[Babalu]

i was driving around today and ended up in a honda powersports dealer since i drive past it often i figured i would drop in. i fell in love with a VTX1800N, it's discounted to $9995 i guess overstock 09 could even be an 08 i didn't think to look until i left. i like my harley but jesus i can't even get an iron 883 for that price OTD and the VTX 1800 is four times the bike...

i'm sure there's tons in this forum but i'll gear this question towards anyone with experience of both harley's and honda's. how does this bike stack up to a softail or even a dyna. for the price of the new VTX i would be lucky to get a 10 year old dyna with 20,000 miles on it.

the dealer only had one in yellow and one with red flames and i'm pretty adamant about plain black, he's calling another dealer to see if they have one on a similar deal

 

[madmatt01]

Well, I've got an 02 vtx1800r, and am completely in love with it. There are so many available mods/add ons that you can do, you'll never get bored. As far as quality, well, it's a Honda. There really isn't any more to say about it. Here is the list of what I didn't like about my previous Harleys:
1. Air cooled - here in Florida, that just isn't the best idea.
2. Poor performance. I'm not talking about the guys that go out and buy an S&S motor, change out tranny's, etc. I'm talking about take her home and open her up performance. The VTX will take any Harley that I've owned in the past (4 of them) and most current production harley's except for the vrod. (modified the 1800 probably can, but definately not stock, but that's another story)
3. Price. I never did get over the fact that the harleys are so damned expensive.

Here's the list of what I don't like about my VTX:
1. Sound. I've got her sounding pretty good, but since it doesn't have a single push-rod type engine, it will NEVER sound like a Harley. Yoy can make the 1300 sound like a harley, but not the 1800.
2. Weight. The 1800 is a pig. Not that the Harley's that I've had werent, but she is a big girl.
3. The Seat is Chit! Make the dealer throw in a new seat if you decide to get it. I don't know anybody who didn't buy a new seat within a month or 2 of buying a vtx.

That said, if I were shopping for a new bike, I'd buy the VTX. In my opinion, the VTX is a better bike regardless of the money. Check out the VTX cafe website, they are pretty good guys/gals and will help you out a lot. Hope that helps.

 

[steingar]

I seem to do this every time a Harley thread comes up. Oh well, at least I'm consistent:

What do you call a Harley that doesn't leak oil?
Empty!


The most efficient way to convert gasoline into noise
without the adverse side effect of horsepower!


Did you know 95% of all Harleys are still on the road?
The other 5% actually made it home.


Is it true that Harleys are chick magnets?
Yes, but only if the chick has a steel plate in her head.


What's the cheapest way to get another 50hp from your Harley?
Trade it in on a Suzuki.


Why don't Harley riders sit on their bikes when the side stand is down?
They're afraid to lean over that far.


What's the difference between a Harley and a Harley owner's home?
The Harley costs more and has fewer wheels.


How do you know you're riding a Harley?
While coming off an exit-ramp you get passed by a Vespa.


Why don't Harley riders wave at sportbike riders?
Because they don't want to drop their tools.


How do you know all the aftermarket parts you bought for your Harley are worth the money?
You finally break into the 15's in the quarter mile!!!


What do you call a group of Harley Owners with a collective IQ of 120?
Sturgis!

How do Harley engineers tell if a bike is worthy of the Harley name?
They check to make sure the exhaust noise in decibels exceeds the horsepower rating.


Why don't Harley owners smile?
Once you realized you got conned into paying $25,000 for an outdated piece
of $#!+, would YOU be smiling?


What's the difference between a Harley Davidson and a vacuum cleaner?
The location of the dirtbags.


Why do Harleys have fringe?
So you can tell if they're moving.


How is a Harley Davidson like an old dog?
They both like to ride in the back of pickup trucks.


How do you know your Harley is handling great?
You can almost keep up with the logging trucks when you're riding in the canyons.


What is the difference between a Harley Davidson and an old dog?
The dog can get in the back of the pickup by itself.


Why couldn't the Harley mechanic repair the doorknob?
Some things just can't be fixed with only a hammer and a rope.


What's the difference between a Harley taken to Daytona on a trailer and one that's being ridden there?
The one on the trailer is going about 30mph faster.


Why do all Harley owners have trailers??
So they can go around corners faster!


Where can you find the world's largest collection of Harley jokes?
On the showroom of the Harley mega-store in Milwaukee.
(Alternate answer: At Sturgis)


You know you're a Harley rider if:
You're unable to let your bike simply IDLE at a stop light.


You confuse the word "character" with the more accurate term "engineering flaws".


"Water cooled" means standing on the side of the road, in the rain, waiting for a wrecker.


And the biggest (or at least the most expensive) Harley joke of all time: The Harley-Davidson VR-1000 superbike racer.

 

[denzee]

I can read these a thousand times and I still split a gut everytime.

lus1: steingar