1300 vs. 1800 opinions

[kennyratt]

It's been beat to death, but here goes. I have a 1300 for 2 years and love it, but really interested in the 1800. For all of the obvious reasons;torque/power, linked brakes, fuel injected , ect. And with the fall of prices, well very attractive. The question remains; why do I crave one so? Are the pluses worth the expense? Thanks in advance, for you'r knowledge and opinions! Regards, Kennyratt

[ccumpiano]

Simple...1800cc!

[Terminals]

For some it is quite simple really......

Do you want to follow or lead?









Ride Safe

[ToMang07]

Originally Posted by kennyratt

It's been beat to death, but here goes. I have a 1300 for 2 years and love it, but really interested in the 1800. For all of the obvious reasons;torque/power, linked brakes, fuel injected , ect. And with the fall of prices, well very attractive. The question remains; why do I crave one so? Are the pluses worth the expense? Thanks in advance, for you'r knowledge and opinions! Regards, Kennyratt

Yup!

[Rayno]

VTX1800 needs to be experienced, take one out for a good rip, and be sure to tickle the rev limitr a few times

[medrep]

I think you mention most all of the obvious reasons why a person would go from a 1300 to the 1800cc VTX. (Sounds to me like you may have already made up your mind.)
I prefer my 1800 to my brother's 1300. My brother prefers his over mine.
I believe the most important reason to get the 1800 is personal preference.
Both are great bikes.... the 1800 is just better!!!!! ...LOL
Ride safe!

[venarius]

1300 guys will say not worth it.

1800 guys will say totally worth it.

I say Worth it...

Can you guess which side of the fence I'm on?

[NDAna]

Wish I could help here but have never ridden a 1300. Rode the 1800 1st and was immediately sold. LOVE it.

[Duug]

Originally Posted by NDAna

Wish I could help here but have never ridden a 1300. Rode the 1800 1st and was immediately sold. LOVE it.

Ditto.

Haven't ridden the 1300. They look ok but, I don't think it would have had the power to sway into buying one.

[tranz]

..or you could do what I did..started out on a 1300, then went out and got a Triumph Rocket III..2300 cc..keeps the 1800 boys in their place....

[oasysco]

Originally Posted by kennyratt

It's been beat to death, but here goes. I have a 1300 for 2 years and love it, but really interested in the 1800. For all of the obvious reasons;torque/power, linked brakes, fuel injected , ect. And with the fall of prices, well very attractive. The question remains; why do I crave one so? Are the pluses worth the expense? Thanks in advance, for you'r knowledge and opinions! Regards, Kennyratt

I've had both - prev 1800C and now 1300S. I've always said that had I owned an 1800S/N/R first, I probably would have never gotten a 1300S.

While I like the look of the C model, its ergos didn't fit me due to the forward reach and feeling of top heaviness for intown riding which i do most.

The 1800 was a blast to ride and I've wondered why I never got a ticket given all the redlght to redlight speeding I did... and I'm just too old to do that kind of stuff... but I enjoyed it

That said, I love my 1300S. for me at 5'7", it handles better than my ex-1800C and after a 3000mi round trip on the 1300, it has the juice I need. 80-85-90mph all day long was a breeze.

Still, if I had originally owned an 1800 S/N/R, I'd probably still have it and wouldn't have bought the 1300.

Greg

[dan3]

Have ridden both. The 1800 has tons of torque and many really enjoy that. I didn't really need all that power.....the 1300 has plenty trust me, and you get the added feature of great sound with the right pipes on a 1300. The 1800 not so much. I really wanted a bike with great sound and you can have that with a 1300. It is really all a matter of what feels better to you.

[VTX1300cnME]

"I know this topics been beat to death"



So. . why bring it up again? The opinions won't be different. The petty bickering won't be different. The final outcome will be the same.


If you have some drive to get one, get one. I'm satisfied with what I got, but I'm not you.

Figure out what YOU want instead of what other people want. That's probably the best advice anyone can give you.

[jc vtx1800]

If you haven't been on one you're missing out. If you have, why are you asking?

[Gigantor]

The 1800 will speak for itself .....if you let it. Why not hop on one for a ride and talk yourself into it?

[ToMang07]

Originally Posted by VTX1300cnME

"I know this topics been beat to death"



So. . why bring it up again? The opinions won't be different. The petty bickering won't be different. The final outcome will be the same.


If you have some drive to get one, get one. I'm satisfied with what I got, but I'm not you.

Figure out what YOU want instead of what other people want. That's probably the best advice anyone can give you.

But the 1800 is SOOOO much better!

[mtdew57]

Originally Posted by NDAna

Wish I could help here but have never ridden a 1300. Rode the 1800 1st and was immediately sold. LOVE it.

[Tullander]

Those are all valid reasons to step it up. If you look close you'll see there are others as well.

I've been riding my 1800 since 2002 and it still makes me smile.

Good luck.

[VTXCRZR]

I've ridden just about every cruiser over 1100cc and I like my 1800C the best. That doesn't mean the others are somehow inadequate, it just means for me personally the 1800c has the right combination of ergonomics, performance and accessories. Yes, I like a stipped down bike, no need for:

Tachometer: When you got your butt sitting on the engine and you can't figure out when to shift, you probably shouldn't be on the motorcycle in the first place.
Gas guage: The idiot light comes on when I have about 50 miles left in the tank and I keep track by reseting the trip meter each time I buy gas. If you can't remember to reset the trip meter or mind you idiot light then you probalby don't have enough bandwidth to process all the info you need to process while driving a motorcycle down the road in traffic.

This board is great if you want facts, but after you collect the facts and your trying to make a decision based on personal preference then only you can decide. That is don't buy what makes me happy (I all ready have it), buy what makes you happy (1300, 1800, moped, I don't care, but at least understand whats important to yourself).

Here's a curious observation: When the enternal question is asked "which do I buy an 1300 or an 1800?", the first response of many 1300 owners is; "my 1300 has plenty of power why do I need more?" I don't know the anwser, but it sure is interesting that many of the modifications that are made to 1300s (exhaust, air intake, rejet the carb, etc) are aimed at and compared on the basis of improving the performance. So I ask 1300 owners why do you make performance oriented modifications? Which is it, you have enough power or you don't. If Honda made a VTX1300, a VTX1550 and the VTX1800 would you have bought the VTX1550 instead of VTX1300? If you had even a fraction of second of doubt think about this, I bet 99.9% of VTX1800 owners would say NO without hesitation. We are certain about what we want. The VTX1800 comes closest and then we do performance modifications and are not ashamed or embarassed to admit it.

[ToMang07]

Originally Posted by VTXCRZR

I've ridden just about every cruiser over 1100cc and I like my 1800C the best. That doesn't mean the others are somehow inadequate, it just means for me personally the 1800c has the right combination of ergonomics, performance and accessories. Yes, I like a stipped down bike, no need for:

Tachometer: When you got your butt sitting on the engine and you can't figure out when to shift, you probably shouldn't be on the motorcycle in the first place.
Gas guage: The idiot light comes on when I have about 50 miles left in the tank and I keep track by reseting the trip meter each time I buy gas. If you can't remember to reset the trip meter or mind you idiot light then you probalby don't have enough bandwidth to process all the info you need to process while driving a motorcycle down the road in traffic.

This board is great if you want facts, but after you collect the facts and your trying to make a decision based on personal preference then only you can decide. That is don't buy what makes me happy (I all ready have it), buy what makes you happy (1300, 1800, moped, I don't care, but at least understand whats important to yourself).

Here's a curious observation: When the enternal question is asked "which do I buy an 1300 or an 1800?", the first response of many 1300 owners is; "my 1300 has plenty of power why do I need more?" I don't know the anwser, but it sure is interesting that many of the modifications that are made to 1300s (exhaust, air intake, rejet the carb, etc) are aimed at and compared on the basis of improving the performance. So I ask 1300 owners why do you make performance oriented modifications? Which is it, you have enough power or you don't. If Honda made a VTX1550 would you have bought it instead of 1300? If you are uncertain think about this, I bet 99.9% of VTX1800 owners would say no without hesitation. We are certain about what we want.

[race66]

Originally Posted by tranz

..or you could do what I did..started out on a 1300, then went out and got a Triumph Rocket III..2300 cc..keeps the 1800 boys in their place....

nothing wrong with a rocket3.

except, it's not a v-twin

it's not as good looking and it costs a lot more.

if ya want a new, hot looking 110 cu in v-twin for under 9K.

there is only one choice.

VTX1800.

there is no substitute!

[JP Huss]

BOTH

[boss338bar]

If you can live without Cobra Fatties 1800 C is the way to go.

[dan3]

Originally Posted by VTXCRZR

Here's a curious observation: When the enternal question is asked "which do I buy an 1300 or an 1800?", the first response of many 1300 owners is; "my 1300 has plenty of power why do I need more?" I don't know the anwser, but it sure is interesting that many of the modifications that are made to 1300s (exhaust, air intake, rejet the carb, etc) are aimed at and compared on the basis of improving the performance. So I ask 1300 owners why do you make performance oriented modifications? Which is it, you have enough power or you don't.

I will try to address that remark. First of all, changing my exhaust was not done for performance. It was done to improve the quality of the exhaust note, and improve the look of the bike. That modification did those things quite well. Rejetting the carb is usually only needed when changing out the airbox. I do not really know why people do that because the performance gains are negligable. I guess it is for looks. I have yet in my time here to read where anyone changed their 1300 exhaust or airbox to gain in performance. If you can show us where anyone has said they did those things to improve the performance of their 1300 I will defer. We will wait while you look. To repeat.....the 1300, at least mine, has plenty of power. If it makes you feel good that your motorcycle is faster than mine then I am very happy for you. If I want performance I will get a Hayabusa.

[Pork Chop ...]

The 1800 has way to much power, I'm selling it and getting a Vespa .....

[kennyratt]

First, thanks for all of the replys! This 1300 was my first and only bike of any kind. It felt easier to handle in the showroom.Lighter. I remember the 1800's were packed in there, TIGHT; next to others. Sometimes I wished I had requested sales to pull an 1800 out in the open. A wealth of good info. has been given;THANK YOU! Regards, Kennyratt

[ooomph]

I have a 1300 but am also considering trading up to an 1800. I live at high-altitude (5500') but travel a lot (to both higher and lower altitudes) so I'm looking for something with fuel injection. I just don't want to be bothered with constantly messing with tuning.

In all fairness, I'm also considering a Victory Hammer or HD Dyna FatBob. While performance is a factor, none of the bikes listed, including the 1800, are any faster than my cars, so that's not a deal breaker. But don't get me wrong, a quick bike is still a positive.

One factor I do consider strongly is aftermarket support, where the HD shines. I can only surmise that going forward, the 1800 will continue to lose (or at least not gain) any further aftermarket support. But truthfully, the 1800's available 240-kits, rakes, exhausts, seats and intakes are plentiful and more than adequate to make me happy. Plus the price is right and ripe for the taking.

[nighthawk4450]

I had a 1300R for about 2 years until I totaled it. I decided to get an 1800R as my next bike mainly for the power. Both are great bikes and have no complaints about either. However, it was a bit hard to get used to the transmission difference on the 1800. You need to ride both to figure out what youre comfortable with.

[VTXCRZR]

Originally Posted by dan3

I will try to address that remark. First of all, changing my exhaust was not done for performance. It was done to improve the quality of the exhaust note, and improve the look of the bike. That modification did those things quite well. Rejetting the carb is usually only needed when changing out the airbox. I do not really know why people do that because the performance gains are negligable. I guess it is for looks. I have yet in my time here to read where anyone changed their 1300 exhaust or airbox to gain in performance. If you can show us where anyone has said they did those things to improve the performance of their 1300 I will defer. We will wait while you look. To repeat.....the 1300, at least mine, has plenty of power. If it makes you feel good that your motorcycle is faster than mine then I am very happy for you. If I want performance I will get a Hayabusa.

You are absolutly correct that if I was looking for absolute performance I would not be riding a "cruiser". However, like all of us here I like the V-Twin cruiser style bike and I am interested in the best possible performance in class. That is among V-Twin cruisers, at the time that I bought my 1800, which was October 2004, VTX1800 was widely recognized as the highest performance cruiser on the market. Sadly today Honda has chosen to discontinue the VTX line all together and other companies such as Yamaha, Suzuki are building very competative power curiser. So now there are several challengers competeting for that title and if I were buying today the decision of which power cruiser to buy would not be so straight forward as it was in 2004.

Obviously, and as you point out, there are many other factors that go into the decision of which bike to buy and how to modify it. The major driver of those decisions are personal style and personal preference. Wouldn't it be boring if everybody was riding around on stripped down black VTX1800C? Thank goodness for diversity!

I have to say that lately I've been thinking about a touring bike. Right now I am leaning towards a Rocket III Touring. As a touring bike it is neither a cruiser nor a V-Twin but I dare say its the highest performing "Touring Bike" on the market today. But this would be an addition to the stable and the VTX 1800C can be secure in its position in the garage for many years to come as it is a completly different style bike for a completly different purpose.

[mojoguy]

I've never ridden a VTX1300. But, I've ridden a few bikes over the years and can say this...

In my sport bike days I went through 4 bikes in about a year and a half. Never crashed them, I just ran out of power until I got the bike that had me shaken when I got off of it. It's the point when you've ridden something that satisfied that speed demon inside you. In my lifetime riding, I've always wanted the fastest and biggest bike. Not necessarily to beat your buddies, just the biggest with gobs of power. Fist full of throttle to twist and smile. What I'm trying to say here is it's either in your blood or it's not to want the most power you can get for your given need or desire. You either like big power or you don't. Just ask yourself that and make your decision. With prices as low as they are on the 1800's..it's a no brainer for me.