A Honda VTX1800T or a Honda VTX1300T

It's easy to get caught up in the bigger-is-better paradigm of custom cruising. There's nothing like having a huge engine to show off to your friends and admirers, so they can all remark on how potent it looks. But after all the oohing and aahing, it's still your motorcycle to ride.

Honda's premium VTX line I divided between two platforms – the 1800 and 1300. While the 1800 is a fine powerplant, don't underestimate its more compact brother. Doubtlessly, for two-up touring, the VTX 1800T has the strength most riders will want to take a passenger and filled saddlebags on a long-distance ride. But, for the solo tourer with some back-roads on his agenda, the Honda VTX 1300T presents itself as a compelling option.

While it shares the same 69.5 cm seat height as the Honda VTX 1800T, the VTX 1300T is over 23 kilos lighter, has a wheelbase nearly 5 centimeters shorter, and slightly narrower tires. These statistics add up to a bike that is more nimble on mountain roads, and still has plenty of torque to authoritatively pull itself our of corners.

Other than displacement, the most notable difference between the Honda 1800 and the Honda 1300 power-plants is that the smaller engine uses a carburetor, rather than fuel injection. This will appeal to the traditionalists among us, and the performance of the single carburetor is exemplary. The only time you might feel shorted by the 1312cc engine is on long, uphill freeway on-ramps, where it lacks the grunt of the 1800. When passing, however, the 1300 is more than capable of pulling its weight in traffic.

Touring solo on entertaining roads, you arrive at your destination fresher and less fatigued than if you were hustling around a heavier, muscle-bound machine. As you relax with a beverage, you will likely realize that 1300 is your lucky number.