Honda VT1300

Destined to become a Modern Classic – Bike being reviewed here is a 2010 VT1300CS 'Sabre' Model, but as all VT1300s share the same Frame except the CX Fury, it could apply to the CR, CS & CT models primarily, but also to the Fury; a Chopper version with a smaller tank and slightly different frame and forks, but otherwise the same bike. Build quality is like any Honda; Excellent. Performance: Very Good. Handling: Very Good. Reliability: Excellent. I purchased my Sabre at 17000 kms. It had Slip-on mufflers, baffles removed, otherwise all original. The bike is very stable on the road; its a long, raked out, heavy bike, but feels surprisingly light and nimble for its 300+kg. These bikes are very rakish looking with a stretched custom style frame; designed to be customised further, with bolt on assemblies for rear lighting on the Chopper and Street Custom models, (Fury & Sabre respectively) These bikes look customised from factory, but there is plenty of scope for personalization. The basic Stateline and dressed up Interstate (cruiser) models have 17" front wheels and fatter, longer mudguards, whereas the Fury and Sabre have 21" front wheels which add to their raked Chopper look and cut down or bobbed Mudguards front and rear. The Fury and Sabre are quite radical in looks and are based on real one off custom style bikes built in the US. As usual, Honda does this very well and developes the idea as far as anyone has, further with the Fury and Sabre. The engine is massive, water-cooled and injected. The bottom end of these motors is set up very like the HD engine, with a Single-Pin Crankshaft, which gives the Harley V twin its characteristic rumble. Even with the original stuffy pipes & catalytic converter, the 1312cc Mill still produces a very respectable 74hp at the crank or 58hp@4250rpm at the back wheel and around 123Nm or 90 ft/lbs of Torque at 3000rpm. A Sports Exhaust bumps those figures up considerably. There is no shortage of usable power; mid-range Torque is where these engines excell. The bike will pull easily through hilly, twisty terrain in top gear; go down a cog and open the throttle and the bike will pull like a locomotive! Horsepower too is available right where you want it. Gears are well ranged, 6 would have been better than the 5 speeds you get and top speed is around 165 kph. Realistically, the bike will sit with ease on 110 kph all day with plenty to spare, but the rider is a lot more comfortable at 95. The final drive is shaft, eliminating chain maintainence and making life much easier if you ever need to take the wheel off, plus much smoother operation generally. The Brakes on these bikes are excellent; only a single disc up front but its 336mm with a 3 piston ABS Caliper. Rear disc is 296mm and also very effective. Ride is firm and sure footed. These bikes will retain their value well where I am as they were not sold in big numbers here in Australia. Honda has made a serious Custom/Chopper or Cruiser style bike with the VT1300 Series and depending on what model you choose, you get mod cons of a modern bike like ABS but with old school style to radical chopper or pro street custom looks. I dont think I would be the only owner to say that with the VT1300, Honda beat HD at their own game. The VT1300 was a unique and very successful experiment by Honda and is destined to become a Modern Classic as unfortunately the entire line was discontinued from 2019 after barely 10 years production. These are the last big V Twin American Classic type bike from Honda; the end of an era that began in the 1980s with many models being made in the US. Snap one up while you can, they will always be sought after and revered as a serious and legitimate V-Twin Motorcycle.