Honda VTX1300 steering problems
54 complaint narratives mention steering terms.
Key facts
234 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
5,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 169 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Steering behavior evidence
54 of 234 complaints match this topic (23.1%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10074525 · 2004-05-31 (May 31, 2004)
2003 HONDA VTX1300 RETRO EXHIBITS AN ABNORMAL WOBBLE IN THE STEERING/HANDLE BARS ON DECELERATION BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTANT AND HAS BEEN COMPLAINED ABOUT BY MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. SEE WWW.XTXOA.COM FOR CONFIRMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074663 · 2004-11-04 (November 4, 2004)
I OWN A 2003 HONDA VTX 1300S MOTORCYCLE AND I HAVE A WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END WHEN I DECELERATE IN THE 45-40 MPH RANGE. THIS WOBBLE ALSO HAPPENS IN TURNS AND CAN GREATLY EFFECT THE STEERING THROUGH A TURN. THIS HAS BEEN A CONSTANT SITUATION SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT THE BIKE. I'VE HAD THE WHEELS CHECKED FOR TRUE AND BALANCE AND THE STEERING HEAD BEARING CHECKED A NUMBER OF TIMES FOR THE CORRECT TORQUE. ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN DONE BY LAWRENCEVILL HONDA, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *AK *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10074663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133920 · 2005-08-23 (August 23, 2005)
THE VTX 1300 HAS A SEVERE WOBBLE ON DECELERATION FROM 45 - 40 MPH THAT REQUIRES THE RIDER TO MAINTAIN A FIRM GRIP ON THE BARS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH 4 DIFFERENT HONDA DEALERS AND THEY ALL SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I BELONG TO A VTX RIDERS GROUP AND I HAVE RIDDEN 4 OTHER VTX 1300 AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME WOBBLE. I HAVE FOUND ONE RIDER THAT REPLACED THE FACTORY STEERING HEAD BALL BEARING WITH A ROLLER BEARING AND THAT CORRECTS THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE FACTORY BALL BEARING IS INADEQUATE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THIS VEHICLE. T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10163218 · 2006-07-23 (July 23, 2006)
WHEN RIDDING MY MOTORCYCLE AT A SPEED OF 50 AND LETTING OFF THE GAS, AT AROUND 45 MPH I GET A WOBBLE REAL BAD FROM THE FRONT END AND IT IS REALLY DANGEROUS AROUND A TURN AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. TALKED TO MANY HONDA OWNERS AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER CHANGING THE STEERING BEARING IT IS FIXED, THEY SAID. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164334 · 2006-08-03 (August 3, 2006)
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 HONDA VT1300S. THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS A DECELERATION "WOBBLE" AT 35-45 MPH. IT IS FELT AT THE HANDLEBARS EVEN WHILE HAVING BOTH HANDS ON THEM. MANY VTX OWNERS I KNOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT REALLY FEELS AS IF THE STEERING HEAD WOULD COME LOOSE AT ANY POINT AND ALSO IT'S DANGEROUS WHEN RIDING ON CERTAIN ROADS. IT ALSO SHOWS UNEVEN TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164334 at NHTSA ↗