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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/11/2008 8:03:27 PM
Posts: 3, Visits: 8 |
| | I'm a first time rider and was considering to purchase a Vulcan 900. However, my dealer rep is suggesting the Honda VTX1300. I'm 6'3" and 240 pounds with minimal riding experience (dirt). I will be taking the motorcycle safety course. Any comments would be appreciated. |
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| | | Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/8/2008 12:05:55 PM
Posts: 162, Visits: 231 |
| This ends up being purely a personal preference. My perspective, after riding and racing and now just riding is, because of your "small stature," : ) I believe you would be so much happier with the VTX, not that the Vulcan isn't a nice bike - it is, but after 6 months, you'll most likely be wishing for a little more bike. This is even more so if you plan on taking a passenger with you. They're both nice bikes, but the VTX does "almost" everything much better. The disadvantage is the fact that it has a carb vs fuel injection. If it boils down to just these two bikes, I would highly recommend the VTX. Yes, it's bigger and heavier, but a female friend of mine has the 1300 VTX and she does well with it. Personally, I truly prefer a FI and liquid cooled bike. It also comes down to how much can you, or do you want to spend. Lastly, go to www.ridelikeapro.com and spend $35 for their Ride Like A Pro IV DVD...best $35 you'll ever spend..period! Also, the Safety Course is a must. Good choice. Good luck and, above all, be safe.
Morg |
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/2/2008 3:38:03 PM
Posts: 322, Visits: 318 |
| both bikes are big and heavy for starter bikes, but at your size, I agree you'll be better suited to absorb the 120 lb difference than smaller riders could.
If you can (and feel comfortable with it), ride both to see if the weight difference between the two is enough to sway your decision. with these bikes, the weight will be a hinderance most at low speed and no speed (moving the bike around in the garage, driveway, etc.-which is where a lot of bikes get damaged from drops), and the weight difference will be more notable there too.
I don't know much specifically about other differences between the two, and would agree that fuel injection and liquid cooling are preferrable features, but not more important than which bike I'd feel in better control of.
K$ |
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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/11/2008 8:03:27 PM
Posts: 3, Visits: 8 |
| Thanks for the advice. I purchased the Honda VTX1300S. I’m extremely pleased with the ride, if only the weather would cooperate more. I've also signed up for the MSP and ordered the “Ride Like a Pro V CD”.
Another question, I'm having trouble with shifting up smoothly because my foot/boot is too big. How difficult is it to extend the gear shift out? I recently added engine guards which also appear to have compounded the problem. Thanks for the advice from all; your input is truly appreciated.
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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/11/2008 8:03:27 PM
Posts: 3, Visits: 8 |
| Correction. I purchased the 1300VTX C, not the S.
Thanks. |
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| | | Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/8/2008 12:05:55 PM
Posts: 162, Visits: 231 |
| re: I'm having trouble with shifting up smoothly because my foot/boot is too big.
If I understand correctly, here's what you need to do to fairly simply raise the front part of the shifter so that your boot fits beneath it, which will take you just a few minutes to complete:
Basically, you remove 5 bolts that attach the most rearward chrome-like plastic cover on the very bottom of the left side. This cover is located "just behind" the driver's floorboard and is also immediately behind the round clutch cover....the one that the kickstand almost butts up against when in the up position. Once this is done, remove a 10mm bolt and slide the shifter linkage off and rotate it to wherever you like it positioned best so that your boot will slide beneath it.
Morg - Key West
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