The 2014 Honda CTX1300 could have been a well guarded secret only if the images wouldn’t have leaked during a promotional photoshoot. Nonetheless the motorcycle is right here at the EICMA 2013 and looks to bridge the gap between Honda’s CTX700 and the GoldWing F6B.
Acronym for “Comfort Technology eXperience”, the Honda CTX1300 resembles the smaller CTX700 but features a more evolved design over its younger cousin. With a sharper styled headlamp assembly housing LED halo accent lights, mirror integrated LED blinkers, F6B Goldwing inspired chopped windscreen and hard panniers- all look to take the design of the CTX700 one step over.
Powering the new Honda Cruiser is an longitudenally mounted ST1300 derived 1261cc V4 engine and though power figures have been still kept under wraps, the CTX1300 similar to the 2014 Honda VFR800F has been tuned for bottom and mid-range performance. The bore and stroke configurations have been retained from the ST1300, but the compression ratio now stands reduced to 10.0:1. These figures might hint at a drop in horsepower, but expect the bike to be more rideable compared to the 117 bhp Honda ST1300S. A five speed gearbox with taller ratios mated to a shaft drive ensure a stress free cruising experience.
The 2014 Honda CTX1300 is also aimed shorter and less experienced riders with a low slung seat and thanks to the 19 litre tank which is now allocated space under the seat with overall dynamics rendering the CTX1300 a lower Centre of Gravity making it easy to maneuver around at lower speeds. Needless to say the pulled back wide handlebars and forward placed pegs impart the new Honda with cruiser ergonomics.
Suspending the 328 kgs cruiser are 45mm inverted forks at the front and preload-adjustable twin shockers at the rear mounted on an aluminium swingarm. Three pot calipers mounted over the 310mm front discs at the front and a single disc at the rear provide stopping power to the CTX1300. The surprise element has been the elimination of the Dual Clutch Transmission found on the CTX700, which Honda says has been part of the pricing strategy. Nonetheless, ABS is provided as an option feature.
The 2014 Honda CTX1300 sports 18 inch front and 17 inch rear alloys mounted with 130/70R-18 and a fat 200/50R-17 tyres respectively.
Honda is releasing two variants of the CTX1300 i.e. standard and a deluxe model. While the standard model features all of the above features- the Honda CTX1300 Deluxe boasts of a better spec chart with traction control, ABS, self cancelling indicators, an audio package with USB input and bluetooth connectivity. Also visiually differentiating the Deluxe from the standard mode is blacked out accents visible on the wheels and frame elements around the swingarm pivots.
Honda is also offering a host of accessories for the 2014 Honda CTX1300 that include a taller screen, LED fog lights, heated grips, centrestand, rear rack and trunk, audio package for the base model and chrome accented parts.
Available in Metallic Black, Gray Blue Metallic and Candy Red- though not an official announcement, Honda has hinted at a US$ 17,000 sticker price for the 2014 Honda CTX1300 standard variant. Expect a premium for the Deluxe model with both variants hitting Honda dealerships in March 2014.
We’ve put up a small gallery of the 2014 Honda CTX1300 on the NEXT PAGE. Do have a look!
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