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For the past several issues in this column I've been covering BMWand their new renaissance. Their major recent brand transforma-tion was certainly worth a closer and more in-depth look.

Starting with this issue I'll be switching gears to focus on perhaps the mostcommercially successful two-wheel company in the world: HondaMotorcycles. When I was growing up, Honda CB750s where the hottestbike you could ride. They seemed massive in the eyes of a 12-year-old kidin love with speed and with a nice pipe you could hear them roar a fewblocks away.

Honda has about 25% of the US two-wheel market share, includingscooters and dirtbikes and they ship about 1.2 million bikes worldwide.They certainly have done well since the CB750 days.

Honda's 2007 line-up includes the mighty VTX 1800 custom cruiseroffered in 5 different flavors. This V-Twin powerhouse comes in C, F, N, R& T designations. Here's an overview of the different styles.

Honda VTX1800CVTX-C offers street-rod styling and high torque in a distinctive mini-

malist styling. The “C” comes in red/black Flame and solid black colors.Other unique features include custom-designed wedge-shape mirrors, bullet-style turn signals with chrome visors, clear lenses and amber flasher bulbs,flangeless 4.8-gallon fuel tank and low dragster-style seat.

Honda VTX1800FThe “F” is styled for performance and comes in Pearl Yellow,

Red/Black Tribal and Metallic Black. Some unique features include bobbed-style front steel fender with straight-cut rear steel fender for a drag-racinglook, low 27.6-inch two-piece gunfighter-style seat which features a remov-able passenger section for an enhanced custom look. A streamlined headlightfeatures a smaller hooded lens for a unique minimalist look and aggressive

10-spoke racing-type cast wheels.

Honda VTX1800NThe Neo-retro art version is now available in new Metallic Black/Red

Custom Art and Dark Red/Red Custom Art colors and is offered in three dis-tinctive build variations: Spec 1, 2 and 3. Unique features include, neo-retrostyling with cast-aluminum wheels, custom hot-rod retro-look front and rearsteel fenders, wedge-shape mirrors, flangeless 5.3-gallon fuel tank, high-capacity radiator, bullet-style turn indicators with chrome visors, clear lensesand amber flasher bulbs and flush-mounted double-chevron LED brakelightand taillight.

Honda VTX1800RThe R-model takes retro custom styling to new extremes. This Retro

comes in Black/Red, Dark Blue Metallic/Metallic Silver and Black. Someunique features include, two styles of cast wheels--- satin-brushed or highlypolished, full-flowing, deeply valanced, classic retro-style front and rearsteel fenders, wedge-shaped mirrors, flangeless 5.3-gallon fuel tank. Thechrome-plated VTX badge surrounds jet-black-filled graphics, and the tank-mounted speedometer features a meter face with black background and clas-sic taillight design.

Honda VTX1800TNew to the line for 2007, the VTX1800T combines retro-custom

styling and long-distance-touring amenities to become Honda's most power-ful V-Twin tourer. The T-styled VTX is offered in Black/Red, Dark BlueMetallic/Metallic Silver and Black. It builds on the Retro package of thealready comfy “R” with added touring accessories such as backrests andrear carriers, windscreens, leather saddlebags and chrome billet add-ons.Visit powersports.honda.com for more info.

Honda Low Down shahram shiva

The 5 Flavors of Honda’s VTX 1800

VTX1800F in Pearl Yellow

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Top left: VTX 1800R,Silver/Blue retro-custom

Above: VTX 1800T, thelong-distance runner.

Left: VTX 1800N, full-blooded hotrod art.

VTX1800C in tribal flame mode.