Planning to get a VTX 1800

[Tfrank59]

You guys never steer me wrong so if you have any opinion on this I’ll take it. Course if it’s don’t do it I’ll need some grounds for that.  My sense is we valkers respect Xers mostly. Oh and this won’t replace my valk but my other bike

[longrider]

In 03 I purchased an 18R for my wife.  She really liked the Bike and had 60 k on it in four years.  Only trouble with it was the main relay for the fuel pump let us down away from home. Bought her number 2 with 8 k and she had almost 90 k on that one in another  four years.  Number three bought with 4K on it in 2011 I think.  Sold it in 2017   Had 110 k and the only trouble was the wire to the coil on the rear jug rubbed and short so it dropped the spark   But was close to home.  Took me a bit to find that one.  As you can see all in all a great motorcycle.    She’s riding a IS now   

[sandy]

Ive ridden one. I didn’t like the V twin shake. They vibrate lots more than a Valk. They are a brute in the torque category. They have a dual pin crank which means the pistons don’t go up/down together. One is up while the other is down. Despite this, they still vibrate too much for me.

[NewValker]

I had an 03 1800, put 104k on it. 80k of that on a C/T.
I had no problems that were not self-induced.
Changed air filter, brakes, tires, fluids, and rode!
If I didn’t find my I/S I’d still be riding the X.

Keep mice away, they love the air filter housing.

Craig

[Robert]

My friend wanted to get a Harley for his first bike, I talked him into a VTX1800 he loved the bike. I had him put on the front guards and a windshield and bags. The guards did stop him from hurting himself when he accidentally fell over on the bike since it stopped the bike from falling on him and trapping him between the bike and the ground and I would recommend them. Other than that there are 3 models that vary the trim packages and some fender details but all are good. I would not go for the 1300 as its not the same bike and does not have all the features that the 1800 has. Smooth power and quick, reliable and does not drip oil. 

[Jess from VA]

Keep mice away, they love the air filter housing.

Never had A VTX (rode one).

But the mice at my house preferred the Kawasaki (Vtwin) air filter housing.  

I will never understand how I was able to roll it out of the shed and fire it up one Spring, without the mouse abandoning ship.  Maybe he felt protected in there.  Or maybe he was asleep.  But once I fired it up with choke and ran high RPM, he was sucked in beyond escape and quickly charbroiled.  And for such a small animal, he stunk up the whole area real bad.

It was the wife's bike, so I had to get her out there right away.  

What did you do to my bike?     (eye's watering)

Wataya mean?  It's running great.    

[Robert]

Keep mice away, they love the air filter housing.

Never had A VTX (rode one).

But the mice at my house preferred the Kawasaki (Vtwin) air filter housing.  

I will never understand how I was able to roll it out of the shed and fire it up one Spring, without the mouse abandoning ship.  Maybe he felt protected in there.  Or maybe he was asleep.  But once I fired it up with choke and ran high RPM, he was sucked in beyond escape and quickly charbroiled.  And for such a small animal, he stunk up the whole area real bad.

It was the wife's bike, so I had to get her out there right away.  

What did you do to my bike?     (eye's watering)

Wataya mean?  It's running great.    

 

[Tfrank59]

My friend wanted to get a Harley for his first bike, I talked him into a VTX1800 he loved the bike. I had him put on the front guards and a windshield and bags. The guards did stop him from hurting himself when he accidentally fell over on the bike since it stopped the bike from falling on him and trapping him between the bike and the ground and I would recommend them. Other than that there are 3 models that vary the trim packages and some fender details but all are good. I would not go for the 1300 as its not the same bike and does not have all the features that the 1800 has. Smooth power and quick, reliable and does not drip oil.  

Ya know, thought I'd never say this but I've been considering a HD Road king for the past year or so...just can't afford one and don't like that they're belt drive and air cooled.  Anyway, that's how I landed on the VTX.  Honda was going for the Harley look and feel and did their best with the VTX 1800, but Harley fans are totally into their brand (probably why the VTX ended).  I'm not, so I think I'll take the best of both worlds with another metric cruiser, this one a monster v twin.  The one I'm likely getting (today) is an 02 which is the basic sporty one, though it has a wind screen.  I'll have to add bags and crash bars, floor boards, etc. if I want them.  I'll let you know how things turn out.  If I end up half as happy with it as I am with my Valk, I'll consider it a success.

[Jack B]

This one is in Wisconsin it belongs to a friend
https://greenbay.craigslist.org/mcy/d/manitowoc-2007-honda-vtx/7299407980.html 

[Tfrank59]

This one is in Wisconsin it belongs to a friend
https://greenbay.craigslist.org/mcy/d/manitowoc-2007-honda-vtx/7299407980.html 

Looks like a v-twin Valk   Very nice!  Here's what I'm getting...https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/d/mercer-island-2002-honda-vtx-1800c/7299489497.html

[Warlock]

This one is in Wisconsin it belongs to a friend
https://greenbay.craigslist.org/mcy/d/manitowoc-2007-honda-vtx/7299407980.html 

Looks like a v-twin Valk   Very nice!  Here's what I'm getting...https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/d/mercer-island-2002-honda-vtx-1800c/7299489497.html

They are good bikes. Fast also. Only thing I don't like is the aftermarket pipes. You can make them loud, but to me they sound bad. With the dual pin crank it doesn't have the, hate to say it the harley sound. It will set off car alarms. A little top heavy but still a good bike. I like the model you are looking. It is a little faster than our Valkyrie. Look to put gas in it about every 90 to 100 miles. Not a big tank on them.
David

[Tfrank59]

 Yeah, I’m gonna need to cork those shotguns with a baffle or two—wouldn’t be my first time. (He’s also giving me the stock exhaust so I might consider using it) And for the riding I do 100 miles is enough range. If I’m going a long ways I’m gonna be on my Valkyrie. It also doesn’t get very far on a tank of gas 

[Rams]

Ive ridden one. I didn’t like the V twin shake. They vibrate lots more than a Valk. They are a brute in the torque category. They have a dual pin crank which means the pistons don’t go up/down together. One is up while the other is down. Despite this, they still vibrate too much for me.

This I agree with.   Just not for me.   But, if that's what turns your crank, go for it.

Rams

[Robert]

My friend wanted to get a Harley for his first bike, I talked him into a VTX1800 he loved the bike. I had him put on the front guards and a windshield and bags. The guards did stop him from hurting himself when he accidentally fell over on the bike since it stopped the bike from falling on him and trapping him between the bike and the ground and I would recommend them. Other than that there are 3 models that vary the trim packages and some fender details but all are good. I would not go for the 1300 as its not the same bike and does not have all the features that the 1800 has. Smooth power and quick, reliable and does not drip oil.  

Ya know, thought I'd never say this but I've been considering a HD Road king for the past year or so...just can't afford one and don't like that they're belt drive and air cooled.  Anyway, that's how I landed on the VTX.  Honda was going for the Harley look and feel and did their best with the VTX 1800, but Harley fans are totally into their brand (probably why the VTX ended).  I'm not, so I think I'll take the best of both worlds with another metric cruiser, this one a monster v twin.  The one I'm likely getting (today) is an 02 which is the basic sporty one, though it has a wind screen.  I'll have to add bags and crash bars, floor boards, etc. if I want them.  I'll let you know how things turn out.  If I end up half as happy with it as I am with my Valk, I'll consider it a success.

I dont see any problem you should love the bike. I rode his a few times and worked on it a bit and it has plenty of power easy to ride and just a good all around bike. Let us know how it goes and like I told him if you do nothing else get the crash bars.

My mother was a ER nurse she and of all the motorcycle injuries she talked about was the one where the Harleys would fall and the guy stayed on the bike and his leg got caught between the ground and the bike sliding along. Sorry I know not a great thought but one that stuck in my mind. Believe or not it was one reason I liked my 1500, if anything was going to happen it was the engine and protectors that would hit not my leg.

[Bighead]

Had one and loved it. Very tourqy. Put about 40k on it   Never an issue at all. Made a huge mistake and was riding with the HD crowd so I traded it on a street glide which was a nice ride (solo) but not enough room 2 up and not enough power to pull a greasy string out of a cats A$$. Sold that and bought a VAlkyrie IS to put in the garage by my ‘97 standard.

[Tfrank59]

 Well thanks guys. I am now the owner of a O2 VTX 1800. What a beast! You talk about torque wow I got to say it kind of dwarfs my Valkyrie and my Valkyrie runs good ha ha. It’s just a different kind a ride and that’s why I wanted it. I got my Valkyrie for those long smooth cruises and I’ve got this thing for when I want to go sporty and chug past the Harleys and everybody else. Incredible what this thing does when you romp on it at about 50 mph. Definite speeding ticket.  The guy that sold it to me was the second owner he bought it with only 1100 miles on it and has owned it since 2003. He took excellent care of it. he is after all a rich guy :-)

[Crackerborn]

Had a '02C that needed a radiator every 2 years. Other than that, fairly comfortable, lots of low end torque, and loved the fuel injection. Double darkside after the dunflops wore out in less than 8k miles and the front tire dished around the same. The stock seat was never an all dayer but then very few are.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Had a '02C that needed a radiator every 2 years. Other than that, fairly comfortable, lots of low end torque, and loved the fuel injection. Double darkside after the dunflops wore out in less than 8k miles and the front tire dished around the same. The stock seat was never an all dayer but then very few are.

Would the radiator develop leaks ?

[Tfrank59]

Yeah, that’s a weird sounding failure to recur. It’s not much of a radiator I’ll give you that and it seems like the beast runs hotter than my Valkyrie, and it’s only April. I don’t know if the previous owner had to do anything with the cooling system he didn’t mention it, and he owned it from ‘03 onwards.  I’m gonna see him on Saturday and I might ask him about that.

[Crackerborn]

Upper tank would separate from the cooling grid every time. I finally found a Goldwing specialty repair shop the re-attached the two back together (aluminum tank), rather than buying a new radiator. Added bushings between the tank and frame that solved the problem. I believe the '02's were the only year that had that issue. The joys of buying the first year of production. Sometimes you get the best ones made and other times not so much.

[klb]

Got this 2008 Tourer in 2010 with only 364 miles on it.
Sold it 2 months later when I found my 99 Standard.
Couldn't get used to the forward controls and my hands
would get numb but still wish I would have kept it.
She was stout.

[Tfrank59]

Yeah I’m getting used to the forward controls, and the bike I have came with even further forward controls because the guy is 6’5”. Thankfully he gave me the stock forward controls but I am getting used to them it’s quite different from the royal star I just sold it had a nice comfortable foot boards. Way different from my Valkyrie of course. But I like the VTX and I bought it for a change of pace. I can pass everything except a gas station!

[longrider]

Tfrank

If you havent joined the   https://www.vtxoa.com/  give them a try.  Some real experts on there.   Chicago spike for the mechanical and  hans & feet for the electrical.  One thing you should know is when the FPR (fuel pressure regulator) was last changed if at all.  On the early 02 to 04 or 5 models some people had issues with the vaccum side leaking and running fuel back into the crankcase causing big time trouble.   They are not real expensive and not hard to change so might think about it and or having one handy at home.  Personally the 02 I had is still running with the original FPR and 130,000 KM as my sister owns it.  Also if you don't know if the ground fix has been done you should get it done.  Easy.  Do a search on the vtx site for the write up.  Remove and Lube the shifter pivot at least yearly.    Thats about it.  Wife had V&H with long baffles in and I did like the sound.   Enjoy

Warren

[Tfrank59]

Tfrank

If you havent joined the   https://www.vtxoa.com/  give them a try.  Some real experts on there.   Chicago spike for the mechanical and  hans & feet for the electrical.  One thing you should know is when the FPR (fuel pressure regulator) was last changed if at all.  On the early 02 to 04 or 5 models some people had issues with the vaccum side leaking and running fuel back into the crankcase causing big time trouble.   They are not real expensive and not hard to change so might think about it and or having one handy at home.  Personally the 02 I had is still running with the original FPR and 130,000 KM as my sister owns it.  Also if you don't know if the ground fix has been done you should get it done.  Easy.  Do a search on the vtx site for the write up.  Remove and Lube the shifter pivot at least yearly.    Thats about it.  Wife had V&H with long baffles in and I did like the sound.   Enjoy

Warren

Yep joined the day I bought the vtx. They’re helping me with my power commander and cobra exhaust mapping.

[Tfrank59]

Tfrank

If you havent joined the   https://www.vtxoa.com/  give them a try.  Some real experts on there.   Chicago spike for the mechanical and  hans & feet for the electrical.  One thing you should know is when the FPR (fuel pressure regulator) was last changed if at all.  On the early 02 to 04 or 5 models some people had issues with the vaccum side leaking and running fuel back into the crankcase causing big time trouble.   They are not real expensive and not hard to change so might think about it and or having one handy at home.  Personally the 02 I had is still running with the original FPR and 130,000 KM as my sister owns it.  Also if you don't know if the ground fix has been done you should get it done.  Easy.  Do a search on the vtx site for the write up.  Remove and Lube the shifter pivot at least yearly.    Thats about it.  Wife had V&H with long baffles in and I did like the sound.   Enjoy

Warren

Yep joined the day I bought the vtx. They’re helping me with my power commander and cobra exhaust mapping.

[h13man]

I was looking at a VTX 1800 because of it being twin pin as I rode a VT1100C with STOCK exhaust but with a aftermarket exhaust sounds like chit. That being said, I found uprighting it from the kickstand took way much effort being top heavy. BTW a 96' Valk standard vs the 01' VTX1800C specs are nearly identical performance (1/4 mi.), weight, and PTWR spec's according to a Dale Frank's 12'-13' performance chart.

[Tfrank59]

The specs may be very close on engine performance, but it’s an entirely different riding experience. That is why I own a second motorcycle (and my friends continually ask why), along with having a backup bike for when one of them is up on the lift for maintenance. Sunny days like today I just have to ride something