Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128129
large selection of saddlebags, windscreens, and other touring necessities. STYLING V.s, the tank Is huge, and yes the staggered exhaust pipes and rear fender look really cool. By BLAKE CONNER n ast year, Honda unveiled the I..bVTX1800C as an early-release 2002 model, but the company had more in store for us than what was initially evident, as it had simultaneously designed a new retro version of the same basic bike the VTX1800R/VTX1800S - to round out the VTX line. The original VTX1800C was a big hit right off the bat with its combination of hot-rod styling and walk-the-walk power from the giant V-twin engine. It was something that the motorcycling public had never seen before. The Victory V92SC is, in fact, the true originator of the hot, new performance-cruiser category, but Honda took the concept to an all-new level with the introduction of the VTX. Now, the performance-cruiser category has taken off, with Harley-Davidson's Vrod, Kawasaki's Mean Streak, and Yamaha's Warrior all jumping into the market this year as well. There are two versions of the new VTX - the "R" and "5" models - the difference between them being a choice between cast- or wire-spoke wheels. Other than that, these two bikes are virtually identical, except 14 NOVEMBER 7,2001 • co U co for the fact that the different wheel types require different types of tires bias-plies on the traditional wheels and radials on the cast. There are a few key changes to the range - the fuel capacity has increased from 4.5 gallons to 5.3 gallons - as is obvious from one look at the colossal fuel tank. In order to make those longer trips more enjoyable, the seat is now wider, and the l)andJebar rakes back to the rider for new VTX besides the obvious styling updates that are meant to make the bike more versatile. For starters, the new bike features a much larger fuel long-distance comfort. Honda also developed an extensive accessory tank to give it the additional touring line, from bolt-on chrome goodies to a This Is the VTX1800 "5" with the spoke wheels. The only other difference is thai the bike wears bias-ply tires and not radials, due to the rim type. The original VTX was designed to be a modem cruiser, but the new version of the bike was designed to be retro-contemporary, with elements of both the classic '40s- and '50s-era look, but with the modern flair of the original VTX. The most obvious styling details are the long, deep fenders, the fat front tire, and the staggered dual exhaust pipes in place of the huge single version on the original bike. VTX project director Martin Manchester explains the styl ing concepts for the new bike: "You can see in the styling, we carried over so many of the VTX themes. We still have the arched negative shape on the bottom of the tank that flows down to the seat, and the seat junction, where they're still integrated. We also retained the oval-section headlight with the curved visor shape, a strong character line from the VTX, and the same chiseled shape to the grab-rail. So we're carrying over a lot of the flavor to give a family image to the machines. But then, even though we carryover those elements, we depart in other areas, giving uniqueness to this machine. For example, there are dual mufflers, with tips that mimic the headlight visor shape, and a taller, wider fuel tank with the instruments on top. So it's a combination of overlapping the imagery we created with the first VTX, and also separating the two to give the customer a choice." UNDER THE HOOD Like the original VTX, the meat of the motorcycle is the motor; and what a motor it is - truly big in every sense of the word. The 52-degree, liquid-cooled, V-twin motor displaces 1795cc, with each cylinder's bore measuring four inches across and featuring 112mm of piston stroke. It