The first model of the new-gen VT1300 cruisers, the 2010 VT1300CXA Fury, certainly cut a fine figure and launched Honda into new territory with a clearly chopper style to go along with the excellent engine and chassis of the user-friendly 1300 cruiser range.

Moving logically, Honda has now followed up with the 2010 VT1300CSA Sabre, and the near-identical VT1300CRA Stateline and VT1300CT Interstate models, with the Interstate coming with a windshield, saddle bags and floorboards.

You can find enough variation in seating position and handling amongst the models to justify bringing all four machines to the Honda Canada Spring 2010 Press Ride, which took place in early March, in Savannah GA.

These three models set out to satisfy different tastes and preferences of the potential buyer, by moving around three variables that define the riding position and thus the look and purpose, of each model.

As pictures are worth well above a thousand words, let’s have a good look at the different ergonomic layouts of the three models. We can start by defining the Ergonomic Triangle and then comparing the three models to really see the differences.

Ergonomic Triangle

The triangle locates the three rider-to-bike contact points, with the outline of the two wheels added for further comparison with other models. (Photo: Honda)

This triangle describes where you sit on the bike, and where you place your feet and hands. Note that the further forward your feet are, the more weight is concentrated on the base of your spine, and the harder it is to take some weight on your feet to dampen the hit on your spine when going over bumps. By the same token, sitting up and reaching the grip easily is usually more comfortable than having to reach far forward or lean back slightly if the bar is too close or too high.

Committed chopper riders, hardasses all, will put up with an extreme feet and hands forward position, but very seldom for more than two hours at a time, as it is impossible to relax or move around on a bike with such a triangle.

Small position changes = large impact
Slight changes to the geometry make an enormous difference, mutating a back-breaker into an all-day touring machine with variations of one or two centimetres. Let’s look at a comparison of ergonomic triangles on our three VT1300s.

With a high nose, minimal front end, discreet headlight and speedometer, the Fury project the classic shopper look. The absence of visible wires, hoses and tubes gives it a modern, well thought out and clean look. The fat rider denotes someone reliving his past... (Photo: Rob O'Brien)