[4Nines]

Honda's new CTX series is all about taking the best of motorcycling, adding new technology, and making it even better. The modern engines and chassis designs mean you get great performance, superior fuel economy, and plenty of useable power. The laid-back seating position is just as comfortable for a weekday commute, a weekend cruise, or a week-long vacation trip. And their low center of gravity makes for a better all-around riding experience, especially for new riders.

 

[AloRaptor]

New technology and it's chain drive?

 

[jkcerda]

Anyone here own one? Can it handle the Fwy @90 mph for decent stretches?

 

[Easy Rider]

Can it handle the Fwy @90 mph for decent stretches?

Only if you put LOUD pipes on it.

If you are shopping for your first bike, you are asking the wrong questions.

 

[jkcerda]

Yes first bike, what questions SHOULD I be asking?

 

[slozomby]

it will do 90mph on the freeway. as a new rider you shouldnt. heck i've ridden around most of LA. and its either been gridlock or theres been plenty of room to do 75 in the right hand lane.

 

[jkcerda]

it will do 90mph on the freeway. as a new rider you shouldnt. heck i've ridden around most of LA. and its either been gridlock or theres been plenty of room to do 75 in the right hand lane.

I am up in the inland empire, cars hit 80-85 here w/o issues, figured a bike would do up to 90, I rarely see bikes on the right lane, unless they are exiting . they tend to stick to the carpool lane @ 5-10 miles above flow of traffic, whatever the flow is.

 

[slozomby]

I am up in the inland empire, cars hit 80-85 here w/o issues, figured a bike would do up to 90, I rarely see bikes on the right lane, unless they are exiting . they tend to stick to the carpool lane @ 5-10 miles above flow of traffic, whatever the flow is.

the LA freeways are not the place to learn how to emergency brake, read other drivers, deal with hitting road debris/slick roads and other basic skills that will keep you alive.

it has nothing to do with what others are capable of doing. it has to do with you having the skillset to safely ride at those speeds with the idiots on the road. get some miles under your belt before you tackle the freeway.

 

[jkcerda]

the LA freeways are not the place to learn how to emergency brake, read other drivers, deal with hitting road debris/slick roads and other basic skills that will keep you alive.

it has nothing to do with what others are capable of doing. it has to do with you having the skillset to safely ride at those speeds with the idiots on the road. get some miles under your belt before you tackle the freeway.

I am planning on doing so, I am pretty lucky work is only 15 miles away AND that the streets are more than acceptable to get there, that said I would not want to be stuck with a bike that is going to "rattle/vibrate" pretty bad WHEN I do manage to start riding the FWY.

 

[slozomby]

well the only bikes that wont break a sweat doing 90 are the crotch rockets (liter+) or the big cruisers.. (1500+) none of which are good learning bikes,

most everything else is designed to operate closer to the speed limit.

there are plenty of used cheap bikes you can buy. ride for a few thousand miles and sell for essentially what you paid for it. especially in LA with year round riding weather.


usually i recommend something smaller than the below example but you seem pretty set on buying freeway friendly.
example. close to the ctx in terms of power. but significantly less invested if you lay it down or decide you dont like riding. and it'll be several years before you can outride it.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/mcy/4014507526.html

 

[jkcerda]

well the only bikes that wont break a sweat doing 90 are the crotch rockets (liter+) or the big cruisers.. (1500+) none of which are good learning bikes,

most everything else is designed to operate closer to the speed limit.

there are plenty of used cheap bikes you can buy. ride for a few thousand miles and sell for essentially what you paid for it. especially in LA with year round riding weather.


Honda Nighthawk 750

Thanks, been mulling saving my pennies for a while & buying used, financing on a used bike is all over the freaking place, 12-20% depending on the creditor, used bike @5k had payments of 130+ IIRC, new bike (M50 @0% APR) was 140 or so, suzuki has that 0% APR across most tiers.
90 is exagerating, I would say 80 is about normal (5 above the 75 area here)

 

[slozomby]

so back on topic.

im really happy honda's back in the middle weight standards again. gives me something to look at besides used nighthawks now if they'd just offer abs on the non DCT model.

 

[jkcerda]

so back on topic.

im really happy honda's back in the middle weight standards again. gives me something to look at besides used nighthawks now if they'd just offer abs on the non DCT model.

been reading up on it, seems ground clearance might be an issue.
2014 Honda CTX700 First Ride - Motorcycle USA

 

[slozomby]

been reading up on it, seems ground clearance might be an issue.
2014 Honda CTX700 First Ride - Motorcycle USA

yeah, its not built as a canyon carver. its more towards the old ujm's that do a little of everything.

 

[jkcerda]

yeah, its not built as a canyon carver. its more towards the old ujm's that do a little of everything.

shame, Canyons around Azuza are nice & full of guys on bikes

 

[slozomby]

shame, Canyons around Azuza are nice & full of guys on bikes

doesnt mean you cant use it as such. you gotta take some of the reviews with a grain of salt. if i was used to riding a liter crotch rocket around those canyons i'd complain about cornering on just about everything else.

 

[jkcerda]

doesnt mean you cant use it as such. you gotta take some of the reviews with a grain of salt. if i was used to riding a liter crotch rocket around those canyons i'd complain about cornering on just about everything else.

understood, most "reviews" are also pretty biased towards the product itself. hard to get honest answers unless its someone who is not a "writer" that is biased.

 

[Easy Rider]

Yes first bike, what questions SHOULD I be asking?

Speed KILLS.
On a bike, it kills with greater certainty......especially in the hands of a new rider.

Look for threads on here about "new rider" or "first bike".
No need to re-hash it all again in this thread.

 

[RFMenge]

At the age of 67 I just started ridding 6 months ago on a Honda Rebel 250. Last week I upgraded to the Honda CTX 700 and have been putting 30 to 50 miles in it every day on a winding road. There is no way that I would attempt to ride this bike at 90 mph but at sane speeds it is a wonderfully smooth and stable ride. Even at 5 feet 5 inches tall (me, not the bike) this bike is easy to ride and has great performance!

 

[old codger]

At the age of 67 I just started ridding 6 months ago on a Honda Rebel 250. Last week I upgraded to the Honda CTX 700 and have been putting 30 to 50 miles in it every day on a winding road. There is no way that I would attempt to ride this bike at 90 mph but at sane speeds it is a wonderfully smooth and stable ride. Even at 5 feet 5 inches tall (me, not the bike) this bike is easy to ride and has great performance!

You are the same age as I am, been riding since 1964 though. I think it is time I slowed down, so I got a sportster, just kidding Harley guys. I enjoy riding at more casual speeds these days, when fun turn into work I don't care for it any more. I am glad to see more mid size bikes, I am at the age that I don't have to impress anyone but myself.