Honda Ctx1300

"A flawed but deeply capable tourer that rewards patient, urban-savvy riders."

The CTX1300 is Honda's answer to a question nobody was really asking, but stick with me here — it's genuinely good at what it does. This is a shaft-drive, DCT-equipped touring cruiser that pulls hard from nearly nothing and never, ever breaks down. Seriously, these things are bulletproof. The DCT gearbox feels slightly artificial at first but becomes completely natural within a week, and the low seat height makes it accessible to riders who'd struggle on a Gold Wing. The problems are real though. It's heavy — over 700lbs wet — and that weight is felt immediately in parking lots and low-speed maneuvers. Styling is genuinely polarising, Honda tried something bold and landed somewhere weird. Parts availability is already tightening since Honda killed the line after 2014, so factor that in. Check the DCT fluid history on any used example, and inspect the infotainment screen for dead pixels — common issue. Budget for tyres; the odd sizing costs more than standard fitments.