1300 or 1800??

[pmn1]

I am currently looking at buying an X. Could you good people give your views/experience with the 1300 or 1800?

Also if anyone knows of either for sale please message me.

Thanks,

Paul

[ww1flyingace]

How long you been riding?

What is your current bike? (if you have one)

What height/weight are you?

Will you be riding solo or with a passenger most of the time?



My short answer is get the 1800 UNLESS:

Your new to bikes

Your small in size/weight and/or wont be ridding 2 up very much

You just have to have a VTX that sounds like a Harley

You cant afford it

Your afraid of the size and power.


This has been hashed out a lot on the main board. This is my short list

1800 Pros:

MUCH more power
Smoother running motor
Much less plastichrome parts
More aftermarket accessories
Fuel injected (1300s have carbs)
Better brakes
Hydraulic clutch
Better for 2up riding (1300 is not BAD, but 1800 is better)

1300 Pros

Smaller, lighter weight, easier to handle
cheaper
sounds better (more like the Harley motor, if thats what your into)
Better gas mileage/range on a tank


The 1300 is a GOOD, powerfull, bike

The 1800 is a Road eating BEAST!

[Drywallman]

huvola is right on in his statements.

I think that the Fuel Injection is one of the main points for me. Much easier in the modification area as well.

Go for the 1800 unless your a new rider, but with that said, you may grow out of your 1300 pretty fast IMHO.

opinions vary

Oh yes, Welcome to our board. Stay intunned with this board for upcomming events and rides. Lots of good riders here with good advice. We have some tech sessions frequently, these are always fun to attend. Hope to see you soon.

Drywallman

[kxb44]

Honda Suzuki of Salt Lake has a few previously enjoyed models in both the 1800 and 1300. The 03 black 1800C for $9299 looks like a good deal. If you have some riding experience go for the 1800.
http://www.hondasuzuki.com/index_files/used_street.htm

ProCycle in Columbia MO. still has some brand new 03 1800C for $8099. Several of us bought ours there. They are great people to deal with. It is a 3 day round trip and will cost about $600 in gas, food and hotel, but you still get a brand new 1800 for less than a 1300 will cost you locally. You may even find a buddy to go back with you and pick one up.
http://www.procycleusa.com/index.cfm?pa ... baseid=202 (http://www.procycleusa.com/index.cfm?page=newvehicles&manid=1&catid=1&baseid=202)

[Jetmech]

If you are cut and bleed red blood you will be wanting a 1800, sooner or later its inevitable. Had a small bike, and a week late wanted bigger. and you will grow into it. just dont do anything your not comfortable with.

[ILuv_UMan]

1300 has single pin, 1800 has dual pin. This website will explain the difference http://www.sa750.com/vtwin/vtwin.htm
1300 has a little higher compression than 1800, thus engine will probably wear a little faster.
1300 one single carbuerator, 1800 Fuel injected.
1300 single disc brake in front with twin piston caliper versus 2 discs in the front on the 1800 with three piston calipers.
Rear Brakes on the 1300 had single disc with single piston caliper, 1800 has single rear disc with two piston caliper.
500 more CCs.
Inverted front fork on the 1800.
Bigger front and rear wheels on 1800.
Primary drive damper on the 1800.
Hydraulic Brakes 1800 (2 of the six front brake pads are actived when you hit the rear brake, the other 4 brake pads are activated when you hit the front brake lever)
Hydraulic Clutch 1800
Obviously more power and more torque 1800, at the crank 106 horses, 120 foot lbs. torgue. 1300 has 76 Horses, couldn't find a torgue number for the 1300.
1800 will weigh more, but only about 64 lbs. comparing the C Models
Bias Tires 1300, Radial Tires 1800
MSRP is about $3,500 more on the 1800, but the dealers/Honda of late, have been offering nice incentives on the 1800s, so at the present time, price isn't that much of a factor.

Good luck both are excellent scoots

[CBENZ]

All these 1800 riders…. I’ll represent the 1300!!! I have a 1300S and love it! More than enough power for me, I am a smaller rider @ 170 pounds but I bought a cruiser to do just that. The 1300 is a big bike as is I get a lot of comments about how big she is.

When I was looking at VTX’s my reaction to the 1800 was ‘it’s a tank’ I like being able to handle 1300. I haven’t ridden an 1800 but the 1300 does everything I could want out of a cruiser bike. It comes down to what your gut tells you at the time of purchase.

Good Luck! 8)

[cjt]

I had not ridden in a few years before deciding to get another motorcycle. I was looking at the 1300 and was impressed with it. The 1800 was too much money for me. I started looking around and found a new 2003 for less than I could get the 1300 for. I was a little afraid of the size before getting on it the first time. But once the clutch was released what a blast. I am glad that I got the 1800 no regrets at all. The 1300 is a very good motorcycle and will perform very well though.

cjt

[ILuv_UMan]

All these 1800 riders…. I’ll represent the 1300!!! I have a 1300S and love it! More than enough power for me, I am a smaller rider @ 170 pounds but I bought a cruiser to do just that. The 1300 is a big bike as is I get a lot of comments about how big she is.

When I was looking at VTX’s my reaction to the 1800 was ‘it’s a tank’ I like being able to handle 1300. I haven’t ridden an 1800 but the 1300 does everything I could want out of a cruiser bike. It comes down to what your gut tells you at the time of purchase.

Good Luck! 8)

CBENZ:

I'm not trying to sell anyone on the 1800. I had a Shadow Spirit 1100 before my 1800 and loved it.

I'm sure the 1300 is an excellent bike and probably more than adequate for most riders.

[CBENZ]

ILuvUMan:

Hey I know you’re not trying to sell anyone on the 1800… I was just joking around because the majority of the people that post to the UT chapter have 1800’s. I just wanted to say hey the 1300 is a good bike as well, and put a comment in for the 1300. It really doesn’t matter with a VTX it’s just a good bike regardless of the size.

My intent was to give you 1800 guys a little shiz!!!

Hey I look forward to getting all of VTXer’s together for a ride and representing, then beers of course!

CBENZ 8)

[Wilsondude]

Then stay away from kxb44; damn guy always makes me buy. Sumbeechin' feller he is :beer2:

[Drywallman]

OK, OK, I'll buy the next round...OOps left my wallet at home :shock:
Drywallman :wink:

[pmn1]

Thanks for the great info, I did check on the 1800 at Honda Salt Lake and was told it had sold.
I am 5-9" 190 and have been riding a Kawasaki Voyager XII, so I am used to a "bigger" style bike.
Thanks for the info on the out of state 1800's if I can't find one locally I will have to make a road trip.

Again thanks for the info

(lewis, you would not happen to be a friend of Terry's, who went to the car/bike show a few weeks ago?)

[Drywallman]

Thanks for the great info, I did check on the 1800 at Honda Salt Lake and was told it had sold.
I am 5-9" 190 and have been riding a Kawasaki Voyager XII, so I am used to a "bigger" style bike.
Thanks for the info on the out of state 1800's if I can't find one locally I will have to make a road trip.

Again thanks for the info

(lewis, you would not happen to be a friend of Terry's, who went to the car/bike show a few weeks ago?)
Yes, that be me.

[ww1flyingace]

Thanks for the great info, I did check on the 1800 at Honda Salt Lake and was told it had sold.
I am 5-9" 190 and have been riding a Kawasaki Voyager XII, so I am used to a "bigger" style bike.
Thanks for the info on the out of state 1800's if I can't find one locally I will have to make a road trip.

Again thanks for the info

(lewis, you would not happen to be a friend of Terry's, who went to the car/bike show a few weeks ago?)


Ah. Well here is my feeling,

The 1800 does not feel all that big and bulky to me. Sure, its a big, heavy bike, but my personal opinion is it handles pretty damn sprightly to me.

Having said that, my last 2 motorcycles were:

Honda Goldwing 1200
Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 (Still have this one)

I point that out because you have had the Kawi Voyager, which is of course very similar to my last 2 bikes in size, weight etc. Now that I know that, I dare say you will have NO problem with the bulk of the 1800. It also sits WAY lower with a MUCH lower Center of gravity than your Voyager.

A lot of times I stay out of the "1800 is very large/heavy" debate, because to ME, it doesn't seem that way, having been used to 2 touring bikes that weight just as much but have much higher center of gravity. In fact, in my opinion, the 1800 handles VERY quickly compared to my Venture. Compared to the venture, I feel like I can toss the 1800 around all day long. I suspect YOUR experience would be the same. I read reviews about the 1800 being hard to handle in a parking lot or at slow speed, and I giggle. Let those guys come and muscle my venture around by comparison. (and probably your voyager)

The ONE exception, as I have stated before, if you go hot, hard, and late into a tight turn on the 1800..... its brown trousers time.

But now knowing what you last ride was, I dont think you would have any problems with the size and weight of the 1800.

[pmn1]

Thanks for the great info, I did check on the 1800 at Honda Salt Lake and was told it had sold.
I am 5-9" 190 and have been riding a Kawasaki Voyager XII, so I am used to a "bigger" style bike.
Thanks for the info on the out of state 1800's if I can't find one locally I will have to make a road trip.

Again thanks for the info

(lewis, you would not happen to be a friend of Terry's, who went to the car/bike show a few weeks ago?)
Yes, that be me.

I met ya at the show, I worked on 46's

Paul

[Shaddow350]

I might be selling my bike soon so if your interested let me know
My bike has only 1300 miles on it and it has the K&N filter with the
V&H Big Shots on it. I has never been dropped and no scratches etc..
I am a clean freak and have kept it MINT! As I do all my stuff.
PM me if your intrested. Thanks. 2004 VTX 1300C Pearl Orange. 8)
And I am not out to get more money pay off loan etc.....
Its paid off and only want what its worth etc..... :wink:

[skipdrag]

Shadow 350 - That VTX symbol that you have at the bottom of your post is cool. We have been talking about Patches and I could see that making a cool patch.

[Drywallman]

Thanks for the great info, I did check on the 1800 at Honda Salt Lake and was told it had sold.
I am 5-9" 190 and have been riding a Kawasaki Voyager XII, so I am used to a "bigger" style bike.
Thanks for the info on the out of state 1800's if I can't find one locally I will have to make a road trip.

Again thanks for the info

(lewis, you would not happen to be a friend of Terry's, who went to the car/bike show a few weeks ago?)
Yes, that be me.

I met ya at the show, I worked on 46's

Paul
Ok Paul,
I put the face to the name. Were about the same size except I have a little more bulk then you. I think you would rather rider on a 1800 because you'll soon out grow the 1300. Not that there is anything wrong with the 1300 8) , (this is for all you 1300 owners). What style are you looking for? The Costom C, or the Retro R, or the N, S models would be alright but your limited on tires you can have because of the spoked wheels (tube vs tubeless).
Drywallman

[Shaddow350]

I would love to get a Utah patch going.
We would just need to take off the 1300 for our awesome 1800 guys.
So it just says Utah VTX Riders.
Lets put our heads together and get something going :wink: