Today in motorcycle history, October 22, 2001

 

 

 

  Honda finally announces the release of the VTX1800. 

 

  The following are excerpts from some of the excited parties...

 

  Tokyo, October 22, 2001 - 'Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announces the release of the VTX, a powerfully styled large-displacement custom motorcycle equipped with a newly designed, water-cooled, 4-stroke 1800cc V2 engine that resonates power.  The new model will go on sale October 23rd, 2001 through Honda's dealer network across Japan. The VTX, to be produced at Honda of America Manufacturing (HAM), Honda's U.S. production center, will be our American flagship model for our custom bikes. The engine will be the world's largest-displacement V2 available in a production motorcycle.' - Honda Worldwide

 

  'Inspired by the Zodia concept shown at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, and after several years of marketplace chatter, and more than five years of closed-door development at Honda, the cruiser world has its enormous new entry. A street rod-styled bike, more bruiser than cruiser, driven by a massive 1795cc 52-degree, liquid-cooled and injection-fed V-twin - a motor that dwarfs Yamaha's 1600cc push-rod design, previously the hot-ticket for those inclined toward the big at heart. With impressive horsepower (we got 88.9 at 5250 rpm) and enough torque to pull trees -- 100.3 foot-pounds at 3000 rpm.
  Oh, yeah, it's fast, too.  On paper or pavement, Honda's VTX is much faster than any stock V-twin cruiser on your dealer's floor.  With its 12.3 seconds at 105.5 mph quarter-mile time.' - Cycle Cruiser

 

  'It's just a shame that I can't get Honda's superb F6C Valkyrie, out of my mind. A bike that proves to all - and Honda - that you don't need a vee-twin engine, let alone the biggest in production, to do the whole cruiser thing justice.' - First Ride (UK)

 

  I'll leave this alone.  No one needs my opinion on any of these bikes.  Trust me.