New CTX1300 Looks interesting!!!

Stunkendruper

Joined
Dec 5, 2015
Messages
16
Location
San Diego
Looks like Honda got the message about the full fairing and the CTX1300 has got my attention.:06biker::06biker::06biker:. Found a 2014 with some damage to the right side for $5,500.
 
Yeah, seems they are having blow out sales on them, so cheap is good.
 
I saw one at a Honda dealership and they had installed a slightly taller windscreen - totally changed the look of the bike (for the better in my view). I did like the fairing - quite snazzy.
 
The CTX is looking better all the time,,, if still a bit puzzling. I have decided that since ST means Sport/Touring,,, that CTx means Cruiser/Touring. And what appeals to me most about the CTX is the engine,, and the exhaust systems sexy curves. I demo'd both bikes before deciding the ST suited my tastes and needs best. But our bikes share the same DNA,, for sure. Got to wonder what the hot air flow back onto the shins is like though ?? Cat'
 
Mellow said:
I like them:

P7100048-X2.jpg
Click to expand...

Hey, THAT's MY bike!
No, really, that is my bike, at NATSTOC. I do like it. Like the taller Factory option screen. I never adjust anyway so no need for me for adjustable screen. It sits just right to look over and deflect the wind to hit just above my helmet visor... perfect.
Yes, it is a cruising touring bike. But still plenty of sport (though of course not as much as the ST). That fat rear tire actually, and very slightly, lifts the rear end when leaning so the pegs end up with more clearance than they seem at first. I have dragged pegs on this one, but just a few more times than on my ST1100.
As to heat... not so much as I had on the ST1100. And I hear the ST1300 has more heat from the engine. I believe this is due to the ST bikes having more fairing around the engine trapping more heat causing the fairing to get hotter. The CTX1300 is more open around the engine so the heat is blown off so there is really not a lot of heat that I feel until the air temps get into the mid to upper 90s. The fairing the is there is actually better wind protection than it would seem also. My feet get the splash when riding in the rain but nothing above my ankles... same as happened on my ST. The black radiator shroud (as Honda calls it) may be in front of the engine but still deflects a lot of wind. Oh, even considering my former GL1500, this seat is the best OEM seat I've ever sat on. I could ride my GL1500 over 200 miles before needing to get off and stretch. I can ride the CTX, and did, from my home to NATSTOC the same day without the need. That's about 660 miles. A really long distance for me for one day. Only stops on that trip were just long enough for gas (about every 215-230 miles with about 40 miles reserve still in the 5.0 gal tank) and lunch half way there. In nice weather I usually average around 50-55 mpg at 55-65 mph in 5th gear. In town and in the same weather I average 55-65 mpg at 35-55 mph also in 5th gear.

See a few more photos in my flickr link in my sig.
 
Yes, the whine is there... but very slightly different. It also has a little more exhaust note but not too much. I think a bit throatier, especially at speed.
 
From my recollection, the fairing on the CTX is really quite different from the ST.

From what I could see, the coverage would be quite a bit less, but there was essentially no gap from the topside (ie. rider looking down) to the road and I suspect that would keep the heat down a bit. It had several storage pockets and it also had a cool system to link to your media player (iPhone etc.) by Bluetooth (although I don't recall what the speaker arrangements were). I have seen AT LEAST one of these bikes at every Canadian Honda dealer I have visited since October and they were all new and on-sale for about $14,500 CDN, which at the current rate of exchange is about $22.50 USD (just kidding, it's about $10,400 USD).

All-in-all, a very sharp looking bike - particularly with the taller windscreen - for not too much money.
 
I do like the audio. I didn't buy the bike for the audio (bought the deluxe for the ABS/TC) but it is a very nice feature to have. Only the USA models have a choice with or without it, all other countries have only one model that includes the audio, ABS/TC, heated grips and center stand. BT connection music device to bike, and BT connection bike to helmet. It also has a USB connector in the right pocket to plug in a small cell phone to charge and/or play music from. I use a micro SD card in a micro USB reader plugged into that and BT to my helmet (I have a Sena SMH5fm). Once in a while I pipe the music to the dash speakers, which work well with the taller shield at up past 80 mph. The speakers are backed with rather substantial sound box jugs in the dash and fairing area to assist with that. Controls on the top shelter for audio on/off, mode (speakers, BT, USB combos), track/album select (up and down), volume. The track/album displays in the center LED as well as mode.
 
Just tried doing a direct comparison between the CTX1300 and the ST1300 at the Honda website, but they won't let you compare those two. I recall reading somewhere that the CTX engine was de-tuned below those levels available on the ST.
 
Last edited:
hoowasat said:
Just tried doing a direct comparison between the CTX1300 and the ST1300 at the Honda website, but they won't let you compare those two. I recall reading somewhere that the CTX engine was de-tuned below those levels available on the ST.
Click to expand...

Yeah, de-tuned from the perspective that the CTX has lower max hp and torque, but re-tuned in that it's got more torque at lower rpms, where it's more usable for 'normal' cruising (max torque and hp on the CTX are about 2K rpm lower than the ST). I was a bit concerned about that when I first saw the numbers; but to be perfectly honest, I just don't ride like that any more where I miss the extra power in the higher rpms that the ST has over the CTX variant. To really notice the difference, you have to ride the ST like you hate it. The CTX is pretty punchy off the line -- not quite big V-twin punchy, but more than adequate for how I ride these days. I also greatly prefer the riding position of the CTX -- I went through many bottles of advil in that one year in owned the ST!
 
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