2007 Honda VTX Custom - Review
By Nicholas Frankl
Senior Editor
The mighty 1800cc VTX range from Honda has been around for a few years
now but despite this seeming maturity in a fast changing and ever evolving
motorcycle industry, the 2007 edition equipped with large capacity and
easily handled saddle bags, which you can clip open or do the whole
unbolting procedure, a well padded pillion back rest, large windshield and
an integrated Ipod music adaptor with built in but rather puny speaker
delivered a very enjoyable summer of riding.
The VTX is a big big bike, long, wide with a big street presence and
relatively heavy too. None of this becomes a hindrance once you are riding
it though, even in rush hour traffic, although one cannot quite fit into
the smallest spots and squeezing through the narrowest of gaps between
vehicles requires skill, careful application of the rear break and caution
if you’re not to leave a few kisses on wheel arches.
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Maneuverability at low speed takes a little acclimatizing, but once you
have a few miles under your belt, one finds the VTX a very able and
willing partner, the riding position is very comfortable, with all the
ergonomic efficiency and excellent fit and finish that one has come to
expect from Honda. With big tires and a heavy bike you will feel the bumps,
diverts and expansion joints through the handlebars and the seat, and at
highway speeds this can sometimes briefly unsettle the bike, particularly
the rear, but its not a big deal and the weight of custom bikes comes in
very handy when cruising in heavy truck traffic or in windy conditions as
straight-line stability is greatly improved.
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The beauty of cubic inches is the ability to pull strongly from very low
revs and with well spaced gears, it’s very relaxing lugging around
town or the open road with bags of torque in reserve and enough power to
surprise lumbering sport bike too. The only thing stopping you from chasing
them on the twisty sections is the fact that it’s far too easy to
drag the foot pegs, which is unsettling for passengers and makes a god
awful noise, the VTX will however do as it’s told is all too happy to
lean over when asked.
From the Police concert at Dodgers stadium to Moonshadows beachside
steaks in Malibu, and traversing the sprawl that is modern LA, the VTX
proved a fine and fun riding mate, never failing to perform and returning
great gas mileage too. Pillion passengers always commented on how
comfortable they were and the large V-twin keeps their legs warm on chilly
evenings.
The one disappointment, which I suppose is down to a sub par supplier,
was the Ipod / speaker system. It was basically useless, the speaker being
far too weak to hear when riding (even with an open face helmet) and
distorting as soon as Mick and The Stones struck up anything with a beat.
Having ridden and enjoyed the symphonic surround sound of a Goldwing I
can’t see how this came about – but it needs an upgrade.
If you are in the market for a large capacity custom bike, then do check
out the VTX and it’s many guises, of course there is some great
competition out there, but that’s the beauty of it and you the rider
will be all the better for it!
MORE INFORMATION: www.hondausa.com
Thanks to:
Arai helmets: www:araiamericas.com
Intersport Clothing: 1 800 416 8255 / www:
intersportfashions.com
