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Honda CTX 1300 in the driving report

Between cruiser and tourer

Conceived in the USA, made in Japan: In the shape of the Honda CTX 1300, Honda presents a cruiser-tourer hybrid based on the American model. A lazy compromise or the best of both worlds?

B.agger are heavily fashionable. Of course, we’re not talking about construction machines, but those touring cruisers from the USA with integrated suitcases (originally bags, hence the name bagger), handlebar covers and a capped windshield. These should bring casual cruising and travel suitability under one roof.

Honda CTX 1300 in the driving report

Between cruiser and tourer

CTX 1300 close the gap between the exclusive six-cylinder flagship and the significantly smaller CTX 700 with in-line twin.

338 kilograms with a full tank

Test drive in the Spessart, and the conditions couldn’t be better: the spring sun ensures a pleasant 20 degrees and well-tempered asphalt, winding federal and even more winding country roads meander through the lush green forest. Does that work out well given the 338 kilograms that the big red Honda CTX 1300 heaves onto the scales with a full tank, according to the manufacturer? Will show up, so sit up!

It is immediately noticeable that the seating position is not based on chopper-like coolness, but on the ergonomic needs of the driver. He sits upright and gathers on the comfortably padded bench, the wide handlebars almost fall into your hand. The footrest position is the ideal compromise between cruiser and tourer, making the seating position on the Honda CTX 1300 both casual and comfortable. With a seat height of 735 millimeters, even those with short legs can stand securely, which creates trust. When you press the starter, you hear a wonderfully large, subtle rumbling baritone, which is more reminiscent of a classical concert than hard rock. Once in motion, the engine spoils you with perfect manners. The throttle response is gentle and direct, and there is ultra-smooth, creamy propulsion from 2000 turns. The standard sound system with two waterproof speakers is also extremely musical.

Comfortable boom with a good-natured character

The proven 90-degree V4 has been doing its job in the Pan European since 2002, but has been modified for the Honda CTX 1300. For example, the developers cut peak performance by modifying camshafts, valves and valve timing as well as reducing throttle valve diameters by around 40 percent to 84 hp, in return for increasing the torque in the lower and medium engine speed range.

Successful operation, patient dead? Anyone who asks about the sense of the standard traction control in view of the “mid-range” performance can rest assured. Well, from zero to 160 it’s faster elsewhere, but 106 Newton meters of torque at 4500 turns enable adequately confident driving performance. Only the Honda CTX 1300 serves its pleasant boom with the serenity of a well-trained butler. "You want a higher speed? No problem." The calm, powerful output fits perfectly with the good-natured character of the techno-bagger.

This is also emphasized by the rest of the drive train. Hydraulically operated, the clutch can be perfectly adjusted with little manual force, and the transmission also meets the usual high Honda standards. In contrast to the CTX 700 and 1200 crosstourer, the Honda CTX 1300 is not available with the DCT dual clutch transmission. This is easy to get over in view of the very elastic engine, the last two gears are usually sufficient.

Honda CTX 1300 steers wonderfully linear

The real surprise follows in the winding curve. Instead of demanding hard work in the Spessart, the Honda CTX 1300 drives around the corner with an almost irritating naturalness. Every wish is the command of the red caterpillar. "You want more lean angle? Certainly, sir, it will come immediately!" The excavator with its lengthwise crankshaft turns in not only willingly, but also wonderfully linearly. Thanks to the long wheelbase, it always remains stable. That is and makes serene. Sure, almost seven hundredweight and wide tires need to be balanced properly in hairpin bends, early footrests warn to moderate overly sporty ambitions. But ardent captains will seldom board the bridge of the MS Big Red. The Honda CTX 1300 invites you to cruise at a species-appropriate pace – soak up the road and landscape and let the wind blow around your nose.

The Honda CTX 1300 surfs on light bumps with its litter-like suspension comfort, only rough potholes push the two rear suspension struts, which can only be adjusted in preload, to their limits. Then the tail rebounds too quickly due to the lack of rebound damping. The fully integral braking system with ABS is flawless. A total of nine brake pistons bring the load to a standstill in every situation, easily dosed and with a good bite, even when braking hard.

The bottom line is that the individual and versatile Japanese touring cruiser Honda CTX 1300 is convincing. With its calm and competent nature, it offers a lot of driving pleasure. Just a Honda-style excavator.

Technical data Honda CTX 1300

Honda

Cruiser with storage space à la Nippon: beefy front, shotgun silencer, long wheelbase. More chrome costs extra.

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