Outstanding commentary. You remind me of some of the UK bike journalists from the '90s. You should get yourself a job with one of the online mororcycle magazines. Cheers!
I got an 07 1800, and your comments about Opec and ceo of Exxon was hilarious. I actually just tried to do the fuel mileage estimate and I calculated around about 29 mpg in the city, and yea that bike just wants you to twist the throttle at every light.
I have a 2003 VTX1800R. I took it on a 5700 mile road trip. It was comfortable. It is putting out 95 horsepower and 118 foot pounds of torque. It put out 100 foot pounds of torque from 2,100 rpm to 4,800 rpm. It does use a lot of gas. I was averaging 31 mpg. I had it dynotuned. The mixture was too rich. I will find out in the spring what difference it made. I did notice in the few miles I rode after the tune it pulled smooth in 5th gear from a lower speed and seemed to need less throttle to do interstate speed. It is hard not to use that torque and kill the fuel mileage. It drops to 25 mpg when you do.
@@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480 I have a Mustang seat on mine and I put handle bar risers that raise and move the handlebars back. The seat gives me the lower back support I need. The seat was on it when I bought it. It also had soft saddle bags a windshield and a passenger backrest and a windshield.
@@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480 But, but, but the C weighs 705 lbs. dry, while the R weighs 756 lbs. dry. A noticeable felt difference in slow maneuvers. :)
The only thing wrong with the Triumph: It's not a Honda / The only thing wrong with the VTX: it's not a Triumph. "Thank god I don't have to choose" sums it up adequately, imo :)
Dude I thought were you were riding looked familiar. Then I saw hwy c. Nice I live off hwy b lol I have a VT1100c2 ace and have been thinking of looking at getting a vtx 1800.
I've got the 2002 VTX1800c with the full Corbin package. Fairing,Seat,Hard Bags and Lowboy Fender all made by Corbin. Traded my Vrod for it and don't have a single regret!! I've got the Bubbs true duals and a set of Cobra that came with it a long with all the original factory parts. I'll not get rid of this bike ever.
@@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480 to be honest, I know how I am.. Probably the only bike I'd trade for is a Thunderbird because I'm partial to Triumph.. I was looking to trade for a Thunderbird when I traded the Vrod for the VTX1800.. My email is sanecrazy12@gmail.com shoot me an email and I'll send ya pics of how mine is set up.
A very well done comparison between the two bikes. Kudos. The 'Bird's sixth gear is the only thing I wish the VTX had. Everything else considered, though, the VTX has more desirable features for me. And when I ride through different states, it's reassuring to know that there are a lot more Honda dealerships than Triumph dealerships should I need a part to continue my journey. Rubber side down, Kemosabe.
Get a hold of final drive from a 1300. It's a straight swap, and should lower your RPM by around 500 at 70 mph. Closest thing you'll get to a 6th gear.
Never rode a Triumph. Had a VTX 1800 Touring and nothing but good things to say about it. A beast for power, but smooth. I'd take a 6th gear though, I always want another gear. The whole cruiser experience is to be able to lumber along at highway speeds and low RPM's, with plenty of low-end torque when you need to get on it without downshifting.
I love both of these bikes, The triumph in sixth gear gives you an enormous amount of torque. The sixth gear is not just a token overdrive on the triumph it has a lot of pull.
I really don't understand why honda dropped the vtx 1300 and 1800, that thunderbird does look good, I've heard nothing but good things about triumph, friend of mine has street triple and absolutely loves it and has had it for years.
I do love my Thunderbird. It was a very difficult video to make because I wanted to be fair to both bikes. They are both really really awesome. If you get a chance to pick up a Triumph I’m sure you won’t be disappointed especially if you can find a Thunderbird. And if you can find a VTX 1800 hold onto it. I was surprised how cheap they are when you find them.
It’s a shame that all the major bike companies quit making the larger cruisers. No more Vtx, V stars, or nomads. Suzuki c 90’s are scarce unless they are 15 to 18 years old with a million miles on them. They still make the 800 and 900 cc cruisers, but not enough power. I have a Vaquero, but almost no exhaust companies make anything for them except slips one. If I could bet some cobra speedsters or long shots for it, that would Mike they bike so much more enjoyable. So that pretty much leaves Harley for big bore cruisers. Had 5 of them and am tired of the big money for them and their so caked lifestyle. You would think the motorcycle companies would make some good looking big bore cruisers again. As the supply dwindles of the classic bikes, the prices are going up. And I’m not seeing to many of these newer baby cruisers on the road. They might as well meet the emission standards and produce these bikes. We are just gonna rip that factory crap off of them anyway and let them rumble.
Great review with hilarious commentary! "...OPEC just had a meeting.."
😄He got me with that one too.
I got 2 BRUISER bikes. 2014 Hayabusa, 2002 VTX1800C. BUSA=MPH, VTX= Smiles Per Hour- I LOVE THEM BOTH!!!!!
Nice!!
Outstanding! In the process of hunting down a VTX1800. Thanks for the great comparo/review.
Thank you for watching
Outstanding commentary. You remind me of some of the UK bike journalists from the '90s. You should get yourself a job with one of the online mororcycle magazines. Cheers!
Thank you for watching!
I got an 07 1800, and your comments about Opec and ceo of Exxon was hilarious. I actually just tried to do the fuel mileage estimate and I calculated around about 29 mpg in the city, and yea that bike just wants you to twist the throttle at every light.
Yeah it’s pretty much asking you to hammer it.
I have a 2003 VTX1800R. I took it on a 5700 mile road trip. It was comfortable. It is putting out 95 horsepower and 118 foot pounds of torque. It put out 100 foot pounds of torque from 2,100 rpm to 4,800 rpm. It does use a lot of gas. I was averaging 31 mpg. I had it dynotuned. The mixture was too rich. I will find out in the spring what difference it made. I did notice in the few miles I rode after the tune it pulled smooth in 5th gear from a lower speed and seemed to need less throttle to do interstate speed. It is hard not to use that torque and kill the fuel mileage. It drops to 25 mpg when you do.
I've got the C model its good for a few hours then my 50+ year old back starts up. I might get a backrest for it.
@@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480 I have a Mustang seat on mine and I put handle bar risers that raise and move the handlebars back. The seat gives me the lower back support I need. The seat was on it when I bought it. It also had soft saddle bags a windshield and a passenger backrest and a windshield.
@@hhplymouth9473 that’s awesome!! The R has a better long distance setup than the C for sure .
@@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480 But, but, but the C weighs 705 lbs. dry, while the R weighs 756 lbs. dry. A noticeable felt difference in slow maneuvers. :)
Thanks! I'll buy both.
The only thing wrong with the Triumph: It's not a Honda / The only thing wrong with the VTX: it's not a Triumph. "Thank god I don't have to choose" sums it up adequately, imo :)
Dude I thought were you were riding looked familiar. Then I saw hwy c. Nice I live off hwy b lol I have a VT1100c2 ace and have been thinking of looking at getting a vtx 1800.
Get an 1800 if you can you’ll love that bike. I had an 1100 Sabre and loved it.
I've got the 2002 VTX1800c with the full Corbin package. Fairing,Seat,Hard Bags and Lowboy Fender all made by Corbin. Traded my Vrod for it and don't have a single regret!! I've got the Bubbs true duals and a set of Cobra that came with it a long with all the original factory parts. I'll not get rid of this bike ever.
I’m with you man I’m not parting with my 1800 either.
@@tgmotorider.narratinglifeo3480 to be honest, I know how I am.. Probably the only bike I'd trade for is a Thunderbird because I'm partial to Triumph.. I was looking to trade for a Thunderbird when I traded the Vrod for the VTX1800.. My email is sanecrazy12@gmail.com shoot me an email and I'll send ya pics of how mine is set up.
A very well done comparison between the two bikes. Kudos. The 'Bird's sixth gear is the only thing I wish the VTX had. Everything else considered, though, the VTX has more desirable features for me. And when I ride through different states, it's reassuring to know that there are a lot more Honda dealerships than Triumph dealerships should I need a part to continue my journey. Rubber side down, Kemosabe.
P.S. What are the mileages on both bikes?
1600 is at almost 13,000 the vtx is 22,000 ish
Get a hold of final drive from a 1300. It's a straight swap, and should lower your RPM by around 500 at 70 mph. Closest thing you'll get to a 6th gear.
Try the 1700 storm with no cat and Hogslayer pipes after a dyno tune!
Goid vid. Good comparison... prefer the triumph deffo.
Never rode a Triumph. Had a VTX 1800 Touring and nothing but good things to say about it. A beast for power, but smooth. I'd take a 6th gear though, I always want another gear. The whole cruiser experience is to be able to lumber along at highway speeds and low RPM's, with plenty of low-end torque when you need to get on it without downshifting.
I love both of these bikes, The triumph in sixth gear gives you an enormous amount of torque. The sixth gear is not just a token overdrive on the triumph it has a lot of pull.
Triumph all day
I'm looking for one I'm 6'6 do you think I'm too big for the vtx 1800 if so I don't care I still wanna ride it lol
I think if you test road one you’d figure out a way to make it work pretty fast. It’s a mighty horse.
I really don't understand why honda dropped the vtx 1300 and 1800, that thunderbird does look good, I've heard nothing but good things about triumph, friend of mine has street triple and absolutely loves it and has had it for years.
I do love my Thunderbird. It was a very difficult video to make because I wanted to be fair to both bikes. They are both really really awesome. If you get a chance to pick up a Triumph I’m sure you won’t be disappointed especially if you can find a Thunderbird. And if you can find a VTX 1800 hold onto it. I was surprised how cheap they are when you find them.
It’s a shame that all the major bike companies quit making the larger cruisers. No more Vtx, V stars, or nomads. Suzuki c 90’s are scarce unless they are 15 to 18 years old with a million miles on them. They still make the 800 and 900 cc cruisers, but not enough power. I have a Vaquero, but almost no exhaust companies make anything for them except slips one. If I could bet some cobra speedsters or long shots for it, that would Mike they bike so much more enjoyable. So that pretty much leaves Harley for big bore cruisers. Had 5 of them and am tired of the big money for them and their so caked lifestyle. You would think the motorcycle companies would make some good looking big bore cruisers again. As the supply dwindles of the classic bikes, the prices are going up. And I’m not seeing to many of these newer baby cruisers on the road. They might as well meet the emission standards and produce these bikes. We are just gonna rip that factory crap off of them anyway and let them rumble.
I’ve owned a VTX1800 and now ride a Triumph Thunderbird 1600. The Triumph hands down is a better bike.
You must have a look at the new honda vtx1800r. You wanted abs. Know it has. You wanted cruise control it has it.
Ai bot
T-bird looks better imo