Question to those who have ridden the VTX 1800

[Farside]

I have a buddy who has ridden a VTX 1800 for 15 years. He went down out of town and didn't want the bike back. So now he is considering getting another or a 98-2003 Valkyrie. He asked me what I thought. I don't know the VTX well enough not ever ridden one? Well he knows some the difference in the motors but over all handling between the two he'd like to know your thoughts.  Is there anyone here who has ridden both and what are your thoughts. Thanks in advance! 

[f6gal]

The VTX has a longer reach to both the handlebars and foot controls.  If he's on the tall side, he might feel a bit more cramped on the Valkyrie (but there are adjustments out there for tall guys).  If he's on the not so tall side, he may be more comfortable on a Valkyrie.  Of course, the Valkyrie is a smoother ride than the V-twin.  For me (short person), slow speed handling was more difficult on the VTX... mainly the reach issues.  It's probably best for him to put some miles on a Valkyrie before he decides.

[DDT (12)]

Keith,

I've owned both. I like them both. Either is a good ride and a good bike to own. He is in the fortunate position of having two good choices, so he can't go wrong with either. My obvious preference is the Valk, but he may want to go the other way. I like the smoother ride and ergonomics of the Valk better, but there is nothing wrong with the VTX, just a little different.

There are aspects of either bike that would make one preferable to certain folks, but those are difficult to quantify. My advice would be to ride both, and to carefully consider things like probable riding: For example, long distance vs. mostly shorter day rides, frequency of oil & filter changes -way easier on the Valk- and his size in terms of weight, height, etc. It all boils down to personal preference in the end, so... no obvious bad choice here, though!

DDT

[Pete]

Having ridden both for hundreds of miles, the vtx is in second place by far in smoothness, power, handling and comfort.

I have ridden different models and years of both no vtx  compares well with a valk.

[Oss]

agree the vtx is comfortable for a taller rider

The only thing I didnt like about the vtx was you cant be 30mph in top gear without lugging  (even 40 lugged)

Also, the floorboards on a Valk are not big enough if you have 12EEEE feet anyway the vtx's were better

Both are great bikes/ maybe he could also look at the 1300?

[Rams]

Also, the floorboards on a Valk are not big enough if you have 12EEEE feet anyway the vtx's were better

Gosh, I'm curious, just how many folks have this particular problem?

Rams

[F6Dave]

I've never ridden a VTX 1800, but I've heard quite a few.  IMO it has one of the strangest sounding V Twin engines ever made.

[RDAbull]

I rode a VTX 1800 for several years and found it to be a great bike.  I'm also 6'5" and 350#.
It had great power and a good sound BUT.

I switched to the Valk for the smother ride as I was getting to the point where I was going to have more time for longer touring.  I did an 11,000 mile last year and a 9,500 miler this summer.

The VTX was a great 100 mile afternoon ride but I have no regrets on the change.

[H20boy]

I traded a VTX 1800 for my Valk. VTX always felt to big for me 5 foot 9 could not stand the way it sounded, very powerful and smooth though I did love the 6th gear and linked brakes. love my Valkyrie there is nothing like it! I could not imagine being unhappy with a Valkyrie.

[Pappy!]

Would also add that the big V-Twin will put out more heat up higher than the Valk will. Exhaust exits below your feet and cylinder heads are at ankle level on a Valk vs. between "the boys" on a VTX. Valk has to have a lower CG as well due to this. I also see that as a plus in safety.
I bought a Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 as a first bike and although that thing was a torque monster it was a top heavy beast compared to the naked standard Valk.

[Farside]

  I really want to Thank you all that responded with your thoughts on the VTX 1800 comparison to the Valk. I suggested to my friend Bill, to read these expert responses to the question I posted. I wish he woudl get a 3-wheel bike cause of his age (78) and it being more stable. Plus he is just getting over a bad accident on the BRP. But Bill won't hear of it. 
Thank you all again.....

[RDAbull]

I really want to Thank you all that responded with your thoughts on the VTX 1800 comparison to the Valk. I suggested to my friend Bill, to read these expert responses to the question I posted. I wish he woudl get a 3-wheel bike cause of his age (78) and it being more stable. Plus he is just getting over a bad accident on the BRP. But Bill won't hear of it. 
Thank you all again.....

Let me add to the story:  I traded my VTX 1800 for an I/S and then that for an for an I/S Motortrike conversion at age 60 because I had both knees replaced.  I now ride a Goldwing trike with no regrets of going to 3 wheels.

[vanavyman]

If he ends up looking for a Valkyrie Trike there are a couple real nice ones on eBay and Craigslist.
Dan

[Bighead]

Having ridden both for hundreds of miles, the vtx is in second place by far in smoothness, power, handling and comfort.

I have ridden different models and years of both no vtx  compares well with a valk.

I would have to disagree 100% with this statement. I owned a VTX 1800c all the while still owning my ‘97 Valkyrie. The VTX had more off the line power (stats prove it. And I didn’t believe it when I read in but did after an initial ride my VTX would break the rear loose going from first to second gear) and handled better in  The twisties with my hands on the bars than the Valk.  However I will agree with you on the smoothness part. And on a trip of over 500 miles in a day the valk was more comfortable but for a couple hundred mile ride I saw no big difference. Dont get me  wrong I think the Valkyrie is the best bike on the planet. But I am not delusional at the same time. They are completely different machines and act as such.

[3fan4life]

I have a friend that owns a VTX 1800 and another that has a VTX 1300.

I have ridden both bikes extensively and I like both of them.

I like the VTX 1300 best, but it is a little cramped compared to the 1800 and a Valk.

I wouldn't trade one of my Valks for either one of them though.

[F6Dave]

I have a friend that owns a VTX 1800 and another that has a VTX 1300.

I have ridden both bikes extensively and I like both of them.

I like the VTX 1300 best, but it is a little cramped compared to the 1800 and a Valk.

I wouldn't trade one of my Valks for either one of them though.

I've heard many riders say they liked the VTX 1300 more than the 1800.  Maybe it doesn't get the credit it deserves.

[Alpha Dog]

I have heard good things about the 1800.  A few years ago I thought about adding one.  Not sure why I did not.  Probably sat on a Vic. Cross Country in 2016 and fell in love, not sure.  I did have a VTX 1300 from 06 to 11 and liked that a bunch, very comfortable for me and decent power.

Looking back I think Honda could have taken a lot of market share from Harely with the 1800 if they had just done it like the Valkyrie.  Have their standard,  a tour with matching hard bags and shield, and then an interstate model with bags and Batwing fairing with audio.  They could have even integrated a rear tour pack that was quick disconnect like Victory did with the CCT.  Also cruise control and maybe ABS.  I bet they could have sold 3 times the amount or more. They could have also done this with the 1300 and jeepers put FI on the 1300 like they did the 1800.  And for crying out loud, they could have marketed these bikes as Honda Quality and American made.   Well over 90 percent of riders did not even  know the Goldwing, Valkyrie, VTX's, and Shadow series were made in Marysville.

Now Honda is out of the Bagger cruiser game.  Yamaha is darn near out with only the dismal selling Venture and Eluder.  Suzuki still has the Boulevards and Kawasaki the Voyager, Vaquero, Vulcan bikes that will probably be gone soon, but I hope I am wrong.   All that will be left will be Harley and Indian.

[klb]

I had a 01 Valk standard that got hit while parked and ended up selling it.

Bought this 08 VTX 1800 from Ricky Hendrick Honda in Pineville Nc.


Rode it 2 months and loved the torque but could not get used to the
forward controls and my hands went numb pretty quick. Knew the
Valk was the way to go and sold it and finally found my 99 standard.
Never will get rid of this one. I am addicted to this bike.

[Farside]

   VTX Bill..... I hope this has helped in your decission ???  I like the Trike idea.