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Are you an experienced motorcycle rider? If not, a big cruiser might be more bike than you can easily handle - at least for now. You might want to consider buying something like a 500, or 750, to get some experience on.
That said, I assume you're talking about the VTX 1300. I've never heard anything bad about those motorcycles. A friend of mine has a VTX 1800, and absolutely loves it. The VTX 1300 should be a good heavy cruiser for your occasional road trip.
I don't know what bikes go for in your area, but the $5,000 price tag doesn't seem out of line. I've got an '05 Kawasaki 1500, with 25,000 miles, that is worth something like that.
I would use it mostly for scenic drives where I live and occasional 500 mile trips.
If this translates to mostly under 200 mile days with an occasional overnighter
(as 98% of motorcycle riding really is) then a much smaller bike will prove to be more than adequate.
Even if you occasionally take a passenger with you...
or occasionally do a really long day...
a smooth 600cc+ anything will serve very nicely.
I like the Suzuki VStrom as the inheritor of the UJM mantle.
I'm retired and thinking about purchasing a reasonably priced motorcycle.
In the paper, there are usually several 1300 Hondas ( 2004-2006) listed with low miles,good condition, and around $5,000.
I would use it mostly for scenic drives where I live and ocassional 500 mile trips.
WHICH 1300. If it's the STs be aware that some of 'em show a sensitivity to tires at high speeds , if you ride 'em hard you'll need to do the suspension.
They handle MUCH better than any 700lb scoot has a right to , the v-4 has exactly the right power characteristics for real world street rideing , most are as reliable as an axe save for the usual Honda regulator problems , fuel mileage sn't all that great when flogging it but kept closer to the speed limits it's reasonable , it's reasonably fast for a sportouring type rig and a good St thats properly setup is a ssmmmmoooth mile GOBBLING gotta be across the continent in three days scoot , in many ways the spiritual inheritor of the R90S and R100RS legacies.
Are you an experienced motorcycle rider? If not, a big cruiser might be more bike than you can easily handle - at least for now. You might want to consider buying something like a 500, or 750, to get some experience on.
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Folks keep saying the above , thing is there really isn't all that much at the 500cc and 750cc levels , things have changed as regards the delineations nowadays.
Beginners need to look at the given model and riding class , not displacement ( within reason). And the vast majority of beginners should avoid "sport" bikes altogether , they'll be far , far better off on a mid-displacement dual purpose bike. In addition they will have the potential of getting a bit of off road experience , which will build skills that will become quite valuable on the street.
And larger sport bikes? UH UH , no way , no how , not a freaking chance. Forget the 600 class sport bikes too , the powerband can and will bite a novice who doesn't know what the hell they're doing.
And here's a basic truth for folks , it's a LOT more fun to ride a small bike hard at it's limits than to ride something hard that you can't reach it's limits.
And the guy that tells you that he is reaching the *limits* of a modern sport bike on the street.........is a LIAR. Go to a trackday and talk to the guys in A group that are actually getting it around and ask THEM if they're " at the limit".........they'll look at you like you're bloody nuts.
As an example , the fastest scoots in my shop around a given track aren't anywhere close to being the most FUN and the ones that are the most fun are the lowest on the horsepower scle , and ever one of 'em is more fun on the street than a freaking Liter Bike.
Most practical? My SV650 bitsa , mild motor build for mid 70s horsepower wise and an accessible torque curve , 03 Gixxer 1k front end and Galfer discs , Ohlins shock , suspension valved and set up by Catalyst Reaction.
40k on that motor now and I can still run 2:03s round Thunderhill one day like a walk in the park and then take a weeklong trip flogging it the next day.
You toss my GSXR1k round Thunderhill for a day at consisten 2:00s , maybe down into the :59s...........well you ain't doing much the next day except recover with your tube of BenGay.
And the 'Busa........forget it , tried that ONCE , it's an exercise in freaking pure TERROR on a road track , even with the boost turned down to 6 lbs.
On the other end is my XR650 r based motard , you would have to TRY to crash the thing , and if you get off in the dirt you just stay in the gas and start flat-tracking the thing , the most fun on two wheels under 60 horses. Absolute hooligan bike on the street though , you *WILL* commit juvenile traffic crimes , finding every excuse to slide it around , hack it in and wheelie etc.............
Last edited by RoninAmok; 06-02-2012 at 04:38 PM..
I would definitely recommend a smaller bike unless you have experience with larger bikes, perhaps a 750 or 600. Just backing up what e previous poster has said...Hondas are pretty awesome bikes though, my brothers both had one!
Folks keep saying the above , thing is there really isn't all that much at the 500cc and 750cc levels , things have changed as regards the delineations nowadays.
I'm not thinking of speed or power. I'm thinking of weight, and some of these big cruisers are extremely heavy - which makes them great cruisers. On the other hand, they can be pretty unwieldy for the novice rider.
Folks keep saying the above , thing is there really isn't all that much at the 500cc and 750cc levels , things have changed as regards the delineations nowadays.
Beginners need to look at the given model and riding class , not displacement ( within reason). And the vast majority of beginners should avoid "sport" bikes altogether , they'll be far , far better off on a mid-displacement dual purpose bike. In addition they will have the potential of getting a bit of off road experience , which will build skills that will become quite valuable on the street.
And larger sport bikes? UH UH , no way , no how , not a freaking chance. Forget the 600 class sport bikes too , the powerband can and will bite a novice who doesn't know what the hell they're doing.
And here's a basic truth for folks , it's a LOT more fun to ride a small bike hard at it's limits than to ride something hard that you can't reach it's limits.
And the guy that tells you that he is reaching the *limits* of a modern sport bike on the street.........is a LIAR. Go to a trackday and talk to the guys in A group that are actually getting it around and ask THEM if they're " at the limit".........they'll look at you like you're bloody nuts.
As an example , the fastest scoots in my shop around a given track aren't anywhere close to being the most FUN and the ones that are the most fun are the lowest on the horsepower scle , and ever one of 'em is more fun on the street than a freaking Liter Bike.
Most practical? My SV650 bitsa , mild motor build for mid 70s horsepower wise and an accessible torque curve , 03 Gixxer 1k front end and Galfer discs , Ohlins shock , suspension valved and set up by Catalyst Reaction.
40k on that motor now and I can still run 2:03s round Thunderhill one day like a walk in the park and then take a weeklong trip flogging it the next day.
You toss my GSXR1k round Thunderhill for a day at consisten 2:00s , maybe down into the :59s...........well you ain't doing much the next day except recover with your tube of BenGay.
And the 'Busa........forget it , tried that ONCE , it's an exercise in freaking pure TERROR on a road track , even with the boost turned down to 6 lbs.
On the other end is my XR650 r based motard , you would have to TRY to crash the thing , and if you get off in the dirt you just stay in the gas and start flat-tracking the thing , the most fun on two wheels under 60 horses. Absolute hooligan bike on the street though , you *WILL* commit juvenile traffic crimes , finding every excuse to slide it around , hack it in and wheelie etc.............
There is so much truth in what you wrote! I had a Kawi Concours for about 20 years. Decent long distance sport tourer, but I had gotten bored with it and rarely rode the last 10 years I had it. Finally sold it and picked up a DR650. I really enjoy being able to get out and explore the thousands of miles of forest service roads in my area...something the Connie was unsuited for. After a year, I traded "down" to a WR250R. That little 250 is a lot more fun on the dirt, and only a bit slower on pavement...though hills and headwinds take their toll at speeds over about 60. For playing in the woods, on ATV trails or exploring back roads, I really like this little bike. As many others have said, it's a lot more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow. Today's crop of sport bikes are really too much bike for probably 98% of riders.
If money permitted, I'd REALLY like a KTM690R. 2 1/2 times the power and nearly the same weight. I'm more likely to pick up a 650 Vstrom for my daily commuter/distance bike. I don't see the need for anything more.
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