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KLUNK
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2005 Honda Vtx1300

The Verdict

88 Smooth Ride

The 2005 Honda Vtx1300 has 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (36 complaints) and engine (6 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 88/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Honda Vtx1300, consider the 2009 model year which has 97% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2009 has 97% fewer complaints

View the 2009 Honda Vtx1300 dashboard →

88

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyElectricalEngineTransmission
200331111
200464426
200536263
200626540
200731041
20081010
20090100

By Category

Body
36
Engine
6
Transmission
3
Electrical
2

By Severity

1
15
2
30
4
2

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 2

DEATH WOBBLE FROM 30-65 ON MY MOTORCYCLE. IT WILL CAUSE A WRECK, BIKE WOBBLES OUT OF CONTROL BECAUSE OF FAULTY STEERING BEARINGS ON MY HONDA VTX 1300C.

63mo ago
Body 1

WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR MT 2005 HONDA VTX 1300S HAS A SERIOUS FRONT END WOBBLE THAT IMPEDES THE SAFE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE AT SPEEDS 35 - 45

105mo ago
Engine 2

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH THE MOTORCYCLE SHUT OFF RANDOMLY. I HAD JUST PUT FRESH GASOLINE IN THE MOTORCYCLE. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I RESTARTED THE MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT ISSUE AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE FREEWAY. ONCE I REACHED 70MPH THE MOTORCYCLE AGAIN SHUT OFF. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND CHECKED OUT MY MOTORCYCLE. AT THIS POINT I COULD SMELL GASOLINE. THE PETCOCK VALVE IS LEAKY AND BASED OFF OF INTERNET RESEARCH THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR HONDA VTX OWNERS. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER HONDA VTX'S (2007, 2008) BUT NOT 2005. PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING A RECALL FOR THE 2005 MODELS AS THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE FOR 2005 MODELS, AS WELL AS ALREADY STANDING RECALLS FOR THE 2007, 2008 MODELS. IF YOU WISH I CAN PROVIDE MORE DOCUMENTATION ON OTHER VTX OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES BUT NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME TO BE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND TO HAVE MY MOTORCYCLE SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF A LEAKY VALVE. *TR

140mo ago
Body 2

11/08/2014 WHEN I WAS REPLACING REAR BRAKE ROTOR I FOUND PIECES OF FLANGE BEARING ALL OVER THE INSIDE THE HUB, THE BEARING SIMPLY FELL APART WITH LESS THAN 32,000 MILES. I HEARD NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS FOR A FEW WEEKS AND I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO THE BRAKES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. I READ A LOT OF ISSUES REGARDING THIS SITUATION WITH 2004 IT LOOKS LIKE IT CONTINUED TO THE 2005 MODELS ALSO. HONDA NEED TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE OR THEY ARE GOING TO END WITH DEAD RIDERS ON THEIR HANDS IT THE DARN WHEEL LOCKS UP ON THEM WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY! *TR

142mo ago
Body 2

I RECEIVED A 2005 HONDA 1300 VTX R IN JULY, 2013 AND SHORTLY AFTER TAKING IT FOR A RIDE I NOTICED THE FRONT END BEGAN TO WOBBLE OUT OF CONTROL AS I LOOSENED MY GRIPS FROM HANDLE BARS. I NEVER COMPLETELY LET GO OF HANDLE BARS, I WAS JUST RELAXING MY GRIP DUE TO STRESS ON HANDS. THE WOBBLE WAS SO EXTREME THAT BARS WERE WANTING TO GO LEFT AND RIGHT TO POINT OF JACK-KNIFING AND FLIPPING BIKE. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM EVEN AFTER I HAD REPLACED FRONT TIRE WITH NEW ONE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD HAS WORN DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY, ALMOST TO WEAR BARS IN ONLY 1800 MILES EVEN THOUGH I KEEP MY TIRE PRESSURE AT OWNER'S MANUAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF 33LBS., AND I CHECK IT WEEKLY. IT DOESN'T LOSE ANY PRESSURE OTHER THAN NORMAL VARIANCE GOING FROM HOT WEATHER TO COLD. AS OF TODAY, 10/27/13, I NOW HAVE 8800 MILES ON BIKE AND STEERING WOBBLE IS STILL EXTREME AND VERY DANGEROUS. I SPOKE WITH 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS JUST A FEW DAYS AGO WHO SAID THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF ANY WOBBLE ISSUES AND TOLD ME TO CHECK TIRE AIR PRESSURE, MAYBE FORK BEARINGS ARE WORN, ETC. I ALSO CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE WITH A [XXX] WHO WAS NOT HELPFUL AT ALL AND APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO PUT BURDEN OF PROOF ON CUSTOMER ONLY AS SPECULATION. I ASKED HIM IF I COULD SPEAK WITH AN ENGINEER TO DISCUSS MY CONCERNS AND SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS BUT HE INSISTED THAT I TAKE IT TO DEALER ONLY. DEALERS TOLD ME THAT IT COULD COST AS MUCH AS $500 OR MORE JUST TO INSPECT AND THAT THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I WENT ON SEVERAL FORUMS FOR HONDA VTX OWNERS AND THIS PROBLEM IS SO COMMON AMONG OWNERS I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY HONDA WANTS TO IGNORE IT. I HOPE NHTSA WILL INVESTIGATE THESE SERIOUS STEERING ISSUES IN AN EFFORT TO ALLOW VTX OWNERS SOME RECOURSE IN BEING ABLE TO CONCLUDE AS TO WHAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM AND DEFINING SPECIFIC CORRECTIVE MEASURES TO RESOLVE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

154mo ago
Transmission 2

UPON REMOVING THE REAR TIRE FOR REPLACEMENT, A CHECK OF THE REAR BEARINGS REVEALED THE HUB BEARING TO BE FAULTY. THERE WAS NO GREASE SEAL ON THE REAR OF THE BEARING CAUSING THE BEARING TO BECOME DRY. THE BALLS HAVE BEGUN TO DISINTEGRATE AND TURN BLUE FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT. HAD I NOT CHECKED IT WHEN I DID, IT LIKELY WOULD HAVE SEIZED AND POSSIBLY CAUSED A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

161mo ago
Engine 1

IN AUGUST 2012 PURCHASED FROM ORIGINAL OWNER THE MOTORCYCLE IN QUESTION. DRIVING HOME THE BIKE STALLED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY (LUCKY FOR ME WITHOUT INJURY). ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 THE BIKE STALLED ONCE AGAIN ON THE ROAD AND UPON VISUAL INSPECTION I NOTICED GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL VALVE AND CARBURETOR AREA. I HAD THE BIKE TOWED AND IT IS PRESENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. I NOTICED HONDA HAD A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM ON 2007 AND 2008 MODELS. I KNOW THAT THE AUTO INDUSTRY USES PARTS THAT WERE PRODUCED IN PRIOR YEARS ON NEWER MODELS AND I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT IN THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY IT IS THE SAME.I CONTACT HONDA AND THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT THIS. I AM WONDERING HOW MANY MORE BIKES HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM? THE TWO MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES ARE STALLING WHEN RIDING AND GAS LEAKING ON THE ENGINE CAN IGNITE. CAN YOU HELP? *TR

168mo ago
Body 1

I HAVE A 2005 HONDA VTX 1300C AND WHILE DECELERATING, USUALLY BETWEEN 45 AND 30 MILES PER HOUR, THE HANDLE BARS AND FRONT END VIOLENTLY START TO WOBBLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IF I DO NOT APPLY STEADY PRESSURE ON THE HANDLE BARS, I COULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I BALANCED AND INSTALLED NEW TIRES, CHECKED WHEEL BEARINGS AND TIRE PRESSURE. *TR

172mo ago
Body 4

EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION FROM THE STEERING AS I ENTERED A CURVE ON A PAVED ROAD CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND LEAVE THE PAVEMENT AND CRASH. APPROXIMATELY $1500.00 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE MOTORCYCLE . I WAS EJECTED OVER THE HANDLEBARS CAUSING A SEVERE LACERATION TO MY CHIN AND THE LOSS OF THREE LOWER FRONT TEETH.

176mo ago
Body 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA VTX1300R MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE AT 20-25 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DEALER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 10/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BIKE WAS HARD TO TURN IN A CURVE. THE CONSUMER WENT OFF THE ROAD, STRIKING SOME TREES. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES. THE BIKE WAS TAKEN TO A JUNK YARD. UPDATED 10/26/11

181mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA VTX1300 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE DIAPHRAGM OF THE HEAD CAP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD COCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 MODEL FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE BUT NOT FOR THE 2005 MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V141000-FUEL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,200.

183mo ago
Body 1

2005 HONDA VTX 1300R HAS STEERING WOBBLE AT ABOUT 40 MPH. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME DECELERATION BETWEEN 50 MPH AND 35 MPH. I HAD THE STEERING BEARING REPLACED AND HEAVIER SHOCKS PUT ON THE BIKE AND IT STILL WOBBLES. *TR

184mo ago
Body 2

I HAVE A 2005 HONDA VTX MODEL RETRO MOTORCYCLE THAT HAS A DRIVE FLANGE BEARING FAILURE WITH ONLY 6400 MILE ON IT. FOUND IT WHILE DOING A TIRE CHANGE. THIS IS A REAL ISSUE, A BEARING SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 6400 MILES. *TR

191mo ago
Body 2

HONDA VTX 1300, HANDLE BARS START TO WOBBLE AT AROUND 40 MPH. DEALER SAID IT WAS FINE !! *TR

195mo ago
Transmission 2

THE REAR TIRE FLANGE BEARINGS ARE FAILED ON MY 2005 HONDA VTX 1300R MOTORCYCLE AT 20K MILES. *TR

195mo ago
Body 1

FRONT END WOBBLE. *TR

203mo ago
Body 2

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA VTX 1300S MOTORCYCLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FRONT TIRE EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE WEAR AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO ENGAGE IN A PULLING MOTION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT TIRE WAS LEANING TO ONE SIDE. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

205mo ago
Body 1

WHEN SLOWING DOWN ON MY 2005 HONDA VTX1300 I HAVE A VERY BAD WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END AROUND 45MPH. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES DUE TO THEIR NEGLECT. *TR

208mo ago
Engine 1

2005 HONDA VTX 1300R 1 = NORMAL OPERATION 2 = FUEL VALVE LEAK. SAME AS DESCRIBED IN - NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V141000 FOR 2007 HONDA VTX 1300R 3 = DIAPHRAGM REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. THE RESULTING CONDITION AND FIRE HAZARD ON THIS 2005 IS THE SAME AS THE RECALLED YEAR OF 2007 AS WELL AND SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. THIS IS NOT AN AUTOMOBILE AND AS SUCH OFFERS NO PROTECTION FROM FIRE. THE FUEL LEAKS DIRECTLY ON THE RIDERS LEFT LEG. SURLY THIS SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A LESS IMPORTANT ISSUE THAN THE 2007-2008 MODELS. *TR

208mo ago
Body 2

FRONT FORK WOBBLE ON '05 HONDA VTX 1300R. ON GOING PROBLEM. FRONT END WOBBLES ON DECELERATION AT SPEEDS OF AROUND 45 MPH. MAKES CONTROLLING OF MOTORCYCLE HARD TO HANDLE ESPECIALLY ON CORNERS. *TR

209mo ago

47 total

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