Honda VT 1300 CX FURY 2010 — Specifications

Can a Japanese firm really manufacture a chopper worthy of the name? Honda attempted it with the VT 1300 CX Fury, and the answer is a fascinating mix of technical prowess and somewhat restrained stylistic ambition. In 2010, deploying a 1312 cc V-twin on a wheelbase of over one meter eighty was a bold gamble. With 56 horsepower and 107 Nm of torque from 2250 rpm, the engine promised immediate sensations, but the announced weight of 303 kg fully fueled already hinted that the Fury would be a giant, not a speed demon.

Facing a Harley-Davidson, the Fury plays a different score. Its 52° V is a modern block, with liquid cooling and three valves per cylinder, a classic Honda architecture applied to a radical style. The result is a silent and efficient engine, which sorely lacks the sonic and vibratory roughness of a true American twin. On the aesthetic side, the work is remarkable: streamlined design, a 200 mm rear tire, and this 21-inch front rim that gives it its look. But some details, like plastic chrome elements, betray an approach too industrial for an object that wants to be handcrafted. The well-hidden shaft drive is a touch of pure Honda ingenuity.

On the road, the Fury is the announced aircraft carrier. The rake of 38° and the low seat at 678 mm offer a royal posture, but corners are a permanent negotiation. It is ridden with majesty, not with agility. The 12.9-liter tank and a top speed of 180 km/h confirm its role: a machine for ostentatious cruising, not for long journeys or performance. For a beginner seeking a massive presence without the mechanical complexity of a Harley, a used Honda VT 1300 CX Fury can be an interesting entry point. For a chopper purist, it remains too refined a Japanese machine.

Its fate on the used market is logical. It offers a less expensive and more reliable alternative than its American competitors, but without capturing their rebellious soul. The Fury is an impressive motorized sculpture, an almost perfect exercise in style from Honda. But "almost" is the key word. It proves that Japanese engineers can build a chopper, but not that they can infuse it with the same wild character. It is a machine for those who admire perfection, not for those who seek the charming and lively imperfection of a motorcycle born in a customization workshop.