VTX 1800

[lucky_1_chris]

The one thing the 1800VTX has that I want is a beefed up final drive and spline set up.  Honda put a bearing in the flange and it cannot wiggle at all in the VTX.  Im working on a bushing idea to upgrade the Valk system, but not making fast progress......maybe Ill get working 

That bearing, bearings actually, are prone to failure and have been a thorn in the side of many VTX riders. It's more of a problem with the 18's than the 13's, but both experience problems. BUT.... in 6 yrs. at VTXOA I've only heard of a couple spline failures, and these were on punished bikes...

[lucky_1_chris]

Just curious at this point, not looking to bash anyone or start a peeing contest...

What would make a 1300 handle worlds better than the 1800???  I just rode a few thousand miles in the Rocky Mtns and I couldn't get away from my brother on his VTX 1800.  I'm no slouch in the curve department, having plenty of experience with curvy roads on bikes.  I do realize the obvious weight difference, and the top heavy nature of the 1800.  I don't know that is a huge disadvantage in a curve since I've never heard of a bike toppling over while going over 20 in a curve.  His does scrape the floorboards constantly when leaned, which is why he is on his second set now.  It also has 1/3 more brakes to stop the extra weight.


Also regarding the straight line speed.  The VTX my brother had that I'm making the references about is not stock.  It has an intake, power commander with custom mapping, and an exhaust.  Also a 200 rear MC tire which may give it a slight edge over the lesser 180, but not much.  Having said that the Valk and the 1800 are as close to dead even in a straight line as it gets.  The 1800 actually pulls about a 1/2 bike after 90 MPH.

As stated I'm just curious what makes the 1300 a better handling bike in the turns that could wipe a smile off an 1800.  I'd venture to say that if the 1300 is better in the turns then the in-between straight the 1800 would zoom right by?

Most of them was dragging their boards and pegs way before mine would on my 1300. Seems I had a little more ground clearance. Also the 1300 isn't as top heavy. Of course with any bike the driver makes the difference. The 1800 seems to run very well on top end. I had several ones I rode with (me on my 1300)and after 110 mph they would walk away from me. Now when we hit the curves it was my turn. Also I believe the engine braking on the 1300 was better than the 1800 of course with the geared down 1800  rear end I had a advantage.. Neither to me is as good as the Valkyrie engine braking.  
David

I believe the 1300 has more ground clearance and it sure is lighter.

The 1800 has more ground clearance, and averages about 75 lbs. heavier. However, the diff between a 1300 R and an 1800 C is only about 50 lbs.

[Kylenav]

I wrote and reply and after reading it realized it was useless, so deleted it.  In the end it's the original poster whom will be mislead and any babbling I was doing wasn't going to help that. 

They're both great bikes, that is for certain.  1 has a cheaper price tag and doesn't have the stock power and smoothness of the more expensive one.  You have to do what you're comfortable with, and decide what it is you want the bike to do.

I sincerely hope you enjoy whichever steel pony you decide on, and with it being a Honda I'm sure it will provide you years of enjoyment on 2 wheels.

Ride safe.

[lucky_1_chris]

I wrote and reply and after reading it realized it was useless, so deleted it.  In the end it's the original poster whom will be mislead and any babbling I was doing wasn't going to help that. 

They're both great bikes, that is for certain.  1 has a cheaper price tag and doesn't have the stock power and smoothness of the more expensive one.  You have to do what you're comfortable with, and decide what it is you want the bike to do.

I sincerely hope you enjoy whichever steel pony you decide on, and with it being a Honda I'm sure it will provide you years of enjoyment on 2 wheels.

Ride safe.

You should see some of the 18 vs. 13 threads on the other site...

[BIG--T]

Just curious at this point, not looking to bash anyone or start a peeing contest...

What would make a 1300 handle worlds better than the 1800???  I just rode a few thousand miles in the Rocky Mtns and I couldn't get away from my brother on his VTX 1800.  I'm no slouch in the curve department, having plenty of experience with curvy roads on bikes.  I do realize the obvious weight difference, and the top heavy nature of the 1800.  I don't know that is a huge disadvantage in a curve since I've never heard of a bike toppling over while going over 20 in a curve.  His does scrape the floorboards constantly when leaned, which is why he is on his second set now.  It also has 1/3 more brakes to stop the extra weight.


Also regarding the straight line speed.  The VTX my brother had that I'm making the references about is not stock.  It has an intake, power commander with custom mapping, and an exhaust.  Also a 200 rear MC tire which may give it a slight edge over the lesser 180, but not much.  Having said that the Valk and the 1800 are as close to dead even in a straight line as it gets.  The 1800 actually pulls about a 1/2 bike after 90 MPH.

As stated I'm just curious what makes the 1300 a better handling bike in the turns that could wipe a smile off an 1800.  I'd venture to say that if the 1300 is better in the turns then the in-between straight the 1800 would zoom right by?

Yep it would blow by it! I have a Retro with floorboards and I look like one big side grinder in the twisties where the boards scrape!

I was looking at the 1800's pretty hard when I bought the 1300. Had a buddy that had a 1300 and liked the way it handled. It's a shame Honda dropped the 1800. Seemed they had a very good engine also. I now own 2 Valkyrie and thinking real hard about selling one. My wife has been eying the Can Am Spyder RT. Got to keep the wife happy.
David

Ummm, I am looking for an I/S! 

[BIG--T]

Anytime anyone starts a sentence with "I don't mean to be a smart-ass" nothing polite will follow.

Thanks for keeping true to the stereotype. I really appreciate how you attempted to invalidate my experience based on a gas cap hinge. Now let me return the favor.

Paint shaker? Seriously? "OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE NEVER OWNED A 1800"... blah blah... never said I did, just that I had ridden them and had friends that had them. Show me any stock Honda that rumbles like a paint shaker. Mine was smooth, maybe yours needs a tune-up. That would explain why you can't keep up with the 1800's.

150... off by 5mph... something smells here. Show me a stock 1800 doing 150+ and I'll sell you some ocean front property in Iowa. (Maybe if you only weigh 95lbs ). Also the speedo isn't off by a static 5mph at all speeds.

Sounds like another case of displacement envy to me. Next thing you will tell us that all of the roads on an 1800 are down-hill and fresh paved.

Well Doc, Where do I start? There is a big difference between riding someone's bike and owning your own which probably explains the gas cap. The bike you rode must have had a Coyote X gas cap hinge which is an accessory.

Ok you are right about the paint shaker, umm that's Harley. The 1300 sound good and has that potato,potato sound and vibrates because it is a single pin crank where the 1800 is dual pin."why I can't keep up with a 1800"?? Ummm, I've already outrun 3!


Mosy all speedos are off running that fast. One day I'll put my GPS on it. I never did once say it was stock and I do weigh  a few pounds over 95!

Yes I guess I do have displacement envy bc I want a Rocket 3, 2300 cc!! You're right about the freshly paved downhill 1800 roads! Come on down and jump on back and I'll show you 150 on those roads!!! 

[Jess Tolbirt]

kph?

[The Anvil]

I've ridden both the 1300 and 1800 and while the 1300 is a bit lighter and does have a little more ground clearance it does not handle "worlds better" IMO. They're close enough so that a highly skilled rider (me) could leave an average rider on a 1300 in the dust.

I like both bikes too, in fact the 1300 is better than the big brother in a few ways. But the handling disparity is not as great as some are making it sound.

[BIG--T]

I've ridden both the 1300 and 1800 and while the 1300 is a bit lighter and does have a little more ground clearance it does not handle "worlds better" IMO. They're close enough so that a highly skilled rider (me) could leave an average rider on a 1300 in the dust.

I like both bikes too, in fact the 1300 is better than the big brother in a few ways. But the handling disparity is not as great as some are making it sound.

Anvil you need to get on the VTXOA board. You could start a good arguement with the 1300 vs 1800!!

[9Ball]

Personally, I think the 1300 handles poorly, especially compared to my Valk and Rocket 3.  The suspension seems to want to unload too easily on bumpy roads.  If I rode it more maybe I would get used to the feel.  I must just be spoiled with the progressive fork springs and 440 shocks on the Valkyrie and Rocket.  I've ridden my Wife's 1300 R quite a few times over the past 5 years and I can say it is definitely not for me....but she loves it which is all that matters.

Good thing they make a lot of different bikes so we can find what suits us.

[The Anvil]

I've ridden both the 1300 and 1800 and while the 1300 is a bit lighter and does have a little more ground clearance it does not handle "worlds better" IMO. They're close enough so that a highly skilled rider (me) could leave an average rider on a 1300 in the dust.

I like both bikes too, in fact the 1300 is better than the big brother in a few ways. But the handling disparity is not as great as some are making it sound.

Anvil you need to get on the VTXOA board. You could start a good arguement with the 1300 vs 1800!!

Aw hell I've got enough going on over here man... 

[PAVALKER]

Thinking about VTX 1300 or  1800 for my son , anyone have one ? What do you think about it ?

Rosie.... I test rode both bikes before I decided to get my VTX1800R... and maybe your son would appreciate a test ride on both before a decision is made on which one you want to get for him.   Both are great bikes, but each have their pros and cons depending on your perspective.  After my test rides, I decided on the VTX1800R for its power/torque/braking (dual front discs), hydraulic clutch, fuel injection,  and overall ride based on the bikes I test rode... I liked the 1800 ride over the 1300 ride personally.  I had my 02VTX1800R for just about 8.5 years and loved it.... but since I got my Valk a few years ago, I love my Valk a little more, sold my VTX earlier this year and picked up an Antique bike.   The only issues I had with my VTX1800R was a water pump leak developed and was covered under standard warranty.  I did add an Ultimate Seat, Bags, Shield, Lightbar, Power Commander (PC3), modified exhaust and got a Dyno Tune,  and I added a bunch of other chrome and farkle to it to make it mine.

Oh, I wouldn't be swayed much by the 1800 VS 1300 power/torque thing.... I had a friend that had a 1300 and pulled a trailer with it riding 2UP,... and him/his wife were not lite weights and it appeared to do just fine.   Another friend had a flange bearing on his 1800R fail but had new bearings installed at a machine shop which took some metal off the hub where the bearings seated because they found it to be tapered and the inner bearing was being pinched too much I believe.  

Good luck .....

[Chrisj CMA]

The one thing the 1800VTX has that I want is a beefed up final drive and spline set up.  Honda put a bearing in the flange and it cannot wiggle at all in the VTX.  Im working on a bushing idea to upgrade the Valk system, but not making fast progress......maybe Ill get working 

That bearing, bearings actually, are prone to failure and have been a thorn in the side of many VTX riders. It's more of a problem with the 18's than the 13's, but both experience problems. BUT.... in 6 yrs. at VTXOA I've only heard of a couple spline failures, and these were on punished bikes...

Well, thanks for that intel....I at one time was going to look into adapting a VTX flange, but now I think my bushing idea will be even better than a bearing

[lucky_1_chris]

The one thing the 1800VTX has that I want is a beefed up final drive and spline set up.  Honda put a bearing in the flange and it cannot wiggle at all in the VTX.  Im working on a bushing idea to upgrade the Valk system, but not making fast progress......maybe Ill get working  

That bearing, bearings actually, are prone to failure and have been a thorn in the side of many VTX riders. It's more of a problem with the 18's than the 13's, but both experience problems. BUT.... in 6 yrs. at VTXOA I've only heard of a couple spline failures, and these were on punished bikes...

Well, thanks for that intel....I at one time was going to look into adapting a VTX flange, but now I think my bushing idea will be even better than a bearing

As PAValker stated, the problem with the bearing stems from the cup being slightly undersized. The outer bearing doesn't have enough room. Once it's machined out to the proper size it's a non-issue. The flanges are bolted on. If the bolt holes are in the same place as the  Valk's flange pins, and the gear is the same size, you could probably use the VTX flange. With the bearings pressed out they look identical, but I haven't compared them side by side.

I'm just gonna keep mine lubed, and get a spare flange and final and I'll prolly be set. May never need them, but parts aren't going to get easier to find.

[Rosie]

Thank you to everyone that replied. Maybe just buy another valk,who knows. He has 1400 suzuki intruder now. Its a 1992 with 25000 miles. Will start looking and see what comes along. Thanks again.