Andrew Cherney Thinking
Honda VTX1300C, Star V Star 1300, and Suzuki Boulevard S83 | Rise of the Middle Class
Riding Position
Andrew Cherney, Editor
5' 7", 155 lbs.
30.5-inch inseam
It's a tight race here in this new class, right beneath the big boys. But I'm happy to see it. I feel like these bikes work better than those 900-pound tankers in terms of ergos, handling and even fun factor. The power-to-weight ratios on these things make a whole lot more sense too. For me, it came down to the wire between the VTX and the V Star-for very different reasons. I like the whole vibe of the Honda-it's a little bit hooligan, a little bit sloppy, but it's got spunk and the motor's great. I think psychologists call it "character." It's all the things its overweight, underdamped, lurching sibling, the 1800, ain't. Oh wait, the 1300 lurches too-but you get my point.For sheer comfort and convenience, the VTX or Suzuki can't hold a candle to the V Star's superior suspension and feature set, but then I feel the Star may be a tick overpriced, while the S83's decades-old design definitely is. I have a feeling Suzuki's up to something that'll put it right back in the thick of things, though. View Related Article
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