Honda VTX1300 (S, C, R, 2002-2009) Maintenance Schedule

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Honda VTX1300, Honda’s middleweight cruiser.

The Honda VTX1300 was first launched in 2003 with an all-new 1312cc liquid-cooled carburettor-fed V-twin rolling on spoked wheels. It was meant to be a smaller sibling to the gigantic VTX1800, but it relied on an all-new engine design, not just the same block with a shorter stroke.

The VTX1300 came in a few guises — the VTX1300S as the base model with floorboards and a heel/toe shifter, the VTX1300C with cast-alloy wheels, a drag-style handlebar, and shifting pegs, and the VTX1300R as the “Retro” model with cast-alloy wheels and tubeless tyres.

The VTX1300 was retired in favour of the VT1300C line in 2009/10.

Silver Honda VTX1300C — Honda VTX1300C (Classic)

Black Honda VTX1300R — Honda VTX1300R (Retro)

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Honda VTX1300 Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Honda VTX1300.

Being an naked cruiser with a liquid-cooled engine and a shaft drive, the Honda VTX1300’s maintenance schedule is pretty light on. But there’s still oil to change, lubrication to maintain, and a a few other things (and shaft drive fluid to keep up as well).

Notes:

Honda recommends you get wheels and steering components serviced by a Honda mechanic.
At the end of the maintenance schedule, keep following it in the pattern shown.
The break-in schedule isn’t shown as these bikes are all broken in.

Maintenance Procedures:

I: inspect and clean, adjust, lubricate, or replace, if necessary
C: clean
A: adjust
L: lubricate
R: replace

mi x 1000	4	8	12	16	20	24
km x 1000	6.4	12.8	19.2	25.6	32	38.4
Engine Oil (Pro Honda GN4)		R		R		R
Engine Oil Filter (HF204RC)		R		R		R
Air Cleaner (K&N HA-1330)			R			R	Service more often if riding in rain / dusty areas
Spark Plug (NGK DCPR6E)	I	R	I	R	I	R
Valve Clearance		I		I		I
Radiator Coolant (Ethylene Glycol Pre-Mix)		I		I		R	Replace every 2 years
Cooling System		I		I		I
Brake Fluid (Honda DOT 4)	I	I	R	I	I	R	Replace every 2 years
Brake Pads Wear	I	I	I	I	I	I
Brake System		I		I		I
Brake Light Switch		I		I		I
Throttle Operation		I		I		I
Carburetor Choke		I		I		I
Fuel Line		I		I		I
Engine Idle Speed	I	I	I	I	I	I
Secondary Air Supply System		I		I		I
Evaporative Emission Control System (if fitted)			I			I
Crankcase Breather	I	I	I	I	I	I
Final Drive Oil (Pro Honda Shaft Drive Oil)		I		I		R
Headlight Aim		I		I		I
Clutch System	I	I	I	I	I	I
Side Stand		I		I		I
Suspension		I		I		I
Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners		I		I		I
Wheels/Tires	I	I	I	I	I	I
Steering Head Bearings		I		I		I

Honda VTX1300 maintenance schedule

Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Honda VTX1300 range

The different VTX1300 motorcycles have different tyres — some tubed, some tubeless.

The Honda VTX1300S and R has the following tyres and tyre sizes standard.

Wheel	Tyre size	Tyre pressure
Front	140/80-17M/C 69H	32 psi (225 kPa, 2.25 kgf/cm2)
Rear	170/80-15M/C 77H	Below 90 kG32 psi (225 kPa, 2.25 kgf/cm2) Above 90kg (200 lb): 36 psi (250 kPa)

Honda VTX1300S tyre pressures

The main difference is that

The VTX1300S has tubed tires
The VTX1300R has tubeless tires

tire size and pressure for Honda VTX1300S and VTX1300R

Of course, use your experience to choose the correct tyre pressure for your VTX1300 motorcycle.

About the Honda VTX1300

The Honda VTX1300 is based on what was an all-new 1312 cc liquid-cooled 52-degree V-twin engine, making it a “middleweight” cruiser, somewhere between the sub-1000 cc small cruisers and the big ones, like the Honda VTX1800.

Even though punters often ignore the VTX1300 for the bigger version, those “in the know” (well, fans) like the 1300 for being a better balanced bike: it handles better, weighs less, and has more ground clearance.

Honda, like Suzuki, makes its cruiser motorcycles shaft driven, making the final drive even more maintenance-free than a belt drive.

Specs don’t stand out on the VTX1300. Suspension on the Honda VTX1300 is fairly basic, with a non-adjustable 41mm fork and dual shocks at the back with 5-step preload adjustment.

But at least Honda invested somewhat in the braking. There are two massive 336 mm discs up front, though only two-piston calipers biting them.

The tank-mounted chrome housing holds the speedometer, odometer/ trip meter, and indicator lights for the turn signals.

Honda made the VTX1300 line very customisable, and so sold a line of bolt-on accessories. They released specially designed seats and luggage, plus a bunch of other bling options (that may not be as available today).

Out of the box, Honda made the VTX1300 available in standard, retro, and cruiser spec. But you can easily buy accessories or swap out parts to customise your VTX1300 as you wish.