2014 Honda CTX1300

[HejDuke]

Taking a closer look at the dash area of the CTX, it appears as though the audio may be controlled via buttons atop of the pseudo tank. I bring this up because there appears to be a bank of unlabeled or unused buttons on the other side. Are these real buttons? maybe for options? (Heated grips, accessory driving lights, other aftermarket accessorization), curious. I admit, there are quite a few things to like about the CTX; least of which are LED driving lights, tail lights, gear shift indicator, self-canceling turn signals, the inviting seat,... Has this beast found a chink in my armor?

 

[dduelin]

The tach in the picture has the V4's redline dropped from 1,500 rpm to 7000 in the transition from sport touring to sporty cruising use.

 

[rjs987]

Taking a closer look at the dash area of the CTX, it appears as though the audio may be controlled via buttons atop of the pseudo tank. I bring this up because there appears to be a bank of unlabeled or unused buttons on the other side. Are these real buttons? maybe for options? (Heated grips, accessory driving lights, other aftermarket accessorization), curious. I admit, there are quite a few things to like about the CTX; least of which are LED driving lights, tail lights, gear shift indicator, self-canceling turn signals, the inviting seat,... Has this beast found a chink in my armor?

Not only are the optional driving lights LED but the main headlights are LED with halo accent as well. Also, those blank buttons on the left side of the shelter of the standard version can be upgraded to the stereo controls. In the deluxe model those are the BT stereo controls as shown here.

 

[Bigmak96]

I wonder if a regular 1300 motor would bolt right up in the CTX frame. Is the ride totally different from an ST, or is it just a quickness and top end ?

 

[ST Gui]

From what I've read so far the suspension is stiffer and the CTX has more torque at the lower end. I'm guessing it might be quicker there than the ST.

The lower redline makes sense as most cruiser types probably don't use/need that area of the tach and speedo. The ST doesn't feel quick to me though it's quicker than I need. It wouldn't surprise me to have the CTX feel quicker at some point.

I'm really wanting some objective real world riding impressions.

 

[rjs987]

A new member over on the CTX1300 forum has a Honda f6b from last year and his wife just bought a CTX1300 this weekend. He says the CTX1300 has a deeper louder sound and it accelerates quicker than the f6b. So far the only review I've found in this country from a rider. I know this is second hand from me so here is the link to that post...
http://www.ctx1300forum.com/forum/honda-ctx1300-reviews/2762-american-review.html

 

[ST Gui]

rjs thanks for the link. A good if brief read.

 

[SarniaON]

Read every post on this thread last night and printed off the specs for the ST1300 (2012) and the CTX1300. One engine spec on the CTX is the lower compression ratio, 10.0 instead of 10.8, which may allow for smooth running on regular gasoline. The site world.honda.com contains this bullet point under engine specifications:

•An altered compression ratio that allows the use of regular gasoline.

This is a good thing, but the cruiser riding position is not for me. The ST will keep me on the road for now and when another sport touring bike is needed, I'll look at what the other manufacturers have at that time since Ma Honda seems to have abandoned the ST.

 

[HejDuke]

A new member over on the CTX1300 forum has a Honda f6b from last year and his wife just bought a CTX1300 this weekend. He says the CTX1300 has a deeper louder sound and it accelerates quicker than the f6b. So far the only review I've found in this country from a rider. I know this is second hand from me so here is the link to that post...
http://www.ctx1300forum.com/forum/honda-ctx1300-reviews/2762-american-review.html

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Not only are the optional driving lights LED but the main headlights are LED with halo accent as well. Also, those blank buttons on the left side of the shelter of the standard version can be upgraded to the stereo controls. In the deluxe model those are the BT stereo controls as shown here.

rjs987-
thanks for the link and the CTX1300 Deluxe dashboard pic. I wonder then, does the regular model still have the speakers installed or would those be empty speaker boxes? probably empty. I'd want the stereo (if it sounded good) and the must-have heated grips. ABS is only on the Deluxe right? I guess the Deluxe would be my choice. Thanks for your info. It's fun to imagine and think about--like I do with the 10 other bikes on my list.

 

[HejDuke]

rjs987-
Found at the same site you provided (CTX Forum), a link to a CTX review but in a French motorcycle magazine. Google Chrome Translator does a decent job here. What I like are all of the pictures; lots to see.
http://www.moto-infos.com/essai-1923-honda-ctx-1300-bagger-hedoniste.html

 

[Mick]

rjs987-
Found at the same site you provided (CTX Forum), a link to a CTX review but in a French motorcycle magazine. Google Chrome Translator does a decent job here. What I like are all of the pictures; lots to see.
http://www.moto-infos.com/essai-1923-honda-ctx-1300-bagger-hedoniste.html

From Google translate:
"When she runs, the CTX 1300 reveals the same incredible ease a Gold Wing 1800 magic of a center of gravity close to the bitumen."

Sign me up for one! I've always wanted to be close to bitumen. .

 

[rjs987]

Those translators do leave a lot to be desired sometimes. Though better than learning French on short notice.

 

[Mick]

Those translators do leave a lot to be desired sometimes. Though better than learning French on short notice.

I'm sure "bitumen" was meant to be "asphalt".

Every time I use or see these computer translators, I wind up laughing myself silly. They remind me of several scenes from the Tim Burton comedy, "Mars Attacks" where a French scientist has built a universal language translator to help with understanding the martians:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeTsvoV7xqM

 

[rjs987]

rjs987-
Found at the same site you provided (CTX Forum), a link to a CTX review but in a French motorcycle magazine. Google Chrome Translator does a decent job here. What I like are all of the pictures; lots to see.
http://www.moto-infos.com/essai-1923-honda-ctx-1300-bagger-hedoniste.html

There's also a review from Spain and another from France. I, too, am waiting a pro riding/performance review from a publication in English... from the U.S.

 

[George]

For a good time, translate from English to French (or Spanish or Italian) then back to English.

 

[Bones]

Along the same lines, take a legal contract and run a grammar check. Accept all recommended changes and read it again. Highly amusing.

 

[ST Gui]

LOL it's all I can to do try to parse one generation of translation let alone ping-pong between additional languages.

Here's hoping for a detailed more native riding review from our neck o' the woods!

 

[Dinkie Diesel]

Along the same lines, take a legal contract and run a grammar check. Accept all recommended changes and read it again. Highly amusing.

Scott, you're a sick man! Don't you have some riding to do or daughters to entertain or articles to write?

 

[Bones]

Why, yes...yes, I do.

 

[ST/SV]

Without reading this whole thread to see if anyone has ridden one or actually has one I thought I would add my 2 cents on this bike. I just got back from watching the Daytona 200 and while there Honda had a large display of bikes and I sat on the CTX1300 for grins. Never cared for the looks but when my butt hit that seat it felt like the most comfortable thing ever. It actually felt way lighter than the ST. There was an ST next to it so I had to double check and be sure. That's all I got, It's not that pretty to me but it sure feels sweet.