1800 VTX

[DIGGER]

My 16 yr  old gson that has been riding a 650 KLR is looking for a bigger bike.  He wants mecto go with him Monday to look at a 2007 1800 VTX he has found that is owned by an older man who bought it new and wants to sell it now.  30,000 miles.  $3,800.  Sound high or low?
Garage kept , new brake pads, like new tires and pics look like a very well kept motorcycle.   Guy says it runs great. 
Do you guys think it is too much motorcycle for a 16 yr old?   He stands 6' 1" 200 lbs.   He has only been allowed to ride his KLR if he is with me or his dad.   Dad has a 1300 ST.  He is very mild mannered good kid and is very cautious when we ride.....so far.  Im just wondering if its too much motorcycle for him.

[Jack B]

The 1800 is top heavy I only rode it about 10 miles but to me it felt like it was going to tip over in the corners.
But my friend kept up to us on all our rides. He now rides a F6B and he loves it.
But other than that, it’s a typical Honda, it will run forever guys that have them seen too love them. I never drove the 1300 VTX. I heard that’s a much nicer bike with less power.

[scooperhsd]

The kid has the size to handle it, and it sounds like he has the right attitude as well. I wouldn't get rid of the KLR yet, however.

[klb]

Back in 2010 I bought this 2008 VTX1800 Tourer. It had impressive torque and power but I couldn't get used to the forward controls. For me it rode and handled fine just not as well as the Valkyrie. That's about what the going price for a VTX1800 is in the southeast now minus the negotiating. 

[Hook#3287]

Seems like a good fit and a good bike.

Price seems reasonable.

[sandy]

The 1800 has about 120 ft lbs of torque. It’s the only Vtwin with a dual pin crank which is why they sound bad with straight pipes. But it provides better engine balance and gives the good HP and torque. The price is a very good price. Keep him with you till he gets use to the weight and power.

[3fan4life]

A friend of mine had a VTX 1800, another had a VTX 1300.

I rode both bikes and liked them both.

New the 1300 was the best bang for the buck and handled a little better than the 1800.

The power difference isn't that noticeable.

The 1800 feels more top heavy than the 1300.

The 1800 has fuel injection where the 1300 is carbureted, that alone would make me lean to the 1800 if I was in the market.

[DIGGER]

Thanks for all the feedback.  Going to look at the bike Monday

[Oss]

1800 is a beast and loves the highway

At slow speeds I found you cant ride it like a Valk  It demands to be in the lowest gear and will let you know it

Cant say I have ridden a 1300 but hear wonderful things about it

as grandson is tall and good weight it is a good bike imho but still I would let him ride the 1300 1st

[Rams]

All I am going to say is regardless of what he rides, he’s eventually going to test the bike and his skills.   We all did.   Any Honda and most other bikes will still take him where he wants to go and once he’s out on his own, the parents and grandparents have lost any control they may or not have had.

I thought we reared our children right but things went south somehow, somewhere.   Both ride Harley’s now.   

Rams

[NewValker]

I had an 03 1800, put 104 k on it.  Loved it, only way I sold it was for my Valk.
Couple years ago I bought a 2005 1800 N from a friend that was unable to ride anymore.
They are a bit top  heavy until you hit 5 mph, then I never felt it was heavy at all.
Honestly, moving it around the yard, dirt roads, making a U turn, duck walking it in traffic, the VTX is easier. 
As stated, the X will lug when the Valk won’t. Drop a gear, problem solved.
And the fuel injection is great, turn the key and go! 
Fuel tanks are susceptible to rust if sitting for a long time. Don’t let rust into the fuel pump! I believe they are non- serviceable and 800+ bucks.
He’s going to love it!

Craig

[h13man]

On a note, the VTX 1300 PTWR is the same as the VT1100 Sabre, Ace Tourer, 00-02' Aero and Spirit @ 1:13 PTWR. The base 01' VTX1800 (86hp/99ftlb) and post 97' Valks (92hp/98ftlb)  share the same PTWR @ 1:9 PTWR. These spec's are taken @ the rear wheel. For sure "butt dino's" are different with folks.  I sat on and tried a 1800 in the showroom and I was afraid it would fall to other side due to being so top heavy. I wanted that "twin pin" power but the Valk is a better at low speed handling and much smoother. Loading the 1800 power way down in lower RPM's is really hard on driveshafts due to this large VT engine pulses. VT1800 is a beast in the VT world but...

[sandy]

The 1800 has fuel injection where the 1300 is carbureted, that alone would make me lean to the 1800 if I was in the market.

In 2010 the 1300 went to fuel injection.

[3fan4life]

The 1800 has fuel injection where the 1300 is carbureted, that alone would make me lean to the 1800 if I was in the market.

In 2010 the 1300 went to fuel injection.

I didn't know that.

I guess technically it's still a VTX, but:




That's when it changed to a Stateline.

I've never ridden one, but it always looked to me like they killed the handling and turned it into a Boulevard Cruiser.