If you've spent any significant time in the saddle, you already know that the stock honda vtx 1300 handlebars can feel a bit like a "one size fits nobody" situation for certain riders. It's a fantastic bike—reliable, plenty of torque, and that classic V-twin rumble—but the reach can be a real pain in the neck, literally. Whether you're feeling a pinch between your shoulder blades after an hour on the road or your wrists are starting to go numb, changing up your bars is one of the best things you can do to make the bike truly yours.
The VTX 1300 has a pretty specific geometry. Because it's a long, low cruiser, the distance from the seat to the triple tree is a bit of a stretch for folks with shorter arms. Conversely, if you're a taller rider, you might find your knees knocking into the grips during tight turns. It's all about finding that sweet spot where you're sitting upright, your elbows have a slight bend, and you're not fighting the bike just to keep it pointed straight.
Figuring Out the Right Reach
Before you go out and buy the first set of shiny chrome bars you see online, you've got to figure out what's actually wrong with your current setup. A common trick among VTX owners is the "eyes closed" test. Sit on your bike while it's on the kickstand (or better yet, have a buddy hold it upright), close your eyes, and put your hands where they feel most natural. Now open your eyes. Are your hands hovering three inches above and two inches back from your actual honda vtx 1300 handlebars? If so, that's your target.
Most people find that they want a bit more "pullback." Pullback is the measurement of how far the bars come back toward the rider. More pullback means you don't have to lean forward as much, which takes the pressure off your lower back. It sounds like a small change, but even an inch or two makes a world of difference when you're three hundred miles into a weekend trip.
Different Styles for Different Rides
There isn't just one type of replacement bar out there. You've got options, and each one changes the personality of the VTX 1300 quite a bit.
Ape Hangers are probably the most iconic choice for a cruiser. They look mean and they can be surprisingly comfortable if you don't go too high. If you keep your hands at or slightly below shoulder height, you get great airflow and a very relaxed posture. Just keep in mind that the higher you go, the more you're going to deal with "sail effect," where your body acts like a giant wind-catcher at highway speeds.
Beach Bars are the wide, sweeping style that makes the bike look like a vintage Cadillac. They offer a ton of leverage, which makes the heavy VTX 1300 feel a bit lighter when you're maneuvering in a parking lot. The downside? They make the bike very wide, which can be a bit of a headache if you're trying to squeeze into a tight garage or if you live somewhere where lane filtering is legal.
Drag Bars are for the riders who want that aggressive, low-profile look. If you put drag bars on a VTX, you're likely going to need some hefty risers to make sure the bars don't hit the gas tank when you turn. It puts you in a forward-leaning position that feels very "stoplight-to-stoplight" fast, but it might not be the best choice if you're planning on touring across state lines.
The Cable and Line Headache
Here is the part where most DIYers get a little frustrated. When you change your honda vtx 1300 handlebars, you aren't just changing a piece of metal. You're moving your throttles, your clutch lever, and your front brake reservoir.
If you go with a set of bars that are only slightly different from stock, you might be able to get away with rerouting your existing cables. There's often a little bit of "slack" tucked behind the headlight or under the tank. But if you're moving to 12-inch or 14-inch apes, you are definitely going to need longer cables and a longer brake line.
This is where the project can get a bit pricey. Stainless steel braided lines look awesome and improve brake feel, but they'll add a couple hundred bucks to your total. Don't try to "make it work" with cables that are too tight. If your throttle cable is binding when you turn the bars all the way to the right, you're looking at a serious safety hazard. It's always better to have an extra inch of slack than to have a cable that's drum-tight.
Don't Forget the Risers
Sometimes, you don't actually need new honda vtx 1300 handlebars. You might just need different risers. Risers are the blocks that bolt the handlebars to the bike. Honda gave the VTX some pretty standard mounts, which means there are plenty of aftermarket "pullback risers" available.
If you like the look of your stock bars but just wish they were two inches closer to your chest, a set of 2-inch pullback risers is a much cheaper and easier fix than swapping the bars entirely. You usually won't even have to bleed the brakes or mess with the throttle cables. You just unbolt the top clamp, swap the risers, and bolt it back down. It's a Saturday morning job that can save your back for years to come.
Grips and Vibration
While you have everything taken apart, it's the perfect time to think about your grips. The VTX 1300 is a big single-pin crank style engine (on the 1300 specifically, it's got that classic lope), which means it produces some vibration. If you're switching to thinner bars or a different style, you might notice more "buzz" in your hands.
Choosing a good set of weighted bar ends or some high-quality vibration-dampening grips can help a lot. A lot of VTX riders swear by foam-style grips or the ones with the rubber "pillows" to soak up that engine hum. It's one of those small details that you'll really appreciate when you're cruising at 70 mph and your fingers don't feel like they're being hit by a million tiny hammers.
The Installation Process
Swapping bars isn't rocket science, but it does require some patience. You'll want to lay a heavy towel or a moving blanket over your gas tank. Trust me on this one—it only takes one dropped wrench or a swinging clutch perch to put a nasty chip in that beautiful paint, and that's a mistake you'll regret every time you look down at the speedometer.
Take photos of how your wires and cables are routed before you take them off. It seems simple enough when you're looking at it, but once you have three different cables hanging loose, it's easy to forget which one goes over the triple tree and which one goes under.
Once the new honda vtx 1300 handlebars are on, don't tighten everything down immediately. Sit on the bike, move the bars back and forth, and find the angle that feels right. Tighten the riser bolts first, then adjust your levers so your wrists are straight when you're reaching for the brakes. A lot of people leave their levers too high, which forces their wrists into a weird upward angle. You want a straight line from your forearm through your knuckles.
Final Thoughts on the Switch
At the end of the day, your bike should fit you like a well-worn pair of boots. There's no "right" way to set up a Honda VTX 1300, only the way that makes you want to ride it more often. If you're hesitant about the work involved, just take it slow.
Changing your honda vtx 1300 handlebars is one of those modifications that offers a huge return on investment. It changes the look, the feel, and the comfort level of the machine. Once you get that perfect set of bars installed and you head out for that first sunset ride, you'll wonder why you waited so long to make the swap. The VTX is a "forever bike" for a lot of people, and getting the ergonomics dialed in is the best way to make sure you stay in the saddle for years to come.