2005 Honda VTX1300 Retro

Summary:

A great bike that could have been very great

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong.

General Comments:

Generally, this has been a great motorcycle - very reliable and it looks great.

The issues I have with this bike are relatively minor - but it seems like Honda could do better.

First - the seat is comfortable - for the first 100 miles - after that, not so much.

Second - the speedometer is 10% off - luckily, 10% is easy to convert while driving, but if the speedo shows 80, I'm doing 72.

Thirdly - the instrument cluster f**k - serious rattle against the tank (squirted silicone seal under there), high beam indicator too bright (squirted blue RTV seal into the lens), NO TACHOMETER! (which I would rather use most of the time than a speedo)

Fourthly - front shocks kinda dive.

Fifthly - handlebar was a little low, causing me tennis elbows (I put on risers to solve it).

I have a slight issue with chrome-plated plastic. It looks good, but there's just something about it...

I've given up any thought about a cross-country trip on this bike - I'd have to invest in an expensive custom seat and a forward peg system.

Adjusting the valves is a major pain - you pretty much have to design your own tools to do it.

Stock tires made handling rough and stiff - kinda like fighting the bike - then I got Metzlers - different bike now.

All-in-all, a great, reliable bike that also looks great - I've had many compliments.

The most important upgrade I did - put a light bar on the front - since then I've had zero people pull out on me.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th July, 2013

2005 Honda VTX1300 Retro

Summary:

Great value; an extremely dependable fun machine to ride

Faults:

Steering head bearings needed to be replaced to stop deceleration wobble.

Replaced front springs with progressives to make the bike handle much better in turns.

Speedometer and odometer are 9% high.

Stock seat is extremely uncomfortable - I replaced this with a Mustang seat.

General Comments:

This bike is very dependable, a pleasure to ride for miles and miles at a time, and it has a great retro look.

I have made numerous over the road trips with this bike. Many days in excess of 500 miles and the comfort and rideability are a big 10!

It handles easily even with its heavy weight. Riding two-up does not significantly affect the handling of this bike.

Cruising at 75 mph is what this bike loves to do for hours at a time.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th May, 2008

2006 Honda VTX1300 Retro

Summary:

Typical Honda, good value and dependable

Faults:

Broken wire on ECM, choke sticks.

General Comments:

Nice bike for the money but I would pay more for more metal and less plastic.

The seat is not comfortable after about 75 miles.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th May, 2008

2007 Honda VTX1300 Retro

Summary:

HOLYSMOKES

Faults:

No problems.

General Comments:

This is truly a fast comfortable good looking loud black rocket.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th May, 2008

2003 Honda VTX1300 Retro

Summary:

I have loved this bike from day 1

Faults:

Have had no problems.

General Comments:

Good acceleration.

Dependable.

More comfortable after adding risers.

Tires and brakes only maintenance required.

Wish it held more gas.

Some wobble noted up front.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th April, 2008