Honda VTX1800R reviews

This bike is an extremely dependable beast. When I say beast,I mean it can easily carry myself, my wife, and four day's worth of clothes and supplies at 80 mph hour after hour down the highway. It's a heavy ride! You've got to get used to riding slowly through parking lots.It's also not particularly fuel friendly either.About 150 miles per tank, then it's time for gas, and a coffee.There is nothing more satisfying than entering a hi-way, rolling on the power, and going from whatever to 90 in seconds!Nothing ever wrong except for tires and brakes in 10 years!!! Did you read that Harley riders!I bought this bike to ride,not show off.I ride every day in the Summer, and never wast $$ at the shop.All hail Honda!! Show less

It's the best bike on the road bar none!! I have the VTX1300R and the 1800 runs circles around it!! Not too many things on the road can keep up with this bike!! Hang on for the ride!! There is one minor set back to the bike. Honda should have made it a 6-speed because the bike would cruise much better! Once you ride this bike, you wont want another!! You will be impressed!! I love mine!! It's an awesome bike !! Show less

I love this bike. I can't stay off it. Every chance I get, I go for a ride. I can't complain about anything on this bike. If anyone does, they don't know how great this bike is and compared to Harley as much of it is made in the USA. Show less

I love this bike. It's comfortable, sleek, powerful and reliable. I just put Metezler 880ME tries on it and the ride is fantastic. Show less

Typical Honda-top notch fit and finish, rock solid handling, smooth fueling and good looks. It's also easy to work on doing self-maintenance activities like crank case oil and the final drive. I wanted a V-twin for the type of power delivery it gives. This machine gives you plenty of power delivery; more than you'll ever need legally. As I left the dealer on my first ride I couldn't believe how it pulled in every gear. Comfort is a bit down for me just because of the forward location of the floor boards rather than directly under me. I plan to cut off the heel shift peg so I can use the entire floor board on that side. The seat is a little thin but for around 100 mile ride it's no problem. It would lean over farther if the floor boards didn't scrape. Handling in the canyons around here is superb. At speed, 110mph, it's rock solid. I don't have that many miles but no problems at all. Bought it last November as a left over new bike; great deal and big bang for the buck. Show less

Aesthetically a thing of beauty, a work of art. Jack be nimble Jack be quick Jack jumped over anything that gets in his way. For a cruizer, it's got a little crotch rocket in it. Show less

First, the background. I'm a very experienced rider (70K+) who was in the market for a new or nearly new HD. I kept dropping by the Honda shop to check out their used Harleys. After seeing the 1800S, it didn't take me long to reconsider. After a test ride, there was no turning back. Less than 2 weeks later, I've racked up nearly 1000 miles, & can't stay off the thing, even in November. Of course, the appearance grabbed me at first glance. I love the classic, retro styling. Sitting on it revealed the most perfect ergos I've ever experienced on a motorcycle. While I'm relatively short, my legs and arms aren't, so it's always been a tradeoff. The floorboards were a hit. I've ridden bikes with floorboards before, but they just didn't seem to be in the right spot. The big VTX fit me like I designed it. Then there's the motor. Visually stunning, and operationally outstanding. Remember, I was in the market for a HD big twin with 70hp/90ft lbs torque, so the 110 inch VTX with its 106/120 numbers was like a dream come true. No more wishing I had more power & torque going up hills or against a big Okie headwind. I've spent the last 5 years on an 883 Sportster, so you can imagine I'm in horsepower heaven. The power isn't of any use if you can't get it to the ground, and I found that the gearing was really spot-on. A low first gets all the mass moving, then 2-4 gets you there with all the thump you need. Fifth is there for the ride when you get out in the open. In fact, it took me a while to get used to using fifth at 55. Initially, I thought I was lugging the motor. While letting my brother ride it, with me trailing on his Road King, the VTX's exhaust note let me know that it wasn't lugging at all. I just wasn't used to all that torque down low. Once you get out on the super slab, that fifth gear has plenty of leg room, with a sweet spot that stretches from 65 to 85. The only downside is that running at 80 will diminish the MPG noticeably. In fact with me at the controls, MPG is always diminished. I just can't seem to keep my hand out of the throttle. Roll-ons are a blast. A healthy dose of throttle at 50 in third will have you grinning' like a possum. Do the same at 70 in fourth and you'll be on the top side of triple digits in very short order. This thing pulls like an airplane taking off. I feel guilty for submitting to this new addiction, but I'm hooked. I've noted to anyone who'll listen, that the brakes on this beast work at least as good as the motor. The modified linked braking system feels very natural, and affords controlled quick stops in about as short a distance as I can imagine. I've yet to lock the wheels, and yes, I've tried. There are not many miles on the odometer yet, but with a grand in the first week, I'm getting the feel of it, and it feels like I'm looking forward to a really long relationship. On a finishing note, the stock 1800S saddle had studs, so I accessorized to match. On my backside meter, I've logged 250 miles in one day with no ill effects. On other bikes, I've experienced the need to get off at as few as 15 miles. My wife is still considering recommending an aftermarket seat, but at this point, I'm very happy with the stock seat, both in appearance/fit and comfort. If I were to ever wear this bike out, you can be sure my first look will be at the next generation of the VTX.
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I went through the MSF Course at the local community college, got my license, and bought this as my first bike. One of the instructors at the class advised us to get the bike we really wanted, instead of getting a smaller one and learning on it before moving up. Am I glad he said that, because I bought a crated 2005 Spec 3, in Black. After adding minimal accessories, like a back-rest and saddlebags, I rode off into the sunset with it, and have had a ball. The VTX is amazingly easy to learn to handle, as long as one remembers to start off slow and not push it's limits while still learning it's temperment. This bike is very balanced, and goes through turns and corners in an almost intuative manner. It is smooth, but with so much power that you need to be very careful with the clutch throttle and brake levers, so that you don't let the bike get away from you. All that being said, this is the most fun one can have out of bed I have ever seen. It is responsive, balanced, comfortable (although I haven't taken it on a ride longer than 1 hour yet), and well designed. About the only downer is the grips could be made more comfortable, but a pair of ISO grips is in this bike's very near future. Show less

I have just completed the initial maintenance (600 miles) on my new VTX and can say without reservation that I just love this bike. I was drawn to the 1800 by 'word of mouth'. Originally, I was not considering a Honda at all, but leaning toward a Susuki or Kawasaki Cruiser. My body size just seemed to fit nicely on those bikes. (Ironically, my local dealer did not have an 1800 in stock and I was making my comparisons against the 1300's, which were just a little too small for me.) But, eventually I found a dealer with an 1800 and fell in love with it the minute my tail hit the seat. Then I started my research.....the feedback and data were overwhelmingly in favor of the VTX1800 as being the overall best cruiser on the market. Finally I found a dealership on the web and a marriage was made. I found a 'left-over' 2005 VTX1800S for the right price and it now sits in my garage. Most of my riding has either been trips into town for errands or rides up the canyon toward Woodland Park. The bike is big and heavy but that gives it great stability at highway speeds. Amazingly for this big of a bike it handles mountain corners wonderfully well. I have only had my 'S' for 4 weeks and riden for 600 miles but I can give it two enthusiastic thumbs up! Show less

What a wonderful machine. Looks, style and performance all in one package. Can't believe the ease of riding such a massive machine. Carries passenger with no effort at all. My Harley friends hate me as they can't keep up!!!Scary fast if you're not paying attention. Wife loves the ride, makes my life much easier! Show less