vtx1300 vs. Star 1100 or 1300 vs. vulcan 1500 or 1600

Been riding a VN750 for about 3 years. Want something bigger for highway and riding 2 up. And I will admit it, I just want more thump thump too! What are your guys thought on the VTX1300, Vstar 1100 or 1300, and the vulcan 1500 or 1600. Don't like the looks of the suzukis. Any prior experience or facts would be much appreciated. Looking for a used bike in the $5K range. Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Fins  

finsfan, I ride a V Star 1100 and admittedly am biased toward the Star line...I like 'em all! Any of the bikes you mention will give you more thump than a 750, but your 5k price target can be limiting. Not sure how many 1300s or larger you'll find for that. You can certainly find an 1100 for that, but it will be a little older, probably (I'm guessing) an 02-04 (I ride a '99 and I think the Blue Book on it is about 2k to 2500). Mine's a Custom, which is the least-frills of the 1100s (no windshield, bags, extras like that).

As I've noted on other posts, the only inherent problem with an 1100 is a design flaw that requires you to remove the pipes to change the oil filter unless you add an oil filter relocation kit, which can be had for $250 or less (DollarRider.com has the best price I've seen, and it's less than $250).

I'm about 6'1" and 250-ish and when I hit the throttle, Bruiser goes!

It basically comes down to personal choice. I have a friend who ride a VTX1300 and swears by it. My father-in-law rides a Vulcan 900LT and loves it. Neither has any problems with theirs. I've read good things about the larger Vulcans. Plenty or reviews you can read to get a better idea of their pluses and minuses.

Best way to figure out what's best for you is to sit on them and take them for atest ride, but yo probably already know that.

Good luck finding your bike. Ride safe, watch out for cagers on cell 0hones, and thank The Man Upstairs for every safe ride.  

VTX1300 no question followed closly by the Vstar awsome bike, 2 mates of mine that have Vulcan 1600cc P,O,S that are off the road more than on both have had major issues. As for not liking the look of the Suzuki them fightin words LOL   GOOD LUCK MATE  
MY RIDE: 2009 Pearl Black  Suzuki Boulevard M109R (VZR1800K9)
MODS: Cobra Dragster pipes/ K&N High flow air filters/ K&N High flow oil filter/ Dunlop E3 250 rear/ Chrome Grill

On the vn1500 line, they run well... until!
My wife has a 2003 Mean Streak. The TPS sensor went in '06 (at about 6000 miles). Nope, the part isn't available, you need the full throttle body ($800+ from KAWI). I found it for $600 from another source.
The Ninja 1400, on the other hand has had so many of them fail, that they did release that part without the assembly ($75) (to avoid a NHSTA hit).
I had a carb'd 800, and it was the most fantasic ride for 7 years, and 37,000 miles.

So, I've had the good, and the bad...ain't in the market for the ugly  

My co-worker has a Vstar-I believe it is a 650, but not sure, Rich has a VTX 1300. They are both 6'2". The vstar rider says his is too short for his legs. The best thing is to sit on them and try to test ride if possible. Rich loves his vtx, my co-worker loves his vstar except the size.  

I have an 05 VStat 1100 Silverado and even riding with a passenger who weighs in at 190 the 1100 has no problems with get up and go.  

How is it at highway speeds? My 750 is wound out at 80mph.
Fins  

I've gone over 90 with my 120-pound son with no problem.

My wife is no lightweight and I've had n problem going 70 with her...could have gone faster...but she doesn't like the buffeting so we just chill at 55 or 60 with no problems at all.

The 1100 has plenty of umph and grunt if that what you want.

For the record, Bruiser (my bike's name is actually Cruiser Bruiser) does not have a windshield. Oneluckie can comment on buffeting with a windshield since the Silverado comes with one. If you do opt for a bike with a windshield, I've read on other forums that installing lowers goes a long way toward reducing buffeting and is highly recommended.  

Hey finsfan21,
I ride the VTX1300 and completely love it!  The low profile and wide handlebars allow for a very relaxing and smooth ride.   It's got tons of power and sounds awesome with the vance-n-hines pipes I just put on it this year.  So my preference goes to the VTX but they're all great bikes.  Good luck.  

Commenting as cruiser bruiser stated, I have a full windshield and it cuts down on buffeting tremendously and as an added bonus stops all the bugs  

Commenting as cruiser bruiser stated, I have a full windshield and it cuts down on buffeting tremendously and as an added bonus stops all the bugs  

Finsfan21

  Not sure of your location, but look around online. The Honda VTX 1300 in overstock at some dealers goes for around $6000. Local here in SW Pa about 6500.00.
If you don't mind a little travel to pick up, try HondaofChanute.com. They are in Kansas and have some good deals. Tonight they have a few year old brand new vtx1800 for a little over $8000. Worth a little travel expense.  

I had a STAR 1100 Silverado and really liked it but went to a bigger STAR.  I've ridden a 1800 VTX but not the 1300.  But have have read positive reviews on the 1300.  The Royal Star is a 1300, but that V-4 really has zip.  Both it and the Honda are liquid cooled and shaft driven.  The STAR 1100 is shaft driven but air cooled.  All are carbarator and not fuel injected.  If any of those aspects are important to you. I'd try and ride them, look at reviews and ask friends and then see where you can get the best bike for the least money.  A local dealer really helps to.  

No problems at highway speeds with the 1100 and a passenger.  

my real problem is that I also am looking for something a little bigger than my current vt750c, but i want a modern styled cruiser, with liquid cool, injected and either belt or shaft drive.  I'm not from the 50s and I don't want big fenders or whitewalls, I don't want a classic car look, I want a nice new modern bike that has the power and torque to move me and my 2up onto the highway with some vigor.
Modern syling like the M90 and M109 would be ok but i need windshield and bags for comfort, without looking dorky.  
I think I'm leaning towards the v-star 1300, injected, belt, liquid cooled, and then I'll add the bags and windshield because that Tourer has that oldfoggie look