2007 Honda VTX 1300R to 2011 Road King...learning curve? Metric riders?

C

Culture Vulture

New member
Have always had a bike for the last 35 years. I had harleys off and on then went to sportbikes then bought a vtx1300 for kicks then went back to HD with my SG. The fit and finish on the HD is better. Much smoother and better handling on the road. What others said about turn signals. Sit a little higher on the touring bike. Much better selection and price on accessories. You will spend more money on the hd but not on service. Its the customizing bug that gets you. Maintenance is easy on the HD get a service manual.
 
I too went from VTX 1300 to VTX 1800 to Road King classic. Along with the other things that were mentioned there are what I call the little things you will get with the RK. Things like hard bags ( or leather for RKC), windshield, front crash bars, rear crash bars, air shocks, keyless start, lightbar , built in accessory connections etc. It perplexes me when I hear people say be prepared to spend way more money on the Harley. Other than fluid changes in 3 holes vs. 1 for the Hondas, I never spent anymore on the Harley than all my other bikes. I traded my RKC with 20k and nothing other than routine maint. for a new Ultra Limited.
 
+1 to that. I went from a 750 Shadow Aero to an UC at the request of the wife. I put 20,000 on the Aero in 2 years, put 3,500 on the UC in the last 2 months. I cannot believe how great a difference everything is. I will never go back. The only learning curve was trying to ride with a great big smile on my face while using cruise control, listening to the radio, and waiving at everyone as they drive by.
 
I had a VTX 1300, an 1800, and an 06 Ultra at the same time! The Harley had a more refined fit and feel than either of the two VTX's and rode a little smoother than the Hondas, but either of the Hondas would run circles around the Ultra and both had smoother transmissions. The shaft drives on the Hondas were head and shoulders above the belt drive used on the Harley, and you didn't have to disassemble half the bike to replace it. Water cooling was a definate plus. Harley wins the fuel mileage race hands down! The ultra (an 88 CI) consistantly ran 48-50 MPG, the VTX 1300 did 42-45 and the VTX1800 ran 34-37 MPG. BTW: the Harley pulled 63HP AT THE WHEEL, the 1300 pulled 66, and the 1800 pulled an even 100 HP. All the dyno pulls were done the same day. Harleys ARE CHEAPER to accessorize, rebuild, and since there's no valves to adjust, service CAN be cheaper! Harley has MUCH better brakes! So why did I go Harley? It's the DEALER NETWORK, parts availability, better fit and finish and Harley being every bit as reliable as the Hondas! My dealer worked VERY hard to earn my business and still works hard to keep me happy! Not so with Honda, and I used to work there! I'm on my 4th new Ultra since 2006, and as soon as Harley builds a water cooled Ultra, I'll have one.
 
I went from a 2000 Honda Aero 1100 (for sale by the way) to an 09 RKC.

1. The tapping noises in the engine freaked me out. I even took it in just to have someone listen to it to make sure it was okay. Now I love the sound.

2. I drove off a couple times with the side stand down. No cut off switch. I also was in the habit of putting the kickstand down on the Honda to turn it off.

3. I have left the lights on a couple times.

4. You will spend a lot but not on maintanance. Don't even take a copy of the accessories catalog if you are not willing to spend money. It is addictive.

5. The only thing I really miss was that my speedometer was in the headlight on the Honda. It was easier to see without looking down.
 
one of the greatest parts of owning a harley rather than a clone, is that you will no longer feel the need to apologize to yourself for riding a hong kong p.o.s. harleys have character, soul, and the cool factor that nothing else can match.
 
Nope. Not really. The turn signals required some concious thought at first, but you get used to it pretty quick; like 5 minutes.

What are you expecting? There is probably a bigger difference between a VTX and CBR than between a VTX and a Harley. Metric versus Harley is not the ultimate variation between motorcycles. People need to get a grip.
 
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