Honda VTX1300S reviews

I purchased this bike in April of '04, and have approximately 5000 miles on her. It's going to be 60 soon and have a respect for riding motorcycles. Most of my trips are day rides between 100 to 200 miles. This bike truly rides s m o o t h ! Oh, sure it 'klunks' shifting down from 2nd to 1st but Honda reliabilty is more important... I'd buy another! Show less

When I picked up my '04 VTX 1300S in late August 2004, it was my first bike. I have been more than pleased with the performance, reliability, and comfort my "X" has brought. Most of my co-workers ride, they are a split of street bike riders and Harley owners. I can keep up with the younger street bikers and the Harley riders have complimented me by all "wanting the keys to that black bike out there". My only problem is finding more time in the saddle. I was also told to "buy what you want to ride", instead of buying small and wishing for more bike in a couple months, and have no regrets; this bike has basically taught me by itself. Stay safe and zap me if you're riding in the central Louisiana area!! Show less

I bought mine a year ago. It was new. I rode 15,500 km (approx: 10,000 miles) last year. I'm delighted with it except a little front wheel wobbling between 35-45mph. The other thing is that I think around 120-130km/h (75-80mph) the vibration is too much. I know it is a cruiser and vibration comes with the territory but I would prefer a little less vibration because I ride on the highways a lot. I have never had any problem with this bike. Show less

I can't give you a real technical reveiw, or even tell you how it handles on long trips. I purchased my 2004 VTX Retro a week before Thanksgiving and have only had a few chances to ride. I have owned one other bike, an older model 500cc that I had for about a year and a half around 15 years ago. I had the desire for a bike and narrowed my search to the 1100 Sabre and the 1300 VTX. The Sabre was winning out smaller and gave the impression of being less intimadating than the VTX's wide and low style. At the last hour a friend gave me some advice "I would rather learn to be comfortable on a larger bike than be comfortable and want a larger bike". Made sense so I went for it and I have no regrets. My Candy Red Retro is beautiful, and it handles fantastic. Now lets talk sound. Before I bought, I read reveiws on the bike where several had complaints on noise. Load clanks and things they just didn't like. I read through them and noticed most of the complaints were coming from people who had owned Hondas before. My guess is they didn't understand this is Honda's attempt at Harley's market. The bike is made to be noticed, not slip by not being heard. This isn't to say it will wake your neighbors, but it calmed my fears of having to put new pipes on just to get some sound. To sum up, I Love It; No regrets. I'll be going to Washington DC this May I'll let you know how it does. Show less

I have been very happy with this bike! It is powerful and great looking. I always get compliments about the looks. As for the valve noise, ride a Sportster or Bonneville America, I've owned both and my VTX 1300 is much quieter than they were. This bike handles well for its size, although I still drag the floorboards from time to time. I put a Mustang seat on it the day I bought it, and put 500 miles on it in a day several different times. You can lug it through towns in 5th gear at 30 miles an hour. It loves hills, the steeper the better, stops good for a big bike, I've got 29,0000 miles on the factory brake pads! My only complaints are plastic chrome and weak front springs, but I'm going to replace the fork springs soon. I have had eleven bikes, and this one is my favorite. Show less

I cannot tell you how exciting this bike is to ride! It is all I had wished it would be! I love the bike and would recommend it to others. Happy riding! Show less

I believe that non-VTX riders are missing out on what I would say is the best riding motorcycle that I've ever ridden. Now granted, I just moved to my VTX from an '81 Yamaha 650 Special Edition. But the VTX drives itself. All you have to do is lean back and enjoy the ride. The only complaint I have is that the seat leaves a little to be desired on longer rides. And a man of my height is hard to find decent highway pegs for. But other than that, by far the best bike I've ever encountered. Show less

The bike seems to ride very smooth for a v-twin bike. Had no problems with it yet and have been very pleased with the performance of the bike. Show less

Two weeks ago I traded a softail custom and got a 2004 VTX1300 Retro. There is no comparison between the two. I go for a ride now and don't want to stop. I am a senior and I can ride without discomfort. I love the way it handles, rides, looks and sounds. The only thing I am going to change is the vinyl on the saddle and passenger seat, on a hot day it feels like I have a sunburned butt. This is truly a great ride. Show less

This is a well balanced bike and comfortable enough that you can ride for hours and it won't beat you up. No vibration! The seat is the right height (a little lower than the 1800). It comes chromed to the max (stock), and the retro look turns a lot of heads. It gets a lot of respect from some of the hard core Harley riders I know. Maintenance is low/minimum, and the bike is easy to care for. I intend to accessorize it and I have no intentions of giving it up! Show less