For Those With I/S and Have/Had VTX 1800

[BIG--T]

I am thinking of adding an I/S to the stable. I have read some threads that say the I/S does not handle well at slow speeds and in traffic, etc. The VTX is top heavy and doesn't handle well at slow speeds. The I/S is about 40 lbs heavier and was curious if the threads are accurate.

I wish there was one close by to ride and see rather than going out of state to find out.

Thanks for any advice.

[Jess Tolbirt]

come on over to nashville, tn and you can ride mine

[X Ring]

The I/S is more top heavy than a Standard or Tourer but you have to remember the weight of the flat six is lower than that of a v twin.  I find it is a lot easier to take my Tourer off the stand that it was my 1100 Shadow ACE Tourer.

Marty

[BIG--T]

come on over to nashville, tn and you can ride mine

Thanks for the offer Jess, I'll be there in the morning! 

[BIG--T]

The I/S is more top heavy than a Standard or Tourer but you have to remember the weight of the flat six is lower than that of a v twin.  I find it is a lot easier to take my Tourer off the centerstand that it was my 1100 Shadow ACE Tourer.

Marty

Thanks Marty, I just find it hard to believe it would be more top heavy than my X. Maybe PaValk will weigh in, I know he had an 1800.

[BradValk48237]

I believe it is more top heavy than a VTX 1800.... Butt dyno says so, but once you get used to it you tend to use it to your advantage.... I do run mine without the trunk and it does make a big difference.... But once I put it back on and ride a bit, you dont notice...... VTX doesnt seem as heavy to pull upright...... trunk weighs about 40ish plus pounds and is all up high..... Also I believe the VTX is actually LOWER to the ground because it is narrower..... measure the distance- ground to frame and see.... Just my observation and may be wrong. It just seems lower and center of gravity seems lower. Our pegs are lower than the frame while the VTX are higher in relation to the frame..... Different geometry because of frame and motor.... When you pull it upright off the kickstand without sitting on it to move it, the VTX pulls upright easier.... Rode one yesterday, friends. Seat height on a VTX is 27.9 inches, Valkyrie 28.7.......

Just my opinion...but ALL the larger bikes feel heavy at some point till you git used to it....

Brad

[BIG--T]

I believe it is more top heavy than a VTX 1800.... Butt dyno says so, but once you get used to it you tend to use it to your advantage.... I do run mine without the trunk and it does make a big difference.... But once I put it back on and ride a bit, you dont notice...... VTX doesnt seem as heavy to pull upright...... trunk weighs about 40ish plus pounds and is all up high..... Also I believe the VTX is actually LOWER to the ground because it is narrower..... measure the distance- ground to frame and see.... Just my observation and may be wrong. It just seems lower and center of gravity seems lower. Our pegs are lower than the frame while the VTX are higher in relation to the frame..... Different geometry because of frame and motor.... When you pull it upright off the kickstand without sitting on it to move it, the VTX pulls upright easier.... Rode one yesterday, friends. Seat height on a VTX is 27.9 inches, Valkyrie 28.7.......

Just my opinion...but ALL the larger bikes feel heavy at some point till you git used to it....

Brad

Thanks Brad for the insight!   

[BIG--T]

My I/S Is for sale right here in Las Vegas,come buy her and ride her home. rodraynolds@(nospam)embarqmail.com

Thanks for the offer but I'll try to find one a little close to home.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

My I/S Is for sale right here in Las Vegas,come buy her and ride her home. rodraynolds@(nospam)embarqmail.com

Thanks for the offer but I'll try to find one a little close to home.

I can hook you up 

[sandy]

Your question focuses on handling. If that's important to you, buy an 1800 Wing. I bought an I/S to replace my tourer. After riding it a week, I resold it and kept the tourer. Now I have an '05 Wing too. BIG difference.

[PAVALKER]

The I/S is more top heavy than a Standard or Tourer but you have to remember the weight of the flat six is lower than that of a v twin.  I find it is a lot easier to take my Tourer off the centerstand that it was my 1100 Shadow ACE Tourer.

Marty

Thanks Marty, I just find it hard to believe it would be more top heavy than my X. Maybe PaValk will weigh in, I know he had an 1800.

From what I recall, I believe the IS is slightly more top heavy.... mainly due to the fairing/trunk (that weight is higher than even the jugs on the VTX), but you kinda get used to it actually.  My 1800R had a tall shield, driving lights, ultimate seats, leather bags and some chrome goodies, but it seemed more agile at slow speeds, but still wasn't that much.  That being said, I will say tires seemed to make a difference on the VTX as to how it handled....  Stock Dunny's and E3's were terrible, Avons and Metzlers were great.  I have had nothing but Avons on the Valk tho.

[Dave Weaver]

Join us in Robbinsville, NC for The Fall Color Ride and you can try mine in the parking lot, highway, and twisties if you desire.

[BIG--T]

The I/S is more top heavy than a Standard or Tourer but you have to remember the weight of the flat six is lower than that of a v twin.  I find it is a lot easier to take my Tourer off the centerstand that it was my 1100 Shadow ACE Tourer.

Marty

Thanks Marty, I just find it hard to believe it would be more top heavy than my X. Maybe PaValk will weigh in, I know he had an 1800.

From what I recall, I believe the IS is slightly more top heavy.... mainly due to the fairing/trunk (that weight is higher than even the jugs on the VTX), but you kinda get used to it actually.  My 1800R had a tall shield, driving lights, ultimate seats, leather bags and some chrome goodies, but it seemed more agile at slow speeds, but still wasn't that much.  That being said, I will say tires seemed to make a difference on the VTX as to how it handled....  Stock Dunny's and E3's were terrible, Avons and Metzlers were great.  I have had nothing but Avons on the Valk tho.

Thanks John, as you said it's probably a matter of getting used to it.

[DarkMeister]

"I have read some threads that say the I/S does not handle well at slow speeds..."

The IS has SLOW speeds??? Dayum....!

In my experience, no comparison to the top-heavy feel of the RSV Venture I had, or the BMW LTs. Of the dressers I've had, this has to be the most balanced one. I did ride a Tourer for a bit. That felt like a sportbike coming off the IS; I guess the fairing and the beer-case make a diff. But as far as dressers, this is the best. A moped, I tell ya!

[BIG--T]

Join us in Robbinsville, NC for The Fall Color Ride and you can try mine in the parking lot, highway, and twisties if you desire.

Thanks Dave that's mighty nice and trusting of you...you've never seen me ride!

Just joking. Yeah I really want to make the ride, it'll be my first time.

[Valkahuna]

I own an 2001 IS, and I recently used a VTX1800 for InZane XI.

While I feel, and have posted in the past, that the IS does not handle as well as my HD RoadGlide at slow (parking lot) speeds, I do not find it unbalanced, or top heavy. I am not a little guy, and when my Bride and I are both on the IS, I do find that at slow speeds, I am not crazy about the handling, but having said that, I have no issues with it. The IS is a big bike, and when you add over 450 pounds of humanity to it, obviously you will feel it.

It's not fair to compare the IS and the VTX, since the IS has a lot more of utility, with hard bags and a top trunk. What you put into that trunk has a huge impact, due to the height of the trunk. That's why Honda tells you to not put more than 20 lbs into the trunk. When I rode the bare VTX1800 for the 5 days I was at IZ, I actually found it to be more difficult to get it off the centerstand, which is also the opinion of the VTX's owner, who also owns a Valk (Std.) After I tied my T-Bag to the backrest, the VTX felt every bit as heavy, but more unbalanced than my IS. 

When I ride my IS by myself, I don't feel it to be top heavy at all, and have absolutely no issues with slow speed maneuvers. 


As others have said, don't let that deter you from getting an IS. It is a fantastic bike, that somehow, magically, has figured a way to make about 300 lbs dissapear once it gets rolling.

[BIG--T]

I own an 2001 IS, and I recently used a VTX1800 for InZane XI.

While I feel, and have posted in the past, that the IS does not handle as well as my HD RoadGlide at slow (parking lot) speeds, I do not find it unbalanced, or top heavy. I am not a little guy, and when my Bride and I are both on the IS, I do find that at slow speeds, I am not crazy about the handling, but having said that, I have no issues with it. The IS is a big bike, and when you add over 450 pounds of humanity to it, obviously you will feel it.

It's not fair to compare the IS and the VTX, since the IS has a lot more of utility, with hard bags and a top trunk. What you put into that trunk has a huge impact, due to the height of the trunk. That's why Honda tells you to not put more than 20 lbs into the trunk. When I rode the bare VTX1800 for the 5 days I was at IZ, I actually found it to be more difficult to get it off the centerstand, which is also the opinion of the VTX's owner, who also owns a Valk (Std.) After I tied my T-Bag to the backrest, the VTX felt every bit as heavy, but more unbalanced than my IS. 

When I ride my IS by myself, I don't feel it to be top heavy at all, and have absolutely no issues with slow speed maneuvers. 


As others have said, don't let that deter you from getting an IS. It is a fantastic bike, that somehow, magically, has figured a way to make about 300 lbs dissapear once it gets rolling.

No I won't be detered. I just need to ride one and then I'll know. That is interesting about the center stand.

[Valkahuna]

Obviously my screw-up! That should have said "side stand", not center stand.

Sorry 'bout that! 

[BIG--T]

Obviously my screw-up! That should have said "side stand", not center stand.

Sorry 'bout that! 

Guess that's easy to do having an I/S and others! I thought you may have some special edition VTX or a Rivco stand put on it!   

[X Ring]

Obviously my screw-up! That should have said "side stand", not center stand.

Sorry 'bout that! 

Don't feel bad brother.  I did it too.

Marty

[Valkahuna]

Thanks for makin' me feel less stupid Marty. I've been working on the ole '77 BMW the last couple of days. I guess that putting it up on, and getting it back off the Center Stand has clouded my thinking. 

It weighs only about 475 lbs full of gas, so if it is a chore, I should be glad that my Valk is only a sidestand. But damn, it is convenient! 

Obviously my screw-up! That should have said "side stand", not center stand.

Sorry 'bout that! 

Don't feel bad brother.  I did it too.

Marty

[BIG--T]

If I'm not mistaken, I think all your "bigger" metric bikes in the 70'S all had them. They sure came in handy, epecially when washing your bike or having a flat! I wish they still made them but made them more concealable. 

[DarkMeister]

Both my Beemers had center-stands. Last one was an '03. The same bike, 2005 and up, has a POWER center-stand! Always wanted one. Not so much for utility, but for *effect* when parking in a lot with other bikes around. 

[Valkahuna]

You're right, that would be cool to push a button, and have the stand go down and raise the bike up.  Kind of like in F1 car racing, where the cars are lifted with internal airjacks.

There could even be a beginners model, where "One push" of the switch did the center stand, and "Two pushes" deployed a set of training wheels for the beginning rider.

Both my Beemers had center-stands. Last one was an '03. The same bike, 2005 and up, has a POWER center-stand! Always wanted one. Not so much for utility, but for *effect* when parking in a lot with other bikes around. 

[BigAl]

Jiffy stand if you ride a Davidson.

Yes they call the kick stand a Jiffy Stand in the Willy D manual;

What a funny name. Laughed my butt off when I first read that the kick stand was called a jiffy stand in Harley Manual Lingo.