13]

Here's a general query. Where the hell do folks ride these things, outside of BMX courses? They sem to sell well. But here in the SE, theyv've been banned from most state and national forestes and WMAs. Unless you've got a few thousand acres of private land or live out west with access to BLM land, what's the point? I'd love to have a good answer, as I love offroading, it just seems that demographics and poor ratios of people per acre of public land are sounding the death knell. I can't even object as I don't want someone running dirt bikes around my stand the day before season either. I'm just jealous and curious.
FQ13

[Pathfinder]

Here's a general query. Where the hell do folks ride these things, outside of BMX courses? They sem to sell well. But here in the SE, theyv've been banned from most state and national forestes and WMAs. Unless you've got a few thousand acres of private land or live out west with access to BLM land, what's the point? I'd love to have a good answer, as I love offroading, it just seems that demographics and poor ratios of people per acre of public land are sounding the death knell. I can't even object as I don't want someone running dirt bikes around my stand the day before season either. I'm just jealous and curious.
FQ13

Is there anything you're not an idiot about, FQ? Being a "libertarian", bho, then there's the spelling, the whole BFR "rifle" incident, and now this?

These are touring bikes, not BMX-types. Touring means, I guess, you could ride them on any paved surface, like a highway, or county road, or even a city street. Any city street.

This is an '08, couldn't find a picture of an '07:

[fightingquaker13]

Is there anything you're not an idiot about, FQ? Being a "libertarian", bho, then there's the spelling, the whole BFR "rifle" incident, and now this?

These are touring bikes, not BMX-types. Touring means, I guess, you could ride them on any paved surface, like a highway, or county road, or even a city street. Any city street.

This is an '08, couldn't find a picture of an '07:

You have me here. I will admit when I am at fault, and here I was. I misread the model number, as I was looking longlingly at a a stupidly cheap Honda dirt bike ($850 for 1000 miles '07) on Craigs List and just could not even remotely justify it. YOU try reasearching bikes too late at night and tell me you won't get get your model numbers wrong. That being said, A) It seems I will disagree on the libertarian=idiot thing. However, it does seem like a nice ride at a sweet price. I love American made, but Harley/Vincent stylying at half the price for a solid brand, well, the budget has to answer that question. Anyway, my bad, no more unreasearched posts after 2 am. Damn insommnia anyway.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

Most of the "Jap" bikes (at least Honda and Kawi  the 2 top sellers ) are actually made in the US,
And if you lift the seat on that "all American" Harley you will find the markings on the fuel and electrical systems are all Japanese.
Honda has built a solid reputation over the years for low maintenance reliability as has Kawi, but some models of Kawisaki were a bear to work on when they DID need it, where as Honda's have always seemed to take the simplest path.

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

We were just talking about this deal last night at a picnic at our place ... Mother-in-law's party not mine 

The Honda dealers around here are offering the same deals, and the "bike guys" were talking that if you are in the market to buy this is the time to pick one up.  One dealer did inform someone asking that if they didn't sell they will go lower, but it will be like a Dutch auction - you snooze you lose!

A friend of ours just had an '07 Honda that was very good for him (he traded it for an '09 Road King last month because he's always wanted a Harley), and their son just went from an '07 1300 to an '09 1800 because he young with an overflow of testosterone 

I don't have the bike and haven't tried one, but from the friends experience and what I learned last evening I would grab one if I was in the market.

Good luck!

[Pathfinder]

You have me here. I will admit when I am at fault, and here I was. I misread the model number, as I was looking longlingly at a a stupidly cheap Honda dirt bike ($850 for 1000 miles '07) on Craigs List and just could not even remotely justify it. YOU try reasearching bikes too late at night and tell me you won't get get your model numbers wrong. That being said, A) It seems I will disagree on the libertarian=idiot thing. However, it does seem like a nice ride at a sweet price. I love American made, but Harley/Vincent stylying at half the price for a solid brand, well, the budget has to answer that question. Anyway, my bad, no more unreasearched posts after 2 am. Damn insommnia anyway.
FQ13

No problemo - hey, I'm the guy who has all but begged people not to let me post late at night or early in the morning because of all of the mis-statements I make! 

BTW - the idiot part still stands.     

And "libertarian" is intentionally in quotes cuz quite honestly, I think most real Libertarians would disown you for bho alone, let alone some of your other views.

[alfack]

I almost bought one a few years ago. I really like the looks and reputation they had. The only thing I don't like about the VTX is the lack of fuel injection. Why honda does not put FI in them is beyond me.

There is a good forum dedicated to these bikes, though:

http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7

I never did get the bike and since then have been looking at lighter bikes like the Kawasaki Versys. Maybe when Obama drives gas prices up to $5 a gallon I will finally pull the trigger.

[Timothy]

Honda makes a good product, should last years with nothing more than normal maintinence and rubber.

I've ridden most of my life until my accident and as you age, your ability to sit in the saddle for extended periods will wear on your tired backside.  As long as your young enough, sitting on a cruiser such as this one for 8 or 10 hours should be OK.  I found that as I got older, I could not do more than 250 - 300 miles a day without major discomfort.

Just food for thought!  The price is pretty good compared to a Harley but I've always considered Harley's rediculously overpriced!

p.s.....Harley wheels are made in China!

[bestseller92]

Honda makes a good product, should last years with nothing more than normal maintinence and rubber.

I've ridden most of my life until my accident and as you age, your ability to sit in the saddle for extended periods will wear on your tired backside.  As long as your young enough, sitting on a cruiser such as this one for 8 or 10 hours should be OK.  I found that as I got older, I could not do more than 250 - 300 miles a day without major discomfort.

My idea of a good long bike ride would be to ride when I want, go down any road that looks interesting, and get off and rest when I feel tired.  Nowhere to be at any particular time, no pressure to get there fast.  Freedom.