2014 Honda CTX1300

That's more info that I had before. Well worth it especially for this:

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Some other interesting bits:

In commendable fashion, Honda has taken a risk and created a niche market unto itself, the Sport-Touring-Bagger
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We did notice a very unHondalike trait in some harsh off-to-on throttle response, resulting in tedious driveline lash that?s more of a nuisance than a deal breaker.
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For the right person, though, we can attest to the CTX1300 being a solid motorcycle built to fill a niche we didn?t know existed until Honda created it.
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One of the most interesting parts to me was the RPM/power mention:

the [CTX] 1300 has a low, 7,000 rpm redline, which for traditional motorcyclists is a rev ceiling that takes some getting used to. Once familiar with the short-shifting nature of the V-4, keeping the engine in its powerband and riding its flat and seemingly endless torque curve becomes second nature.
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I've always maintained that a high-RPM buzzy motor at some basic near-primal level encourages going fast even when you don't intend to. Not that it turns everybody into a speed-violator just that it impairs that lazy cruise feeling if only a little. All my Hondas 750cc and up seemed to make approx. 4000rpm @ 70mph give or take. My Duc 750 Sport turned a lot slower at the same speed. Even with its more radical cafe position I could "putt" along. I never got that feeling with my other Hondas.

My only serious quibble (oxymoron?) with the CTX is the handlebars and they might be easier to correct than I thought.

Thanks for the link rj.
 
That driveline lash was discussed a bit over on the CTX1300 forum. I do recall what was mentioned there that this "feature" is reported rather commonly when the review was done by sport bike reviewers reporting on almost any shaft drive Honda bikes, as well as some other makes. I don't really notice any issues like that with my ST1100 so it's a non-issue for me in this review.
 
ST Gui said:
Are you sure that what you're called?? LOL

The bike is nice. Maybe we could get some riding impressions from Fast via Half-Fast? I thought I read that Honda beefed-up the suspension on the CTX1300. Does it feel like that to him?
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The bike gives a very solid ride. Front suspension is a little "stiff", rough road bumps come through the grips. I'm getting used to the low windshield and wind in my face. Very comfortable relaxed sitting position. Just put the "break in" 300 mi on the bike. Now it's time to get on the gas a little more. Good roll on power like the ST 1300. Passing gear is still 5th gear like the ST.
 
TomStickler said:
Early impressions: the "cruiser position is very comfortable."

However, this being his Florida bike, it may take a long time to evaluate it in twisties.
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I've just finished 300 mi break in period on my CTX 1300. Very comfortable riding position. Front shocks feel very stiff. Short windshield puts a lot of wind in your face. I'm not used to that. Good smooth power. Passing gear is still 5th, like the ST 1300. Mpg is 55 at 55 mph, just like the ST 1300. Average mpg is in high 40's. Handlebar is wide but still responsive in curves. With a taller windshield, I might like it better than my ST 1300.
 
Thanks Ted, I think it's a great looking bike myself. The shield would be the only issue, we all know the engine will last.. LOL
 
Tom,
I didn't know you had purchased a CTX. Are you going to ride it to the RTE this year? I love to see it.
 
Here is a very good review on the CTX1300 from Canada. One of the least biased and honest. At least about the fact that journalists really don't know how to categorize this bike. It really doesn't fit in any of the boring categories, nor any of the exciting ones either, and that is one of Honda's primary intentions. This review also states the same that Ted (tstickler) did about having plenty of passing go power in 5th gear. I personally rarely get my ST1100 over 5000 rpm (usually sitting around 3500-4200 until I get up over 70 mph) so running this bike at lower rpm would be completely normal to me.
 
There is a family resemblance, and we have ridden many miles together. Maybe he can ride down from Dayton for the Hawg Wild RTE, but the CTX may stay in Florida, and he will show up on the '07ST1300 in his avatar.
 
rjs987 said:
Here is a very good review on the CTX1300 from Canada. One of the least biased and honest. At least about the fact that journalists really don't know how to categorize this bike. It really doesn't fit in any of the boring categories, nor any of the exciting ones either, and that is one of Honda's primary intentions. This review also states the same that Ted (tstickler) did about having plenty of passing go power in 5th gear. I personally rarely get my ST1100 over 5000 rpm (usually sitting around 3500-4200 until I get up over 70 mph) so running this bike at lower rpm would be completely normal to me.
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In ref. to the motoguide review. Checking out the mileage figures from the review. 195 miles(325 kilometers) on 5 gals (19.5 liters) on a tank of fuel. About 39 to 40 mpg. Is not much of a touring machine to me.

PS, I like the picture of the bike on the train tracks and the train coming at it. Enough said
 
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For the most part I like the look of the bike but when looking at a close-up of the front all I can picture is this...


Ackbar_HS.jpg
 
rjs987 said:
Here is a very good review on the CTX1300 from Canada.
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It is. Detailed and the best I've read so far.


rjs987 said:
so running this bike at lower rpm would be completely normal to me.
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I think I'd actually be turning fewer RPM on the CTX than my ST and I don't go particularly fast on my ST. I'd really like to give it a spin.



ChucksKLRST said:
I like the picture of the bike on the train tracks and the train coming at it.
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I don't know the author's/photographer's intent in parking the bike next to a parked engine but to me it highlights the CTX's retuned power curve and I infer that it pulls like a locomotive. It's no LD bike and it wasn't meant to be a straight up tourer. I wonder what it's range is compared to various bagger H-Ds.
 
ChucksKLRST said:
In ref. to the motoguide review. Checking out the mileage figures from the review. 195 miles(325 kilometers) on 5 gals (19.5 liters) on a tank of fuel. About 39 to 40 mpg. Is not much of a touring machine to me...
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Consider that Honda rates (still today) the ST1300 at 35 mpg based on U.S. EPA measuring system. So I'd assume, just looking at those figures, that the ST is also not so much of a touring machine as many like to think. But we all know the ST does better than the EPA says and by the same logic it would be expected the CTX will be closer to over the 50 mpg mark in real riding. In fact Ted (tstickler) reported getting 55mpg at 55mph and averaging high 40s mpg during the initial break in miles, which will only continue to go up through the first 1k miles as it does for any new bike. Ted's mpg during break in at 55 mph would give 280 miles on a tank. That's very close to what my ST gives now. I think it would do fine as a touring machine. My GL1500 was considered a fine touring machine and would only go about 200 miles per tank.

ST Gui said:
I think I'd actually be turning fewer RPM on the CTX than my ST and I don't go particularly fast on my ST.
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When I said it would be normal to me to run this bike at lower rpm I was thinking the same as you. :)
Lower than my ST.
I usually ran my GW 1000 rpm lower than my ST at least.
 
Re: 2014 Honda CTX1300 - MotorcycleUSA.com review

This just out...
MotorcycleUSA.com

Another good review. They like it! They really liked the performance of the ABS and TC, even better than high-performance bikes.
From some of their comments, like how the CTX1300 is missing highway pegs up front, I could tell the reviewers tended to be more cruiser oriented, except the rider in the included video who claimed he preferred a more sporty ride. And they love the sound as well as lack of vibration... silky smooth engine with lots of roll on power.
 
Thanks for the links, Bob.

I like this bike. I'm even spending a little time over on the ctx1300forum -but- not all is right by me. I see the 1261 V4 power plant as we know it has been significantly de-tuned for the CTX, specifically in the HP and peak torque department. The Canada MotoGuide review reports,
Many will be familiar with the CTX1300?s 1,261 cc, 90-degree V4, though it has been detuned for the CTX by way of different cams, a lowered compression ratio (10.0:1 vs. 10.8:1) and 2-mm smaller throttle bodies at 34 mm. That detuning has lowered output (according to European specs) to 83 hp from 124, and peak torque to 78 lb-ft from 92.
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Frankly, my need and desire is for more of both (HP and torque), not less. I'm concerned but I will refrain from final judgement until further analysis and expert road tests have been made. Of course, for some this will not be a deal breaker but by the same token, it will be for others. I will try to keep it all in perspective, which is why I'm not flat-out going off on Honda right now, though the argument can be made that they deserve it.
 
Keep in mind that while the numbers seem significantly lower than the ST1300, the CTX1300 reaches its torque and hp at a lot lower rpm. From the searching I've done so far it would seem that the CTX is stronger at a lower rpm than the ST. And since the engine is designed to run about 1000-2000rpm less for the same speeds up to normal highway speeds I really don't see any significant issue with power. The reviews from journalists and recent owners seem to verify this. The ST definitely has significantly higher power at higher speeds of course, like perhaps 80+mph. But I don't normally drive that fast anyway so that becomes a non-issue.
 
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