The Honda VTX 1800 is a fast bike, but it can use a little more horsepower. There are four main ways to improve its performance and improve your motorcycle riding experience. By adding power to the VTX, you can also increase emissions, both noise and environmental. Many states have laws about what modifications are street legal, so check your local regulations before starting this project.
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Honda VTX1300S: cruiser, 2005, 1312 cm³, 74 hp, 295 kg, 300,000 rubles, mileage 13,000 km
Honda VTX1300S: cruiser, 2005, 1312 cm³, 74 hp, 295 kg, 300,000 rub., mileage 13,000 km
By a strange coincidence, my friend’s “big brother”, the VTX1800C, appeared in my garage around the same time, so I consider it possible to refer to it from time to time. Externally, the VTX is distinctive and simply beautiful. A large V-twin, deep fenders a la Indian, a wide steering wheel, a dashboard on the tank, a massive clutch cover - everything is in the canons of the 21st century cruiser style. Although it is a Honda, it is assembled at a plant in western Ohio and is aimed at the US market. Do you like big American motorcycles? That's what I love! But not for brutality, but for stylish elegance, which provides him (and the rider, of course!) with constant attention from the fair sex (both the rider and not). Even with a minimum of tuning, it looks like a complete work of art. It is authentic in itself. It doesn’t need panniers or windshields, and at first you want to remove the passenger seat and leave it in the garage. But I want to upset the conservatives - there is much more plastic in it than in the 1800, so if anyone wants a “BIG IRON MOTHERBIKE”, it’s better to buy a “big brother” or a “Harley”.
In general, the device looks heavier than it actually is. The center of gravity is low, the seating position is suitable even for not very tall riders. The steering wheel is wide, wider than on the VTX1800, and therefore there is a risk of getting stuck in the city where another Gold Wing will fit through. In my opinion, a motorcycle is not particularly suitable for everyday trips around the metropolis. Review in the mirrors of the sluggish four. The seat is large but hard. There are platforms under your feet, so if you ride in anything more than airborne combat boots, I’m sure that the “kettle confuses the pedals” show for those around you is guaranteed! Although, after getting used to the “swing”, switching no longer causes such grinding of teeth as in the first days. We remember the Russian opposition, damn it!
However, let's move on to what is no less important for a cafe traveling further than the exterior - the hardware. The heart of the device is a V-shaped Honda. Today's, not yesterday's, production technologies and materials, modern design - all this gives the outwardly conservative power unit a set of excellent characteristics inherent in modern choppers. Steady idle, clear gearbox, trouble-free starting. One carburetor and liquid cooling - forget about the problems and don’t let the equipment carry you around! The dynamics at speeds up to 160 are even excessive, but then the engine has to work harder. In a convoy on the highway you won’t be ashamed of your motorcycle - the acceleration characteristics for this cubic capacity are excellent! The Vance&Hins direct-flow exhausts installed on my unit give an excellent velvety sound, but the quiet stock exhaust is preferable on long trips. After half a thousand kilometers at a time, I no longer quite understand exactly what is rumbling in my head - the rumble of the exhaust or the brains. Although in the city this is not at all annoying.
A long wheelbase imposes restrictions on the turning radius. The frame is quite rigid - by cruiser standards, of course. Large, chubby wheels help you navigate areas with cut asphalt as if on rails. But don’t relax in the rain - decent engine torque and a long wheelbase can add a lot of gray hairs not only in corners and during intense acceleration, but also on bitumen patches and sand. The pendants work. They just work. Remember that you are not on a cross-country bike - and nirvana on a normal road is guaranteed. And I simply feel sorry for driving “sticky” on broken asphalt. An unpleasant jamb of the chassis - at a speed of about 40-50 km/h, a progressive beating of the steering wheel begins - it’s better not to wipe off flies from the visor with one hand at such moments! Monitoring owner reviews showed that not only my copy suffers from tremors. But the drawback can hardly be classified as criminal - it’s easier to just get used to it.
There are brakes, as well as suspension. In my opinion, they are much more successful than on VTX's predecessor, the VT1100 Shadow, but, of course, they cannot be compared with the VTX1800 with its combined braking system and two discs on the front wheel. Eh, Honda, they were stingy... But take pity on yourself and the motorcycle - it’s not a sportbike after all! On it you are supposed to brake with your hand and foot at the same time, then everything is tip-top. Although lately I’ve been thinking more and more often about installing a reinforced brake hose on the front circuit.
Review of the Honda VTX 1800 motorcycle
On this bike (1800c) I feel more calm and relaxed, I always know that if I need it, it will push me ahead at any speed. It handles very well in traffic jams at low speeds. I weigh 58 kg, and when equipped, I suspect it weighs 350)). There are no problems with controls at all! If you start abruptly, especially on a wet road IN A STRAIGHT, it doesn’t skid, apparently it’s too heavy, it gives you time to let off the gas without problems. It tilts easily, but of course it becomes more difficult if the speed increases. 1st and 2nd gears are quite short, you need to quickly shift during intense acceleration. 3rd gear goes quickly too. Up to 160 it goes into 4 gears very intensively (X5 BMWs rest in the back). Then, after switching to 5, the speed gradually increases to 210 with a gradual loss of dynamics. I didn’t drive faster, there was no road, it was scary), and the engine was already lazy.
If you drive fast and dynamically, then 16 liters of tank is not enough for 200 km. — that's all I remember about consumption)). Well, what do you want, according to the passport, acceleration is about 4 seconds to 100)))
I really like driving at low speeds, at the limits. In the city, when driving calmly, I drive at lower levels, at ease. It's very cool if it's straight forward!! An incomparable feeling, even if you don’t take into account the people on the sidewalks who are far from this topic turning around.
Everything is available for spare parts. The VTX is essentially an epoch-making motorcycle. There are a lot of tuning and consumables available. Can be disassembled and repaired without problems in any service center or garage. Some things fit from other Honda models.
About the brakes: the front brake is braked by both front calipers. The rear brake pedal brakes the rear caliper and also both front ones!!! So the main thing is considered to be the pedal. When you press the pedal, the rear wheel goes into skid first, the front one brakes more lazily.
For effective braking, I always use the pedal and add a little handle... When cornering, only pedal a little! If you drive at night on an unlit road, then in principle there is enough light, but I would like more.
It doesn't drive very confidently on dirt roads. If there is a rut, I advise you not to get into it and slow down the speed to a minimum, because at the slightest opportunity this motorcycle will ask to get into it and you will hardly be able to hold it if you are 58 kg, like me))). I put it on an arc, and practically on foot
