2014 Honda CTX700 Threadfest

^^. Good write up.

I get positive comments from riders and non- riders alike. Surprised me as I started out not liking the looks so much but now they are growing on me.

What he said.

I'm absolutely in agreement with providing a 12V cigarette lighter!

For commuting, tank size comes into play more than touring, IMO. I don't want to have to get gas every other day, but after a couple of hours on the road, I don't necessarily mind stopping.

my commute is down to 30 miles a day (from 56ish), so fill ups are a once-a-week affair. if it was longer, yeah, it'd be a bit aggravating.

touring-wise, i tend to get pretty into long haul mode and forget to register significant drops in fuel level. ;-)

added a corbin seat and a 22" cee bailey screen. ace commuter for seattle year round, now!

My wife has a CTX700D, I get to ride it now and then.
"Oh, do you want me to fill the bike for you since you'll be busy this afternoon ?" (120km detour later ...).

I wouldn't replace my DL 650 for one of these, but it's really relaxing to ride in comparison. And that's from someone who really hates the feet forward riding position. Eats city traffic, eats cruising and handles surprisingly well given how low it is. The only place it suffered was some of the bumpy back roads where I discovered 3 or 4 large lumps that I simply hadn't noticed on the DL.

Plenty of get up and go, passing is probably better than the DL, simply because I can't change down three gears as fast as the CTX can. Handling is better than any other cruiser I've ridden (Not that many in truth) and good enough not to be a pain riding with a DL.

O.K. a few problems, lack of luggage space and spools stock would be well up there for me, it really needs to come with at least the rear rack so you can just drop a top box on.

No clue how the manual would be in comparison, but the auto is beautiful. I don't think either of us have bothered to even touch the flappy paddles yet.

My wife loves the thing, she's relatively short, not an agressive rider and it's mainly used for commuting with the occasional long trip - perfect.

Fuel economy is really impressive, where my DL gets 25km/l this gets 33, so at least for us, range is *just* acceptable but five more litres would be very welcome.

Pete

That's where most people do throw up.

I like that! I wish Honda would come off with a fully loaded tourer on that platform. Someday someone is going to have the balls to make a 650 pound full on mid displacement tourer.

+1

Like the Silver Wing GL500! This platform would be better!

It is made, but not cheap. F800GT. 90HP, under 500lbs wet, with side bags.


BTW, 650lbs is heavy. The R1200RT doesn't weigh but 569lbs wet and ready to ride, 110HP, too.

Here's the GT...

Think baby Gold Wing. That's what i have in mind. There are plenty of sport tourers on the market.

If Yamaha placed their new 850cc triple from the FZ-09, into a touring set up, that would be something. Today's problem is that a 650 lb touring bike would almost need to be some fashion of a sport touring model, or HP crazy Americans aren't gonna buy it.

The GL500 Silverwing was a great little touring bike, but sadly wouldn't sell today. Almost cost prohibitive to manufacture and sell in its size class competitively.

I suspect you are right that they wouldn't sell. I love my Victory, but I'd be happier if it were a 650-900cc that had all the same amenities, weighed 600 or so pounds and got 50 MPG. It's frustrating that all full on tourers have to weigh 900 pounds. That triple would make a great platform for what I want. So would the SV/DL 650 engine. Hell, the GSX650 engine was the smoothest I have ever owned.

This CTX has almost all it needs to fill the bill. A few minor tweeks and it's there.

Have had three Harley touring bikes, and they were heavy. Couple of R1150RT's and a 1200RT, and the RT's were every bit as comfortable, hell of a lot faster and 300lbs lighter. Honda's accessories for the CTX are nice, but probably as far as they will go with making a mid class tourer. A DIY pkg...

Those are also my thoughts. It's so close. Maybe the aftermarket can pick up this bit of slack?

Wish the 700 had mids, as the forwards straighten my legs too much for comfort.

I added large floorboards to mine. Allows me to put my feet about 3" further back. Very comfy.

Any pics of them? Any mods needed for brake or shifter? tp

The only one I have available. Will try and get better ones tomorrow.
Shifter needed adjustment but no mod.

Yeah, that'd be nice.

Did you buy them ? (If so where), or fabricate them ?

Thanks
Pete

I saw on the CTX forum where someone had built adapters for Goldwing passenger boards and installed them to the forward peg brackets. Couldn't see the pic with out being a forum member, though. Was that your work, or another's? tp