Honda CTX 1300

[Tundra]

 It looks like Honda offers a detachable trunk and full shield for the CTX 1300? I saw it on the Honda web site, although did not see it available to purchase separately as accessories? Maybe this is the "deluxe" model? I'm sure Honda would not have it pictured if it was not available? Can someone clarify? They do offer a nice looking backrest, accessory socket and centerstand. Nice smooth, proven engine.
 The more I study this bike, the more I like it.

[Flrider]

Don't have an answer to your questions but looks to me like you sure are doing a lot of window shopping 

[Grumpy]

Looks like an add on accessory, here is a listing for one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-OEM-REAR-TRUNK-45L-CANDY-RED-CTX1300-STD-DLX-2014-/390871190982?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

[Jack B]

It looks like Honda offers a detachable trunk and full shield for the CTX 1300? I saw it on the Honda web site, although did not see it available to purchase separately as accessories? Maybe this is the "deluxe" model? I'm sure Honda would not have it pictured if it was not available? Can someone clarify? They do offer a nice looking backrest, accessory socket and centerstand. Nice smooth, proven engine.
 The more I study this bike, the more I like it.

m
Too bad it doesn't have the power of the ST 1300. I think it lost 40 to 50 HP.

[Tropic traveler]

The CTX1300 is on Kim's short list along with an F6B for her Valkyrie replacement. Pending a real good feeling from a test ride on a CTX1300 she will go with an F6B. She has already ridden my 6 and she liked it very much but she kinda wanted to get a lighter bike. The F6B is actually heavier but rides & feels lighter than a Valk.
One thing for sure CTX1300 or F6B a more substantial windshield will be the first accessory added!
As far as the lost HP on the CTX, it's really a matter of trading horsepower for torque moved down the RPM scale. The ST was much more akin to a crotch rocket than the CTX. From what I hear the CTX1300 has plenty of grunt though.

Have you ridden an F6B Doug??

[Tundra]

Thanks guys, no Eddie I have not ridden one.
I plan on making a trip to my local Honda dealer and checking out the new inventory. I'm surprised I wasn't more interested in looking when we went to Champions Honda/Leesburg ride. I've been on the new bike fence for a while now.

[Tropic traveler]

Thanks guys, no Eddie I have not ridden one.
I plan on making a trip to my local Honda dealer and checking out the new inventory. I'm surprised I wasn't more interested in looking when we went to Champions Honda/Leesburg ride. I've been on the new bike fence for a while now.

I know how you feel Doug. I sat on that same fence for a while. Got on the fence when the F6B first came out but waited until the "F6C" that became the new Valkyrie showed up. When I saw how homely it was I knew it was the F6B for me. Got off the fence & pulled the trigger when I realized we really don't need 4 bikes & how nice two new bikes would suit our future riding plans. It took a LOT of arguing in my own mind to give up the Valks. 
I will be sad to see them go, especially my '97. 
Bottom line for me is I would not be happy with anything other than a flat 6 powered bike & regardless of which bike Kim picks out they will most likely be the last bikes we will own. I may pick up a project bike in the future like the inline 4 powered Shadow I want to build but the F6B will be my last road trip bike. I'll be 57 in a couple of months & we all know about the F6 longevity! 
 

[Bronxboy]

I think if I was to make the move away from the Valk, I would probably go back to a Sport Tourer. I really liked my Yamaha FJR but it was a 2004 and had some real bad heat issues. Yamaha addressed that issue in the 06 model I think.

[Tundra]

Bronxboy, It must be because I'm getting older, any motorcycle in summer Florida heat and humidity with the "feels like" temps at 100 degrees has heat issues. Heck I was dehydrated and weak/wobbly/exhausted riding home Sunday for the first time. I've always ridden in the Florida summers past and never had an issue. I was miserable. I think my summer riding is done until the temps start dropping. I just couldn't take the heat and actually had a hard time breathing when stopped at lights.

[Grumpy]

Bronxboy, It must be because I'm getting older, any motorcycle in summer Florida heat and humidity with the "feels like" temps at 100 degrees has heat issues. Heck I was dehydrated and weak/wobbly/exhausted riding home Sunday for the first time. I've always ridden in the Florida summers past and never had an issue. I was miserable. I think my summer riding is done until the temps start dropping. I just couldn't take the heat and actually had a hard time breathing when stopped at lights.

rut row, getting older. It happens, I tend to skip a lot of rides when it is Hot.

[_Sheffjs_]

As long as we get back by 10am and no later, this wimp is ok. My main beef is the FF helmet and itchy head! But you will not find me riding with out it. And here is where Gil says fleas scabies...................... 

[James III]

  Yes, the CTX1300 is a sharp looking ride and I'm sure performance to match.
Now on to the serious.
The excessive heat issue does impose some limits. If you sit in A/C all week working, your going to be much more heat sensitive than some of us that spend hours everyday outdoors. On a motorcycle, you can't beat the environment as in a cage. Each rider must follow the hydration guidelines and riding gear that are well documented for this type of riding as well as their own personal tolerance.
The wet vests do work well if used under a well vented mesh jacket. For short run local riding they tend to be bulky and maybe don't make a fashion statement but they can keep your trunk core temp more comfortable. Keeping a small cooler with a wet washcloth along with your couple bottles of water helps for quick cool off stops as needed. Placed around your neck your temp will drop quickly. All of the precautions taken still may not help you "beat" the heat. Doug has posted typical symptoms of early heat exhaustion. While riding this could just come on as a tired feeling. The fact of the matter is that one could pass out while riding and never be aware of what has happened. If you think it's going to be too hot, don't ride; we have plenty of great riding days ahead of us. Use the excessively hot "motorcycle day" for maintenance or other activity. Like one famous actor says" you have to know your limitations".

James

[Bronxboy]

Good advise, I have my Valk in pieces right now. It has been either raining or hotter than heck, so I have not missed anything. I hope to be all together by next weekend if possible, looking forward to the cooler months ahead.

[billyboy]

Well said James. I always carry a couple of bottles of frozen water a couple bottles of cold
water and some Catorade in a soft cooler in the saddle bag. Sometimes even a cooling vest,
that does work. When I start getting a sleepy feeling i'll pull over as soon as I can and slug
down some Gatorade. Works very good. I've ridden in some very hot weather and almost
passed out on my first trip to Inzane in AK. Got smart and bought a camel back
and a cooling vest. I think it saved my life more than once. Also light color mesh jacket or even
a light color long shirt just so you don't get baked by the sun. And a light color helmet
as it reflects the sun and heat. I've even been known to go into a walk in cooler
for 20 to 30 mins just to cool off well. Nothing like 35* to bring to bring your body temp
down fast. Just my 2 cents. Thanks

[Grumpy]

Well said James. I always carry a couple of bottles of frozen water a couple bottles of cold
water and some Catorade in a soft cooler in the saddle bag. Sometimes even a cooling vest,
that does work. When I start getting a sleepy feeling i'll pull over as soon as I can and slug
down some Gatorade. Works very good. I've ridden in some very hot weather and almost
passed out on my first trip to Inzane in AK. Got smart and bought a camel back
and a cooling vest. I think it saved my life more than once. Also light color mesh jacket or even
a light color long shirt just so you don't get baked by the sun. And a light color helmet
as it reflects the sun and heat. I've even been known to go into a walk in cooler
for 20 to 30 mins just to cool off well. Nothing like 35* to bring to bring your body temp
down fast. Just my 2 cents. Thanks

Gawd, I remember that trip when we were in AK I must have stopped every 30 miles and drank a bottle of water. That was a miserable ride going there, thankfully the trip home was not as bad.

[Valkahuna]

Grumpy, Yup, that was a hot trip. But the Cool vest I wore sure made it more tolerable. The bottom line though is that it gets hot riding in the summer no matter where it is. The hottest I've ever been is in Washington DC, or a trip there for HD 100th anniversary celebration. We got stuck in traffic, and with nothing moving, I thought my MC was going to melt. We all melted and looked like a bunch of snails - trailing slimy, wet tracks behind us everywhere we went. I find riding the Valk is a LOT cooler than my aircooled HD.

I've also ridden in Arizona and other areas where the ambient was well into triple figures.

James is absolutely right! You have to keep hydrated. You will still be uncomfortable, but at least you won't get sick to the point of heat stroke.

BTW-When we were at Champions, I really liked the CTX1300 as well. I think that would be a great bike, although the frame is a bit small for a two person tourer.

[Grumpy]

I bought a cool vest from cycle gear, do not want to get that hot again.  I had a case of it for a while there, severe head ache even blurry vision when we stopped at a station. Too close to heat stroke.

[FloridaValkRyder]

In my past life, we ran a call on I-4 where a motorcycle guy had severely crashed at very high speed. He was very DOA when we got on scene. There was no apparent reason for the crash. Witnesses said he started accelerating, some said 80 or 90, glanced off the guard rail, back into traffic and into the back of another vehicle. Coroner asked to do an autopsy, family agreed to it and the coroner found that he had had a massive stroke. All indications were from the heat. He had been riding with friends all day, probably "boiled" his brain fluid causing three aneurysms the autopsy showed. Coroner speculated he had probably died from the stroke due to the injuries not being life threatening. I was a rider then and it sure changed how I rode in the heat. Now, I just usually don't.   

[Pappy!]

Have been following a thread on the Magna forum on a guy that bought one of the CTX1300s for his wife and himself.
Very happy with it so far. He just installed the tall windscreen on it and the bike looks amazingly good with it.

[Flrider]

A co-worker and I visited the Powersports in Kissimmee this past weekend.
He is seriously looking into the CTX1300.

His wife was there as well but she did not like the whining that came from the engine, I don't know if it is because the bike was cold or the quiet exhaust but you could really hear the whining of the motor.

Sales person did not impress me at all, he was not informed on any of the accessories and did not know the differences between the base and deluxe models.
He got a quote on a trunk and a windshield, labor for installation alone was $550.

Bike looks and feels like it will handle great.

[HayHauler]

My wife says that my Wing sounds like we are riding a sewing machine.  Her only complaint. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[FloridaValkRyder]

My wife says that my Wing sounds like we are riding a sewing machine.  Her only complaint. 

Hay
Jimmyt

Yes indeed, a very fast, very smooth, very nice sewing machine....