CTX1300

Joined
Sep 17, 2023
Messages
147
Location
Chicago
Bike
Royal Enfield INT650
Hi Everyone,

Has anyone considered the CTX1300, or even the 700. How is this bike in general? Reliable? I know it is discontinued. I'm just thinking if my 1993 ST1100 ever goes out of commission for some reason, what would I replace it with, if it's not another ST (1300). Possibly something lighter. While the CTX1300 is heavier, from what I read its center of gravity is lower, so might be easier to handle?

Thanks.
 

 

Thank you -just read through these posts. Seems as the CTX1300 can be a good contender if I ever replace my bike, IF.
 
I am a former owner of a CTX1300 and was for many years a moderator on the CTX1300 forum.
The CTX1300 and CTX700 are ENTIRELY different bikes other than the engine size. The ONLY similarity is that the plastics do look like they are related. Aside from that there is nothing similar.
The 700 is based off of the NC700 platform. The CTX1300 was mostly a new design built around a RE-tuned ST1300 engine and transmission. Almost everything about the engine and transmission is taken right from the ST1300. Gear ratios are all the same. The RE-tuning changed the HP and torque to increase both at lower RPM resulting in a higher value for both than the ST at below 5000 RPM. RPM has a slightly lower red-line than the ST. At 5000 RPM both bikes are the same HP and torque and above 5000 RPM the ST goes higher. The peak HP and torque on the CTX1300 is lower than the peak on the ST. The throttle bodies are also different resulting in the ST having a faster acceleration than the CTX even though the CTX has more power... delivered a bit less rapidly. Things like pegs and grips and levers are also taken right from the ST1300 (so many aftermarket items like those that fit the ST will fit the CTX). Most of the maintenance is the very same as on the ST.

The CTX1300 has a more neutral foot peg location. The ST foot pegs are directly below the front of the seat. The Gold Wing pegs are about 4 inches in front of that. And the CTX1300 pegs are about another 3 inches in front of that. I had a GL1500 also many years ago and the CTX reminded me of those ergonomics. The seat is also lower than the ST and even the CG was a bit lower. The CTX is a very relaxed touring bike with enough grunt to get active if you want to. When traveling I was able to go through small towns with 35 mph speed limits without downshifting if there were no stops going through and then crank on the throttle and rapidly ramp right up to the highway speeds on the way out. All staying in 5th gear. The engine did not lug even down to around 2000 RPM as the ST does.

If my hips and knees were not getting old and cranky about swinging a leg over the seat I'd still have mine. But I realized I wanted something that was a lot more forgiving on those joints that I could climb on without lifting over the seat.
 
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I am a former owner of a CTX1300 and was for many years a moderator on the CTX1300 forum.
The CTX1300 and CTX700 are ENTIRELY different bikes other than the engine size. The ONLY similarity is that the plastics do look like they are related. Aside from that there is nothing similar.
The 700 is based off of the NC700 platform. The CTX1300 was mostly a new design built around a RE-tuned ST1300 engine and transmission. Almost everything about the engine and transmission is taken right from the ST1300. Gear ratios are all the same. The RE-tuning changed the HP and torque to increase both at lower RPM resulting in a higher value for both than the ST at below 5000 RPM. RPM has a slightly lower red-line than the ST. At 5000 RPM both bikes are the same HP and torque and above 5000 RPM the ST goes higher. The peak HP and torque on the CTX1300 is lower than the peak on the ST. The throttle bodies are also different resulting in the ST having a faster acceleration than the CTX even though the CTX has more power... delivered a bit less rapidly. Things like pegs and grips and levers are also taken right from the ST1300 (so many aftermarket items like those that fit the ST will fit the CTX). Most of the maintenance is the very same as on the ST.

The CTX1300 has a more neutral foot peg location. The ST foot pegs are directly below the front of the seat. The Gold Wing pegs are about 4 inches in front of that. And the CTX1300 pegs are about another 3 inches in front of that. I had a GL1500 also many years ago and the CTX reminded me of those ergonomics. The seat is also lower than the ST and even the CG was a bit lower. The CTX is a very relaxed touring bike with enough grunt to get active if you want to. When traveling I was able to go through small towns with 35 mph speed limits without downshifting if there were no stops going through and then crank on the throttle and rapidly ramp right up to the highway speeds on the way out. All staying in 5th gear. The engine did not lug even down to around 2000 RPM as the ST does.

If my hips and knees were not getting old and cranky about swinging a leg over the seat I'd still have mine. But I realized I wanted something that was a lot more forgiving on those joints that I could climb on without lifting over the seat.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. This adds more info for me. At 52, I'm relatively a new motorcycle rider, with an ST1100 and a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. I love both bikes, but I cannot keep thinking of the future when and if I possibly won't be able to handle at least the ST for various reasons. I started looking into cruisers, and that is when the idea of a CTX kicked in, though I see it might not be ideal if body condition can't handle certain weight (or other factors). I will evaluate this as I think the weight is 'lower' than an ST (?), and easier to handle as such. Ultimately I aim at a bike I can comfortably and leisurely ride with a kick when needed, and the CTX1300 might fit that bill.
 
Thank you for taking the time to reply. This adds more info for me. At 52, I'm relatively a new motorcycle rider, with an ST1100 and a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. I love both bikes, but I cannot keep thinking of the future when and if I possibly won't be able to handle at least the ST for various reasons. I started looking into cruisers, and that is when the idea of a CTX kicked in, though I see it might not be ideal if body condition can't handle certain weight (or other factors). I will evaluate this as I think the weight is 'lower' than an ST (?), and easier to handle as such. Ultimately I aim at a bike I can comfortably and leisurely ride with a kick when needed, and the CTX1300 might fit that bill.

BTW the ST1100 and ST1300 and CTX1300 are all within a pound or two of being the very same weight. But the CG is lower on the CTX1300.
 
Only jealous people think to say it was DE-tuned. That's not a fix but a myth.


I guess I do get a little testy about that common misconception. I found that by adjusting the HP and torque lower in the RPM range made the peak more available to where most riders can make better use of them.
 
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