Motorcycle Honda VTX 1800: description, technical specifications

Motorcycle Honda VTX 1800 - the device, all descriptions of which are given using an excellent degree. Very heavy, very powerful, very charismatic, very well equipped, very expensive and yet somehow "very, very, very".

History of creation

The history of the well-known model began in 1995 with the introduction of the new concept of Zodia from the Japanese company Honda. With this motorcycle, Japanese manufacturers sought to enter the American market, quickly conquer it and, to put it mildly, press the iconic Harley-Davidson.

Cruise motorcycle model VTX 1800 F saw the light in 2001 and was immediately recognized as the largest tourist motorcycle in the world with a 1.8-liter V-Twin engine. The innovative design of pistons, also the largest in the world, installed on a motorcycle, brought the concern additional points and appreciation in the world.

The new model entered the markets of both America and Europe, but the priority was still the US direction, since there the highest sales figures. Therefore, the cruiser was made in a typical American style under the slogan: "At any cost stand out from the crowd!"

The Palm of the championship Honda VTX 1800 lost the model Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 in 2004.

After the appearance of the base model in 2001 and its recognition, the concern in the next year released two more modifications with the R and S indices, a year later - version N, a year later - F.

Concern has stopped the production of a motorcycle by 2009.

Major modifications

Technical specifications, layout and main design in all versions did not change. They differ in external details.

So the basic version with index C is shortened wings and cast disks, a speedometer on the handlebars and an exhaust pipe "2 in 1".

Version R - cast wheels and shortened wings; S - wings remain elongated, but the wheels are already with spokes; N - style new retro.

Honda Motorcycle VTX 1800 F is distinguished by wheels with low-profile radial tires on disks made in the form of double spokes but cast. It is equipped with a clock and an LCD tachometer.

Model Description

Structurally, the model is no different from other Japanese choppers and cruisers. The frame is made of strong, practically non-deformable steel pipes, high-tech engine, liquid cooling and as the main drive cardan shaft. In general, practical and super-reliable.

The weight of the unloaded motorcycle is more than 320 kg, and the full weight is almost 350 kg. Cope with such a machine, especially in urban traffic jams, at low speeds, even not every man can, and girls do not even come up. Moreover, he maneuvers extremely slowly. Experienced drivers confirm that it is not designed to jump from row to row a large and wide Honda VTX 1800 motorcycle. Kofry (leather, by the way) have to be removed if there is a need for frequent trips around the city. And the steering wheel to change to a narrower one too. Only then it is possible to pass between the rows, so that the first on the green signal of the traffic light to break from the place and go far ahead from those who stood behind or next.

But the VTX 1800 was not meant for trips to megacities. His element - good roads and high speeds, he easily goes at a maximum speed of 200 km / h.

A great motorcycle does not look cumbersome. Maybe because everything is proportional and organic in it. Its dimensions (L × W × H) - 2.4 × 0.9 × 1.1 m. The saddle height is 0.7 m, the ground clearance is 0.13 m, the wheelbase is 1.7 m.

The load on the motorcycle can also be quite large. The total weight of the driver, passenger and baggage can reach almost 200 kg.

Motorcycle engine

The engine is the main feature of the motorcycle VTX 1800. It is a two-cylinder V-shaped, injector, with liquid cooling and six valves and electronic fuel injection, 2 liters. Provides a capacity of 107 liters. from. And a torque of 164 Nm. And outwardly it is quite large. Even without knowing the capabilities of the motorcycle, you can guess by the type of engine that they are great, despite the fact that the drive drives part of the power selects. The actual power of the motorcycle is up to 80 liters. from.

At maximum power, the engine is wound at 5000 rpm, and at a maximum torque of 3000 rpm.

Cylinders with ribs retain the general style of the conservative class, while the ribs also divert heat.

Other important characteristics of the Honda VTX 1800 are acceleration to hundreds of kilometers per hour in just 4 seconds, and fuel consumption per 100 km is 6.5 liters. True, this is official data. Owners of motorcycles raise this limit to 7-8 liters, stipulating thus, that it is possible and less, but at accurate driving without cargo and the passenger. Only who will be on such and such a device quietly and safely to travel!

Chassis

If we talk about the basic version of the Honda VTX 1800 C, then the size of the front tires - 130/70 R18 and the rear - 180/70 R16.

The front suspension consists of a 45 mm telescopic fork of inverted type with a longitudinal inclination of 32 ° with a stroke of 130 mm.

Rear suspension - double shock absorber with a five-stage preload adjustment and a stroke of 100 mm.

The brake system is a combined hydraulic system and consists of a double disc with a diameter of 298 mm, a thickness of 4.5 mm, a three-piston caliper with metallized brake pads, and a rear disc of 316 mm in diameter, 7 mm thick, a two-piston caliper, again with metalized brake pads.

This number of discs allows you to use the rear brake pedal to activate not only the rear, but also the front one. At the same time, it is impossible to brake before the vehicle's movement, according to experienced bikers, since the pedal force is quite large.

Gearbox and motorcycle electrical system

Honda VTX 1800 motorcycle gearbox is a five-speed, multi-disc clutch, with hydraulic drive. The main transmission is a closed propeller shaft with a gear ratio of 3,091 (34/11).

The motorcycle is equipped with a 12-volt battery with a capacity of 18Ah and an alternator with a capacity of 400W. And the received electricity is used for lighting one lamp with a power of 55 watts for the near and 60 watts for the main beam. By the way, many pilots complain about the poor lighting of the road and install xenon, not only for beauty.

It consumes electricity and a starter, it is electric. The ignition system is a digital transistor, computer-controlled with electronic ignition timing control. The spark plugs are four - two for each cylinder.

Optional equipment

On the cruiser Honda VTX 1800, the back-trunk and bulk side pockets are the most necessary attachments. And it is convenient to sit in a long journey for the passenger, and you can place luggage where.

And to not get bored, you need to install a music system. For example, the radio tape recorder is installed on the steering wheel, the speaker system - in special podiums on the footrests and in the trunk on the sides of the rear seat back, the amplifier - in the trunk.

For the driver is important protection from the oncoming wind, because at such speeds it is strong, and his impulses can throw in the face of small debris. Therefore, a high windscreen is installed, which also relieves the driver of the voltage when resisting a dense air flow.

Motorcycle tuning

What can be interesting in this motorcycle is tuning. Honda VTX 1800 directly asks for the implementation of design projects that emphasize the American character of the Japanese motorcycle.

This can be airbrushing, giving the silhouette extra swiftness or delicacy, painting in exclusive colors, making the noticeable car even more visible even at night, if you add luminous components in the dark.

To the taste of the owner, it is possible to install body kits and other elements made of composite materials or covered with chrome.

Motorcycles from Japan, as a rule, already come off the assembly lines thought out to trifles, but nevertheless experts still find that to improve.

In motorcycle shops offer the replacement of the rear wheel for a wider - 240-250 mm. At the same time, you can install tuned discs, and metal, rather than a plastic wing, and progressive shock absorbers. Honda VTX 1800 with such progressive shocks looks wider and more powerful, and it goes nicer. They are shorter than standard ones and can vary in rigidity.

Test drives

Experienced bikers who have something to compare, note the unusually intense acceleration of the motorcycle, made in the American style. In fact, up to 100 km / h, it accelerates in 3.8 seconds, less than stated by the manufacturer.

The wide steering wheel needs to adjust, but such a large base itself stabilizes the car with a sharp acceleration. On the VTX 1800, you can accelerate to 210 km / h, only without protective high glass, this pleasure is below average, it seems that the hands can come off the steering wheel, and legs in the sailing pants will blow off the comfortable footboards.

At cruising speed, the motorcycle is stable and stable, which has its drawbacks. In the event of an obstacle, it slowly leaves the trajectory, which for a not very experienced pilot can be just dangerous.

Short transmissions, which many seem to be a disadvantage, in fact and provide the maximum intensity of acceleration.

During the testing pilots noted the lack of a tachometer, which appeared only in the latest versions; Impossibility of precise adjustment of rear-view mirrors; Inconvenient lowered very wide handles and American-style running boards.

Disadvantages of a motorcycle

There are not many of them, and one of the most notable is a slight delay, if the gas is sharply opened. Actually, this drawback is inherent in all motorcycles with a gimbal drive, but not so noticeably.

Some inconvenience is caused by a gas tank, not big enough for a huge car. Pilots of a motorcycle note that with such a low ground clearance it is inconvenient to enter corners. We have to do this very carefully, at least until certain skills for driving a heavy motorcycle appear.

Many write that a five-speed gearbox is not enough for such an engine. The sixth step is clearly not enough.

Advantages of motorcycle

The installation of a cardan drive instead of a chain drive is a positive moment, since this design does not require frequent maintenance.

Like all motorcycles from Japan, at least from the Honda concern, the VTX 1800 features a clear gearbox operation. A big plus is a large engine resource. And it's unpleasant to make noise, it starts only at high speeds.

With such a powerful engine, parasitic vibrations are practically absent.

According to the comments of the lucky owners, the appearance of the motorcycle with an abundance of chrome and solid trim delivers them no less pleasure than driving on a good track.

Excellent quality and quality deserve not only in the main sites, but also in the details of the Honda VTX 1800 motorcycle.

Owner feedback

Owners in their reviews confirm that the motorcycle is designed for long-distance roads. With lateral trunks and arcs in traffic jams it is hard, and on the unpaved roads, especially wet, if one may say so, he does not ride very confidently.

On the Honda VTX 1800 motorcycle, the owners determine the fuel consumption by experience. Maybe, and the runaway in the testimony is great for that reason, and maybe the conditions are different: the quality of the road surface and gasoline, the size of the cargo, the speed, the number of acceleration and braking. Someone has a full tank of 16 liters, only 200 km, and someone claims that 300 miles or more pass by 18 liters.

On long trips it becomes clear why the type of motorcycle is a cruiser. On the highway at a speed of 160 - 170 km / h per day, you can drive more than a thousand and a half kilometers.

In general, the reviews are full of emotions, reaching to rapture and admiration for the mighty iron horse. Negative is not at all. Minor comments on the lack of some devices and the inconvenience of planting are removed by the availability and quality of the units and elements that can replace the standard equipment.

Cool, powerful, reliable, with comfortable ergonomics, the Honda VTX-1800 motorcycle, despite appearing competitors, still takes the hearts and thoughts of motorcycle lovers . Those who are not frightened by awesome dimensions and great speeds, who like adrenaline and prefers to tame a strong beast ...