Honda VTX 1300 Vs. Yamaha V Star 1300

“God didn’t create metal so that man could make paper clips!”

Giant motorcycle companies make sure that they use metal to produce something useful and exciting. Honda and Yamaha are two Japanese motorcycle manufacturers that made sure to use metal to produce reliable, top-quality, and affordable motorcycles with low failure rates. Honda and Yamaha produce all types of motorcycles with low, mid, and high-power ranges. Despite manufacturing cheaper motorbikes, both Honda and Yamaha do not compromise on the quality of their motorcycles’ looks and performance.

The Honda VTX 1300 and the Yamaha V Star 1300 (also known as Midnight Star) share similar looks and purposes. Both motorcycles offer comfortable cruising experiences and powerful performances at mid-range. Both motorcycles are capable of two-up riding, being fitted with powerful liquid-cooled engines, five-speed transmissions, and telescopic front forks. However, the major difference between the Honda VTX 1300 and the Yamaha V Star 1300 is their fuel delivery systems. The older Honda VTX 1300 was fitted with a single 38 mm constant velocity carburetor and a manual choke for cold starts. Meanwhile, the Yamaha V Star 1300’s engine was fitted to a fuel injection system with 40 mm dual bores. This article is a detailed comparison between the Honda VTX 1300 and the Yamaha V Star 1300.

The Honda VTX 1300 has multiple variants, including the VTX 1300R, VTX 1300C, VTX 1300T, and VTX 1300S. The Honda VTX 1300 could be customized with 30 different aftermarket parts. It comes with a blacked-out frame and a radiator behind the front wheel due to being fitted with a liquid-cooled system. The chrome parts include separate dual mufflers, an air filter, cylinder heads, a front fork, and a chrome-hooded headlight. The Honda VTX 1300’s broad fuel tank with mounted gauges has a fuel capacity of 4.8 gals. The Honda VTX 1300 also comes with semi-sweptback handlebars, a raked-out front end, and forward-mounted floorboards with a heel-and-toe shifter to give this motorbike a retro look. The Honda VTX 1300 is fitted with trimmed and balanced front and rear mudguards and custom cast wheels wrapped around a 140/80-17 front tire and a 170/80-15 rear tire for better traction. If you love touring, the Honda VTX 1300T comes with stock saddlebags, a large windscreen, and sissy bars for better touring performance.

The Yamaha V Star 1300 is a powerful, bulky cruiser with retro yet modern looks with slightly sporty and light handling. It comes with a blacked-out frame, engine fins, and a radiator with lustrous chrome parts, including a two-into-one exhaust, cylinder heads, a headlight nacelle, and a front fork. With a wheelbase of 66.5 inches and a wet weight of 303 kg, it is a midsize cruiser with a streamlined design. The pulled-back handlebars are fitted with chrome side mirrors and gauges. The Yamaha V Star 1300 also comes with two-piece rider and passenger seats. The tuck and roll rider’s seat also provides lower-back support. The Yamaha V Star 1300 also comes with chopped and pointed front and rear fenders. It also has a modified triangular-shaped head and tail light. The Yamaha V Star 1300 is also available in a touring version with a large, stock windscreen, saddlebags, and a passenger backrest. The chopped front and rear fenders provide a view of the cast seven-spoke aluminum wheels.

The Honda VTX 1300 is powered by a 1,312 cc liquid-cooled, SOHC, 52 ° V-Twin engine capable of a torque of 123 Nm at 3,000 rpm and a horsepower of 74 hp at 5,000 rpm. The 52° V-Twin engine provides smooth low- and mid-range torque with adequate horsepower to ensure relaxed cruising. The engine has a single-pin crankshaft to emphasize the V-Twin Extreme’s (VTX) look. The engine’s vibrations are reduced due to the dual counterbalancers.

Being an older model, the Honda VTX 1300 comes with a single 38 mm constant velocity carburetor, ensuring crisp throttle response at all gear levels. The separate dual exhaust pipes create a soul-satisfying exhaust note. The Honda VTX 1300 has a five-speed transmission and a wet, sturdy clutch which ensures quiet and smooth gear shifts.

The Honda VTX1300 shares a close resemblance with the Honda VTX 1800. However, due to being fitted with a smaller engine size, it has better agility, handling, and cornering capability. Despite being fitted with dual counterbalancers, the Honda VTX1300’s engine still produces excess vibrations and the fuel tank-mounted gauge cluster starts to rattle at high speeds.

The Honda VTX 1300’s 336 mm single front disc and 296 mm rear disc does not ensure reliable braking. It is also fitted with a 41 mm telescopic front fork and preload-adjustable rear dual shocks that provide adequate wheel travel for a comfortable cruising experience.

The Yamaha V Star 1300 is fitted with a 1,304 cc liquid-cooled, 60 ° V-Twin engine with ceramic composite cylinder sleeves and forged pistons capable of a horsepower of 72.5 hp and a torque of 110.9 Nm at 4,000 rpm. It lacks the sixth gear for better touring performance. However, the Yamaha V Star 1300 is equipped with a fuel injection system with 40 mm dual bores that ensures better fuel mileage and engine performance. The liquid-cooled engine keeps the engine cool and helps reduce engine noise for a smoother riding experience.

The Yamaha V Star 1300 has a steel, double cradle frame, with 48% of its overall body weight shifting towards the front tire for better handling and maneuverability while turning corners. It has a low center of gravity due to its short stroke, but its 60 ° engine design offers more responsive handling. The Yamaha C Star 1300 also comes with twin counterbalancers that reduce engine vibrations and improve comfortability.

The Yamaha C Star 1300 come with 298 mm dual front hydraulic discs and a single 298 mm rear hydraulic disc for reliable braking. It is also fitted with a 41 mm telescopic front fork and a single rear shock to give it a cleaner look. The front telescopic fork has a wheel travel of 5.3 inches, while the rear single shock has a wheel travel of 4.3 inches for a comfortable riding experience on paved and uneven roads.

The Honda VTX 1300 is a comfortable motorcycle suited for highway cruising. It is fitted with forward-mounted floorboards that provide adequate legroom for taller riders. The Honda VTX 1300 has a low seat height of 27.5 inches. However, the rider has to sit slightly forward to grab the low-mounted, less swept-back handlebars, making it slightly uncomfortable to ride on continuous, long-distance rides. The Honda VTX1300 is an ideal cruiser for taller riders due to its adequate legroom. The handlebar position, low seat height, and forward-mounted floorboards result in a slightly slouched riding position.

The Honda VTX1300’s riding position can be more comfortable by replacing its stock handlebars with pulled-back buckhorn handlebars with tall risers.

The Yamaha V Star 1300 is a classic midsize cruiser ideal for cruising on open roads and riding through traffic. It ensures comfortable riding ergonomics for average and taller riders due to being fitted with forward-mounted floorboards. The Yamaha V Star 1300 has a seat height of 27.2 inches. However, due to its chopper-style front end, longer wheelbase, and handlebars position, it has slightly sportier ergonomics. A shorter rider has to sit in a slightly aggressive riding position to reach the handlebars. Meanwhile, the Yamaha V Star 1300 ensures an upright back position for taller or average riders. For a more comfortable touring experience, the Yamaha V Star 1300 can be fitted with pulled-back handlebars, a large windshield, saddlebags, and a backrest.

A Yamaha V Star 1300 is a lightweight cruiser with smooth low-end torque and mid-range power. It has a good throttle response and can attain a top speed of 126 mph. The Yamaha V Star 1300 Tourer can jump from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 sec and travel a quarter mile in 13.5 sec.

The Yamaha V Star 1300 is known for being reliable with its top-quality parts and high-performance engine. If you are looking for a motorbike with mid-range power, smooth low-end torque, and comfortable ergonomics suited for cruising and daily commutes, then the Yamaha V Star 1300 is the ideal choice.

The Honda VTX 1300 and the Yamaha V Star 1300 are retro-style, midsize cruisers with a slightly sportier stance. Both motorcycles are popular among custom builders due to being easy to customize. Both motorcycles produce adequate power and torque for comfortable cruising and daily commutes. However, being an older model, the Honda VTX 1300 is fitted with a carburetor to deliver fuel to the engine. Meanwhile, the Yamaha V Star 1300 has a fuel injection system for optimum fuel consumption. It also has dual front disc brakes for reliable braking and suspensions with longer wheel travel that ensure comfortable rides. The Yamaha V Star 1300 provides a smooth ride quality due to its effective twin counterbalancers and short-stroke engine design which help reduce engine vibrations. Overall, the Yamaha V Star 1300 is better than the Honda VTX 1300 due to being more advanced.