03-27-2015, 10:25 AM
We have a forum member (Huladog) who sold his CB and about a CTX1300. I bought his old aftermarket muffler. I asked him his thoughts and he kindly wrote a detailed account of the bike. I took a excerpt which I hope helps and hopefully he won't mind me reposting.
"For your dad, let him know the bike isn't light since it weighs 750 pounds. 200 pounds more than the CB1100 which is a compact, dense mass. CB1100 actually weighs about the same as a late model Sportster which I rode before. The CTX1300 does have a low center of gravity, but lifting it off the side stand does take a bit of effort so don't let that discourage him. Easier than lifting up a Harley Road King or Street Glide or a Moto Guzzi California which I also checked out.
My pants inseam is only 27, I swear I used to wear 29 inseam pants but my wife said not anymore! Reach to the ground is good, not quite flat footed but my balls of my feet are on the ground so I have a confident stance at stops and can push the bike backward when needed.
Seat is wide and comfortable, narrows a bit in front so the reach to the ground is easier. Plus the pegs are a bit mid-forward (not way forward like the CTX700 which was a deal killer for me) the reach to the pegs is easy, plus they don't get in the way when you put your feet down at stops.
Bars do reach quite a way back from the forks, the bike is stretched out in front of you. Not uncomfortable since you can rotate them easily.
The fairing mounted mirrors aren't so hot, like the mirrors were on the BMW RT, but if you rotate the bars down a bit you can see the mirrors but you do see your hands in the mirrors. I added some stick on blind spot mirrors and will install some regular bar mounted mirrors so that won't be an issue.
Fairing gives good protection and I ordered the taller touring screen since the stock low screen looks cool, but doesn't block much wind just like the Harley Street Glide.
Bags hold a decent amount of stuff, bolted on to the bike so not quickly removable like the BMW, but they are nicely integrated into the overall design of the bike.
The engine is smooth! Feels different than an inline 4 like the CB1100, good torque but took a little while to get used to it since its smooth and at first I wasn't familiar with the clutch feel and torque so I revved the bike a bit more than usual pulling away. Now that I'm used to it I love the V-4! Has a space ship whine to it at low revs along with a V-twin sort of sound that smooths out at higher revs and on the road I don't even notice that it only has 5 speeds since the engine is so flexible.
Tell your dad to just go check out the CTX1300, get over the slightly weird looks (tell him to pretend its from Star Trek or Star Wars), the engine and drivetrain is bullet proof from the ST1300 long proven to be reliable.
I feel no engine heat off the bike, unlike what the ST1300 riders gripe about.
One thing, if your dad has long legs his knees MIGHT bump into the valve covers since they are right in front of your knees, but I have no issues with my short legs and feel no engine heat."
"For your dad, let him know the bike isn't light since it weighs 750 pounds. 200 pounds more than the CB1100 which is a compact, dense mass. CB1100 actually weighs about the same as a late model Sportster which I rode before. The CTX1300 does have a low center of gravity, but lifting it off the side stand does take a bit of effort so don't let that discourage him. Easier than lifting up a Harley Road King or Street Glide or a Moto Guzzi California which I also checked out.
My pants inseam is only 27, I swear I used to wear 29 inseam pants but my wife said not anymore! Reach to the ground is good, not quite flat footed but my balls of my feet are on the ground so I have a confident stance at stops and can push the bike backward when needed.
Seat is wide and comfortable, narrows a bit in front so the reach to the ground is easier. Plus the pegs are a bit mid-forward (not way forward like the CTX700 which was a deal killer for me) the reach to the pegs is easy, plus they don't get in the way when you put your feet down at stops.
Bars do reach quite a way back from the forks, the bike is stretched out in front of you. Not uncomfortable since you can rotate them easily.
The fairing mounted mirrors aren't so hot, like the mirrors were on the BMW RT, but if you rotate the bars down a bit you can see the mirrors but you do see your hands in the mirrors. I added some stick on blind spot mirrors and will install some regular bar mounted mirrors so that won't be an issue.
Fairing gives good protection and I ordered the taller touring screen since the stock low screen looks cool, but doesn't block much wind just like the Harley Street Glide.
Bags hold a decent amount of stuff, bolted on to the bike so not quickly removable like the BMW, but they are nicely integrated into the overall design of the bike.
The engine is smooth! Feels different than an inline 4 like the CB1100, good torque but took a little while to get used to it since its smooth and at first I wasn't familiar with the clutch feel and torque so I revved the bike a bit more than usual pulling away. Now that I'm used to it I love the V-4! Has a space ship whine to it at low revs along with a V-twin sort of sound that smooths out at higher revs and on the road I don't even notice that it only has 5 speeds since the engine is so flexible.
Tell your dad to just go check out the CTX1300, get over the slightly weird looks (tell him to pretend its from Star Trek or Star Wars), the engine and drivetrain is bullet proof from the ST1300 long proven to be reliable.
I feel no engine heat off the bike, unlike what the ST1300 riders gripe about.
One thing, if your dad has long legs his knees MIGHT bump into the valve covers since they are right in front of your knees, but I have no issues with my short legs and feel no engine heat."