Honda Review

Honda VT1300 Review

Honda VT1300 custom-type cruiser models share the same powertrain platform of a 1312cc, liquid-cooled, SOHC, 3-valve-per-cylinder, single-pin crank, 52-degree V-Twin – the same Twin design found in the wildly successful Fury – which has been a core platform in Honda’s arsenal for some time now.

With these three new mid-sized cruiser models, Big Red hopes to offer a wider range of riders the experience of owning “custom bike styling” at an affordable price, and have worked hard to keep the price point below $13K. With three different platforms to choose from, Honda believes that there is enough variation in its VT1300 series to appeal to a wide demographic, from cruiser riders who prefer a sportier pro- street style bike to a touring version for those looking to log serious miles on the open road.

Honda VT1300 The engine is the same fuel-injected, 1312cc, SOHC, 52-degree V-twin with two spark plugs and three valves per cylinder: two intake, one exhaust. Liquid-cooled, it hides its radiator between the aforementioned downtubes, the upper coolant hose concealed beneath the forward valve cover. Spent gases exit via a double-barrel shotgun exhaust, while motive power makes its way to the rear tire via a five-speed gearbox and shaft drive.

The differences are in the details. The Sabre is essentially a Fury with a drag bar and a 170mm-wide rear tire instead of a 200. The Stateline substitutes a 17-inch front wheel for the Furys 21-inch pizza-cutter. And the Interstate adds a windshield, saddlebags and floorboards. Hondas Combined Braking System with ABS is a $1000 option on the first two but strangely not on the third; apparently the marketing department was adamant about keeping the Honda VT1300 price below $13,000.

The Furious, centered about the Fury, will be the chopper; the Switchblade pro-dragger was morphed in the Sabre, and also the Slammer is usually a low-lying bagger born in the Stateline. The idea versions debuted on the dec 17th, 2010 intercontinental Motorcycle in extended Beach, Calif., and will remain on as component within the Honda show for that remainder within the IMS 2011 display dates.