Vintage, you have probably have already done this, go over to the VTX sites and check out what those riders are experiening with the 1300.
I know you have to check valvel adjustment very 8000 miles. The bike will, if it matters, will pull away from the 1500 and 1600 size V-twins going down the road. The motor is a single pin crank design and they make it in three models, C,R and T. Good luck.

 

having owned both now I guess I would say that what the vtx has over the sabre is the handling, at slow speeds and fast much more balanced. I put enough miles on the sabre (53K) I can say it is one fantastic bike, but the vtx for 2 up and distance , and since I have ridden alot of distance(Lk George NY and back) in the short time I have had the vtx I can say its very comfortable. I added the windshield and leatherlykie hard bags right away , I also got a drivers backrest instead of a sissybar, the only think that needs some work is the actual stock seat. I am thinking of getting the seat worked on to cut and contour a bit. Not sure...... anyway those are my thoughts ..........whatever it is you choose you will love it, oh and on the sabre you will need to change out the seat asap because it wont be good for 2 up otherwise

 

May I humbly suggest you add the Shadow ACE Tourer to your short list? Dual split crankpin 1100 cc engine, weatherproof hard bags and windshield stock and you can pick 'em up all day for under $5000.

 

My hubby has the VTX1300 & we love it. I would suggest a Ultamate seat for it,when you can. The stock seats aren't great. We just spent the weekend riding a lot of twisties & hilss in the Newark,oh. area & it done fantastic with the 2 of us on it.

 

The gearing in the Saber is more for intown light to light cruising. You may not be happy with it screming down the interstate 2-up. I think it has more styling and is easier to recognize than the VTX1300 in a line of bikes.

As stated above, solid lifters save you from Valve adjustments either a timely or costly repair depending on how you go about it.

You should ride them both and see for yourself though....

Gonz

 

Like Vintage B, I've been looking at 1100 Sabres (and Spirits) and lately, the VTX 1300s. I have a question about gearing in the 1300s. I've read here that with the 1100s, the Spirit is geared "taller", which is apparently an advantage for highway riding, and that the Sabre is more for in-town cruising and light touring. How about the VTXs? Is there a similar difference in the gearing between the C and the R (or S)? Hope someone can answer. Thanks.

 

VintageB, I know you said you're Honda loyal, and that's fine, but might I also add my plug for the Vstar 1300 Tourer? They can be had for about the same price as the VTX1300T.

Honda: standard leather bags
Star: locking leather-wrapped hard bags (and they're bigger)

Honda: Carburetor
Star: Fuel Injection

Honda: Shaft
Start: Belt

Curb Weight:

Honda: 768
Star: 700 (approx)

I owned the Star, test rode the VTX1300T about a month ago. The Star has more of it's weight down low and was easier to handle. The dual-trip meters, digital clock are nicer. Having the control for said readout on the right handgrip is a huge plus. The lack of locking hardbags on the VTX left me wanting (I'm spoiled now - any bike I ever own in the future will have them).

Good luck on your decision. The VTX is a nice bike, don't get me wrong, but I think you'd get more bang for the buck on the Star.